Foreign Min-Myanmar Fighting Risks Trade Routes

Wires carrying comments from Thailand's Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara regarding the situation on the country's border with Myanmar, where an civil war is raging between the military junta and armed ethnic groups. Parnpree: "That gov't is concerned about the situation in Myanmar...we expect problems at the border and the issue is complex." Adds, "We are ready to accept Myanmar nationals fleeing into Thailand...No indication if Myanmar soldiers at the boder want to cross over into Thailand."

• Parnpree: "Thailand wants to see peace and dialogue but there is uncertainty at this stage in the area...Thailand has sent messages to the Myanmarese junta to reduce violence."
• Parnpree: "Thailand is talking to ASEAN to get all sides back to the five-point peace consensus on Myanmar." Claims that "Trade could be impacted if fighting escalates," and that the gov't is discussing alternative trade routes.
• The conflict between the Myanmarese military junta and ethnic minority rebel groups has escalated to the point where the crucial border town of Mywaddy - atrading hub between Myanmar and Thailand - could fall to the control of the Karen National Union (KNU) group. Airstrikes have become commonplace, with Thai PM Srettha Thavasin warning against any incursion into his country's airspace.