Myanmar’s Junta Chief to Attend Bangkok Summit as Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 3,000
Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is set to travel to Bangkok on Thursday for a regional summit, while the death toll from the recent devastating earthquake in his country has surpassed 3,000.
The junta chief will participate in a BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) meeting alongside leaders from six other member nations. Discussions are expected to focus on the aftermath of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar last Friday, causing widespread destruction.
Despite international aid efforts, relief operations have been severely hindered by damaged infrastructure, poor communication networks, and the country’s ongoing civil unrest. Myanmar has been embroiled in violent conflict since 2021, following the military’s takeover from Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government.
Relief Efforts and Humanitarian Challenges
The junta announced on Wednesday that it would temporarily suspend hostilities to allow relief aid to reach affected communities. This move follows reports of sporadic clashes even after the quake, adding further challenges to humanitarian efforts.
In Sagaing, a city located less than 15 kilometers from the quake’s epicenter, AFP journalists observed chaotic scenes as hundreds of people gathered for emergency aid distribution.
On Thursday, roads leading to the city were congested with traffic, as volunteer convoys from across Myanmar transported relief supplies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one in three houses in Sagaing has collapsed, leaving many residents without shelter.
Survivors are struggling with shortages of essentials like water, electricity, and fuel. Aye Thikar, a 63-year-old nun helping distribute relief funds, expressed concern over the lack of assistance.
“We have drinking water, but no fuel to operate the water pump,” she told AFP. “We also don’t know how long we will be without electricity.”
With many homes destroyed or severely damaged, residents have been forced to sleep outdoors, relying on donated food and water from passersby.
Diplomatic Significance of the Summit
The Bangkok summit marks a rare diplomatic opportunity for Myanmar’s military government, as it deviates from ASEAN’s policy of excluding junta representatives from major regional events. Leaders from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are all expected to attend.
Host country Thailand has proposed a joint statement addressing the impact of the disaster, which will be discussed during Friday’s meeting, exactly one week after the earthquake struck.
Rising Death Toll and Ongoing Search Efforts
The Myanmar junta reported on Thursday that the official death toll has risen to 3,085, with 341 people still missing and 4,715 injured. Aid workers from 17 countries have arrived to assist, delivering nearly 1,000 tonnes of relief supplies, according to junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun.
“We are continuing search and rescue efforts and deeply appreciate the support of the international community and medical teams,” he said.
In Bangkok, which lies hundreds of kilometers from the earthquake’s epicenter, isolated damage was also reported. The death toll in the city has reached 22, with over 70 people still unaccounted for following the collapse of a high-rise under construction.
Rescue teams continue to search through the rubble of the 30-story building, but hopes of finding more survivors are fading. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt acknowledged the grim reality, saying in a Thursday morning livestream, “We are hoping for a miracle, but we must also prepare for the worst.”
