Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing visits Thailand in quest for legitimacy  

BANGKOK, Aug 6:  Myanmar's junta chief turned President Min Aung Hlaing received a red-carpet welcome in Thailand on Thursday as Bangkok pushes for progress on peace efforts in Myanmar's civil war and its re-engagement with the regional bloc ASEAN.

The retired general, who seized power in a 2021 coup, is the subject of a raft of Western sanctions and has sought international legitimacy since becoming Myanmar's president in April, which followed an election dominated by an army-backed party in the absence of any viable opposition.

At an arrival ceremony in Bangkok, Min Aung Hlaing, dressed in a dark business suit, walked a red carpet with Thai Prime Minister AnutinCharnvirakul to inspect an honour guard before greeting officials with smiles and handshakes ahead of bilateral talks.

With a civil war raging in Myanmar following the 2021 coup, Thailand is pursuing "calibrated re-engagement" hoping its neighbour will make progress on a stalled ASEAN-led peace plan. 

The bloc has expressed dissatisfaction with Myanmar's lack of progress and has barred its leaders from attending summit meetings.

During talks with Anutin, Min Aung Hlaing pledged to pursue peace and improve ties with the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"Myanmar is on the path of democracy and heading towards a better future," he said.

"As we have worked to strengthen friendly relations ... we will also work toward fostering better relations with ASEAN."�" REUTERS