Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has criticised ASEAN’s handling of the Myanmar crisis, saying the bloc’s five-year-old peace plan still lacks a clear strategy for implementation despite repeated discussions.
Speaking at the 41st ASEAN Roundtable in Singapore on November 5, Sihasak said ASEAN meetings often end with member states reaffirming the Five-Point Consensus and leaving further action to the bloc’s rotating special envoy without providing clear guidance.
According to Asia News Network, Sihasak said ASEAN must move beyond routine discussions and take more practical steps to address the crisis, warning that isolating Myanmar could undermine regional stability and turn the country into an arena for geopolitical competition.
He also called for stronger leadership from the rotating ASEAN chair, more flexible decision-making and a permanent ASEAN troika mechanism involving the previous, current and incoming chairs to enable faster responses to regional crises.
The Five-Point Consensus was adopted in April 2021 following Myanmar’s military coup that ousted the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. It calls for an end to violence, dialogue among all parties and humanitarian assistance. However, implementation has remained largely stalled, while Myanmar continues to face widespread armed conflict.
Sihasak stressed that ASEAN’s principle of non-interference should not become an excuse for inaction. He said rigid application of consensus could prevent the bloc from responding effectively to urgent developments.
On Thailand’s engagement with Myanmar, the foreign minister defended Bangkok’s dual-track approach, saying it must maintain contact with its neighbour to address cross-border problems while continuing efforts to encourage inclusive dialogue among Myanmar’s conflicting parties.
He added that Thailand had also discussed the need for broader regional engagement with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, expressing hope that collective efforts by regional countries could help make progress.
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