Thailand calls for end to Myanmar violence, implementation of 5-point Asean consensus

Bangkok

THAILAND is concerned at the violence in many parts of Myanmar and wants to see the implementation of steps agreed by South-east Asian leaders with the military junta to help end the turmoil since the Feb 1 coup, the foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Myanmar's junta has shown little sign of heeding the five point "consensus" agreed among Asean in April - which calls for an end to violence, political talks and the naming of a regional special envoy.

"We have been following developments in Myanmar closely with much concern, especially incidents of violence in many parts of the country," foreign ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat said in a statement.

He reiterated a call for an end to the violence, the release of all detainees and the "concrete implementation of the Five-Point Consensus" as soon as possible.

The junta has failed to impose control since seizing power from elected leader Aug San Suu Kyi, who is among more than 4,500 people detained since the coup. At least 847 have been killed, a rights group says. The army disputes that figure.

Opponents of the junta have voiced frustration at the lack of tough action by Asean and say the meeting of two representatives of the group with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing last Friday gave him greater legitimacy but brought no benefit.

Thailand has a longer border with Myanmar than any other country and fears the conflict could bring a flood of refugees.

Its government is itself led by a former army chief who seized power in a coup before holding elections.

"Much of what Thailand has done may not have been made public as we believe that quiet and discreet diplomacy between neighbours would be more effective and in line with traditional Thai diplomacy," Mr Tanee said.

Meanwhile, daily protests against the military have evolved in parts of Myanmar into armed insurrections while decade-old ethnic conflicts have flared anew.

Myanmar's security forces clashed with villagers armed with catapults and crossbows during a search for weapons in the Ayeyarwady river delta region last Saturday and local media reported as many as 20 people had been killed. State television news said three "terrorists" had been killed and two arrested at the village of Hlayswe as security forces went to apprehend a man accused of plotting against the state.

Since the coup, conflicts have flared in the borderlands where some two dozen ethnic armies have been waging insurgencies for decades. The junta has also been faced by daily protests and paralysing strikes. REUTERS