Thailand Offers Support for Myanmar's Reintegration into ASEAN
Thailand's foreign minister expresses willingness to facilitate Myanmar's return to ASEAN after a five-year absence, pending satisfactory progress on peace initiatives.
Bangkok, Thailand – Thai officials have expressed their intent to support Myanmar in reestablishing its ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following a period of exclusion due to political instability.
The decision comes as new President Min Aung Hlaing seeks to normalize relations with ASEAN after a 2021 military coup that disrupted Myanmar's democratic processes and prompted regional tensions.
The coup, led by Min Aung Hlaing, the former military chief who was recently inaugurated as president, has been a source of contention within ASEAN.
The organization has long called for peace and dialogue in Myanmar but has seen little concrete progress from the ruling junta.
As such, Myanmar's participation in ASEAN activities has been limited to lower-level meetings.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that Thailand aims to play a pivotal role in Myanmar’s reintegration into ASEAN, though this will depend on Myanmar's ability to address ASEAN's concerns regarding peace and political stability.
"Our policy is to have steps in our interactions to bring them back," he said.
The crisis in Myanmar has been a persistent challenge for ASEAN, with some members expressing discontent over the junta's response to ASEAN's demands for a comprehensive peace plan that includes ceasefires and dialogue between conflicting parties.
Despite this, ASEAN has yet to formally recognize Myanmar’s new military-backed government.
A summit is scheduled to take place next month in the Philippines.
Recent developments have included an amnesty for thousands of prisoners in Myanmar, including former President Win Myint and a reduction in sentence for Aung San Suu Kyi, though these actions have been seen as insufficient by many international observers.
The Thai foreign minister expressed hope that such actions will continue and lead to reduced violence and increased access for humanitarian aid.
President Min Aung Hlaing has emphasized peace and reconciliation as priorities and aims to normalize relations with ASEAN.
In a recent address, he called for dialogue with opposition armed groups; however, two key rebel groups have rejected his offer.
The decision comes as new President Min Aung Hlaing seeks to normalize relations with ASEAN after a 2021 military coup that disrupted Myanmar's democratic processes and prompted regional tensions.
The coup, led by Min Aung Hlaing, the former military chief who was recently inaugurated as president, has been a source of contention within ASEAN.
The organization has long called for peace and dialogue in Myanmar but has seen little concrete progress from the ruling junta.
As such, Myanmar's participation in ASEAN activities has been limited to lower-level meetings.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that Thailand aims to play a pivotal role in Myanmar’s reintegration into ASEAN, though this will depend on Myanmar's ability to address ASEAN's concerns regarding peace and political stability.
"Our policy is to have steps in our interactions to bring them back," he said.
The crisis in Myanmar has been a persistent challenge for ASEAN, with some members expressing discontent over the junta's response to ASEAN's demands for a comprehensive peace plan that includes ceasefires and dialogue between conflicting parties.
Despite this, ASEAN has yet to formally recognize Myanmar’s new military-backed government.
A summit is scheduled to take place next month in the Philippines.
Recent developments have included an amnesty for thousands of prisoners in Myanmar, including former President Win Myint and a reduction in sentence for Aung San Suu Kyi, though these actions have been seen as insufficient by many international observers.
The Thai foreign minister expressed hope that such actions will continue and lead to reduced violence and increased access for humanitarian aid.
President Min Aung Hlaing has emphasized peace and reconciliation as priorities and aims to normalize relations with ASEAN.
In a recent address, he called for dialogue with opposition armed groups; however, two key rebel groups have rejected his offer.
