Thai PM urges 'calibrated re-engagement' with Myanmar ahead of meeting with Min Aung Hlaing

Key facts

• Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul advocated for a "calibrated re-engagement" with Myanmar.
• The approach aims to keep dialogue open and respond to realities on the ground.
• ASEAN's "Five-Point Consensus" remains the bloc's guiding framework for managing the strife in Myanmar.
• Anutin cited Aung San Suu Kyi's meeting with the ICRC as a positive step.
• Anutin is scheduled to meet with Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing this week.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has called for a "calibrated re-engagement" with Myanmar, ahead of a scheduled meeting with Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing. Speaking in Jakarta, Anutin emphasized that ASEAN's "Five-Point Consensus" on peace remains the bloc's guiding framework.

Anutin stated that Thailand has consistently advocated for an approach that maintains open dialogue and acknowledges on-the-ground realities, encouraging concrete progress. He noted that Aung San Suu Kyi's recent meeting with a representative from the International Committee of the Red Cross, during which she appeared to be in good health, indicated the approach was moving in the right direction.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military, led by Min Aung Hlaing, ousted the elected government in February 2021. This led to protests and a protracted civil war, resulting in approximately 100,000 deaths and millions displaced. In response, ASEAN has barred top Myanmar officials from high-level political summits.

Anutin is slated to meet Min Aung Hlaing in Thailand on August 6 and 7. He also stressed that ASEAN's principles of non-interference must be applied with flexibility and pragmatism to preserve unity. Analysts, however, have warned that ASEAN's re-engagement with Myanmar risks legitimizing the military-led government. Philippine foreign minister Maria Theresa Lazaro indicated that Myanmar's participation in ASEAN meetings is still considered distant.