Myanmar Military Chief Visits Thailand to Expand Security Ties
Myanmar's military chief Ye Win Oo has begun a three-day visit to Thailand aimed at expanding security cooperation between the two countries
The commander-in-chief of Myanmar's armed forces, Ye Win Oo, has arrived in Bangkok on an official visit. This visit is aimed at expanding security cooperation between Myanmar and Thailand. Ye Win Oo is Myanmar's former spy chief and this is his first visit since being appointed as military chief.
## Background on the Visit The visit is the latest in a string of diplomatic engagements between Bangkok and Naypyidaw. Ye Win Oo will attend a high-level meeting with Ukrit Boontanon, the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, and other high-ranking Thai military officers. These talks will focus on matters related to bilateral relations and cooperation.
## Thailand's Policy of Calibrated Engagement Thailand has a policy of calibrated engagement with Myanmar's military-appointed government. This policy contends that the best way to manage Myanmar's conflicts is by bringing the country back into the ASEAN family. However, this policy has come in for some harsh criticism in recent months. The Special Advisory Council on Myanmar (SAC-M) has stated that Thailand's policy has shattered any vestige of a common ASEAN position on Myanmar without extracting any concessions of note in return.
## Criticism of the Visit Engaging with Ye Win Oo is likely to be seen by critics as especially troubling. According to The Irrawaddy, Ye Win Oo is a close associate of Min Aung Hlaing who led the arrests of President Win Myint and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi during the 2021 coup. SAC-M has also stated that Ye Win Oo is responsible for directing the torture, rape, and killing of political prisoners among other alleged atrocities. Thailand's decision to host him will only add to the country's ignominy.
## ASEAN's Position on Myanmar ASEAN has excluded Myanmar from its summits due to its refusal to implement the Five-Point Consensus. The Consensus called for an immediate cessation of violence, access to humanitarian aid, and political dialogue involving all parties to the country's conflict. Naypyidaw has grown more defiant toward ASEAN in recent months, openly rejecting the Five-Point Consensus and accusing unnamed member states of breaching the bloc's principle of non-interference. The visit by Ye Win Oo is likely to further strain relations between Myanmar and ASEAN.
