3 weeks ago
Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing visits Thailand seeking legitimacy, ASEAN ties
The leader of a country called Myanmar visited its neighbour Thailand.
His name is Min Aung Hlaing, and he was welcomed with a special red-carpet ceremony.
Myanmar has been having a big war inside the country since 2021, and many people have been hurt.
Min Aung Hlaing wants other countries to accept his leadership, so he has also visited China, India and Laos.
Thailand wants to help Myanmar make peace and is trying to bring it back into a group of Southeast Asian countries called ASEAN, which has complained that Myanmar is not doing enough.
During the visit, the two leaders promised to buy and sell more things between their countries.
However, some people and groups like Amnesty International are upset.
They say Thailand should not be celebrating with the Myanmar leader while his military is accused of hurting civilians.
Countries sometimes disagree about how to handle difficult leaders, and Thailand is trying to walk a careful line between being friendly and supporting a leader many others reject.
Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's junta chief turned president, received a red-carpet welcome in Bangkok for talks with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Thailand is pursuing 'calibrated re-engagement' with Myanmar, hoping for progress on the stalled ASEAN-led peace plan, while Myanmar's leaders remain barred from bloc summits.
Min Aung Hlaing pledged to pursue peace and improve ties with ASEAN, saying 'Myanmar is on the path of democracy and heading towards a better future.'
At a Thailand-Myanmar business summit, the leaders pledged to boost bilateral trade to $12 billion annually; Thailand is Myanmar's fifth-largest investor.
Critics and Amnesty International accused Thailand of ignoring Myanmar's devastation, where an estimated 100,000 people have been killed in a civil war and attacks on civilians have escalated.
- Who
- Myanmar's President and former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
- What
- An official visit including bilateral talks and a Thailand-Myanmar business summit, with pledges on peace, ASEAN ties and trade
- Where
- Bangkok, Thailand
- When
- Thursday, August 6
- Why
- To seek international legitimacy for Min Aung Hlaing and advance Thailand's 'calibrated re-engagement' and the stalled ASEAN-led peace plan for Myanmar
Critics' perspective
Governments' perspective
Thailand hosting Min Aung Hlaing
Critics' perspective
Activists accuse Thailand of ignoring the devastation in Myanmar and entertaining the junta leader without a commitment to end hostilities; Amnesty International says Thailand must uphold the rule of law and human rights and call on the military to cease attacks on civilians.
Governments' perspective
Thailand's 'calibrated re-engagement' could strengthen its influence within ASEAN as a bridge to Myanmar's leadership, and Bangkok wants to facilitate dialogue through ASEAN's initiative to bring Myanmar back to the bloc.
Myanmar's path to normalization
Critics' perspective
ASEAN remains dissatisfied with Myanmar's lack of progress on the peace plan, which Naypyitaw has largely ignored; envoy Maria Theresa Lazaro says normalisation of ties is 'still far off,' and rights groups accuse the military of atrocities, including aerial bombings of civilians.
Governments' perspective
Min Aung Hlaing says 'Myanmar is on the path of democracy and heading towards a better future,' pledged to pursue peace and foster better relations with ASEAN, and promoted Myanmar as open for business, including the Dawei industrial zone.
Key facts
- Myanmar leader
- Min Aung Hlaing
- Thai prime minister
- Anutin Charnvirakul
- Bilateral trade target
- $12 billion annually
- Estimated war deaths
- About 100,000
- Thailand's investment rank in Myanmar
- Fifth-largest investor
- ASEAN membership
- 11-member bloc
- ASEAN stance
- Barred Myanmar leaders from summits; did not endorse Myanmar's election
- Visit date
- Thursday, August 6
Quotes
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
“"We stressed to Myanmar’s president that we want to bring Myanmar back to ASEAN."”
theprint.in
“"Myanmar is on the path of democracy and heading towards a better future."”
theprint.in
Sources
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