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Can Thailand’s generals help Myanmar’s coup leaders in ‘democratic process’?
- The leader of Myanmar’s coup has turned to the government of Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to possibly act as a bridge to the outside world
- But critics warn that Thailand has no ‘political credit’ to gain from mixing its affairs with the Tatmadaw
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With the coup against the civilian-led government of Aung San Suu Kyi last week, Myanmar has repeated its path of military dictatorship and entrenched rule. But now that the Tatmadaw have turned to the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to possibly act as its bridge to the outside world, critics have warned that it is not the time for Thailand to meddle in Myanmar’s affairs.
Prayuth confirmed on Wednesday that he had received a letter from Senior General Min Aung Hlaing asking for help on Myanmar’s “democratic process”, becoming the first leader in Southeast Asia that Min Aung Hlaing has reached out to. Prayuth said the letter arrived on Monday – the same day Min Aung Hlaing gave his first televised address since staging the coup on February 1.
In the address, Min Aung Hlaing defended the coup and said it would be “different” from the previous period of military rule in Myanmar, which ended in 2011.
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A day after the coup, he set up an 11-member body called the State Administrative Council to oversee Myanmar for an unspecified period before the next election is held in the country.
Prayuth, who did not reveal the contents of Min Aung Hlaing’s letter, said that “what is most important today is to maintain good relations because it impacts the people, the economy, border trade – particularly now.”
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