Thailand Hosts Myanmar Military Chief After Min Aung Hlaing Visit

Thailand Hosts Myanmar Military Chief After Min Aung Hlaing Visit

BANGKOK, Aug. 21, 2026 (AFP) — Thailand’s top military commander welcomed Myanmar’s military chief to Bangkok on Thursday for talks, marking the latter’s first foreign trip since taking office as the two neighbours move to restore ties following Myanmar’s 2021 military coup.

Thai military chief Ukris Boontanondha greeted Myanmar’s military leader Ye Win Oo at a Bangkok hotel before their talks, which were expected to focus on security along the two countries’ 2,400-kilometre border.

Myanmar’s military seized power from the elected government in February 2021, detaining democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and triggering a civil war that has killed an estimated 100,000 people and displaced millions.

The junta faced widespread international isolation after the coup but has sought to rebuild diplomatic ties following elections held around the beginning of 2026. Critics have dismissed the polls as an attempt to rebrand military rule, pointing to the exclusion of Suu Kyi and her party and restrictions on political dissent.

Myanmar’s former military chief Min Aung Hlaing, who led the 2021 coup, subsequently became civilian president and handed military leadership to Ye Win Oo, a close ally and former intelligence chief.

Ye Win Oo remains under sanctions imposed by countries including the United States over his role in the military takeover.

Thailand has been among Myanmar’s neighbours seeking greater engagement since the elections, citing practical concerns including border security and instability.

Earlier this month, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul gave Min Aung Hlaing a red-carpet welcome in Bangkok. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow defended the engagement, saying it was based on “reality” rather than recognition of legitimacy.

The approach has drawn criticism from Myanmar democracy advocates, who accuse Bangkok of lending credibility to the military leadership.

The United Nations’ Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar said last week that Myanmar’s military had intensified air attacks against civilian targets. Its latest report also documented alleged arbitrary detention, torture and sexual violence.

Myanmar’s government rejected the findings as one-sided allegations based on information it described as unverifiable and inaccurate.