BANGKOK – Thailand will advocate for stronger international engagement with Myanmar during the upcoming Southeast Asian leaders’ summit, in a renewed effort to support diplomatic solutions for the country’s escalating civil war, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said.
Myanmar has been embroiled in a growing internal conflict since its military overthrew an elected civilian government in 2021. The conflict has displaced over 3.5 million people and devastated the country’s economy. A peace plan initiated by ASEAN in 2021 has seen limited progress until recently, with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, ASEAN’s current chair, reinvigorating talks by engaging separately with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and the opposition National Unity Government.
Mr Maris expressed support for Mr Anwar’s push to establish a ceasefire to allow humanitarian access, especially after a powerful earthquake in March claimed over 3,800 lives. However, he stressed that any ceasefire must be mutual and inclusive. “A ceasefire is an important first step, but it cannot be one-sided,” he said in an interview with Reuters. “We need to bring various issues to the table for constructive dialogue and do so without putting pressure on things.”
Despite recent diplomatic efforts, Myanmar’s military has continued offensives against rebel groups, including in quake-affected areas, conducting air strikes and artillery attacks. Mr Maris emphasized the need for a clear roadmap for peace, to be discussed during meetings in Kuala Lumpur this weekend.
The civil war has also contributed to a surge in transnational crime, particularly the rise of scam compounds that the UN says have trapped hundreds of thousands in illegal online schemes generating billions of dollars annually. Mr Maris noted that resolving Myanmar’s conflict is essential to curbing such crimes, as it would help bring various armed and ethnic groups to the negotiating table.
Myanmar’s military leaders remain isolated by the West, facing sanctions and accusations of widespread human rights abuses, which they deny. Their international ties have been limited primarily to Russia, China, and neighboring countries.
Thailand, meanwhile, plans to expand long-term assistance to Myanmar in areas such as education and healthcare, and will use international forums to encourage dialogue. “We are looking at this not only in helping to address short-term needs but also long term,” Mr Maris said. “Engagement will help foster dialogue that could lead to peace. We want to change negative thinking that is not productive.”