Bkk Post-Thananit to pay visit to B

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Subject: Bkk Post-Thananit to pay visit to Burma

Bkk Post-May 4, 1999
Thananit to pay visit to Burma
Wassana Nanuam

ACM Thananit Niamthan is going to Burma this week to renew ties between the
air forces of the two countries after two decades of no contact.

He will be the first Thai air force chief to visit his Burmese counterpart
in 20 years.

An air force source said ACM Thananit would leave on Thursday and spend
three days in Burma. He is to be accompanied by AM Thares Poonsri, assistant
chief-of-staff.

ACM Thananit, who has been invited to visit Burma by his counterpart AM Kyaw
Than, will meet Burma's Prime Minister Gen Than Shwe and army chief Gen
Maung Aye.

The source said ACM Thananit wanted to renew ties between the two air
forces, adding an acquaintance with Burmese leaders would help efforts to
tackle problems between the two countries.

AM Kyaw Than is known to be personally close to AM Thares because they went
to the same military school in England.