Malaysian-Thai relations will grow steadily

Significance

This was his fifth visit to a South-east Asian neighbour since last November. In another development, in-person peace talks aimed at ending Thailand’s southern insurgency recommenced in January. Malaysia is facilitating the negotiations between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), Thailand’s largest ethnic Malay, Muslim separatist group.

Impacts

• The China-Laos railway, inaugurated late last year, will help increase trade between China’s Yunnan province and mainland South-east Asia.
• Malaysia and Thailand will support each another in keeping a low profile on the conflict in Ukraine.
• Kuala Lumpur will continue to work on strengthening its relations with regional partners.