March 26, 2008
BANGKOK - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday insisted that Thailand would continue doing its business with neighbouring Myanmar in a bid to pressure the military regime to reform.
Thailand is one of the biggest investors and trading partners in Myanmar, spending billions of dollars a year to tap into the country's natural gas and hydropower resources to fuel its own growing economy.
Asked if Thailand would change its investment policy to add to the international pressure on the regime, Samak insisted that the two countries would remain good neighbours.
"Who will force Thailand to stop being friends with our neighbour? Do we have to adopt the Western opinion on what we can or cannot do?" Samak told reporters.
Western countries have tightened sanctions on Myanmar following the junta's crackdown on pro-democracy protests last September, according to AFP.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said Thailand disagreed to sanctions on Myanmar, adding that talks could yield positive developments in Myanmar more.
