By Linda Khoo Hui Li
BANGKOK, April 27 (NNN-Bernama) — Thailand has appointed Pornpimol Kanchanalak, the advisor to the Foreign Minister, as its first special representative on Myanmar.
In a statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said the newly appointed special representative would monitor foreign affairs in Myanmar in accordance with the initiatives and policies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and report to the minister.
Don said the representative would coordinate with other agencies and private sector in Myanmar and represent Thailand in negotiations, meetings and seminars related to Myanmar.
“The appointment is necessary as Myanmar is a very important and strategic neighbour,” Don said. He added that the special representative would report directly to foreign minister.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Post reported that Pornpimol was given the post in part due to her extensive knowledge of the neighbouring country, which would ease the ministry’s workload.
“She has already played a key role as the ministry’s adviser, but she was limited in terms of joining discussions with high-ranking officers from overseas. Her new position will lift those curbs,” Don said, quoted by Bangkok Post.
At present, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Noeleen Heyzer of Singapore as his new Special Envoy on Myanmar last October while ASEAN appointed Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn as its special envoy on Myanmar.
At the ASEAN retreat in mid-February, the bloc instructed Prak to work closely with Noeleen Heyzer.
According to human rights organisation Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), at least 1,780 civilians had been killed while over 10,000 people have been arrested and almost 1,000 jailed since the coup.
— NNN-BERNAMA