Transborder News- On April 16, 2025, Padoh Saw Taw Nee, spokesperson for the Karen National Union (KNU), gave an interview to Transborder News regarding the invitation extended by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as ASEAN chair, and Thaksin Shinawatra, former Thai Prime Minister acting as advisor to the ASEAN chair, to Myanmar military leader Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to attend peace talks in Bangkok on April 17, 2025.
Padoh Saw Taw Nee expressed grave concern, stating that ethnic groups were deeply worried about the invitation because Gen. Min Aung Hlaing is a war criminal who has caused immense suffering to the country. “Inviting him to the meeting essentially legitimizes him,” he said.
“This kind of recognition is deeply concerning to us. We want Thailand to understand that this is not a solution to Myanmar’s problems. This man has destroyed the country, massacred civilians. Even though he declared a ceasefire, airstrikes on civilians have continued. Bombs have been dropped on churches and temples, killing many monks and civilians,” Padoh Saw Taw Nee emphasized.
When asked whether the meeting could lead to legitimizing Myanmar’s planned elections, the KNU spokesperson responded that, “Even humanitarian aid for the earthquake has been turned into an excuse to whitewash the regime. This is being used to pressure opposition groups into participating. When we refuse, we are accused of being undemocratic.”
On whether the Thai government had coordinated with the KNU regarding the meeting, the spokesperson said no such contact had been made. “There has only been coordination with the Myanmar side, not with us.”
When asked how Thailand should begin a peace process in Myanmar, Padoh Saw Taw Nee stated that the State Administration Council (SAC) must first halt all violence. “There was already a proposal in previous ASEAN meetings, but the SAC has continued fighting and killing the people.”
“A meeting with Min Aung Hlaing like this brings no benefit to the people of Myanmar. We are very concerned about the meeting tomorrow in Bangkok. If the process goes off track from the beginning, it will cause massive damage. Without the participation of the people of Myanmar, peace cannot be achieved,” he warned.
Fuadi Pitsuwan, a political science academic from Thammasat University, added that if this meeting truly happens, it must be handled with extreme caution as it risks giving excessive legitimacy to Gen. Min Aung Hlaing.
He noted that Prime Minister Anwar had previously asked Thaksin for help with Myanmar issues, and it is likely Thaksin would be meeting Min Aung Hlaing as a representative of the ASEAN chair. Anwar had once said “ASEAN should carve Myanmar out,” so a real meeting between him and the junta leader would carry significant political implications. “The key concern is whether this gives too much legitimacy to Min Aung Hlaing—it’s a very serious question.”
Fuadi stated that ASEAN countries should at least support the legitimacy of ethnic minority groups. These groups are not necessarily aligned with the National Unity Government (NUG), but are instead the Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) based along the Thai-Myanmar border, such as the KNU and the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP). “These groups deserve more recognition from Thailand,” he said. “There have been informal talks, but it’s time to engage more officially.”
Asked about Thailand’s role as a mediator in the Myanmar crisis, Fuadi said Thailand is in a unique position due to its over 2,000-kilometer border with Myanmar. “What happens in Myanmar affects Thailand first. We have good relations with many sides. It’s good to bring ASEAN into the conversation, but the talks must be structured—what topics are open, which are closed, and how to proceed.”
Regarding balancing talks between opposition groups and the junta, he suggested, “We should value the ethnic minorities. There should be a separate platform, a parallel formal forum. Right now, these groups don’t feel the Thai state is listening to them enough. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should start recognizing the importance of EAOs—not necessarily anti-military, but neutral actors—and make them feel heard.”
Fuadi proposed that Thailand should appoint a dedicated assistant minister or special envoy for Myanmar affairs, with an office based in places like Mae Sot or Mae Hong Son. “This civilian role would coordinate with both the foreign ministry and military. The special envoy would report directly to the Prime Minister, focusing on Myanmar and facilitating official engagement with ethnic groups.”
“The Foreign Minister already has many responsibilities, but a special envoy can coordinate across ministries and work directly on Myanmar. This would be a more powerful civilian mechanism. Another approach is to use local administrative units on both sides of the border to build closer cooperation. But this all depends on whether the Prime Minister has the political will to lead Thailand in that direction,” Fuadi concluded.
See original Thai article, https://transbordernews.in.th/home/?p=42132
