Thailand proposes peace plan
HAS PROPOSED THREE or more ASEAN member countries working in unison to engage with Myanmar’s military junta to ease the crisis and bring about peace in the conflict-torn nation while remaining firm on its stance on humanitarian assistance and promoting peace.
Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura, said on Apr 24 Thailand has coordinated with current ASEAN chair Laos to hold what it calls ASEAN “Troika” and “Troika plus” meetings to restore peace.
The ASEAN Troika is a community body made up of foreign ministers of the previous, present and future chair countries of the bloc [Indonesia, Laos and Malaysia, respectively]. The “plus” refers to other ASEAN members interested in facilitating peace or concerned about the crisis.
Mr Nikorndej said it is likely the proposed meetings will be held in Thailand and reiterated the country’s readiness to broker negotiations between Myanmar’s junta and resistance groups.
He said the ongoing conflict is not between Thailand and Myanmar and the country’s stance on the crisis is clear in that the Thai government will provide humanitarian assistance to all groups affected by the fighting on the principles of national security, international relations and human rights.
“Thailand is an advocate for peace, so it is important for us to emphasise our position as an active promoter of peace. This can be seen from our readiness to broker negotiations among parties in the Myanmar conflict. If they agree, we’re ready to,” he said.
According to Mr Nikorndej the situation is assessed as not being highly critical and the effects on Thailand remain limited and mostly affect border trade, which is expected to be temporary.
Meanwhile, the last group of 658 Myanmar people who recently took refuge in Mae Sot voluntarily agreed to return on Apr 27 after the situation in Myawaddy improved, according to local authorities.
A spokesman for the Karen National Union (KNU) said the “temporary retreat” from Myawaddy came after the return of junta soldiers to the vital strategic area that is a conduit for annual foreign trade of more than US$1 billion (B36bn).