Fri Apr 04 01:17:21 UTC 2025: ## Myanmar Junta Leader Attends Regional Summit Amidst Earthquake Aftermath and International Condemnation
**Bangkok, Thailand –** The head of Myanmar’s military junta, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, made a rare international trip to Bangkok on Thursday to attend a Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit. His attendance comes as Myanmar reels from a devastating earthquake that killed over 3,000 people and exacerbates an already dire humanitarian crisis fueled by ongoing civil war.
Hlaing’s presence at the summit has drawn sharp criticism from the West and Myanmar’s opposition groups. He has been largely shunned internationally since the military coup in February 2021 and subsequent crackdown on dissent. The shadow National Unity Government (NUG), representing ousted elected lawmakers, condemned his participation, stating he lacks legitimacy. Activist group Justice for Myanmar echoed these sentiments, arguing the invitation legitimizes the junta. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the invitation, citing the charter’s requirement to invite all BIMSTEC leaders.
The three-day summit also addressed disaster management in light of the recent earthquake. The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 7.7, caused widespread destruction and left thousands injured and missing. The disaster further compounded the humanitarian challenges facing Myanmar, where millions are already displaced. The earthquake also impacted Thailand, resulting in at least 22 fatalities in Bangkok.
The summit included several other regional leaders, such as Bangladesh’s chief advisor Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hlaing’s visit marks his first to a country outside of China, Russia, and Belarus since 2021.
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