Myanmar poll to test regionListen to this articleTomorrow, eligible voters in Myanmar will return to the polls in a general election organised by the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC), the military-appointed body overseeing the process. It remains to be seen how Asean, chaired by the Philippines, will re-engage with Myanmar. With powerful partners, Myanmar may no longer need Asean -- or Bangkok -- as it once did. Complaints over water pollution linked to rare earth mining in Shan State have largely gone unanswered by both the Myanmar authorities and ethnic armed groups. Bangkok must also intensify cooperation with Myanmar authorities to tackle call-centre scams and other transnational crimes.

Source: Bangkok Post December 27, 2025 00:19 UTC