Myanmar’s deadliest earthquake in years has strengthened the position of ruling General Min Aung Hlaing by opening diplomatic channels closed for four years since his junta ousted an elected government, sparking a brutal civil war.
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake that killed nearly 2,900 people has enabled the junta chief to prepare for a rare foreign visit to a regional summit in Thailand, as he works with aides to arrange meetings with other leaders. Despite devastation at home, Myanmar state television reported that the visit will go ahead, with Min Aung Hlaing set to arrive in Thailand on Thursday ahead of the BIMSTEC grouping’s summit in Bangkok on Friday.
Regional powers are jostling for influence in Myanmar, and the junta chief’s engagement with them could demonstrate its indispensability as the primary public authority. Analyst Angshuman Choudhury notes that by publicly engaging with regional capitals, Min Aung Hlaing can show his leader’s ability to navigate complex global relationships.
Min Aung Hlaing has recently spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, leading to a flurry of international aid. The junta’s recent visits to Moscow and China have also helped maintain its backing from key allies.
However, some analysts say that the junta is exploiting the crisis to strengthen its position in Myanmar’s battlefield. Diplomatic sources report that millions of dollars in aid, relief supplies, and rescue workers from countries like China, India, Russia, and Southeast Asia are flooding into Myanmar, but the junta continues military operations despite ceasefire calls.
The junta chief’s visit to Bangkok may also give him an opportunity to meet with Modi, who has rushed aid and personnel to Myanmar since the quake. This could be a chance for Min Aung Hlaing to reassert his country’s position in regional forums like BIMSTEC.
Thailand is walking a tightrope by giving legitimacy to the junta chief as he battles the armed resistance that has eroded his grip on Myanmar, say analysts. With a long border and significant stakes at play, Thailand must be careful not to inadvertently legitimize the junta’s brutal methods.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmars-deadly-earthquake-brings-diplomatic-payoff-junta-chief-2025-04-02