Thailand's coup leader and premier Prayuth Chan-Ocha will visit Myanmar on his first official overseas trip, an official said on September 12, as the junta seeks to strengthen ties with its neighbours.
Prayuth will travel to Myanmar "as soon as possible", deputy foreign minister Don Pramudwinai told AFP, saying the trip could take place by the end of this month or early October.
"The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Myanmar as his first foreign country because Myanmar currently chairs ASEAN," Don said, referring to the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations of which Thailand is also a member.
Prayuth is expected to travel to other ASEAN member states beginning with Malaysia after the Myanmar visit, he added.
Thailand's coup makers have been chided by the United States and the European Union for seizing power from an elected government in May, spurring the junta to strengthen relations with regional countries.
In July, when Myanmar's military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited Bangkok, the Thai military said he had expressed support for the coup.
The Bangkok Post on July 4 quoted Thai Supreme Commander General Tanasak Patimaprakorn as saying that the Myanmar government agreed with what Thailand was doing to return stability to the country.
General Tanasak said Myanmar "had a similar experience to us in 1988, so they understand".
Since the coup, the junta has curtailed dissent in Thailand by detaining in protesters, muzzling the media and threatening those found in breach of martial law with trial in a military court.
Prayuth has said he was forced to take power after months of protests against former premier Yingluck Shinawatra's administration left 28 people dead and hundreds wounded.
He has ruled out holding new elections before October 2015, despite international appeals for a return to democracy.
