Anwar to meet Myanmar junta chief and Thaksin during Bangkok trip

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will visit Thailand this week and is scheduled to meet Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok.

Anwar was quoted by Bernama as saying that he will travel to Bangkok on Thursday, right after welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping to Kuala Lumpur, to push for the extension of a ceasefire between Myanmar's military government and resistance groups in support of earthquake relief efforts.

The junta’s leader was in Bangkok earlier this month for the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) summit, during which he held a series of bilateral meetings over his 37-hour visit.

Anwar, who currently chairs ASEAN, said the meeting with the junta leader on Thursday is being held on humanitarian grounds.

He emphasized that it is not a formal engagement between ASEAN and Myanmar. Following the coup in February 2021, ASEAN barred Myanmar’s political representatives from participating in the bloc’s meetings.

Anwar also thanked Min Aung Hlaing for responding positively to his outreach. Myanmar is currently marking the traditional New Year festival, Thingyan.

Both the junta and resistance groups have declared unilateral ceasefires to facilitate earthquake relief efforts. However, each side has accused the other of violating the agreements.

The military junta has appealed to the international community for humanitarian assistance. The earthquake on March 28 has killed more than 3,600 people, with hundreds still reported missing.