BANGKOK – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should take a more proactive and broader role in trying to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, Thailand Government proposed.
After many ongoing battles occurred between the coup army and Ethnic Armed Organizations at Thai-Myanmar border area, the border trade has been halted and led to a brief influx of refugees into Thailand.
Even though the ASEAN announced five point consensus in 2021 to resolve the Myanmar crisis after the military coup, it was not able to implement in practical and limited capabilities within ASEAN causing frustration from its most prominent members.
“We would like to see a more proactive ASEAN,” Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said. He also affirmed that Thai Government have discussed with Laos as the chair of ASEAN about the Myanmar situation.
The resistive battles across Myanmar towards the military dictators have spread to Thai border region starting from April 11, and the joint revolutionary forces lead by Karen Nationals Liberation Army (KNLA) against junta troops occurred at Myawaddy Town. On April 20, more than 3000 war displaced people crossed the border to flee for safety. At present, almost all of them has gone back to their place.
The battle ground was very close to Thailand, thus ASEAN should involve to resolve in this kind of situation, said Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura.
The ASEAN came up an agreement since 2021 to appoint a special envoy to resolve Myanmar crisis, but only little announcement has been made so far from Laos, the current chair of ASEAN, on the activities of special envoy.