By Thai Newsroom Reporters
FORMER MOVE FORWARD leader Pita Limjaroenrat today (Apr. 9) called for the Pheu Thai-led government to apply a comprehensive and diverse diplomacy to address the current crisis inside the war-torn Myanmar.
Pita suggested Bangkok not only hold talks with Naypyidaw but all ethnic rebel groups inside Myanmar in bid to contain armed conflict and defuse the aggravated situation in which as many as 100,000 people are feared to flee the war-torn country into Thai territory in near future.
Pita advised that Bangkok never consult with Naypyidaw about anything inside Myanmar without doing so with all ethnic rebel groups based along the Thai-Myanmar border or those attached to the anti-junta, exiled National Unity Government.
The former Move Forward leader/current Move Forward MP was responding to criticism that the Pheu Thai-led government might possibly prefer to deal with the military-installed government in Naypyidaw rather than any armed rebel groups such as Karen National Union rebels who have reportedly occupied Myawaddy township across the border from Mae Sot district of the northwestern province of Tak.
He said comments made separately by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister Panpree Bahiddha-nukara and other senior government officials appeared ambiguous and mutually contradictory pertaining to the Myanmar crisis.
However, both Srettha and Panpree maintained that no Myanmar government troops or war weapons or cash had been found aboard a Myanmar passenger airplane which recently landed at Mae Sot airport.
Pita suggested the Thai government set up what may be called an inter-agency task force to see to it that all responses toward such foreign affairs be made by any levels of authorities in concerted, unambiguous fashion.
He said if Bangkok applied the impartial, comprehensive and diverse diplomacy toward the Myanmar situation, not only Naypyidaw and warring ethnic rebel groups but Thailand would significantly benefit from it.
Such chronic problems about PM2.5 airborne particles, cross-border drug trafficking and call-centre scams allegedly originated from inside Myanmar could not be effectively resolved without versatile, diverse diplomatic channels, he said.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: Former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat and the Myanmar passenger airplane that landed at Mae Sot airport on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Photo: Matichon
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