On 10 April 2013, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs had a bilateral consultation with Mr. U Wunna Maung Lwin, Foreign Minister of Myanmar at the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministers’ Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan.

                Deputy Prime Minister Surapong congratulated Myanmar for the continued success in the ongoing reforms, to which Thailand will lend her full support. He also extended an invitation for the Foreign Minister of Myanmar to pay an official visit to Thailand, to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Relations between the two countries and expressed hope that the Joint Commission (JC) for bilateral cooperation, which last held in 2002, will take place soon.

                The two Foreign Ministers discussed important issues as follows:
                1) Progress on Dawei Special Economic Zone: Both sides were pleased to learn that the SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) will soon be set up and that will lead to the implementation of financial arrangements for the development of the Dawei Project.
                2) Problem of Transboundary Haze: Deputy Prime Minister Surapong sought Myanmar’s cooperation to help monitor and control the haze situation on Myanmar’s side of the border. He also stated that Thailand stands ready to cooperate with Myanmar, especially in technical areas such as equipment and training of personnel which Myanmar’s Foreign Ministers confirmed its willingness to cooperate in finding possible solutions related to the causes of this problem. Both sides agreed to have trilateral consultations between Thailand, Myanmar, and Lao PDR in order to address the problem and to find a possible sustainable solution.
               3) Displaced Persons from Myanmar: Deputy Prime Minister Surapong viewed the current situation in Myanmar as conducive to repatriation of  these people and there subsequent reintegrate in areas of origin. Both ministers also discussed possible cooperation between Thailand, Myanmar and the UNHCR on preparing the necessary groundwork for the repatriation. Myanmar indicated her readiness to receive these displaced persons back to Myanmar when the condition for safe return are met.
               4)  Situation on Rakhine State and Migration of Rohingyas, The Deputy Prime Minister informed that currently the Thai authorities have taken into custody about 2,000 persons who claimed to be Rohingyas/Muslims from Rakhine State. This number includes approximately 500 women and children who have been in temporary care of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Human Security. An initial finding by the UNHCR suggested that most of these people had lived in Rakhine State. Myanmar’s side therefore confirmed its readiness to cooperate with Thailand to verify the identity of these people. As for the situation in Rakhine State, Deputy Prime Minister Surapong expressed Thailand’s readiness to assist Myanmar’s development efforts in the area. The Foreign Minister of Myanmar stated that Myanmar welcome humanitarian assistance from the international community on bilateral basis.