Myanmar nationals in Thailand criticize Thailand’s welcome to Myanmar junta leader

Myanmar activists, students and migrant workers living in Thailand have urged the Thai government not to lend political legitimacy to Min Aung Hlaing, saying the junta leader has failed to bring peace to Myanmar and is himself responsible for many of the problems affecting both countries, according to Transborder News in a press release 6 August. Their comments came ahead of Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Thailand – set for 6 and 7 August – amid widespread criticism of his role as leader of the 2021 military coup and the continuing human rights crisis in Myanmar. Many Myanmar nationals have been displaced internally or forced to seek refuge and employment abroad. Brang Min, a Myanmar activist, said Thailand should not officially welcome a military leader whose actions had contributed to instability, civil war and widespread violence, according to the press release. He said the consequences were not confined to Myanmar, but had also affected Thailand through refugee movements, migrant labour issues, organised crime and transboundary environmental pollution. “Thailand should seek a comprehensive understanding of Myanmar’s problems,” he said. “Although the two countries share interests in areas such as migrant labour and transboundary pollution in the Kok River, Min Aung Hlaing is not capable of resolving these issues. In fact, he has helped create the problems in Myanmar, and their effects have spread into Thailand.” Mr Brang Min said the Thai government should engage with all relevant parties in Myanmar rather than dealing exclusively with the junta leader. “Speaking only with Min Aung Hlaing will not provide a sustainable solution for either Myanmar or Thailand,” he said. Asked whether he retained hope for Myanmar’s future, Mr Brang Min said he believed the country would eventually regain stability, genuine freedom and free elections, although he did not know when that would happen, according to the media report.