Suu Kyi attends World Economic Forum on East Asia By Anasuya Sanyal |

Posted: 31 May 2012 2136 hrs     ...
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (AFP PHOTO/ Soe Than WIN)

Bangkok, THAILAND: Myanmar opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, continued her first trip abroad in nearly 25 years, attending the World Economic Forum in Bangkok and meeting with Thai officials.
Her presence highlights Myanmar's rapid changes and signals many more to come for the ASEAN regional community ahead of economic integration in 2015.

Pascal Lamy, director general of the World Trade Organisation, said: "I would expect, given what's happening (in) other parts of the world economy, for this region to be more affected in two, three years to come that it has been so far."

Suu Kyi's star power has shone on normally ignored issues like the plight of the nearly two million Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.

She met with Labour Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Charlerm Yoobamrung to discuss what both sides can do to improve the situation.

She even joked that if migrants labourers weren't treated better, she'd call them back to Myanmar, knowing they are crucial to several important Thai industries.

In fact, Suu Kyi later returned to the Mahachai district of Samut Sakorn Province to visit the migrant community, one more time.

Then it was on to meet Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at a gala dinner.

Much is anticipated of Suu Kyi on Friday as she addresses the World Economic Forum. She's likely to lay out her ideas for the political and economic future of Myanmar. And give her reception in Bangkok so far, the audience is likely to be hanging on her every word.

- CNA/ck
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