Thailand has shown an interest in investing in rice milling and livestock farming in Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, according to the junta-controlled Myanma Alin newspaper.

It followed Thai ambassador to Myanmar Mongkol Visitstump’s visit to Maungdaw in February. He travelled to Maungdaw together with diplomats from China, India and Bangladesh on February 8 to observe the junta’s preparations for repatriation of Muslims.

The Thai ambassador was quoted by Myanmar Alin as saying: “Thailand is undertaking development projects in Rakhine [Arakan] State, for example the rice mill project in Maungdaw. And we also provide capacity training for fisheries. We will also dispatch technicians to install the rice mill, and dig a fish farm.”

“We also teach agricultural methods by using modern farming machines. We have also donated 16 tractors,” he added.

DMG’s calls to Arakan State Administration Council spokesman U Hla Thein to enquire about the details of those Thai-backed projects went unanswered.

Local residents said they have so far been given no information about those ventures.

“Those projects sound great,” said former Maungdaw Township lawmaker U Maung Ohn. “However, we doubt if they can be implemented. Locals know nothing about the project. And Maungdaw is not that stable. So, we will wait and see.”

Maungdaw residents have called for transparency with respect to foreign investments in their township.

Located between the Bay of Bengal and the Mayu mountains, and bordering Bangladesh to the west and north, Maungdaw Township has geographic advantages with the potential for economic growth. The India-backed Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, for one, is expected to be operational soon.

The regime is implementing China-backed wind power projects in Gwa, Thandwe and Ann townships as well. It is also working to resume marble production at Mount Nay Pu in Taungup, and is pushing ahead with the China-backed deep-sea port project in Kyaukphyu.