The political situation in Myanmar is an “internal issue” and should be addressed using its own law and the mechanisms of ASEAN, said Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Panpree Phathithanukorn on 14 September.

The Prachathai English, Thailand’s independent online newspaper, reported, quoting the foreign minister, that the role of ASEAN in the region cannot be overlooked, and the Thai government remains committed to abiding by the 5-Point Consensus mechanism on Myanmar adopted to end violence and conflict in the neighbouring country.

Panpree also said that Myanmar needs to manage its internal matters, including conflict, the democratic process, and matters related to Aung San Suu Kyi, but Thailand will engage in discussions with ASEAN to help facilitate peace efforts.

He emphasized that the two neighbouring countries, however, need to engage in formal and informal discussions to address issues that have directly affected Thailand, such as drugs and illegal border crossings.

ASEAN’s mechanism on the 5-Point Consensus was adopted at a summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on 24 April 2021, among nine leaders of ASEAN member countries and Myanmar’s coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, with the agreement on an immediate end to violence, dialogue among all parties, appointment of ASEAN’s special envoy for mediation of dialogue, provision of ASEAN humanitarian aid, and a visit by the special envoy to meet all parties in the conflict.

However, the Myanmar military chief has defied each point, and continued a brutal nationwide crackdown.