Thai PM says Myanmar regime 'losing strength'

[April 08, 2024]  By Panu Wongcha-um
 
SAMUI, Thailand (Reuters) -Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told Reuters now is a good time to open talks with Myanmar as the military regime that seized power in a 2021 coup is weakening.   

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks during an interview with Reuters in Koh Samui, Surat Thani province, Thailand, April 7, 2024. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

Myanmar is in the throes of an insurgency on multiple fronts, with allied anti-junta groups backed by a pro-democracy parallel government seizing control of several military posts and towns, including parts of a key town on the border with Thailand over the weekend.

The insurgency is the biggest challenge the Myanmar junta has faced since it mounted a coup against an elected government in 2021.

"The current regime is starting to lose some strength," Srettha said in an interview on the resort island of Samui on Sunday, adding, "but even if they are losing, they have the power, they have the weapons."

"Maybe it's time to reach out and make a deal," he said.

Thailand has been pursuing multiple engagements with Myanmar since Srettha came to power last August, including delivering aid to Myanmar under a humanitarian initiative aimed at paving the way for talks between warring camps.

The Thai parliament also hosted a seminar last month on the political situation in Myanmar that included the appearance of opponents of the Myanmar's military, despite the junta's objection.

Srettha said Myanmar was very important for Thailand and he and other Thai officials have been talking to various stakeholders in Myanmar and international partners including China and the U.S.

"The country that stands to gain most if Myanmar becomes unified, peaceful and prosperous is Thailand," Srettha said.

The Thai government will not take sides in international conflict and its policy will be to address conflict peacefully, government spokesman Chai Watcharong said in a statement on Monday after media enquiries about the situation in Myanmar.

Srettha said he is planning to talk to cabinet ministers, senior military and security officials on Tuesday to streamline government policies on Myanmar.

"I'm meeting with five or six people who are the key players and make sure that we are on the same page," he said.

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Lincoln Feast.)

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