Thais justify talks with Myanmar as key Asean members stay away

Protesters hold up a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi and raise three-finger salutes, during a demonstration to mark the second anniversary of Myanmar's 2021 military coup, outside the Embassy of Myanmar in Bangkok, Thailand, February 1, 2023. - Reuters

BANGKOK, June 19 (Reuters): Thailand on Monday justified hosting talks aimed at re-engaging with Myanmar's shunned military, saying dialogue was necessary to protect its border with the strife-torn country, even as key South-East Asian neighbours stayed away.

Myanmar's generals have been barred from high-level meetings of the 10-member Association of South-East Nations (Asean) since they seized power in a 2021 coup and unleashed violence on those who challenged their takeover.