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Myanmar–Thailand relations

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Burmese–Thai relations
Map indicating locations of Myanmar and Thailand

Myanmar
Thailand
Diplomatic mission
Burmese Embassy, BangkokRoyal Thai Embassy, Yangon
Envoy
AmbassadorAmbassador
Embassy of Myanmar,Bangkok

Myanmar–Thailand relationsrefers to thecurrent and historical relationsbetweenMyanmar(also known as Burma) andThailand.Myanmar has an embassy inBangkok.Thailand has an embassy inYangon.[1][2]Relations between Burma andThailandfocus mainly on economic issues and trade. There is sporadic conflict withThailandover three disputed islands.[3]

Military history

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Main article:Burmese–Siamese Wars

Burmese–Siamese War (1547–1549)

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Main article:Burmese–Siamese War (1547–1549)

The Burmese–Siamese war of 1547–1549 was the first of many wars fought between the Burmese ofPeguand theSiameseofAyutthaya.The war began with an invasion by KingTabinshwehtiof theTaungoo Dynastythrough theThree Pagodas Passinto Siamese territory, which presaged an attack on the capitalcity of Ayutthayaitself. The invasion came after a political crisis in Ayutthaya that had ended with the placing ofMaha Chakkraphaton theSiamese thrones

The war is notable for the introduction ofearly modern warfarebyPortuguesemercenaries.It is most notable in thehistory of Thailandfor the valiant death in battle of Siamese QueenSuriyothaion herwar elephant.As a result, the conflict is often referred to inThailandas the War that led to the loss of Queen Suriyothai.[4]

Burmese–Siamese War (1594–1605)

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Main article:Burmese–Siamese War (1594–1605)

The Burmese–Siamese War (1594–1605) was the war caused by the vengeance of Siam towards the Burmese rule. KingNaresuanof Ayutthaya was planning to conquer Burma. The war began with Siamese attacks on and occupation of the cities ofTenasserimandMyeik,then proceeded toToungoo.

Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767)

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Main article:Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767)

The Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767) was the secondmilitary conflictbetween theKonbaung Dynastyof Burma and theBan Phlu Luang Dynasty of Siam(Thailand), and the war that ended the four-century-old Siamese kingdom.[5]Nonetheless, the Burmese were soon forced to give up their hard-won gains when theChinese invasionsof their homeland forced a complete withdrawal by the end of 1767. A new Siamese dynasty, to which thecurrent Thai monarchytraces its origin, emerged to reunify Siam by 1770.

This war was the continuation of thewar of 1759–1760.Thecasus belliof this war were also the control of theTenasserim coastand its trade, and the Siamese support for the rebels in the Burmese border regions.[6]The war began in August 1765 when a 20,000-strong northern Burmese army invaded northern Siam, and was joined in by three southern armies of over 20,000 in October, in apincer movementon Ayutthaya. By late January 1766, the Burmese armies had overcome numerically superior but poorly coordinated Siamese defences, and converged before the Siamese capital.[5]

The siege of Ayutthaya began during the first Chinese invasion of Burma. The Siamese believed that if they could hold out until the rainy season, the seasonal flooding of the Ayutthayan central plain would force a retreat. But KingHsinbyushinof Burma believed that the Chinese war was a minor border dispute, and decided to continue the siege. During the rainy season of 1766 (June–October), the battle moved to the waters of the flooded plain but failed to change the status quo.[5]When the dry season came, the Chinese launched a much larger invasion but Hsinbyushin still refused to recall the troops. In March 1767, KingEkkathatof Siam offered to become a tributary but the Burmese demanded anunconditional surrender.On 7 April 1767, the Burmese sacked the starving city for the second time in history, committing atrocities that have left a major black mark on Burmese-Thai relations to the present day. Thousands of Siamese captives were relocated to Burma.

The Burmese occupation was short-lived. In November 1767, the Chinese again invaded with their largest force yet, finally convincing Hsinbyushin to withdraw his forces from Siam. In the ensuing Siamese civil war,Taksin'sThonburi forcesemerged the sole winner by mid-1770. The Burmese had also defeated a fourth Chinese invasion by December 1769.

By then, a new stalemate had taken hold. Burma had annexed the lower Tenasserim coast but again failed to eliminate Siam as the sponsor of rebellions in her eastern and southern borderlands. In the following years, Hsinbyushin was preoccupied by the Chinese threat, and did not renew the Siamese war until 1775—only afterLan Nahad revolted again with Siamese support. The post-Ayutthaya Siamese leadership proved more than capable; they defeated the next two invasions (1775–1776and1785–1786), and annexed Lan Na in the process.

Burmese–Siamese War (1785–1786)

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Main article:Burmese–Siamese War (1785–1786)

Bodawpayaof Burma pursued his ambitious campaigns to expand his dominions. The Burmese-Siamese War (1785–1786) was called “Nine Armies War”by Siam because the Burmese came in nine armies. The armies surged into Lan na and Northern Siam, yet the governor ofLampangmanaged to partly halt the Burmese, waiting for the troops fromBangkok.AsPhitsanulokwas captured,Rama Ihimself led an army to the north.

In the south, Bodawpaya was waiting at Three Pagodas Pass. The Front Palace led his troops to the south the counter-attacked the Burmese came fromRanongthroughNakhon Si Thammaratand the engagements occurred atKanchanaburi.The Burmese also attackedThalang(Phuket), where to governor had just died. Chan, wife of the governor, and her sister Mook gathered people to defend Thalang against the Burmese. Today,[when?]Chan and Mookare revered as two heroines opposing the Burmese invasions.

The Burmese proceeded to captureSongkhla.Upon hearing the news, the governors ofPhatthalungfled. However, a monk named Phra Maha encouraged the citizens to turn up their arms against the Burmese. Phra Maha was later raised to nobility by Rama I.

As his armies were destroyed, Bodawpaya retreated, only to renew attacks the next year (1786). Bodawpaya, this time, didn't divide his troops but instead formed into single army. Bodawpaya passed through the Chedi Sam Ong and settled in Ta Din Dang. The Front Palace marched the Siamese forces to face Bodawpaya. The fighting was very short and Bodawpaya was quickly defeated. This short war was called “Ta Din Dang campaign”.

19th century relations

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In the 19th century, Burma became a colony of theBritish Empire.This prevented any Burmo-Siameseconflict.

20th century relations

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World War II

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In 1942, Thailand sent thePhayap Armyto occupy theShan StateandKayah Stateof Burma. The principal objective of the army commander was to procure opium. Diplomatic relations were established in 1948.

21st century relations

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Recently, Prime MinisterAbhisit Vejjajivamade clear that dialogue encouraging political change is a priority for Thailand, but not through economic sanctions. He also made clear to reconstruct temples damaged in the aftermath ofCyclone Nargis.[7]However, there were tensions over detained opposition leaderAung San Suu Kyi,with Thailand calling for her release.[8]She was released in 2010.[9]

Disputed territory

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As of 2020,sovereignty over threeAndaman Seaislands remains disputed. The standing agreement, negotiated in February 1982, left undetermined the status of Ginga Island (Ko Lam), Ko Kham, and Ko Ki Nok at the mouth of theKraburi River(Pakchan River). Subsequent negotiations in 1985, 1989, and 1990 made no progress. The two parties have designated the islands as "no man's land". Ongoing tensions in the area resulted in minor clashes in 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2013.[3]

2010–2011 Myanmar border clashes

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Main article:2010–2012 Myanmar border clashes

The 2010–2012 Myanmar border clashes were a series of ongoing skirmishes between theMyanmar Armed Forces(Tatmadaw) and splinter brigades of theDemocratic Karen Buddhist Army(DKBA). The clashes erupted along the border withThailandshortly after thegeneral electionon 7 November 2010.[10]An estimated 10,000 refugees fled into nearby neighbouring Thailand to escape the violent conflict.[11]There was concern that, due to discontent with the elections and speculations ofelectoral fraud,that the conflict could escalate into acivil war.[12]

Modern political history

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Present political relations

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In 2018, Senior GeneralMin Aung Hlaingreceived the Knight Grand Cross First Class of theMost Exalted Order of the White Elephant,after being nominated by KingMaha Vajiralongkorn.[13]

2021 unrests in Thailand and Myanmar

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Both Thailand and Myanmar have been in chaos due to protests (2020–2021 Thai protestsand2021 Myanmar protests) against the military juntas in both countries; there has been solidarity between Thai and Burmese protesters.[14]However, while Thai protests, despite its significance, is mostly peaceful, the Burmese protests were met with brutal repression.[15][16][17][18]The Thai government, led by a former General himself, is accused of helping theTatmadawto maintain power in Myanmar, which was denied.[19]At the same time, Burmese refugees have been flowing to Thailand, creating a border crisis and fear ofCOVID-19 spikes,in which the Thai government was also accused of trying to drive the refugees away, despite having guaranteed not to turn away the refugees.[20][21][22]

Thailand was a key ally of the junta with formerPrime Minister of ThailandPrayut Chan-o-chausing back-channel contacts in mid-2021 to shape Thailand's diplomatic options, especially as it related to ASEAN.[23][24]In 30 June 2022, when the Myanmar Air Force allegedly violated Thai airspace, Thailand scrambled a defense attache. Later, Prayuth said that the incident was "not a big deal."[25]After the2023 Thai general election,the new Prime MinisterSrettha Thavisinhas shown support for the military'sNationwide Ceasefire Agreementurging all parties in Myanmar to stay on the path for peace and stability.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^Burmese embassy in BangkokArchived2011-01-01 at theWayback Machine
  2. ^Thai embassy in BurmaArchived2011-09-28 at theWayback Machine
  3. ^abSophal, Sek (13 January 2020)."New subs sign of troubles to come?".Opinion.Bangkok Post.Archivedfrom the original on 5 June 2020.Retrieved13 January2020.
  4. ^"Amphetamine Trade Between Burma and Thailand".Archived fromthe originalon 2017-03-16.Retrieved2011-01-05.
  5. ^abcHarvey, pp. 250–253[full citation needed]
  6. ^Baker, et al., p. 21[full citation needed]
  7. ^Abhisit calls for change in Burma,Bangkok Post,January 12, 2009.
  8. ^Thai-Burma relations under "unprecedented strain"Archived2011-08-12 at theWayback Machine.DVB. June 12, 2009
  9. ^Ba Kaung (13 November 2010)."Suu Kyi Freed at Last".The Irrawaddy.Archived fromthe originalon 19 November 2010.Retrieved2010-11-14.
  10. ^"Burma election marred by violence".The Telegraph.8 November 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 9 November 2010.Retrieved9 November2010.
  11. ^"Thousands flee Myanmar clashes".Al Jazeera.8 November 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 9 November 2010.Retrieved9 November2010.
  12. ^"Civil war threatens following Burma's election".ABC News.November 9, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 11 November 2010.Retrieved9 November2010.
  13. ^"Myanmar army chief honoured by Thailand despite Rohingya crisis".Channel NewsAsia.Agence France-Presse.16 February 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 16 February 2018.Retrieved16 February2018.
  14. ^"Thai marchers link their democracy cause to Myanmar protests - ABC News".ABC News.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-07-22.Retrieved2021-07-22.
  15. ^"Thailand protests: Thousands join huge rally demanding reforms".BBC News.19 September 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 19 September 2020.Retrieved22 July2021.
  16. ^"Thai protesters clash with police as Covid-19 cases continue to surge".Archivedfrom the original on 2021-07-22.Retrieved2021-07-22.
  17. ^"Myanmar coup: Generals celebrated amid global fury over massacre".BBC News.28 March 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 22 July 2021.Retrieved22 July2021.
  18. ^Paddock, Richard C. (14 March 2021)."Days of Killings and Defiance in Myanmar, with Neither Side Relenting".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on 22 July 2021.Retrieved22 July2021.
  19. ^"Prayut denies helping Tatmadaw".Bangkok Post.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-03-27.Retrieved2021-07-22.
  20. ^"Thai PM Promises to Respect Human Rights of People Fleeing Myanmar Violence".Archivedfrom the original on 2021-07-22.Retrieved2021-07-22.
  21. ^"Desperate Burmese refugees flee to Thailand and India to escape crisis".TheGuardian.3 April 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 22 July 2021.Retrieved22 July2021.
  22. ^"Thailand denies forcing back Myanmar refugees blocked at border".Reuters.29 March 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 22 July 2021.Retrieved22 July2021.
  23. ^Macan-Markar, Marwaan (12 May 2021)."Thai PM and Myanmar junta chief stay engaged via back channels".Nikkei Asia.
  24. ^Chau, Thompson."Myanmar's democratic struggle at stake in Thailand's election".Al Jazeera.Archivedfrom the original on 26 March 2023.Retrieved2023-03-26.
  25. ^"Thailand scrambles fighters after Myanmar jet airspace breach".Reuters.1 July 2022.
  26. ^"Thailand pledges support of National Ceasefire Agreement in Myanmar".Thai PBS World.16 October 2023.

Further reading

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