Army chief Udomdej Sitabutr left for a two-day visit to Myanmar on Wednesday for talks on bilateral cooperation, especially on border development and drug suppression.
Army chief Udomdej Sitabutr, centre, speaks to reporters at Don Mueang airport before leaving for Myanmar on Wednesday. (Photo by Wassana Nanuam)
Before leaving for Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday morning, Gen Udomdej said the Myanmar armed forces had invited him to make an official visit as he had only recently taken over as army commander-in-chief.
He would meet Myanmar armed forces commander-in-chief Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Vice Snr Gen Soe Win, Myanmar's deputy commander-in-chief of defence services and commander-in-chief of the army.
They would discuss border problems and possible solutions, including drug smuggling, development projects on both sides of the border, and reforestation along the Thai-Myanmar border.
Gen Udomdej said Thai and Myanmar armed forces cooperated in many areas, including medical affairs and disaster relief, and he intended to boost relations to further improve cooperation.
Lt Gen Kampanat Ruddit, Lt Gen Sathit Pittarat and Lt Gen Prakan Cholayuth, commanders of 1st, 3rd and 4th Armies who supervise areas bordering Myanmar, accompanied Gen Udomdej on the trip. The delegation is due to return on Thursday.