Photo Cr. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
TAK, Feb 9 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara is visiting Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot, Tak province as the country plans to establish a humanitarian assistance center at the Thai-Myanmar border to deliver food and medical supplies for about 20,000 people displaced by fighting in Myanmar.
Mr. Parnpree stated that he would push for the establishment of a humanitarian assistance center within one month to help those affected by the unrest in Myanmar. He emphasized that this initiative was the first step towards implementing the ASEAN five-point consensus and received support from all parties.
He hoped that when all parties can cooperate to assist in humanitarian aspects, it will lead to discussions that will eventually result in what is called dialogue. It is believed that if dialogue can take place, it will lead to addressing the violent conflicts occurring in Myanmar.
Thailand’s initiative emerged after Thailand held talks with the Myanmar government and received support from an unofficial ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Laos.
The minister explained that the establishment of the temporary humanitarian assistance center is not setting up a new refugee center.
Although Western countries have not yet participated, Mr. Panpriya indicated that during his trip to attend the ASEAN-European Union or EU meeting in Brussels on February 2, the EU expressed interest in providing funding if the project proves effective.
According to the plan, the Thai and Myanmar Red Cross will work together to deliver food supplies displaced persons in Myanmar.
The humanitarian assistance will be sent to Myanmar through the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to three villages in Kayin State under the observation of the ASEAN’s humanitarian aid body. -819 (TNA)
