The Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 3 to participate in the BIMSTEC Leaders’ Meeting scheduled for April 4, according to Thai news outlet The Reporters.
Upon arrival, he attended a dinner hosted by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the Shangri-La Hotel, where leaders from other BIMSTEC member countries were also present.
Reuters reported that his visit to Thailand is notable, as most countries have cut diplomatic ties with Myanmar following the military takeover. This marks his third foreign visit since assuming power, following trips to Russia and China.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technological and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization established in 1997, connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia. Its seven member countries—Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan—collaborate on trade, investment, connectivity, security, and cultural exchange.
The BIMSTEC Summit 2025, held in Bangkok from April 2 to 4, marks the sixth meeting of the organization and the first in-person gathering of leaders since 2018. Notably, Thailand also hosted the first-ever BIMSTEC meeting two decades ago.
