CNI News

21 February 2024

The trucks that were being stuck in Kyin San Kyawt, China-Myanmar border trade gate have been allowed to take out, according to truck drivers. 

Trucks that were used in  the border trade were stuck in Kyin San Kyawt by the hundred due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State in October, 2023.

The Kokang force has allowed the owners to take out their trucks at present and the truck are being taking out from Lweje and Kan Pite Tee border trade gates in Kachin State through Chinese territory. It cost owners from 50 to 70 lakh kyats if they took out one of their trucks, Ko Thitsar, a truck owner, told CNI News.

" It's convenient. In fact, we have to hire an agent from the Chinese side and then we have to drive to Lweje. Although Kokang force allows to take out the trucks, because we have to drive through the Chinese territory, we have to pay the tax to China. You have to pay from 50 to 70 lakh kyats to take your truck to Kan Pite Tee." he said.

When taking out trucks loaded with imported goods, first the trucks are driven to Muse and the goods are put in the warehouses there. And then the trucks are driven back to the Chinese side and the trucks are to be taken out from Lweje after passing the Chinese territory reportedly.

Trucks that enter from the border

There were about 500 trucks that were stuck in Kyin San Kyawt and on the Chinese side. But now there are only about 50 percent of trucks left to take out, Ko Kyaw Aung, a truck driver, told CNI News.

" We have to wait for our trucks from Kan Pite Tee and Lweje. We have to pay about 70 lakh kyats to take our truck there. There are Chinese agents that provide service to drive and send it to us. But there are no goods in the truck. The trucks that were stuck on the Chinese side and the ones that were stuck in 105 Mile camp - a total of trucks that were stuck are between 300 and 500. Half of them are left to take out." he said.

However, some truck owners are finding it difficult because the traders don't take responsibility to take out the trucks loaded with import goods reportedly.

Due to the battles in northern Shan State during the Operation-1027 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, over 100 trucks that were stuck in Kyin San Kyawt were burnt and lost.

CNI News

21 February 2024

Myanmar people should be careful because Thai PM Srettha has said that Myanmar people who would come illegally to Thailand would be taken action against, those helping in the affairs of Myanmar workers said.

If Myanmar citizens came to Thailand legally, they would be welcome and if they came illegally, they would be taken action against and regarding it, negotiations had been conducted with security agencies, said Srettha.

Although those who came to Thailand were taken action against since before, because Thai PM expressed like that, the checks probably would be tightened in the border areas, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.

While Myanmar citizens who illegally entered Thailand have been arrested

"The reason why Thai PM said like that is they seem to be worried that there will be a shortage of jobs for their citizens. If the workers who will enter work by all means, they are worried that their citizens will face a short of jobs. The current jobless rate of Thailand is just one percent. According to their law, the jobs that migrant workers will have to do have been designated. Myanmar workers are not allowed to do the jobs of most Thai citizens. But I was surprised a bit because Thai PM said like that." he said.

At a time when visa applications to leave for Thailand are on the rise obviously after the People's Military Service Law that was approved, Thai PM has warned. 

Although the Pheu Thai Party and the Thai government prioritize the economy, he was also addressing the concern that Myanmar migrant workers would rob the job opportunities of Thai citizens, Thai PM added.

Although Myanmar workers entered Thailand legally or illegally since the previous period of political stability in Myanmar, there was more illegal entry by Myanmar nationals after the political changes in Myanmar in 2021, those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers, said.

While seeing a Thai security force that is monitoring the Myanmar border

After the mandator military service law was approved in Myanmar, illegal entry may increase more than before, they said.

"There may be more security measures at the borders because Thai PM expressed has warned. Checks can be conducted strictly. You can do processes to help young people there and participate in the Spring Revolution. Otherwise if you try to enter Thailand illegally, you will be inspected at the border checkpoints and your dignity will be affected. Young people need to think carefully about how to choose the best one." said U Moe Kyaw, associate general secretary of the Yaung Gyi Oo Labor Organization to CNI News.

Although Thailand still needs labor force from neighboring countries, legal procedures must be followed, said Thai PM. 

Currently, there has been an increase in the number of Myanmar people who is entering Thailand illegally and there are daily arrests. However, several hundreds of Myanmar people are waiting in line to get visas at the Thai Embassy in Yangon.

Moreover, centers for supporting humanitarian aids to refugees from Myanmar will be open in Kayin State and Maesot within one months by cooperation between Thailand and Myanmar,  said Thai FM.

CNI News

20 February 2024

The authorities concerned should find an answer to the reason why the people are worried about the people's military service law that has been approved, politicians pointed out. 

The People's Military Service Law that was imposed in 2010 by the State Law and Order Restoration Council as Law No.27/2010 must come into effect starting from February 2024, the State Administration Council stated.

It would take a long time to implement the law and because the law was stated at a time like that, the people were worried about it, Naing Than Shwe, spokesperson of the Mon Unity Party (MUP), told CNI News.

" The people are so worried about the military service law. But I don't think it has been implemented for the time being because it can't be implemented at once. If it is implemented gradually in accordance with the rules and regulations, it will take a bit long. But it has been stated suddenly, the people are worried so much." he said.

According to the mandatory military service law, men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 must perform the military service for up to two years and specialists such as doctors aged 18 to 45 must serve for three years.

While seeing troops of Myanmar Tatmadaw

Non-Burman ethnic youths are making preparations to join their EAOs and Burman youths are also making preparations to join the revolutionary forces. At the same time, some youths are making preparations to go abroad.

All young men who could serve in the military would not be called up and forced to serve in the military; there was nothing to worry, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) told CNI News.

" They are worried because they don't know about it thoroughly. In fact, there's nothing to worry. 5000 people only will be called at one time as recruits. Only 18 people will be called up in one township. All the 13 million young people eligible to do military service won't be called up. Not much to worry about. But due to media and agitations, the public is frightened. People who actually understand it or those who can think it over won't be worried." he said.

Not every youth who was covered by the people's military service law would be recruited, Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC, said on 14th February 2024.

" Here what I want to tell you firmly about the people's military service law and the reserve force law is that not everyone that applies to the law will be called up. There is no reason to do so. As the Prime Minister, he had explained these issues with special emphasis during his meeting with political parties," he said.

The People's Military Service Law that was approved on 10th February 2024 will be implemented in late April, 2024 and 5,000 people will be called up for the Training Course No.1 reportedly.

CNI News

20 February 2024

After political parties requested the chairman of the State Administration Council to help support them in order that they could establish businesses, the chairman urged them to work together. 

So, some people are asking a question: who are they doing businesses for?

When Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC met with political parties on 6th January 2024, the parties demanded the right to do business. And then the chairman of the SAC told the parties to work together at the second meeting on 13th February 2024. 

The chairman guided the parties to work together in the form of the political parties economic committee limited, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator told CNI News.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" Business can be done. You can do everything except for gambling, narcotic drug and arms trading. If your party is economically strong, you can do business with your own strength without asking money from the businessmen. The chairman told the parties like that. The parties are making preparations to do businesses." he said.

It was pointed out that it was important for political parties to learn how to do business if they did business.

However, because political party members are not businessmen, only businessmen should be encouraged so as to do business pretty well, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

" Firstly, do the parties know how to do business? it is important. If they know how to do business, how will the right policy be laid down for them? I don't understand very well why political parties do business. It's better to lay down the right policy for the businessmen. Politicians, in fact, are not businessmen or economists. Regarding whether they will do business, I can't interpret." he said.

Not as a political party, but as a party member or a rich man could do business for the development of their party after he joined the party, politicians pointed out.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties on 6th January 2024

If a political party did business, public trust in that party might decrease, a Kachin politician U Kun Gawng Awng Kham told CNI news agency.

" Businessmen need to be proper businessmen. Businessmen or the rich are also joining the party in many foreign countries. It's better for you to be economically strong if you join a party. But if a party does business, the public trust in that party will decline." he said.

Most political parties are fundraising in various ways for their parties. Some parties are financially strong and others, weak in finance. However, those political parties usually support the people only during the election campaign.

If political parties do business, they will give priority to their interests rather than the public interests. So, there would be no beneficial results for the country and its citizens, some people pointed out.

The public needed to monitor political parties because some of them work for their own interests only, political commentators pointed out.

CNI News

20 February 2024

If a lot of Myanmar citizens entered Thailand not only legally but illegally because of Myanmar's mandatory military service law, violations of human rights and labor rights might increase, those who are helping migrant workers told CNI News. 

Let alone undocumented Myanmar workers in Thailand, even documented Myanmar workers have suffered from labor rights violation since before, they pointed out.

So, if many Myanmar citizens entered Thailand in various ways, because the rights violations might increase, he worried about undocumented workers, Ko Thargyi who is helping in the affairs of migrant workers, told CNI News.

" Thai is very clever in politics. They give priority to only the matters that they will get money. They only care about their interests. Humanity is found in the news media only. So, Thailand is exploiting our citizens in various ways. If Myanmar citizens sneak into Thailand, they can face more arrests, more extortions and more suppressions in various ways. Even if a worker had a passport, because his employer didn't issue, he had to leave. Wages have been cut unfairly. If an documented worker was arrested, he had to stay for three or four months in the immigration department. He would be sent to the border only if 5,000 to 7,000 bahts had to be paid. Those things happened in successive ages in Thailand." he said.  

When most young people enter other countries in droves, they are often subjected to human rights violations, human trafficking, financial fraud and arrests, said the people who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers.

Myanmar people waiting in line in front of Myanmar Embassy in Thailand

There are more labors than the workplaces need because a lot of Myanmar people including fugitives, IDPs due to political changes after 2021 as well as those who sneaked enter Maesot and Chiangmai where most of Myanmar people stay. 

So, Myanmar citizens could not enjoy fully the job opportunity, U Moe Kyaw, associate general secretary of the Yaung Gyi Oo Workers Association, told CNI News.

" When a large number of people entered the workplaces such as agricultural or factory workplaces, new comers tend to clash with those who were working before. For example, when an employer has agreed with workers to pay 200 bahts as daily wages, new workers offer the employer that they can work if they get 150 bahts a day. Social problems emerge as well. And then, workers brought their children who should have been in school. Because the children under age are found to be in the workplace, undesirable consequences arise." he said.

So many Myanmar young people are trying to go abroad after the mandatory military service law was approved recently. Of them, there are many people who are making preparations to leave for Thailand. The number of people who apply for visa to Thailand are too many, only 400 people would be accepted a day, Thai Embassy in Myanmar has stated.

CNI News

19 February 2024

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) should have announced the rights of ethnic people in Kachin State from now on, U Kyi Myint, a political commentator, told CNI News. 

The KIA should have announced the rights of Shanni nationalities in Kachin State from now on and will have to carry out to enjoy a federal union together, he said.

" I had lived in Kachin State for four years together with Shanni people. We are the same people. We share the same religion and we have the same mindset. There is a strong attachment between us. But we share the same strategy with the KIA. The way the KIA is fighting is not update anymore. Frankly speaking, we have an attachment to Shanni people. After this revolution, if we talk about federal issues, we will tell the KIA for the sake of Shanni people. We should have the opportunity to enjoy the federalism. We want to urge the KIA to make peace with Shanni people. The KIA should have announced the rights of Shanni people from now on. Now that the KIA doesn't guarantee, no wonder that the Shanni people stand together with those who guarantee them." said U Kyi Myint to CNI News.

The Shanni organizations should lay down a strategy that could cooperate with the revolutionary forces, he added.

While seeing the KIA force

" The Shanni groups should not bet on the losing side. They must bet on the winning side. This is for the interests of the country and its nationality. So, they will have to change their strategy and must lay down a strategy that can join the revolutionary forces. If they demand their rights from within the policy frame, the entire Burman people will support them. We also will request relevant organizations." he said.

The KIA should not act in a way that bullies other ethnic groups in Kachin State, said a politician. All ethnic groups in Kachin state must carefully negotiate when building a federal union, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) told CNI News.

" The KIA accept the federalism and join the nationwide ceasefire agreement and then if a federal union is implemented, it will be necessary for all the ethnic groups in Kachin State to negotiate carefully." he said.

While seeing a Shanni nationality (Frontier Myanmar)

Based on the 1947 Panglong Agreement, a federal union must be implemented with the principle of 8 states and the states concerned must be based, U Kun Gawn Awng Kham, a Kachin politician, told CNI News.

" Mainly, it's necessary to implement a federal union based on the eight states. According to the 1947 Panglong Agreement, our union was built. Our union arose. So, based on it, we need to implement a federal union. Because there are 135 indigenous ethnic groups in Myanmar, it's unlikely to form 135 states. If the authorities, rights and self-determinations of the states concerned can be laid down, everyone will have equal rights. For example, in Kachin State, it is necessary to organize on the basis of Kachin people and so in Shan State." he said.

There are five Shan tribes, Naga, Burman, Rakhine, Lisu ethnic groups living in Kachin State including six Kachin tribes.

CNI News

19 February 2024

The number of youths who wanted to go abroad increased because they were worried after the People's Military Service Law approved, agency community and those performing QR service told CNI News. 

Among those who come and enquire to apply for passport, some have to go abroad soon and others believe to hold passports compulsorily due to the current political situation, according to those who perform QR service.

Moreover, if a person wanted to get a passport quickly, he or she had to pay from 16 to 19 lakh kyats. As brokers raised service charges, market prices went up like that, a person who performs QR service told CNI News.

While seeing those who are waiting in line to apply for visa at the Thai Embassy

" If an office staff asked 13 lakh kyats, the broker would ask 16 lakh kyats. If the first broker ask 16 lakh kyats, the second broker ask 19 lakh kyats. In this way, the price goes up. For the time being, you can't get it quickly in Yangon. But if you can pull wire, you can get it. Currently, you can get it quickly at the offices in Naypyidaw, Pathein, Pha-an and Tachileik. But most people can't afford to get it quickly." he said.

In the past, if a person wanted to get a passport quickly, he or she could carry out at the market price through a broker. However, as there were cases of corruption
recently, the passport office does not dare to serve quickly, according to those who perform QR service.

Although it was not easy to apply for passport quickly, it was still easy to apply quickly in other towns, Ko Nay Oo Ko, from an overseas employment agency that sends workers to Japan, told CNI News. 

While seeing those who are waiting in line to apply for visa at the Thai Embassy

" You can't apply for passport quickly in Yangon. You have to do it according to the serial number as shown in the QR code. The people in Yangon want to get passports quickly, they have to go to Naypyidaw. If you go to Naypyidaw and apply passports quickly, you have to pay about 16 lakh kyats, I heard. Those who want to get passports ASAP, they have gone to other towns." he said.

At present, QR code appointments for passports have reached 20th July 2024. After the People's Military Service Law was approved by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the chairman of the SAC, youths are worried and have decided to go abroad.

When making preparations, the youths firstly think about going to Thailand and because the number of Myanmar citizens who apply for Thai visa is so many, only 400 people who can apply would be accepted, Thai Embassy has stated.

CNI News

19 February 2024

Myanmar political crisis which emerged after a civilian government was overthrown in 2021 - everyone is questioning whether the crisis can no longer be resolved or not. 

Having said that the NLD government was trying to form a government without solving a vote list dispute that took place in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February 2021 and took the State power.

After that, with protesting against the Tatmadaw, democratic elements waged armed resistance against the Tatmadaw after which Myanmar has been facing various crises including politics, economy and stability and even though the crises have been three years long, they have not been able to be solved up to now.

While seeing Revolutionary Force

A solution to Myanmar's political crisis depended on the will of the organizations involved in the conflict and rather than the interests of theirs or their organizations, they should give priority to that of their country, Dr.Nyo Nyo Thin, chairperson of the Yangon Watch Group, CNI News.

" Only if all the stakeholders have the desire to solve the problem, can the problem be resolved. If not, there is no way to resolve this political crisis. Only if all the stakeholders give priority to the dignity and future of the country, rather than the interests of their organizations, will it not affect the country badly. If not so, Myanmar may be the worst country in the world." she said.

The armed conflict has been long and there are also needs in various organizations. Revolutionary forces are doing more recruiting while the State Administration Council approved the People's Military Service Law and the Reserve Force Law this month.

Moreover, some leaders from the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) and the New Mon State Party (NMSP) that are included in the ten EAOs that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement resigned from their organizations and joined the revolutionary forces and stated that they would fight against the Tatmadaw.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties on 13th February 2024

China, India, Thailand, Japan and so on which were included in the NCA as witnesses needed to help solve the Myanmar political crisis, Naing Than Shwe, spokesperson of the Mon Unity Party (MUP) told CNI News.

" It is necessary to discuss so as to make everything return to normal. Moreover, countries and organizations need to help solve the conflict." he said.

Due to the domestic armed conflicts, the public is facing various crises including difficult livelihood, monetary inflation, unsafe conditions, civilian deaths, and fleeing to safety.

Although some EAOs, some political parties, the ASEAN and international organizations are trying so as to resolve the crises, it has not been resolved up to now.

CNI News
17 February 2024

The delegation whom the Northwestern Command of the Tatmadaw asked for help and sent met and discussed the peace process with two Naga ethnic armed groups, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang/Ang Mai (NSCN-K/AM) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang/Yung Aung (NSCN-K/YA), according to those close to the two groups.

The Northwestern Command asked for help to retired Lt-Col Rosanjuwho, a Naga ethnic, who used to serve a military strategist in Khamti and officials from the Naga Traditional Culture Center and sent them to the NSCN-K/YA and the NSCN-K/AM in order to discuss territorial stability and peace process.

" It's right that they met and discussed. The Tatmadaw's delegation met and discussed with the delegation of the NSCN-K/AM in Khamti. Detailed agreements have not yet been reached. The formation of militia was mainly discussed. The Tatmadaw's delegation separately discussed with the delegation of the NSCN-K/YA." said a person who is close to the two Naga ethnic armed groups to CNI News.

The Naga Social Council of Nagaland-Khaplang/Ang Mai (NSCN-K/A/M) led by Ang Mai and the Tatmadaw's delegation that contains Rosanju and delegates from the Naga traditional organization met and discussed in Khamti on 5th February 2024.

While seeing the NSCN-K/AM

The Tatmadaw's delegation discussed to cooperate territorial stability, form militia and collaborate regional development and the NSCN-K/AM accepted the discussion in principle and asked which places the Tatmadaw would allow it to govern reportedly.

The discussion between the Tatmadaw and the NSCN-K/AM was positive and the details needed to be discussed again, a person who was close to the Naga Traditional Culture Center and Naga ethnic armed groups told CNI News, adding that it had not been easy to reach an agreement with NSCN-K/YA.
" We heard that the NSCN-K/AM accepted the Tatmadaw's attitude. But the NSCN-K/YA doesn't accept. If the Tatmadaw force to make them become militia, they said they would respond. According to the understanding with the Tatmadaw, they want to go on like this. But they are still negotiating. We have to watch what will happen next." he said.

The discussion with the NSCN-K/YA was conducted by the Tatmadaw by sending its delegation to a military camp of the NSCN-K/YA reportedly.

Although the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was built in 1980, as there were disagreements among the leaders, in 1989, the faction led by U Khaplang was based on the Myanmar side and the faction led by Isak Chishi Swu and Muivah was based on the Indian side.

When the NSCN-K/YA stated that it has expelled Ang Mai and Lang Nyei

After the death of U Khaplang in 2017, vice chairman U Kham Ngor was appointed as the chairman of the NSCN-K in 2018. However, he was overthrown on 17th August that year and U Yung Aung was appointed as the chairman of the NSCN-K.

After U Kham Ngor was deposed from the chairmanship, he left for India with a few of his troops and made peace with India in 2020.

After that, U Yung Aung expelled deputy chief of staff Lt-Gen Nikisumi, Minister Star Swam, and chief of staff Nyamlang from the NSCN-K/YA on 29th July 2020.

Nikisumi formed the NSCN-K/NK and made peace with the Indian Government on 8th September 2021.

In the same way, U Yung Aung expelled U Ang Mai and U Lan Nyei from the NSCN-K/YA in July, 2023 and warned them to surrender after cancelling the establishment of new organization.

While seeing the ENDA force

At present, U Ang Mai built the NSCN-K/AM and it has been active for the liberation of Naga nationalities as a Naga ethnic armed group.

And the battles tend to break out between the NSCN-K/AM and the NSCN-K/YA.

On the other hand, former NLD MPs and U Aung Sai who was dismissed from the NSCN-K formed the Eastern Naga National Organization (ENNO)/ Eastern Naga Defense Army (ENDA) with the help of the KIA.