Myanmar, Thai coup leaders exchange words of support on 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties

By Admin 25 Aug 2023

DMG Newsroom
25 August 2023, Sittwe

Outgoing Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said that Thailand will support the Myanmar junta’s purported pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous democratic federal union.

Myanmar junta boss Min Aung Hlaing and Prayut exchanged messages on August 24 to mark 75 years of diplomatic ties.

“Thailand will strongly support the Myanmar junta’s goal of establishing a peaceful and prosperous democratic federal union with true good-neighbourliness,” Prayut said in the message.

Min Aung Hlaing also praised Thailand, saying the diplomatic ties between the two countries are a commitment to further enhance their existing friendly relations and closer cooperation between the two countries, and in the international arena.

Political analysts, however, say it is impossible for Myanmar’s military regime to establish a democratic federal union when fresh armed conflict is reported in the country on a daily basis as dozens of armed groups wage war against the junta.

Currently, “the establishment of a democratic federal union, which the junta is [purportedly] trying to do, is impossible,” said political analyst U Than Soe Naing. “The junta is currently facing a crisis and all ethnic armed organisations and the NUG and its armed wing people’s defence force (PDF) are taking the path of a federal democratic union. There is no way the junta will return to the path of democracy.”

While Min Aung Hlaing has been excluded from ASEAN meetings since the February 2021 putsch, the outgoing Thai leader has had no such qualms engaging Myanmar’s junta boss. Both men came to power in coups d’etat.

The 8th High-Level Committee Meeting between the Myanmar and Thai armed forces was held at the Jasmine Hotel in Arakan State’s Ngapali Beach, Thandwe Township, on January 19. A Thai delegation led by the Thai Chief of Defence Forces, Chalermphon Srisawasdi, met with the Myanmar side headed by Min Aung Hlaing during the meeting.