Kathmandu— Myanmar's military chief Ye Win Oo has concluded a visit to Bangkok for talks with Thailand’s top general, marking his first international trip since assuming the role and representing a broadening diplomatic offensive by Myanmar’s post-coup leadership. The move comes after a five-year period of isolation following the 2021 coup that ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and triggered an ongoing civil war which has resulted in over 100,000 deaths according to monitoring group ACLED. Myanmar’s leaders are attempting to present upcoming elections—scheduled around early 2026—as a return to normalcy despite widespread international criticism. The visit focused on border cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, and addressing regional issues like drug trafficking and cybercrime.

Diplomatic Offensive Underway

After years of isolation, Myanmar’s post-coup leadership has begun a diplomatic push to bolster its legitimacy on the international stage. Min Aung Hlaing, who led the 2021 coup and was recently sworn in as president of Myanmar, previously visited Bangkok earlier this month where he was welcomed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who expressed a desire to end the conflict and restore peace within Myanmar.

The decision to engage with the military leadership has drawn scrutiny, but Thai officials maintain it is based on practical considerations rather than endorsement. The Thai foreign minister stated that engagement is “not about legitimacy; it’s about reality.”

Border Security and Regional Concerns

Discussions between Ye Win Oo and Thai military chief Ukris Boontanondha centered on cooperation along their 2,400km (1,500-mile) border. Officials addressed joint efforts to combat the illicit drug trade and dismantle cyberscam networks operating in the region.

The two sides also explored avenues for increased military collaboration on counterterrorism initiatives, training programs, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations. These shared concerns are driving closer ties between the neighboring nations despite international condemnation of Myanmar’s government.

Controversial Elections Loom

Myanmar's post-coup leadership is touting deeply restricted elections planned for around 2026 as a step towards normalization, but these plans have been widely dismissed by international observers. United Nations experts have characterized the upcoming vote as a “sham” designed to rebrand military rule.

The elections are expected to exclude Aung San Suu Kyi and her party while punishing dissenters with imprisonment, leading democracy watchdogs to view them as a charade. Despite this criticism, Thailand and other neighboring countries sharing borders with Myanmar see the polls as an opportunity to reset relations.

The visit signals a potential shift in regional engagement with Myanmar, as some nations prioritize border security and pragmatic cooperation over strict adherence to democratic principles. The international community remains divided on how best to address the ongoing crisis.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.