Showing 11 - 20 of 322
Myanmar eyes return to Asean fold
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/02/2024
» To understand the current game plan of Myanmar's military regime, it is perhaps a good time to remind ourselves of the letter written by former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Aug 19, 2022. The rather blunt personal letter urged the junta leader to implement the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), saying that if he fails to do so, his Asean colleagues might ban Myanmar from all meetings and recognise the National Unity Government (NUG). In short, Asean would give the seat to the NUG. The letter angered the general, and Hun Sen's practical advice was ignored, including his call for amnesty for four activists who had been sentenced to death. For the past three years, Myanmar's seat at Asean's high-level meetings has been left vacant. Then, on Feb 29, the seat was occupied temporarily.
FM Parnpree set to meet Blinken Monday
News, Poramet Tangsathaporn, Published on 12/02/2024
» The Myanmar crisis, security partnership and regional connectivity via the government's Land Bridge project are among the top items which the Foreign Affairs Minister will discuss with his US counterpart on Monday.
Lao Asean chair: better comfort level
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/02/2024
» The outgrowth of the latest Asean foreign ministers' retreat in Luang Prabang last week palpably shows a better comfort level between the host and their colleagues. Such a casual atmosphere generated better outcomes without politicising or dragging on contentious issues. Most importantly, Vientiane's diplomatic finesse is highly visible in its third chairmanship in approaching Asean-related issues and challenges: the thinking is less is more with clear-cut priorities. If this trajectory continues, the Lao chair will be lauded.
Why we need to care about Myanmar
Oped, Johanna Son, Published on 03/02/2024
» Myanmar is entering its fourth year since the Feb 1, 2021 military coup. Its multiple crises continue -- a mix of economic difficulties and a humanitarian catastrophe -- at a time when armed conflict, including anti-junta resistance, has now spread to most of its regions.
Asean endorses Thai initiative for Myanmar
News, Poramet Tangsathaporn, Published on 30/01/2024
» Luang Prabang: Asean and Myanmar have welcomed Thailand's initiative to create a safe zone to provide humanitarian assistance as part of efforts to help solve the Myanmar crisis.
Asean should back a new Myanmar
Oped, Published on 24/01/2024
» On Jan 28-29, Asean's foreign ministers will meet in historic Luang Prabang, until 1975 the capital of Laos, their host country. It will be their first meeting since Laos took over Asean's rotating chairmanship from Indonesia at the beginning of the year.
Chinese foreign minister's Brazil stop yields mutual visa deal
South China Morning Post, Published on 21/01/2024
» China and Brazil have agreed to streamline visa processes to revive exchanges between the two countries to pre-pandemic levels.
Forging ways to resolve Myanmar's ongoing crisis
Oped, Published on 18/01/2024
» It is obvious that these days, the events in Israel and Gaza, together with the situation in Ukraine, continue to capture headlines and everyone's attention. But for us in our region -- Southeast Asia -- it is the crisis in Myanmar that weighs heavily on the minds of Asean member states -- particularly Thailand as its next-door neighbour.
World Economic Forum interview: Myanmar and humanitarian diplomacy
Published on 16/01/2024
» It is obvious that at these days the events in Israel and Gaza together with the situation in Ukraine continue to capture headlines and everyone’s attention. But for us in our region – Southeast Asia – it is the crisis in Myanmar that weighs heavily in the minds of the member states of ASEAN – particularly Thailand as the next door neighbour. Myanmar is a vitally important country in terms of its immense economic potential and its strategic location, straddling Southeast and South Asia and bordering China.
Meaningful policy on Myanmar needed
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/01/2024
» The fall of Laukkai in Myanmar's Kokang Self-Administered Zone to rebel forces is one of the most significant developments in the conflict in Myanmar since the coup took place in 2021. Why? It shows the State Administration Council's (SAC) inability to protect its territory from the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which launched a fierce offensive dubbed "Operation 1027" at the end of October last year, threatening the junta's hold on the northern Shan state, which borders China, and other remote areas in the region.