Academics worry out relations

Academics worry out relations 

Four months to the day, when Burmese troops were thrown back from Pangnoon in Chiangrai, and nine days before the prime minister's historic visit to Rangoon, academics and social scientists began sorting out problems between the two countries in order to formulate a united policy over Burma. 

The seminar on Thai-Burma relations: Crisis or Opportunities? that was jointly organized by universities, Chulaongkorn and Chiangmai, at Lotus Pang Suankaew Hotel in Chiangmai commenced at 09:25 with an opening speech from the foreign minister, Surakiart Sathirathai who told the audience that Bangkok wanted better relations with Rangoon. "Armed conflict should be the last resort," he said. "I told Gen. Khin Nyunt that it is time to stand still and wait out until the dust settles." 

However, he also warned Burma yesterday that there were two things that Thailand would never allow to be violated: Sovereignty and Lese-majeste. "It is the armed forces' duty to preserve our sovereignty," he said. 

All the same, he agreed with Burma's strongman that the Thai media needed some self discipline. "'Since we haven't even discussed anything yet, how could your papers say the talks are a failure?'" he quoted Khin Nyunt whom he met early last month. 

According to a foreign ministry official who was delegated to attend the meeting, Bangkok did not think relations were at a critical juncture. Instead he described the relations as "cold". We already have different levels of mechanisms to deal with problems as they arise," he said. 

With regards to the ongoing "national reconciliation process" in Rangoon, he confirmed Thailand's support for the United Nations' continuing efforts. 

Burma a threat to Thailand? 

Dr. Sunet Chutintranond, Faculty of Linguistics, Chulalongkorn University, did not think Burma poses a threat to Thailand. "Prior to B.E. 2329 (1786) when the Burmese forces were repulsed at the Battle of Tha Dindaeng, they were a threat to our security," said the professor who speaks Burmese. "But since then, Burma was occupied by the British after a series of conflicts, and colonialism became a threat instead."

He portrayed Burma as having "a strong regime but a weak state," citing several arguments including Burmese army-men being disarmed when they enter Wa territory, Burma being placed among that Least Developed Countries, the defeat by the opposition at the polls in 1990 ("The NLD won even more seats than the Thai Rak Thai Party," he said drawing laughter) and the low level of education. 

Twelve Issues 

Dr. Surachart Bamroongsuk, who writes in the Thai weekly, "Matichon", read out 12 issues facing Thailand in relation to Burma. "They are listed at random," he apologised. 

1. Minorities along the border ("It's not their fault that they're different from the Burmese," remarked Dr. Thanet Jaroenmuang from Chiangmai University.); 

2. People with double citizenships; 
   

3. Illegal entry and illegal labor ("It is just the reverse of water," he said. "It goes from the lower altitude to the higher one."); 

4. Armed conflicts and consequent violations of territorial integrity ("We didn't have territorial disputes until Burmese forces replaced the minorities," said Dr. Sunet.) 

5. Transnational crimes;

6. Cross-border illegal activities, especially weapons and drugs;

7. Cross-border trade; 

8. Boundary ("We have a 2,401 km border with Burma; only 50 km have been demarcated," said the Foreign Minister);

9. "Scrambles" for natural resources;

10. Contagious diseases;

11. Security; and

12. Poverty 

He suggested confidence building measures (CBM), regular meetings of the border committees, a united policy and a Burma studies program. "Our students know the first President of the United States, but not of Vietnam", he said. "Not even the name of Thailand's first prime minister," he quipped. 

Army concerned 

Col. Charnchai Sunthorngket, Deputy Chief-of-staff, Third Army, questioned the practicability of the existing border committees. 

"We know problems must be solved at the table," he said. "But what can we do when they refuse to come to the table? ... What can we do when they say they still have to wait for orders from Rangoon?" 

"Everyone knows the state of economy Burma is in. Yet they are continuing their build-up of the armed forces. This makes one wonder where the money comes from... Also, with such an army, they could already have subdued all the minorities, but why have they been moving against us instead?" he asked. 

"It is their violation of the Panglong Agreement that has brought all these problems to us in the first place," he concluded. 

Panglong, 1947, signed by Burma proper, Shan, Chin and Kachin, subscribed to the principles of Full Autonomy, Democracy and Human Rights for the non-Burman states. 

Business concern 

Sermchai Kittirattana Phaiboon, President of the Chiangrai Chamber of Commerce, however, voiced the concern of the business sector. "It is all right about national security and drugs, but trade is also as important," he said. 

Panithi Tangphati, President of the Tak Chamber of Commerce, agreed. "Wherever Thai goods are, it is as good as raising the Thai national flag there," he said. 

The one-day seminar, most of its eight hours loaded with the speeded-up presentations by the 8 invited speakers, ended at 17:15 without a conclusion.