Myanmar Coup, Neighboring Countries 'Watching from Across the River'... Drawing the Line as "Myanmar's Domestic Issue"

▲Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar Military Commander-in-Chief [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] While the United Nations, the United States, and the international community have collectively voiced criticism against the Myanmar military coup, some neighboring Southeast Asian countries have drawn a line by calling it an internal matter of Myanmar.

According to local media and major foreign news outlets on the 1st, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan responded to reporters' questions about the Myanmar coup by bluntly stating, "It is an internal matter of Myanmar."

A former military general, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit has served as the 'number two' figure in the government of Prayut Chan-o-cha, who came to power through a coup in May 2014.

Since the absolute monarchy was overthrown and a constitutional monarchy was introduced in Thailand in 1932, there have been 19 coups to date.

On the same day, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen also said, "We are closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar, but as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Cambodia will not make any comments on the internal matters of other ASEAN countries."

Having taken power in January 1985, Prime Minister Hun Sen has maintained his position for 37 years. In the July 2018 general election, held after forcibly dissolving the main opposition party, the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) swept all 125 seats, enabling Hun Sen to extend his rule until 2023.

Harry Roque, spokesperson for the Philippine presidential palace, also drew a line during a press briefing on the same day, stating, "We will not interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs," and added, "What is important is the safety of our nationals in Myanmar."

In the Philippines, since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in July 2016, the government has been engaged in a 'bloody war on drugs.'

During this process, the so-called 'extrajudicial killings,' where suspects are shot without trial, have drawn criticism from the international community and human rights organizations.