Thai banks will be investigated regarding the purchase of weapons by the Burmese army

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on July 24 that the Central Bank and the Anti-Money Laundering Team will investigate the issue of money transfers by Thai commercial banks for the purchase of weapons by the Myanmar Military Council.

Companies registered in Thailand have shipped $130 million worth of weapons and military supplies to the military council, according to a report released last month by the United Nations special representative for human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews.

He pointed out that five banks in Thailand have made money transfers, and this year has doubled compared to last year.

The Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the Bank of Thailand and the Anti-Money Laundering Team will form a joint special task force to investigate this money transfer case.

On July 19, Thai Foreign Minister Marit Sin Nyamphon categorically denied the accusation in the United Nations Special Representative's report that Thai banks were involved in the sale of weapons to the Myanmar military.