ASEAN leaders meet in Laos as Thailand PM urges Myanmar engagement ahead of election

ASEAN leaders meet in Laos to address Myanmar's civil war, with Thailand pushing for dialogue and a peaceful resolution.

Southeast Asian leaders met in Laos on Wednesday (October 9, 2024) for a summit expected to seek ways to address the worsening civil war in Myanmar, with Thailand calling for heightened engagement ahead of a planned election by the country's embattled military rulers.

Chaos has prevailed in Myanmar since a 2021 military coup sparked a nationwide rebellion and a civil war that has ravaged the nation of 55 million. The ruling junta has so far refused to hold talks with its opponents, whom it calls terrorists.

Thailand has offered to host an "informal consultation" of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in December to try to find a way out of the intractable conflict that has displaced millions of people.

"ASEAN should send a unified message to all parties in Myanmar that there is no military solution. It is time to start talking," Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra told a meeting of ASEAN leaders. "Thailand is ready to help."

The junta is conducting a nationwide census to pave the way for an election next year, despite not having control over wide swathes of the country.

ASEAN has so far said little of the proposed election, which has already been widely derided as a sham, with dozens of parties — including the dominant National League for Democracy (NLD), whose government the military toppled — disbanded for not registering to run.

But Ms. Shinawatra hinted at Thailand's support for holding the vote, saying "more political space and dialogue between parties are vital as Myanmar moves forward with elections".