Welcome to Foreign Policy’s Southeast Asia Brief.
The highlights this week: Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing visits Bangkok as part of an ongoing diplomatic push; the Philippines’ growth slumps; and a school shooting puts Thailand’s gun culture in the global spotlight.
Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok
Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing visited Bangkok last week, part of an ongoing and successful diplomatic push following sham elections held in 2025-2026 and his own inauguration as president in April.
The visit to Thailand follows an official visit to India from May to June, China in June, and Laos in July. It marks the latest phase in Thailand’s continued normalization of relations with Myanmar. Sharing a 1,500-mile border with the country, Thailand’s foreign minister has said they need to be realistic in their dealings. (But not everyone is on board.)
