Protests have emerged in Bangkok, Thailand, against the arrival of military leader Min Aung Hlaing who is attending the BIMSTEC conference. Demonstrators have hung large banners near the Shangri-La Hotel, where the conference is being held, declaring ‘We Don’t Welcome Murderer Min Aung Hlaing.’ The military leader arrived in Bangkok on April 3rd following an invitation from the Thai Prime Minister and is scheduled to attend the conference on April 4th.
In response to Min Aung Hlaing’s attempts to gain international recognition through various means, Myanmar’s Spring Revolution mass strike forces have called upon Myanmar workers in Thailand to take action. They have urged workers to either abstain from work on April 4th or wear black clothing as a form of protest. Demonstrators have expressed that allowing Min Aung Hlaing to participate in international conferences further victimizes the Myanmar people, who have already endured violent suppression, killings, and unlawful detentions since the military takeover.
In their statement, the Spring Revolution mass strike forces emphasized that Min Aung Hlaing is responsible for committing war crimes against the Myanmar people and must continue to face international isolation. They criticized the Thai government’s decision to invite someone they describe as a murderer, stating that such actions hinder the Myanmar people’s struggle for democracy. The statement also called for continued support of the revolution to completely eliminate the military dictatorship system in Myanmar. The protesters highlighted that Min Aung Hlaing’s regime has been responsible for widespread human rights violations, including violent crackdowns on civilians, arbitrary arrests, and the suppression of democratic movements since seizing power.
