Myanmar


Myanmar  / Southeast Asia  / Thailand
Can Thailand still impact the ASEAN Summit on Myanmar?
Posted On April 22, 2021
When Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha decided to opt out of the ASEAN Summit on Myanmar in Jakarta, perhaps the writing was on the wall. By sending Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai in place of Prayut, Thailand appeared to have forfeited the chance to steer any of the potential outcomes of the gathering, which seeks to find diplomatic and political solutions to the crisis in Myanmar, which has claimed more than 730 lives since the Tatmadaw launched a coup d’état on February 1.
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China  / India  / Japan  / Myanmar  / Southeast Asia
Japan and India’s Policy Tightrope on Myanmar Protests
April 9, 2021

The Myanmar crisis has spilled well beyond its borders, with Karen refugees seeking protection in neighbouring Thailand and the Tatmadaw targeting civilians protesting the February coup d’état. Increasing cases of violence have registered with the international community, as casualties crossed more than 100 on a single day.


Myanmar  / Southeast Asia  / Thailand
Thailand has serious policy problems on two fronts in Myanmar
April 2, 2021

Because of the state of internal conflict in Myanmar, the coerced return of Karen people would constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement, a serious violation of Thailand’s obligations under customary international law. Recent events underscore Thailand’s twin policy problems with respect to Myanmar—a lengthy history of both trying to maintain durable bilateral relations with the Tatmadaw and a flawed refugee policy that has left countless people without basic protection.


India  / Myanmar  / Southeast Asia
On Myanmar, a deliberate poise
March 6, 2021

India’s neighbourhood policy is being tested like never before, thanks to an ongoing border stand-off with China, a faltering relationship with Nepal over an unusual assertion of sovereignty by the Oli government, and perpetual high tensions with Pakistan. The February 1 coup in Myanmar has only compounded matters.


Myanmar  / Southeast Asia  / Thailand
Thailand and Myanmar’s militaries get cozy, but at what cost?
March 4, 2021

After Myanmar Senior General and now-Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing seized power on February 1, one of his earliest acts was to compose a letter to Thai Prime Minis­ter Prayut Chan-o-cha explaining why the military had taken control and asked for help to support democracy. More than a month since the Tatmadaw took power and detained Aung San Suu Kyi, democracy appears to have been suppressed, while ties between Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar are drawing closer.


China  / Myanmar  / Southeast Asia  / Thailand
Thailand’s rising tension between public and state relations with China
February 22, 2021

Historically, there has been both animosity and brotherhood between China and Thailand. Famously quoted from a song written by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the relationship has been characterised as that of “brothers, which will last thousands of years and beyond”.


Myanmar  / Southeast Asia  / Thailand
Understanding the three-finger salute from Thailand to Myanmar
February 5, 2021

In the dystopian Hunger Games novels by Suzanne Collins and in an adapted series of films, the three-finger salute is a gesture of thanks, respect, gratitude, or to say goodbye to someone to a loved one. The heroine Katniss Everdeen becomes the “tribute” by volunteering to go into the arena to save her younger sister. In lieu of applause for her act, residents of the District flashed the three-finger salute as a sign of respect.


Myanmar  / Southeast Asia
Suu Kyi is not blameless in Monday’s military takeover of Myanmar
February 2, 2021

Twenty-four hours ago Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) were ousted from power by the military (Tatmadaw) in an early morning coup d’état. Journalists in Myanmar reported that phone and mobile services went dark, military vehicles were seen on city streets, and the state television network MRTV was unable to broadcast. The military declared a state of emergency that will last for a year and power has been vested in Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.