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Bkk Post - Surin for talks in Rango



Subject: Bkk Post - Surin for talks in Rangoon

Bangkok Post - Aug 19, 1999.
Surin for talks in Rangoon
Bhanravee Tansubhapol

Thailand and Burma will sign agreements on cultural co-operation and visa
exemption for diplomats and officials in Rangoon next week.

Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan is to co-chair the fifth Joint Commission
meeting with Win Maung, his Burmese counterpart.

The Aug 23-25 meeting will cover the border fight against drugs, illegal
workers, car smuggling, as well as refugees.

Thailand will ask Burma to grant visas to Thai tourists travelling through
international channels, as Bangkok issues Burmese nationals 30-day visas,
whereas Rangoon only gives visas on arrival to group tours travelling from
Chiang Mai to Mandalay and Pagan.

The Law and Treaties Department is also drafting a framework to suppress car
smuggling into Burma, along the lines of a system used with Cambodia.

To promote trade and tourism, Thailand will propose upgrading the checkpoint
at Three Pagodas Pass, which Mr Surin is scheduled to visit on Friday.

Thailand also will raise discussions over maritime conflicts, as Burma has
not complied with measures adopted at a regional border committee meeting in
Phuket last March. Burma still uses armed vessels for coastal patrols and
does not make radio contact with Thai counterparts. Another area of
contention is Rangoon's failure to resolve problems regarding refugees and
illegal workers. Thailand will express its concerns over the operation of
casinos at the Golden Triangle. Mr Surin will also pay a courtesy call on
Gen Than Shwe, the Burmese premier, and Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, secretary 1 of
the State Peace and Development Council.