Thailand to press for broader international engagement with Myanmar junta

BANGKOK - Thailand will advocate more international engagement with Myanmar at an upcoming South-east Asian leader summit next week, its Foreign Minister said, in a push for international cooperation to broaden a diplomatic effort to end a protracted civil war. 

Myanmar has been in the throes of an expanding conflict since

its military ousted an elected civilian-led government in 2021

, with fighting between the junta and a network of rebel forces displacing more than 3.5 million people and decimating what was once a promising frontier market economy. 

A 2021 peace plan created by Asean had until recently made barely any progress, but its chairman, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has made a renewed push for dialogue, including separate talks with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and the rival National Unity Government.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa in an interview backed Datuk Seri Anwar’s efforts, which focused initially on trying to secure a ceasefire extension to facilitate humanitarian assistance following a

devastating March earthquake

that killed more than 3,800 people.

“A ceasefire is an important first step, but it cannot be one-sided,” Mr Maris told Reuters.

“We need to be able to bring various issues to the table for constructive dialogue and do so without putting pressure on things.” 

But since

Mr Anwar’s talks in April

, the military has continued its campaign against rebels, including in areas where the quake struck, with multiple air strikes and artillery assaults, as reported by Reuters.  

Mr Maris said clear steps on the peace initiative needed to be mapped out at meetings in Kuala Lumpur starting this weekend. 

Change negative thinking

Myanmar’s civil war has also exacerbated transnational crime, including the

proliferation of scam compounds

that the United Nations says have ensnared hundreds of thousands of people in illegal online operations that generate billions of dollars annually. 

Mr Maris said broad international cooperation in tackling that would help the peace initiative since it would bring all major groups to the table, including ethnic minority armies. 

“If there is no resolution to the conflict in Myanmar, then transnational crime could not be addressed – the two issues are linked,” he added. 

Myanmar’s generals have been hit by sanctions and ostracised by Western powers over the coup and allegations of systematic atrocities against the civilian population, which they deny. The junta’s international engagement has been limited to Russia and its neighbours, including China. 

Mr Maris said Thailand would provide more long-term assistance to Myanmar, including in education and healthcare, while using international platforms to promote engagement with the country. 

“We are looking at this not only in helping to address short-term needs but also long term,” he said, adding that engagement would help foster dialogue that could lead to peace.

“We want to change negative thinking that is not productive.” REUTERS