CNI News

9 November 2023

Temporary Border Pass (TBP) was issued again from 3rd to 10th November to enter China through border gate and 3,600 people have been issued, U Htay, chairman of the Humanitarian Aid Delivery Network, told CNI News.

Due to the battles that are currently breaking, the number of people who take TBPs is getting fewer and the place that issue TBPs has been changed to the Nandaw Gate. It is not clear when TBPs will be issued anymore, he said.

" Those who take TBPs has fewer because the flow of goods has stopped. 3620 people took TBPs on 3rd November. In the past, about 6,000 people took TBPs regularly. Because the roads have been blocked, the people from the mainland can't come, I think. Because a TBP is allowed to stay for seven days, it's difficult to come back from the other side. There are people who are staying on the Chinese side with QR code. There are many people who don't come back. More than half of the people who have entered China don't come back. 

While seeing the people who came to get TBPs

TBPs will be issued at the Nandaw Gate staring from 11th November. TBPs haven't stopped. They will take into account of the safety for the staff and themselves." he said.

Although the line of people waiting to get the TBPs was long in the past, the number of people who get the TBPs has been fewer, said Prahita (philanthropic) associations. 

The Tatmadaw camps, police stations, township general administration offices and toll gates in Laukkai, Theinni, Muse, Mong Ko, Chin Shwe Haw, Naunghkio, Lashio townships in northern Shan State were attacked by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and its allies on 27th October 2023.

The attack is called the Operation-1027 which contains the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Arakan Army (AA), the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA) and Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF) with the MNDAA and battles are still breaking out. 

Because some roads in northern Shan State have been blocked, those who want to enter or leave Muse are stranded on the way and some of them are staying in nearby houses, an official from the Beautiful Heart Philanthropic Association told CNI News.

Those who came from Laukkai were facing with traffic jam.

" There are so many people who are stranded. For example, you can't come from Pang Sai to Muse. You can't come from Kutkai to Muse. Now, you can't come from Mandalay to Muse at all. A girl lost a leg of hers due to a mine explosion this morning. The price of gasoline is very high. One liter is paid 3,000 kyats. The price is going up every day. But you can buy it. Even though goods cannot come from the main land, they come from China. The grassroots are suffering a lot." he said.

It is reported that the number of IDPs has reached 25,000 withing one week due to the Operation-1027 waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance. Over 8,000 IDPs are taking refuge in the monasteries in Theinni Township reportedly. It is also reported that tens of thousands of local people are trapped in the fighting.

" We can't go or come between Theinni and Muse. There is no flow of goods as well. Muse, Namkham, Theinni is one side and the road from Theinni to Gote Twin is the other side. But we have heard that China have accepted IDPs. Some IDPs go to China. China authorities don't check IDPs tightly. IDPs are not allowed to use mobile phones, I heard." said U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, (northern Shan State), to CNI News.

Those who came and get Temporary Border Pass before the battles, those who come back from Laukkai, Traffic Jam and TBP card.

CNI News

9 November 2023

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) should explain why it arrested Sai Mao Awn, a Shan youth and maintain co-existence policy, Sai Kham Aung from the Shan State Monks and Public Peace Cooperation Committee told CNI News. 

It should be maintained so as not to cause more conflict among the Shan people and the leaders from both sides should discuss, he said.

Sai Mao Awn who was helping IDPs in Sellant Village, Muse Township, northern Shan State was arrested by the TNLA in the morning of 7th November 2023.

It is not clear whether Sai Mao Awn is still alive or not." There is no need to be so much of a problem among the people of Shan State. It is important for the leaders from the both side to exercise restraint so that we can co-exist. They should discuss and consult to solve the problem." said Sai Kham Aung to CNI News.

While seeing Sai Mao Un who was arrested by the TNLA

The TNLA started fighting against the SSPP troops who went to solve the case relating to that Sai Mao Awn was arrested by the TNLA after which mutual shooting broke out, the SSPP stated. During the battle, five TNLA troops were killed at least and one SSPP troop was killed.
 After that TNLA captured two SSPP troops as prisoners of war and they two were shot dead in the center of the village, said in the statement. Although CNI News tried to contact the officials from SSPP and TNLA by phone, it has not able to contact them.

Shan political parties and civil societies are demanding to release Sai Maung Awn. Armed groups which have been formed to protect the people's lives and properties should carry out their goals, said Sai Kham Aung.

"We have to solve the conflict for the sake of Shan people's lives and properties, we need to protect the people's lives and properties as much as possible. Every armed organization was formed to protect the lives and properties of the people. 

So, I want them to mainly carry out their ambitions. Mainly I want them perform it to minimize the harm to the public as much as possible A battle ensued between the TNLA and the SSPP in Mai Yu Lay region, Kutkai Township, northern Shan State on 23 September 2023.

 After that, leaders from both sides discussed to negotiate and solve if a problem arose with mutual observance of agreements on politics and military.

CNI News

8 November, 2023

As Sai Maung Un who lived in Sellant Village Tract, Muse Township, northern Shan State and was helping IDPs was arrested by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on 7th November 2023, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) has asked the TNLA to release him. 

Sai Maung Un was serving as a secretary of Sellant Village Tract Executive Committee of the SNLD.

The TNLA arrested Sai Maung Un at his home without giving any reason at 9:55 a.m. on 7th November 2023.

While seeing a statement released by the SNLD

 " As Sai Maung Un was a person who was doing humanitarian aid work without having anything to do with any organization that is participating in armed conflict, the SNLD has requested the organization concerned to release him as soon as possible without exception and to send him home." said in a statement released on 8th November 2023 by the SNLD.

It is not clear whether Sai Maung Un is still alive or not. However, when head of Muse township and seven security forces from the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA) went to negotiate with the TNLA to release Sai Maung Un, they all were shot dead by the TNLA with superior force.

" SSPP's seven security forces led by head of Muse township went to Sellant Village in which the TNLA has been active to ask the reason why Sai Maung Un was arrested when about 100 TNLA troops started shooting SSPP/SSA troops and fighting had been taking place in Sellant Village up to 12:00 a.m. Although SSPP head of Muse Township and two troops surrendered, both of them were shot dead in the center of the village." said the SSPP.

While the SSPP is objecting to that its head of Muse Township and troops were shot dead by the TNLA

Currently, the TNLA, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA) have been waging Operation-1027 starting from 27th October 2023 together with the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA) and the People's Defense Force-Mandalay.

Because the Tatmadaw is also trying to crush the Operation-1027, battles are severely taking place in the entire northern Shan State.

CNI News

8 November 2023

Actions should be taken action to minimize the affect on locals in Kawlin Township, Sai Kyi Zin Soe, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

After combined force of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Arakan Army (AA), and Kawlin People’s Defense Force had captured Kawlin, it was impossible for town residents to go on living in the town. 

Moreover, the Tatmadaw would launch an offensive again, he said. The combined force has announced that they have attacked and captured Kawlin Town.

" After the combined force has captured Kawlin, it's difficult for residents to go on living. The Tatmadaw might launch a counter-offensive mainly by airstrikes. So, residents gave to flee to safety. when they flee, they need other necessities. They need to be protected from other dangers. When we provide necessary assistance, some of them lost their lives." said Sai Kyi Zin Soe to CNI News.

While seeing PDF troops touring the city of Kawlin by motorcycle

Rather than conquering the city of Kawlin, it would be more important to maintain it in the long term and it was necessary to help IDPs regardless of enemy or friend, he added. The National Unity Government (NUG) stated that PDFs and its allies successfully captured Kawlin City on the sixth of November 2023.

Because the Tatmadaw was able to re-capture Kawlin at any time, it might not attack as a priority, Dr. Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator told CNI News.

" To tell you the truth, the Tatmadaw will launch a counter-offensive. But I'm not sure whether it might be priority or not. The Tatmadaw can re-capture Kawlin at any time. 

While seeing somewhere in Kawlin

Because the railway there is not used, the Tatmadaw might attack as a priority. It will carry out to make the Chinese-Myanmar trade route re-open as a priority, I think." he said.

About 50,000 residents had to flee to safety because of Kawlin Battle and about 10 civilians were killed during the battle, according to the statement released by Kawlin revolutionary elements.

Moreover, IDPs were in need of edible oil, fuel, medicine, blanket, shelter and basic foodstuff, said in the statement.

CNI News

7 November , 2023

Battles was severely breaking out between the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) and KIA/PDF joint forces at Hlazingon Village, Naung Po Aung Model Village Tract, Homalin Township, Sagaing Region since morning until around 2:00 p.m.of the 7 November 2023. 

The SNA forces were located on the hill of the monastery in Hlwazingon Village and KIA/PDF joint forces were in many parts of the village.

While seeing HPDF-124 Force

The KIA-PDF joint forces were waging a massive offensive against SNA after encircling it. Locals and the SNA said that at the battle the KIA-PDF side suffered more losses, while the SNA side lost one troop and injured five troops.

Currently, Hlwazingon villagers have already fled to safety. KIA/PDF joint force fighting against the SNA contains Khamti District No.1 Battalion, HPDF Battalion-124, HPDF Moe Gyoe Force and Homalin Township Public Security Force (Homalin Pa La Pha).

CNI News

7 November, 2023

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) stated on 7th November 2023 that it was able to clear a military camp of the Tatmadaw deployed inside the pagoda compound in the center of Namkham, in northern Shan State. 

It seized 28 various weapons including one pistol and military equipment from the Tatmadaw/ militia joint forces, said in the statement.

Although battles were taking place between the TNLA and the Tatmadaw/militia joint forces, the TNLA had not been able to control the entire Namkham, said Namkham residents, adding that most Shan people live in Namkham Town and its nearby rural areas and those Shan regions are still the elements of the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP).

The statement released by the TNLA that it has seized the Tatmadaw's camp in the pagoda compound in the center of Namkham

Under the title of Operation-1027, Three Brotherhood Alliance - the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) are fighting against the Tatmadaw. 

However, the SSPP has deployed its troops to protect Shan people without participating in any side, said the people close to the SSPP.

CNI News

7 November 2023

Officials from Thai Labor Ministry and Myanmar Union Minister for Labor Ministry discussed to enable undocumented Myanmar workers in Thailand to stay and work legally with certificate of identity (CI) book, the ministry of labor stated.

Although it would be convenient if Thailand complies with Myanmar's request, Thailand would agree on the basis the need for workers and the number of undocumented workers, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.

" Thailand doesn't make a list of new workers at once. It is done after consultation with all departments. But the labor ministry is the main. According the ministry, we heard how many undocumented workers. The case of new worker registration will be presented at the cabinet meeting. And recommendation is needed also from the ministry of home affairs and the ministry of health depending on the number of undocumented workers. And then the Prime Minister approves it and it is decided at the cabinet meeting." he said.

A camp that provides service for CI books

If undocumented Myanmar workers were issued Baht Pink Card (Thai Pink ID Card) instead of CI, it would be more convenient, Ko Thargyi helping migrant workers told CNI News.

" It is very good if an undocumented worker gets a document because the security is important. But under the government led by Thakson, you were able to work in any part of Thailand if you had a labor card alone also known as a pink ID card. If the card like that was issued, a worker could go to anywhere in Thailand independently and work. And it would be low-cost for workers and reliable for safety." he said.

An undocumented worker has to spend 8,000 to 12,000 bahts to get a CI book at the CI camps in Thailand reportedly from those who are helping migrant workers. 

Moreover, Every Myanmar worker who has a CI book probably will have to pay Myanmar government income tax that was being implemented starting from 1st October, they pointed out.

CNI News

7 November 2023

Due to the demand for sugar cane at present, Mya Bayin Taung Lay Lone Sugar Mill in Shwe Nyaung Town, southern Shan State is buying a ton of sugar cane at 1.5 million kyats, according to the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Products Association.

Although the price of sugar cane was expected to be 110,000 to 130,000 kyats per ton this year, due to the increased demand for sugarcane from the sugar mill in southern Shan State, sugarcanes are being bought at a higher price.

As sugarcane cultivation is low and corn cultivation is high in southern Shan State at present, in order to increase the cultivation of sugarcane, the price of sugarcane was raised, U Maung Swe, a sugarcane grower, told CNI News. 

While seeing a sugar mill

" The number of people who grow sugarcane in southern Shan State has decreased. Their sugar mill is in need of sugarcane. Only if the price of sugarcane is raised, will farmers be interested in growing sugarcane. The yield of sugarcane is low. So, the mill has raised the price to make farmers want to grow more sugarcane. The mill adjusted the price of corn and increased the price of sugarcane." said U Maung Swe.

There are 17,000 acres of sugarcane cultivation in southern Shan State and largely it is grown in Nyaung Shwe, Lawksawk, Shwe Nyaung and Taunggyi. However, corn that is more profitable than sugarcane and can be exported is grown more.

Because the cost for inputs such as fertilizer, pesticide and fuel has been more expensive, the current price of sugarcane is reasonable, said sugarcane farmers.

However, sugar mills would not buy sugarcane at the price Mya Bayin Sugar Mill has offered because the prices have been designated under a cooperative farming system between sugar mills and farmers, U Win Htay, vice chairman of the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Products Association, told CNI News.

While seeing sugarcanes

" Why the Mya Bayin Taung Lay Lone Sugar Mill is buying the sugarcane at a higher price is because they want sugarcane. At the same time, the price of sugar is going up. The price of sugar can go up anymore. For example, their mill can crush 1,500 tons of sugarcane a day, but they can get 1,000 tons. So, they need 500 tons of sugarcane. But other mills might not pay this price. We estimate other mills will pay up to 130,000 kyats per ton. Other mills have signed the contract at what price and how much they will buy. Many farmers and mills are going with a contract farming type. Because this mill is weak in contract farming. There are many people who make sugarcane jaggery around the mill. As the mill wants more sugarcane, it's buying sugarcane at a higher price of kind." he said.

The sugar mills in Sagaing, Mandalay and Bago Regions have designated the price of sugarcane 120,000 kyats per ton and farmers are expecting 130,000 kyats and above per ton.

Currently, world sugar price is going up and so is local price, therefore sugar mills will raise the price as farmers have expected, according to the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Products Association.

CNI News

6 November, 2023

A political culture is needed to be continually built so that political problems could be solved by political means, U Khun Sai, who takes part in peace process, told CNI News. 

They had agreed to solve political problems by peaceful method since under the government led by U Thein Sein without using force, he said. 

" We had agreed to solve political problems by political means or peaceful means without solving with force - a political culture. Among those who agreed to that were the Tatmadaw, EAOs and political parties. We haven't finished building the culture as yet. If we go on emphatically building the culture, our people will surely be able to live peacefully. What we are doing is not for ourselves, but for our people. We should always take it to heart." he said.

While seeing those who are involved in peace process at the 8th Anniversary Celebration of the NCA on 15 October 2023

Domestic armed conflicts have been taking place since 1948 when Myanmar gained her independence and they have not been able to be solved up to now. 

Armed conflicts are breaking out widely across the country due to political changes after 1st February 2021. Political problems could not solved by war and disagreements should be negotiated at a round table, U Shwe Min, patron of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) told CNI News.

While seeing General Yawd Serk and U Khaing Soe Naing Aung at the 8th Anniversary Celebration of the NCA on 15 October 2023

" All the stakeholders must carry out the peace as a priority so that all the citizens can live peacefully and wealthily, keeping abreast of the people from other countries. So, I'd like to urge all the stakeholders to sit at a round table and negotiate the disagreements. Let's find the solution at the round table so that it will be convenient for our country. If we go on in a military way, our citizens will be very much hurt." he said.

Some EAOs, some ethnic elements, political parties and ASEAN are trying to solve armed conflicts in Myanmar. However, the armed conflicts have not been able to be solved until today and the people are facing with crises.