Thaksin’s talks with Myanmar rebel groups ‘will cause confusion’
The House committee on national security and border affairs has said it will investigate the case of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra reportedly holding talks with resistance groups in Myanmar.
The international news agency, VOA Burmese, reported on Monday that Thaksin had recently met representatives of the Kachin National Organisation and the National Unity Government to try and resolve the ongoing armed conflict in the neighbouring country.
After this meeting, Thaksin reportedly met leaders of the Shan State Reconstruction Council and Shan State Army, VOA Burmese added.
Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said on Tuesday that Thailand had nothing to do with the meeting between Thaksin and Myanmar resistance groups.
On Wednesday, the House committee’s chairman Rangsiman Rome said Thaksin’s actions may cause confusion over Thailand’s role in restoring peace in Myanmar, pointing out that Thaksin holds no position in the government and was never officially appointed as a representative.
“I support Thailand’s role as a middleman in restoring peace in Myanmar, but only through the use of a fair and proper mechanism,” said Rangsiman, who is an MP of opposition leader Move Forward Party.
Thaksin, meanwhile, is considered the patriarch of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which is led by his youngest daughter Paetongtarn.
“Developing international ties is Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s duty, who acts under the supervision of the Parliament,” Rangsiman said. “However, since Thaksin holds no parliamentary position, he has no duties on this issue. His negotiation terms cannot be regarded as an obligation to the Thai government.”
Rangsiman went on to say that the lack of a clear denial from the government can be seen as giving Thaksin the power to negotiate on the government’s behalf, while at the same time diminishing the leadership of the Thai prime minister.
“Without a clear denial from the government, people may wonder who is the real prime minister and who holds the power to make decisions,” Rangsiman said.
He added that the committee will travel to Tak’s Mae Sot district on Myanmar’s border to check on the progress of the government’s humanitarian promotion efforts, collect data on national security and discuss with related agencies to find out more about Thaksin’s role in the neighbouring country.
