Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has cancelled his planned trip to Tak’s Mae Sot district, to assess the status of the civil war in Myanmar and its effects on the Thai side of the border.
Deputy PM Prommin Lertsuridej revealed the cancellation without giving a reason.
“The prime minister has assigned Foreign Minister Parnpree Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to go on his behalf,” Prommin said.
He emphasised Thailand’s commitment to remaining neutral in the Myanmar conflict, and that the fighting must not stray into Thai territory.
Thousands of displaced persons from Myanmar have fled the fighting into Thailand through Mae Sot district, necessitating the Thai side to set up temporary shelters and designate Mae Sot Hospital to provide medical assistance to those affected by the civil war.
Parnpree is chairing an ad hoc panel overseeing the situation and humanitarian assistance required.
The fighting in Myanmar has recently subsided, enabling some of those displaced to return home.