22-4-2024 (BANGKOK) As intense fighting continues to rage in the key Myanmar trading town of Myawaddy, opposite Thailand’s Mae Sot district, the Kingdom has signaled its readiness to broker peace talks between the military government and resistance fighters in an effort to quell the escalating violence.
Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary-general to the Thai prime minister, stated on Monday that the government’s stance on the Myanmar conflict is to advocate for a peaceful resolution and provide humanitarian aid. “Thailand’s role is to do all it can to help resolve the conflict in the neighboring country, and such a role is also expected by the international community,” he said when asked about the possibility of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin playing the role of mediator.
While no direct demand for negotiations has been made by either the Myanmar government or ethnic minority rebels, Dr. Prommin noted that the Foreign Affairs Ministry is expected to work towards achieving a peaceful resolution.
To address the evolving situation, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara will inspect the border area on behalf of the prime minister following the establishment of a government committee focused on the situation, chaired by Mr. Parnpree himself. The committee comprises senior government officials, including permanent secretaries from the Defense Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and the Interior Ministry.
Dr. Prommin emphasized that the government is prepared to cope with an influx of refugees fleeing the fighting in Myanmar, adding that procedures are in place and will be modified as the situation demands. He also reiterated the government’s warning that any spillover of the conflict into Thai territory is unacceptable.
Mr. Parnpree stated that the committee will meet on Tuesday before the weekly cabinet meeting, and he will subsequently inspect the situation in Mae Sot district in the afternoon. He assured that there is no immediate need to open more temporary shelters for refugees, as the current plan effectively handles the situation.
Over the weekend, approximately 3,000 people fled Myawaddy to Mae Sot to escape the escalating conflict, with around 2,000 of them returning to Myawaddy on Monday. As of noon on Monday, the number of refugees in Mae Sot stood at 1,142, while Umphang district of Tak province hosted 77 refugees in temporary shelters.
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, who visited Mae Sot Hospital on Monday, stated that six hospitals in Tak are prepared to deal with emergency situations following the escalation of the conflict. He revealed that Mae Sot Hospital activated an emergency response after 22 people were rushed there on Saturday night, with a total of 41 injured individuals requiring surgery and subsequent care under security agencies upon discharge.
Myanmar forces have reportedly sent aircraft to bomb several locations seized by resistance fighters, including the 275th battalion, which is about 3km from the border, late on Sunday night. Rebel forces have set fire to several office buildings and seized the immigration and customs buildings at the 1st and 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship bridges, leading to the closure of the checkpoints on Monday.
A security source revealed that the change of alliance by the Border Guard Force (BGF) under Col Saw Chit Thu, which was initially aligned with the junta, is causing alarm among Myanmar’s military. The BGF, which has transformed itself into the Karen National Army (KNA), has 7,000 fighters and weapons including anti-tank rockets and drones. It has reportedly asked resistance groups to fight for an autonomous Karen state.
Meanwhile, the House committee on military affairs announced that it would invite relevant agencies to explain the measures being carried out to assist Thai citizens affected by the fighting.
In its weekly update on international issues around Thailand, the Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that the government was considering whether to offer more humanitarian aid to Myanmar citizens affected by the conflict. Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said Thailand has attached importance to providing humanitarian aid to Myanmar citizens and will look at ways to increase assistance by coordinating with international organizations and civil organizations working along the border during the ongoing crisis.
