Myanmar junta engages with Thai military and diplomatic delegations

Mizzima

Myanmar’s military authorities and Thailand stepped up engagement across defence and diplomatic channels last week, with discussions centred on border stability, security cooperation, and closer bilateral ties, according to state media reports.

On the defence side, senior Myanmar military officials hosted the Thai military delegation at an official luncheon in Naypyidaw on 18 March, where both sides exchanged commemorative gifts and reaffirmed ties between the armed forces (GNLM)reported.

The next day, 19 March, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met General Ukris Boontanondha, chief of defence forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, in Naypyidaw. The two sides discussed strengthening cooperation between their militaries and maintaining stability along the shared border, the junta-run Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM) reported.

Discussions also focused on combating illegal trade, including drug trafficking and telecom fraud in border regions, as well as cooperation on environmental issues such as transboundary haze pollution, the report said.

The meeting forms part of a broader series of engagements between Thailand and Myanmar’s junta in the past week, including talks with Myanmar’s foreign ministry. On 20 March, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ko Ko Kyaw received a Thai delegation led by Mr Kallayana Vipattipumiprates, Advisor to Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, with both sides discussing enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, and people-to-people connectivity, according to the GNLM.

Officials also highlighted the importance of peace and stability along the border as well as closer collaboration in regional and international forums.

The engagements come as border areas between Myanmar and Thailand remain affected by ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar and cross-border criminal activity, including narcotics trafficking and online scam operations.

While state media framed the discussions as part of long-standing friendly relations, the meetings underscored continued cooperation between the Thai and Myanmar militaries despite the latter country’s protracted political crisis and unfavourable human rights reputation.

A High-Level Committee meeting between the Myanmar and Thai armed forces is slated for later in the year, but the reports did not provide a firm date. Additionally, while intentions to expand coordination in security, economic, and diplomatic areas were highlighted, no specific agreements or timelines were mentioned.