But he failed to convince several insurgent groups operating in the area to enter ceasefire agreements with the military.
He graduated from the Defense Services Academy (ninth intake) and became a colonel in 1986. He later was named Commander of Strategic Command 2 of the Eastern Regional Command, and in 1992 became a general staff officer at the War Office in Rangoon. In 1997 Thein Sein became a member of the SPDC.
In late 2001 he was promoted to major general and appointed Adjutant-General of the War Office. A year later he was elevated in rank to lieutenant-general.
Thein Sein also heads the National Convention Convening Commission and is the Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee for Burma’s War Veterans Organization. He is regarded as one of Than Shwe’s strongest supporters.