Myanmar junta chief draws online criticism after Bangkok visit

Images of Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing’s red-carpet welcome in Bangkok dominated online discussion this week, as his two-day visit to Thailand on 6-7 August drew sharp criticism from social media users questioning whether the reception helps him gain political legitimacy. Min Aung Hlaing, who led Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, was sworn in as president in April. Thailand, pursuing what it calls “calibrated re-engagement,” welcomed him with an honour guard at Government House and hosted him at a business forum with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. On Facebook, some Myanmar users mocked the visit, with one saying the photos were meant to send the message “See? I’m normal,” while another wrote “Everything is so rigged.” Posts questioned whether Thailand’s practical gains, such as cooperation on migrant labour, were worth handing Min Aung Hlaing valuable images of international acceptance. Discussion also revived doubts over ASEAN’s five-point peace plan. During the welcome ceremony at parliament, an opposition Thai MP was removed after chanting for peace. Separately, migrant worker groups and Thai citizens protested outside the UN office in Bangkok, and Thai civil society organisations issued a joint statement opposing the visit. Myanmar’s military-backed government has been barred from ASEAN’s top meetings since 2021 over stalled progress on the peace plan, making Bangkok’s formal welcome a rare exception for a leader still shunned by much of the world.