FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Every week, Burma – in ways big and small – continues to open its doors to the outside world. It still has a long and difficult way to go but already trends are emerging that outline a future for a country that has spent the last half-century winning comparisons with North Korea.

Among the most important factors within those trends is Thailand.

Relations between Bangkok and its neighbors – Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Burma – are often stressed. Border disputes, Islamic militancy and transnational crimes like drug running and ethnic conflict are among the festering issues that dog diplomacy from all sides of the political divide.

Read more in the The Diplomat.