Thailand-Burma relations
Websites/Multiple Documents
Description:
"...Thus human flows continue to follow the same pattern: from the Kayin State into Thailand where Mae Sot remains a hub of international activity. This hub, however, seems to be losing importance as financial flows are changing direction. Organisations based on the Thai side of the border and working with the populations from Burma (in medical, humanitarian aid, human rights monitoring and other fields) complain of draining support. Foreign governments and donors are so excited about Myanmar?s ?opening up? that they are now bypassing the border areas and rushing to Yangon. There they still need to cut deals with the still predominantly (ex-)military government. But the wish to believe in the irreversible positive change in Burma (or profit from its untapped business potential) is stronger."
Indrė Balčaitė
Source/publisher:
"New Mandala"
Date of publication:
2012-09-01
Date of entry/update:
2014-07-17
Grouping:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Sub-title:
Maximum of one land checkpoint per border province will be allowed to remain open
Description:
"...The Interior Ministry has ordered most border provinces to leave only one international checkpoint open as the country tries to block arrivals to contain the coronavirus outbreak that has caused a sharp jump in cases this week. Key checkpoints to temporary shut are the first Thai-Mayanmar Friendship Bridge in Tak, which will be closed until further notice. The Phu Nam Ron and Three Pagodas passes linking Kanchanaburi and Myanmar will be shut from Saturday to April 3. On the eastern front, Ban Khao Din in Sa Kaeo, opposite Cambodia, which will be closed from Monday to April 5. Checkpoints with Malaysia were already closed for all intents and purposes after the Malaysian government locked down the country for two weeks from last Monday. Malaysia has reported 900 Covid-19 cases, the most in Southeast Asia....."
Bangkok Post
Source/publisher:
Bangkok Post
Date of publication:
2020-03-20
Date of entry/update:
2020-03-21
Grouping:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Thailand-Burma relations
more
Description:
A useful site focussing on helping Thai people to understand the situation in Burma. The main section is in Thai, with a set of articles from 2005-2007 translated into English...
"SNN is a project focusing on information and media, working to produce news and information about Burma in Thai language. So far, no organization in Thailand is focusing specifically on this arena, despite the fact that Thai and Burma are neighbors and a large number of people from Burma have fled to Thailand....
Thailand and Burma are neighboring countries but most of Thai people are still not informed and not understand about situations in Burma. One of the reasons is that there is too little information about Burma in Thai language. Hence, Salween News Network was established to produce and to be a center of information about Burma in Thai language....
Main objectives:
1. To produce and collect information (news, articles ,features ,books etc.) about Burma for Thai society....
2. To create a network among independent Burmese news agencies and Thai news agencies...
3. To train Burmese and Thai journalists to produce news, articles, features etc. about Burma in Thai mainstream media....
Main Activities:
1. Collect information and write news and articles
2. Publish newsletters and books about Burma in Thai language
3. Provide trainings for Burmese and Thai journalists.
4. Organise meeting for Thai and Burmese journalists....
Publication:
1. Salween News Network?s media
1.1 Listserve by [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
1.2 Newsletter ( every 6 weeks)
1.3 Website www.salweennews.org
1.4 Books....
2. other media including Thai language newspapers and magazines.
Source/publisher:
Salween News Network/
Date of entry/update:
2008-04-30
Grouping:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
more
Individual Documents
Description:
"Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who himself first seized power in a coup, said on Wednesday (Feb 10) that he had received a letter from Myanmar's new junta leader asking for help to support democracy.
Prayut, who overthrew an elected prime minister in 2014 and stayed in office after a 2019 election which his rivals said was badly flawed, told reporters in Bangkok that he had always supported democracy in the neighbouring country. Min Aung Hlaing's army overthrew elected civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb 1 and detained her, alleging fraud in an election last year that her party won in a landslide. The electoral commission had dismissed the army's claims.
READ: Myanmar anti-coup protests resume despite bloodshed
READ: Myanmar military raids Aung San Suu Kyi's party offices as UN slams violence
"We are supportive of the democratic process in Myanmar, but what is most important today is to maintain good relations because it impacts the people, the economy, border trade, particularly now," Prayut said. "Thailand supports the democratic process. The rest is up to him to see how to proceed," he said.
Since the coup, Myanmar has been convulsed by the biggest protests in more than a decade as Aung San Suu Kyi's supporters challenge the coup that halted a tentative decade-long transition to democracy..."
Source/publisher:
"Reuters" (UK) via "CNA" ( Singapore)
Date of publication:
2021-02-10
Date of entry/update:
2021-02-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Freedom of opinion and expression: - the situation in Burma/Myanmar - reports, analyses, recommendations, Political role of the Tatmadaw, Politics, Government and Governance - Burma/Myanmar - general studies, The 2020 General Elections in Burma/Myanmar, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Border opens to prevent Thais sneaking back in
Description:
"The border district of Mae Sot is on alert for a large number of Thais working in a casino in Myawaddy to flee the continued spread of the coronavirus in Myanmar.
Opas Kankawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department, expected hundreds of Thai workers at a casino in the cross-border town to move back through the district in Tak soon after the province temporarily reopens the checkpoint to allow them through.
“We have estimated hundreds of Thais are stuck there. We don’t know how many of them have been infected,” a video clip posted on the department Facebook page on Sunday quoted him as saying. The latest batch of Thai returnees -- believed to number 40 -- arrived on Thursday. Seventeen of them tested positive and were sent to Mae Sot Hospital. They worked for the Sky Complex casino, just across the Moei River that separates Mae Sot and Myawaddy..."
Source/publisher:
Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2020-01-10
Date of entry/update:
2021-01-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Sub-title:
A coronavirus outbreak in Tachileik has shone a rare spotlight on border-based hotels, KTVs and casinos with links to powerful armed groups, whose open flouting of pandemic restrictions has put Myanmar and Thailand in danger.
Description:
"On November 25, Ma Nang, 18, lost her sense of smell.
Known as anosmia, it is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. In hotspots across Myanmar, thousands of people have reported losing their sense of smell, and many have later tested positive for the coronavirus.
But Ma Nang was not in a COVID-19 hotspot, and had neither travelled to an area with COVID-19 cases nor seemingly been in contact with any infected people.
The resident of Tachileik, in eastern Shan State on the border with Thailand’s Mae Sai, had been working as a KTV singer at 1G1-7 Hotel until November 16, when she quit her job. She travelled north to Kengtung for a few days with friends but fell ill after returning to her hometown.
“I went to a fever clinic but I wasn’t worried – there were no cases in Tachileik,” Ma Nang said. “I was shocked when the test came back positive.”
Until her positive test, Tachileik, which is sometimes referred to as the capital of the Golden Triangle – the notoriously lawless area where the borders of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos meet – had seemingly escaped Myanmar’s “second wave” of COVID-19. Since the first cases emerged in Rakhine State and Yangon in late August, the virus has gradually spread across most of the country. Eastern Shan State is one of the few exceptions: it has recorded the lowest number of cases outside Kayah State, which only registered its first patient in October.
In the week before Ma Nang tested positive, several other cases had been detected in Tachileik but they had all been among people undergoing quarantine, with no evidence to suggest the virus had spread in the community.
In response to her positive test, the Tachileik District COVID-19 Prevention and Rapid Response committee issued a notice on November 28 advising residents to stay at home, to adhere to a curfew and not to hold gatherings. Restaurants were told to only sell take-away, and anyone with COVID-19 symptoms was advised to immediately visit a fever clinic. Residents needed little warning; the streets would be mostly deserted for the next two weeks. “Of course, I’m worried about the virus,” said U San Shwe Myint, owner of Happy restaurant. “In the circumstances I decided it would be better to close my restaurant completely.”
By mid-December the outbreak was mostly under control, with few new cases of community transmission. But the emergence of COVID-19 in eastern Shan State raises serious questions about the enforcement of prevention measures, including the closure of high-risk venues, monitoring of overland travellers and control of international borders..."
Source/publisher:
"Frontier Myanmar" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-12-23
Date of entry/update:
2021-01-05
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Sub-title:
The latest outbreak was first detected at a seafood market near Bangkok, prompting a flare-up in online hate speech.
Description:
"“Wherever you see Myanmar people, shoot them down,” read one Thai comment on YouTube after a surge of coronavirus cases among workers from Myanmar.
The outbreak, first detected at a seafood market near Bangkok, has prompted a surge in online hate speech as well as questions over Thailand’s treatment of millions of migrant workers.....“Myanmar people are being labelled for transmitting COVID-19, but the virus doesn’t discriminate,” said Sompong Srakaew of the Labour Protection Network, a Thai group helping migrant workers.
Shifting sentiment has had real consequences, he said, with workers from Myanmar, previously known as Burma, being blocked from buses, motorcycle taxis and offices.....“Myanmar people are being labelled for transmitting COVID-19, but the virus doesn’t discriminate,” said Sompong Srakaew of the Labour Protection Network, a Thai group helping migrant workers.
Shifting sentiment has had real consequences, he said, with workers from Myanmar, previously known as Burma, being blocked from buses, motorcycle taxis and offices..."
Source/publisher:
"Al Jazeera" (Qatar)
Date of publication:
2020-12-24
Date of entry/update:
2021-01-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Discrimination: standards and mechanisms, Thailand-Burma relations, COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Public Health
Language:
more
Description:
"Bangladesh is interested in joining the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) trilateral highway to enhance connectivity with Southeast Asia, which would open a new chapter in trans-border corridors in the Indo-Pacific region.
Dhaka’s expressed interest to join IMT — at a time when Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar or BCIM has made scant progress — during prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s virtual summit with her counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday. She sought India’s support to enable Bangladesh to join the initiative, according to the joint statement issued at the end of the summit. The IMT highways is aimed at opening land gate to ASEAN and boost trade and commerce. India has also proposed extending the highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. India has undertaken two projects in Myanmar under the 1,360-km IMT project that starts from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand through Myanmar. These are construction of the 120-km Kalewa-Yagyi road sections to highway standard and upgrading of 69 bridges and approach roads on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa road section of 150 km. Bangladesh also wants trucks with its goods to enter Bhutan and Nepal through India and Hasina sought cooperation from Modi in this regard at the summit in what would promote Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) road connectivity as part of sub-regional cooperation, ET has learnt. At the summit Bangladesh and India discussed ways of cooperation to expand transportation solutions within BBIN region, apart from cooperation in cross-border energy trade.
To facilitate better connectivity and simplify movement of passengers and goods between both the countries, both leaders agreed to an early operationalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement through expeditious signing of the Enabling MoU for Bangladesh, India and Nepal to commence the movement of goods and passengers, with provision for Bhutan to join at a later date..."
Source/publisher:
"The Economic Times" (India)
Date of publication:
2020-12-18
Date of entry/update:
2021-01-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma/Myanmar's relationship with the Global Economy, Burma's economic relations with India, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Bangladesh-Burma relations, India-Burma relations, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Artisans in Sagyin have carved out a living from marble for generations but some fear the dust that cloaks the village.
Description:
"The fine white dust that shrouds much of his northern Myanmar village also covers sculptor Chin Win as he leans over a half-finished Buddha statue.
"We are blessed to carve Buddha," he said at his stone workshop surrounded by the seven white hills that give Sagyin village its name, which means "marble" in Burmese.
For generations, artisans in this part of Buddhist-majority Myanmar have carved out a living from the marble, fashioning mostly colossal Buddha statues to be sold in the nearby city of Mandalay or exported to neighbouring China and Thailand.
Many of the several thousand villagers here earn a modest living from the marble mines, hauling the slabs down the hill, carving them into statues, or exporting them overseas.
Burmese marble, which ranges from pure white to bluish grey, is prized for its hardness and texture. A 45-tonne slab can sell for $40,000. In Sagyin, specks of the stone are used for everything from brushing teeth to washing clothes. "We grew up breathing the dust," said Chin Win, 35, who has been carving statues since he was 11 years old. "We use it as toothpaste, for soap powder, lipstick."
The stone used to be chiselled by hand. Now, much of the work is done with machines.
"I was born in this village and for generations, this is what we have done: the men work on marble carving and the women work in the marble mines or polish the marble statues," said 25-year-old Mya Lay, in a house fashioned from dry bamboo sheets, with a floor made of marble chippings..."
Source/publisher:
"Al Jazeera" (Qatar)
Date of publication:
2020-07-07
Date of entry/update:
2020-07-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with China, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, China-Burma relations, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
The safe return of migrant workers from Thailand amid the pandemic has required an unprecedented degree of cooperation between the government and armed groups on policing the border.
Description:
"The COVID-19 pandemic has put many people out of work in Myanmar, from garment workers and vendors to journalists and taxi drivers. Another group suddenly without income are the “brokers” who arrange for undocumented migrants to cross into Thailand at the many unofficial border gates run by ethnic armed groups in Myanmar’s southeast.
During normal times, there is a steady flow of migrants at these crossings. People cross to access better-paid jobs in Thailand and return to check on families and farms, to invest savings in land, property and small businesses, and to pay off debts – all without having to comply with the cumbersome and expensive requirements set by the Memorandum of Understanding between Thailand and Myanmar on labour migration.
But in recent months, these border crossings have been shuttered, in an unprecedented show of pandemic-prompted cooperation between the government and armed groups, which have instead funnelled migrants towards the official crossings, particularly at Myawaddy in Kayin State.
Informal migration has not stopped completely; the border is highly porous in places, with remote terrain allowing people to cross outside of both government and armed group-controlled gates. But this tends to happen far from major travel arteries and mostly serves local trips over small distances..."
Source/publisher:
"Frontier Myanmar" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-06-17
Date of entry/update:
2020-06-17
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Economics of migration from Burma/Myanmar -, Thailand-Burma relations, Politics, Government and Governance - Burma/Myanmar - general studies
Language:
more
Sub-title:
The Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation and Myanma Insurance began talks on June 15 aimed at providing insurance coverage for the hundreds of thousands of Myanmar people working in Thailand.
Description:
"The talks were being conducted in preparation for the workers’ return to the kingdom, which usually has over 2 million documented and undocumented Myanmar workers, said U Peter Nyunt Maung, vice chair of the federation.
“If workers test positive for COVID-19 abroad and decide to be treated there, who would pay?” he said. “Free medical treatment is available only in Myanmar, so we are negotiating for insurance coverage there.” Myanma Insurance already offers COVID-19 insurance on the local market. Compensation for such coverage in Thailand would be paid in local currency.
The federation negotiated to pay based on the current exchange rate of the Myanmar and Thai currencies.
“A lot of workers want to go abroad, but the government would not allow them yet,” he said. “Other countries are prepared to accept workers, so official permission may not take too long.”
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-06-17
Date of entry/update:
2020-06-17
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Migrant worker' registration in Thailand - articles/commentary, Thailand-Burma relations, COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Language:
more
Description:
"Who could have supported ACTED Covid-19 home-visit interventions in refugee camps better than the residents themselves?
To prevent the virus from entering Ban Mai Nai Soi and Ban Mae Surin refugee camps on the Thai-Myanmar border, 36 Myanmar refugees joined ACTED to conduct information sessions on Covid-19 and Hygiene Kits distribution to all camp residents.
We asked four of them to share their experience with us.
From ACTED ex-trainees to ACTED camp-based workers
Aged 19 to 51 years old, they speak Burmese, Karen and/or Karenni (local languages from Myanmar). When they heard of the opportunity to join ACTED for a month, all of them were familiar with the organization.
In 2015, both Akamin and Be Bya Na, only 15 years old at the time, graduated from ACTED Motorcycle and Electric Wiring and Sewing trainings in Ban Mai Nai Soi camp, attending each day after school. Be Bya Na remembers enrolling to the latter training as she wanted to get additional skills after school to increase her chances to become a successful businesswoman one day.
To learn about office work, Kee Ler Htoo, a 50-year old mother of nine children, graduated from ACTED’s advanced computing course in 2015 and has been working ever since in the Camp Livelihoods Committee of her camp, as a Livelihood coordinator.
Interested in IT for years, Yar Ree Htoo, a 51-year-old gardening enthusiast, enrolled in the computer course in 2019. “I learned how to use Microsoft, Excel, Photoshop, among many other things and it was so helpful.”
This year, the four of them became camp-based workers, with the ultimate goal to support and inform their community about Covid-19. When asked about why it was important for everyone to be aware and understand how to be protected from it, Be Bya Na responded “to help and save other lives.”
Involving camp-residents through Hygiene Kits distribution and home visit sensitization
To conduct their activities, camp-based workers worked in pairs. Akamin and Be Bya Na, long-time friends, decided to conduct their home visits together, first participating in hygiene practice trainings and receiving Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), namely a cloth mask, gloves and hand sanitizers.
Each day, they visited approximately five households, always ensuring to wear a mask and to respect a 2-meter social distancing while interacting with their fellow camp-residents..."
Source/publisher:
ACTED via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2020-06-12
Date of entry/update:
2020-06-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Refugees and immigrants in Thailand - Thailand's international treaty obligations and relevant Thai legislation, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
The number of buses carrying migrant workers returning from Bangkok through the Myawady border checkpoint in Kayin State has fallen to two a week.
Description:
"Since June 2, bus service has been reduced to every Tuesday and Friday from Mo Chit bus station in Bangkok to the Mae Sot-Myawady border as fewer workers are returning home.
The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok has urged migrant workers to register and buy tickets at the embassy office to avoid trouble. It said that from May 1 to June 4, 16,000 workers had returned to Myanmar through Myawady. Thailand announced on June 1 that despite extending its state-of-emergency until the end of June, it would not prevent an estimated 34,000 Myanmar migrant workers from returning home.
An estimated 60,000 workers planned to return from Thailand due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. U Peter Nyunt Maung, deputy chair of the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation, said the workers would likely not be able to get their jobs back, as the Thai government would prioritise giving jobs to its own people when its economy reopens.
He added that some 65,000 workers who were trying to get into Thailand when it closed its borders due to COVID-19 in January may also be out of work.
Aside from Myawady, workers were also expected to return from Thailand through Kawthoung in Tanintharyi Region..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-06-08
Date of entry/update:
2020-06-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Sub-title:
The closure of dozens of illegal trade gates along the border with Thailand to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is causing shortages of everything from beer and energy drinks to detergent and cosmetics, highlighting the vast scale of informal trade with Thailand.
Description:
"For decades, billions of dollars of goods have crossed the Thai-Myanmar border through dozens of illegal trade gates in Kayin State’s Myawaddy Township that are run by armed groups.
Each day, hundreds of trucks drive to the Thai side of the Thaung Yin (or Moei) River in Mae Sot, where their cargo is processed by Thai Customs, unloaded by hand onto small boats, ferried across the narrow stretch of water to Myawaddy and stored in warehouses for distribution throughout Myanmar. Most of this happens in broad daylight, and is legal on the Thai side and tacitly approved in Myanmar.
Through conflict, natural disaster and political instability, these “boat gates” have nearly always remained open, providing a steady stream of imported goods to markets around the country.
Not only do the gates provide a financial lifeline to the armed groups that control them, they enable businesses to skirt trade regulations – and Customs duties – on everything from fabric and liquor to cars and used refrigerators, costing the country hundreds of millions of dollars a year in lost tax revenue. Government officials acknowledge the gates are illegal, but insist they are powerless to close them.
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But then came COVID-19. For the past two months the illegal gates have been closed, and cross-border trade has been limited to a single official crossing, the No 2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge. Although some traders have tried to switch to legal channels, many of the goods, such as liquor, that cross through the illegal gates cannot be imported legally. Trade has fallen from about US$10 million a day in February to as little as $3 million a day in April, according to the Myawaddy Chamber of Commerce. Stocks of imported goods have run out, while exports to Thailand have also been hit hard..."
Source/publisher:
"Frontier Myanmar"
Date of publication:
2020-06-08
Date of entry/update:
2020-06-08
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"7,181 migrants returned from Thailand
from 22 to 28 May, mainly from Myawaddy-Mae Sot
2,848 migrants returned from China
from 22 to 28 May, through Nan Taw and Chin Shwe Haw
SITUATION OVERVIEW
Returns from Thailand began picking up this week, and from 22 to 28 May, 7,031 migrants returned through MyawaddyMae Sot, and 150 returned through Kawthaung-Ranoung. These include 1,979 migrants whose return was facilitated following coordination between the Embassy of Myanmar in Thailand and Thai authorities, with the rest self-arranging their return. Returnees were also tested for COVID-19 upon arrival to Myanmar, with most returnees, upon confirmation of negative test results, being transported to their communities of origin for quarantine. A total of 45,168 migrants returned from Thailand from 22 March to 28 May.
The Department of Labour (DOL) issued a letter on 22 May to the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agency Federation (MOEAF) on the restarting of recruitment procedures for Myanmar migrants seeking migration and employment in Thailand. The letter announced that recruitment procedures are on hold until 31 May, and that Thai authorities will accept migrant workers who have health certificates and who undergo health checks at points of entry.
Once recruitment resumes, private recruitment agencies (PRAs) are required to follow the regular recruitment process, which includes a demand letter from Thai employers indicating the need for migrant workers, a clear commitment that migrant workers will receive an employment contract and begin employment within 60 days of deployment, and a commitment to follow COVID-19 related instructions from the Thai Government during the process of applying for employment cards. PRAs are also required to communicate these regulations to respective Thai employers. Should PRAs not follow these instructions, DOL will revoke the license of the PRA concerned..."
Source/publisher:
International Organization for Migration (IOM) ( Switzerland) via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2020-05-31
Date of entry/update:
2020-05-31
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
IOM Burma/Myanmar, Migration from Burma: mixed and general articles and reports, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
Format :
pdf
Size:
550.46 KB - reduce version
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Description:
"After weeks of waiting at the closed border, hundreds of Myanmar migrant workers returned home from Thailand. The COVID-19 pandemic shuttered factories across Southeast Asia, leaving tens of thousands without jobs. Southeast Asia has reported 194,072 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of May 24. India has the highest number of cases in Asia with 131,868..."
Source/publisher:
"China Global Television Network (CGTN)" (China)
Date of publication:
2020-05-25
Date of entry/update:
2020-05-25
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Myanmar is preparing to help citizens stuck in Thailand to return home while a large group of Indians have flown home on a special flight.
The Interior Ministry has permitted stranded Myanmar workers to return home via the Thai–Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Tak's Mae Sot district.
Chatchai Promlert, permanent secretary for the Interior Ministry, said the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration had agreed to open the bridge, although other crossings remain closed for now. Mr Chatchai said those who wish to cross the border must show a letter of guarantee issued by the Myanmar embassy in Thailand, or one of the Myanmar labour offices in Chiang Mai or Ranong.
The travellers are required to present either the physical letter itself or show a copy of it on their mobile phone to border security personnel. More Rohingya migrants detained in Mae Sot
Illegally cut teak seized in Mae Sot
Myanmar editor jailed for Covid error
Travellers are also required to present themselves at the border checkpoint before 3pm each day, said Mr Chatchai, who added that a coach service runs to the border from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal in Bangkok every evening
Tak provincial governor Ansit Samphantharat also told media that about 27,000 Myanmar workers in Bangkok and adjacent areas have submitted requests to the Myanmar embassy in Thailand asking for permission to return to their country.
The Transport Co will provide 10 coaches which will cover the Bangkok-Mae Sot route to transport Myanmar workers from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal to the Mae Sot border checkpoint, stopping only at Nakhon Sawan Bus Terminal..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2020-05-23
Date of entry/update:
2020-05-23
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Internal displacement/forced migration of Rohingyas, COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"A total of 90 Myanmar migrant workers returned through the Friendship Bridge No 2 in Myawaddy on 17 May, the 17th consecutive day since the government resumed accepting returnees on 1 May amidst the spread of COVID-19, state media reported.
A total of 720 workers have returned home so far since 1st May.
According to statistics, the authorities accepted 60 workers on 1 May, 54 on 2 May, one on 3 May, 44 on 4 May, 23 on 5 May, 100 on 8 May, 44 on 10 May, 13 on 11 May, 41 on 12 May, 16 on 13 May, 38 on 14 May, 120 on 15 May, 76 on 16 May, and 90 on 17 May respectively. Local authorities are closely supervising the process of accepting the returnees in line with the COVID-19 fighting guidelines..."
Source/publisher:
"Mizzima" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-05-18
Date of entry/update:
2020-05-18
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Migration from Burma: mixed and general articles and reports, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Myanmar authorities brought back 67 more nationals from Thailand by a relief flight on Tuesday, according to a statement of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In order to retrieve the Myanmar nationals from Thailand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated with the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand and Myanmar's government ministries under the guidelines of the National Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19, the statement said.
The returnees from Thailand will be put under quarantine at designated facilities or hotels for 21 days under the management by the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports, and the Yangon Region Government.
According to the statement, it is the second batch of Myanmar nationals from Thailand after the first batch of 135 Myanmar nationals went back home on May 6.
So far, Myanmar has reported 180 COVID-19 cases with six deaths since the infectious disease was first detected in the country on March 23..."
Source/publisher:
"Xinhua" (China)
Date of publication:
2020-05-12
Date of entry/update:
2020-05-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Business operators in this lower Central province have called for the government to reopen the Singkhon border pass with Myanmar, saying its closure has affected the province's trade and investment.
The villagers of Mu Dong have resorted to buying consumer goods from Mergui town in the far south of Myanmar, said provincial chamber of commerce honorary chairman Nipon Suwannawa said on Sunday.
He added that because of the closure at Singkhon, the transport of marine products from Mergui to Ranong now takes several days, instead of just four hours via the border pass.
As a representative of the private sector, Mr Nipon said he would like the government to ease the restriction and allow the transport of goods across the Singkhon pass to resume for the sake of Prachuap Khi Khan's economy.
Somkiat Aojimid, an operator of tourism and sea food businesses in Mergui, said Myanmar plans to open a new bridge across the Tenasserim River (or Tranaosi River in Thai) in June. The bridge is now about 95% complete..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2020-05-10
Date of entry/update:
2020-05-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"The total number of Myanmar workers who returned to Myanmar via Mae Sot-Myawady Friendship Bridge-2 on Myanmar-Thai border, has reached 290.
On 8 May, more than 100 Myanmar workers reentered Myawady as they find it difficult to survive in Thailand. The returnees urged Myanmar workers stranded in Thailand to go home after the end of emergency period.
A female returnee said: “I resigned from the job as I planned to go home at the end of March. But I was unable to go home. I had to stay at other’s house as I had no income and place to live in. I returned to Myanmar after the arrest. Most of Myanmar workers find it difficult to survive due to the closures of factories in Thailand.”
A male returnee said: “We hired a car from Bangkok. The driver was afraid of going ahead. We spent three or four nights there. We asked for the help from the AWO as we had no money left. Then, we arrived at Mae Sot. Thailand did not allow us to enter Myanmar as Myanmar was not ready to accept the returnees. We arrived back here with the help of MPs.”..."
Source/publisher:
Eleven Media Group (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-05-09
Date of entry/update:
2020-05-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Outraged by the injustice faced by people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, we aspire to a world of solidarity and inclusion, enriched by our differences, where everyone can live in dignity”.
Handicap International is changing his name and becomes « Humanity & Inclusion ». HI, Humanity & Inclusion is an independent and impartial aid and development organisation with no religious or political affiliations operating in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable people to help meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.
Since the organisation was first founded in 1982, we have set up development programmes in 62 countries and responded to many emergencies. Today we have a budget of around 150 million euros, with 3500 employees worldwide.
HI is engaged in an employment policy in favour of disabled workers..."
Source/publisher:
"Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication:
2020-04-23
Date of entry/update:
2020-04-23
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Thousands of Myanmar textile workers on the Thai-Myanmar border in Three Pagodas Pass, Karen State have been unable to go to work at factories in Thailand due to a dispute between the countries’ border authorities.
“For the workers, they do not have monthly salaries, so how can they survive?” asked U Tin Myo Oo, a National League for Democracy regional lawmaker who represents Kyainseikgyi Township, where Three Pagodas Pass is located.
“[Myanmar authorities] do not allow workers to cross the border at the moment. From the Myanmar side, they do not allow people to cross the border, as I heard,” he said.
The Irrawaddy could not reach the Myanmar Border Committee in Three Pagodas Pass for comment.
Local sources from the town told The Irrawaddy that the dispute began on Tuesday after a meeting between Thai border authorities and a Karen Border Guard Force (BGF).
Thai authorities have objected to the fact that the Karen BGF allows some trade to pass through the border gates under their control, including reportedly at night. The border has been closed to trade since 2007 but border authorities from both sides allow locals to walk across to go to work for the day. Local traders are also allowed to cross, some driving their cars to transport food..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2020-02-28
Date of entry/update:
2020-02-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Border Trade with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Border trade between Thailand and Myanmar is set to increase this year thanks to the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and the implementation of Cross Border Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA).
Description:
"The second Thai- Myanmar Friendship bridge connecting Myawady in Myanmar and Mae Sot in Thailand opened in October of 2019. Meanwhile, the CBTA, which also came into effect last year, authorises goods vehicles from each country to cross the border and stay for 30 days.
Trade volume between Myanmar and Thailand in fiscal year2018-19 hit a total of US$5.4 billion (K7.7 trillion) in total, Ministry of Commerce statistics show. According to the ministry, Myanmar’s exports to Thailand reached US$3.2 billion while imports hit US$2.1 billion. Among three trade points along the border between Myanmar and Thailand, Myawady-Mae Sot route is the most important, carrying around 70 percent of trade between the countries.
“With the new bridge and that transportation agreement, the trade outlook is good for both countries. In Myanmar, most of goods mainly imported from Thailand are raw materials for manufacturing, and construction material. So, the transportation route is important for two countries’ economies and businesses,” Myanmar International Freight Forwarders Association chair U Aung Khin Myint, told The Myanmar Times..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-02-14
Date of entry/update:
2020-02-15
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Border Trade with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Border trade between Myanmar and its neighboring Thailand reached over 1.15 billion U.S. dollars in first quarter of the present fiscal year (FY) 2019-2020 which started in October, according to figures released from the Commerce Ministry on Sunday.
From Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019, the country earned over 773 million U.S. dollars from export to Thailand, while its import amounted over 382 million U.S. dollars.
This fiscal year's figures decreased by nearly 100 million U.S. dollars, compared to the same period of the last fiscal year 2018-2019.
Myanmar conducts trade with the Southeast Asian neighbor through seven border gates -- Tachileik, Myawady, Kawthoung, Myeik, Hteekhee, Mawtaung and Maese, respectively.
During the first four months of this FY, the Hteekhee border gate registered the highest border trade value of over 555 million U. S. dollars, while the Maese border gate saw the smallest trade value of 1.5 million U.S. dollars.
The country's agricultural and fishery products are exported to Thailand, while cosmetics, food products and machinery and raw industrial goods such as cement and fertilizers are imported..."
Source/publisher:
"Xinhua" (China)
Date of publication:
2020-02-09
Date of entry/update:
2020-02-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Border Trade with Thailand, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Amata aims to woo foreign manufacturers with modern industrial zone in Yangon
Description:
"Thai industrial estate developer Amata Corp. plans to build an industrial complex with an investment of $1 billion in Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city. The complex will provide important industrial infrastructure in a nation with few global-standard industrial zones suitable for foreign companies.
Amata recently signed a land lease agreement and joint venture agreement with the Myanmar Ministry of Construction in the country's capital of Naypyitaw, securing the right to use 800 hectares of land in the northeastern part of Yangon for 70 years. Amata's investment will include construction of 600 megawatt power plant.
"Myanmar is a gateway to the Indian Ocean for the GMS (Greater Mekong Sub-region). That is why we've chosen Myanmar," Vikrom Kromadit, chairman and CEO of Amata, said during an interview with the Nikkei Asian Review after a ceremony to mark the signing. Amata estimates that tenant companies' long-term investments in the new industrial zone will eventually reach $3.7 billion.
As a GMS country along with Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and China, Myanmar once drew strong attention from foreign companies as a frontier market with room for substantial economic growth, but the presence of manufacturers there has not increased as sharply as expected..."
Date of entry/update:
2020-02-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Industry - General articles, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"A total of 130 Myanmar migrant workers are returned to Myawady on January 31 due to a factory closure in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, sources said.
The factory is owned by a Chinese and more than 300 workers were working in it. The factory is closed abruptly as raw materials from China cannot send due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus.
The migrant workers are working in Thailand under MoU agreement and they had to pay around Ks1 million to work in Thailand officially. The factory closure made them suffer, they said.
Wai Lin Maung, a Labour Consul based in Mae Sot, helped the migrant workers to return to Myanmar and went to meet with the recruitment agents to ask compensation for the workers.
The labour consul also met with Ye Min and Aung Myat from Aid Alliance Committee (AAC).
Ye Min urged officials from Myanmar and Thailand to cooperate to ask compensation for Myanmar workers, who became jobless, due to the factory closure..."
Source/publisher:
"Eleven Media Group" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-02-01
Date of entry/update:
2020-02-01
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Migrant workers from Burma : general and mixed articles and reports, Migration from Burma: mixed and general articles and reports, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Topic:
Border Guard Force, Chang Beer, beer, Emerald Brewery, Fraser & Neave, Myanmar Brewery, smuggling, black market, Myawaddy, Kayin StateThaiBev,Thailand, taxation, informal economy, trade
Sub-title:
Months after Emerald Brewery began producing Chang in Yangon, large quantities of the Thai beer are still being smuggled openly across the border at Myawaddy in a racket dominated by the Kayin Border Guard Force.
Topic:
Border Guard Force, Chang Beer, beer, Emerald Brewery, Fraser & Neave, Myanmar Brewery, smuggling, black market, Myawaddy, Kayin StateThaiBev,Thailand, taxation, informal economy, trade
Description:
"THE YOUNG woman in the tight black and dark green dress approaches a table of men drinking beer. “Did you know Chang Beer is now made in Myanmar?” she asks. Behind her, a small sign in the restaurant advertises that Chang is “officially served” and that it’s “Time for a Change”.
These are fairly standard promotional techniques for a consumer goods company that has just entered a new market. But the examples also reflect the slightly unusual nature of the market entry challenge for Emerald Brewery, which began producing Chang Beer at a factory north of Yangon in late September. It assumes most customers already know Chang: what it wants them to know is that it’s now made legally in Myanmar.
Emerald Brewery is a US$70 million joint venture between Singapore’s Fraser & Neave Limited and two local partners, and it brews Chang under licence from its strategic partner, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited.
The brewery venture marks Fraser & Neave’s return to Myanmar after a four-year absence. The company was previously the military’s joint venture partner in Myanmar Brewery Limited, but was forced by an arbitration court to sell its stake back to the military in 2015.
Chang enters a crowded but rapidly growing beer market that remains dominated by military-owned Myanmar Brewery, with around a 55 percent market share. But unlike the other players, it may have to fend off competition from, well… itself..."
Source/publisher:
"Frontier Myanmar" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-01-18
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-18
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Border Trade with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Local subsidiary viewed as best model
Description:
"Siam Commercial Bank is seeking approval from the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) to upgrade SCB's representative office to operate under a bank subsidiary licence in the neighbouring country.
The subsidiary model would offer SCB greater opportunities to do banking business in Myanmar, said chief executive Arthid Nanthawitthaya.
Among the three options that the CBM has offered to foreign banks, a subsidiary licence is the most suitable model for SCB, Mr Arthid said.
In the event that SCB gains a subsidiary licence in Myanmar, the bank must inject fresh funds to upgrade its representative office to a subsidiary bank as required by CBM regulations, he said.
The CBM permits foreign banks to operate business in Myanmar under three licence types: subsidiary, foreign bank branch and equity holding in a local bank..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2020-01-16
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-16
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
"Kasikornbank (KBank) wants to expand its footprint in Myanmar, acquiring a sizeable stake in a bank there.
If the acquisition deal goes through, it will mark the second purchase of a stake in an overseas financial institution by a Thai bank in two months, after Bangkok Bank's acquisition of Indonesia's PT Bank Permata worth US$2.7 billion (81.3 billion baht).
KBank is studying a suitable business model in Myanmar after the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) opened to more business opportunities for foreign banks, said co-president Kattiya Indaravijaya.
Foreign banks are allowed three licence types in Myanmar: establishment of a commercial bank as a subsidiary, a foreign bank branch and application for equity participation with a local bank..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2020-01-15
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-15
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations, Banking
Language:
more
Description:
"A new cooperation deal between the Myanmar government and private energy company, MPRL E&P, will bring good news for Thailand's power generation sector, Myanmar's Ministry of Electricity and Energy said in a statement on Monday.
The statement was issued after MPRL E&P, a Myanmar-based independent energy company, successfully concluded negotiations with Yangon on two key agreements on fiscal terms and the sharing of output from the A-6 offshore gas bloc in Myanmar.
MPRL E&P is the only independent energy exploration company in Myanmar which actively explores both onshore and offshore wells in the country.
In the statement, MPRL E&P said the talks resulted in a number of improvements in negotiating terms, which will be crucial to the economic viability of the gas exploration project, which is located in deep waters off the Myanmar coast..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-12-17
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-14
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
"Myanmar dispatched over 234,000 MoU workers to Thailand last year, according to the Labour Department.
The number of MoU workers has increased though the factories faced the shutdowns due to the market restrictions caused by the violations of human rights in the marine product factories in Thailand. Due to the shutdown of factories, some Myanmar migrant workers become jobless and go home.
The number of MoU workers who left for Thailand reached 31,828 in 2014, 52,765 in 2015, 97,998 in 2016, 145,161 in 2017 and over 150,000 in 2018.
U Moe Kyaw, head of YaungchiOo Labour Affairs Office said: “There are more than 400 factories and plants in Mae Sot. In addition to the factories, more than 250,000 Myanmar migrant workers are working in construction sites, farming, housemaid services and shops. Thai government has fixed 310 baht for a eight-hour working day in Mae Sot. Myanmar migrant workers from around five factories earn their salaries fully. But Myanmar migrant workers from other factories and work sites get 150-200 baht only. They also face the violations in health and social affairs.”..."
Source/publisher:
Eleven Media Group (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-01-12
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burmese migrant workers, Labour migration: global and regional studies, Migrant workers' registration in Thailand - articles, statements, texts and guidelines, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
In a January 9 statement, the Dawei SEZ Management Committee said changes have been made to the contractual arrangements with Italian-Thai Development Company Ltd (ITD) for the development of initial industrial estate in Tanintharyi Region.
Description:
"According to contract amendment, ITD and other investors must compensate and resettle villagers affected by industrial zone project. It must also adhere to international standards on the environment.
The Thai government has agreed to provide a loan for the construction of a two-lane highway which will connect Dawei SEZ to the Myanmar-Thailand border, paving the way for further construction to take place.
Further details are being discussed to amend the land lease contract as well as development of a liquefied natural gas and power plant project, the statement said..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2020-01-10
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-11
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Dawei (Tavoy) Special Economic Zone, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Thailand has asked Malaysia to help find a group of Rohingya Muslim trafficking victims who absconded from a detention centre in the south of the country, Thai police said.
Nineteen Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar escaped from the detention centre in Thailand's southern Songkhla province, around 5 kilometres from the Thai-Malaysian border, early on Wednesday, using a piece of cloth to climb down from a third floor window, police said.
They were part of some 40 Rohingya Muslims, identified as victims of human traffickers, who were intercepted by Thai authorities on their way to Malaysia and had been detained at the centre to await repatriation to Myanmar, police said. Two were found later on Wednesday, police said..."
Source/publisher:
"The Sydney Morning Herald" (Sydney)
Date of publication:
2020-01-10
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Arakan (Rakhine) State - reports etc. by date (latest first), Discrimination against the Rohingya, Thailand-Burma relations, Malaysia-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Two private banks, Ayeyarwady Bank (AYA Bank) in Myanmar and Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate in the development of cross border payments and fund transfer services between the two countries.
Description:
"This cements an October 2019 agreement between the Central Bank of Myanmar and the Bank of Thailand to promote the official use of the Myanmar kyat and Thai baht when trading at the border. The Central Banks also inked a second MOU to promote financial innovation and services for payments through collaboration between the two countries.
“We hope to start the work within the year,” U Hpone Thet Oo, vice president of Financial Institutions and Corporate Banking for AYA Bank, told Myanmar Times. Even though trading at the Thai-Myanmar border is already conducted in kyat and baht, payments that are processed through the banks are conducted in US dollars, resulting in leakages through foreign exchange losses.
“Through this MOU, we can bring more of the payments through the formal channel and make the process more convenient,’’ Mr Kamalkant Agarwal, Advisor to the CEO, SCB Bank..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times"
Date of publication:
2020-01-09
Date of entry/update:
2020-01-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Border Trade with Thailand, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Thai businesses are ramping up ties with their Myanmar counterparts in five main areas — agriculture, border trade, energy, industrial development and tourism — to tap into vast investment opportunities in the neighbouring country.
Panitarn Pavarolavidya, chairman of Thai-Myanmar Business Council, said the council‘s first meeting held in Yangon on Feb 3 focused on the proposed five sectors and set up a joint panel to look at potential obstacles and how to overcome them.
For instance, Mr Panitarn said the Thai businesses have proposed that Myanmar establish a central organisation to oversee agricultural prices, which fluctuate widely.
He said more port and rail development is needed in Myanmar to facilitate logistics and boost exports and imports. Part of this process involves amending logistics laws and setting up one-stop services to facilitate border trade.
Thailand also proposed Myanmar use the baht as currency for border trade in addition to the US dollar, euro and Singapore dollar, in order to boost border trade..."
Source/publisher:
"Wellston Journal" (USA)
Date of publication:
2019-12-15
Date of entry/update:
2019-12-16
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Border Trade with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
India, Thailand and Myanmar are working on a 1,400-kilometre long highway that will link India with Southeast Asia by land for the first time in decades, giving a boost to trade and cultural exchanges between the three countries.
Description:
"India, Thailand and Myanmar are working on a 1,400-kilometre long highway that will link India with Southeast Asia by land for the first time in decades, giving a boost to trade and cultural exchanges between the three countries.
Indian Ambassador to Thailand Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi said 73 bridges in Myanmar, built more than seven decades ago during World War II, were being renovated with funding from India to allow vehicles to cross the highway safely.
When the repair work will be completed in 18 months, the highway could be opened to traffic from all three countries, he said.
The planned highway starts in the eastern region of India from Moreh to Myanmar's Tamu city.
Negotiations are currently underway to conclude a tri-nation motor vehicle agreement for the use of the 1,400-km road that will reach Thailand at Tak, Mae Sot district..."
Source/publisher:
"Business Today" (India)
Date of publication:
2019-05-23
Date of entry/update:
2019-12-01
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Border Trade with India, Border Trade with Thailand, India-Burma relations, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Thailand's cross-border trade dropped 1.94% year-on-year in the first 10 months of this year, with the strong baht, global economic slowdown, continued trade war and an overall volatile foreign exchange listed as the key threats.
On Thursday, the Commerce Ministry's Foreign Trade Department reported the country's overall cross-border trade, including transit trade, amounted to 1.12 trillion baht for the year to October.
Transit trade consists of businesses involved in the passage of goods through more than one country.
Of the total figures, exports from Thailand accounted for 627 billion baht, down 2.05% from the same period last year, while imports were worth 498 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of 129 billion..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-11-29
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-30
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Border Trade with Thailand, Burma/Myanmar's relationship with the Global Economy, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Soldiers were guarding the border in Sangkhla Buri district on Friday to prevent any incursion into Thailand but allowing migrant workers to enter, as Myanmar troops and Mon fighters settled into an uneasy truce.
Units from the Surasi Task Force were posted to the frontier around Three Pagodas pass after Myanmar government forces and Mon soldiers clashed close to the border on Wednesday.
The border pass remained closed to Thai travellers, and local shops and tourist stalls were shut. Tourists were advised to stay away to facilitate security operations.
Soldiers allowed Myanmar nationals to cross the border for work through a single channel, but the regular passage for border trade and vehicles on Soi Kaset 1 remained closed. Troops also sealed the border opposite the Mon villages of Ban Bor Yeepun and Ban Rai Oi in Myanmar..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-11-29
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Armed conflict in Burma - Impact on village life, including health and education, Armed conflict in Burma - attacks on civilians, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said that the India-Myanmar-Thailand connectivity will boost development in the entire Southeast Asian region. Addressing the Indian diaspora at 'Sawasdee PM Modi' event in Bangkok, Thailand, the prime minister said that his government wants to bring both nations closer by transforming India's northeast region into a gateway to Southeast Asia.
"Once the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway is opened, there will be seamless connectivity between both our countries. I am glad that all of you will have a chance to be part of this story," he said at the event held to interact with Indian diaspora.ASEAN leaders meet under US-China trade war tensions
"India and Thailand are connected through emotions," quoted PM Modi at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok, who is on an official trip to Thailand to attend the 16th ASEAN-India summit on Sunday. "History has united us and has developed our relations," he added..."
Source/publisher:
"Business Today" (India)
Date of publication:
2019-11-04
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-28
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Burma's economic relations with India, Burma/Myanmar's relationship with the Global Economy, India-Burma relations, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"About 300 ethnic Mon people fled into Thailand to escape fighting near their village between Myanmar troops and Mon rebels, according to a border source.
Some who escaped the fighting in Ban Bo Yeepun went to stay with relatives in tambon Nong Lu of Sangkhla Buri district while others were being sheltered in Ban Rassadorn Thai along the road leading to the Three Pagodas border pass, the source said.
Ban Bo Yeepun is in Myanmar and is about two kilometres from the border.
Col Sitthiporn Julapana, commander of the Lat Ya Task Force, said the army has been ordered to stay alert at the Thai-Myanmar border.
A Mon villager was reportedly injured in the fighting and was taken to a hospital in Sangkhla Buri district..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-11-27
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-27
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Topic:
Cross-border,transport,Thailand,Myanmar
Topic:
Cross-border,transport,Thailand,Myanmar
Description:
"Thailand and Myanmar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cross-border transport during a recent Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) conference, Deputy Transport Minister Thaworn Senneam said on Wednesday.
The signing took place at the 23rd GMS meeting in Phnom Penh on Monday.
The MoU is part of the Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA), a treaty on improving cross-border transportation and logisitics.
This MoU will apply to cross border trade between Mae Sot district in Tak and Myawaddy in Myanmar.
It involves both nations improving immigration checkpoint and logistic clearances at the crossing..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-11-20
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-21
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Border Trade with Thailand, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) will ask the cabinet to adopt its guidelines on infrastructure development on Tuesday, as the government seeks to start working on the long-awaited link that will connect the Dawei Special Economic Zone in Myanmar with Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
A source said the NESDC wants ministers concerned to stick with the guidelines when approving budgets and projects which will link Myanmar, Thailand's Central Plains and EEC on the Eastern seaboard.
According to the source, the NESDC's guidelines were meant to "set the tone" for the infrastructure projects, with the ultimate aim of turning the three regions into a hub for border trade, agricultural production, environmentally-friendly industries and eco-tourism..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-11-11
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-18
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Dawei (Tavoy) Special Economic Zone, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"The government of Myanmar has targeted aquaculture as a solution to widespread malnutrition and rural poverty in the Southeast Asian nation. With its 2,000 kilometers of coastline, Myanmar has the potential to reach the production levels of its neighbor, Thailand, as a seafood producer, according to Kevin Fitzsimmons, a professor in the department of soil, water, and environmental science at the University of Arizona and director of the department’s international programs.
The country has begun to market its seafood exports, including appearances at the annual Seafood Expo Global in Brussels, Belgium. And a new program, the Myanmar Sustainable Aquaculture Program (MYSAP), which was given EUR 25 million (USD 27.6 million) in funding by the European Union and German development agency GIZ, is specifically aiding in the country’s development of its aquaculture sector.
Fitzsimmons has taken a two-year leave of absence to work on MYSAP. Fitzsimmons, who previously worked on a USAID supported project from 2015 to 2017 to develop sustainable aquaculture in Myanmar, talked to Seafoodsource about the potential of Myanmar’s aquaculture sector and the environmental and investment challenges the country faces in its aquaculture-related efforts.
SeafoodSource: Is there sufficient investment in Myanmar to realize the kind of aquaculture developments needed to satisfy demand and nutrition requirements as envisioned in the MYSAP project outline?
Fitzsimmons: The project is able to make some investment, but the vast majority of investment is coming from domestic Myanmar funds. The demand for seafood is met at a basic level, but interest in fishes other than carps is great. Most of the new production is focused on these other species..."
Source/publisher:
"SeafoodSource"
Date of publication:
2019-11-11
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-14
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
"Myanmar labor attaché U San Maung Oo, who represented migrants in Thailand, has been charged by the Anti-Corruption Commission of Myanmar (ACC) over claims he took thousands of bribes.
The labor attaché has been accused of asking for about 4.4 million Thai baht (US$144,000, 220.16 million kyats) from 28 overseas employment agencies in exchange for approving labor demand letters and for sending workers to recruitment agencies.
The ACC said it interviewed witnesses and studied documents and bank accounts in Myanmar and Thailand.
U San Maung Oo was found to have abused his power and asked for bribes from recruitment agencies, said the ACC.
He worked at the labor office in Bangkok from December 2017 until August this year.
The ACC also said U San Maung Oo collected 100 baht from agencies for each worker and also took bribes from the employment agencies through his assistants, U Than Htike Soe and U Saw Pyae Nyein..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-11-07
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burmese migrant workers, Migrant workers' registration in Thailand - articles, statements, texts and guidelines, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
PTTTEP Myanmar Asset will provide scholarships to 20 Myanmar students to undertake vocation training in Thailand.
Description:
"The Thailand-based company has been involved in the country’s Zawtika oil and gas project for the past 30 years, said its HVD scholarship programme is being implemented by its parent company PTT Group since 2013.
Supporting the $200,000 annual HVD scholarship programme is Myanmar’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy and Ministry of Education.
Under the scholarship program, Myanmar students from AGTI (Associate of Government Technical Institute) will undergo three years of vocational education and training at the IRPC Technological College in the eastern province of Rayong.
Incorporating both classroom, practicum and on-the-job internship training, the curriculum is designed to equip students with workplace communications and technical mechanical skills that are required for industry trades, such as electrical and electronics, mechanical drawings, welding and CNC machining. Students are also trained in personal finance, business and entrepreneurship..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-11-01
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
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Description:
"A NEW bridge for heavy commercial vehicles connecting Myanmar and Thailand look set to boost trade links between the two countries.
The "No 2 Friendship Bridge" that connects Myawady in Kayin State and Mae Sot in Thailand was opened on Oct 30 with hopes to better facilitate trade activities between the two nations according to The Myanmar Times.
In an announcement by the Transportation and Communication ministry about the opening, it also told the first "Friendship Bridge" in the vicinity will continue to be used by regular vehicles.
The 270-metre bridge, with an approach road measuring 3.6km on the Myanmar side and 17.5km on the Thai side, costed nearly 200 billion kyat (RM545 million).
To mark the launch of the new bridge, three trucks from each side of the border were driven across in a simple event attended by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The Myanmar Highway Freight Transportation Services Association secretary U Aung Moe said the new bridge will help lessen illegal trade and improve the transportation of goods between the two countries.
With the bridge now open, trucks from Thailand can now reach Yangon’s Thilawa port and trucks from Myanmar can reach Laem Chabang Port in Bangkok, Thailand. The distance between the two ports stretches about 1,000km.
"There are currently about 100 drivers in Myanmar who hold border-crossing licences valid for a year in Myanmar," U Aung Moe said.
Myanmar Container Trucks Association executive member U Myo Htut Aung said the new bridge will effectively hasten the transportation of goods compared to before.
“In the past, despite having permits for trade in Thailand, we had to drive along restricted routes and were not allowed to cross into Thailand and goods had to be transferred to other trucks at the border..."
Source/publisher:
"New Straits Times" (Malaysia)
Date of publication:
2019-11-05
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-06
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Border Trade with Thailand, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"The state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) is planning to talk with power authorities in Cambodia and Myanmar to trade electricity from Thailand at a combined capacity of 500 megawatts.
Patana Sangsriroujana, deputy governor for policy and planning, said Egat has been ordered by Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong to talk with the two governments about future power trading.
"The sales to Cambodia will happen quicker than Myanmar because some transmission lines have been developed in Cambodia," said Mr Patana. "Myanmar requires new investment for power infrastructure."
He said the electricity trade to both countries should begin by 2023. The energy ministers of the three countries need to agree on a contract.
Mr Patana said the Laos government is also interested in trading power to Cambodia and Myanmar under its Battery of Asia policy..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-11-05
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-05
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma/Myanmar's relationship with the Global Economy, Renewable Energy - Global, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
The necessary infrastructure is being set up to link Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to the national grid, which will enable the area to enjoy access to electricity within the next 2-3 years, said U Soe Myint, deputy permanent secretary for the Ministry
Description:
"Backed up loans from the Asia Development Bank (ADB), the ministry is expected to provide up to 300 megawatts of power to the SEZ, said U Myint San, vice chair of Dawei SEZ Management Committee.
Dawei SEZ will be able to enjoy electricity after the grid is extended from Mawlamyine to Ye and Dawei by 2021-22 under the first phase of the project, said U Soe Myint. Eventually, the entire region of Tanintharyi will enjoy access to electricity.
Currently, the whole of Tanintharyi including Dawei, is not connected to the grid and locals have to buy electricity from private providers at high prices. Electricity rates vary from K200 to K500 per unit, depending on location. At those levels, investors are unlikely to set up operations at the Dawei SEZ, prompting the government to take action, U Myint San said.
The Dawei SEZ project has actually been in the works since the previous government’s administration but delayed due to the lack of suitable infrastructure as well as social and environmental issues relating to the location of the SEZ..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-11-04
Date of entry/update:
2019-11-04
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Dawei (Tavoy) Special Economic Zone, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Myanmar and Thailand have opened the second friendship bridge that crosses Thaungyin River to boost their border trade, according to the Ministry of Construction on Thursday.
The Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge-2, built with the help of Thailand, links Myawady in Myanmar's southeastern Kayin state with Mae Sot in Thailand's Tak province.
The bridge is 760 meters long and 17.2 meters wide with two traffic lanes and border control facilities and traffic change-over.
The inaugural ceremony was held at a temporary pandal erected on the bridge on Wednesday where Myanmar Minister of Construction U Han Zaw emphasized the bilateral relations of the two neighboring countries, cooperation in trade and investment, tourism and labor sectors.
According to statistics of the Commerce Ministry, bilateral border trade between Myanmar and Thailand reached over 2.28 billion U.S. dollars as of May 3 in the present fiscal year 2018-19 which ended in September..."
Source/publisher:
"Xinhua" (China)
Date of publication:
2019-10-31
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-31
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Border Trade with Thailand, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Thailand is counting on a new bridge connecting with Myanmar to increase border trade between the two countries.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said after opening the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge that the new link between Mae Sot district and Myanmar's Myawaddy will increase border trade to 100 billion baht per year from the current level of 78 billion baht.
Mr Saksayam and Myanmar Construction Minister Han Zaw chaired the ceremony at the border between their countries. The new bridge has been built to ease traffic jams at the old bridge. The Mae Sot checkpoint is a major gateway for border trade between Thailand and Myanmar. Border trade between the countries accounted for 190 billion baht in the 2018 fiscal year, 78 billion of them through Mae Sot district..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-10-30
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-30
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Border Trade with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Topic:
Thai-Burma border, Karen refugees
Sub-title:
Long-time refugees on the Thai-Myanmar border face cuts in rations but say they cannot return to areas where fighting is ongoing
Topic:
Thai-Burma border, Karen refugees
Description:
"International aid for refugees and displaced people in camps on the Thai-Myanmar border has been slashed since Myanmar’s first supposedly democratic government was elected four years ago. The assumption underpinning this cut in funding was that conditions are, or soon will be, safe for refugees to return to their homes.
However, many of the Karen refugees and displaced people who returned to their original areas in the years following the election have struggled to re-establish livelihoods amid continued land grabs by the government and military. In the last 12 months, armed conflict in southeastern Myanmar has also increased, forcing thousands of recently returned villagers to flee their homes once more. This correspondent traveled to the Thai-Myanmar border and spoke to people living in camps for refugees and displaced people who are weighing the near-impossible choice between returning home to villages that remain unsafe or finding new ways to survive as the international support that has sustained them for years is cut back..."
Source/publisher:
"Asia Times" (Hong Kong)
Date of publication:
2019-04-27
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-27
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Internal displacement/forced migration of Karen villagers, Articles on the TB[B]C, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
U Kyaw Kyaw Maung, governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) and his Thai counterpart Veerathai Santiprabhob, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote the use of the Myanmar kyat and Thai baht for trading at the border, according to
Description:
"The governors also inked a second MOU to promote financial innovation and services for payments through collaboration between the two countries, according to the statement.
The agreements were signed at the IMF-World Bank meeting in the US on October 18. However, as the MOUs were “unplanned” and took place after negotiations on both sides, further details will be ironed out later, said Daw Myint Myint Kyi, Director General of the CBM.
Even though trading at the Thai-Myanmar border is mostly conducted in kyat and baht, payments through banks are conducted in US dollars, said U Hnin Oo, vice chair of the Myanmar Fisheries Federation.
“At present, when we make a payment with a bank, we have to exchange to dollars first. Under the agreement, we will be able to narrow any exchange rate losses made,” he said.
Of the four countries that share borders with Myanmar, Thailand is thesecond largest trading partner. Trade volumes at the Thai-Myanmar border, including Tachileik, Myawaddy, Kawthoung, Myeik, Htee Khee and Maw Taung during fiscal 2018-19 amounted to US$3.8 billion, according to government data..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-10-23
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Border Trade with Thailand, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"TOA-Chugoku Paints (TCP) has earmarked 500 million baht to construct its first overseas paint factory in Myanmar, expecting to capture demand from megaprojects.
The new factory will produce two paint products -- heavy-duty coating and marine paint -- with a monthly capacity of 300 tonnes.
The project will be located in Thilawa Special Economic Zone on an area of 12 rai. It is scheduled to begin operations in April 2020.
TCP set up a new local unit in Myanmar, Chugoku-TOA Paints Myanmar, to operate the factory.
Chugoku Marine Paints (CMP) from Japan holds a 51% stake in the Thilawa company, while TOA Venture Holding (TOAVH) from Thailand owns the remainder..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-10-22
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-22
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Burma/Myanmar's relationship with the Global Economy, Thailand-Burma relations, Burma's economic relations with Japan
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Thai property developer Ananda Development Public Co Ltd wants to expand into Myanmar and is now looking for suitable partners in the country, its officials told Myanmar journalists in Bangkok on October 9.
Description:
"The company will focus on urban projects in Myanmar and is now exploring the various avenues through which it can invest in the country.
Chanond Ruangkritya, chief executive of Ananda Development, said the company’s strategy of raising living standards through the development of urban and high-quality housing projects that are linked to key transport systems would be an attractive value proposition for potential partners and investors in Myanmar.
Ananda Development also wants to draw more Myanmar investors to the Thai property market. “Bangkok is one of the most attractive cities in Asia for foreign investors and one of the reasons is its successful urban living system, which can be achieved only if it has efficient transportation for residents to live and to work,” Chanond said.
He added that the company’s condominium projects are linked to the Bangkok Mass Transit System, which is attractive to foreign buyers, including those from Myanmar. According to local agents, de,amd for foreign property from Myanmar investors is currently highest in Singapore, followed by Thailand.
That is because Thailand is a viable option for education and healthcare and is also easily accessible for Myanmar residents. In addition, local investors are now able to apply for bank loans to purchase Thai properties, which raises their value, the agents said..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-10-16
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-16
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
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Description:
"The second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge across the Moei River in Tak's Mae Sot district will be officially opened on Oct 30, according to a press release from the Highways Department.
The opening ceremony will be co-chaired by Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob and Myanmar's Minister of Construction Han Zaw.
The Thai ambassador to Yangon and the Myanmar ambassador to Bangkok as well as other high-level officials of the two countries will also attend the ceremony.
After the official opening, vehicles will cross the bridge from the Thai side of the river to the Myanmar side in a dry run. The Thai and Myanmar ministers will then proceed to open the second border checkpoint at Ban Wang Takhian Tai in tambon Tha Sai Luat of Mae Sot district..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-10-14
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-14
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Border Trade with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Deputy Minister Dr. Tun Naing of Union Ministry of Electricity and Energy said that his government was trying hard to get electrification which was one of the infrastructure requirements for the success and development of the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) which has been delayed for various reasons.
Dr. Tun Naing who is also the chairman of Dawei SEZ Management Committee said that his Electricity and Energy Ministry was working to build a national power grid transmission line with a Asia Development Bank (ADB) loan in Tanintharyi Region which is the sole region of the country which has not yet been connected with national power grid.
“We have a Dawei SEZ electrification plan from this Mawlamyine-Yay-Dawei national power grid line after building this transmission line,” he added.
The Deputy Minister was speaking at a joint press conference held at the Park Royal Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw October 3 after holding the 9th ministerial-level Myanmar-Thai meeting for the success of the project in the initial phase of the Dawei SEZ project.
In this ministerial level meeting, the two countries agreed on seven points and the two countries will jointly implement the initial phase of this Dawei SEZ project..."
Source/publisher:
"Mizzima" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-10-05
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Dawei (Tavoy) Special Economic Zone, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Myanmar and Thailand will speed up development of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and deep sea port at Dawei in Tanintharyi Region, officials said during the 9th Myanmar – Thailand Joint Coordinating Committee meeting last week.
Description:
"Basic infrastructure such as roads connecting the SEZ to Thailand and necessities like electricity will be prioritised and carried out simultaneously with as little delay in between as possible, said U Tun Naing, Deputy Minister for Ministry of Electricity and Energy and chair of the Dawei Special Economic Zone Management Committee.
Myanmar will accept a loan from Thailand at reduced interest rates to build the two-lane Dawei-Htee Khee road, which is expected to link the SEZ to Thailand and boost trade and tourism between the two countries. Construction on the 138-kilometre road, which is being carried out by Italian-Thai Development Company Ltd (ITD), began in 2018, after the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation approved the environmental and social impact assessment. In July this year, the World Wildlife Fund warned that Myanmar’s rainforests and at least nine globally-threatened species in Tanintharyi would face significant risks if the Dawei-Htee Khee road project continues without a comprehensive biodiversity protection plan..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication:
2019-10-07
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Dawei (Tavoy) Special Economic Zone, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations, Tenasserim (Tanintharyi) Division
Language:
more
Topic:
Dawei, Dawei Special Economic Zone, Dr. Tun Naing, Japan, Myanmar, Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency, SEZ, Tanintharyi Region, Thailand, Wildlife
Topic:
Dawei, Dawei Special Economic Zone, Dr. Tun Naing, Japan, Myanmar, Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency, SEZ, Tanintharyi Region, Thailand, Wildlife
Description:
" Myanmar and Thailand have published their nine-point agreement to push through the implementation of the long-delayed US$8-billion (12.23-trillion-kyat) Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in southern Myanmar’s Tanintharyi Region, which is set to be Southeast Asia’s largest industrial complex.
After a bilateral ministerial meeting in Naypyitaw, a statement was issued to reaffirm the construction at the Dawei SEZ of the initial and final phases of the project at the same time. It was also agreed to hold further meetings between one of Myanmar’s vice presidents and a Thai deputy prime minister.
The agreement included plans for a two-lane highway to the Htee Kee border through Myittar to enable the site’s construction.
Both sides decided to invite third-party investment for the final implementation of the SEZ and to supply the electricity. The next meeting is due to be held in Thailand.
Myanmar’s deputy minister for electricity and energy, Dr. Tun Naing, said the meeting had made progress and the ground construction work was now expected to begin in 2020.
Italian-Thai Development PCL (ITD) was initially granted a 75-year concession to develop and attract investment in 2008 with completion due in 2015..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-10-04
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-05
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Dawei (Tavoy) Special Economic Zone, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"A 37-year-old Myanmar woman was arrested earlier this month at a home in Samut Songkhram on charges of human trafficking and providing shelter to illegal migrants in an extended probe into a human trafficking ring, police said.
The arrest was announced on Friday at a press conference by the Immigration Bureau.
The suspect, who was identified only as "Ms A", was implicated by a Thai suspect, Thanachai Mangthim, a mail van driver who had been caught transporting 13 illegal Myanmar migrant workers to the Thai-Malaysian border in Songkhla in May.
Mr Thanachai told police that he had been contacted by a Myanmar woman several times to transport migrant workers. He identified "Ms A" as his contact in photos shown at the Samut Songkhram immigration office..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-07-12
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-04
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
more
Description:
"TAK: Bilateral border trade between Thailand and Myanmar is expected to flourish after the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge becomes fully operational, starting from Oct 30.
Niyom Wairatpanich, vice-chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the bridge is vital to boost border trade between the two countries, increasing trade flow and logistics services through Mae Sot.
Thailand's border trade with Myanmar totalled 193 billion baht last year, up 4.9% from a year before. Border trade through Mae Sot amounted to 80 billion baht in 2018. Thailand's overall border trade with all four neighbours rose 4% last year to 1.12 trillion baht, with exports making up 651 billion baht, down 0.5%, and imports worth 474 billion, up 11%.
Malaysia was the biggest partner for border trade, with two-way border trade amounting to 572 billion baht, up 1.3%, followed by Laos (214 billion baht, up 3.2%) and Cambodia (146 billion baht, up 16.4%).
For the first eight months, Thailand-Myanmar trade accounted for 18.3% of total border trade volume, totalling 55.0 billion baht, a 4.27% decrease..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post" (Thailand)
Date of publication:
2019-10-04
Date of entry/update:
2019-10-04
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Border Trade with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Topic:
Tanintharyi River, Karen, Karen National Union, International Finance Corporation, Myanmar, Environment
Topic:
Tanintharyi River, Karen, Karen National Union, International Finance Corporation, Myanmar, Environment
Description:
"The lack of transparency surrounding plans to construct dams on the Tanintharyi River in southern Myanmar, and the impact it will have on the livelihoods of the Karen – the area’s indigenous people – is set to add more tension to an area already filled with strife.
While there are 18 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) for dams on the Tanintharyi River – one of southern Myanmar’s largest free-flowing waterways – local communities have received no information on their location, size or status according to a report by three civil society groups last week; Candle Light Youth Group, Southern Youth and Tarkapaw Youth Group.
The report titled ‘Blocking a Bloodline: Indigenous Communities along the Tanintharyi River Fear the Impact of Large-Scale Dams’ also notes that 32,008 people from 76 villages living directly along the river depend on it as a vital source of food, water, transportation and cultural expression – all of which are at risk due to plans to build a 1,040 megawatt (MW) hydropower project by Thai-owned Greater Mekong Sub-region Power Public Co Ltd (GMS)..."
Source/publisher:
"The ASEAN Post"
Date of publication:
2019-08-15
Date of entry/update:
2019-09-18
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Tenasserim (Tanintharyi) Division, Assessment of hydropower projects in Burma/Myanmar, Dams and other hydropower projects (global, regional), Dams and other projects on other rivers and their tributories, The impact of natural disasters on the environment and people of Burma/Myanmar, Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"THE ROAD trip from Dawei to Htee Khee, on the border with Thailand, can be an uncomfortable experience. Although the 54 kilometres from the Tanintharyi Region capital to the town of Myitta is tarred, the remaining 101km to Htee Khee is rough and bumpy, and the journey takes about six hours during rainy season.
At about the half-way mark, where the road runs beside the Tanintharyi River, the Karen National Union has a checkpoint at which all vehicles are stopped and required to pay a fee of THB100 (about K4,885) for every traveller.
Despite the shoddy infrastructure and the presence of armed groups like the KNU, many have high hopes for the crossing, and the business opportunities it may bring. Myanmar recently approved a loan from Thailand to upgrade the highway from the border to a long-delayed Special Economic Zone at Dawei. The Myanmar government was reported in July to be negotiating with the concessionaires, including a large Thai construction company, Italian-Thai Development, to start work on the initial phase of the US$8 billion project, which would include a deep-sea port.
Htee Khee, which was the headquarters of the KNU’s Brigade 4 until it relocated to a jungle site in 2012, has already started to attract opportunity seekers from other parts of the country who hope to cash in on the expected boom. For now though it remains a relatively quiet outpost, with little visible trade in either direction. The main business in the area appears to be casinos at nearby jungle resorts.
Visitors to Htee Khee are greeted by food stalls, shops and other small businesses, most of which are run by residents of Dawei, or by local ethnic Karen. That said, Mon, Bamar and even Pa-O shopkeepers have also established businesses there.
A noticeable difference between Htee Khee and other border gates in Myanmar is a paucity of big trucks, though that is likely to change if and when work begins on the SEZ. Most of the vehicles heading to Htee Khee from the Myanmar side are carrying jobseekers heading to Thailand; most of the trucks from the Thai side are delivering fruit, vegetables and fishing equipment.
Htee Khee’s development potential has also attracted investors from Dawei and other Tanintharyi Region townships. Thais with an interest in history are frequent visitors to Htee Khee as they head to Dawei and other nearby locations because the region was twice ruled by Siamese kingdoms, from 1287 to 1594 and from 1740 to about 1760..."
Source/publisher:
"Frontier Myanmar"
Date of publication:
2019-09-13
Date of entry/update:
2019-09-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Tenasserim (Tanintharyi) Division, Dawei (Tavoy) Special Economic Zone, Border Trade with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Thailand and Myanmar have long had business and economic ties, with the Thais even establishing a trade and business centre in Yangon. Last year, trade volumes between the two countries reached US$7.5 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 7 per
Description:
"Moving forward, Thanawut Naigowit, who was appointed as Thai Economic Counsellor and Director of the Thai Business Centre in Yangon last month, has plans to increase trade between Thailand and Myanmar to US$10billion over the next few years.
This comes at a time when Myanmar is attempting to raise export volumes to Thailand at the Myawady border. “Myanmar businessmen need to find the right business partners from Thailand. Most of Myanmar people know about products made in Thailand but Thai people need to know more about Myanmar products first before exports can improve,” Mr Thanawat told the Myanmar Times in a recent interview.
During the interview, Mr Thanawat also discussed the role of the Thai Business Centre as well as drawing more Thai investments into Myanmar:
What suggestions do you have for Myanmar traders?
The Thai Business Centre is under Thailand’s government and Ministry of Commerce. We are able to check whether companies actually exist or do businesses. So, please come to us to inquire whether these companies are real or not before buying things from them.
So far, only two or three Myanmar businesses have lodged reports at the centre during the term of the previous counsellor and since I took over. The cases involved fraudulent businesses, non-payment for goods delivered, and non-delivery of goods paid for..."
Source/publisher:
"Myanmar Times"
Date of publication:
2019-09-11
Date of entry/update:
2019-09-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma's economic relations with Thailand, Border Trade with Thailand, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"Thailand and Myanmar on Tuesday agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on transnational issues, including drug smuggling, the repatriation of Myanmar refugees, and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).
The issues were discussed at the 7th Thai-Myanmar High Level Committee (HLC) meeting, which was held in Bangkok on Tuesday.
Established in 2010, the HLC meets once a year, which Thailand and Myanmar taking turns hosting the annual meeting.
Thailand's delegation was led by Supreme Commander Gen Pornpipat Benyasri, while Myanmar's delegation was led by Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of Myanmar's Armed Forces..."
Source/publisher:
"Bangkok Post"
Date of publication:
2019-09-03
Date of entry/update:
2019-09-04
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations, Arms (Military Expenditure, Arms Transfers, Arms Production Etc)
Language:
more
Sub-title:
Thailand court upholds executions for migrant workers in rape and killings of two British holiday-makers in 2014.
Description:
"Thailand's top court upheld death sentences for two Myanmar migrant workers in a final appeal against their convictions for murdering two British backpackers on a holiday island in a case tainted by allegations of mismanagement. Wai Phyo and Zaw Lin denied killing David Miller and raping and killing Hannah Witheridge. Their battered bodies were found on the morning of September 15, 2014, on a beach on the island of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand.
The men displayed no emotion on Thursday as they listened intently to a translator while the verdict was read at a court in the province of Nonthaburi, just north of Bangkok, the capital.
"The Supreme Court upholds the verdict from the first court and the appeal court," a judge told the pair.
The men's legal team said it would seek a royal pardon within 60 days, as provided in Thai law.
Lawyers for the two convicted men said the evidence in the case was mishandled and they made confessions under duress that they later retracted, raising questions about police competence and the judicial system in Thailand..."
Source/publisher:
"Al Jazeera"
Date of publication:
2019-08-29
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Laws, decrees, bills and regulations relating to the judiciary (commentaries), Criminal law (commentary), Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"As buildings after buildings spring up in Shwe Kokko, a remote Karen border town bordering Thailand, many wonder if this mega-project real estate development is just an ordinary undertaking spearheaded by the Jilin Yatai Group of China, together with Colonel Saw Chit Thu, chief of the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF).
The Jilin Yatai Group was registered with the Ministry of Planning and Finance under the name Myanmar Yatai International Trading Co Ltd in February 2017.
Shwe Kokko, a former garrison town of Karen National Liberation Army formerly known as Kawmoora or Wangkha, is controlled by Saw Chit Thu, who is the chief of Karen BGF recognized by the government and affiliated to the Myanmar Army or the Tatmadaw.
Myanmar Times of September 18, 2018 reported the signing of agreement between Saw Chit Thu and the Chinese company in September 2017, organized by the China Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs.
This project, dubbed as “Chinatown” by the locals is in fact so ambitious that it is touted as an equivalent of being second only to Hong Kong, China’s special administrative region under one country two system. Reportedly, a 70-year lease from the Myanmar government has been secured, which may be extended up to 99 years..."
Source/publisher:
"BNI Multimedia Group"
Date of publication:
2019-06-28
Date of entry/update:
2019-08-26
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
“One Belt, One Road” initiative, Burma's economic relations with China, China-Burma relations, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
more
Description:
"The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Royal Project Foundation of Thailand (RPF) have signed an agreement to consolidate and strengthen technical cooperation in the area of alternative development for opium farmers in Shan State.
The cooperation with the RPF will contribute to the UNODC Country Programme, which supports the development of sustainable livelihood alternatives for opium growing communities in 60 villages in southern Shan State by introducing high-yield cash crops such as coffee, tea, avocado, and high value vegetables. The programme currently covers a total of 800 hectares and involves close to 1100 beneficiary farmers constituting 21% of households in the area. Plans call for programme coverage and the number of beneficiary farmers to grow year by year. According to the UNODC 2015 Southeast Asia Opium Survey, the total area of opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar was 55,500 hectares with 90% of production concentrated in Shan State, and of that 50% in southern Shan State. The survey found that opium poppy is mainly cultivated for economic reasons to maintain livelihoods and cover family expenses..."
Source/publisher:
UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Date of publication:
2016-12-16
Date of entry/update:
2019-06-25
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
UNODC Burma/Myanmar, Drugs: regional and global, Roots and Resources - global and regional experience and analysis, Thailand-Burma relations, Economy of Shan State
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Htay Htay is a half Karen half Burman woman who came to Thailand in search of a better life. Now, she lives in a rubbish dump in the outskirts of the border town of Mae Sot on the Thailand-Burma border. Htay Htay is one of about 400 people who live in the dump, all barely making a living by picking up and selling rubbish. Htay Htay says that although they really don?t want to live amidst the rubbish, they have no choice. Read her story to find out why she feels that life ?living in the dirt? is better than life in her home country."
Source/publisher:
Burma Link
Date of entry/update:
2016-03-21
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Migration from Burma: mixed and general articles and reports, Economics of migration from Burma/Myanmar -, Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"This paper highlights the location of Burma (Myanmar) and reconsiders its geographical territory andits historical position. There were and are a lot of studies of Burma/Myanmar. Most of the studies were on the Burma itself or on those people living in Buma. On the other hand, Burma situated at the meeting point of South Asia and Southeast Asia. In other words, Burma holds a position of the node or corridor which connecting these two regions. This paper tries to focus on Burma as ?corridor?, by considering a case of South Asian migrant groups in Thailand, a Bangladeshi (or Eastern Bengal) Muslim descendants? community in northern Thailand.".....Paper delivered at the International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015.
Takada Mineo
Source/publisher:
International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015
Date of publication:
2015-07-26
Date of entry/update:
2015-08-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations, International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS) 23-26 July, 2015
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
209.33 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
Abstract: "This presentation aims to examine how the new Shan migrants help revitalize Shan Buddhist practices in Myanmar-Thai border area in Northern Thailand. This area has a long history of the ceaseless migrations of the Shan and other ethnic groups; the flow of people has continued even after the border demarcation in the early 20th century. Recently, we could find two contradictory processes- a rigid border control by the state administration and a fluid border crossing of people, goods and information. The border crossing of people may be characterized by a one-way flow from Myanmar to Thailand and its steady increase in quantity. By focusing on the flow of Shan lay Buddhist readers/reciters in Mae Hong Son, the northern Thai-Myanmar border area, this presentation analyzes the important role of the border crossing migrations for revitalizing Shan Buddhist practices in Northern Thailand."...Paper delivered at the International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015.
Tadayoshi Murakami
Source/publisher:
International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015
Date of publication:
2015-07-26
Date of entry/update:
2015-08-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Shan (cultural, historical, political) articles, Burmese Buddhism and Society, Migrant workers from Shan State, Thailand-Burma relations, International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS) 23-26 July, 2015
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
257.11 KB
more
Description:
Abstract: "This
paper
draws
on
case
studies
of
Burmese
migrants
in
the
city
of
Chiang
Mai,
Thailand,
to
explore
concepts
and
theories
of
migration,
uneven
development
and
acculturation
in
which
migrants
engages
in
the
new
environment
of
urban
societies.
It
examines
the
new
emergence
of
push-pull
factors
of
migration,
mainly
economic
reason
and
urban
attractions,
which
bring
Burmese
migrants
into
the
city.
Further,
the
paper
pays
more
attention
on
the
concept
of
uneven
development,
which
comes
along
with
the
process
of
development
in
urban
areas.
It
discusses
about
the
cities
like
Chiang
Mai
as
a
place
where
provides
residents
to
access
not
only
greater
opportunities
for
work,
activity
and
key
good
as
well
as
services,
but
the
places
also
emerge
alongside
rising
urban
inequality
for
a
certain
group
of
people,
particularly
Burmese
migrant
workers
are
recognized
as
a
local
symbol
of
inequality
in
Chiang
Mai,
as
well
as
in
Asia
region.
Lastly,
the
paper
focuses
analytical
attention
on
?way
of
life?
of
Burmese
migrants
of
varying
cultural,
social,
political
and
economic
backgrounds,
which
it
responds
to
the
narratives
a
bout
urban
diversity
and
development
of
the
city
of
Chiang
Mai
where
they
encounter.
Based
on
acculturation
framework,
cultural
way
of
life
of
Burmese
migrants
living
in
Chiang
Mai
is
classified
into
three
main
areas;
assimilation,
separation
and
integration,
and
each
area
of
way
of
life
would
be
adapted
by
different
generations
of
the
migrants.
Therefore,
one
can
see
the
social
phenomenon
of
Burmese
migrants,
especially
Shan
ethnic
group,
would
emerge
through
Thai
society
in
the
city
at
different
levels
of
lifestyles.".....Paper delivered at the International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015.
Tithirat Pripotjanart
Source/publisher:
International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015
Date of publication:
2015-07-26
Date of entry/update:
2015-08-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Migration from Burma: mixed and general articles and reports, Economics of migration from Burma/Myanmar -, Thailand-Burma relations, International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS) 23-26 July, 2015
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
375.18 KB
more
Description:
"In recent years migration studies have theorized that 21st-century migration is following patterns that both incorporate and diverge from academic and policymaking explanations of late 20th-century migration. The case of Myanmar, whose out-migration is well-known and well-enumerated, nevertheless shows both a less-known pattern of in-migration in rural areas as well as environmental (and not only economic) factors in both in- and out- migration.
James Clifford?s earlier, Asia-Pacific-focused work Routes, published in 1997, was influential in modifying the conventional academic foci on migration. Addressing the ?subjectivity” of the ethnographers of peoples and migrations and their subjects as more an issue of shared, though differing, ideas of movement and space, he brought a new awareness of the interplay between semantic webs purportedly possessed by fieldwork subjects and their would-be interpreters among scholars. He followed this work with a particular narrative of Native American migration in Returns, published in 2013. Both of these works open the door for new attempts to study and interview migrants in their own situations and to grasp the diversity of migration beyond push-pull factors. One burgeoning methodology within this new research initiative was that of ethnographic interviews with migrants. Clifford had revealed an extremely human, molecularly detailed side of interviewees and respondents. Newer works began to concentrate almost exclusively on the migrants? own narratives and to pull slighter, more localized explanations from them in the same mode as Charmaz?s grounded theory. Here were the roots of ?new migration? ideas. With the wealth of published data becoming available from migrants worldwide, small and large differences between their experiences and general migration theory became more apparent...".....Paper delivered at the International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015.
Lynn Thiesmeyer
Source/publisher:
International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015
Date of publication:
2015-08-28
Date of entry/update:
2015-08-28
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Migration from Burma: mixed and general articles and reports, Migrant workers from Burma : general and mixed articles and reports, Thailand-Burma relations, International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS) 23-26 July, 2015
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
308.21 KB
more
Description:
Abstract: "This
work
seeks
to
understand
gender-based
violence
and
the
connection
between
violence
and
livelihoods
for
refugees
living
in
conditions
of
social
exclusion.
Through
qualitative
research
consisting
of
40
interviews,
a
market
survey,
and
observation
conducted
among
Burmese
Muslim
refugees
in
Thailand,
this
work
analyzes
the
connection
between
livelihoods
strategies,
social
exclusion,
and
gender-based
violence.
Muslims
are
a
marginalized
group
within
Burma
and
experience
ongoing
discrimination
while
living
in
refugee
communities
in
Thailand,
which
results
in
risk
for
several
kinds
of
violence
at
multiple
levels.
The
experiences
of
Muslim
refugees
living
in
Thailand
offer
insight
into
the
conditions
that
shape
violence
for
refugees
more
generally.
Findings
show
that
several
factors
contribute
to
the
incidence
of
gender
violence,
including
structural,
community,
and
interpersonal
stressors
and
constraints.
These
dynamics
also
shape
violence,
whether
domestic
abuse,
harassment
and
assault
within
the
refugee
camp,
or
experiences
with
Thai
authorities.
By
showing
the
complex
conditions
that
shape
gender-based
violence
for
refugees
in
this
context,
this
work
demonstrates
the
need
for
consideration
of
marginalized
groups
within
refugee
populations
and
the
layered
nature
of
the
conditions
that
underpin
dynamics
of
gender
violence.
This
pa
per
concludes
with
consideration
of
the
implications
of
these
findings
for
the
possibility
of
refugee
return
to
Myanmar
in
the
context
of
ongoing
ethnic
difficulty
and
livelihoods
struggles.".....Paper delivered at the International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015.
Mollie Pepper
Source/publisher:
International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015
Date of publication:
2015-07-26
Date of entry/update:
2015-08-28
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Migrant workers from Burma : general and mixed articles and reports, Discrimination against Muslims in Burma/Myanmar, Thailand-Burma relations, International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS) 23-26 July, 2015
Language:
English, Burmese and Karen
Format :
pdf
Size:
309.23 KB
more
Description:
Abstract: "Burma/Myanmar has faced change in recent years. Since the elections of 2010, sanctions have been lifted and foreign direct investment has risen significantly. These developments, however, have not always been welcome. Local people from Dawei, for example, have expressed their dissatisfaction over land seizure, lack of compensation and participation in the decision-making processes over the development of a large Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The local grassroot movements can rely in their struggles on a network that is not restricted to Myanmar, but reaches out to exile groups, INGOs and academia in Thailand and beyond. To successfully communicate their stories, these groups rely on transculturally competent individuals re-presenting their stories within and across various (transnational) spaces. The conceptions of space I apply in this context rely heavily on Harvey and Lefebvre. But while these scholars focus more on the production of space(s), I intend to undertake an examination of the utilization of space(s). Hence, the main questions of this ongoing research project are: 1. How do transnational spaces affect the production and re-presentation of social movement narratives? 2. What narratives are re-presented when, where, how and why by transculturally competent individuals from Dawei?s social movement network? 3. What difficulties do these transculturally competent individuals face in translating/re-presenting these narratives? 4. Ultimately, how empowering are these narratives for Dawei?s activist network?The paper itself will not elaborate on any findings (as it is too early in the research process, yet), but on the theoretical framework and its implication for fieldwork offering a hopefully exciting new perspective on the re-production of narratives in transnational spaces like the borderland of Myanmar and Thailand.".....Paper delivered at the International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015.
Anselm Feldmann
Source/publisher:
International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-26 July 2015
Date of publication:
2015-08-26
Date of entry/update:
2015-08-19
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations, International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS) 23-26 July, 2015
Language:
Burmese (မြန်မာဘာသာ)
Format :
pdf
Size:
397.15 KB
more
Description:
"...Whatever the outcome of the trial, it is highly unlikely that National Police Chief Somyot Pumpunmuang or Police Major General Suwat Jaengyodsuk, the two with overall responsibility for the blighted Koh Tao investigation, will follow with their own apologies.
The Koh Tao investigation is yet another example of institutional discrimination against the Burmese underclass in Thailand, who live on half the minimum wage. Such discrimination is practically government policy. The outcome and integrity of the trial will prove just how far this discrimination reaches in post-coup Thailand, 2015."
Luke Corbin
Source/publisher:
"New Mandala"
Date of publication:
2014-12-04
Date of entry/update:
2014-12-14
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Analyzes how Thai culture influenced everyday life in Myanmar, especially in the performing arts, music and
handicrafts. The article also describes how Burmese theater adapted Tai Ramayana Court Drama.....Subject Terms:
1. Myanmar - Civilization,
2. Myanmar - Social life and customs,
3. Myanmar - Foreign relations - Thailand,
4. Myanmar Literature,
5. Myanmar Music.....Key Words:
1. Culture,
2. Ramayana,
3. Performing arts,
4. Handicraft.....Annotation: "
Pe Maung Tin, U
Source/publisher:
"Nawarat Ko-thwe", 2nd edition, 1974, pp28-46, Sabei Oo Literature, via University of Washington
Date of publication:
1974-00-00
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-21
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
Burmese/ မြန်မာဘာသာ (Metadata: English and Burmese)
Format :
pdf
Size:
322.44 KB
more
Description:
"With China?s backing, post-coup Thailand and Myanmar– ASEAN?s quasi-democracies– are moving closer together...The Thai military staged a coup on May 22, claiming to restore peace and order after months of protests against the elected government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. In reality, it was a military scheme to take control of politics ahead of an uncertain royal succession. In the process, it destroyed democratic institutions and violated the people?s human rights.
Immediately after the coup, an army of Western countries voiced their concern about the disappearance of democratic space. Subsequently, they imposed ?soft sanctions,? with the United States suspending its financial support for the Thai military and the European Union freezing all cooperation with the kingdom.
Amid international sanctions, the Thai junta has found some comfort in the warm embrace of China. Shortly after the coup, photos surfaced of Army Chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha– who?s also serving as the interim prime minister– shaking hands with Chinese business owners, demonstrating the Thai tactic of employing China to counterbalance Western sanctions.
But China is not Thailand?s only friend in its time of need. On July 4, Myanmar Supreme Commander Senior General Min Aung Hlaing paid a visit to Bangkok, making him the first leader from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to meet the Thai junta after the coup.
He held a cozy discussion with Prayuth, purportedly to strengthen ties between Thailand and Myanmar. Disturbingly, Min Aung Hlaing praised the Thai junta for ?doing the right thing? in seizing power. He also compared his country?s experience during the political upheaval that took place in Yangon in 1988, when the tatmadaw, or Myanmar?s army, launched deadly crackdowns against pro-democracy activists..."
Pavin Chachavalpongpun
Source/publisher:
"The Diplomat"
Date of publication:
2014-07-29
Date of entry/update:
2014-08-22
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Monsoon season is descending upon the Thai-Burmese border town of Mae Sot, but storm clouds are not the only the signs of portent for local residents. At the end of a week in which the military junta has been promoting ?love and harmony? among Thais by offering free tickets to see a film about a 16th century Ayutthaya king fighting to rid Siam of the Burmese, a concerted and prioritised effort to ?solve? the ?problem? of migrant workers from neighbouring Myanmar and Cambodia has been launched.
Following several months of delays for migrants wishing to extend their permission to stay in the country under the national verification program and more than a week of raids on migrant communities across the country, the NCPO established a Committee on Solving Migrant Problems on the 10th June.Thai army spokesman Sirichan Ngathong stated during the week that any undocumented migrant workers in Thailand ?will be arrested and deported? and Thai government television channels declared this to be part of an ?environmental cleansing? operation carried out to build a ?pleasant? society. Rumours about the purge and possible mistreatment spread quickly among migrants stoking fears leading to a mass exodus. Over 100,000 Cambodians alone have now left the country.
Such purges are regular occurrences in Thailand, where a relatively laissez-faire approach is taken towards undocumented workers when the economy is booming, followed by crackdowns during downturns. But there are reasons to believe that this time may be different; especially as regards migrants from Myanmar. This is due to NCPO attempts to securitise the issue and fast tracking plans for the establishment of special border economic zones.
The military claims that migrants are a source of social problems, that they undermine social ?stability? and are associated with narcotics, crime, and communicable diseases.While tolerated in border provinces, authorities want to keep them away from metropolitan areas such as Bangkok. In a post-coup environment, it is interesting to note that Prayuth Chan-Ocha?s dissertation research while studying at Thailand?s National Defence College in 2007-2008 was on the role of the army in responding to non-traditional security threats, identifying migrant workers and undocumented persons as one of four urgent and immediate threats to Thai society..."
Charlie Thame
Source/publisher:
"New Mandala"
Date of publication:
2014-06-15
Date of entry/update:
2014-07-24
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"BURMA
Thai Army Increases Troops by DKBA Border
By LAWI WENG / THE IRRAWADDY| May 4, 2012 | Hits: 30
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email Share on print
The Thai Army has increased troop numbers around Mae Sot. (Photo: Reuters)
The Thai Army has deployed more troops at border towns around Mae Sot, in northern Thailand?s Tak Province, due to escalating tensions with the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) after a faction leader was accused of being a drug trafficker.
Thai Army chief Gen Prayut Chan O Cha told Thai Rath news on May 3 that his soldiers are taking extra care by the frontier and the number of troops in the area has been increased. ?We are already there, but the situation is not yet risky,? he said.
The move comes after the Thai Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) placed Saw Lah Pwe, the leader of the Brigade 5 breakaway faction of the DKBA, in the top five of its list of Thailand?s 25 most wanted drug dealers..."
LAWI WENG
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy"
Date of publication:
2012-05-04
Date of entry/update:
2012-05-04
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations, Drugs and Burma: general links, reports and articles, Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA)
Language:
English
more
Description:
Summary. "Several members of the informal Association
of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar
Caucus visited Thailand this week, hosted by Senator Kraisak
Choonhavan, Chairman of the Thai Senate Foreign Relations
committee. In a March 2 press conference, the Caucus called
for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and a more open
and democratic National Convention process in Rangoon. The
Caucus also stated that Burma should not be allowed to assume
the rotational chairmanship of ASEAN next year, unless
significant progress is made on democratic reforms. Caucus
members met with Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, who
told the group that their concerns and suggestions for change
in Burma should be taken seriously by ASEAN member
governments. Surakiart also confirmed that the Royal Thai
Government (RTG) would continue its policy of "constructive
engagement" with the Burmese regime, although he said
privately that the RTG did not object to the
parliamentarians? public criticism of the military government
in Burma." End Summary.
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2005-03-03
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"In a meeting with MFA?s East Asian Affairs Director
for Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Brunei Mr.
Damrong Kriakruan on April 12, Poloff delivered reftel
demarche and asked for RTG views. Damrong noted that ASEAN?s
credibility is on the line, but the RTG still believes that
engagement is the best option for ASEAN. He said that the
Bali meeting is a "retreat" and that, as such, no formal
public statements are anticipated. However, he acknowledged
that the ministers are likely to face questions from the
media on Burma and it will be up to each country to decide
how to respond. The RTG feels that it would not help matters
to "bombard" Burma with public criticism, but it should be
made clear that ASEAN will continue its efforts and will look
for ways to achieve substantive progress toward
democratization in Burma...."
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2006-04-12
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Summary: "Burmese exile groups based in Thailand have
denied any connection to the bombings in Rangoon on May 7,
2005. Most speculated, without any providing any hard
evidence, that former associates of ousted Prime Minister
Khin Nyunt and the military intelligence services might be
responsible. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stated
that 128 Thai citizens attending a Thai trade fair in Rangoon
had returned safely to Bangkok on May 8." End Summary.
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2005-05-09
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Summary. "The next trial hearing in the death of Ma Suu, a
17-year-old Burmese migrant worker who was allegedly murdered by her
employer, will be on March 8-9, 2006. Ma Suu left Burma to seek
work in Thailand, and found a job as a domestic servant for a
wealthy Thai military officer in 2001. While it remains unclear
whether Ma Suu was originally trafficked across the border, her
ensuing employment situation clearly amounts to a trafficking case.
Held against her will in an abusive employment situation, she
escaped and notified police, only to be returned to her employer and
eventually killed. She died on July 16, 2002 from extensive
beatings and acid burns. The public prosecutor, with help from the
Thai Law Society, is seeking cooperation from key witnesses, but
fear of retribution -- and the defendant?s high ranking military
status -- has caused some to hesitate in cooperating." End Summary.
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2006-02-24
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Summary: Thailand is not prepared to support the
proposal to bring Burma before the UN Security Council. The
Thai MFA believes that other ASEAN members also will not
support the proposal, although none are willing to leap to
Burma?s defense with the vigor that Burma has requested.
End summary.
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2005-10-13
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Summary. "About 1,000 Karen refugees have recently
arrived from Burma at a refugee camp in northern Thailand,
reportedly as a result of SPDC military activities aimed at
creating a security cordon around its new capital at
Pyinmana. Consistent with long-standing policy, the Thai
have kept the border open to these new arrivals. A USG
determination for refugee resettlement purposes that the
Karen National Union (KNU) is a terrorist entity could
undermine our ability to argue for a continuation of this
policy should that ever become necessary." End summary.
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2006-03-16
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"On July 3, Poloff spoke by telephone with
Minister-Counselor Kallayana Vipattipumiprates of MFA?s East
Asia Affairs Department regarding the RTG?s position on the
proposed UN Security Council Resolution on Burma. Kallayana
stated that the RTG is working with ASEAN member states "and
others" to try to come up with a "viable alternative" to the
resolution. He said that the RTG wants the Burmese to take
some concrete step forward, but feels that Burma "must be
offered some carrot, not just the stick." He said that the
RTG is working to get the Burmese government to open a
dialogue with ASEAN to discuss precisely what actions the
regime could take to demonstrate progress..."
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2006-07-03
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Summary: "On August 3, Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart
discussed with Ambassador Prime Minister Thaksin?s "sudden
and puzzling" trip to Burma the previous day. Surakiart said
that he was "personally appalled" by the trip and confirmed
that there was no advance planning. He claimed to have only
learned of the trip on the morning of Tuesday, August 1. He
said that Thaksin met privately with Than Shwe and Maung Aye
while the rest of the Thai delegation met with their
respective counterparts. According to Surakiart, the main
message that Thaksin hoped to deliver was that Thailand and
ASEAN want to draw Burma out of its self-imposed isolation,
and that in order to do so, Burma needs to keep ASEAN
informed of what it is doing and be willing to open up more
to the international community." End Summary.
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, New Delhi, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2006-08-03
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Summary. "During an April 18-23 visit by PRM Bureau
DAS Kelly Ryan, the Thai government gave its approval for a
multi-year program to resettle Burmese refugees residing in
camps along the Thai-Burma border to the United States. DAS
Ryan told Thai officials that the United States wanted to
begin this program in the Tham Hin camp, was prepared to
offer resettlement to all eligible registered refugees in
camp, and would be able to begin processing before the end of
¶2005. Thai National Security Council head General Winai
expressed some concern that such a program could pull more
Burmese into Thailand and asked the United States to pursue
the program as discreetly as possible. DAS Ryan agreed that
it was important to try and deter a pull factor and said that
the USG viewed Tham Hin as a pilot and would make decisions
about how best to proceed in resettling refugees from the
other camps after further analysis. The Thai also told Ryan
that the long-delayed Provincial Admissions Boards for
screening Burmese refugees would begin operations in May.
General Winai indicated that the Thai government was looking
favorably at establishing the site currently being used to
process Hmong for U.S. resettlement as a more permanent
facility for Burmese resettlement processing. DAS Ryan
lauded the Thai decision to permit expanded vocational and
educational training for Burma border camp refugees and urged
the Thai to permit income generation as well. DAS Ryan also
urged the Thai to permit UNHCR access to Chinese dissident Lu
Decheng." End summary.
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2005-05-09
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
SUMMARY: "On January 4, Poloff and Econoff met
with Mr. Damrong Kriakruan, the Burma desk officer at the
Thai MFA. Damrong confirmed press and NGO reports that the
state-owned power company EGAT Plc has signed a memorandum of
agreement (MOA) with Burma,s Ministry of Electric Power on
December 9, 2005 to conduct a joint two-year feasibility
study with respect to construction of a dam on the Salween
(Thanlwin) River at Hat Gyi inside Burma,s Karen State.
Consistent with EGAT,s strategy of securing access to
low-cost electric power from neighboring nations, the project
is envisioned as one of five hydroelectric power projects
involving Burma. The MFA expressed its awareness of the
sensitivity of projects involving Burma and asserted that the
MOA involves completion of the above feasibility study only.
EGAT apparently has yet to obtain long-term financing for
actual construction. Thus, the reason for conducting the
study now is to allow Thailand to keep its energy supply
options open. The Embassy expects both EGAT and Thailand,s
energy bureaucrats to pursue the development of electric
power generating capacity in cooperation with Burma because
they expect any potential outcry to be less bothersome than
the opposition certain to arise in response to large-scale
power generating projects within Thailand. Poloff commended
ASEAN on their decision to send the Malaysian FM to visit
Rangoon to check up on Burma,s progress with "democratic
reform", and also for making a request to meet with ASSK.
Damrong noted that Burma had not responded to official
Malaysian requests to set dates for the visit, and suggested
that Burma,s response to Malaysia vis--vis a proposed
meeting with ASSK might be seen as a gauge of how willing
Burma is to cooperate with ASEAN." END SUMMARY
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2006-01-06
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Summary: "The appointment of a new foreign minister,
Kantathi Suphamongkhon, will not substantially change
Thailand?s "constructive engagement" policy towards Burma,
according to a key Foreign Ministry (MFA) official
responsible for Burma. Kantathi has already publicly (and
privately) made clear that Thailand will not join a movement
to thwart Burma from assuming the ASEAN chairmanship in 2006
if it has not implemented democratic reforms before then.
The MFA official said the Burma chairmanship issue will be
discussed informally in Cebu, but he doubted that other ASEAN
governments -- despite some recent statements -- were serious
about pressuring Burma on that issue. On related matters,
the "Bangkok Process" appears dead because the SPDC does not
want to engage potential critics while it still has not
achieved any reform progress with which to respond. The Thai
believe that the European Union (EU) is on the verge of
softening its policy towards Burma." End Summary.
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2005-04-01
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
SUMMARY: "During a visit to Bangkok, Paulo Sergio
Pinheiro, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma,
expressed frustration with Burma?s ruling State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC) and called upon the Burmese junta
to clarify what steps they plan to take in the democratic
reform process. The Special Rapporteur met separately with
the Thai Foreign Minister (FM) Kantathi Supamongkhon and the
Bangkok diplomatic community. The Thai FM expressed his hope
to Pinheiro that National League for Democracy (NLD) leader
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) be freed next year when elections
might be held following the ratification of a new Burmese
constitution. Pinheiro said that he hoped neither the US or
the EU would agree to a possible ASEAN compromise with the
SPDC which would allow Burma to assume the ASEAN chairmanship
in 2006, but only if the meetings take place in another
country." END SUMMARY.
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2005-06-21
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Ambassador delivered Reftel demarche to MFA
Permanent Secretary Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn. In addition,
Post delivered demarche to working-level contacts in MFA?s
Department of East Asian Affairs, Department of American
Affairs, and Department of ASEAN Affairs. While none of
these contacts had an immediate response, Permanent Secretary
Krit said that he hopes the US will inform and work closely
with the RTG Mission to the UN in New York on this matter.
Source/publisher:
US Embassy, Bangkok, via Wikileaks
Date of publication:
2006-06-02
Date of entry/update:
2011-09-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"In recent years, Myanmar-Thailand relations have experienced a surge of positive bilateralism due to their common membership in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). However, the thaw in relations still leaves the boundary dispute between two countries largely unresolved. A major clash occurred in February 2001 and tension on the border still prevails. It?s critical to look at the history of this boundary dispute, problems that fester on the border and what implications these could have on Thai-Burma?s effort to demarcate the boundary? Whether the improving economic relations have lessened the tensions or not? What will be the likely future in terms of finding a solution? ..."
Tanvi Pate
Source/publisher:
Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (Delhi)
Date of publication:
2010-07-08
Date of entry/update:
2010-11-16
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Two temporary refugee camps established during June 2009 in Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province,
Thailand, to provide refuge for villagers that fled increased conflict and exploitative abuse in Pa?an District
have now been all but entirely abandoned. The camps were home to more than 2,409 refugees as
recently as January 2010; over the last two months, the camp populations have dwindled as small groups
have departed one by one. On March 31st and April 1st, the last residents of the Nong Bua and Mae U Su
sites left in two large groups, of 24 and 102 families respectively. This report details the circumstances of
the refugees? departure, including interviews that indicate refugees left because of a persistent campaign
of harassment by soldiers of the Royal Thai Army (RTA), who pressured the refugees to return to Burma
in spite of warnings that safe return is not currently possible. The report also details the dangers returned
refugees may face, including risks from landmines as well as violent and exploitative abuse by the DKBA
and SPDC Army. This section also includes details regarding the death and injury of two young boys that
accidentally detonated an unexploded M79 round they found outside the village of Mae La Ah Kee on
March 31st 2010. Highlighting the risks returned refugees may face, the boys came from a family that had
been forced out of the Mae U Su site by RTA soldiers at the end of the rainy season 2009."
Source/publisher:
Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG #2010-F3)
Date of publication:
2010-04-01
Date of entry/update:
2010-10-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Refoulement, push-backs and rejection at borders, Thailand-Burma relations, Discrimination against the Karen
Language:
English
Format :
pdf pdf
Size:
521.77 KB 214.07 KB
more
Description:
"On April 21st 2010 DKBA soldiers from Battalion #7 of Brigade #999 crossed into Thailand and burned three huts in the Thai village of Hsoe Hta in Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province. The raid was ordered by Batallion #7 Column Commander Bpweh Kih, who believed that the villagers had been in contact with the KNLA and were withholding information about four DKBA soldiers who had recently deserted from a DKBA camp at Bpaw Bpah Hta, Pa?an District. The incident falls into a broader recent pattern of cross-border violence and killings by the DKBA, often against suspected KNLA supporters; it also gives substance to statements made by deserters during interviews with KHRG that indicate they would be summarily executed if recaptured by the DKBA..."
Source/publisher:
Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG #2010-B7)
Date of publication:
2010-04-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-10-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations, Armed conflict in Burma - Impact on village life, including health and education
Language:
English, Karen
Format :
pdf
Size:
342.77 KB
more
Description:
I Thai perceptions of Burma;
II Ties with Thailand: a short history;
III Border trade from 1948–1999;
IV Evolution of Thailand?s constructive engagement policy;
V Thai-Burmese technical cooperation 123VI Key issues;
VII New Thai policy towards Burma;
VIII Conclusions.
"...Thai-Burmese relations have reached a critical juncture. Never before have Thai policy-makers
expressed such frustration over bilateral ties, especially over the issue of narcotics suppression.
Before the extensive political reform in Thailand in 1997, Thai-Burmese ties were mainly driven by
personal friendship. For instance, the leaders of the armed forces from the two countries met often and
resolved conflicts on an ad hoc basis and through gentlemen?s agreements. That helped explain why
certain problems could be settled quickly and other problems dragged on. It must be noted that some
of the issues settled through political expediency have returned to haunt the leaders of the two
countries. In the past, strong military ties omitted and obliterated other key policy-makers including
the Foreign Ministry, the National Security Council, the Interior Ministry and other related
organizations. But with reform, the Foreign Ministry took the lead in the formation and execution of
Burma policy.
The international community would like to see Thailand take a firm stand against the Burmese junta.
As in the Cambodian conflict between 1978 and 1992, Thailand was able to provide leadership during
the 14-year conflict and was a prime mover behind ASEAN solidarity and policy initiatives.
Unfortunately, during the crucial days of Burma–ASEAN relations between 1995 and 1997, when key
ASEAN decisions were made, Thailand was troubled by political uncertainty at home. However, the
political reform that has taken place since 1997 should serve as political bedrock.
However, when the government under Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra came to power in early
2001, he turned the Burmese policy upside down. With strong support from his coalition partner,
Defense Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, he has followed a policy of appeasement to further
economic ties and, in particular, gain cooperation in narcotics suppression.
The long-term prospects of joint anti-narcotic suppression and proposed demarcation of the border
remain doubtful. With an absolute majority in the house, the Thaksin government is likely to continue
the current policy which stimulates cross border trade regardless of political conditions inside the
country..."
Kavi Chongkittavorn
Source/publisher:
International IDEA
Date of publication:
2001-12-14
Date of entry/update:
2010-09-27
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
205.52 KB
more
Description:
Thailand?s policies toward Burma will change if the planned election installs a new regime with a seemingly democratic face.
When the Burmese government allowed foreign envoys to meet with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in May 2009, she reportedly whispered into the ear of the Thai envoy, ?I would like to thank Thailand for its support for my fight for democracy in Burma. I will visit Thailand one day to show my appreciation.?
The return of the Democrat Party to power in Thailand should have lifted Suu Kyi?s spirits because it was under Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai?s Democrat Party-led government (1997-2001) that relations between Thailand and Burma?s became strained as Thailand expressed the right to voice concerns over the political situation in Burma under its ?flexible engagement policy.?
Pavin Chachavalpungpun
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 18, No. 4
Date of publication:
2010-04-00
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-19
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
Abstract / Description:
"This paper proposes a new historical interpretation of pre-modern relations between Burma and Siam by analyzing these relations within the historical context of the formation of Burmese states: the first Toungoo, the restored Toungoo and the early Konbaung empires, respectively. The main argument is that the conflictive conditions leading to the military confrontation between Burma and Siam from the 16th to 19th centuries were dynamic. The changing nature of Burmese states? conflict with Siam was contingent firstly on the internal condition of Burmese courts? power over lower Burma and secondly on the external condition of international maritime trade.
The paper discusses this in seven parts:
1. Introduction;
2. Previous studies: some limitations;
3. Post-Pagan to pre-Toungoo period;
4. The first Toungoo empire: the outbreak of Burmese-Siamese warfare;
5. The restored Toungoo empire: Mandala without Ayutthaya;
6. The early Konbaung empire: regaining control of Ayutthaya; and
7. The early Konbaung empire: Southward expansion to the Malay Peninsula."...Keywords: Burma; Siam; warfare; state formation; Toungoo; Konbaung
Pamaree Surakiat
Source/publisher:
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore Working Paper 64
Date of publication:
2006-04-00
Date of entry/update:
2010-03-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Multiple periods of Burmese history, Thailand-Burma relations, General studies (covering various periods and themes)
Language:
English
more
Description:
"...The Halockani incident cannot be viewed as an
isolated event. It needs to be understood in terms of
the history of boundary delimitation and
demarcation between Burma and Thailand (or more
precisely Siam) and in terms of contemporary,
regional political developments, i.e. in ASEAN and
bilateral economic developments between Burma
and Thailand..."
Ananda Rajah
Source/publisher:
IBRU Boundary and Security Bulletin October 1994
Date of publication:
1994-10-00
Date of entry/update:
2009-02-28
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Thai prime ministers have frequently treated Burma as a bargain basement for shady business deals. Will Abhisit be any different?
HERE?S some good news: Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand?s new prime minister, says he shares the West?s desire for change in Burma.
Of course, this doesn?t mean that his government is about to impose sanctions on Burma?s recalcitrant rulers. But it does signal a welcome departure from the approach of some of Abhisit?s predecessors, who treated Burma as a bargain basement for shady business deals, rather than as a nation of people desperate to rid themselves of tyranny..."
Aung Zaw
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 17, No. 1
Date of publication:
2009-02-00
Date of entry/update:
2009-02-16
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Why the fate of Thailand?s fugitive ex-premier has captured attention in Naypyidaw...
BURMA?s generals must be following with more than passing interest the drama of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra?s flight into exile.
It lies beyond the wildest imagination to believe they could ever join their erstwhile business crony in seeking refuge in the West. Nevertheless, in a world where the cat?s cradle of international treaties and alliances of convenience is constantly changing, the number of countries where they are assured of a welcome is possibly shrinking..."
Jim Andrews
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 16, No. 9
Date of publication:
2008-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2008-11-13
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more
Description:
A Thaksin-style foreign policy means more cooperation, less pressure on the generals...
"Burma?s ruling generals are probably smiling over what has happened in Thailand in recent months.
The People Power Party, a reincarnation of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra?s Thai Rak Thai party, won the elections in December. The new Thai government?s diplomacy is unlikely to be different from Thaksin?s business-oriented diplomacy before he was ousted.
The junta no doubt views new Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej as a proxy for Thaksin. That?s one reason to make them smile.
But in terms of the two political systems, Burma and Thailand are no longer the same, following Thailand?s democratic election after more than one year of military-backed rule..."
Kyaw Zwa Moe
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 16, No. 3
Date of publication:
2008-03-00
Date of entry/update:
2008-04-27
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Thailand-Burma relations
Language:
English
more