Thailand, Myanmar to set up joint high-level committee

BANGKOK, April 25 (TNA) - Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has acknowledged that the situation along the Thai-Myanmar border is now more sensitive and both countries, thus, need a joint high-level committee (HLC) to boost high-level relations. General Prayuth, who was visiting Pattani Province in the violence-plagued Thai far South on Thursday, told journalists that both countries have already had their regional border committee (RBC) and township border committee (TBC), but the situation along their common border is more sensitive; so, both countries need the HLC to develop their high-level relations and the Thai Cabinet has already resolved to set up the HLC with Myanmar. According to the army chief, the newly-set up HLC has Thai Supreme Commander General Tanasak Patimapragorn as its chairman and he, himself, as its vice chairman for the Thai side. The Thai army commander-in-chief explained that the new HLC will discuss what the RBC and the TBC have addressed at a higher level so that actions can be taken quickly and largely and both the Thai and Myanmar governments can act accordingly, reflecting the attachment of great importance to the region. The Thai army chief said Myanmar has agreed with the HLC, as both sides are neighboring countries and they should have good relations for mutual benefits in the future. (TNA)