Sihasak pushes ASEAN FM meeting on Myanmar, urges action

Matichon•International•20d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Deputy PM Sihasak proposes a meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and Myanmar's representatives to discuss the nation's development and urge for tangible actions towards peace.

•Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow is advocating for a meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and Myanmar counterparts.
•The goal of the proposed meeting is to discuss Myanmar's recent developments and to encourage ASEAN to engage more actively with the new government.
•Sihasak emphasized that ASEAN and Thailand must take concrete steps rather than waiting, stressing the need for something to be done to improve the situation in Myanmar.
•Myanmar's military leaders were banned from high-level ASEAN meetings after the 2021 coup, with the 5-point consensus showing little progress.

Overview

•The article discusses efforts by Thailand and ASEAN to engage with Myanmar following its 2021 military coup.
•Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand's Deputy PM and Foreign Minister, stated his intention to invite Myanmar's Foreign Minister to meet with ASEAN Foreign Ministers.
•Sihasak plans to push for the renewal of interaction with Myanmar's leaders, including at the Foreign Minister level.
•The push is driven by the desire for ASEAN to have a common consensus on increased engagement with Myanmar's new government.
•This meeting is planned in conjunction with the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting in the Philippines, the first ASEAN meeting after Myanmar's election.
•Sihasak reiterated Thailand's position: "Thailand wants to move forward with ASEAN, but we should also move and we should do something."
•ASEAN banned Myanmar's military leaders from high-level meetings after the 2021 coup, and the 5-point consensus with Myanmar has seen little progress.
•Sihasak expressed concern for the health and living conditions of the detained former leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, but stated he did not request to meet her.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Matichon (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Sihasak Phuangketkeow

"“Therefore, Myanmar can inform ASEAN about the latest developments, including their plans. Then ASEAN can proceed. It is a step-by-step process.”"

“ดังนั้นเมียนมาก็สามารถชี้แจงให้อาเซียนทราบถึงพัฒนาการล่าสุด รวมถึงแผนการที่พวกเขาจะดำเนินการ จากนั้นอาเซียนก็สามารถดำเนินการต่อไปได้ มันเป็นกระบวนการแบบทีละขั้นทีละตอน”

Sihasak Phuangketkeow

"“Thailand wants to move forward with ASEAN, but we should also move and we should do something.”"

“ไทยต้องการเดินหน้าไปพร้อมกับอาเซียน แต่เราก็ควรต้องขยับ และเราควรต้องทำอะไรบางอย่าง”

Sihasak Phuangketkeow

"“I believe this is not something Thailand wants to push alone. If we want to see the situation improve, if we want to see peace, we must think about what we can do.”"

“ผมเชื่อว่านี่ไม่ใช่สิ่งที่ประเทศไทยต้องการจะผลักดันฝ่ายเดียว หากเราต้องการเห็นสถานการณ์ดีขึ้น หากเราต้องการเห็นสันติภาพ เราก็ต้องคิดว่าเราจะทำอะไรได้บ้าง”

Sihasak Phuangketkeow

"“My main concern is to know that she is in good health and that she should be able to be moved to better living conditions.”"

“ความกังวลหลักของผมคือการได้ทราบว่าเธอมีสุขภาพแข็งแรงดี และเธอน่าจะสามารถถูกย้ายไปอยู่ในสภาพความเป็นอยู่ที่ดีกว่านี้ได้”

Key Entities

Person

Sihasak Phuangketkeow(สีหศักดิ์ พวงเกตุแก้ว)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand who is advocating for increased ASEAN engagement with Myanmar.

Min Aung Hlaing(มิน ออง ไลง์)ℹ️

President of Myanmar and leader of the military junta, previously met by Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

Aung San Suu Kyi(นางออง ซาน ซู จี)ℹ️

Former leader of the NLD government in Myanmar, detained since the 2021 coup, whose health is a concern.

Organization

ASEAN(อาเซียน)ℹ️

An economic, political, and security union of countries in Southeast Asia involved in discussions regarding Myanmar's development.

National League for Democracy (NLD)(พรรคสันนิบาตชาติเพื่อประชาธิปไตย (เอ็นแอลดี))ℹ️

The political party previously led by Aung San Suu Kyi, which was overthrown by the military coup in Myanmar.

Place

Myanmar(เมียนมา)ℹ️

A Southeast Asian nation undergoing political developments following a 2021 military coup, and the subject of ASEAN's engagement efforts.

Philippines(ฟิลิปปินส์)ℹ️

The host country for the upcoming ASEAN Leaders' Meeting where developments in Myanmar will be discussed.

Law

5-point consensus(ฉันทามติ 5 ข้อ)

A set of agreements made between ASEAN leaders and Myanmar's leader at the time, aimed at resolving the crisis, which has seen little progress.