Myanmar junta looks to strengthen relations with Thai army, political analysts say

20 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
20 January 2023, Thandwe

Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing’s meeting with Thailand’s Chief of Defence Forces reflects an effort by the Myanmar military regime to strengthen bilateral relations, Myanmar political analysts say.

The 8th High-Level Committee Meeting between the Myanmar and Thai armed forces was held at the Jasmine Hotel in Ngapali Beach, Thandwe Township, Arakan State, 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.

Arakanese politician U Pe Than said of the meeting: “Thailand is the only ASEAN country that does not strongly oppose Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Therefore, as one of the closest neighbouring countries of Myanmar, Thailand is a very reliable country for the regime, and in terms of military, it is also a good country. As the military regime has issues that need to be resolved with the help of Thailand, I think that the military council has invited the Chief of the Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces for the meeting.”

Political analysts also speculated that the meeting could be used to attempt to reach an understanding on border issues, as Myanmar military airstrikes in areas controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU) along the countries’ shared border have led to some munitions landing on the Thai side of the border.

“The Myanmar military carries out some military operations by using the border of Thailand to attack the anti-regime forces. That is why junta chief Min Aung Hlaing met with the Thai military chief, in order to get an understanding in advance about these things,” said political analyst U Than Soe Naing.

The meeting between the Myanmar military chief and the top leaders of the Thai armed forces in Thandwe likely would not be possible were it not for an informal ceasefire reached between the military and Arakan Army on November 26, he added.

DMG attempted to contact regime spokesman Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun for comment, but he could not be reached.

“The high-level committee meeting focused on friendly ties between two armed forces of two countries, peace and stability for peoples of border areas in both countries, prevention of natural disasters, drug eradication and preventive measures with positive attitudes,” the military-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Saturday.

Min Aung Hlaing also visited naval demonstration exercises and the implementation of naval construction works near Thandwe this week.

After months of fighting that began in earnest in August, the Arakan Army observed an informal ceasefire with the Myanmar military in late November on humanitarian grounds. Since November, the two sides have exchanged prisoners of war twice.