According to the Bangkok meeting, the military dictatorship is available to inviting foreign ballot observers.
PUBLISHED: 19 Dec 2024 at 16: 15
In the midst of an escalating civil war, including the potential invitation of unusual surveys observers, the foreign secretary of Myanmar gave information to neighboring nations on plans to hold elections next year, according to Thai officials ‘ reports on Thursday.
Thailand is holding two distinct local discussions on Myanmar in Bangkok this year, the first of which will feature members of the war-torn nation’s five neighbors, including China, Bangladesh, and India, followed by one for some members of the Asian regional bloc on Friday.
In Thursday’s meet, Foreign Minister Than Swe outlined a political strategy and development on election procedures, including a community survey and register of 53 political parties, said Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
” He said there is an intention to invite foreign (election ) observers, such as from neighbouring countries”, Mr Maris told reporters, referring to Than Swe and providing details of a rare explanation to the international community by the Myanmar junta.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Myanmar has experienced unrest because its military overthrew a civilian government and resisted pro-democracy protests, triggering a strong, global military rebellion.
The coup is pushing to hold an election in 2025 despite being battered on numerous frontlines, contending with a collapsing economy, and having lots of political parties banned, an exercise that has been extensively derided as a fake by its detractors.
The effect of Myanmar’s neighborhood to the regime’s election strategy was “positive overall”, said Nikorndej Balankura, spokeswoman for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that all countries wanted a sharp answer to the issue.
According to him,” the foreign minister of Myanmar stated that it has an open doorway for equitable political dialogue.”
The Asean Five Point Consensus peace plan will be a central component of local efforts to end the conflict, according to Thai authorities, despite Myanmar’s neighbors ‘ calls for ongoing ties with the coup.
A group of Asean people, including recent head Laos, Thailand and Malaysia, which will get over the bloc’s chairman in 2025, may meet in Bangkok on Friday.
” Tomorrow’s discussion will be a discussion at the Asean level”, Mr Maris said,” Laos is chair and I will report to the meeting the result of this meeting”.
Former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra has been roped in as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s personal adviser. Shinawatra will take over the bloc in the following year.
Thaksin, the father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, previously sought a mediation role in the Myanmar conflict but was rebuffed, Thai media reported earlier this year.
According to Dulyapak Preecharush, a professor of Southeast Asian studies at Thammasat University, Thailand is trying to gain more traction with regional diplomacy in Myanmar.
He continued,” Thailand has been trying to draw these nations that are affected by the Myanmar civil war to talk together.”” This will be a test for Thailand as a host,” he said.