Thailand, Myanmar open border

Thailand, Myanmar open border

THAILAND: Thailand and Myanmar opened their mutual border on Tuesday for the first time in five months, signaling a new thaw in a relationship fraught by military tension and rows over the drugs trade.

Tensions between the neighbors rose in May after skirmishes between Myanmar troops and ethnic rebel militias and Yangon shut all border crossings. Myanmar's ruling generals accused Bangkok of aiding the rebels, a charge Thailand denies.

But relations have gradually improved and the neighbors, enemies for centuries, agreed earlier this month to reopen the 1,800 km frontier that stretches from Laos to the Indian Ocean.

Bangkok said on Tuesday the reopening showed the relationship had returned to normal and it hoped the 18 border checkpoints would never be shut down again. --Reuters