Naypyidaw, Burma - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has committed Thailand to an investment accord with Burma under which Thailand will try to boost the economy and help the military regime.
Mr Samak and his Burmese counterpart Gen Thein Sein witnessed the signing of the investment pact during Mr Samak's one-day visit to Burma on Friday.
The agreement was kept secret until Mr Samak arrived back in Thailand.
The accord reportedly protects Thai investors, although Mr Samak's aides have not presented details on that part of the still confidential agreement.
Thailand will discuss taking part in Burmese plans to built a deep sea port at Tavoey opposite Thailand's Andaman Sea coast, and commits the Thai government to press Thai business leaders to invest in the port project and other unspecified projects sponsored by the military regime.
It was a major step forward to helping the so-called State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) rulers. Previous Thai governments have not opposed investment in Burma, but have seldom committed the country to directly aiding Burmese government projects.
Thailand is already one of Myanmar's largest investors and trading partners, with Thai state-owned energy firms being the largest buyers of natural gas from that country.
source: thainewsland.com
