Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was one hour ago released from house arrest, free to go about her activities for the first time in 19 months since she was out under house arrest.

The event marks a significant, though preliminary, step forward in enhancing Myanmar's international stature and business credibility

Aung San Suu Kyi was put under house arrest for the first time in 1989 when the ruling junta called general elections which Aung San Suu Kyi's political party won. The junta however refused to hand over power, and changed the name of Burma to Myanmar ( a name they maintain is free from colonial influences). The junta has closed down universities and painted Aung San Suu Kyi as a Western lackey many times during those 12 years.

Aung San Suu Kyi continued to fight for democracy in Burma/Myanmar for all those years, gaining international publicity every time she appeared in public, re-arrested or detained under house arrest again.

The last few years has seen Malaysian and US negotiators broking a deal for her release, especially after Myanmar was admitted into ASEAN several years back.

The always tense political situation has held back Myanmar's development and doing business in Myanmar has always been risky. Thailand, as Myanmar's closest developed economy, follows a cautious diplomacy, but has always been set to act as Myanmar's regional business partner.

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