Thailand welcomes the recent release of prisoners and the ceasefire with the ethnic groups, the most recent ones being with the Karen National Union and the Chin National Front.

The Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has shown its serious and strong commitment to democracy and national reconciliation through a series of continuous actions and measures. Thailand views all these developments as important steps forward on Myanmar’s path of democratic reform and national reconciliation.

ASEAN also shares a common position that sanctions on Myanmar have been detrimental to the livelihood of the people of Myanmar and should come to an end without condition

Thailand also welcomes the statements released by the United Nations, the United States and other countries, acknowledging these key developments by the Myanmar Government.

It is high time for the international community to join hands in cooperating with the Government and people of Myanmar in laying the ground work to further strengthen the democratization process underway in Myanmar.

ASEAN countries share common views on developments in Myanmar and stand ready to continue to work with Myanmar in providing support for its democratization process and national reconciliation.

ASEAN also shares a common position that sanctions on Myanmar have been detrimental to the livelihood of the people of Myanmar and should come to an end without conditions. Thailand calls on the international community to work with Myanmar, ASEAN and key partner countries and international organizations to provide greater support for democracy and national reconciliation in Myanmar

The number of foreign visitors passing through Rangoon International Airport rose by 21.8 per cent last year to nearly 360,000

More than two-thirds were from Asian countries, led by Thailand with 59,010 visitors, followed by China with 32,757, the Myanmar Times reported.

Europeans accounted for 65,367 travellers, led by France with 13,102 visitors, Germany with 10,932, and Britain 7,195.

The steady tourism influx is expected to test Burma’s limited infrastructure.

“Arrival numbers are increasing 20 per cent to 30 per cent every year”, said Lynn Zaw Wai Mang, general manager of Unique Asia Travel in Rangoon.