Good relations and perceived mutual benefit – and not the involvement of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra – were the reasons for Burma’s rapidly agreeing to sign a petroleum concession contract with PTTEP in the New Year, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said.

Surapong and Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan discussed the matter with Burmese Energy Minister Than Htay in Naypyidaw when they accompanied Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to the 4th Summit of the Greater Mekong Sub-region last week.

Read more: The Nation