Thailand seeks leading role in restoring Myanmar to Asean fold

Last Updated on February 18, 2026 9:43 pm

Thailand hopes to bring Myanmar back into Asean nearly five years after a military coup, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has said after meeting his Myanmar counterpart.

“Thailand wants to be a bridge connecting Myanmar back to Asean,” Sihasak told reporters.

He also urged civil war-ravaged Myanmar to make moves to adhere to a long-standing Association of Southeast Asian Nations plan to restore stability.

“Myanmar must help Thailand as well by responding to Asean’s concerns, such as starting a dialogue process, which is a good thing; reducing violence; avoiding attacks on civilians,” Sihasak said, promising that “Thailand will show a leading role” in the process.

Sihasak and Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Shwe held talks in southern Thailand on Wednesday. Than Shwe did not speak after the bilateral meeting.

The 11-nation Asean grouping has excluded Myanmar’s top junta leaders from its main summit since shortly after a military coup in 2021 that toppled the first democratic administration in half a century and sparked nationwide conflict and repression.