Thailand will meet Myanmar’s military-appointed foreign minister to discuss a path to peace and ASEAN relations, aiming to act as a bridge for regional diplomacy.

BANGKOK: Thailand’s foreign minister will meet his Myanmar counterpart on Wednesday in a bid to chart a path towards peace with the help of its Southeast Asian neighbours.

The bilateral meeting with Myanmar’s Than Swe, a former general and diplomat, could be a crucial point for peace after a recent election, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters.

“We have not said we’ve accepted (the election), but it’s the reality that an election has happened, so we’ll help by being a bridge,” Sihasak said.

READ MORE: Thai foreign minister hopes Myanmar polls ‘start of transition’ to peace

He added that it was time for ASEAN to move and have conversations to help the transition be positive.

Wednesday’s meeting will discuss the way forward for bilateral ties and also relations between Myanmar and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Myanmar has been engulfed in nationwide conflict and repression since a military coup in 2021 that toppled the first democratic administration in half a century.

The military-backed party claimed victory in January after elections in limited areas, a vote criticised by the United Nations and rights groups.

Thailand potentially has more at stake in Myanmar than any other ASEAN member, as it shares a 2,400-km border.

Than Swe served as Myanmar’s ambassador to the United States in 2012 and later rose after the 2021 coup to serve as deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

 The Sun Malaysia