Thai foreign minister to visit Myanmar ahead of Asean summit

Thailand's foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow plans to visit Myanmar on November 12, days before a regional summit. Sihasak's trip aims to hear Myanmar's latest position on the matter, as Thailand seeks to normalise ties with the war-torn country. The visit comes amid heightened tensions along their shared border, where recent clashes between Myanmar's military and ethnic rebels resulted in property damage and an injury to a Thai civilian.

Sihasak announced his visit late Tuesday, just before the Asean summit in Manila from November 16-18. Myanmar's leaders have not been invited to Asean's high-level meetings since a 2021 military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to a civil war. Sihasak emphasized the importance of de-escalation by all parties to foster a conducive environment for dialogue and the peace process.

If progress is made, it will be a positive factor for Asean to consider when deciding on Myanmar's participation in the summit, including its potential attendance. Sihasak will meet Myanmar's foreign minister Tin Maung Swe on November 12. A meeting with Myanmar's deposed military leader Min Aung Hlaing was also in the works. In July, Bangkok hosted a meeting between Tin Maung Swe and Asean foreign ministers, the first such gathering since the 2021 coup.

A month later, Min Aung Hlaing met with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and military chiefs from both nations held talks two weeks after. Min Aung Hlaing, who assumed the civilian presidency in April following elections deemed a sham by observers, has received a red-carpet welcome across the region, including in India, China, and Asean nations.

Myanmar is anticipated to send a senior civil servant to the Manila summit. In response to recent cross-border fire, Thailand has escalated security on its western frontier. Myanmar's military claims last week's incident involved "terrorist insurgents," referring to ethnic-minority armed groups and pro-democracy forces, according to a statement in state media.