By Naewna newspaper and Thai Newsroom
MYANMAR’S Salween Press said in a Facebook post last night (May 6) that former prime minister and de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra held talks with representatives of some ethnic armed groups as well as National Unity Government (NUG), the Myanmar government in exile, on helping end the nationwide armed conflict.
Widespread armed struggle against Myanmar junta began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and suppressed nonviolent protests that sought a return to democratic rule. The fighting has displaced millions of people and battered the economy.
Salween Press said in its post that Thaksin had met representatives of Karen National Union (KNU), Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), Kachin National Organization (KNO) and NUG during March and April.
These talks took place at a time the Myanmar junta has been suffering battlefield losses since last October with Arakan Army saying yesterday that it had captured a military command and taken hundreds of junta personnel prisoner in western Rakhine state, the latest blow to the military.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisn has said this is a good time to meet and negotiate.
Thaksin has good relations with Myanmar junta leaders and has good political and economic vision with some observers seeing him as the right person to intervene in Myanmar’s affairs, Salween Press said in its post.
Thaksin believes that foreign workers are an important human resource for the growth of the Thai economy and once thought of allowing refugees on the Thai border to work legally in the country.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: Former prime minister and de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra in Chiang Mai during Songkran festival. Photos: Thai Rath
Also read: Myanmar ethnic armed group says it captured hundreds of junta personnel
Myanmar junta bans men from applying to work abroad
Govt dared to dismiss Central Bank Governor over digital wallet row
Police rushing to expand probe after 14-year-old boy was caught smuggling drugs
As temperature exceeds 43°C woman loses her entire durian crop
Man held for slashing woman at shopping mall car park
As the global Arms Bazaar booms, Travel & Tourism pays the price
