Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has vowed to cooperate with the UN secretary-general’s Special Envoy on Myanmar to seek a humanitarian solution to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.


Noeleen Heyzer yesterday paid a courtesy call on the prime minister at Government House during which she praised Thailand’s efforts to help to restore peace, as well as began discussions with Gen Chan-o-cha over implementing an Asean-wide five-point consensus on moving towards a permanent end to the country’s troubles.


“Gen Chan-o-cha will back a push for a lasting solution in Myanmar under a bilateral context that includes ASEAN and the UN,” government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said.


He said the prime minister told the UN special envoy that Myanmar has a complex ethnic history, and a gradual solution is needed to build trust with the Myanmar leader.


“This is the first important step towards solving problems [in Myanmar],” Mr Thanakorn quoted the prime minister as saying.


For humanitarian assistance, Thailand has come up with plans to designate areas to accommodate Myanmar refugees under strict COVID-19 prevention measures, Mr Wangboonkongchana said.


In turn, Ms Heyzer urged immediate action to assist the most vulnerable victims of the conflict and prevent “further deterioration of the crisis in Myanmar, where an implosion would bring further instability to the already volatile border area”.


“We discussed my recent engagements with the ASEAN Chair and the need for close cooperation with the ASEAN Special Envoy to help build on initiatives that could create pathways for effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus acceptable to all stakeholders in Myanmar.


This requires regional unity and coherent international support but most importantly, indicators and results on the ground. Any goodwill towards protecting the people of Myanmar and their livelihoods needs to be demonstrated in concrete terms,” Ms Heyzer said.


PM Vows To Cooperate With UN Over Myanmar Crisis | Chiang Mai News - Daily News Stories From Chiang Mai & Thailand