Sawt Falasteen - Myanmar leader to visit Thailand next month: Thai FM to AFP

Myanmar became a pariah state following the military's 2021 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering a civil war.

But junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was installed as civilian president in April following highly restricted elections, and neighbouring Thailand has been leading an effort to begin normalising relations.

"It's best to bring Myanmar back into the fold," Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told a press conference in Bangkok.

"We believe that after five years we need to talk, we need to listen, and they need to explain," he added.

Afterwards, he confirmed to AFP that Min Aung Hlaing would visit Thailand in August, his first such trip to the neighbouring nation since his change of position.

"Min Aung Hlaing will make an official visit" to Thailand, Sihasak said, adding that he would arrive "very soon, in August".

"We are working on an official programme," he said.

News of the visit comes after Thailand on Sunday hosted an informal meeting of foreign ministers of the 11-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Myanmar.

It was the first such gathering since the coup, after which the regional bloc diplomatically sidelined Myanmar.

Min Aung Hlaing visited Laos this month, his first state visit to an ASEAN country since becoming civilian leader, and last month was feted with visits to India and China.

N.AbuHussein--SF-PST