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 Myanmar |  Thailand |
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| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of Myanmar, Bangkok | Royal Thai Embassy, Yangon |
| Envoy | |
| AmbassadorZaw Zaw Soe | AmbassadorMongkol Visitstump |
Myanmar–Thailand relations refers to thecurrent and historical relations betweenMyanmar (also known as Burma) andThailand. Myanmar has an embassy inBangkok, while Thailand has an embassy inYangon.[1][2] In recent decades, relations between Burma andThailand have focused mainly on economic issues and trade. Burmese-Thai relations have been shaped by a long and complex history, marked by periods of cooperation, conflict, and political maneuvering. Both nations have shared cultural, religious, and geopolitical interests, yet their interactions have often been characterized by rivalry and territorial disputes. There is sporadic conflict between Myanmar and Thailand over three disputed islands.[3]
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Thai nationalism plays a significant role in shaping how Thailand views Myanmar. The notion of Thailand as an independent nation-state that resisted foreign domination resonates strongly in Thai nationalism, positioning Burma as a historical aggressor in this narrative. Historic conflicts between Siamese and Burmese kingdoms and theFall of Ayutthaya in 1767 have contributed to this prevailing view in Thai discourse. Thai cinematic depictions of these historical conflicts, includingKing Naresuan,Suriyothai, andBang Rajan, have glorified these conflicts to stimulate patriotism.[4][5]Damrong Rajanubhab'sOur Wars with the Burmese is "responsible for popularizing the image of the Burmese as an enemy of the Thai nation," and has been instrumental in shaping Thai views on the Burmese.[6] In recent years, Thais have begun re-examining their understanding of Thai history in relation to the Burmese.[7]
The Burmese–Siamese war of 1547–1549 was the first of many wars fought between the Burmese ofPegu and theSiamese ofAyutthaya. The war began with an invasion by KingTabinshwehti of theTaungoo Dynasty through theThree Pagodas Pass into Siamese territory, which presaged an attack on the capitalcity of Ayutthaya itself. The invasion came after a political crisis in Ayutthaya that had ended with the placing ofMaha Chakkraphat on theSiamese thrones
The war is notable for the introduction ofearly modern warfare byPortuguesemercenaries. It is most notable in thehistory of Thailand for the valiant death in battle of Siamese QueenSuriyothai on herwar elephant. As a result, the conflict is often referred to inThailand as the War that led to the loss of Queen Suriyothai.[8]
The Burmese–Siamese War (1594–1605) was the war caused by the vengeance of Siam towards the Burmese rule. KingNaresuan of Ayutthaya was planning to conquer Burma. The war began with Siamese attacks on and occupation of the cities ofTenasserim andMyeik, then proceeded toToungoo.
The Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767) was the secondmilitary conflict between theKonbaung Dynasty of Burma and theBan Phlu Luang Dynasty of Siam (Thailand), and the war that ended the four-century-old Siamese kingdom.[9] Nonetheless, the Burmese were soon forced to give up their hard-won gains when theChinese invasions of their homeland forced a complete withdrawal by the end of 1767. A new Siamese dynasty, to which thecurrent Thai monarchy traces its origin, emerged to reunify Siam by 1770.
This war was the continuation of thewar of 1759–1760. Thecasus belli of this war were also the control of theTenasserim coast and its trade, and the Siamese support for the rebels in the Burmese border regions.[10] The war began in August 1765 when a 20,000-strong northern Burmese army invaded northern Siam, and was joined in by three southern armies of over 20,000 in October, in apincer movement on Ayutthaya. By late January 1766, the Burmese armies had overcome numerically superior but poorly coordinated Siamese defences, and converged before the Siamese capital.[9]
The siege of Ayutthaya began during the first Chinese invasion of Burma. The Siamese believed that if they could hold out until the rainy season, the seasonal flooding of the Ayutthayan central plain would force a retreat. But KingHsinbyushin of Burma believed that the Chinese war was a minor border dispute, and decided to continue the siege. During the rainy season of 1766 (June–October), the battle moved to the waters of the flooded plain but failed to change the status quo.[9] When the dry season came, the Chinese launched a much larger invasion but Hsinbyushin still refused to recall the troops. In March 1767, KingEkkathat of Siam offered to become a tributary but the Burmese demanded anunconditional surrender. On 7 April 1767, the Burmese sacked the starving city for the second time in history, committing atrocities that have left a major black mark on Burmese-Thai relations to the present day. Thousands of Siamese captives were relocated to Burma.
The Burmese occupation was short-lived. In November 1767, the Chinese again invaded with their largest force yet, finally convincing Hsinbyushin to withdraw his forces from Siam. In the ensuing Siamese civil war,Taksin'sThonburi forces emerged the sole winner by mid-1770. The Burmese had also defeated a fourth Chinese invasion by December 1769.
By then, a new stalemate had taken hold. Burma had annexed the lower Tenasserim coast but again failed to eliminate Siam as the sponsor of rebellions in her eastern and southern borderlands. In the following years, Hsinbyushin was preoccupied by the Chinese threat, and did not renew the Siamese war until 1775—only afterLan Na had revolted again with Siamese support. The post-Ayutthaya Siamese leadership proved more than capable; they defeated the next two invasions (1775–1776 and1785–1786), and annexed Lan Na in the process.
Bodawpaya of Burma pursued his ambitious campaigns to expand his dominions. The Burmese-Siamese War (1785–1786) was called “Nine Armies War” by Siam because the Burmese came in nine armies. The armies surged into Lan Na and Northern Siam, yet the governor ofLampang managed to partly halt the Burmese, waiting for the troops fromBangkok. AsPhitsanulok was captured,Rama I himself led an army to the north.
In the south, Bodawpaya was waiting at Three Pagodas Pass. The Front Palace led his troops to the south the counter-attacked the Burmese came fromRanong throughNakhon Si Thammarat and the engagements occurred atKanchanaburi. The Burmese also attackedThalang (Phuket), where to governor had just died. Chan, wife of the governor, and her sister Mook gathered people to defend Thalang against the Burmese. Today,[when?]Chan and Mook are revered as two heroines opposing the Burmese invasions.
The Burmese proceeded to captureSongkhla. Upon hearing the news, the governors ofPhatthalung fled. However, a monk named Phra Maha encouraged the citizens to turn up their arms against the Burmese. Phra Maha was later raised to nobility by Rama I.
As his armies were destroyed, Bodawpaya retreated, only to renew attacks the next year (1786). Bodawpaya, this time, didn't divide his troops but instead formed into single army. Bodawpaya passed through the Chedi Sam Ong and settled in Ta Din Dang. The Front Palace marched the Siamese forces to face Bodawpaya. The fighting was very short and Bodawpaya was quickly defeated. This short war was called “Ta Din Dang campaign”.
In the 19th century, Burma became a colony of theBritish Empire. This prevented any Burmese-Siamese conflict.
In 1942, Thailand sent thePhayap Army to occupy theShan State andKayah State of Burma. Diplomatic relations were established in 1948.
Recently, Prime MinisterAbhisit Vejjajiva made clear that dialogue encouraging political change is a priority for Thailand, but not through economic sanctions. He also made clear to reconstruct temples damaged in the aftermath ofCyclone Nargis.[11] However, there were tensions over detained opposition leaderAung San Suu Kyi, with Thailand calling for her release.[12] She was released in 2010.[13]
As of 2020[update], sovereignty over threeAndaman Sea islands remains disputed. The standing agreement, negotiated in February 1982, left undetermined the status of Ginga Island (Ko Lam), Ko Kham, and Ko Ki Nok at the mouth of theKraburi River (Pakchan River). Subsequent negotiations in 1985, 1989, and 1990 made no progress. The two parties have designated the islands as "no man's land". Ongoing tensions in the area resulted in minor clashes in 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2013.[3]
Both Thailand and Myanmar have been in chaos due to protests (2020–2021 Thai protests and2021 Myanmar protests) against the military juntas in both countries; there has been solidarity between Thai and Burmese protesters.[14] However, while Thai protests, despite its significance, is mostly peaceful, the Burmese protests were met with brutal repression.[15][16][17][18] The Thai government, led by a former General himself, is accused of helping theTatmadaw to maintain power in Myanmar, which was denied.[19] At the same time, Burmese refugees have been flowing to Thailand, creating a border crisis and fear ofCOVID-19 spikes, in which the Thai government was also accused of trying to drive the refugees away, despite having guaranteed not to turn away the refugees.[20][21][22]
Thailand was a key ally of the junta with formerPrime Minister of ThailandPrayut Chan-o-cha using back-channel contacts in mid-2021 to shape Thailand's diplomatic options, especially as it related to ASEAN.[23][24] On 30 June 2022, when the Myanmar Air Force allegedly violated Thai airspace, Thailand scrambled a defense attache. Later, Prayuth said that the incident was "not a big deal."[25] After the2023 Thai general election, the new Prime MinisterSrettha Thavisin has shown support for the military'sNationwide Ceasefire Agreement urging all parties in Myanmar to stay on the path for peace and stability.[26]
Myanmar–Thailand relations in 2025 were tested by a recent crackdown on scam compounds in Myanmar, where thousands of foreign nationals, many victims of human trafficking, remain stranded. After a Chinese actor's abduction in January led to international action, authorities rescued hundreds from criminal-run centres. However, many detainees, housed in a remote camp run by theDemocratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) near the Thai border, face dire conditions with limited food, healthcare, and sanitation. With Thailand restricting entry to those with repatriation plans, some detainees struggle to afford flights home, fearing a return to the scam centres.[27]
In March 2025, amajor earthquake struck central Myanmar, killing at least 3,085 people and injuring over 4,700, with many still missing. The disaster also caused fatalities in Thailand, where 21 people died. Amid ongoing civil conflict and challenges to aid delivery, Myanmar's junta leaderMin Aung Hlaing traveled to Bangkok on 3 April to attend a regional summit ofBay of Bengal nations; an unusual move given his international sanctions. Thailand, the host, proposed a joint statement on the disaster. The junta declared a temporary ceasefire to facilitate relief, though earlier clashes and an incident involving Myanmar troops firing on aChinese Red Cross convoy complicated the situation. The crisis has intensified calls from humanitarian organizations and theUN for unrestricted aid access ahead of the monsoon season.[28]
In August 2025, theState Security and Peace Commission junta closed theThai–Myanmar Friendship Bridge Crossing No.2 to commercial traffic. All licensed goods are either rerouted to theMae Sai-Tachileik route or theRanong–Kawthaung waterway. While military authorities claim that the closure was to regulate trade and clamp down on unlicensed commerce, locals claim that the real motive was to strangle revenue sources of rebel groups such as theKaren National Union andPeople's Defense Force.[29][30][31]
The 2010–2012 Myanmar border clashes were a series of ongoing skirmishes between theMyanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and splinter brigades of theDemocratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). The clashes erupted along the border withThailand shortly after thegeneral election on 7 November 2010.[32] An estimated 10,000 refugees fled into nearby neighbouring Thailand to escape the violent conflict.[33] There was concern that, due to discontent with the elections and speculations ofelectoral fraud, that the conflict could escalate into acivil war.[34]
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