On 12 – 14 July 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the Ninth Meeting of Thailand –Myanmar Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) in Bangkok. H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and Chairman of the Joint Boundary Committee (Thai side), together with H.E. Mr. Kyaw Zeya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Chairman of the Joint Boundary Committee (Myanmar side), co-chaired the Meeting.

              Both sides reached several outcomes that would contribute to the expedition of survey and demarcation between Thailand and Myanmar including the adoption of the joint production of orthophoto maps in Sectors 8 and 9 of Thailand – Myanmar boundary area (in Ranong, Chumphon and part of Prajuab Khiri Khan provinces), which is the first set of maps jointly produced by both sides using one of the most modern technologies of our time. The Meetings also adopted and agreed to apply the Technical Guidelines for the Construction of Revetments along the Bank of the Thaungyin/Moei and Pak Chan/Kra Buri River, which will also promote dialogues and mutual understanding between both countries and peoples, especially with regard to constructions along the banks of rivers which form the boundary between the two countries. Both sides also discussed necessary documents and procedures relating to survey and demarcation with a view to commencing the survey and demarcation of the common boundary at the earliest opportunity.

            The Meeting was held in an atmosphere of friendship, cordiality, and cooperation, with a view to putting into action the aspiration of General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, expressed at the Meeting on 24 June last year, to expedite talks on the boundary. The Meeting has also allowed both sides to move another step closer towards a well – demarcated boundary for the better livelihood of the two countries.

            Thailand and Myanmar share 2,401-kilometres-long boundary, which is the longest boundary among Thailand’s neighboring countries. Both countries are committed to expediting the boundary negotiations, moving forward hand in hand with other mechanisms dealing with border issues, for the common security and prosperity of the peoples.