Both countries have many things in common. First of all, they have been living in isolation from the rest of the world, led by idiosyncratic leaders who impose regimentation on all aspects of citizens' lives. North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-il and General Than Shwe believe their countries are better off this way. Second, their economies are in tatters because of too much defence spending in the past. While the rest of their societies suffer from inadequate social services, including healthcare and education, these countries spend lavishly on the lifestyle of their leaders.

Burma broke off relations with North Korea in 1983 after deadly bomb blasts in Rangoon killed 14 visiting South Korean cabinet members and four Burmese officials. The then Korean president, Chen Tu-hwan, was unharmed. Since then, Burma has discreetly been trying to make up with North Korea. Secret exchanges of visits have been reported by diplomats for a long time. Both countries decided recently that the resumption of their diplomatic relations would facilitate further cooperation, especially in the field of defence.

It is an open secret that the Burmese junta wants to dramatically improve the country's defence capability to shore up nationalist sentiment and deterrence capability. But Burma's recent attention has zeroed in on nuclear technology, especially that related to fission. Although Burma had contacted Russia for training and knowledge related to this specific area, it is now looking to North Korea to supply what it needs to become a country with high potential to develop nuclear weapons. Burma could become the next Iran.

For years reports have circulated at the highest levels that Burma was trying to acquire knowledge and technology related to fission technology, which can lead to the production of nuclear bombs. Nobody believes that Burma has the capacity to build such weapons of mass destruction at the moment, but proper knowledge and training from countries that have constructed nuclear bombs could accelerate the process. In this case, North Korea would be the best teacher. Burma has dispatched hundreds of defence officials to receive training in nuclear technology for years as part of a deal to purchase Soviet jet fighters. A country does not have to be technologically advanced to become a nuclear power if it has the right resources to mobilise and acquire all the important components, as Iran and North Korea have shown.

Renewed Burmese-North Korean relations will further complicate regional security. For the first time, a member of Asean will have direct links with a rogue state that is willing to sell nuclear technology. Asean concluded a no-nuke pact in 1995, known as the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, which Burma has signed. Furthermore, given the existing rivalry with Thailand, a nuclear Burma would further complicate both bilateral relations and relations with Asean. Burma has been improving its land and air defence capability since 2000, during which time Thailand was ruled by a despotic leader who backed the junta in every way.

In the immediate future, the revival of Burmese-North Korean ties will affect the asylum seekers from North Korea in the Golden Triangle. At the moment, hundreds of North Koreans seeking asylum arrive at Thai border checkpoints along the borders with Burma and Laos. It is expected that more will flood into Thailand followed the burgeoning friendship between Rangoon and Pyongyang. For now, Thailand is too busy with its own domestic problems to pay any attention to this development. But soon it will have to address this issue.

With closer cooperation between Burma and North Korea, Thailand has to be more vigilant in its diplomacy. It is unfortunate that during the transitional period of the past few years, Thai foreign policy has failed to take a clear position towards these countries. From the viewpoint of Rangoon and Pyongyang, Bangkok is weak, unstable and lacking in negotiating power.