Min Aung Hlaing visits Thai PM in Bangkok; Malaysia says it will not put Myanmar refugee lives at risk

Min Aung Hlaing visits Thai Prime Minister in Bangkok A two-day “state” visit by Myanmar regime leader Min Aung Hlaing to the Thai capital Bangkok to meet Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul began today. This is Min Aung Hlaing’s second visit to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member state since he was inaugurated as Myanmar’s president by a pro-military parliament on April 10. “Thailand has advocated ​a calibrated re-engagement approach that keeps dialogue open and responds to realities on the ground while ‌encouraging ⁠concrete progress,” said Anutin, while speaking to reporters in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Aug. 4. Min Aung Hlaing joined Anutin at the Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum 2026 on Aug. 6 to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation. Malaysia says it will not put Myanmar refugee lives at risk The Malaysian government announced on Wednesday that it will not proceed with plans to repatriate an initial group of 5,000 refugees—primarily ethnic Rohingya—from Burma if authorities determine that their lives would be at risk or if they would face persecution upon return. Communications Minister and government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil delivered the statement during a weekly post-Cabinet press briefing, confirming that the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) and the Home Ministry are reviewing screening procedures and coordinating criteria with the regime in Naypyidaw before any transfers take place. Bangladesh proposes cross-border natural gas pipeline The government in Dhaka has formally proposed importing natural gas from Myanmar through a cross-border pipeline to Chattogram to revitalize bilateral energy cooperation and address mounting domestic energy shortages, Bangladesh media reported. The initiative was presented on Aug. 2 by Bangladesh Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood during a meeting with Myanmar’s regime Ambassador to Bangladesh, Kyaw Soe Moe, at the Secretariat in Dhaka. News by Region AYEYARWADY—Two flood-related deaths have now been confirmed as widespread flooding inundates more than 100 villages affecting an estimated 40,000 residents, residents of Lemyethna Township told DVB. Local relief groups confirmed on Aug. 5 that a volunteer drowned during a relief mission on Tuesday. MANDALAY—Residents of Amarapura Township’s Yindaw village tract appealed to the Pyitthu Hluttaw, or lower house of parliament, to reconsider the eviction order from the regime’s Mandalay Region Farmland Management Committee. Families living in 10,000 homes and buildings were ordered to leave by Aug. 14. Amarapura residents living on a total of 405 acres in Yindaw village tract stated that they have been living there for 20 years. Building demolition began on June 19. The Farmland Law, enacted in 2012, stipulates that farmland is to be used for agricultural purposes only and not for dwelling. YANGON—Workers at the Spring Moon Garment Manufacturing Co-Ltd in Yangon’s Hlaingtharyar Township Industrial Zone 4 told DVB that they are demanding another meeting with the factory owner on Aug. 10 to discuss a raise in wages and overtime pay.