Myanmar foreign minister in talks with Indonesia, Thailand amid Asean efforts to resolve coup crisis

Wunna Maung Lwin met his Indonesian and Thai counterparts in Bangkok for talks on diplomatic efforts led by the 10-nation bloc

Meanwhile, protesters are back on the streets denouncing February 1 coup and demanding the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi

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Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (left) with her Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinai in Bangkok on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE/Thai MFA handout

Published: 2:49pm, 24 Feb 2021Updated: 9:38pm, 24 Feb 2021

Myanmar’s military-appointed foreign minister visited Thailand on Wednesday for talks with two of his neighbours as they intensified efforts to resolve a crisis that began when Naypyidaw’s army seized power in a February 1 coup.

The minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, made the first foreign trip by a member of the new military government as opponents of the putsch took to the streets again in Myanmar.

Indonesia has taken the lead within the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) in efforts to steer a path out of the crisis and its foreign minister, Retno Marsudi, arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday and met Wunna Maung Lwin and Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.

Retno said Jakarta is conducting “intensive” talks with both the Myanmar military and the opposition civilian government to “contribute to problem-solving in Myanmar”.

“We ask for everybody to use restraint and not resort to violence ... to avoid casualties and bloodshed,” she told reporters.

Retno also told Wunna Maung Lwin that “the safety and moral well-being of the people of Myanmar should be a top priority” and stressed the importance of humanitarian access and diplomatic visits to the country.