• Best suited to office work. Often referred to as “Senior Clerk”.

• Lacks ambition. Despite being promoted to Brigadier General in the War Office, he remained in the post traditionally held by a Colonel or Staff Officer.

• Obedient and non-confrontational. Considered a “yes man” of Sr Gen Than Shwe, his loyalty dates back to the early 1990s when he served as his personal assistant in the War Office.

• Not respected by other high ranking military officials, including Burma’s newly-elected Vice President Tin Aung Myint Oo, and considered too weak for the position of Prime Minister.

• Described among military officials as “Mr. Clean” because he is allegedly not as corrupt as other generals.

• Lacks business and economic acumen. Often relies on junta cronies Tay Za and Zaw Zaw for advice on economic issues.

• Known to be a close associate with drug lords from the Wa Army while serving as Commander of the Triangle Region Command.

• Developed a reputation of being “anti-Thai” when he was Commander of the Triangle Region Command and dealt with Thai authorities regarding conflicts along the border.

• Represented the junta at ASEAN summits, where he was known to be the quietest leader at the meetings.

• During the 2007 ASEAN summit in Singapore, prevented UN Sec Gen’s Special Advisor on Burma Ibrahim Gambari from briefing attendees, by threatening to pull out of the association.

• Led the National Convention Convening Commission, which served as the first step of the junta’s seven-step roadmap to democracy.

• As point man for relief efforts related to cyclone Nargis, delayed the issuance of visas to foreign aid workers and played a key role in preventing aid from reaching survivors.

• Failed to convince several armed opposition groups in Eastern Shan State to enter ceasefire agreements with the junta when he was Commander of the Triangle Regional Command.

• Confiscated land from local paddy farmers which was sold to Wa officer Sai Mya for the production of amphetamines when he was Commander of the Triangle Regional Command.

• In 1998, as Commander of the Triangle Regional Command, failed to respond to a plane crash that killed 39 people near Tachilek Township, Shan State, opting instead to play golf.

In February 2007, as Chairman of the Committee for Prevention against Recruitment of Minors, Thein Sein said: “No forced recruitment is carried out and all the soldiers have joined the army of their own accord.”

In August 2007, during the final sessions of the National Convention, Thein Sein said with regard to the duration of the National Convention: “Actually we could have wrapped all of it up in a day, but there's a need to make it look good, isn’t there?”

In August 2010, in a speech sent to SPDC ministries, Army battalions, and universities and colleges directing them to vote for the USDP in the 7 November election, Thein Sein said: “Vote for the USDP because only the USDP can bring peace and tranquility to the country—only vote for the USDP, don’t vote for the wrong people.”

On 30 March 2011, in his inaugural address to the National Parliament, Thein Sein said: “[…] [E]very citizen has to avoid any activities and speeches that harm the image of the country and interests of the people.”

In November 2011, on the final day of the 19th ASEAN Summit in Bali, Indonesia, Thein Sein told reporters: “[There are] no political prisoners [in Burma] – all prisoners have broken the law […] we don’t accept their ‘conscience’.”

On 4 January 2012, in his Independence Day message, Thein Sein said: “It was the Tatmadaw that directed the nation towards building a peaceful, modern and developed democratic [country].”

In January 2012, in an interview with the Washington Post, Thein Sein said: “We cannot leave the military behind because we require the military’s participation in our country’s development.”

On 11 July 2012, while discussing the issue of Rohingya with UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres, Thein Sein said: “The solution to this problem is that they can be settled in refugee camps managed by UNHCR, and UNHCR provides for them. If there are countries that would accept them, they could be sent there.”

In August 2012, in an interview with Voice of America regarding Rohingya in Arakan State, Thein Sein said that “[Naypyidaw] will open schools for them and give them modern education […]. And once they become educated, they will be more thoughtful and can decide what is right and what is wrong.”

In January 2013, in a New Year message to Parliament, Thein Sein said: “[T]he Tatmadaw has not only made sacrifices in blood and sweat for the security of the State but also done everything they possibly can to make positive contributions to the peace process.”

On 31 March 2013 in a radio address to the nation, Thein Sein said “During this time of democratic transition, the Tatmadaw is also playing an important role by cooperating with the people. The Tatmadaw will use its good institutional traditions and attributes gained from its experience as strengths in this transitional process.”

On 19 May 2013, in an interview with the Washington Post, Thein Sein said that “There are no Rohingya among the races [in Burma]. We only have Bengalis who were brought for farming [during British rule].”