The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has restarted talks with the military regime in Rangoon aimed at heading off an explosive refugee problem in Thailand.
The commission recognises that as fighting, forced labour and poverty in Burma continue to drive people across the border, pressures are building up in Thailand to eject the estimated one million Burmese who 'steal' Thai jobs.
Previous attempts by the UNHCR to talk to the generals in Rangoon have got nowhere. But its regional representative, Amelia Bonafacio, said that after last month's reshuffle the junta appeared more receptive.
Commission officials say the Burmese Government urgently needs to recognise the refugees' fears because it is increasingly clear the Thais are determined to reduce their numbers.
Burma's Foreign Minister, Ohn Gyaw, promised his Thai counterpart, Surin Pitsuwan, on Tuesday that Burma would accept returnees. The regime has previously denied the people in question are Burmese.
Mr Surin said there had been 'some positive developments; a better atmosphere' in Burma.
But human rights workers say many of the Burmese in Thailand still have justified fears for not wanting to return.