H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, visited Myanmar during 13–15 August 2018, to co-chair the 9th Meeting of Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) between Thailand and Myanmar with H.E. U Kyaw Tin, Union Minister for International Cooperation of Myanmar. The Meeting was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 14 August 2018 and attended by representatives of relevant key agencies of both sides.

                The Meeting reaffirmed the importance of the “Natural Strategic Partnership” between Thailand and Myanmar as next–door neighbours, sharing deeply intertwined security, enormous economic potential and cultural commonalities. To reap shared benefit from this partnership, both sides reached consensus on expediting cooperation in the following key areas:

                1. On political and security cooperation, both sides agreed to continue frequent exchanges of visit at all levels. The two countries aimed at promoting regular exchanges of visit between officials of the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs. The Meeting welcomed the Thai side’s proposal to hold regular meetings between the Governors of Thai Provinces and the Chief Ministers of Myanmar States/Regions along Thailand - Myanmar border to further enhance development cooperation at border areas.

                2.​ On economic matters, both sides agreed to double bilateral trade volume by 2022 and reaffirmed their strong determination to move forward the Dawei Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) by expediting the road link from Thailand – Myanmar border to Dawei. Both sides also sought to further strengthen cooperation on banking and financial sectors considered as key foundations for a stronger economic partnership.   

                3. ​To promote seamless connectivity, both sides aimed to open the 2nd Friendship Bridge crossing Moei/Taungyin River at the earliest opportunity and looked forward to an early conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Initial Implementation of Cross-Border Transport Agreement (IICBTA) to facilitate greater flows of goods and people between the two countries.

                4.​ On development cooperation, both sides agreed to formulate the Thailand - Myanmar Three-Year Development Cooperation Framework 2019–2021 to continue the implementation of development programmes and activities between the two countries.

                5.​ The Thai side also reiterated its firm commitment to support Myanmar’s efforts to attain peace and national reconciliation. In this regard, both sides agreed to develop “model villages” based on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) in Rakhine State as well as in border areas to promote livelihood of rural people and facilitate the safe, dignified and sustainable returns of displaced persons from Myanmar to their places of origin.

                6.​ After the Meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand signed the revised Air Services Agreement with H.E. U Thant Sin Maung, Minister of Transport and Communications of Myanmar, and witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Project on the Development of Shrimp Culture in Rakhine State between the Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency and the Director General of the Department of Fisheries of Myanmar.

               7. ​During the visit to Myanmar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand also paid a courtesy call on H.E. Daw Aung Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of Myanmar. The two dignitaries had an open and frank discussion on matters related to labour cooperation, capacity building, social development and disaster management as well as the situation in Rakhine State.

               8.​ The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand visited the Thailand – Myanmar Friendship School in Pyinmana to officiate the hand-over of a new building and recreational area to H.E. U Myo Thein Gyi, Union Minister for Education of Myanmar. This school symbolizes a goodwill of long lasting friendship between the two countries. 

               9.​ Later in the evening of 14 August 2018, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand along with other members of the Thai delegation joined the reception hosted by the Myanmar Government to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Thailand – Myanmar Diplomatic Relations. The State Counsellor of Myanmar and other Myanmar dignitaries also attended the said event.