Thein Sein, who is slated to visit Thailand from April 29 to 30, will meet his counterpart Thailand 's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, and Foreign Minister Noppadon, according to a Thai Foreign Ministry press release.
"The visit marks the cordial relationship between the two countries. Moreover, the two sides will sign a MoU on cooperation in the promotion of contract farming," the statement released on April 17 said.
Sources close to the Burmese military establishment said Thein Sein is also expected to sign a series of contracts with his Thai counterpart including the Tavoy deep seaport project which will include a four-lane road from Thailand to Tavoy and two-lane railway lines.
"The contract will also include the Tavoy to Rangoon (five feet) gas pipeline together with two gas plants in Tavoy and Rangoon ," the source added.
Win Min, a Burmese military analyst based in Thailand , said the trip seems to be a follow-up of the Burmese junta's promise during the Thai Prime Minister's visit to Burma .
"But, the timing is interesting given it is just before the referendum," Win Min said.
The Burmese junta has announced holding a referendum to approve its draft constitution in May and is gearing up desperately to win supporting votes.
The approval of the draft constitution will allow the military dictators of Burma to claim legitimacy both internally and internationally.
However, opposition groups and western nations have criticized the junta's referendum process saying it will not be "free and fair", and apprehend possible rigging and intimidation of voters to win supporting votes.
"The SPDC may be trying to lobby Thailand to support its referendum result even if there is intimidation and vote rigging since many western countries have criticized it already," Win Min said, referring the Burmese junta by its official name State Peace and Development Council or SPDC.
He added that the junta is embarking on carefully-planned lobbying trips to win the support of neighbouring countries including Thailand , India , China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nation countries.
"The SPDC is planning to get support from neighbouring countries by giving business concessions to get their support for the post-referendum situation. They have sanctioned the Kaladan River way to India and the Arakan deep seaport to China . Now, they're planning to give Tavoy deep seaport to Thailand ," said Win Min .
India and Burma signed a contract allowing India to develop the Kaladan multi-modal transport project during the state visit by Burmese junta's second in command, Vice Senior General Maung Aye to India in early April.
Meanwhile, the Burmese junta on Tuesday announced that it will auction more than 20 state-owned business enterprises to private companies.
This move, again, is seen as the junta's inability to carry the burden of maintaining it and also as part of a plan to mobilise Burmese businessmen with business concessions in return for their political support.
