“They haven’t had the time to discuss with us yet, but they are aware that we are ready to act as a mediator.” Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said that at Mae Sot, on the Myanmar border, on April 23, 2024. Fighting just across the line had sent refugees into Thailand, and Bangkok wanted a seat at the table.
Parnpree, who is also a deputy prime minister, said initial discussions had already taken place with different groups, including Myanmar’s military government and the Myawaddy faction. He wanted ASEAN involved too, since Myanmar is a member, and said Thailand had passed that position to the bloc and expected a reply soon, possibly leading to a bloc-level meeting. The prime minister had named him that Monday to chair a special committee on the crisis. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang went with him.
Fighting at the border
The Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Karen National Union, and its allies had captured junta Infantry Battalion 275 in Myawaddy on April 10. Rebels later intercepted a junta convoy heading to retake the town, injuring more than 100 soldiers, and the junta answered with a helicopter attack two days afterward.
The Tak Provincial Public Health Office counted 735 refugees from the conflict in Tak, 255 of them children. Of those, 114 had received hospital treatment as of Monday. The Thai-Myanmar Border Command Center in Tak reported aerial bombings inside Myanmar between 1.5 and 12 km (1 to 7.5 miles) from the Thai border, with no effect on the Thai side.
Analysts and activists urged Bangkok to think longer term. Chalida Tajaroensuk, director of the People’s Empowerment Foundation, told BenarNews: “The Thai government is lacking a long-term plan, mostly addressing immediate issues.” She called for a special ASEAN meeting, more than one humanitarian corridor, and talks with the National Unity Government.
The offer, two years on
Thailand’s position was similar in February 2026, when Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaew hosted informal talks with his Myanmar counterpart, Than Swe, in Phuket. Sihasak said Thailand stood ready to facilitate local-level contacts with Myanmar’s ethnic groups along the border if asked, but would not push the two sides to talk. “Peace talks must come from within Myanmar itself,” he said.
He quoted Than Swe as saying Myanmar’s recent elections went smoothly and that a new government was expected before the Songkran period. Sihasak said the incoming administration aims to restore stability, pursue reconciliation and open dialogue with opposition groups, including ethnic armed organisations and pro-democracy forces. Thailand, he added, is ready to act as a bridge for Myanmar’s return to ASEAN, provided Myanmar shows it is responsive to the bloc and the international community.
The two ministers also discussed their border of more than 2,400 kilometres, agreeing on joint working groups on river pollution and cooperation against online scams and illicit drugs. On trade, they talked about reviving crossings such as Mae Sot-Myawaddy, where repairs to the AH1 road are under way.
Sources
- Thailand offers to mediate in Myanmar conflict, urges ASEAN involvement amid violence
- Bangkok offers to facilitate Myanmar ethnic talks without interference
