Bangkok Post | 26 Sep 2014
Writer: Wassana Nanuam, Amornrat Mahitthirook & Anucha Charoenpo
Myanmar’s
stalled Dawei development project is expected to get a big boost when Thai
Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, visits the country next month.
But
an army source said Gen Prayut’s visit is planned for Oct 7, after he chairs
the National Council for Peace and Order meeting at Ban Mangkasila in Saphan
Khao.
“Myanmar
is now in the process of reforming its economic system to modernise the country
in line with international practice,” Mr Pisanu said. ”Several changes involve
existing cooperation projects, such as the Dawei deep-sea port and the
development of the industrial zone there.”
A
source at a working group on the Dawei project said Myanmar wants the initial
phase to begin in November. Gen Prayut has also ordered agencies concerned to
support the project following recent visits by Burmese military leaders to
Thailand.
Akom
Termpittayapaisit, deputy transport minister and secretary-general of the
National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), said on Thursday that
the government had assigned the NESDB to simplify the process of joint panels
that will soon be set up to complete the project.
The
Thai-Myanmar Joint High Level Committee, the Myanmar-Thai Joint Coordinating
Committee and the operation task force will have stripped-down working
procedures to speed up the work, he said.
Teerachai
Chutiman, chairman of the Kanchanaburi Chamber of Commerce, said he
supported stepped-up discussions between Thai and Burmese leaders.
The
construction of a deep-sea port at Dawei, west of Bangkok on the Andaman Sea,
is expected to stimulate the economy and trade between both countries, but has
been stalled for more than a year amid the political crisis in Thailand.
The
project has been on hold since ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
dissolved parliament last December.
“We
are closely monitoring the stance of both Thailand and Myanmar towards the
Dawei project,” Mr Teerachai said, referring to business people in
Kanchanaburi.
“We
hope that if the project is completed, it will draw visitors and investors to
travel to Kanchanaburi before travelling on to Dawei.”
The
Phu Nam Ron border crossing in Kanchanaburi is the gateway providing the
shortest travelling route from Bangkok to Dawei.
Thailand
and Myanmar have a 50-50 stake in the Dawei special economic zone, which
establishes a 75-year concession from the Myanmar government to develop trade
and the deep-sea port. It replaces Italian-Thai Development Plc, which received
the concession from Myanmar in November 2010.
Next
month’s visit by Gen Prayut will reaffirm Thailand’s close economic ties with Myanmar,
said Mr Pisanu, the ambassador.
Gen
Prayut has set out a policy to foster a stronger relationship with Myanmar, he
said.
Already,
Nay Pyi Taw and Bangkok have closely cooperated on security issues. Scores of
drug traffickers have been arrested along the border as a result of information
sharing, Mr Pisanu said.
He
said Thailand will also seek cooperation from the Burmese government to address
the Rohingya migrant problem, saying Myanmar’s domestic policy on the minority
group has posed a burden to Thailand.
Thousands
of people have fled the country amid persecution.
Mr
Pisanu said Gen Prayut has chosen Myanmar as his first overseas visit because
it is currently the chair of Asean. The two countries also share a long border
and have maintained good relations, he said, adding that Myanmar is
enthusiastic about welcoming the Thai leader.
During
his stay in Myanmar, Gen Prayut will pay a courtesy call on Burmese President
Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw, Mr Pisanu said.
He
also plans to meet Thai community members in Rangoon, where about 2,000 Thai
nationals are staying.
Among
them are Thai investors in small- and medium-sized companies, as well as
members of large corporations to talk with them about the government’s development
policy and other incentives.
Asked
whether Gen Prayut would pay a visit to E Thi, a deaf-mute Burmese fortune
teller who counts Thai generals and powerful politicians among her clientele,
Mr Pisanu said the premier may not have enough time for that. He said, however,
this will depend on his schedule.
Mr
Pisanu said he has not yet been informed whether the itinerary will include a
visit to Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. He said the visit is
primarily to introduce himself to the Burmese leader and to promote good
relations.
Most
plans and blueprints produced so far for development of Dawei have focused on
the advantages of the scheme for Thailand.
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