[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

Thailand eyes transport pact with B



Subject: Thailand eyes transport pact with Burma 



Date: 08 May 1997  
Thailand eyes transport pact with Burma 
The Nation 

THAILAND will probe Burma's readiness to establish a framework agreement on 
cross-border transport during a two-day visit, beginning today, by Transport 
and Communication Minister Suwat Liptapanlop. 
Deputy Permanent Secretary Sathien Vongvichien said that the agreement should 
be in place in anticipation of the growing contacts between both countries, 
particularly with the completion of the Friendship Bridge across the Moei 
River at Mae Sot-Myawaddi. 
Sathien said the agreement would be almost 
identical to the one which government officials will sign with Laos, except 
with a possible allowance for travel to and from a third country. 
He said the bridge, which was completed just two days ago, will not be 
operational until a mechanism to administer and maintain the bridge is in 
place. Thailand and Burma last year put in place a cross-border trade 
agreement. 
Sathien said that during the visit, Suwat will discuss a plan to set up joint 
committees at government and local levels to deal with traffic, customs, 
insurance and jurisdiction issues. 
Other topics include proposals to improve and extend road and railway 
connections between the two countries. Thai officials will also discuss 
improving the road from Myawaddi to Pha Ang and Rangoon with their Burmese 
counterparts. 
The Mae Sot-Myawaddi route is part of the Asian Highway being promoted by the 
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. 
The government last year approved a Bt300 million soft loan to Burma to 
improve the road between Thaichilek and Keng Tung provinces which will link up 
with Thailand in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai. 
Sathien said the government will propose that Burma boost the frequency of 
flights between Bangkok and Rangoon from 12 to 14 times per week as part of an 
effort to boost air transportation links among the six Mekong River countries.