CNI News

27 Dec 2022

Thai tourists to Myanmar outnumbered their Chinese counterparts this year, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

The number of Thai tourists to Myanmar has increased since October and about tens of thousands of them came to Myanmar this year, he added.

He said, "The largest number of tourists to Myanmar were from Thailand. When tourism was reopened in Myanmar, there were only a few direct flights with China. There is only one direct flight to Guangzhou at present while at least eight or nine direct flights are operating between Myanmar and Thailand. Thai tourists visited Yangon, Bago and the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda on short visits like two-night-three-day and three-night-four-day trips. In Yangon, they made pilgrimages to the ShweDagon Pagoda and the Botahtaung Pagoda as they have the same lifestyle as us. They think they should visit such places at least once in their lifetime."

Foreign tourists.

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, the largest number of tourists to Myanmar were from China but most of them were visiting Myanmar not on pleasure but on business tours.

Compared with 2021, the year 2022 saw more domestic tourists and foreign tourist arrivals have improved for the post-COVID period, according to tour operators and hoteliers.

As more foreign tourists are expected to visit Myanmar in 2023, measures must be taken for domestic security, electricity supply, and compulsive selling of goods to tourists.

The Kyaiktiyo Pagoda.

Chairman U Zaw Weik of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI, "It is expected that foreign tourists, especially from China and Russia, will visit Myanmar in 2023. However, the electricity supply and political situation are out of our control. It is expected that tourists from the east market will visit Myanmar. We need to fix infrastructure problems. If electricity is not available, we will have to use diesel to operate generators. If we cannot get diesel, how can we promote our packages? First, we need to guarantee security. Second, electricity must be regularly supplied. It is impossible to attract tourists if security cannot be guaranteed, electricity cannot be supplied and diesel prices fail to decrease."

Some tour operators are preparing to participate in tourism fairs in the international community to attract foreign tourists to Myanmar in 2023.

The MTEA has anticipated that youths from China, Russia and Western countries will visit Myanmar in January, February and March in the upcoming year.

As direct flights have been launched between Myanmar and both Russia and China, the association anticipated that Chinese and Russian tourists will increase in 2023.

CNI News

28 Dec 2022

As the final verdicts for remaining charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be passed by 30 December, there have emereged differing views in the political circle on what the political landscape will look like after the prosecution against her.

The new political landscape will be shaped by views of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi over the National Unity Government and the People's Defence Force, Political Observer U Ye Tun told the CNI.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, "I am aware that Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing recently said that the future of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi depended on hier views. I think that he was referring to the views of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi over the resistance movement launched by the NUG and the PDF after February, 2021. Her views on whether she supports their movement or not can have great impacts on the resistance forces. I think changes and consequences depend on her views."

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint at a court hearing.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been charged for 19 counts and has been sentenced to 26-year's prison term for 14 charges.

Verdicts for the remaining charges will be reportedly passed by 30 December.

Authorities have their own ulterior motives behind passing verdicts on her remaining cases as soon as possible, Political Observer Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

He said, "They have their own ulterior motives. The faster they sentence her, the sooner they can release her. Another motive is that they are going to hold the elections. They have done everything to ban her from taking part in the elections. She has been sentenced to prison terms. They don't want her to run for the elections."

After final verdicts on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, she should be granted amnesty, Politbureau Member U Tun Aung Kyaw of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

Former Speaker of Upper House Mahn Win Khaing Than and PDFs.

He said, "Precedents have been set by granting amnesty to olderly party members like Dr Myo Nyunt. Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing has the power to release her out of goodwill for national interest and reconciliation and respect for the will of the people.

The Myanmar military ousted the National League for Democracy government after accusing it of attempting to form a new government without settling voters' list disputes in the 2020 general election and has detained some NLD leaders including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint.

Since then, lawmakers from the NLD and democracy activists have formed People's Defence Forces and launched resistance to topple the military under the slogan of 'There is no bargaining with bloodstained military junta'.

CNI News

27 Dec 2022

There are fewer jobs available for migrant workers as authorities are rounding up illegal migrants recently, Thai-based labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.

As authorities are making arrests of illegal migrant workers, their employers are trying to get official residence permits for them through agents and there are fewer jobs for newly arrived workers including Myanmar migrants, Consultant U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI.

He said, it is difficult to get jobs for migrant workers because they can get jobs if they have official residence and work permits according to the law. If employers are found to be hiring illegal migrants on surprise checks, they can be fined or sentenced to prison terms. So, illegal migrants can get jobs when authorities issue official residence and work permits for them. The government issued such documents recently and illegal workers who received them are getting jobs now."

A fishery worksite in Thailand.

As most Myanmar illegal workers had to borrow money from other at high interest rates to work in Thailand, they are unable to repay their debts as they do not get jobs while they fear they might be arrested by authorities.

The government issued official residence and work permits in August and only a few Myanmar migrant workers who arrived in Thailand later than August got jobs.

Ko Thar Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrant workers, told the CNI, "It is difficult to find jobs for those who arrived in Thailand after the interviews for residence and work permits. It is more difficult for those who arrived in Thailand about a week or ten days ago because there are fewer jobs. Migrants who have been here for three or four months got the permits through agents. It is impossible for late comers to get jobs. Authorities have been making arrests of illegal migrants since the beginning of December."

A fishery process worksite in Thailand.

As some Myanmar workers who came to Thailand under the MOU between the two governments have failed to get jobs in Thailand, they staged a protest in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand recently.
Therefore, labour activists have urged Myanmar workers to come to Thailand officially through official agencies rather than sneaking into the country by paying a large sum of money.

Authorities are making arrests not only of undocumented migrant workers but also foreigners who have overstayed their visas. Those who are detained are put on a blacklist for two to five years.

However, when most Myanmar workers who hold residence and work permits and have overstayed are deported to Myanmar without blacklisting.

CNI News

27 Dec 2022

Vehicle rental fees for one way trip from Namttaw (Homalin) to Monywa have risen to as much as MMK 2.5 million, according to local residents in Namttaw.

However, rental fees for one way trip from Monywa to Namttaw stand at MMK 900,000, a Namttaw local resident told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "If we charter a private vehicle from Namttaw to Monywa, we have to pay between MMK 2 million and MMK 2.5 million for the one way trip. However, we can hire a vehicle from Monywa to Namttaw at MMK 900,000 for the return trip."

A section of Mahamyaing Road.

The rental fees vary depending on the number of passengers, Ko Htet Aung, an owner of a private vehicle rental service, told the CNI.

He said, "We have to ask for higher rental fees because they are a group of 15 people and we will have to transport some of them to Mandalay. So, we charged them MMK 1.5 million. When we return to Monywa we can transport passengers just for fuel costs. Drivers have to pay money to checkpoints along the road and passengers do not have to pay the money.

With rising rental fees for chartered vehicles, bus fares from Monywa to Namttaw (Homalin) have increased from MMK 30,000 to MMK 90,000 per person.

The Chindwin River connecting Monywa and Namttaw (Homalin).

If local residents choose to travel by ship, it costs MMK 500,000 per person to do so.

There are about 30 checkpoints controlled by Local Defence Forces, People's Defence Force, the Myanmar military and Shanni National Army between Monywa and Namttaw.

As drivers have to pay money at those checkpoints, rental fees for chartered private vehicles have risen, according to drivers.

Travelling between Homalin and lower Myanmar, local residents can also use waterway but it is difficult to use the waterway because of armed conflicts along the river, according to local residents.

CNI News

27 Dec 2022

Whether the Proportional Representation system is conducive to formation of a coalition government is a matter of intense debate among political observers.

The Union Election Commission announced that the general election would be held under the PR system.

Adoption of the PR system does not necessarily mean that a coalition government will be formed but it encourages the formation of a coalition government, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

Flags of the Union Solidarity and Development Party. (GETTY IMAGES)

He said, "In theory, the PR system encourages the formation of a coalition government. I am generally talking about the electoral system and does not refer to the political situation in Myanmar. I am just talking about a general theory."

If elections are held under the PR system, there are prospects for the formation of a coalition government, Chairman U Sein Win of the National United Democratic Party told the CNI.

He said, "In my opinion, there are prospects for the formation of a coalition government. However, it is difficult to say whether it will happen or not. The 2023 general election must be held because we love our country and will not allow the country we love to collapse. If we do not like the government that emerges, we will settle the issues with it later. We are not happy with the causes that will lead to the collapse of the country, especially those related to foreign interference."

Any electoral system is beneficial to ethnic groups with large populations, Kachin Politician U Kwan Gaung Aung Kham told the CNI.

Flags of the National League for Democracy. (GETTY IMAGES)

He said, "Both the PR system and the First-past-the-post system favour ethnic groups with large populations. Neither is beneficial to small ethnic groups. It is difficult to predict how the people, the international community and political parties will respond to the elections held by the SAC."

In 2010, 2015 and 2020, general elections were held under the FPTP.

He is trying to form a united national government represented by all ethnic group after the upcoming elections, Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party told the CNI.

He said, "The people prefer a united national government represented by all ethnic groups to a winning political party that forms a new government to implement its own policies. And elections will be held under the PR system. It is a development."

The UEC said it would hold a general election under the PR system in August, 2023.

CNI News

25 Dec 2022

The labour activists have urged the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand to negotiate with Thai authorities to renew the passports of Myanmar migrants, labour activists told the CNI.

As there is a large number of Myanmar migrant workers whose passports will expire in 2023, there are concerns that the embassy is unable to renew them in time.

Ko Thar Gyi, a labour activist for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, told the CNI, "It sometimes takes about two months to renew passports. Some may get new passports within 10 or 15 day. So, the embassy should negotiate with the labour ministry, immigration and the visa section to extend the visa gap to 90 days or 120 days so that Myanmar migrants can get required documents during the time. If the embassy requests Thai authorities, it is beneficial for migrants whose visas have expired."

Myanmar migrant workers waiting for passport renewal at the Myanmar Embassy.

The Myanmar embassy in Thailand has renewed passports since 7th November but appointment tokens will be issued as of 7th January, 2023.

The embassy announced that passports will be renewed for those who have already received appointment tokens.

Moreover, the embassy announced that migrant workers are required to make appointments by themselves as the embassy will put the seal in their expired passports as of 7th January, 2023 and agents will not be allowed to make appointments.

Labour activists for Myanmar workers in Thailand welcomed the announcements.

Migrant workers.

Consultant U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI, "It takes months to renew passports. Migrants workers need to have new passports before they renew their visas so that Myanmar workers can submit the new passports to the immigration to renew their visas. If it takes months to renew passports, migrant workers will be fined when they renew their visas. As there is a large number of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, we welcome the move to renew passports quickly, smoothly and cheaply. As far as we know, migrant workers have to wait a long time to renew their passports and have to pay much more than the fees designated by the government. Now, agents are not allowed to renew migrant workers' passports and it is beneficial for migrant workers."

In the past, Myanmar migrant workers had to pay agents from Baht 4,000 to 6,500 to make appointments and renew passports.

CNI News

25 Dec 2022

Real estate agents are required to register with authorities to combat money laundering, according to the Myanmar Real Property Development Association.

It was learnt that the process has been implemented in the entire country.

Property agents are required to report sales and purchases of properties worth MMK 100 million and above to the financial intelligence unit, an official from the MRPDA told the CNI.

He said, "The move aims to combat money laundering. The General Administration Department handles the reporting process. Agents are required to report sales or purchases of properties worth MMK 100 million and above to authorities."

Action will be taken against agents who do not register with authorities in accordance with the Anti-money Laundering Law. Agents are required to register with township authorities and to take training courses on anti-money laundering to get registration cards.

A talk on property and financial knowledge

Property agents have been calling for the registering process for a long time, CEO Ko Zeya of Yadanagiri Property Services told the CNI.

He said, "We have been calling for the exclusive license registration for a long time. The government has officially recognized us just now. We need licenses and it is the responsibility of the government to do this. It is beneficial for us because we need to follow rules and regulations and can report our requests to the government. Sellers and buyers will trust us and we will be able to provide better services to them. Ethics and rules will be adopted."

There is a large number of money laundering cases in Myanmar, especially in the property market and the process is just one of the methods to combat money laundering, according to economists.

However, it is still necessary to see whether agents report property purchases and sales to the authorities as required.

Real estates in Yangon 

Moreover, it is also necessary to see whether authorities are serious about the registration, an economist who requested anonymity for security reasons told the CNI.

He said,"There are various ways and means to launder money. It seems that authorities have shut down one of the many money laundering route. In Myanmar, cash circulation in the property market is very huge. Moreover, properties in Myanmar are not purchased for residence but for speculation. So, authorities cannot levy taxes on the transactions and cash involved in the transactions are black money. It seems that authorities are trying to prevent tax evasions. It is just a policy on paper and we will have to wait and see whether authorities actually implement the policy because agents will not report all transactions they make. It is a good policy but we will have to wait and see how authorities effectively implement it."

As the MRPDA is affiliated to international property services associations by joining the Asia Property Services Association, the registration process is likely to expand its markets, according to property agents.

CNI News

25 Dec 2022

Emphasis must be placed not on the economic interests of a certain group of people but on inclusive economic development, said SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

He made the comment at the meeting with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and afficialiated association in Yangon on 23rd December, 2022.

As the objectives of MSMEs are to encourage domestic economic development and to substitute imports, priority is given to the manufacturing sector that promotes domestic economic growth, according to the chairman.

He said, "The first and second democratic governments gave priority on imports rather than on domestic manufacturing, causing trade deficits. Giving priority to domestic manufacturing is more beneficial. As it is necessary to improve the economic conditions of the majority of the people, the government is promoting inclusive development rather than the interests of a certain group of people."

He added that efforts for economic growth were exerted through various systems and the market economic system was introduced during the term of the military government. The market economy was further developed when the country took the multiparty democracy system. The UMFCCI is urged to fully cooperate with the government for the economic development of the country.

Currently, the gap between the rich and the poor has widen and successive governments were not able to solve the problem.

Meanwhile, as inflation has risen and commodity prices have increased, the public has urged authorities to control the prices as well as to create job opportunities and enhance personal security.

CNI News

24 Dec 2022

Whether the National League for Democracy will participate in the elections held by the State Administration Council is hotly debated among politicians and political observers.

The SAC is likely to hold elections in main Bamar cities and the NLD is unlikely to take part in the elections, Political Observer Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "They are likely to hold elections in main Bamar cities and then in certain places in states under their control. They said they will hold the elections under the PR system but they were not entitled to hold elections under the system in the past. They will hold elections under the system and a new government will be formed under the system. The NLD is unlikely to take part in the elections. Daw Aung San Suu has already said the NLD would not participate in the election. The SNLD is unlikely to take part in the elections. Many other political parties will not participate in the elections."

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. (GETTY IMAGES)

Recently, the UNSC adopted a resolution on Myanmar, calling for the release of political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

He does not see any indications that the NLD will take part in the election but the situation would be likely to change if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released, Spokesperson Naing Shwe Than of the Mon Unity Party told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "We haven't seen any signs that the NLD has revived. If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released, the situation would be likely to change. We haven't seen any activities of the NLD."

As the NLD cannot be dissolved by any means, the party will continue to survive, Political Observer Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw told the CNI.

A ballot-booth representative training course of the NLD. (GETTY IMAGES)

She told CNI, "A political party can collapse when it dissolves itself after losing elections. It will find ways and means to survive. Communist Party of Burma has never accepted its defeats and saw them as temporary failures. Communists form new cells when they have three cell members. It is not easy to dissolve a political party. Successive juntas have tried to dissolve the NLD for many years but the party has survived. If the NLD dissolved itself, it would collapse like the BSPP. Otherwise, it will continue to survive."

The NLD is required to take part in the elections held by the SAC and there are indications that it is preparing for the elections, Chairman U Sein Win of the National United Democratic Party told the CNI.

He said, "We have nothing to say about the issue as authorities have not announced that the NLD is an illegal organization after studying whether the crimes were committed or not. If its activities are lawful, it can participate in the elections. If their activities are unlawful, consequences will follow. However, there are indications that they are trying to participate in the elections."

The SAC chairman announced that it would hold a general election in August, 2023 and transfer power to the winning party.

The National Unity Government and the People's Defence Force have announced that they would disrupt the elections held by the SAC and urged all not to participate in the elections.