UN special envoy in Thailand for Myanmar crisis talks

19 January 2022
UN special envoy in Thailand for Myanmar crisis talks
A handout photo made available by Royal Thai Government shows United Nation special envoy for Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer (L) talks to Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (R) during a meeting at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: EPA

The United Nations new special envoy to Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, has met with Thai prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha at Government House in Bangkok to discuss the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.

Her meeting on Monday happened four days after holding virtual talks with Cambodian leader Hun Sen who recently met with Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.

Heyzer called for Thailand's support to prevent a deterioration in the crisis in neighbouring Myanmar and welcomed assurances that refugees fleeing military operations would be protected by the Thai government, according to Reuters.

The UN envoy called on Thailand to support for international efforts to help displaced people and press Myanmar's junta to commit to a five-point peace plan it agreed to with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Heyzer said the Thai prime Minister has an important role in preventing further deterioration of the crisis in Myanmar, where an implosion would bring further instability to an already volatile border area.

Myanmar's military has longstanding ties with Thailand, which experts say has been measured with its criticism of the junta, concerned that it could get flooded with refugees if the army steps up operations against opponents, the report says.

The Bangkok Post cited Thai government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana who said that Thai PM Prayuth provided a commitment that refugees taking in shelter in Thailand would only be returned to Myanmar “on a voluntary basis”.