THAILAND – The Thai government has formed a special committee to observe the situation at the Thai-Myanmar border after intense clashes broke out at the border town of Myawaddy.
The decision to form the special committee was made at the cabinet meeting on April 23 with the Foreign Minister taking on the role of the committee chair.
Thai PM Srettha Thavisin said at the cabinet that the conflict in Myanmar is escalating and could have impacts on the security and socioeconomic sectors of Thailand.
The committee will have to observe and analyse the conflict in Myanmar and advise the Prime Minister and the National Security Council.
The Thai government is keeping a close watch on the recent battles between the junta council and the KNU led joint revolutionary forces that took place in Myawaddy.
The Thai Foreign Minister made at least two personal visits to Maesot to observe the situation at the border while military tensions were high in Myawaddy and after the end of the battles.
Myawaddy is the main trade hub with Thailand and the battles took place at the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2, an important trade route.
The border trade came to a halt during the battle and a large number of cargo trucks headed to Myanmar were stuck in Thailand.
There were battles near Bridge No. 2 where the junta soldiers ran to take shelter starting April 19 evening and the junta air force also carried out countless air strikes.
Then on April 21, KNU and joint forces retreated from Myawaddy and the battle situation calmed down.
The Thai military spread its forces along the border while battles were ongoing in Myawaddy and thousands of civilians from Myanmar had to flee into Thailand.