Thailand's Foreign Ministry said Monday that Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing will make an official visit to Bangkok on August 6-7 at the invitation of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. This paper's Wednesday brief logged the window. Thursday is the first day of it. [1]

The trip is his first official visit to Thailand since he took the presidency in April after a restricted election that Western governments dismissed as a legitimacy play. Officials say the two leaders will discuss bilateral cooperation, ASEAN work, and a Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum. [1][2]

Reuters first dated the window on July 22. Bangkok wants "calibrated re-engagement" after ASEAN barred Myanmar's leaders from summits. [2] The civil war that followed the 2021 coup has killed an estimated 100,000 people. [3]

Dulyapak Preecharush of Thammasat University has warned that friendly protocol can drift into validation. Thailand wants a bridge. The junta wants a suit and a forum. He will also see the acting president of the National Assembly and the Senate president. [2] Protocol is the product. The war does not pause for it.

The visit follows a Laos trip and earlier travel to India and China. Protocol is the product. The war does not pause for it. Thursday is arrival day. A business forum is not a ceasefire. A red carpet is not a vote.

-- DAVID CHEN, Beijing