Myanmar’s leader Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to make an official visit to Thailand in August as part of ongoing efforts to normalize diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries. The announcement was made by Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow during a press briefing in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Min Aung Hlaing, the former military commander who orchestrated the 2021 coup that ousted democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was later appointed civilian president following elections held under tightly controlled conditions earlier this year. Thailand has taken a leading role within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to re-engage with Myanmar after years of isolation and diplomatic sanctions following the coup.

“It’s best to bring Myanmar back into the fold,” said Sihasak, emphasizing the importance of dialogue after several years of strained relations. The visit will mark Min Aung Hlaing’s first to Thailand since his transition to the presidency and follows recent trips to India, China, and Laos. The Thai foreign minister indicated that the details of Min Aung Hlaing’s itinerary are still being finalized.

This diplomatic move coincides with Thailand’s hosting of an informal ASEAN foreign ministers meeting last Sunday, which included Myanmar’s attendance—the first such engagement since the military takeover. Since the coup, ASEAN has barred Myanmar’s leadership from attending high-level summits and struggled to advance its five-point plan aimed at resolving the ongoing civil conflict through inclusive national dialogue.

Observers note growing divisions within the ASEAN bloc, with some members willing to accept incremental steps toward reconciliation and others demanding more significant progress before fully restoring Myanmar’s status in regional forums. There has also been speculation about Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe participating in upcoming formal ASEAN meetings, though a diplomatic source indicated he would not attend talks scheduled for next week in Manila.

Southeast Asia analyst Morgan Michaels of the International Institute for Strategic Studies commented that normalization of ties appears inevitable, suggesting that both Min Aung Hlaing and his foreign minister are likely to be reintegrated into ASEAN political processes in the near future.

Thailand shares a porous border with Myanmar and has been directly affected by the spillover from the ongoing conflict, including cross-border skirmishes and an influx of refugees. Sihasak acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating that “progress won’t be achieved overnight” while expressing hope for de-escalation and stabilization.

A persistent concern in the normalization discourse remains the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, now 81, who has been held since the coup. In April, Min Aung Hlaing announced she would be moved from prison to house arrest, but her current condition and whereabouts remain uncertain. ASEAN has requested access through its special envoy, a move Myanmar has so far rejected. Following the recent ASEAN meeting, Sihasak reported that Myanmar’s foreign minister assured counterparts that Suu Kyi was in good health, though he stressed that independent verification is still necessary.