Thailand confident aid effort will lead to Myanmar crisis dialogue

A new Thailand-led humanitarian initiative aims to pave the way for talks between warring camps in military-ruled Myanmar, three years after a coup triggered instability and a wave of violence across the country.
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand’s vice foreign minister, said Thailand plans to establish a humanitarian safe zone later this month at its border with Myanmar, near the Mae Sot-Myawaddy crossing, to deliver food and medical supplies to local communities and 20,000 people displaced by fighting.
Sihasak said the plan would augment efforts by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which has tried unsuccessfully to start a peace process between the military and its enemies among ethnic minority armies and an armed resistance movement.
The ultimate goal was to bring the conflict under control and open up dialogue channels.