ASEAN Beat | Diplomacy | Southeast Asia

Thailand Pledges to Work Towards Myanmar’s Full Reintegration With ASEAN

The pledge came as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hosted the country’s military-appointed president, Min Aung Hlaing, in Bangkok.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing walk past a guard of honor in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 6, 2026.

Thailand has affirmed its intention to bring Myanmar back into the ASEAN fold, following a meeting between Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the country’s military-appointed president, Min Aung Hlaing, in Bangkok yesterday.

The summit was the highlight of the former general’s two-day visit to Thailand, his first official visit to the country since he led a military coup in 2021.

After arriving in Bangkok, Min Aung Hlaing was given a red-carpet welcome by Anutin, who then hosted him for talks at Government House in Bangkok. During the visit, Min Aung Hlaing also attended an official dinner, met the leaders of both houses of the Thai parliament, and spoke at a Thai-Myanmar business forum in the Thai capital, before departing today.

In a joint statement issued late yesterday, Thailand “reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and continuing to work closely with Myanmar for Myanmar’s full and equal participation in ASEAN mechanisms and processes.” Myanmar in turn “expressed its appreciation for Thailand’s constructive role in facilitating the normalization of its relations with ASEAN.”

In the statement, the two countries said they agreed to “further deepen dialogue at all levels,” in the areas of security, trade, and environmental protection. They also expressed their “joint commitment to achieve a peaceful and stable Thailand–Myanmar border.”

The visit saw the signing of three bilateral deals between the two nations. As per Nikkei Asia, these included an agreement on Burmese migrant labor in Thailand and another setting up a joint working group to address river pollution from rare-earth mining. The two leaders also reportedly discussed ways to boost cross-border trade, including the resumption of trade over the Second Friendship Bridge connecting the Thai town of Mae Sot with Myawaddy in eastern Myanmar.

Thailand’s invitation to Min Aung Hlaing reflects its determination to bring Myanmar back in from the cold, after five years in which the country has been barred from ASEAN’s summits. The reason for its exclusion is its refusal to implement the Five-Point Consensus, ASEAN’s plan for managing Myanmar’s ramifying conflicts. Agreed in April 2021, the Consensus called for an immediate cessation of violence, access to humanitarian aid, and political dialogue involving “all parties” to the country’s conflict.

For several years, Thailand has advocated engagement with the military junta in Naypyidaw, arguing that this is necessary to address issues like border security and transnational crime. This effort has redoubled since Min Aung Hlaing’s new “civilian” government took office in April. Since then, Bangkok has advocated a policy of “calibrated engagement” with Myanmar, and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has also called for Myanmar to return to the “ASEAN family.”

During his meeting with Anutin, Min Aung Hlaing pressed the case for normalization, asserting that his government, which took office in April, was focused on ending the interlocking conflicts that have raged since the 2021 coup.

“Myanmar has now reestablished itself on the path to democracy and is moving toward a better future,” he said. “As the new government, we have now begun working on national stability, peace, and national reconciliation.” Speaking at the........

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