Thai FM phones Myanmar counterpart after border fighting injures Thais

BANGKOK – Thailand has urged Myanmar to prevent its military operations against ethnic armed groups from affecting Thai territory after fighting near the border left Thai nationals injured.

Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, said on Tuesday (3 November) that he had raised the issue during a 10-minute telephone conversation with Myanmar Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe.

The call took place while Sihasak was in Beijing, China, attending the 11th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) meeting.

Sihasak said he had expressed Thailand’s concerns over Myanmar’s military operations against ethnic armed groups near the Thai-Myanmar border, particularly airstrikes targeting military positions.

He stressed that Myanmar’s military operations should not affect Thailand and that airstrikes should be conducted as far from the Thai border as possible.

The Thai foreign minister also raised the broader situation in Myanmar, saying Thailand was working towards Myanmar’s reintegration into ASEAN. However, he stressed that Myanmar must respond to the regional bloc’s concerns, particularly by reducing violence.

Sihasak said a reduction in violence by all parties would help create a more favourable atmosphere for dialogue and reconciliation, which are essential to achieving peace in Myanmar.

He also confirmed plans to visit Myanmar on 12 November, ahead of the ASEAN Summit scheduled for 15-17 November, when he intends to discuss ways to prevent the conflict from escalating and affecting Thailand.

According to Sihasak, his Myanmar counterpart acknowledged Thailand’s concerns and pledged to promptly convey them to Myanmar’s leadership.