Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's leader, has appointed a woman as the presidential spokesperson for the first time, while analysts view this as merely an attempt to improve the military government's image and increase its legitimacy.
On 6 June 2026 GMT+7, the Myanmar government appointed Ms. Khai Khai So, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Immigration and Population, as the presidential spokesperson. The official announcement came after Senior General Min Aung Hlaing returned from a four-day visit to India, marking his first foreign trip as Myanmar's president.
Ms. Khai Khai So, wife of a colonel in the Myanmar military, appeared before the media for the first time in her new role at Naypyidaw airport. She stated that Min Aung Hlaing's visit to India was successful and produced significant diplomatic and economic outcomes. She also urged the public to follow the policies and directives of the president.
This appointment follows a vacancy in the presidential spokesperson position for several months after the dismissal of Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, the former military government spokesperson who had communicated and defended the government since the 2021 coup.
Historically, the role of Myanmar's presidential spokesperson has mostly been held by men, including U Ye Htut during the Thein Sein government, U Soe Thane in the civilian government era, and Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun after the coup. Ms. Khai Khai So is the first woman to hold this position.
Political analysts believe this appointment does not reflect a policy shift but is Min Aung Hlaing's effort to cultivate an image of promoting women's roles and to strengthen the government's legitimacy.
Ms. Khai Khai So previously served as Deputy Director of the Department of Immigration and Population during the Thein Sein administration, later promoted to Director during the civilian government, and appointed Director-General of the department after the 2021 coup. She subsequently advanced to Deputy Minister in the current government.
Source: Irrawaddy PPIB