PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The head of Myanmar’s military-backed government arrived in Cambodia on Friday for talks with senior leaders, in his latest bid to normalize ties with fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Critics, however, warn the visit could undermine the bloc’s unified stance on addressing the crisis in Myanmar.
Min Aung Hlaing has intensified his diplomatic outreach and sought to secure international recognition since being sworn in as president in April, following an election widely regarded as engineered to preserve military dominance.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to mend regional relationships that frayed after Min Aung Hlaing overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s administration in February 2021 while serving as army chief.
Friday’s trip marks Min Aung Hlaing’s fourth visit to an ASEAN member state, reflecting his determination to reclaim his standing within the 11-nation bloc, of which both Myanmar and Cambodia are members.
Min Aung Hlaing endured years of diplomatic isolation after the 2021 takeover and was excluded from high-level ASEAN gatherings for failing to implement the bloc’s peace plan for Myanmar. That plan demanded an end to violence, inclusive dialogue, mediation facilitated by an ASEAN envoy, humanitarian assistance, and unimpeded access for the envoy to engage all stakeholders.
During his inauguration address, Min Aung Hlaing committed to resuming normal engagement with ASEAN and strengthening international relations.
He has since traveled to India, China, Laos, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Russia, and most recently Vietnam, where he held meetings with leaders and attempted to attract foreign investment through business forums.
State-run MRTV television reported that Min Aung Hlaing landed at Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh on Friday morning.
He is expected to meet over the course of his two-day visit with Senate President Hun Sen, Prime Minister Hun Manet, and other senior Cambodian officials.
Cambodia has played a significant role in ASEAN’s efforts to address the conflict in Myanmar, particularly in 2022, when then-Prime Minister Hun Sen, serving as the bloc’s rotating chair, traveled to Naypyitaw and met with Min Aung Hlaing in a bid to revive peace talks—becoming the first foreign leader to visit Myanmar following the military takeover.
The Khmer Movement for Democracy, a group comprising Cambodian opposition leaders in exile, condemned the visit on Wednesday, warning it must not become another avenue for Min Aung Hlaing to circumvent ASEAN’s diplomatic pressure.
“Min Aung Hlaing cannot be allowed to use Phnom Penh as a diplomatic back door into ASEAN,” said Mu Sochua, president of the KMD, in a statement. “He does not possess the democratic legitimacy that the red-carpet treatment afforded to a head of state implies.”
Human rights organization Fortify Rights urged Cambodia to cancel the visit rather than grant political legitimacy to the junta leader.
The group further called on Cambodian authorities to arrest Min Aung Hlaing and surrender him to the International Criminal Court if an arrest warrant is issued, noting that the court’s prosecutor requested one against him in 2024 over alleged crimes against humanity committed against Rohingya Muslims in western Myanmar.
