Myanmar’s military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been invited by the new Thai government to attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit on 30 November, according to a report by Thai PBS quoting an informed source.

Thailand is chairing BIMSTEC, a regional organisation that aims to deepen cooperation in trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism, fisheries, security, counterterrorism, disaster management and energy.

The countries that aere part of BIMSTEC are the South Asian countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, and the Southeast Asian countries of Myanmar and Thailand.

During an informal meeting in Bangkok in July, members agreed on the agenda for the upcoming summit to discuss critical issues related to digital payment systems and trade settlements; strengthening cooperation in cyber security and the prevention of transnational crimes; BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection; agriculture technology; cultural cooperation; youth exchange and diplomatic training, according to the Thai PBS report.

Southeast Asian lawmakers said in June that Thailand’s “re-engagement” with the illegal Myanmar junta is a betrayal of the Myanmar people and an affront to ASEAN unity.

The Geopolitical Monitor also reported in the same month that the Thai government’s intention to host a meeting with Myanmar’s generals in order to “fully re-engage” the junta is a violation of an agreement made in April 2021 among member states to exclude Myanmar’s generals from meetings.

Thailand is the second country in the world after Russia to welcome Myanmar’s military chief after the coup in February 2021.