Bangkok: Sihasak, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with the Thai private sector in Myanmar to assess the political and economic situation ahead of the Myanmar elections and to explore measures to assist.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, chaired a meeting with the Thai private sector in Myanmar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representatives from the Thai Business Association in Myanmar, the Thai-Myanmar Business Council, and relevant government agencies, including the Department of Land Transport and the Customs Department, attended the meeting via videoconference. The meeting focused on gathering information, opinions, and suggestions for promoting economic cooperation between Thailand and Myanmar, as well as approaches to managing the challenges arising from the situation in Myanmar.

Mr. Sihasak opened the meeting by stating that it was a valuable opportunity to exchange views, serving three main purposes: An update on Myanmar’s political and economic situation, particularly as elections are underway. While the elections in Myanmar may not be deemed perfect globally, as opposition groups are not participating, they could be seen either as a worsening factor or as a possible turning point for reform. He emphasized the importance of understanding the impact on businesses operating in Myanmar, as this will help the government implement measures to assist and mitigate any adverse effects. For instance, border trade is currently challenging and costly due to heightened customs procedures. He encouraged attendees to consider future economic operations if the situation improves, especially in priority industries. Before the military coup, Myanmar demonstrated significant potential.