Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha's official visit to Myanmar on Oct. 9 and 10 was his first introductory tour since he assumed the Thai premiership last month.
Traditionally Thai leaders prioritize a visit to neighbor members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to boost bilateral ties. In Prayuth's case, the objective was more complicated than simply strengthening their relationship.
Having faced soft sanctions from some Western governments, Prayuth's choice of Myanmar for his first foreign trip seemed rationale. Thai-Myanmar relations have often been erratic, shaped by insecurities along their common borders such as ethnic conflicts, the flow of Burmese refugees and the drug trade. Prayuth sought close cooperation from Myanmar to overcome some of these lingering problems.
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