Thailand has signalled support for Myanmar’s bid to normalise ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), as Bangkok seeks a leading role in re-engaging its neighbour after years of isolation. Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Myanmar must address Asean’s concerns before being fully reintegrated into the bloc. The move comes at a meeting with Myanmar’s new President Min Aung Hlaing on Wednesday 22 April.

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Myanmar has been sidelined from top-level Asean summits since a 2021 coup led by Min Aung Hlaing ended a decade of tentative democracy and triggered a civil war. The military takeover prompted Asean intervention and the exclusion of junta leaders from high-level meetings, although the country remains a member represented by lower-ranking officials. On April 3, Min Aung Hlaing, 69, was formally appointed president by parliament following an election dominated by an army-backed party with no viable opposition.

“We want to support their return to Asean. Our policy is to have steps in our interactions to bring them back,” Mr Sihasak said. “But certainly, for them to return to Asean, they must be able to proceed and respond to the concerns from Asean.”

The prolonged conflict in Myanmar has frustrated Asean, with several member states criticising the military leadership for failing to implement a peace plan that calls for a ceasefire and dialogue among all parties. Western nations have also withheld recognition of Myanmar’s new government, dismissing the recent election as lacking credibility and designed to entrench military control.

Mr Sihasak welcomed Myanmar’s recent amnesty for thousands of prisoners, including the release of former president Win Myint and a reduced sentence for Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. He said such actions should continue, particularly efforts to reduce violence and allow humanitarian assistance from Asean and international organisations.

In his inauguration address, Min Aung Hlaing said his priorities include peace, reconciliation and improving international relations, with a focus on restoring ties with Asean. He has invited opposition armed groups to begin dialogue by the end of July, although two key rebel groups rejected the offer on Tuesday 21 April.

Also at the meeting Thailand and Myanmar agreed to strengthen cooperation across a range of areas and to expand cooperation in border security, border trade, investment, energy security and development. They also pledged to step up joint efforts to address cross-border challenges such as narcotic drugs, online scams, transboundary haze and river pollution.

The Bangkokpost reported that Asean leaders are set to meet next month in the Philippines, where Myanmar’s status is expected to be discussed. The bloc has yet to formally recognise the new government, leaving its reintegration dependent on measurable progress towards peace and political dialogue.

Picture courtesy Of Bangkokpost

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 23 Apr 2026

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The release of some 4000 prisoners and president Win Myint was largely symbolic There are still north of 20 000 people in prisons, air strikes continue to rain bombs on communities and the junta's finances are still mostly funded by illegal harvesting and export of precious wood, the mining of jade and the scam centers, while Min Aung Hlaing and cronies buy luxury properties in Bangkok and Singapore. Free the Lady and jail the generals !