Foreign ministers met in Bangkok on Friday for an extended informal discussion, focusing on Myanmar’s crisis since the 2021 military coup.
Hosted by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two-hour meeting centered on the implementation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Five-Point Consensus (5PC), a roadmap aimed at restoring peace and stability in Myanmar.
The gathering brought together key leaders, including Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa, as well as foreign ministers from Malaysia, Laos, and Indonesia. The three countries are known as “the Troika” and are meant to come together as previous, current and future chairs of ASEAN to help implement the 5PC.
Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement highlighting the need for active involvement from ASEAN member states to address Myanmar’s volatile situation. Discussions also touched on Malaysia’s preparations for assuming the ASEAN 2025 chair in January, underlining the significance of leadership continuity in navigating the political crisis in Myanmar.
The meeting followed an informal consultation on Dec. 19, attended by officials from six neighbouring countries, including Myanmar. Regime Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Than Swe joined the discussions but returned to Myanmar the same day, according to reports.
During the meeting, Than Swe claimed that preparations for the regime’s election, tentatively scheduled for November 2025, were underway. He told delegates that the regime had completed a nationwide census, registered 53 political parties, and was planning to invite international election observers.
He also mentioned that the door remained open for inclusive political dialogue. Representatives from Myanmar’s neighbours—Laos and Thailand—were present at the meeting, while Bangladesh, China, and India sent senior officials.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson told media in Bangkok that these countries reacted positively to Myanmar’s election plans and expressed hope for a swift resolution to the crisis.
