Thailand expresses concern over street protests in Myanmar

Bangkok, Aug 28 (UNI) Thailand has expressed concern that street protests against the recent fuel price hikes in Myanmar could affect the process of restoring democracy to the neighbouring country.

Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Sawant Kongsiri said Bangkok was keeping a close watch on events in the former Myanmarese capital Yangon where people have taken to the streets in a rare show of open discontent in recent days.

But the Thai minister said he was optimistic that the protests would not adversely affect the drafting of Myanmar's constitution by the National Convention now under way in that country.

However, academics and media here have criticized Bangkok and the Southeast Asian nations' forum ASEAN for not getting tough with the ruling junta in Myanmar.

''Asean and Thailand are concerned more about economic interests, such as energy benefits in Burma, than the plight of the Burmese people. Therefore, they have reserved their comments while the international community comes out to condemn the suppression,'' Pornpimon Trichot, a Myanmar expert in Bangkok's prestigious Chulalongkorn University told the Bangkok Post newspaper.

''The Rangoon regime is used to suppressing its own people without worrying about the consequences. After all, why should they?'' The Nation newspaper asked in its lead editorial today, adding, ''As usual, Asean has been dead silent''.

Myanmar's admission in 1997 to the now 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has brought the grouping under pressure from rights groups and Western capitals to help speed up the restoration of democracy in Myanmar.

''Asean must have a clear awareness of Burma's situation. The group can no longer sit idle. How can Asean be people-oriented and have a charter that is people-centred if the current suppression of the Burmese people continues without the grouping voicing strong concern?'' The Nation added.

UNI