(1)Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and party conclude goodwill visit to Myanmar

YANGON, 20 June- The goodwill delegation led by Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Dr
Thaksin Shinawatra and the goodwill delegation members left here by special aircraft this evening at the  conclusion of the visit to Myanmar at the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and Development  Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe.

Before their departure, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the  Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe called on the visiting Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin  Shinawatra at Seinle Kantha State House at 2.30 p.m. At the call, Senior General Than Shwe presented  souvenirs, a documentary photo album, a video tape of the goodwill visit to Thai Prime Minister Dr  Thaksin Shinawatra. Likewise, Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra presented the gift to the Senior  General. Then, the visiting Prime Minister and the Senior General left Seinle Kantha State House for  Yangon International Airport in a motorcade.

Along the University Avenue from Seinle Kantha State House and along the route to the airport, teachers,  students, nurses and the public totalling over 7,500 greeted the guests waving miniature flags of the two  countries and wishing the Thai Prime Minister and Senior General Than Shwe good health and hailing  Myanmar-Thai friendship.

At 3 p.m., the visiting Thai Prime Minister and the Senior General arrived at Yangon International
Airport. At the airport, the Thai Prime Minister cordially greeted Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and  Development Council General Maung Aye, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt- Gen. Khin Nyunt,   Secretary-3 Lt-Gen. Win Myint, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military  Affairs Lt-Gen. Tin Hla, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander  Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Communications,  Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win,  Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar to the Kingdom of Thailand U Myo Myint and Ambassador of  Thailand Mr Oum Maolanon and staff of the Thai Embassy.

Afterwards, the Thai Prime Minister bid farewell to Senior General Than Shwe again. Schoolgirls at the  airport bid farewell the guests waving miniature flags of the two countries and chanting the best wishes  for the well-being of the Thai Prime Minister and Senior General Than Shwe and for strengthening  friendship between Myanmar and Thailand. The special flight carrying the goodwill delegation took off at  3.15 p.m. Senior General Than Shwe and party bid farewell to the guests from the VIP lounge.

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(2) Myanmar, Thailand sign MoU on cooperation in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotrophic Substances and  Precursor Chemicals Control 

YANGON, 20 June-A ceremony to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of  the Union of Myanmar and the Kingdom of Thailand on cooperation in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotrophic  Substances and Precursor Chemicals Control was held at the Pyithu Hluttaw building this morning. Present on the occasion were Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister of  the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development  Council General Maung Aye, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin  Nyunt, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen. Win Myint, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen.  Tin Hla, the ministers, the deputy minister for Foreign Affairs, Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Myo  Myint, heads of departments, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and  ministers, Ambassador of Thailand Mr Oum Maolanon and senior officials. Minister for Home Affairs  Col Tin Hlaing and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathirathai signed the  Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Union of Myanmar and the Kingdom of  Thailand on cooperation in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotro-phic Substances and Precursor Chemicals Control  and exchanged it.

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(3) State Peace and Development Council Chairman and Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe receives visiting Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra 

YANGON, 20 June- Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the  Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe received visiting Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin
Shinawatra at the Credentials Hall of the Pyithu Hluttaw Building at 9.30 am today. Also present at  the  call were Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council General Maung Aye, Secretary-1 of  the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen. Win Myint, Deputy  Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen. Tin Hla, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win  Aung, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs  Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Ambassador of the Union  of Myanmar to the Kingdom of Thailand U Myo Myint and departmental heads. The visiting Prime  Minister was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister to the Prime  Minister's Office General Thammarak Isarangu, Minister of Commerce Mr Adisai Bodharamik, Minister  of Interior Police Captain Purachai Piumsomboon, Deputy Minister of Defence General Yuthasak  Sasiprapha, Ambassador of Thailand Mr Oum Maolanon and other senior officials.

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(4) Thai Prime Minister  Dr Thaksin Shinawatra visits Shwedagon Pagoda, National Museum 

YANGON, 20 June- Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and goodwill  delegation, accompanied by Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw,  Ambassador of Myanmar to Thailand U Myo Myint, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar Mr Oum  Maolanon and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.  The visiting Prime Minister and party arrived at the pagoda at 8.30 am. They were welcomed by Minister  for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen. Hsan Hsint,  Director-General of Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint and members of the Pagoda Board of  Trustees. Then, Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and party went round the pagoda in the clockwise.

The visiting Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra offered flowers, lights and scent to the Buddha images at the Aryonkhan Tazaung of Eastern Stairway and signed in the visitor's book. The visiting Prime  Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra donated cash to the pagoda funds through Minister U Aung Khin,  Deputy Commander Brig-Gen. Hsan Hsint and members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees. The Prime  Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra accepted a photograph of Shwedagon Pagoda presented by Minister U  Aung Khin. Then, Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and party paid homage to ancient Buddha images of the old  museum and jade Buddha image of Ponnya Kusala Bahukara Tazaung on the pagoda platform.

Afterwards, the visiting Prime Minister and party arrived at the National Museum on Pyay Road at 11.15  am. They were welcomed there by Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Director-General of Department of  Cultural Institute U Myint Thein Swe and departmental officials.

The visiting Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and party viewed the Sihasana Throne and
Yadanabon era booth on the ground floor and royal paraphernalia booth on the first floor at the museum.  The visiting Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra signed in the visitors' book. Then, Minister for  Culture U Win Sein presented souvenir gift to Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra. Then, the visiting  Prime Minister and party left there.

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(5) Thai Prime Minister plants friendship tree 

YANGON, 20 June - Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Dr Thaksin Shinawatra planted a
friendship tree at the People's Square and People's Park here this morning. After planting the friendship tree, a Thawkagyi Amherstia nobilis, at the Park, Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and his delegation members posed for a photo together with Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay and Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Myo Myint in front of it.

Accompanied by Minister Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw, Ambassador U Myo Myint, Ambassador of Thailand to  Myanmar Mr Oum Maolanon and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Dr Thaksin  Shinawatra and delegation arrived at the Park. The Thai Prime Minister and delegation were welcomed  by the Mayor and Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen. Hsan Hsint.

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(6) Joint Communique issued on the occasion of the official visit to the Union of Myanmar of His Excellency Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand (19-20 June 2001)

1. At the invitation of His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency Thaksin Shinawatra,  Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, paid an official visit to the Union of Myanmar from 19-20  June 2001.

2. His Excellency Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was accompanied by His Excellency Surakiart
Sathirathai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency General Thammarak Isarangura, Minister to the  Prime Minister's Office, His Excellency Somkid Jatusripitak, Minister of Finance, His Excellency Adisai  Bodharamik, Minister of Commerce, His Excellency Police Captain Purachai Piumsomboon, Minister of  Interior, Her Excellency Sudarat Keyuraphun, Minister of Public Health, His Excellency General  Yuthasak Sasiprapha, Deputy Minister of Defence and other high-ranking officials of the Royal Thai  Government.

3. His Excellency Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and party were accorded a warm welcome by His  Excellency Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime  Minister of the Union of Myanmar, reflecting the traditional ties of friendship and goodwill between the two neighbours.

4. During the visit, His Excellency Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called on His Excellency Prime  Minister Senior General Than Shwe on 20 June 2001 at the Pyithu Hluttaw in Yangon. Present on the  Myanmar side were His Excellency General Maung Aye, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and  Development Council, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and Commander-in-Chief  (Army), His Excellency Lt-General Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council,  His Excellency  Lt-General Win Myint, Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council, His  Excellency Lt-General Tin Hla, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Military Affairs, His Excellency U  Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Colonel Tin Hlaing, Minister for Home Affairs,  His Excellency Brigadier-General Thein Zaw, Minister for Post and Telecommunications and His  Excellency U Myo Myint, Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar to Thailand. Present on the Thai side  were His Excellency Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Somkid  Jatusripitak, Minister of Finance, His Excellency General Thammarak Isarangura, Minister to the Prime  Minister's Office, His Excellency Adisai Bodharamik, Minister of Commerce, His Excellency Police  Captain Purachai Piumsomboon, Minister of Interior, Her Excellency Sudarat Keyuraphun, Minister of  Public Health, His Excellency General Yuthasak Sasiprapha, Deputy Minister of Defence and His Excellency Oum Maolanon, Ambassador of Thailand to the Union of Myanmar.

5. His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe expressed his sincere appreciation to His Excellency Prime  Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for accepting his invitation to visit the Union of Myanmar to renew and  strengthen the relations of friendship and good neighbourliness between the two countries.

6. His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council,  conveyed his warmest greetings and profound regards to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of  Thailand, noting the central role of the monarchy in promoting the welfare of the Thai people and in  fostering goodwill and close bonds of friendship and cooperation between Myanmar and Thailand. His  Excellency Senior General Than Shwe extended his cordial invitation to Their Majesties the King and  Queen of Thailand and other members of the Royal Family to visit the Union of Myanmar at future  mutual convenience.

7. The Prime Ministers welcomed the opportunity provided by the visit to exchange views on bilateral  matters and matters of mutual interest to the two countries as well as on the promotion of peace and  prosperity in the Southeast Asian region as a whole.

8. In the talks, both sides renewed their firm determination to further enhance the traditional friendship  and cooperation between the two countries in the spirit of goodwill, friendship and mutual understanding,  guided by the principles of mutual trust and respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity  and the settlement of disputes by peaceful means. They reiterated the pledge of the two governments,  expressed in the Joint Communique of 17 May 1997, to turn the common border between the two  countries into one of friendship and harmony.

9. The Prime Ministers also shared the view that regular contacts and consultations, at all levels, are essential to the strengthening of mutual understanding and for amicable settlement of issues. In this regard, both sides agreed to utilize the full potential of the existing mechanisms  the Township Border  Committee (TBC), the Regional Border Committee (RBC), the Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) and the  Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC).

10. The Prime Ministers entrusted their officials to discuss and work out expeditious means to enhance  mutual confidence and trust in their cooperation on matters of security and in drug suppression along their  common border.

11. They expressed their firm belief that although problems may sometime arise between the two countries  due to the sharing of a long common border, they are confident that these can be resolved amicably based  on friendship, understanding, mutual trust and respect.

12. The Prime Ministers concurred that regular contacts and consultations between the leaders and peoples of the two countries are essential to strengthen mutual trust and understanding. To that end they  agreed to promote exchange of visits between the two countries in all fields.

13. The Prime Ministers expressed their deep concern over the problem of narcotic drugs that adversely  effect societies in the region. They shared the view that close cooperation between countries concerned is  the most effective means to overcome the menace posed by narcotic drugs. In this regard, the Prime  Ministers welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the  Union of Myanmar and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on Cooperation in Narcotic Drugs,  Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals Control which would contribute greatly to the  enhancement of cooperation in this important field.

14. The Prime Ministers also welcomed the proposal to enhance anti-narcotic drugs cooperation between  the Governments of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. They expressed their confidence that such  quadrilateral cooperation would provide the region with an effective framework to fight the scourge of  drugs. In this connection, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra informed Prime Minister Senior General  Than Shwe of the outcome of his talks with the leaders of China and the Lao PDR. The two Prime  Ministers agreed to work out the means leading towards the realisation of the meeting of Heads of  Government of the four countries.

15. The Prime Ministers expressed their belief that there exists great potential for increasing cooperation  in economic, technical and commercial sectors and entrusted their officials find ways for strengthening  trade, commercial and investments.

16. The Prime Ministers agreed that the issue of displaced persons and irregular migrants be discussed  and addressed as a matter of priority within the framework of the Joint Commission with a view to  expediting their eventual return in safety and dignity.

17. Both sides also reaffirmed the spirit of the Myanmar-Thailand Agreement on Border Crossing of  1997, which aims to establish a stable and predictable bilateral regime for border crossings. In this  context, they agreed to normalize border crossings at Tahileik-Maesai, Mywaddy-Maesod and Kawthoung-Ranong checkpoints.

18. The Prime Ministers agreed that the development of road networks between Myanmar and Thailand is  essential to the promotion of trade, tourism and other economic activities between the two countries. In  this regard, both sides agreed that the feasibility of projects as well as matters relating to funding for  projects should be further discussed and worked out by the authorities concerned of the two countries.

19. The two sides expressed their satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in  the fields of health and education. They noted that the understanding reached to control and combat  communicable diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis at the Myanmar-Thai border is an  important step in promoting the health and well-being of the two peoples. They also look forward to closer  cooperation in the educational field in the framework of SEAMEO and within the context of the ASEAN  Universities Network (AUN).

20. Both sides also shard the view that increased tourism, cultural and academic exchanges as well as  people to people contacts would greatly contribute towards better understanding between the two nations  and the two peoples and reaffirmed their support for promoting these exchanges.

21. His Excellency Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra expressed his deep appreciation to the Government and people of the Union of Myanmar for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and his party. 22. His Excellency Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra extended an invitation to His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe to pay an official visit to Thailand. The invitation  was accepted with pleasure.

Date: 20 June 2001

YANGON

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(7) Minister receives Hotelier of Andaman Club Resort Hotel 

YANGON, 20 June - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin received Chairman of
Andaman Club Resort Hotel Mr Vikrom Aisiri and party at his office this evening. They discussed
promotion of tourism service. Also present at the call were Director-General of Directorate of Hotels and  Tourism U Khin Maung Latt, Managing Director of Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services U Kyi Tun  and officials.

Minister Brig-Gen. Pyi Sone meets Thai counterpart 

YANGON, 20 June- Minister for Commerce Brig- Gen. Pyi Sone met Minister of Commerce Mr Adisai  Bodharamik of Thailand at his office this morning. Also present at the call were Director-General of  Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, Director-General of Border Trade Department U Nay Win, Managing  Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and officials.

Health Minister meets Public Health Minister of Thailand 

YANGON, 20 June- Minister for Health Maj- Gen. Ket Sein met Thai Public Health Minister Mrs Sudarat Keyuraphun at his office here this morning. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Ministers Professor Dr Mya Oo, Professor Dr Kyaw Myint and officials. They discussed matters relating to trans-border prevention of diseases which was implemented under the agreement between Myanmar and Thailand and future tasks.

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(8) Minister inspects school enrolment activities in Mandalay Division

YANGON, 20 June- The mass activities of the School Enrolment Week are being implemented in the entire nation. Minister for Education U Than Aung and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Soe Win Maung inspected school enrolment activities at basic education schools in Mandalay and provided school exercise books and stationery for them. Yesterday morning, the minister, together with the deputy minister and officials, arrived at Wundwin. Then, a ceremony to provide exercise books and cash assistance to school-age children in the township was held at Wundwin Basic Education High School No 1. Also present on the occasion were members of the Township Peace and Development Council, the Township Education Officer, school heads, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, School Board of Trustees, parents and students.

At the ceremony, the minister gave a speech and the minister, the deputy minister and party inspected school enrolment and presented school equipment. On behalf of the officials concerned, Headmistress Daw San Tint spoke words of thanks. At 2 p.m., the minister, the deputy minister and party arrived at Meiktila BEHS No 1 where they were welcomed by the Township Education Officer, the Headmaster, teachers and officials. Then, they attended the ceremony to present exercise books and cash assistance to school-age children in the township at the hall of the school. Also present on the occasion were Commander of No 99 Light Infantry Division Brig-Gen. Htay Oo, officials of the District Peace and Development Council Office, Secretary U Saw Htay of District USDA and executives, MCWA members, members of School Board of Trustees, parents and students. After hearing reports of the TEO, the minister gave necessary instructions. Then, the minister, the deputy minister and officials presented school equipment. A teacher spoke words of thanks.
 
Promotion of tourism sector coordinated 

YANGON, 20 June- A coordination meeting on development of Myanma tourism industry and promotion of Myanmar-China tourism sector was held at Asia Plaza Hotel on Bogyoke Aung San Street this afternoon. Present were Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Aye Myint Kyu, the directors-general of departments and enterprises, officials of travel and tour agencies, tour operators and officials of Asia Plaza Hotel. Minister Maj-Gen Saw Lwin spoke on the occasion. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Aye Myint Kyu reported on works. Director-General of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U Khin Maung Latt reported on requirements, General Manager of Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services U Htay Aung on rules and regulations and formation of cooperation committee on Myanmar-China tourism. Chairman of Work Committee for Promotion of Myanmar-China tourism Managing Director of Star Tours Co U Kyi Myint reported on making efforts for increase of tourist arrivals. The deputy minister urged private tour operators to cooperate for success of Myanmar-China tourism in accord with the law. Fifty one tour companies from Myanmar and 65 companies from China will undertake the tourism services through contract.

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(9) Health educative talks held 

YANGON, 20 June-The health educative talks sponsored by Maternal and Child Welfare Association  Branch of the Ministry of Industry-2 were held at the ministry on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this afternoon,  with an address by Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Chief Medical  Officer of the Ministry of Industry-2 Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe. Also present on the occasion were  Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, CEC members, Patron of the branch Daw Moe Moe Myint and members, members of Yankin Township MCWA, officials, personnel and others. Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe mad a speech on the occasion. Then, Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Psychiatrist Dr Cho Nwe Zin of Psychiatric Hospital and Psychiatrist Dr Khin Maung Gyi gave talks on health. Branch Patron Daw Moe Moe Myint spoke words of thanks and presented K 300,000 to the chairperson who presented a certificate of honour. The director-general of Directorate of Myanma Industrial Planning presented K 200,000 donated by the ministry for the association through Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe .

Contraband monosodium glutamate destroyed

YANGON, 20 June-The authorities concerned seized 14900 packets of contraband Thai-made
monosodium glutamate each weighing 500 grams on board the vessel Aung Cho Cho (a) Aung Ngwe  Khine berthed at the Bayint Naung Jetty in Insein Township after making a search on it on 31 January  1999. The seized ladle and pot brand monosodium glutamate were emptied into Yangon river by the  authorities at Wadan Jetty in Seikkan Township on 19 June 2001.

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