The military leaders of Myanmar and Thailand have met for the first time since Myanmar's coup.

Myanmar's state-run broadcaster reported on Thursday that Army General Min Aung Hlaing met with the Chief of Defense Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, General Chalermphol Srisawat, in Myanmar's western state of Rakhine.

The countries' top military officials had been meeting regularly before the coup in February 2021. But this is their first get-together since then.

Thai officials say they agreed to strengthen ties in the field of security and in border areas.

Observers say Myanmar hopes the talks send a message to people at home and abroad that the country is not isolated.

Last year, Thailand held an unofficial meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers, including representatives of the Myanmar military in a conciliatory gesture to its neighbor.