ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet with regime ‘counterpart’; Over 300 Myanmar women killed by military

East Timor's Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Vietnam's Le Hoai Trung, Malaysia's Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Thailand's Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Philippines' Theresa Lazaro, Singapore's Vivian Balakrishnan, Brunei's Erywan Yusof, Indonesia's Sugiono, Laos' Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Myanmar's regime Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe at an informal meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 12. (Credit: Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet with regime ‘counterpart’

Foreign ministers from the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met with regime Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe at an “informal” gathering in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sunday. Billed as a meeting with their ASEAN “counterpart” from Burma, foreign ministers from the 10 other ASEAN member countries decided to end a five-year-long freeze to meet with a senior Burma regime official from Naypyidaw.

Regime Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe told the ASEAN Foreign Ministers that jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu ​Kyi is in good health and is being “looked after,” according to ASEAN Special Envoy to ‌Burma Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro at a press ​conference in Thailand on July 12. The 2026 ASEAN Chair the Philippines had its request to have a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi rejected by the regime in Naypyidaw on June 30.

On July 11, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met with Tin ⁠Maung Swe in Bangkok to discuss border security, trade and environmental concerns. Thailand has sought to position itself as a bridge between Burma and ASEAN. Following earlier bilateral talks in February, Sihasak Phuangketkeow called on Naypyidaw to reduce violence and prevent attacks on civilians. Read more on our website

Over 300 Myanmar women killed by military

A total of 332 women have been killed and over 300 others have been injured during air and artillery attacks, as well as other “violent acts” nationwide, since January, according to women’s rights group the Burmese Women’s Union (BMU). The data released by BWU on July 10 was collected and compiled from reports published by independent media from Burma, now in exile, between January to June.

A total of 242 women were killed during airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force. Another 29 women were killed by artillery attacks. Meanwhile 61 women were killed by other unnamed “violent acts” committed by regime forces on civilians in Burma. An additional 302 women have been injured during air and artillery attacks, as well as by landmines and sexual assault, perpetrated by regime troops.

In a breakdown at the state and regional level, BWU added that Sagaing Region has the highest number of women killed at 102. Bago has the second highest number of women killed at 47. Arakan State has the third highest number of women killed at 41. In Magway, Mandalay and Tanintharyi regions, a total of 72 women were killed. In Karen, Chin, Kachin, Karenni, Shan and Mon states, a total of 70 women were killed.

Wage theft allegations by migrant workers in Thailand

More than 210 legal migrant workers from Burma have been abruptly laid off or suspended without pay across Thailand’s Chonburi Province, triggering allegations of severe wage theft and labor violations. The mass dismissals highlight a growing trend of sudden staff cuts at factories outside the Thai capital Bangkok as employers grapple with declining manufacturing orders.

According to the Workers’ Assistance Group (WAG), an organization providing legal aid to migrant laborers from Burma in Thailand, the affected workers have been denied mandatory severance packages and accumulated back pay, leaving hundreds stranded in deep debt. The crisis spans two major sectors in Chonburi, an industrial hub located roughly 50 miles southeast of Bangkok.

On July 1, an estimated 106 Myanmar nationals employed at a Chinese-owned electronics factory were terminated without prior notice. WAG confirmed that all the terminated individuals held legal status under Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), Certificates of Identity (CI), and official work permits. Most had been at the factory for nearly seven months. None received the severance pay mandated under Thai labor law.

News by Region

Smoke rises in Karen State’s Myawaddy Township after retaliatory airstrikes were carried out by the regime against the Karen National Liberation Army in Minletpan village along the Thailand border on July 10. (Credit: DVB)

KAREN—Thai soldiers were deployed along the Burma border after artillery landed inside Thailand on Friday during fighting between regime forces and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Myawaddy Township’s Minletpan village. Myawaddy is located 81 miles (130 km) east of the state capital Hpa-An.

Residents in the Thai border town of Mae Sot told DVB that they fear being struck by artillery. No casualties have been reported. Regime forces launched a counteroffensive to regain control of Minletpan after the KNLA seized it from the pro-regime Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) in November.

MAGWAY—Residents of Yesagyo Township told DVB that two civilians were killed and at least four others were injured when artillery fired by regime forces struck Khin Mun village on July 9. An unknown number of homes were also damaged. Yesagyo is located 93 miles (150 km) north of the region’s capital.

Residents added that one civilian was injured by artillery fired on June 18. Regime media reported on July 9 that a counteroffensive was launched against “terrorist groups” allegedly using schools as temporary bases in Chauk Township, located 53 miles (85 km) north of Magway and 68 miles (110 km) south of Yesagyo.

NAYPYIDAW—The regime Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “a reciprocal visa exemption agreement” between Burma and Belarus went into effect on July 8, allowing holders of valid passports visa-free up to 30 days per visit at a maximum of 90 days per calendar year. The agreement was signed on Nov. 28, 2025.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw on July 2 during a one-day visit to Burma. Min Aung Hlaing also traveled to the Belarusian capital Minsk twice this year, first in March, and again in June as the two countries have expanded diplomatic and economic cooperation.