Thailand’s foreign minister said he will meet his Myanmar counterpart in Bangkok on Wednesday in a bid to push forward dialogue and potentially play a “bridge” role between post-election Myanmar and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Reuters reported on Wednesday.
The meeting comes after Myanmar’s military-backed party claimed victory in elections held in limited parts of the country in January, a vote widely criticised by the United Nations and rights groups as lacking inclusivity and legitimacy. The election entrenched military power after the 2021 coup that toppled the last civilian government, and Myanmar has since been embroiled in nationwide conflict and widespread repression.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters that although Thailand had not formally accepted the election results, it recognised the reality that the vote had taken place and saw value in engaging with Myanmar’s new leadership to work toward peace. He said Bangkok wants to “help by being a bridge” to wider regional dialogue, but added that Myanmar must reciprocate efforts.
The talks are expected to cover the future of Thailand-Myanmar bilateral ties as well as Myanmar’s relations with ASEAN, whose members have struggled for years to devise a unified approach to the crisis. Thailand borders Myanmar and shares deep economic and social links including cross-border trade and security cooperation making stability in Yangon strategically important for Bangkok.
Myanmar’s conflict has raged since the military coup, which triggered widespread civil disobedience and an armed resistance movement. ASEAN’s efforts to date, including its Five-Point Consensus aimed at halting violence and promoting dialogue, have made limited progress amid continuing hostilities. Thailand’s latest engagement reflects a shift toward calibrated engagement with Myanmar’s post-election leadership while still emphasising peace and humanitarian concerns.
Thailand’s outreach follows pressure within ASEAN to find pathways toward peace and stability in Myanmar, as the bloc continues to balance its principles of non-interference with the urgent need to address the humanitarian and security fallout of years of conflict. Analysts say Bangkok’s efforts may signal a more pragmatic approach by Southeast Asian neighbours toward the crisis, even as ASEAN stops short of formally recognising the election or military leadership without progress on peace benchmarks.
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