Saadet Gokce
22 April 2026•Update: 22 April 2026
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Wednesday that he met Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing and discussed Naypyidaw's possible return to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to Thai PBS.
Sihasak, who is visiting Myanmar, outlined three main goals for the trip: promoting peace efforts, strengthening border cooperation and encouraging renewed regional engagement.
Sihasak urged Myanmar to address ASEAN’s concerns and said Thailand supports its return to full participation in the bloc through gradual engagement.
He also welcomed recent pardons for political figures in Myanmar, expressing hope that the steps would continue and support national reconciliation.
Myanmar commuted all death sentences last week for prisoners to life imprisonment in its first such order since junta chief Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency earlier this month.
Among those whose sentences were reduced is former President Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the now-disbanded National League for Democracy (NLD), who is serving a 27-year sentence following multiple convictions that originally totaled 33 years.
Sihasak said Bangkok is exploring ways for ASEAN and international organizations to expand humanitarian assistance to affected populations in Myanmar.
He called for restraint and de-escalation, urging the reduced use of force along the border and a full ceasefire, following Myanmar combat aircraft "mistakenly dropping bombs on Thai territory."
