Thailand backs greater ASEAN role for Myanmar junta as Min Aung Hlaing visits Bangkok

The two countries agree to push for greater economic cooperation, as critics blast the visit for legitimising and enriching the regime. . . Thailand has backed a greater role for Myanmar’s military junta in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the junta’s chief, Min Aung Hlaing, visited Bangkok. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha met with Min Aung Hlaing and discussed strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. Thailand believes that Myanmar’s military regime should play a larger role in ASEAN’s decision-making processes, he said. However, the visit has drawn criticism from human rights groups and activists who argue that it legitimises and enriches the military regime. They claim that by strengthening ties with the junta, the Thai government is undermining the struggle for democracy by the people of Myanmar. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military staged a coup in February 2021, overthrowing the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The military has since violently suppressed protests and killed numerous civilians, leading many countries to impose sanctions on Myanmar.