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"What we are doing today is the first step in bringing a variety
of stakeholders to talk to each other," said lawmaker Rangsiman
Rome, head of the house committee organizing the two-day event.
"It will pave the way for a political solution for Myanmar that
is peaceful and sustainable."
Speakers include senior figures in Myanmar's shadow National
Unity Government and ethnic armed organizations, but no
representative from the Myanmar government.
Myanmar's foreign ministry said in a letter seen by Reuters that
it "strongly objects" to parliament hosting the seminar, saying
it "creates negative impacts" on bilateral relations. It asked
the Thai government to tell parliament not to hold "any activity
that could hinder the ongoing cordial ties".
Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara was to deliver a
keynote address at the seminar but cancelled at the last minute
without any explanation.
The Myanmar military spokesman did not respond to a call seeking
comment. The Thai foreign ministry declined to comment.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power from
an elected government in a 2021 coup.
Thailand wants to lead a humanitarian initiative by working with
the Myanmar military and other groups that would pave way for
talks between the warring camps.
The "Three Years After the Coup" seminar is at odds with the
Thai government's preference for engagement with the junta, said
Dulyapak Preecharush, a Southeast Asian studies scholar at
Thammasat University.
"The parliament's committee platform has open up more space for
pro-democracy groups," Dulyapak said.
(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by William Mallard)
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