Political situation in Myanmar

Thailand urges junta to hand over power

Thailand is urging the military junta in Myanmar to hand over power after the election scheduled for the end of this year, reports AFP.

Rights watchdogs have previously condemned the election as undemocratic, as the junta has cracked down hard on opposition voices seeking a return to democracy.

That the election is rather expected to cement the junta's power is a view shared by neighboring Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. He met with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday and made his call.

"He expressed his hope that the upcoming election will be an important political transition and part of a broader peace process," the Thai Foreign Ministry wrote in a statement.

18 killed in attack on televised football match in Myanmar

18 civilians were killed and 20 injured when the military junta in Myanmar bombed a tea shop that was showing a football match last week, the AP reports, citing independent local media.

The junta's attack is the latest in a long series of attacks targeting pro-democracy rebels ahead of the planned, and heavily criticized, elections later this month.

Political chaos erupted in 2021 when the junta seized power and overthrew democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi. What began as peaceful demonstrations against the junta's coup quickly turned into armed resistance, and a civil war has raged ever since.