Thai FM Urges Myanmar to Keep Air Strikes Away From Border
Thailand's Foreign Minister Seh Hak Phuangketkeow called his Myanmar counterpart to demand that military operations near the shared border cease affecting Thai territory, after Thai nationals were injured. Seh Hak warned that air strikes must stay far from the border and linked Myanmar's ASEAN re-entry to de-escalation. He will visit Myanmar on November 12 before the ASEAN summit to reinforce the message.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Seh Hak Phuangketkeow, attending the 11th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation meeting in Beijing, held a 10-minute phone call with Myanmar's Foreign Minister Tin Hmung Htwe. Seh Hak said Myanmar's military operations against ethnic armed groups near the Thai-Myanmar border have impacted Thailand, leaving Thai citizens injured. He conveyed Thailand's concern that no Myanmar military action should affect Thai territory, especially air strikes which should stay as far from the border as possible. Seh Hak also stressed that Thailand is working to bring Myanmar back into ASEAN, which requires Myanmar to address ASEAN's concerns by de-escalating violence to create conditions for dialogue and peace. Seh Hak plans to visit Myanmar on November 12 ahead of the ASEAN summit on November 15-17 to further press that fighting should not spill over into Thailand. Myanmar's side acknowledged understanding Thailand's concerns and promised to inform Myanmar's leaders.
