Myanmar junta leader to attend BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, marking first official visit to Thailand since 2021 coup

Mizzima

Thai news agencies report that Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar’s military junta, is scheduled to visit Bangkok to participate in the upcoming Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit. This will be the first official trip to Thailand by the junta leader since the military coup in 2021.

The 6th BIMSTEC Summit, initiated by Thailand, is set to take place from 3 to 4 April 2025, with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn serving as the chair. Leaders from member states including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand are expected to attend.

BIMSTEC, formed on 6 June 1997, aims to enhance economic cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal, with Myanmar joining the initiative as a member on 22 December 1997.