India, Aug. 6 -- The head of Myanmar's military-backed government arrived in Thailand on Thursday for an official visit that could serve as a major stepping stone in his effort to win political legitimacy more than five years after seizing power from an elected civilian government.

President Min Aung Hlaing's two-day official visit includes meetings with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and other officials at Government House, where they are expected to sign several memorandums of understanding. Following the meetings, the two leaders will attend a Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum.

The visit has drawn criticism from activist groups such as Justice For Myanmar, which stated that the trip lends "false legitimacy" to Min Aung Hlaing ...