Thai PM Urges Re-Engagement with Myanmar Based on Situation Before Meeting Min Aung Hlaing

Thai PM Urges Re-Engagement with Myanmar Based on Situation Before Meeting Min Aung Hlaing

August 4

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is scheduled to meet with Min Aung Hlaing on August 6 and 7, has urged ASEAN to resume engagement with Myanmar based on the situation on the ground.

Anutin made these remarks following a meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn at the ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Anutin also met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on August 3.

The Thai Prime Minister stated that ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, which includes the cessation of violence and the provision of humanitarian assistance, remains the key guiding framework for resolving the Myanmar issue.

Anutin said Thailand has always supported the policy of "re-engagement in a systematic manner based on the situation," keeping the door open for open dialogue and encouraging concrete progress in response to the realities on the ground.

Furthermore, Anutin added that since Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who met with an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representative on August 3, is believed to be in good health, Thailand's approach is on the right track.

However, there are criticisms that ASEAN's re-engagement with Myanmar at this time could amount to political recognition of the military-led government. Last month, Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro also stated that it is still far off for Myanmar to be allowed to rejoin ASEAN meetings.

Ref & Photo; Reuters

MyoTaw News Channel