ThailandThai, Myanmar military chiefs meet as post-coup thaw progresses

BANGKOK: Thailand's top general welcomed Myanmar's military chief for talks on Thursday (Aug 20), the latter's first foreign trip in office as his coup-staging armed forces shake off their pariah status.

Myanmar's military ousted an elected government in a 2021 putsch, detaining its leader Aung San Suu Kyi and sparking a civil war in which it is accused of rampant rights abuses.

The post-coup leadership was isolated for five years but has started a diplomatic offensive, touting deeply restricted polls it staged around the start of 2026 as a return to normality.

After the elections, Min Aung Hlaing -- who led the coup as armed forces chief -- took over as civilian president, handing the office of military leader to staunch loyalist Ye Win Oo.

On Thursday, Thai military chief Ukris Boontanondha greeted Ye Win Oo at a hotel in the capital Bangkok.

Their talks are expected to focus on the nations' 2,400-kilometre (1,500-mile) border, where the war has seeded instability.

A former spymaster for Myanmar's ruling junta, Ye Win Oo has been sanctioned by nations including the United States for his role in the coup.