Thailand welcomes news about Aung San Suu Kyi

Bangkok sees move to house arrest as positive, backs Asean peace efforts and revival of border trade

Thailand has welcomed Myanmar’s decision to transfer deposed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi to house arrest, calling it a positive development, while reaffirming support for Asean-led peace efforts and the revival of trade at a key border crossing.

Rachada Dhnadirek, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister’s Office, said on Friday that Bangkok viewed the move as a step in the right direction and would continue engaging Myanmar in a “gradual and constructive” manner to support national reconciliation and stability.

The remarks came after Myanmar authorities transferred Aung San Suu Kyi, 80, from prison to house arrest in the capital Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday night, more than five years after she was detained following the military coup in February 2021 that plunged the country into civil conflict.

Ms Rachada mentioned a recent visit by Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow to Nay Pyi Taw, where he met Myanmar’s junta chief-turned-president, Min Aung Hlaing, on April 22.

During the talks, she said, Min Aung Hlaing told Mr Sihasak that Aung San Suu Kyi was in good health and indicated that further “positive measures” could follow.

Discussions also focused on strengthening bilateral ties and border security, and the reopening of the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border crossing, a key trade route between the two countries.

The second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, which had been shut since August 2025 due to instability and border reorganisation measures in Myanmar, was reopened on April 28 and cargo movements have been gradually picking up.

Ms Rachada said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed recent amnesties granted by Myanmar, including the release of former president Win Myint, a close aide of Aung San Suu Kyi, during the country’s New Year period.

The developments come amid cautious regional efforts to re-engage with Myanmar following years of conflict triggered by the 2021 coup, with Asean pushing for progress under its five-point consensus aimed at ending violence and promoting dialogue.

Thailand supports Nay Pyi Taw’s continued engagement with all stakeholders and its commitment to advancing a national peace process, including inviting armed groups to participate in dialogue aimed at restoring stability, Ms Rachada said.

“Thailand continues to closely monitor the situation in Myanmar, adopting a gradual and constructive engagement approach to support peace, stability and sustainable development through cooperation with all parties and within the Asean framework, for the benefit of the Myanmar people and regional stability,” she said.

She added that humanitarian cooperation would continue, with Myanmar indicating it would work with Thailand and Asean to assist affected populations.

Thai military personnel stand guard as refugees cross the Moei River frontier from Myanmar, during a bout of fighting between the army and Karen rebels in the border district of Myawaddy in April 2024. (Photo: Reuters)