17.03.2025 – (12:01 PM)

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he had begun meeting with key leaders of Myanmar’s ethnic groups to find ways to resolve the country’s ongoing armed conflict.

“They have put forward a long list of demands. But I have asked them to come back with a shorter list that is realistic,” Thaksin said in an exclusive interview with Malaysian state-run news agency bernama in Bangkok.

The Myanmar government also needs to use an inclusive approach by engaging with ethnic groups before talking about holding general elections.

“The elections will be a sham,” he warned.

Myanmar is an elephant in the room for ASEAN, Thaksin said.

Thaksin serves as an informal senior adviser to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is chairing ASEAN this year.

Thaksin, the father of Thai Prime Minister Phatthana Shinawatra, did not give details about when or where he met with ethnic groups.

Before being appointed as Anwar’s informal adviser, Thaksin met with leaders of some ethnic groups at odds with the Burmese government in Chiang Mai in March and April last year.

Thaksin told the news agency bernama that he trusted Malaysia’s leadership as ASEAN chair in handling the Myanmar issue.

He said he was working to help and advise Anwar.

Thaksin said it would be beneficial if the NLD agreed to negotiate with the various ethnic groups and ASEAN could make some concessions.

He said he agreed with Anwar that all sides needed to talk to resolve the conflict.