On 22 May 2009, Mr. Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Information Department and Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, responded to the media’s questions on the recent meeting on 21 May between Mr. Bansarn Bunnag, Thai Ambassador to Myanmar, and U Nyan Win, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, in Naypyidaw, as follows:
Ambassador Bansarn was on a visit to Myanmar’s capital for several reasons, among which is to accompany the Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force and his delegation.
The ambassador met with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister and discussed issues such as Myanmar’s request for Thai cooperation in curbing the spread of counterfeit Kyat currency in the border town of Tachilek. Ambassador Bansarn responded that Thailand would render its cooperation.
On Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Mr. Tharit said that Naypyidaw was informed of ASEAN Chairman’s position, which was put together from the positions of the ASEAN member countries. Further consultations may be held when the foreign ministers of Thailand and Myanmar meet during the upcoming 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Hanoi on 25-26 May 2009. Discussions on the issue of Myanmar may also be held between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, including during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in July.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th