CNI News

27 January , 2024

As the period designated for making evidence documents will expire after February, the arrests of undocumented workers might increase, those who are helping migrant workers in Thailand, told CNI News. Checks and arrests have been conducted across Thailand since 10th January 2024.

Because of the increasing number of people who have sneaked into Thailand and taken refuge recently, arrests are being conducted in Tak District everyday, said Ko THar Gyi, a person who is helping Myanmar migrant workers, told CNI News.

" If you don't renew your temporary labor certificate, you will be arrested and then you must pay a fine and you must be sent back to your courtry. You have held a visa and your visa is still. But the visa will expire on the 13th of February. Thai authorities will check whether you have renewed your visa or not on their computers. They will go and arrest those who haven't renewed their visas according to the addresses described in the work permits. According to the law of visa section, those who haven't renewed will be blacklisted from one to five years. Myanmar migrant workers who haven't renewed their visas will be arrested and must pay a big fine. And then, they will be sent back to Myanmar." he said.

The reason why arrests have increased was because brokers persuaded that temporary labor certificates could be applied through VIP channel although temporary labor certificate application has been closed said the people who are helping migrant workers in Thailand.

While seeing a workshop in Thailand

Moreover, when the authorities came and checked other people, they found undocumented workers and arrested. As criminal inspection was being conducted in the Cambodia-Thailand border area, Myanmar people who are working near the area needed to be careful, suggested the people who are helping migrant workers in Thailand.

He heard that Thai authorities have started asking money in Maesot, U Min Oo, In charge of Labor Affairs from the FED, told CNI News.

While some Thai authorities are inspecting in a workplace  

" Thai officials started asking 10-year residence permit holders money yesterday and the pink card holders were also asked money in Maesot. I haven't heard like that in Ranong. There are not so many problems in Ranong. There are so many people in Maesot. So, we hear the problems from Maesot every so often. We haven't known asking money is legal or illegal." he said.

Although Myanmar migrant workers who have been included in the name list are not arrested, if they did not proceed the permit processes and went beyond the fixed period, they might be arrested, said the people who are helping migrant workers in Thailand.

CNI News

27 January , 2024

The Pa-O National Organization (PNO) wouldn't choose the way that would hurt the people, Saw Khun Kyaw Win, central executive of the PNO told CNI News. The joint forces of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the Karenni National Defense Force and the People's Defense Force (PDF) recently attacked Sesai Town in southern Shan State on 24th January 2024.

The joint forces attacked the Tatmadaw and the PNO's check point and residents of Sesai have fled to safety reportedly.

The policy of the PNO has been ' we have no enemy' since before as a political party, not as an armed group. They might choose the way that will hurt the people, but we won't. If we unavoidably experienced the situation that might hurt the people, we would try to minimize the impact on the public." said Saw Khun Ktaw Win.  

While seeing revolutionary forces

Although CNI News contacted the officials of the PNLO to know more about the attack of Sesai, they made no answer. At present, residents of Sesai fled to Taunggyi, and Hopong and the number of IDPs has not been known as yet, a resident of Taunggyi helping IDPs told CNI News.

" There have been very few people in Sesai just now. I don't know how many people have left the town exactly.  Some of them have asked for help. Most of them have gone to Taunggyi. Many of them don't have enough money to travel. There aren't enough cars. They are getting into trouble. We are to give them money for transport or gasoline." he said.

27 houses of San Phoo Village were burned and damaged after a battle broke out between the PNO/PNA and the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA). After the PNO agreed for peace with the Tatmadaw and it ruled the Pa-O region which was designated as the Special Region (6).

After that, the PNO registered at the Union Election Commission as a political party in 2010.

So, the PNO is standing not only as militia but also as a political party and administering the Pa-O Autonomous Region containing Pinlaung, Sesai and Hopong Townships.

The PNLO/PNLA has been active in Sesai, Hopong, Mawkmai regions and Mawkmai has been designated as its headquarters.

CNI News

26 January 2024

The Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA/PSLF) are contending for administration in Namkham Township. 

The SSPP called  meetings and told village administrators from some villages  in Namkham Township and to recruit new troops in early January 2024. 

After that, the TNLA sent a letter to the SSPP and informed not to conduct recruitment, building military and administration mechanisms, and money collection on 21st January 2024.

If the negotiations were conducted between the allies, it would be convenient, Lwe Chi Sangar, spokesperson from the Ta'ang Women's Organization (TWO), told CNI News.

While seeing the letter sent to the SSPP by the TNLA

" If the negotiation and consultation were conducted between the northern allies, it would be more convenient, I think." she said. The TNLA captured Namkham on 19th December 2023 during the Operation-1027 launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance on 27th October 2023.

After that, the TNLA called and told village administrators in Namkham Township to take a census in early January. And then the TNLA met and discussed with businessmen in the town about the tax issues reportedly.

Revolutionary forces would not retreat from the towns that they have already captured. However, a lot of disputes relating to territorial ownership might emerge, U Myo Kyaw, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance, told CNI News.

"The scope of the revolution has widened now. In my opinion, there will most of Shan people in Namkham. But the TNLA, a member of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, has captured that township. So, the TNLA won't withdraw from the Territory that it has captured for the time being. So, there will be a little conflict between the TNLA and locals, Shan people. Not only in Namkham Township, there also might be a little conflict like this in other places." he said.

While seeing the TNLA force in front of the Namkham Township Court

The organizations concerned should meet and negotiate to find a solution rather than resolving by arms, he added.  Most of the people living in Namkham Township are Shan nationalities.

Moreover, Myanmar-born Chinese people, government employees, and Burmese who came and settled from the mainland live in the township. In addition, Kachin and Palaung people also are living in the nearby villages and mountains.

Currently, the SSPP is increasing its troops in Namkham Township and it has been active in the town as well. 

The TNLA also is making preparations to establish an administration in the township that it has captured after fighting against the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

26 January 2024

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) stated for the people living in the Special Region (1), Shan State not to sell or buy real estate as well as to hand over the weapons and ammunition issued by the leadership team of the Kokang Autonomous Region to the MNDAA. 

The statement was released by the Military Administration Committee of the Special Region (1), Shan State.

The committee released the letter (1) containing informed instructions in which temporary management rules relating to real estate sales and rentals are designated and the letter (2) containing informed instructions in which the rules relating to maintaining weapons and ammunition are designated.

The MNDAA waged the Operation-1027 in collaboration with the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Arakan Army (AA), the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA), the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA) and the Karenni National Defense Army on 27th October 2023.

The operation is to control the towns and cities in northern Shan State and to capture the Tatmadaw military camps. 

The MNDAA and its allies have controlled Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Chin Shwe Haw, Kunlong, Phaung Sai, Theinni, Thibaw, Namkham, Nansang, Mang Ton, Kutkai, Namtu, Mong Ngor Townships and captured several hundreds of the Tatmadaw's military camps until 23rd January 2024.

CNI News

25 January 2024

Although foreign countries have sent orders for Myanmar coffee like previous years, it is difficult to export the coffee due to the current situations within the country, according to coffee entrepreneurs. 

Some coffee farms in Shan State were having trouble picking coffee beans and there were difficulties in transprting coffee. So, it is difficult to export the full amount on the orders, U Min Hlaing, founder of Sita Coffee, from Mandalay, told CNI News.

" Even though orders have been received, coffee beans cannot be picked in some coffee farms. Coffee cannot be produced as much as needed. Orders regularly enter. Coffee beans cannot be picked in some coffee farms such as those in Naunghkio Township. In Ywar Ngan, buyers don't dare to buy a lot. Some people have suspended coffee industry." he said.

Although there were reports that exporting Myanmar coffee from border trade was forbidden and it must only be shipped by sea, at present any route could be used, according to coffee entrepreneurs. 

The current time is when the coffee beans are ripe and the beans are picked and produced from December to March. And then coffee is sold all the year round from late April.

While coffee beans are being selected

There are limitations in allocating farms to promote coffee production reportedly. Moreover, because there were policies controlling export promotion, coffee export had not progressed as much as it should have, U Ye Myint, patron of Myanmar Coffee Association, told CNI News.

" Whether you export by border trade or by sea, the main thing is to sell your goods. If you want to sell at higher market, exporting by sea is convenient. Your coffee can be exported your coffee to Japan, Europe, England and US only by sea. If we can produce more, we can export more. Demands have increased. Sometimes people think 'if you promote exporting, will it work for you?' 65 percent of the export earning dollars must be exchanged to Myanmar kyats at the price designated by the Central Bank in the past. But now 35 percent only must be exchanged to Myanmar kyats at the price designated." he said.

While seeing Myanmar coffee beans

Although Myanmar coffee can be sold at a profitable price, main routes that were used to export to China and Thailand cannot be used for the time being due to the battles. So, other routes are being used. However, as coffee production has declined, the amount that orders have demanded will not be fully exported, according to businessmen.

Coffee is grown most in Shan State and Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region and it is also grown in Chin State. Myanmar coffee is being exported to Switzerland, Taiwan, China, Thailand, US, Britain, Iceland, South Korea, Japan, Germany and UAE reportedly.

CNI News

24 January 2024

Because foreign migrant workers including Myanmar nationals are without jobs stranded in Malaysia by the thousand, Malaysian authorities are reducing the number of migrant workers by arresting instead of creating jobs for them, Myanmar people in Malaysia told CNI News. 

As Malaysia's economy has greatly declined, Malaysian government would not be able to create jobs for foreign migrant workers or to issue any more of evidence documents, Hmwar Michael living in Malaysia, told CNI News.

" Even legal migrant workers are living on basic salary. There is no possibility that Malaysian government will create jobs for overstayers or undocumented workers because the country's economy has declined. Undocumented workers could be sent back by conducting surprise checks." he said.

While the Malaysian government is arresting illegal migrant workers

There have been no new job offers for Myanmar nationals from Malaysia since 2021. Myanmar workers who were offered jobs before the Covid-19 pandemic are being sent to Malaysia. However, as the number of illegal workers is being reduced at present, new workers might be offered in April 2024, U Win Myint, managing director of Lucky Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.

" New workers might be offered in April 2024, I think. Although many KDN approvals were granted under the previous Prime Minister, the current government doesn't allow to renew the KDN approvals. The authorities are trying to arrest illegal workers in a big way. After arrests like this, offering new workers will be allowed, I think." he said.

Although migrant people from Bangladesh and Nepal arrived in Malaysia by the thousand last year, the jobs promised to give them could not be available, authorities said at the press conference held a few days ago.

Because of volatile economy, granting job quotas would be reviewed depending each country and job quotas for every sector would be allowed to transfer, said Malaysian authorities.

While the Malaysian government is arresting illegal migrant workers

Telling like that didn't mean that new workers from the countries that have agreed with Malaysia would be offered, U Barbu Gyi who is helping in the affairs of Myanmar nationals, told CNI News.

" There are four main places - factory, service, construction and agriculture. Factory and service sectors don't need any workers. But agriculture and construction still needs workers Among those who applied for permits with the RTK 2.0 system in Malaysia, the applicants who are surplus from factory and service sectors are asked to apply in construction and agriculture sectors. It doesn't mean to call new workers from 15 countries." he said.

There are arrests every day in Malaysia and the number of foreign migrant workers who have been arrested by the thousand. 

Moreover, if Myanmar national were late to apply for Rekalibrasi permit register in the list at a time like this, it wouldn't be easy and the government has not reopened officially, suggested Myanmar organizations in Malaysia.

CNI News

24 January 2024

Military and political analysts are reviewing about what the Tatmadaw can do next because it has lost many military camps at the current battles. 

The Tatmadaw lost most of the townships in northern Shan State and several townships in Mandalay Region and Rakhine State during the Operation-1027 that was launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) on 27th October 2023.

If the country was in a state of chaos, it could not be restored and the economy would not improve as well, U Thet Zaw, a political analyst, told CNI News.

When the AA has taken control of a Tatmadaw military camp

" To tell you frankly, we consider whether the Tatmadaw really has enough strength because the rear does not send reinforcements to the front and if the soldiers in front can't fight, they retreat. This kind of pattern happens every now and then. Frankly speaking, we are even worried about the defense of the country. There is only the Chaung Nakhwa camp that the Tatmadaw can defend. All the rest had to retreat. I don't know why the fighting ability of the Tatmadaw has declined so much. If the country is in a state of chaos, it can't be restored and the economy won't improve. The country's situation may get worse." said U Thet Zaw.

The State Administration Council could make a change on 31st January 2024 and the Tatmadaw `could work to stabilize the territories, said a politician. 

The Tatmadaw has retreated from some of its military camps in Chin, Rakhine and Kayah States at present and revolutionary forces are capturing some towns.

The Tatmadaw might restrict food, medicine and travels, Saw Law Kapaw from the Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) told CNI News.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council

" For the time being, threatening the villages, shooting with heavy weapons, waging air strikes, cutting off food, medicine and transportation - these are the works currently being done by the military council," he said.

The SAC is experiencing military and political crises for the time being and depending on what kind of change will be made on 31st January, the good and the bad of the country would be found.

Saying the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February 2021 and has taken power after declaring the state of emergency.

The state of emergency will be 3 years old on 1st February 2024 and another six months might be extended.

CNI News

24 January 2024

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) told the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA) not to do matters such as money collection, military and administrative affairs, including recruitment of troops in Namkham Township where there have been peace and stability in a letter sent to the SSPP by the TNLA. 

The letter was sent on 21st January 2024 to the head of Ally Affairs Department of the SSPP.

The TNLA stated in its letter that its community administrative groups reported that the SSPP was working to force the local Shan people to form a village security force and to serve in the military for the SSPP. 

The people in Namkham area have been free and independent now. and the TNLA that drove off Burmese military dictator's soldiers has taken the responsibility in order to make Namkham Township stable and develop in accordance with the will of the people in the township, said in the letter sent to the SSPP.

While seeing the letter sent to the SSPP by the TNLA

" So, the TNLA makes a special request to the SSPP, a brotherhood ally, not to proceed with matters such as money collection, carrying out military and administrative affairs including recruiting troops in Namkham Township where there have had peace and stability." said in the letter.

If the SSPP went on carrying out those matters against the people's desire, because unwanted problems would arise between the two brotherhood allies, the letter of request was sent. said the TNLA.

" Most of the people living in Namkham Township are Shan people. So, the SSPP carries out administrative issues. It's not wrong. And the SSPP has been active in Namkham since before. The TNLA has wanted the port in Sellant of the SSPP. After controlling Namkham, the TNLA wants to get a Chinese border exit. Sham people won't accept to be ruled by Palaung. The fighting might take place between the two sides sort of." 

said a Namkham resident.

The TNLA has been participating in the Operation-1027 that was launched on 27th October 2023 and has controlled Namkham, Nansang, Mang Ton, Mong Ngor, Namtu, Kutkai and Theinni. 

However, the SSPP has been active in Namkham and Theinni Townships since before and has increased its military strength in the townships reportedly.

CNI News

23 January 2024

A battle broke out between the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA/PNLO) and the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) because the negotiation did not go well, Lt-Col Khun Tun Shwe from the PNO, told CNI News. 

During the battle, a troop from the PNLO was killed and several troops from the PNO were injured, he said, adding that the PNLO set fire to the ammunitions they were carrying.

" Their cars came from the north. I didn't know where they came from. When they arrived in the Naung Yang Gate, they didn't stop. So, we chased them. We exchanged fire with them at San Phoo Village near Hopong. A troop from them was killed. Some of our troops were injured as well. Next day, negotiation was conducted. But it was inconvenient. And then, they set fire to the ammunitions that they had carried. Explosions took place from which many houses of the village were burnt down." said Lt-Col Khun Tun Shwe to CNI News.

While seeing the PNO force

Although CNI contacted the PNLO to find out its position regarding the destruction of weapons and ammunition, Maj Khun Min Thein from the PNLO did not answer the question, but he told that the battle took place. 

A convoy with five motorcars in which people who put on the PNLO uniform were checked and a small fighting took place. And then weapons and ammunitions exploded.

After that, 27 houses of San Phoo Village were burnt down, the State Administration Council stated on 21st January 2024. Relevant authorities are carrying out to help the people affected by the fire and armed groups needed to have mutual respect, Lt-Col Khun Tun Shwe told CNI News.

While seeing the PNLO force

" They are an NCA signatory and they might see that we are an illegal group. But they need to inform us that they will pass our gates. There should be mutual respect among armed groups that we had negotiated and agreed to it. Because they didn't want to be checked, the problem like that happened." he said.

Three forces including Major Khun Min Thein from the Liaison Office of the PNLO in Taunggyi were summoned and met by the Tatmadaw on 21st January 2024. 

The PNO was allowed to govern the Pa-O region which was designated as Special Region-6 after peace was achieved with the Tatmadaw.

After that, Pa-O Autonomous Region that contains Pinlaung, Sesai and Hopong Townships has been ruled by the MNO.

PNLO/PNLA is an NCA signatory and has been active in Sesai, Hopong and Mawkmai townships in Shan State. Mawkmai is designated as the headquarters of the PNLO.