Thais-based Myanmar people demand Min Aung Hlaing not be given political legitimacy

(August 6) MAJIMA. The Myanmar activists, students, and migrant workers residing in Thailand have criticized Min Aung Hlaing's visit to Thailand and demanded that the Thai government not grant him political legitimacy. Myanmar nationals have stated that Min Aung Hlaing has not only failed to achieve peace in Myanmar but is also one of the main causes of the current problems. These demands emerged before the visit of Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the 2021 military coup, to Thailand, and occurred while the human rights crisis in Myanmar continues. Myanmar activist Brang Min said that the Thai government should not officially welcome someone who has caused instability, civil war, and violence in Myanmar. He said that Myanmar's problems are not limited to Myanmar but also affect Thailand in the form of refugee flows, migrant worker issues, online fraud networks, and cross-border environmental problems. "Thailand needs to understand Myanmar's problems more broadly. Min Aung Hlaing is not someone who can solve these problems, but rather someone who has created some of them," he said. Urging to discuss Myanmar issues with all groups Brang Min urged the Thai government to engage and consult with all relevant organizations in Myanmar, not just with Min Aung Hlaing alone. "Consulting with Min Aung Hlaing alone will not lead to a long-term solution for both Myanmar and Thailand," he said. Sam Kham (pseudonym), a migrant worker from Shan State in Thailand, also said that discussions between the Thai and Myanmar military leaders directly affect the lives of Myanmar workers in Thailand. He said that due to the conflicts occurring in Myanmar, workers are facing difficulties in returning to their hometowns, obtaining documents, working legally, and ensuring the safety of their families in Myanmar. "The Thai government should listen not only to the military junta group that is masquerading as civilian rule, but also to the voices of the Myanmar people," Sam Kham said. Demanding support for democracy and the right to education San San (pseudonym), a Myanmar student studying in Thailand, also urged the Thai government to show its support for democracy and to condemn the violence of the Myanmar military. Furthermore, she requested Thailand's assistance for Myanmar youth who have been displaced by the conflict to continue their education. At the same time, the Bright Future Network, mainly composed of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, has announced that it will hold a symbolic protest against Min Aung Hlaing's visit to Thailand in front of the United Nations office in Bangkok on August 6. Surat Kiri, the founder of the organization, said that while he understands the need for dialogue as Thailand and Myanmar share a long border, he criticized that under Min Aung Hlaing's leadership, problems such as drug production in Shan State and online fraud camps in Karen State have worsened. Min Aung Hlaing's visit to Thailand has sparked debates on political legitimacy, in addition to economic and border cooperation between the two governments. Although the Thai government has chosen to keep communication channels open with Myanmar, Myanmar communities in Thailand are urging that such relations must take into account the voices of the Myanmar people and other relevant groups.