Myanmar military chief meets Thai counterpart in Bangkok

Myanmar military chief Ye Win Oo met Thai military chief Ukris Boontanondha in Bangkok on Thursday, in his first foreign trip in office as Thailand continues a thaw with Myanmar's post-coup leadership.

Ukris welcomed Ye Win Oo at a hotel in the Thai capital. Their talks were expected to focus on the countries' 2,400-kilometre border, where Myanmar's civil war has created instability.

Myanmar's military ousted an elected government in 2021, detained Aung San Suu Kyi and triggered a civil war. The post-coup leadership was isolated for five years but has begun a diplomatic push after restricted elections around the start of 2026.

After those elections, Min Aung Hlaing, who led the coup as armed forces chief, became civilian president and handed the military leadership to Ye Win Oo.

Thailand is among neighbouring countries that have used the elections as a reason to reset relations with Myanmar because of shared border issues. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hosted Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok this month.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow defended the decision to host Myanmar's leadership, telling reporters: “It's not about legitimacy, it's about reality.”

Campaign group the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar criticised Thailand's approach this week, saying that “by embracing a warlord, Thailand has torched its credibility”. It said allowing a visit by Ye Win Oo was “adding to its ignominy”.

United Nations investigators said last week that Myanmar's military was escalating aerial attacks on civilian targets. Myanmar's government called the publication “one-sided allegations against Myanmar's security forces based on unverifiable and inaccurate information”.