Myanmar’s president, Gen Min Aung Hlaing, is set to make an official visit to Thailand in early August, according to ASEAN sources. It will be his second trip to a member state since taking office in April, following a visit to Laos earlier this month. The former junta chief assumed the presidency after elections held between December and January, leading a military‑backed government. His upcoming trip to Bangkok is seen as significant, given Thailand’s role in encouraging Myanmar to re‑engage with ASEAN after years of exclusion from high‑level summits. ASEAN barred Min Aung Hlaing from its annual summit in October 2021, citing a lack of progress on the bloc’s five‑point consensus, which called for an immediate halt to violence and dialogue among all parties. The consensus remains largely unimplemented, and regional leaders continue to press Myanmar for concrete action. On Sunday, ASEAN foreign ministers met informally in Bangkok, with Myanmar represented by Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow urged Myanmar to take visible steps towards fulfilling the consensus. He also held bilateral talks with Tin Maung Swe, reaffirming close ties between the two neighbours and discussing border security, trade and Myanmar’s internal situation. Min Aung Hlaing last visited Thailand in April 2025 to attend a Bay of Bengal Initiative summit in Bangkok. His return next month will be closely watched, as it comes amid renewed calls for Myanmar to demonstrate progress on political reconciliation and regional cooperation. The detailed schedule of the visit has not yet been released, but observers expect it to feature high‑level talks with Thai leaders and discussions on ASEAN’s future engagement with Myanmar. -2026-07-15
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