Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is attending a regional summit in Bangkok on Friday, where he is expected to address the response to last week’s devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that has claimed over 3,000 lives.
The junta chief arrived at the Shangri-La Hotel under tight security to participate in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit, which brings together leaders from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and host country Thailand.
While international aid and rescue teams have reached Myanmar, relief efforts have been severely hampered by damaged infrastructure, limited communication, and an ongoing civil war. The country has been gripped by conflict since the military seized power in 2021, toppling the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Despite reports of sporadic clashes after the quake, both the junta and opposition groups agreed on Wednesday to a temporary ceasefire to allow humanitarian assistance to reach affected communities.
In New York, UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the truce and urged it to serve as a stepping stone toward meaningful political dialogue and the release of political prisoners.
In Myanmar’s Sagaing region — located less than 15 kilometers from the earthquake’s epicenter — AFP journalists witnessed chaotic scenes as hundreds of residents scrambled for emergency supplies. Civilian volunteers organized aid convoys, navigating jammed roads to deliver food, water, and medicine.
According to the UN Development Programme’s country representative Titon Mitra, the destruction in Sagaing is extensive, with 80% of buildings damaged and half rendered structurally unsound. Hospitals are overwhelmed and operating in open-air conditions amid extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 40°C (104°F).
“There are children, pregnant women, and injured people in need, but medical supplies are scarce,” Mitra said, estimating that over three million people may be affected by the quake.
Locals like 63-year-old nun Aye Thikar have stepped in to distribute relief funds but say basic necessities — including fuel, electricity, mosquito nets, and blankets — remain in short supply. “We rely solely on the kindness of passersby donating food and water,” she told AFP.
Meanwhile, Min Aung Hlaing was preparing to attend a gala dinner at the $400-a-night Shangri-La hotel, drawing sharp criticism from opposition groups and human rights organizations. Critics condemned Thailand’s decision to host the junta leader, accusing him of war crimes and violating ASEAN’s past stance of excluding Myanmar’s military from high-level events.
Thai foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura defended the invitation, citing Thailand’s role as summit host and its responsibility to engage all BIMSTEC members.
As of Thursday, Myanmar’s military government confirmed 3,085 deaths, with 341 people still missing and over 4,700 injured. In Bangkok — hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter — the quake caused isolated damage, including the collapse of a 30-story skyscraper under construction. Twenty-two people have died in the capital, and over 70 remain missing.
Rescuers continue to search the rubble, but hopes of finding additional survivors are fading.
Thailand has proposed that BIMSTEC leaders issue a joint statement acknowledging the impact of the disaster during their official meeting on Friday. The summit will also address regional trade, security, and economic cooperation amid global uncertainty following new U.S. tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.