Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has raised concerns over the welfare of Aung San Suu Kyi during a meeting with Myanmar's new President Min Aung Hlaing. The 80-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains in detention despite a recent mass amnesty that freed thousands of political prisoners.
Mr Sihasak said President Hlaing assured him that Suu Kyi was being 'well looked after'. The Thai minister relayed worries from fellow ASEAN members about the condition of Myanmar's last civilian leader, who has been held since the 2021 military coup. Suu Kyi's 27-year sentence was reduced by one-sixth last week as part of an amnesty, but she has not been released.
The meeting in Naypyitaw also discussed Myanmar's possible return to ASEAN, but Mr Sihasak stressed that the bloc's concerns over ending violence and border cooperation remain. Thailand expressed readiness to support Myanmar in ending its civil war and seeking détente with ASEAN.
'They're trying to show that they're moving towards a better direction,' Mr Sihasak said. 'These things are essential. Because we want them to return to ASEAN. We want to help them, but we can't help them if they cannot help themselves.' Myanmar state media reported the meeting but omitted any mention of Suu Kyi.
Suu Kyi's son has recently expressed grave worries about her health, calling for proof of life. The Nobel laureate has not been seen in public since her trials concluded in December 2022.
