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