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Thailand pushes for highway restoration in Myanmar amid ongoing conflict

Thailand seeks to restore the vital Asian Highway 1 in Myanmar, aiming to stabilize borders and maintain trade routes with support from ASEAN and India. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa stressed the importance of dialogue over military solutions in addressing Myanmar's crisis.

Reuters ASIA
Published September 19,2024
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Thailand wants to work with warring sides in Myanmar to repair a key highway cutting through the conflict-ridden country as it seeks to stabilise its borders areas and ensure trade routes are open, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said on Thursday.

Thailand has the support of the ASEAN regional bloc and India in the push to rebuild parts of the Asian Highway 1 (AH-1) that has been damaged by recent fighting, Maris told reporters.

"I don't think Myanmar problems can be addressed militarily, but through constructive dialogue," he said.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since Feb 2021 when the country's powerful generals ousted an elected civilian government, triggered a protest movement that has morphed into an armed rebellion against the ruling junta.