Thailand rejects extension of Suu Kyi's house arrest

Bangkok, May 28: Thailand has expressed its disapproval of the decision by Myanmar's military rulers to extend the house arrest of Nobel Peace Laureate and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi by another year.

In a statement, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urged Yangon to heed calls by the forum of Southeast Asian nations of which it is a member to free Ms Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in Myanmar.

Thailand was disappointed with the decision of the Myanmar government to extend Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest, according to the ministry statement.

Thailand reiterated its call for the Government of Myanmar to lift restrictions placed on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees, as urged by ASEAN as this would ensure inclusiveness in the national reconciliation process and democratization of Myanmar, the statement added.

News reports here quoting unidentified diplomatic officials in Bangkok said the United Nation's special envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari was scheduled to travel to Myanmar next month.

Mr Gambari had visited Myanmar twice and had met Ms Suu Kyi last year.

Ms Suu Kyi has spent 12 of the past 17 years under house arrest.

Her party, the National League for Democracy had won a landslide in the 1990 general election, but was prevented from taking office by the military.

UNI

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