PM praises Tokyo plan for growth
Tokyo Strategy 2018 for Mekong-Japan Co-operation has been well designed to meet the needs of countries in the Mekong region, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday in the Japanese capital.
Speaking to national leaders at the Tokyo summit, Gen Prayut said the new strategy could address some of the changes Thailand and its neighbours are facing to ensure sustainable regional growth.
Tokyo Strategy 2018 shows how the Japanese government places much importance on the five-year Acmecs master plan, which provided guidelines to help draft the 2018 plan, Gen Prayut said.
Acmecs refers to the Ayeyawady Chao Phraya Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (Acmecs), consisting of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. It is a partnership framework designed to bolster economic growth and reduce income disparities in the region.
The five countries are located south of China where the Mekong originates. The river stretches for 4,880 kilometres before flowing into the South China Sea via Vietnam.
The Mekong is a key transport channel. It plays an important role in fishing and safeguarding the ecosystem of its main branches.
Tokyo Strategy 2015 was endorsed by country leaders during that year’s summit. Japan has been a key partner in pushing the Mekong region toward greater sustainability.
Under the joint cooperation, Gen Prayut said he wants to see more people participate in development. This would lead to a “people-centric society”, he said.
Meanwhile, Thailand and Myanmar recently publicised the results of their joint border survey along the Sai and Ruak rivers to clarify territorial boundaries.
The two rivers, which run past Chiang Rai, are among rivers, about 700 kilometres in total, which border the two countries.
The latest meeting between the two sides ended on Sept 27 and led to the joint approval of 18 areas where local markets could be set up in either country.
The survey was initiated by the ThaiMyanmar boundary committee, which convened in July 2016.
The two countries agreed in 1991 to jointly demarcate their territories, based on deepwater channels.
Other rivers that divide Thailand and Myanmar include the Salween in Mae Hong Son, the Moei in Tak, and the Kra Buri in Ranong. Kra Buri is located in the southern region.