Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Wednesday that he recently met with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing to discuss the possibility of Myanmar fully rejoining ASEAN's activities.
According to Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS), Sihasak is currently visiting Myanmar and has set three main objectives for this trip: to promote the peace process, strengthen border cooperation, and encourage Myanmar to re-engage in regional affairs.
Sihasak called on Myanmar to respond to concerns raised by ASEAN and noted that Thailand supports a gradual engagement approach to help Myanmar restore its full participation in ASEAN.
He also welcomed Myanmar's recent amnesty for a number of political figures and expressed hope that such measures would continue to promote national reconciliation.
Last week, Myanmar announced the commutation of all death sentences to life imprisonment—this is the first such order issued since Min Aung Hlaing took office as president earlier this month.
Among those whose sentences were reduced is former president Aung San Suu Kyi. The leader of the now-dissolved National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi, was previously sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison on multiple charges and is currently serving 27 years.
Sihasak stated that Bangkok is exploring ways for ASEAN and international organizations to expand humanitarian assistance to people in Myanmar affected by the crisis.
In addition, regarding the incident in which Myanmar warplanes "accidentally bombed Thai territory," Sihasak called on all parties to exercise restraint, ease tensions, reduce the use of force in the border area, and implement a comprehensive ceasefire.
Sihasak called on Myanmar to respond to concerns raised by ASEAN and noted that Thailand supports a gradual engagement approach to help Myanmar restore its full participation in ASEAN.
He also welcomed Myanmar's recent amnesty for a number of political figures and expressed hope that such measures would continue to promote national reconciliation.
Last week, Myanmar announced the commutation of all death sentences to life imprisonment—this is the first such order issued since Min Aung Hlaing took office as president earlier this month.
Among those whose sentences were reduced is former president Aung San Suu Kyi. The leader of the now-dissolved National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi, was previously sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison on multiple charges and is currently serving 27 years.
Sihasak stated that Bangkok is exploring ways for ASEAN and international organizations to expand humanitarian assistance to people in Myanmar affected by the crisis.
In addition, regarding the incident in which Myanmar warplanes "accidentally bombed Thai territory," Sihasak called on all parties to exercise restraint, ease tensions, reduce the use of force in the border area, and implement a comprehensive ceasefire.