International efforts to isolate Myanmar’s ruling junta have hindered their ability to buy new military equipment abroad, but they still have access to money and weapons for their war against anti-coup forces, as per a recent UN report. Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar has been in turmoil, with the military facing financial sanctions from Western nations. The protest movement has escalated into a civil war, with air strikes leading to civilian casualties.
The UN report by Tom Andrews revealed that the junta imported $253 million in weapons and materials in a year, a decrease from previous years due to efforts by Singapore. Despite this, Thailand has partially filled the gap in military procurement. Thailand-registered companies supplied weapons and materials worth $120 million in the 2023 fiscal year.
Thailand’s foreign ministry has stated that its financial institutions follow protocols like other major hubs and will review the UN report. However, there has been no response to the report’s claims of Thailand-registered entities aiding the Myanmar junta. Singapore and the Myanmar junta have not commented on the report, while Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has emphasized neutrality in the conflict.
