Thaksin Urges Myanmar Junta to Engage in Peace Talks

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Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Urges Myanmar Junta to Engage in Peace Talks, disclosed that he advised Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to initiate peace negotiations with the country’s armed resistance groups.

This conversation occurred during a recent summit in Bangkok, where Thaksin, serving as an adviser to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as ASEAN chair, engaged with the junta leader on the sidelines of the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit.

Thaksin expressed optimism about the potential for dialogue, stating that the chances of the Myanmar junta and armed militias agreeing to peace talks are “high.” He emphasized that the goal is to create a forum for initiating discussions without taking sides. However, he noted that discussions about elections in Myanmar would be premature without first conducting peace talks and releasing political prisoners.

Thaksin’s involvement in Myanmar’s peace process has drawn criticism from some Myanmar resistance groups, who fear his participation may align Malaysia’s approach with the military junta’s interests. Despite these concerns, Thaksin continues to advocate for dialogue as a means to restore peace in Myanmar.

Thaksin Urges Myanmar Junta, he confirmed that the meeting took place during the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit held in Bangkok on 4 April. “I had a chance to talk to him because I would like to see peace restored in Myanmar,” Thaksin said.

Thaksin added that he had previously communicated with global superpowers, expressing Thailand’s desire to see an end to violence in Myanmar through peaceful dialogue. “I used to tell all superpowers that Thailand would like to see an end to the violence in Myanmar through peace dialogues,” he said.

He explained that talking directly to the junta was necessary to find a pathway to peace and that Thailand was ready to act as a mediator between the junta and the resistance.

Thaksin claimed that Min Aung Hlaing was receptive to his suggestions and said further discussions might be required before formal peace talks could commence.

“He heeded my advice, and I may need to talk to him several more times before a peace dialogue can begin,” Thaksin said.