Myanmar junta chief heads to Bangkok summit as earthquake death toll passes 3,000

In a striking convergence of crisis and diplomacy, Myanmar’s military chief, Min Aung Hlaing, departed Naypyidaw early Thursday to attend a high-stakes summit in Bangkok, just as the nation reels from a catastrophic earthquake that has claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people.

The 7.2-magnitude quake struck Myanmar’s central region late Tuesday night, toppling hundreds of structures, including schools, temples, and residential buildings. Entire villages have been reduced to rubble in the Magway and Mandalay regions, where emergency response teams—largely composed of volunteers—are struggling to reach survivors amid blocked roads and limited resources.

Despite the escalating humanitarian disaster, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has prioritized his attendance at the Bangkok Security and Stability Dialogue (BSSD), a regional forum hosted by Thailand to discuss cross-border security issues, refugee flows, and economic integration.

The junta chief’s decision to leave Myanmar in the midst of one of the worst natural disasters in the country’s recent history has sparked outrage among opposition groups and civil society organizations, many of which accuse the military government of negligence and indifference.

Earthquake Devastation Unfolds

According to the Myanmar Red Cross, the current death toll has surpassed 3,000 and is expected to rise as rescue efforts expand into hard-hit rural areas. Over 8,000 individuals are reported injured, and thousands more have been displaced.

“We’re pulling people out from beneath the debris with our bare hands,” said Daw Tin Mar, a volunteer in the town of Pakokku. “There’s no coordination, no government support. We’re doing this alone.”

The quake has also disrupted already fragile supply chains, with fuel and food prices spiking in several provinces. Power outages persist in many townships, and telecommunications are unreliable in quake-affected zones.

Despite the overwhelming scale of the disaster, the junta has yet to issue a formal national emergency declaration. Critics suggest this is a deliberate move to avoid international scrutiny and maintain control over foreign aid distribution, which has historically been tightly restricted under military rule.

Junta Prioritizes Summit Over Crisis

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s attendance at the BSSD has baffled many observers. While the summit includes delegates from neighboring ASEAN countries and key security partners such as China and India, Myanmar’s participation appears symbolic rather than strategic.

“It’s a move to project strength and legitimacy at a time when his leadership is under question both domestically and internationally,” said Dr. Aye Chan, a political analyst and former diplomat now based in Kuala Lumpur. “But to do this while the country mourns thousands of deaths—it’s tone-deaf and politically risky.”

Reports suggest that the junta leader will use the summit platform to call for tighter border controls and greater regional cooperation in combating “insurgency threats,” a term widely seen as a reference to the anti-junta resistance forces active in Myanmar’s ethnic borderlands.

International Reaction and Relief Efforts

Several governments have offered aid, including Japan, India, and the United States. However, concerns remain over whether the assistance will actually reach those in need, given the junta’s control over all points of entry and distribution.

The United Nations has called for “unhindered humanitarian access” and urged the military to allow independent relief agencies to operate freely. The World Food Programme (WFP) has pre-positioned emergency food stocks in neighboring Thailand, pending clearance from Myanmar authorities.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed concern for the victims in a press briefing Wednesday. “Our hearts go out to the people of Myanmar. We hope to coordinate with regional partners to ensure swift and effective relief efforts.”

Nevertheless, during the summit’s closed-door sessions, regional leaders are expected to press Myanmar on a range of issues beyond the quake, including the intensifying civil conflict, ongoing human rights abuses, and the refugee crisis spilling into Thailand and Bangladesh.

A Nation in Mourning

As the summit continues behind closed doors, back in Myanmar, candlelight vigils are quietly being held in towns like Myingyan and Kyaukpadaung for the earthquake victims. On social media—despite heavy censorship—messages of grief and anger pour in from Myanmar citizens both at home and abroad.

“This is not just a natural disaster. It’s a man-made tragedy compounded by government failure,” said a member of the underground activist group Generation Z Front.

With the junta’s legitimacy already under international scrutiny and its domestic popularity at historic lows, how Min Aung Hlaing balances diplomacy abroad with disaster at home may define the next chapter in Myanmar’s increasingly turbulent story.

This article was produced exclusively for Unshared News. Reproduction or redistribution without permission is strictly prohibited.

By Unshared News Staff
Date: April 4, 2025.