Protest banner against military leader's Thailand trip hung in front of Myanmar embassy

Photo – A protest banner was displayed near the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok on the morning of August 7, 2026, in protest against the visit of coup leader Min Aung Hlaing to Thailand. (Yangon People's Boycott) Maung Khet Nue (August 7) Mizzima. – A protest banner was displayed near the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok in opposition to the visit of coup leader Min Aung Hlaing to Thailand, Mizzima learned from the Yangon People's Boycott. A banner with the words "Myanmar is bleeding. No handshakes with a brutal dictator" was hung on a pedestrian bridge near the Saint Louis BTS station in Bangkok, despite tight security. This activity was jointly carried out by the Yangon People's Boycott and the Burmese Exile Movement (BEM). This demonstration is a strong warning and demand to the Thai government not to recognize, legitimize, or engage with the military leader who is committing atrocities against the people of Myanmar in the international diplomatic arena. In addition to this demonstration, the Yangon People's Boycott, the Sanchaung Main Boycott, and the Yangon Forces Against Military Dictatorship have jointly issued and demanded a five-point statement regarding the military leader's visit. These demands include not legitimizing the military junta's sham elections, urging ASEAN to pressure for an end to aerial bombings, and severing ties with the military that protects illicit businesses, including online scam gangs (Jang Pao) at the border. Furthermore, it demands that only the voices of the National Unity Government (NUG) and Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) be recognized for the federal democracy desired by the people of Myanmar, and that there be no oppression of Myanmar refugees and migrant workers in Thailand. During the two-day visit of the military leader, who came at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, protests by Myanmar and Thai civil society organizations took place consecutively in front of the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) of the Thai government and the United Nations (UN) office in Bangkok. Yesterday (August 6), Myanmar workers led by the Bright Future group protested in front of the UN office with slogans such as "Down with Min Aung Hlaing" and "Return the people's power to the people." Pienporn Deetes, a prominent Thai environmental activist, also joined the protest and strongly condemned the military leader's visit, pointing out that mining activities on the Myanmar side have polluted rivers including the Mekong and Salween, causing negative impacts on the Thai people. Similarly, in front of the OPDC office, Thai civil society organizations staged a symbolic protest, wearing masks of the military leader and the Thai Prime Minister, and sharing a blood-stained cake, to highlight the disregard for human rights violations and the sharing of profits. Thai police have prohibited protests in front of the Myanmar Embassy and only allow them in a limited capacity in front of the UN office. Editor – Thant Zaw (Thanlyin)