Myanmar

• Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar's military-backed government, has arrived in Thailand for an official visit to seek political legitimacy. • The visit follows Hlaing's appointment as president in April, following a series of phased elections held in December and January. • Critics and observers have dismissed these elections as a sham intended to consolidate military power under the guise of restoring civilian rule.

• Former junta chief and current Myanmar president, installed in April after disputed elections, is visiting Thailand for the first time as a civilian leader. • The visit occurs as fighting between the Myanmar military and rebel factions spills over the border, impacting Thailand, which hosts millions of refugees. • Thailand is currently leading efforts to normalize relations with Myanmar both bilaterally and through the 11-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

• Myanmar's military leader has conducted his first official visit to Thailand since the coup, marking a significant break in his diplomatic isolation. • While Western nations have barred the leader and accused him of crimes against humanity, Thailand is pursuing "calibrated re-engagement" to manage their shared 2,400 km border. • The visit highlights a divide within ASEAN, as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore demand more concessions to end Myanmar's civil war and humanitarian crisis before restoring ties.

• Former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Bangkok on Thursday for his first official visit to Thailand since transitioning to a civilian leader. • The trip marks a strategic effort by Min Aung Hlaing to reintegrate Myanmar into the international diplomatic community after being treated as a pariah state. • This visit is significant as it signals Thailand's willingness to engage with the Myanmar leadership despite ongoing regional instability and international sanctions.

• Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar's military-backed government, has arrived in Thailand for an official visit. • The visit follows Hlaing's swearing-in as president in April, after phased elections held in December and January. • The trip is seen as an attempt to gain political legitimacy and rehabilitation, despite critics dismissing the recent elections as a sham to maintain military control.

Meeting follows years of questions over wellbeing of detained former leader, who was ousted by coup in 2021Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has met a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the aid organisation has confirmed.The meeting ⁠follows years of questions over the wellbeing of the 81-year-old, whose whereabouts and health condition have been largely unknown since the elected civilian government she led was ousted by a military coup in February 2021. Continue reading...

• Thailand secured a dominant 5-0 victory over 10-man Laos in their Asean Hyundai Cup Group B opening match. • Malaysia overcame an early deficit to defeat Myanmar 2-1, driven by two goals from Paulo Josué. • These results establish early momentum for Thailand and Malaysia as they compete for progression in the tournament group stage.

‘I can’t tolerate this life,’ said the 24-year-old in his last voice message to his relatives. Attacked by the military, a rebel army and criminal gangs, Siraz Ullah risked all for a better futureThe fear was audible as he spoke, recording a message to his family, asking for their prayers. After pressing send, 24-year-old Siraz Ullah boarded a boat he hoped could deliver him from the violence and persecution surrounding him at home in Myanmar.Instead, Siraz is among 500 Rohingya refugees who have vanished at sea after setting sail for Malaysia in late June. Continue reading...

• Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro stated that Myanmar's return to full participation within ASEAN remains a distant prospect. • The bloc continues to prioritize the Five-Point Consensus as the primary framework for resolving the crisis in Myanmar. • To strengthen diplomatic efforts, ASEAN is currently considering the appointment of a longer-term special envoy to handle the situation.

• ASEAN foreign ministers have drafted a joint communique to "comprehensively review" Myanmar's adherence to a five-point consensus aimed at ending violence following the 2021 coup. • The review focuses on whether the Myanmar military government has implemented the agreed-upon steps to restore peace and stability. • This action is critical as the bloc seeks a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis within the member state.

• ASEAN top diplomats are meeting in Manila on Tuesday to discuss critical global security issues, including renewed hostilities in the Middle East and the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. • The talks will include representatives from major global powers, including the United States, China, Russia, and the European Union. • A primary focus is the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where tensions have spiked specifically between Chinese and Philippine naval and coast guard forces.

• ASEAN diplomats are gathering in Manila for annual ministerial talks to address critical regional and global security threats. • The agenda focuses on renewed hostilities in the Middle East, the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, and escalating territorial disputes in the South China Sea. • Tensions are particularly high between Chinese and Philippine naval and coast guard forces, involving other claimants like Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Vessels believed to have departed from Myanmar in late June, with mostly Muslim Rohingya minority onboardThe United Nations has said more than 500 people are feared dead after reports of two large shipwrecks off Myanmar since late June.The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its refugee agency UNHCR voiced alarm in a joint statement at reports “that two boats carrying more than 500 people may have capsized off the coast of Myanmar in recent days”. Continue reading...

• Thailand has established four specific benchmarks to measure progress in Myanmar following talks between ASEAN foreign ministers and their Myanmar counterpart on July 12 in Bangkok. • The initiative is part of a "calibrated re-engagement" strategy designed to advance the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus through direct dialogue. • This move matters as it provides a structured framework to evaluate whether Myanmar is adhering to regional peace and stability agreements.

• Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing is reportedly planning to visit Thailand next month as part of an effort to normalize relations with ASEAN member states. • The move follows a statement from the "Views of Myanmar" account on X, asserting that progress is impossible unless ASEAN respects non-interference and acknowledges the current government's reality. • The junta has signaled it will no longer accept the "rigid, one-sided enforcement" of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, which aims to end violence and promote dialogue.

• Myanmar is launching a strategic tourism recovery plan targeting visitors from China, Thailand, India, Japan, and South Korea to stimulate economic growth. • The strategy focuses on promoting spiritual tourism circuits, including the ancient temples of Bagan, Yangon's heritage sites, and Inle Lake. • To achieve an ambitious goal of 1.8 million visitors by 2026, the government is implementing visa reforms and improving regional connectivity.

• ASEAN foreign ministers held an informal "icebreaker" meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, with Tin Maung Swe, the foreign minister of Myanmar’s military-backed civilian government. • During the discussions, the Southeast Asian bloc reaffirmed its commitment to the Five-Point Consensus initiative, a diplomatic framework aimed at ending violence and restoring peace. • The meeting follows a recent rejection of the Five-Point Consensus by Myanmar’s military-dominated parliament, highlighting the ongoing tension between the junta and regional diplomats.

• ASEAN foreign ministers met with their Myanmar counterpart on July 12 in Bangkok, marking the first in-person gathering since the 2021 military coup. • Myanmar officials informed the group that detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, 81, remains in good health and will be properly cared for. • The meeting is part of an effort to revitalize a five-year-old peace initiative aimed at ending the ongoing civil war gripping the nation.

• The Myanmar regime has denied Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro access to visit detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who recently turned 81. • This incident marks the second failed attempt by the Asean chair to meet Suu Kyi, following a previous unsuccessful visit to Naypyitaw on January 7. • According to Lowy Institute director Marston, the regime is using these restrictions to signal that they are in total control of the situation and dictate all diplomatic access.

Thai woman is in custody in connection with investigation after man was reportedly found dead at a hotel in YangonA US diplomat has been found dead in Myanmar’s largest city, and members of the diplomatic community in Yangon say a Thai woman had been detained by police in connection with the investigation.US officials in Thailand and the US embassy in Myanmar referred questions on the case to the state department, which confirmed the “death of a US government employee” assigned to the embassy in Yangon, but gave no other details. Continue reading...

• Southeast Asian nations are warming to the idea of easing Myanmar's international isolation following the 2021 military coup, with diplomats signaling a potential diplomatic opening to reintegrate the crisis-affected nation. • Regional sentiment has shifted as some countries explore conditions for Myanmar's return to normal diplomatic relations and potential participation in regional forums. • The thaw reflects changing geopolitical calculations in Southeast Asia and could affect ASEAN's cohesion and approach to Myanmar's political crisis.

Stone being paid $50,000 a month to ‘rebuild’ relations between Washington and Myanmar’s military-backed governmentUS lobbyist Roger Stone, a longtime friend and ally of Donald Trump, has been condemned for accepting $50,000 a month to “rebuild” relations between Washington and Myanmar’s military-backed government.Myanmar’s leaders have been internationally isolated since seizing power in a coup in 2021, and have repeatedly been accused of atrocities that may amount to war crimes. Activists say the military rulers, which recently held widely condemned “sham” elections, are now trying to reassert themselves abroad. Continue reading...

• Thailand's foreign minister requested ASEAN-level discussions with his Myanmar counterpart to address escalating conflicts and diplomatic standoffs in the region. • The initiative comes in response to recent attacks and instability in Myanmar, prompting broader calls for coordinated ASEAN intervention. • This move highlights Thailand's leadership role in ASEAN diplomacy, aiming to prevent spillover effects on Southeast Asian security and trade.

• Myanmar campaigners on May 5 condemned US lobbyist Roger Stone, a close confidante of President Donald Trump, for accepting US$50,000 to lobby on behalf of interests in the country. • Stone's involvement highlights renewed US political engagement with Myanmar despite the country's ongoing political turmoil and international isolation following the 2021 military coup. • The controversy underscores tensions between Myanmar's activist movements and foreign political actors, particularly those with direct access to the Trump administration.

Motorists are forced to queue up to six hours for fuel or pay more on the black market, while farmers lack fuel to operate machinery and harvest crops.

• Myanmar's military junta has blocked UN humanitarian corridors to conflict-affected regions, preventing food and medical aid from reaching approximately 2 million people at imminent risk of famine. • UN humanitarian agencies report that supplies have been halted for two weeks; the blockade coincides with intensified fighting between military forces and opposition groups in central Myanmar. • The US has condemned the blockade as a war crime and called for emergency UN Security Council action, though Russia and China have signaled opposition to any intervention.

• The US Treasury Department announced targeted sanctions against 15 military leaders and three jade trading companies linked to Myanmar's junta, citing credible evidence of systematic ethnic persecution against Rohingya and other minorities. • The sanctions block access to the US financial system and freeze assets estimated at $40 million, with the State Department formally classifying the military's actions as crimes against humanity. • International human rights bodies praised the measures but noted they represent a limited response, calling for broader multilateral action and ICC referral to hold perpetrators accountable.

Activists say clamp down on period products to target insurgents is gender-based violence and violates rightsMyanmar’s military regime is expanding its ban on the distribution of period products, claiming they are being used to treat wounded resistance fighters, according to local activists.The south-east Asian country has been locked in civil war since 2021, when the military usurped the democratic government and launched a violent crackdown on dissidents. Artillery fire, the burning of townships and arbitrary arrests have become common in the years since then. Continue reading...