The Thai Defence Ministry last week met Myanmar’s supreme commander to discuss the two nations' collaborative projects.
National Council for Peace and Order deputy chief and Supreme Commander Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn attended a high-level committee meeting held late last week in Bagan, in Myanmar's Mandalay region, mainly to discuss security on the two countries' borders.
Gen Tanasak was welcomed by Myanmar Supreme Commander Min Aung Hlaing.
Those at the meeting agreed to cooperate to suppress the trafficking of drugs and banned chemicals on the border.
The formation of a joint force to help natural disaster victims was also discussed.
The members agreed to collaborate to solve labour issues including regulations, the registration of Myanmar workers in Thailand and welfare benefits Myanmar workers are entitled to.
Gen Tanasak said the meeting was a historic event for the two nations.
“We are not just good neighbours. We are friends and family,” Gen Tanasak said.
Gen Tanasak told Myanmar to have confidence in the next supreme commander, after his scheduled retirement next month, who would continue to nurture the two nations' relationship.
Gen Tanasak also met with Myanmar President Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw.
President Thein Sein said the Myanmar government fully understood the Thai military council and supports its bid to return happiness to Thailand, as well as to restore peace and order to the country.
Senior engineer Kasem Woranun of the Department of Highways’ Exploration and Design division recently met with Win Tin, Myanmar’s permanent secretary of the Ministry of Construction at a hotel in Tak’s Mae Sod district.
They agreed to build a second Thai-Myanmar friendship bridge, at Ban Wang Takian, tambon Ta Sai Luad, Mae Sod district of Thailand. Mr Kasem said an inspection team examined the bridge's construction area. Its design was already completed. He said construction would begin once approved by the NCPO.