Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing in Thailand on legitimacy quest as Bangkok backs engagement

(Reuters)

BANGKOK, Aug 6 – Myanmar’s junta chief turned President Min Aung Hlaing received a red-carpet treatment on ‌a visit to Thailand on Thursday, part of efforts by Bangkok to push for re-engagement between its war-torn neighbour and the regional bloc ASEAN.

The retired general, who seized power in a 2021 coup, is the subject of a raft of Western sanctions and has sought international legitimacy since becoming Myanmar’s president in April, which followed an election dominated by an army-backed party in ​the absence of any viable opposition.

At an arrival ceremony in Bangkok, a military band played national anthems before Min Aung Hlaing, dressed in a ​dark business suit, walked a red carpet with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to inspect an honour guard.

With a civil war ⁠raging in Myanmar following the 2021 coup, Thailand is pursuing “calibrated re-engagement” hoping that its neighbour will implement a stalled peace initiative led by the Association ​of Southeast Asian Nations, which has barred Myanmar’s leaders from its summits.

At a bilateral meeting on Thursday, Min Aung Hlaing pledged to pursue peace and economic growth ​and improve ties with ASEAN.