Thailand expects to host an official visit from one of Myanmar's top leaders late next month but conflicting reports make it unclear who that leader will be.
According to a source at the Foreign Ministry Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is set to make an official visit to Thailand.
However, a source in the delegation of Myanmar Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing who wrapped up a three-day visit to Thailand yesterday, said president Htin Kyaw will visit.
Both sources said the visit is tentatively scheduled for June 23, as part of an Asean tour.
Despite sharing more than 2,000 kilometres of border with Thailand, Htin Kyaw and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi made their first state visit to Laos early this month. Laos is the current chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Although the Thailand visit is initially scheduled to take place on June 23, the Myanmar embassy did not confirm the date when asked.
On his last day in Thailand, Myanmar's commander-in-chief visited Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
Defence spokesman Khongcheep Tantrawanich said both sides discussed military ties and agreed in principle to increase military cooperation through exchanges of visits and training and education programmes.
"Both sides will hold talks and closely work together to solve problems like brothers through existing channels," he said.
Security cooperation would also be intensified to address threats such as drug trafficking and smuggling of migrant workers and to better protect natural resources along the shared border, the defence spokesman said.
Maj Gen Khongcheep said Thai-Myanmar military ties have never been so strong and both countries will work to sustain their solid relationship.
After discussions with Gen Prawit, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing paid a visit to the Armed Forces Development Command under the Royal Thai Armed Forces in the Don Muang area.
He was welcomed by a Thai delegation led by his Thai counterpart Chief of the Defence Forces Gen Sommai Kaotira.
Myanmar's senior general, who was accompanied by his wife, viewed several exhibits showcasing several developments in Thai military affairs and public enhancement projects.
He also observed a disaster response and emergency rescue drill.
"The visit of Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing has affirmed that military ties between the two countries are at their best and both will work to sustain them," Gen Sommai said.
During his three-day visit, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing also met Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The Myanmar general, who turns 60 this year, clarified a news report about his extended term when the Thai officials congratulated him on the news that his retirement had been put-off so he could serve another five years.
He was quoted as saying to the Thai officials that he would retire at 65, the official retirement age.
The general and his wife, Kyu Kyu Hla, showed keen interest in development and farming projects.
