Hanoi: Foreign Minister Maris Sengiampong, currently on an official visit to Vietnam, has confirmed that the Myanmar government does not object to the power cuts along its border with Thailand. The minister emphasized the importance of these measures in addressing the ongoing issue of call center scams.
According to Thai News Agency, the Vietnamese government has expressed gratitude towards Thailand for its efforts in dismantling cross-border criminal operations, including scams run by call centers. Thailand has taken the lead in engaging Myanmar and other affected countries to tackle the issue at its root, ensuring that victims deceived by these scams can return to their countries safely. Vietnam's appreciation was conveyed during Minister Sengiampong's meetings with Vietnamese officials, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
The minister also detailed plans for an upcoming trilateral meeting involving Thailand, China, and Myanmar, aimed at fostering continuous cooperation on transnational issues. The meeting will involve discussions with relevant Thai agencies to establish comprehensive problem-solving strategies. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Phumtham Vejjayachai has expressed hope for this meeting to take place soon.
During his visit, Mr. Sengiampong also addressed the issue of electricity and internet cuts in the Thai-Myanmar border region. Despite some dissatisfaction expressed locally, he confirmed that the Myanmar government supports Thailand's efforts to resolve the call center crisis through these measures.
In addition to security discussions, Mr. Sengiampong engaged in talks to boost economic ties with Vietnam. Both nations aim to achieve a trade target of 25 billion USD this year. Vietnam has committed to facilitating Thai businesses within its borders and boosting Thai imports. The two countries also plan to collaborate on energy security, with a focus on green energy, and advance regional infrastructure and transportation initiatives, such as Thailand's 'Six Countries, One Destination' project.
The bilateral discussions with Vietnam's Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized a cooperative approach to global geopolitics, rather than competition. The ministers recognized the complementary strengths of their countries and discussed joint strategies to address challenges such as transnational crime, PM2.5 air pollution, and Mekong River Basin management.
Furthermore, Mr. Sengiampong met with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam and with Thai investors to discuss proactive economic diplomacy and address business challenges faced by Thai enterprises abroad, aiming to foster a more conducive environment for Thai investments.