FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER INDICATES THAT HE HAS NOT RECEIVED REPORT FROM THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT ON RELOCATION OF ITS CAPITAL

Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) indicated that he has not received a formal notification regarding the relocation of Myanmar's capital, from Yangon (ย่างกุ้ง) to Pyinmana (ยินมานา). He deemed that there is an internal reason for such move.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathi said he has not been notified by the Burmese authority about the relocation of the capital, but he believed the change of Burmese capital from Yangon to Pyinmana, which is 600 kilometers away, may be a decision made based on internal reason. He said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry has to consider whether the relocation is permanent, before deciding on moving the Royal Thai embassy to the new capital. He said that he would consult the Burmese government again to inquire about the reasons during the APEC Summit in Pusan, South Korea. He said that it was unlikely that the change in the capital resulted from the Burmese government's fear of attacks from the United States.

Regarding the riots in Paris, Dr. Kantathi said that the incidents have not affected Thai people yet, and there is still no need to forbid Thai people from traveling to France, as the situation is not that violent. He expressed confidence that the French government would be able to fix the problem soon.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 November 2005

More from the BBC 8 November 2005 Burma's confusing capital move:

Information Minister Kyaw Hsan said the site of the new capital, near the town of Pyinmana, was a more strategic location for Burma's military rulers.

"It is centrally located, and has quick access to all parts of the country," he told reporters on Monday.

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Many ministries - including the foreign ministry - are in the process of moving to Pyinmana. But foreign and UN embassies have been told there are currently no plans for them to follow.

"If you need to communicate on urgent matters, you can send a fax to Pyinmana," the foreign ministry said in its statement on Monday.

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