Closer ties with Myanmar

Closer ties with Myanmar

BANGKOK (AFP): The Thai Rak Thai party, which is set to form Thailand's next coalition government, plans to forge closer ties with Myanmar, a report said on Thursday.

The Bangkok Post said the party's deputy leader Pitak Intrawithayanunt told a senior foreign affairs official that he was in favor of the ministry helping to explore trade opportunities with its military-run neighbor.

At a time when relations between the two are under considerable strain, Pitak stressed the ministry should work to ensure the situation did not deteriorate further.

A series of violent attacks staged by anti-Myanmar rebels on Thai soil have soured the bilateral relationship over the past year.

Earlier this month Myanmar's official press accused Thailand of giving weapons and moral support to ethnic rebels along their common border.