RANGOON — Burma’s military chief met with Thai Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra earlier this week in Bangkok, where they reportedly
discussed border narcotics issues as well as investment projects,
including the multi-million dollar Dawei deep-sea port project.
Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Burma’s armed forces,
also attended a meeting in the Thai capital with high-ranking Thai
military officials. He was accompanied by Burmese military officials
including Gen Hla Htay Win, chief of the general staff of Burma’s armed
forces.
In the meeting with Yingluck on Tuesday, Min Aung Hlaing said he was
“grateful to Thailand for taking part in the development of democracy in
his country,” according to the Bangkok Post, quoting Thai government
spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi.
The Bangkok-based newspaper reported that Min Aung Hlaing said he
welcomed Thai investment and offered assurances that his country was
politically stable. He also reportedly told the Thai prime minister that
Burma wanted to work with Thailand on the Dawei deep-sea port project
as well as efforts to combat drug trafficking.
Many Thai businesspeople are looking to invest in Burma but have
concerns about fraudulent business practices and political instability.
Min Aung Hlaing is believed to have close ties with former Thai Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck’s eldest brother. During a visit
to Burma in April last year, Thaksin met with the Burmese military chief
in Maymyo, also known as Pyin Oo Lwin, in Mandalay Division.
A photograph posted on Facebook showed Thaksin sprinkling water on
Min Aung Hlaing in a traditional Buddhist New Year gesture of blessing
and respect.
The Shinawatra family is believed to hold property in Dawei, the
southernmost town in Tenasserim Division, where a special economic zone
is planned and the multi-million dollar Dawei deep-sea port project is
under construction.
In July, an audio clip was posted online that was believed to capture
a conversation between Thaksin and Thai Deputy Defense Minister
Yuthasak Sasiprapa about how to make use of Min Aung Hlaing to gain
privileged business opportunities in Burma. The two men in the recording
said building close ties with the Burmese military chief would help
them obtain trade opportunities.
source: The Irrawaddy
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