U Ye Lin Myint, a member of the Dawei Development Association, told Mizzima on 26th October that responsibility for any problems associated with the Dawei Special Economic Zone, which looks set to become the largest special industrial zone in Southeast Asia, is now in the hands of the Myanmar authorities.

At a meeting in Bangkok on 21st October that included Thai department officials, Dawei residents and social organizations, the Thai Human Rights Commission attempted to seek clarity over this joint Myanmar-Thai project.

During the meeting, Dawei locals discussed the lack of information, failure to deliver appropriate compensation, and the uncertainty over livelihoods and future of local people with the Thai Human Rights Commission, said U Ye Lin Myint.

“The Italian-Thai company sent a letter to the rally saying that as it has withdrawn from the project, the losses incurred by local Dawei people is a concern of the Myanmar government only. All Thai organizations refuse to take responsibility for the loss, saying the Myanmar government should solve the problems,” he said.

He said that the Thai Human Rights Committee will send a message to Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha about the case. Meanwhile, Dawei locals and social organizations plan to ask the Myanmar government about responsibility and accountability for the project.

Officials of the Italian-Thai Development Company were notable by their absence from the meeting.