BANGKOK, July 4 — Military cooperation between Thailand and its neighbour Myanmar will be strengthened, while Myanmar believes the roadmap of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will succeed.
The pledge on strengthening military cooperation was made by Thailand’s Defence Forces chief Gen Thanasak Patimapragorn, also deputy NCPO leader, during talks with visiting Myanmar Armed Forces commander-in-chief Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
Gen Tanasak also told Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing that Thailand would provide welfare to Myanmar nationals now working in the kingdom in accordance with this country’s law and human rights.
On military cooperation, he pledged that cooperation would remain unchanged while both countries would help resolve security problems along the mutual border, developing their economy and cooperating before the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community, scheduled to start at the end of next year.
Both countries are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing, who arrived in Bangkok on Thursday for a two-day official visit as a guest of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, reportedly told Gen Tanasak that he believed
what the Thai military was doing was “most appropriate” and the most important tasks for the army were to defend the country and to ensure security for the people.
After considering the NCPO’s roadmap, aimed at achieving reconciliation and national reform, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing reportedly told Gen Tanasak that he was confident it would succeed.
He thanked Thailand for providing know-how and on giving self-sufficiency economy knowledge, initiated by His Majesty the King, to Myanmar farmers which was very useful to the country and Myanmar people.
Earlier Friday, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by 20 person entourage, visited Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda at his home.
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing later called on NCPO leader/army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.
