Myanmar-Thailand Relations: Past, Present, and Future

There's a saying that you can't choose your neighbors. In Myanmar language and culture, there are various expressions about neighbors, such as "a true neighbor is a gift from God" and "good fences make good neighbors." Myanmar, located in Southeast Asia, shares borders with five countries: China, India, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand. Notably, Myanmar and Thailand share particularly close cultural ties, religious beliefs, and social customs. As a result, these two countries have maintained relations since ancient times. So, how have Thai-Myanmar relations evolved through the past, present, and future?

Political Relations

A. Monarchy Era

The first Myanmar-Thai war broke out in 1548 during the reign of Bayinnaung of the Toungoo Dynasty, which established the Second Myanmar Empire. The conflict began when Thailand invaded Tavoy (Dawei), a disputed territory. Myanmar forces emerged victorious and captured Kanchanaburi (Sangkhlaburi). After advancing to Ayutthaya but failing to capture it, they retreated to Kamphaeng Phet. When Thai forces pursued and engaged them in battle, Myanmar captured the Thai king's son-in-law. The Thai king then offered thirty elephants, three hundred viss of silver, and regular tribute in exchange for his son-in-law's release, which Bayinnaung accepted, leading to a peace agreement.

During the reign of Hanthawaddy Bayinnaung in 1563, Myanmar launched a campaign against Ayutthaya (Thailand) when they refused to send a white elephant and failed to maintain proper diplomatic relations as a tributary state. After Myanmar attacked Ayutthaya, the Thai king offered a white elephant to sue for peace. When Bayinnaung accepted, King Chakraphat of Thailand personally presented gifts and pledged allegiance. Chakraphat was brought to Hanthawaddy, where his son was installed as king. However, Chakraphat, after becoming a monk in Hanthawaddy, used the pretext of a pilgrimage to return to Thailand. Upon reaching Thailand, he joined forces with his son to rebel, forcing Bayinnaung to launch another campaign in 1568. Myanmar forces recaptured Ayutthaya, and Chakraphat's son-in-law was installed as king.

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Wars between Myanmar and Thailand continued during the reign of King Nanda after Bayinnaung's death. Similar conflicts occurred during the Konbaung Dynasty under King Alaungpaya. During the reign of his son, King Hsinbyushin, in 1767, another war broke out, resulting in the final destruction of Ayutthaya. During King Bodawpaya's reign, when Thailand attacked Myanmar-controlled Chiang Mai, Myanmar forces launched a counter-campaign, leading to more battles.

Looking at these Thai-Myanmar wars, conflicts during the monarchy era were primarily driven by territorial disputes, invasions during periods of weakness, rebellions by tributary states during power transitions, and the desire to acquire white elephants as symbols of royal power.

B. Colonial Era

The First Anglo-Burmese War broke out in 1824. British envoy Henry Burney met with King Rama III of Thailand to discuss potential Thai military support for the British side. Thailand prepared three armies but ultimately neither received a British request for military aid nor managed to enter Myanmar territory.

Notably, Thailand avoided becoming a colony, though it ceded territories to both Britain and France. Thailand signed the Bowring Treaty with Britain, which granted extraterritorial rights, allowing Britain to exploit Thailand without military conquest.

In 1885, following the Third Anglo-Burmese War, all of Myanmar fell under British rule. Fifty-six years later, on December 26, 1941, young Myanmar revolutionaries of the Thirty Comrades, with Japanese assistance, established the Burma Independence Army (BIA) in Bangkok, Thailand. This force later evolved into the Burma Defense Army (BDA) and is the predecessor of today's Myanmar military.

In 1942, Thailand allied with Japan and declared war on Britain and America. Thai forces, alongside Japanese troops, occupied parts of eastern Shan State, including Kengtung and Mong Pan. When Japan surrendered in 1945, Britain regained these territories.

C. Post-Independence Era

Official diplomatic relations between Myanmar and Thailand began on August 24, 1948, when Myanmar gained independence.

Two years after independence, in 1950, Kuomintang (KMT) forces, expelled by the Chinese Communist Party, entered Myanmar's eastern Shan State at Mong Yawn. These KMT forces gathered in Myanmar territory to prepare for a counter-offensive against the Chinese Communist Party. The CIA provided weapons to the KMT, with supplies and food being channeled through Chiang Mai, Thailand. U.S. B-29 aircraft landed at Thai airfields carrying weapons and supplies, which were then transported to Mong Sat. Myanmar complained to the United Nations about this but, receiving no response, had to expel the forces independently.

The last Thai-Myanmar military conflict occurred in 2001 over the disputed O-7 hill near Tachilek. The hill, designated as "Object-7" during the KMT incursion, became a point of contention when Thai forces demanded Myanmar troops withdraw from the position. The dispute escalated into a conflict involving heavy artillery and armored vehicles. There have been no major military conflicts between Thailand and Myanmar since then.

Myanmar has experienced civil war since independence. Later, ethnic armed organizations emerged, fighting for equal rights and autonomy. Many of these groups established bases in Shan State along the Thai border. The Golden Triangle region, where Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos meet, later became a major drug production area.

Historically, Myanmar political figures have sought refuge in Thailand during military coups. After General Ne Win's 1962 coup, Myanmar's first Prime Minister U Nu and Thirty Comrades members Bohmu Aung and Bo Letya sought political asylum in Thailand. Journalists have also lived in Thailand as exiles, continuing to the present day.

Following the 2021 military coup, Thailand expressed security concerns, particularly after Myanmar military aircraft violated Thai airspace during civil war operations in 2022, for which Myanmar had to apologize.

Economic Relations

Myanmar signed a border trade agreement with Thailand on March 17, 1996. Both countries established border trade stations, including:

Myawaddy Border Trade Station
Tachilek Border Trade Station
Kawthoung Border Trade Station
Myeik Border Trade Station
Htee Khee Border Trade Station
Mawtaung Border Trade Station
Mese Border Trade Station

Myanmar exports various fish products, beans, and precious stones, while Thailand exports industrial raw materials, medicines, plastics, household electrical appliances, automotive parts, and construction materials. Additionally, Myanmar exports significant amounts of natural gas to Thailand.

Annual bilateral trade amounts to billions of dollars.

Currently, Myanmar's internal conflict threatens Thailand's energy security. In 2023, 15% of Thailand's gas imports came from Myanmar. Similarly, Thailand relies on Myanmar for 15% of its electricity. If civil war continues in Myanmar, Thailand risks losing access to these energy resources.

Thailand benefits from Myanmar's cheap labor force and energy resources. As Western businesses withdraw from Myanmar due to civil conflict, the Thai government encourages its companies to fill this vacuum.

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Consequently, by 2023, Thailand became Myanmar's third-largest investor. In 2024, Thai PTT became the largest shareholder in Myanmar's Yadana gas project. Thailand also participates in other joint ventures in Myanmar and has increased investments in Special Economic Zones like Thilawa.

Diplomatic Affairs

Following Myanmar's 2021 military coup, both the State Administration Council (SAC) and the National Unity Government emerged. Thailand maintains official diplomatic relations with the SAC.

Thailand also supports ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar through ASEAN channels, advocating for conflict resolution. As Myanmar's neighbor with a history of good relations with previous military governments, Thailand strives to maintain this diplomatic momentum.

Labor Affairs

From 1988 to 2010, Myanmar endured military rule, leading to conflicts and battles. Myanmar refugees fled to camps in Thailand. When conflict occurs in Myanmar, both refugee numbers and camps in Thailand increase. Thailand accepts international aid and works with NGOs to provide for these refugee camps.

During military rule, Myanmar faced severe job shortages. Millions of Myanmar workers migrated to Thailand for employment.

Following the 2021 coup, many more Myanmar people have settled in Thailand, with millions seeking work there. Myanmar media outlets and NGOs continue to base their operations in Thailand.

Conclusion

In summary, Thai-Myanmar relations are built on a long historical foundation. During the monarchy era, Myanmar forces repeatedly captured Thai cities like Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya. Since independence, Thailand has benefited significantly from Myanmar's internal conflicts and ethnic armed resistance. Rather than indicating poor neighborly relations, this situation reflects Myanmar's lack of internal unity, ongoing civil war, and the consequences of military coups.

By Han Thit Eain (Y3A)

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