On 23 August 2008, the first day of his official visit to the Union of Myanmar, Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag paid a courtesy call on H.E. General Thein Sein, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar. While the visit was a customary one for newly appointed foreign ministers, it also coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Myanmar.
In their meeting, Prime Minister Thein Sein welcomed the Foreign Minister to Myanmar, noting that his visit augurs well for bilateral relations between both countries. The Prime Minister thanked Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand as well as the Government and people of Thailand for the assistance extended to Myanmar in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, particularly as the Kingdom was the first country to send in relief supplies. The Foreign Minister expressed his condolences for the massive loss of life and property that ensued and reiterated Thailand’s readiness to extend further assistance in accordance with Myanmar’s needs.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the many collaborative endeavours currently being undertaken by both governments, especially in the area of road construction, and asked the Foreign Minister to help expedite on-going projects to ensure their successful implementation.
On the same day, Foreign Minister Tej also met with his counterpart U Nyan Win, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar. Among the many issues discussed, the two Foreign Ministers agreed that as construction of 18 kilometre road link from Myawaddy to Tharnintharyi Range has been completed with grant assistance from Thailand, an official handing-over ceremony should be held in the near future. To help address the narcotics problem, Foreign Minister Tej also reiterated Thailand’s readiness to extend assistance on alternative development, drawing upon the vast experience of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation in Thailand. The Foreign Ministers also discussed the issue of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand for whom a nationality verification process has been agreed upon and will soon be implemented once the relevant rules and regulations have been amended.
Just prior to his meeting with his Myanmar counterpart, Foreign Minister Tej presented a contribution of Baht two million to Professor Kyaw Myint, Minister for Health of Myanmar, to help renovate Tachileik Hospital’s operation theatre. The contribution was part of the activities being held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Myanmar.
Later that evening, Foreign Minister Nyan Win hosted a dinner in honour of Foreign Minister Tej and his delegation, following which a visit was made to the Shwedagon Pagoda.
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