BANGKOK, June 21 (NNN-Bernama) — Thailand abstained from voting on a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on the Situation in Myanmar on June 18, saying the resolution did not take into account the historical complexities and the situation on the ground.
Thailand ‘s Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said this might cause adverse effects on achieving a peaceful resolution.
“As a country that shares a 2,400-kilometre border and multi-dimensional relationship with Myanmar, Thailand does not have the luxury of distance or existential separation that many other nations have.
“What happens in Myanmar today has direct security ramifications for Thailand tomorrow,” he was quoted saying by Bangkok Post.
On Friday, the resolution – The Situation in Myanmar – received 119 affirmative votes, one against and 36 abstention including China, India, Russia, Thailand, and Laos.
The resolution called for the end of violence as well as the prompt release of detained political leaders.
It also called for the swift implementation of the Five-Point Consensus reached at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting held on April 24, and the urgent need for cooperation between all stakeholders in Myanmar with the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair to Myanmar and ASEAN as a whole.
Malaysia supported and voted in favour of the resolution in line with its position for a continued constructive engagement in contributing to a peaceful resolution and the return to normalcy in Myanmar.
Tanee said all parties including international community should create a conducive environment to end the conflict.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that India had abstained saying its views have not been reflected in the draft resolution and a “consultative and constructive” approach involving Myanmar’s neighbouring countries is important as the international community strives for the peaceful resolution of the issue.
The military ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, claiming her party’s victory in November 2020 elections was due to voter fraud.
The ouster of the civilian government unleashed widespread civilian protests throughout the country, with more than 845 people killed following the crackdown on protestors, according to the independent Assistance Association of Political Prisoners.
— NNN-BERNAMA
