Myanmar poll 'not free or fair', says Thai minister

Thailand’s foreign minister has dismissed Myanmar’s coming election as neither free nor credible, urging the junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi.

Transcript

00:00Thailand's foreign minister says Myanmar's election next month will not be free or credible

00:06and calls for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

00:09Sia Sao Pong Kek Kiao adds that Thailand is unlikely to recognize the outcome of the election.

00:16Myanmar's military removed Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government in a 2021 coup,

00:22triggering civil war and deepening instability.

00:25The junta has presented the upcoming vote as a step towards reconciliation,

00:28but Xi, along with the dissolved National League for Democracy, will not take part.

00:34Sia Sao noted that the poll could still offer a narrow opening for reform,

00:38pointing to the example of 2010 when Taing Sien won an imperfect election and later released Aung San Suu Kyi.

00:45A Kriya diplomat and former ambassador to France,

00:48he urged the authorities to free the 80-year-old on humanitarian grounds,

00:52saying her continued detention is unacceptable and her health uncertain.

00:56Myanmar will hold the first phase of voting on Dec. 28,

01:00with the second round set for Jan. 11.

01:03Further phases and the date for final results remain unclear.