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.