CNI News

27 September 2023

The 8th anniversary celebration of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement will be held on 15 October 2023 reportedly. 

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee convened a meeting in Naypyidaw in order to be able to hold the 8th anniversary celebration of the NCA on 25 September 2023. 

Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, chairman of  the NSPNC and Union Minister for Home Affairs, explained about the policies relating to the 8th anniversary celebration of the NCA and Lt-Gen Min Naing, secretary of the NSPNC explained about the processes for holding the celebration at the meeting.

After that, Lt-Gen Aye Win, chairman of the Coordinating Work Committee explained the issues to be coordinated regarding the invitation and taking record photos and Lt-Gen Win Bo Shein, chairman of the Working Committee explained the procedures that will be systematically carried out for making the celebration a success.

The NSPNC was convening a meeting on 25 September 2023 for holding the 8th anniversary 

The NCA was signed by the Karen National Union (KNU), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), KNU/KNLA-Peace Council, the Chin National Front (CNF), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) and the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) on 15 October 2015.

And then, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union signed the NCA on 12 February 2018.

Among the 10 NCA signatories, KNU, CNF and ABSDF are at the battles against the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

27 September 2023

The Pa-O National Federal Council (PNFC) drafted the constitution of the Pa-O State for the emergence of the Pa-O State, said Khun Wai Tun, secretary-2 of the PNFC, to CNI News. 

In the establishment of the federal democratic union, the Pa-O have aimed the Pa-O State to participate as a state of the union, he said.

 " The aim of various ethnic forces taking part in the Spring Revolution is to end the dictatorship and build a federal democratic union. In the establishment of the federal democratic union which will made up of many states, as a member state of the union, according to the federal policies based on political and racial equality, anticipating for the emergence of Pao State, we draft the constitution as a preparation process" said Khun Wai Tun.

The formation of Pa-O State would mainly include the regions in southern Shan State and other regions where Pa-O nationalities live, including Thaton region in Mon state would become national region or a self-administrative area, etc. 

Khun Myint Tun, chairman of the Pa-O National Federal Council

However, they would perform in accordance with the desire of the Pa-O people, he added. 

The ultimate political goal of the Pa-O people is the emergence of Pa-O state which fully guarantees national equality and self-determination, said in the statement released in commemoration of the Pa-O National Martyrdom Day that fell on 24th September. 

Moreover, the PNFC decided to implement the drafting processes of the Pa-O State constitution and the designation of the Pa-O national regions, said in the statement.

The office of the Pao Autonomous Region

Other ethnic groups have also demanded to form a state of their own and it would be carried out in accordance with the constitution, said Sai Ai Pao, chairman of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), to CNI News.

" Shanni is trying to build Shanni State after gating its regions in Sagaing Region and Kachin State. Wa also is demanding to form Wa State. They will be in accordance with the constitution. According to the constitution, a referendum will be held. So, it's not that easy." he said.

Shanni, Ta'ang and Wa including Pa-O are demanding to form the states of their own. 

Currently, Myanmar is made up of seven regions, seven states, five autonomous regions, one self-administered division and one Naypyidaw union territory

CNI News

26 September 2023

Myanmar vendors in Mae Sot, a Thai city on the Thai-Myanmar border, are being strictly checked and arrests have increased, said Mae Sot residents. 

Many Myanmar vendors have been arrested between August and September reportedly. 

Moreover, more security forces have been deployed at the border gates where could be easily entered and left and more patrols are also seen in the barracks where Myanmar nationals live, said Ko Thar Gyi, one of the people who are helping Myanmar migrant workers in Mae Sot, to CNI News.

While Thai policemen have arrested Myanmar nationals who sell goods

" Since an explosion took place on the Myanmar side about three weeks ago, Thai border security has been tightened up to now. In the past during the period of over eight or nine years that the army that couped took responsibility, Indian, Chinese nationals including Myanmar stood as business people opening KTV, restaurants, stores and other businesses after paying the local authorities for monthly permit fees. But at this border, many goods imported from Myanmar by Myanmar shop owners are included in the goods that have not been allowed to import or do not pay the duty. For example, tobacco that is put in betel nut is not allowed to import officially. The goods like this were being traded after paying monthly fee. But after the election, some departments don't know the monthly fee. These departmental officials came to this territory without knowing that. And then, they seized illegal goods." said Ko Thar Gyi.

Four Myanmar selling goods on the side of Mae Sot of the Mae Sot-Myawady Friendship Bridge No.1 were arrested on 18th September, said Thai immigration department. 

Moreover, the passengers on the buses which will depart from Mae Sot or enter Mae Sot are being checked whether they have passports and other necessary documents reportedly.

While Thai policemen have arrested Myanmar nationals who sell goods

 At present, those who have registered in the name list have been allowed to stay until the end of September and later, checks and arrests could increase, said an official from IBECSWO, a social assistance association, to CNI News.

" After the end of this month, arrests will be everywhere because the Thai authorities are checking whether migrant workers are documented or undocumented. At present, a lot of Myanmar nationals are entering Thailand. Illegal Myanmar migrant workers have increased quite a lot. Those who have registered in the name list have been legal. Another thing they have to do is to apply for CI (certificate of identity) books." said Mizzima Ko Thar Gyi from IBECSWO.

Thai government tends to issue pink cards for work permit for illegal migrant workers. 

Myanmar government is providing service in Myawady and Kawthaung to Myanmar migrant workers whose four year MoU term has been expired with U-Turn system which will take four days only to enable them to re-enter their workplaces.

Moreover, those who want to renew passports and apply for new passports can come and carry out at the embassy in person without making any appointments.  

CNI News

26 September 2023

Gold is currently traded in Myanmar based on the Thai domestic gold price and Thai baht price without calculating the Myanmar domestic gold price by the  US dollar, according to gold entrepreneurs. 

Gold is traded like this because dealing by Thai baht has not been tightened although US dollar dealers and traders are being taken actions against and arrested reportedly.
 
Besides, it is also because the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) has approved the Thai baht (THB) as a permissible currency for international payments and settlement transactions, said traders.

Thai bahts and US dollars

Although transactions are conducted after calculating Thai baht price, because the Thai baht price is altering, depending on the US dollar price, the dealings have anything to do with US dollar indirectly, said Ko Ne Khant, dollar and gold market analyst, to CNI News.

" For the time being, the right to hold US dollar is as you know. The arrests are rampant in the money transfers. The arrests are more relating to the US dollar. Among the gold, money and dollar, baht is freer from restriction. Another thing is that many diamond traders and gold entrepreneurs have been relating to Thai baht since before. It is also because pf the policy change which has allowed to use baht directly. It's kind of like replacing the dollar. Thai gold price is related to the world gold price. And Thai baht price is connected with the gold price. So, we still have anything to do with the US dollar indirectly. But it can't greatly impact. That its price is related is right. But it also related to our local demand and supply." said Ko Ne Khant.

The Central Bank of Myanmar approved the Thai baht as a permissible currency for international payments and settlement transactions on 14th August. 

Thai bahts and Myanmar Kyat 

Because Myanmar's gold price is calculated based on Thai gold and baht prices, when the Thai baht price changes, the prices of goods imported from Thailand can change. Moreover, Thai currency is not stable and its inflation has increased double, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst, to CNI News.

" To tell you frankly, although is calculated on the Thai gold and baht prices, gold is gold and goods are goods. But they both go depending on the exchange rate If the exchange rate changes, there may be a problem. When it is calculated like this because there are many arrests relating to US dollar, if the Thai baht price changed, it could affect both the gold price and commodity prices. Thai baht is not stable as well. Its inflation has double increased." said U Thet Zaw.

That gold entrepreneurs and gold traders use Thai baht instead of dollars was not for the stabilization of the gold price but because there were many arrests relating to US dollar, pointed out businessmen. 

Moreover, whether there will be speculations about the Thai baht or not will need to be watched ,and if the Thai baht price went up, the prices of commodities imported from Thailand would rise, said businessmen and economists.

CNI News

25 September 2023

After the licenses of more than 100 companies which did not comply with the rules and orders issued by the Central Bank were withdrawn, because the prices of foreign currencies have been stable, real estate and car prices have fallen, said economic analysts.

Because the sellers and traders relating to the prices of foreign currencies and US dollars were making extremely speculations, investigative teams have taken actions and at present, there is no one who obviously trades foreign currencies reportedly.

Because of investigation and actions like this, the price of US dollar has been stable and real estate and car prices have fallen. However, it can be effective temporarily, said Ko Ne Khant, US dollar and gold market analyst, to CNI News.

The lis of companies whose licenses have been banned by the Central Bank

" As you know, traders and brokers work for their greed. They won't do anything if there isn't any profit left for them. They performed some excessive actions as well. So, the government intervened. But the control is also a little severe. Arrests were instantly conducted. The Bureau of Special Investigation investigates even top officials. They don't dare to help anyone. Well-known cronies and real bosses don't stay in Myanmar any more. They usually go to Bangkok to avoid being investigated. The traders and brokers were asked to attend the meeting and they were arrested there. Anyone don't dare to trade obviously anymore. Arrests were conducted to make the prices fall. For the time being, real estate prices have fallen a little. Car prices also have fallen obviously. It can be said as a result. But how long will this situation exist? Those who will buy again are waiting for the time when the prices will fall. So, it doesn't make any difference. This modal is a little wrong. But it will work temporarily." said Ko Ne Khant.

The number of companies that exchange and sell foreign currency whose licenses have been suspended has reached 167 this year and one in January, 20 in March, 10 in July, 13 in August, and 123 in September. 

While seeing the dollar exchange

Among the companies suspended, tourism companies, airlines, hotels, construction companies, jewelry companies and trading companies were included, said in the statement. Any more of actions might be conducted, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst, to CNI News.

" Some companies probably didn't provide complete information. And the companies that were trading in the black market were closed, I think. There were many companies that couldn't present necessary documents. They would be suspended. There will be anymore of actions, I think." said U Thet Zaw.

Although the Central Bank stated to sell and exchange one US dollar at 2,100 kyats as the reference price in April last year, in practice one US dollar was being traded at 3,300 to 3,500 kyats. 

Because the companies that didn't comply with the reference price of the Central Bank, their licenses were closed reportedly. 

Most companies had suspended trading because there was a wide gap between the reference prices and the market price, so their licenses were closed, said businessmen.

CNI News
24 September 2023

Chin members of Hluttaw, and township and regionally based organizations including  Chin ethnic armed groups agreed to hold a conference in order to make the Constitution of Chin State arise during the revolutionary period reportedly.

The Working Committee for Chinland Council Conference (WCCCC) was formed and The Pre-Plenary Meeting for Chinland Council was held somewhere near the border from 7th to 9th September 2023 in order to draft the constitution, stated the WCCCC on 22nd September.

At present, WCCCC was carrying out drafting the constitution of Chin State during the revolutionary period and was making necessary preparations to hold the Chinland Council Conference, said the WCCCC.

A statement released by the WCCCC

The WCCCC is making preparation to hold the conference in order to make the constitution arise, to form the Chin State Council and to build the three pillars- Legislation, Administration and judiciary.

Chin State has taken part in the Spring Revolution that started from the first of February 2021 and armed conflicts are also severely breaking out there.  

CNI News
24 September 2023

The battle took place between the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) which had taken security on the road going from Naung Po Aung Model Village, Homalin Township, Sagaing Region to Cedigon Village and KIA/PDF joint forces on 21st September.

While about 10 SNA forces led by Sai Thu from the SNA brigade-753 were taking security on that road, About 15 KIA/PDF joint forces came and fought against the SNA group with ten 40 mm bombs and small firearms.

The place where the battle took place between the SNA and KIA/PDF joint force

After the battle had broken out, KIA/PDF forces had withdrawn to Cedigon Village, said local residents.

The battles between the SNA and KIA/PDF joint forces often break out in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region.

CNI News
23 September 2023

When foreign tourists come to Myanmar and exchange their money at the exchange counters, a strict scrutiny of their exchange should be relaxed, pointed out the tourism
and hotel operators.

In the pas when foreign tourists exchange their money, as their bank notes were checked carefully to know whether they have flaws or not, Foreign tourists were sort of disturbed.

If carefully checking bank notes like that was relaxed, it would be a great relaxation to improve Myanmar tourism, said U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, (northern Shan State), to CNI News.

"It's one of the big things that should be relaxed. at present, Myanmar exchange counters don't accept the foreign currencies which have a little ink stain or a little fold line. Foreign tourists are quite surprised if Myanmar exchange counters don't take old bank notes. Sometimes, they have old bank notes only. Foreigners would felt disturbed to an extent when their bank notes are examined in a manner that they are not believed." said U Zaw Zaw.

Foreign tourists waiting to exchange their bill notes at a foreign exchange counter of the Yangon International Airport

Because Myanmar's neighboring countries don't scrutinize strictly relating to foreign currency, foreign tourists don't feel disturbed and visited these countries, which is a factor for the improvement of tourism, pointed out businessmen.

" Mainly, it is the policy of the Central Bank. They have issued a notice not to check carefully like that. But mainly they refuse these are not accepted, and those are not accepted. The dollar is valuable for bottom staff. Fake dollars are more found among the large size dollars. So, big head and small head arose in dollar. When in USA, no matter how torn bill notes can be, you can use them. But they need to have full numbers. If the top accept, the bottom will accept to take old bank notes.  Bill notes that have been somewhat old should be accepted, I think.” Said U Thet Lwin Toe, a travel entrepreneur.

There were also video recordings by some foreign tourists relating to that their old bill notes were refused.

Currently, Myanmar has granted visa free and visa on arrival to some countries to make a lot of foreign tourists enter the country and strict scrutiny relating to foreign currency should be relaxed, suggested tourism and hotel entrepreneurs.

CNI News
23 September 2023

 There are reviews and discussions among the people who are performing peace process and political circles how to control the weapons that have been spreading among the public at the time when a period of stability comes after the end of the conflict.

At present, armed conflicts are breaking out across the country and a lot of weapons are entering the country. It was not easy to disarm the weapons spreading among the public and leaders of the two competitive organizations were responsible, said U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party), to CNI News.  

" In my opinion, it will take some time to end the domestic conflict. Whether either side wins or loses, `the conflict won't stop as long as weapons are in the hands of many people. To tell you frankly, it is easy to make money by using weapon. It is not easy to disarm weapons. It depends on the leaders of the armed organizations including the Tatmadaw. If they really love the country, they will choose the best way."he said.

Some of the weapons and ammunition seized in Sagaing Region

If the weapons were not able to be controlled, the people would be always worried and murders and thefts will increase, he added. After the country was reconstructed, the first thing to do was to disarm and that matter needed to be carried out seriously, said Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political analyst, to CNI News.

" It's not too strange. When the Soviet Union disintegrated, criminal gangs arose. In the same way,  if the weapons are not able to be controlled in a country like ours after the wars, criminal gangs will use these weapons. This is a common symptom in every country. We just need to carry out to disarm vigorously. It's not too much to worry about." said Dr.Aung Myo.

Not only in the border areas of Burma, but also in the mainland areas where there was no armed conflict in the past, battles have been breaking out and  weapons and ammunitions have already arrived there. With the abundance of weapons and ammunition, thefts, robberies and killings have been taking place and the people are worried about their security.

Six gunmen robbed a house in Inn Phyat Street, Htan Daw Ward, Monywa, Sagaing Region and killed a pregnant woman who was three days away from giving birth on 10th August.