Audio Overview🔊
Introduction
The political crisis in Myanmar continues to be a major issue challenging the unity and centrality of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), a regional organization. A review of international responses between October 21 and November 19, 2025, particularly the actions of ASEAN and its member states, reveals that the Myanmar issue remains an important topic on the ASEAN agenda. This paper will analyze and present ASEAN’s collective decisions regarding the Myanmar issue, the individual positions of member states such as Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, and the response of the State Administration Council.
ASEAN’s Policy Stance and Challenges
ASEAN continues to adhere to the Five-Point Consensus as the primary framework for resolving the Myanmar issue. During the meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last October, ASEAN adopted reviews and decisions regarding the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. Notably, the Malaysian Prime Minister confirmed that the Myanmar military leader was not allowed to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit, demonstrating that ASEAN is continuing to strictly enforce its policy of politically barring representation.[1]
Regarding this exclusion, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ruling military junta responded at the 47th Summit, pointing out that discrimination against Myanmar could undermine ASEAN’s unity.[2] However, ASEAN continues to bar Myanmar from attending political-level meetings. This situation highlights the escalating diplomatic tussle between the ruling Myanmar military junta and ASEAN. At the same time, revolutionary forces have increasingly demanded that ASEAN not remain silent on the junta’s brutality and take effective action.
Myanmar Electoral Crisis and Disagreements
The Myanmar military junta’s planned election, scheduled to begin on December 28th, is currently a major topic of debate among ASEAN leaders. ASEAN’s official position is that an Inclusive National Dialogue involving all stakeholders is needed before the election.[3] This reflects ASEAN’s view that a political solution cannot be found through elections alone.
However, in terms of practical implementation, there are some disagreements within ASEAN. For example, the Indonesian President urged that ASEAN send an election observation team to the Myanmar military council’s election, but ASEAN did not reach a consensus on sending an election observation team.[4] The 47th ASEAN statement only noted all recent developments in Myanmar, including preparations for the election. This illustrates the differences in acceptability and approaches to the military council’s political exit strategy among member states.
Individual diplomatic approaches of ASEAN member states
In relation to Myanmar, in addition to ASEAN’s collective decisions, member states are pursuing different approaches based on their national interests and regional security perspectives.
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Thailand: As a country bordering Myanmar, Thailand has announced four key positions focusing on “inclusive elections” in Myanmar.[5] Thailand has strongly urged dialogue before the elections and appears to be employing a soft diplomacy approach that prioritizes stability.
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Philippines: The Philippines, which will assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026, is likely to play a more active role in Myanmar affairs. The Philippine Foreign Minister was appointed as the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy to Myanmar on November 14.[6]It is expected that diplomatic pressure led by the Philippines will intensify in the coming period with regard to Myanmar.
Conclusion
An overview of the events from October 21 to November 19 reveals that ASEAN is struggling to balance “exclusion” and “engagement” in its approach to the Myanmar issue.
On the one hand, it continues to politically punish the military leader by banning him from attending meetings. On the other hand, it is still difficult to reach a common position among member states regarding the election issue. In particular, ASEAN and Thailand’s demand for an “all-inclusive political dialogue” before the election still seems unlikely to materialize on the ground.
The appointment of the Philippine Foreign Minister as Special Envoy could bring new momentum to ASEAN’s approach to the Myanmar issue. However, it is assessed that ASEAN’s current mechanisms have not yet had an effective impact on stopping the military group’s violence, which is a demand of the revolutionary forces.
[1] DVB, October 23, 2025: Myanmar junta leader will not attend ASEAN summit, confirms Malaysian Prime Minister.Link
[2] Popular News Journal, October 27, 2025: Discrimination against Myanmar could undermine ASEAN unity, Permanent Secretary pointed out at the 47th ASEAN Summit. Link
[3] ASEAN, October 26, 2025: ASEAN Leaders’ Review and Decision on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Link
[4] People’s Spring, October 27, 2025: Indonesian President urges ASEAN to send an election observer team to the Myanmar military council’s election. Link
[5] Thet Htwe Naing – Freelance Journalist’s Post, October 25, 2025: Thailand Outlines Four Key Positions on Myanmar, Including Inclusive Elections. Link
[6] BBC, November 17, 2025: Philippine Foreign Minister appointed as ASEAN Special Envoy. https://www.bbc.com/burmese/articles/c1d0wvz0vppo
