Yingluck Focuses On Economy, Not Democratisation: Thai-Burmese Relations

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THAI-BURMESE RELATIONS

Yingluck focuses on economy, not democratisation

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

Photo : EPA

Democratisation takes a back seat as PM, ministers snap up deals in the Dawei economic zone and energy

Under the shadow of her elder brother, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has sidelined democratisation and instead placed economic interests at the core of bilateral relations between Thailand and Burma.

Her Cabinet is expected to fully endorse the Dawei special economic zone project and an energy deal.

Yingluck's meeting with Burma's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi here on Tuesday to highlight political reform in the military-dominated country was also aimed at raising the profile of Thailand's first female prime minister.

Yingluck became not only the first Thai PM but also the first head of government to formally meet Nobel Laureate Suu Kyi.

The Burmese government deserves some credit for its openness in allowing the meeting, which gave Yingluck the chance to praise and respect the role of Aung San Suu Kyi as a democratic leader.

Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra claimed it was he who had paved the way for the meeting of the two ladies.

Rangoon-based analysts said the meeting did not yield any significant outcome on political reform in Burma or for bilateral relations between the two countries. Other than being a woman, Yingluck has nothing in common with Aung San Suu Kyi in terms of political struggle, they said. On the other hand, the meeting was good for Yingluck as Aung San Suu Kyi could become an inspiration for her to fight for real democracy in Thailand.

Political reform and democratisation in Burma are not high on the agenda of the current Thai government in building relations with this neighbouring country. What Yingluck really pushed in her discussions with Burma's President Thein Sein earlier in Naypyidaw was economic cooperation in the Dawei special economic zone and in energy.

Yingluck was in Burma early this week for the 4th summit of Greater Mekong Subregional (GMS) economic cooperation. She was accompanied by Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul and Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan who focused on energy cooperation.

Pichai said yesterday in Bangkok that he was successful in clinching a deal with his Burmese counterpart Than Htay for an on-shore petroleum resource in Block M9 near Naypyidaw and offshore Block M3 in the Gulf of Martaban.

Meanwhile, Surapong said the Cabinet would be soon endorsing the energy project and the Dawei economic zone project, which would be linked to the western part of Thailand.

The Dawei project, run by construction firm Italian-Thai Co, would be a special economic zone. It would include a deep sea port, and an industrial estate to become the 'western gate' of Thailand to the Indian Ocean as well as Burma's port to the Pacific via the East-West Corridor of Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

Surapong, together with the ministers of finance, energy, industry and transportation, will visit the Dawei project early next month to help speed up development.

Yingluck and her ministers' moves closely followed those of Thaksin, who was in Burma a few days ahead of the visit by his sister. A Burmese source said Thaksin flew directly to Dawei to see the project, in which he was likely interested in having some stake.

The former premier was also aware of the Thai government's deal on the petroleum resource.

However, Yingluck said her government had nothing to do with Thaksin's moves and his personal business deals.

The Thai government has negotiated directly with the Burmese government under a legal framework, and not for the personal interest of anybody, she said.

Asked if the energy deal with Burma would benefit only the government's cronies, Yingluck insisted that she represented the government of Thailand and has not negotiated for personal interest.

Asked about Thaksin's claim that he had paved the way for the government in its negotiations with Burmese government, Yingluck said her Cabinet did not reject good things but the decision would be made by her Cabinet under legal procedure.

-- The Nation 2011-12-22

[givenall]

What about the economy. All I hear is discussion how bring back Thaksin, without him going to jail

[Moruya]

Thaksin was the first head of Government to meet ASSK.

Remember how Thailand stood side by side with her in the struggle for democracy like all of Myanmar's ASEAN brothers and sisters? The mighty Thaksin government was particularly generous in lending huge amounts of cash to the Burmese generals at low cost so they could buy technology from AIS at huge profit to the Shinawatra clan?

[whybother]

Thaksin was the first head of Government to meet ASSK.

Remember how Thailand stood side by side with her in the struggle for democracy like all of Myanmar's ASEAN brothers and sisters? The mighty Thaksin government was particularly generous in lending huge amounts of cash to the Burmese generals at low cost so they could buy technology from AIS at huge profit to the Shinawatra clan?

Did Thaksin meet ASSK?

Edited December 22, 2011 by whybother

[OzMick]

Such high flying concepts as democracy are of little concern in the Shinawatra world. Profit (legitimate or not) is another matter entirely.

WB - I think you missed the satirical intent of the prior post.

[wxyz]

so says the thaksin madam proxy, or ms Oz,

Wizard of Oz: "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain." "The Wizard of Oz" (1939)