Military council says only one MP protested against military leader's Thailand trip despite many objectors

The military council's spokesperson, Dr. Khine Khine Soe, told the media that although Thai civil society groups, MPs, and student groups protested against the trip of military council leader Min Aung Hlaing to Thailand, only one MP protested. Dr. Khine Khine Soe made the remarks to the media at the airport upon the military leader's return from his Thailand trip. "We will meet, and there are many groups waiting for us there. The protester is only one person. We consider this as if many people are warmly welcoming him, and those who do not like it are expressing their wishes," said Dr. Khine Khine Soe. She said that she was unaware of the incident that occurred during the meeting with the Speaker of the Thai National Assembly and only learned about it when the news spread on social media. An MP from the People's Party protested the military leader's trip by shouting "For Peace, For Humanity." Yesterday, Myanmar nationals in Australia also protested in front of the Thai embassy against the military leader's trip, and student unions and 19 student organizations from three Thai universities jointly issued a statement of objection. The student groups pointed out that the 2021 coup has led to violence, loss of education for young people, and regional humanitarian crises, and urged the Myanmar military council not to take any actions that would legitimize it. Thai civil society groups also criticized the Thai government's policy of building relations with Min Aung Hlaing as unethical and a disregard for the suffering of the Myanmar people. Amnesty International Thailand also urged that issues of human rights, civilian safety, and accountability be prioritized during Min Aung Hlaing's visit to Thailand. Furthermore, it was reported that the Yangon People's Strike Group held a protest by hanging banners opposing Min Aung Hlaing's trip to Thailand near the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok. Sixteen civil society organizations in Thailand issued a joint statement calling on the Thai government not to grant political legitimacy to the military council. Myanmar migrant workers, students, and activists also gathered and protested in front of the UN office in Bangkok. Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Rights Defenders Association (AHRLA), also warned that the Thai government should be careful not to let its actions legitimize Min Aung Hlaing politically. Editor: Aung Kyaw Phyo