The relationship between Thailand and Burma, which the Thaksin administration claimed to be back to normal, has been put to the test following a border clash between a Thai army unit and Burma's United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Chiang Mai province late last month.
The fighting captured the public's attention because a Thai soldier was killed and many others wounded. Most importantly, the clash resulted in the cancellation of HM the Queen's trip to a Royal project at a nearby area. From that moment, a spillover of verbal attacks commenced. Both countries' ambassadors were "invited" to receive notes, ranking from a protest note to an aide memoir.
Rangoon claimed that Thai troopers were on its soil when the clash took place, while Thai Army Commander in Chief Surayud Jalanont insisted that there was no reason for the army unit to invade Burmese territory.
This reminded the public of the old days a few years back when bilateral relations were on the line following a series of volatile crimes in Thailand by Burmese dissidents. During the period under the Chuan Leekpai administration, Thailand and Burma were engaged in dispute mostly caused by border conflicts and the influx of Burmese illegal immigrants.
Relations remain shaky despite the Thaksin government's claim that Thai-Burma ties returned to normal after an exchange of visits of senior government officials including Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
This administration criticised its predecessor, the Chuan government, for putting the relationship in danger by conducting a policy that was too tough. Thaksin's visit to Rangoon last year was the first of a Thai premier in years as the Chuan government suspended all high-ranking visits to express displeasure with bilateral ties.
Thaksin was scheduled to visit Rangoon for the second time but had to cancel it following Burma's arrests of General Ne Win's family members who were accused of trying to stage a coup. A senior Burmese officer, General Maung Aye, the vice chairman of the military junta, is also scheduled to visit Thailand for the first time late this month.
But despite the claim of the better ties, verbal and border attacks have returned.The military junta's reaction to the latest violent incident surprised many. Its high-ranking army officers conducted press conferences to deny any involvement in the Wa's illicit activities. They also strongly attacked the Thai Army for helping Burmese dissidents who are fighting for independence along the border. The reaction was totally different from previous border incidents because the military junta formerly aired its comments through the government-controlled newspaper, New Light of Myanmar, or let some spokesman speak on the condition of anonymity.
This time the Burmese officers seemed to be taking the opportunity to publicly voice their long-held belief that their failure in fighting Burmese dissidents was due to the Thai Army's support for them.
It is worth watching closely how Thailand and Burma will handle this case. It will be a crucial test for the bilateral relationship, which this government believes is in a better condition than it was during the previous administration. The results will show the public whether the reciprocal visits actually improved strained relations.