NAY PYI TAW — Myanmar's ex-junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is expected in Thailand on Thursday, making his first trip there since becoming civilian leader as he seeks a return to the diplomatic fold for his pariah state.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says Thailand is pushing a "calibrated re-engagement" with Myanmar that keeps dialogue open while demanding concrete progress, as Myanmar's ex-junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is expected in Bangkok on Thursday, making his first trip there since becoming civilian leader as he seeks a return to the diplomatic fold for his pariah state.
"Thailand has advocated a calibrated re-engagement approach that keeps dialogue open and responds to realities on the ground while encouraging concrete progress," Mr Anutin said in a policy speech, adding that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (Asean) Myanmar peace initiative — the Five-Point Consensus, which calls for a cessation of violence and delivery of humanitarian aid — remains the bloc's guiding framework.
Mr Anutin noted recent signs were "moving in the right direction" after Aung San Suu Kyi met a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross and "appears to be in good health," calling that outcome consistent with what Thailand has long advocated.
Suu Kyi, who remains under house arrest, was allowed to meet a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday, her first publicised meeting with a foreign official since her ouster.
Independent Myanmar analyst David Mathieson told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that Myanmar's campaign for re-entry into Asean was a matter of "pure status" for Min Aung Hlaing.
The Thai prime minister is scheduled to meet Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday and Friday.
Analysts warned, however, that re-engagement risks lending legitimacy to Myanmar's military-led government.
Asean has barred Myanmar's top officials from high-level political summits since the February 2021 coup, and Philippine foreign minister Maria Theresa Lazaro said last month that Myanmar's full participation in Asean meetings was "still far off."
The Thai prime minister stressed that Asean's principle of non-interference remains fundamental but "must be applied to the flexibility and pragmatism needed to preserve unity."
Myanmar was plunged into turmoil in February 2021 when the military, led by Min Aung Hlaing, ousted the elected government of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking protests that expanded into a protracted civil war, killing an estimated 100,000 people and displacing millions.
Min Aung Hlaing was installed as president after staged elections widely condemned as a sham and has since made diplomatic trips to India, China and Asean neighbours as he seeks to restore his country's standing.
Neighbouring Thailand has led efforts to normalise ties both bilaterally and through Asean, citing cross-border security concerns including refugees, cyber-scam networks and drug trafficking.
'Legitimacy'
Thailand's Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters on Monday that Thailand believed Myanmar, as well as Cambodia, could "do a lot more" to combat scam networks, and the issue would be raised during Min Aung Hlaing's visit.
In a statement he also welcomed Suu Kyi's Red Cross meeting, hoping that authorities "will undertake further positive steps towards lasting peace and stability in Myanmar".
The Myanmar's junta leader is to be welcomed by an honour guard at Bangkok's Government House, meet one-on-one with Mr Anutin, attend a business forum and a state dinner and sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on labour cooperation, Thai officials said.
Critics say Bangkok should not be rolling out the red carpet for Min Aung Hlaing, who has been sanctioned by several Western nations and is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.
Campaign group Justice for Myanmar slammed Thailand for its diplomatic overtures, saying in a statement: "Min Aung Hlaing must be held accountable for his crimes, not awarded false legitimacy."
