Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing visits Laos for ASEAN relations

Kathmandu. Myanmar's former military ruler and current President Min Aung Hlaing has reached Laos on Friday for his first official visit to an ASEAN member state after assuming the responsibility of a civilian president. Analysts have interpreted this visit as his attempt to improve international recognition and regional relations.

Min Aung Hlaing, who took power in 2021 by overthrowing the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi through a military 'coup', ruled directly under military leadership for five years. After the ban on Suu Kyi's party, suppression of the opposition, and elections being stopped in areas with rebel influence, he came into the role of civilian president in April this year.