CNI News

19 Mar 2023

As the Thingyan festival is approaching, bookings for chartered vehicles have increased by large numbers, according to chartered vehicle rentals.

Compared with the last Thingyan festival, the number of people travelling in charter vehicles have increased and most of them are travelling to Taunggyi, Inlay or Bagan.

As fuel prices have skyrocketed, rental costs have risen, an official from Zarti Myay Chartered Vehicle Rental told the CNI.

He said, "We have been preparing for the Thingyan festival since early March. There are many people who have booked for chartered vehicles. Most of them are going to Taunggyi, Inlay or Bagan. Compared with last year, the number of travellers has increased slightly but it has not reached the level before the pandemic. We are in trouble as fuel prices have skyrocketed. Rental costs for chartered vehicles have risen higher than our customers have expected. Rental costs for a chartered vehicle to Bagan have risen from more than MMK 100,000 previously to more than MMK 200,000."

The Alodawpyae Pagoda in Bagan.

Although domestic tourists usually travelled to beaches such as Chaungtha, Ngwesaung and Ngapali in Thingyan festivals previous years, they are planning to go to Shan State and Bagan this year.

Those who go to beaches under packages of tour operators but domestic tourists travel to Inlay and Bagan in chartered vehicles that have at least ten seats.

Although the festival is still four weeks away, people are seeking information about chartered vehicles and about 50 percent of them have already booked chartered vehicles for the festival, Ko Ye Tint Lwin, founder of the Lwin Myanmar Tour and Chartered Vehicle Services, told the CNI.

Pagodas in Bagan.

He said, "People are seeking information about bookings. As the festival is approaching, there are likely to be more bookings. About half of the information seekers have already booked chartered vehicles. The number of bookings will increase when the festival is nearer."

However, it is difficult to hire chartered vehicles when the festival is nearer and rental fees are likely to be higher together with rising fuel prices. As a result, those who intend to travel in chartered vehicles are required to book them in advance, according to tour operators.

Some famous chartered vehicle rentals have received bookings for all their vehicles.

CNI News

19 Mar 2023

Welcoming the mediation of China to end the current conflicts in Myanmar by the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Council is a diplomatic move, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

He said China has exerted influence to some extent on member EAOs of the FPNCC.

He said, "China has links with the EAOs and exerted influence on them to some extent. So, they were forced to issue such a statement when China led the peace process. However, it is not certain such an approach will work and it is still a long way. I don't know whether it is realistic or not as fighting has continued between some of them and the military. And there are political issues. What kind of peace are they going to build and what kind of union are they going to establish? What are the positions of individual members? There are so many questions. The statement is just a diplomatic move or a tactic because China wants to get involved in the process. I don't see any other motives."

Members of the FPNCC

The FPNCC is made up of the Wa State Solidarity Army, the Peace and Solidarity Committee (National Democratic Alliance Army) of Special Region 4 in Shan State (East), the Kachin Independence Army, the Shan State Progressive Party, the Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party, the Arakan Army and the Palaung State Liberation Front.

Chinese mediation might end armed conflicts in northern Myanmar but China does not have influence on organizations which are close to the West, Col Khun Okkar, an EAO leader, told the CNI.

He said, "Chinese mediation might end or reduce armed conflicts in northern Myanmar and Chinese projects like pipelines, railways and highways might be implemented. However, China does not have contacts with the NUG and the CRPH because they are under the sway of the West. So, Chinese involvement might only partly resolve issues in Myanmar."

Members of the FPNCC, the Chinese special envoy and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

The FPNCC said in its statement that it believes that ethnic minorities in border areas would restore universal peace and build a federal union together with mainland Myanmar.

Although there are various ways and means to realize the concept, the minority ethnic groups will have to rely on the strength and capabilities of themselves eventually, the statement added.

Members of the FPNCC are EAOs active along the Sino-Myanmar border.

CNI News

18 Mar 2023

Two days after three US banks collapsed, domestic and international gold prices have increased day by day, according to sources in the Yangon Region gold market.

Amid rising gold prices, the demand for gold has been sluggish, Chairman U Myo Myint of the Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

He said, "As the US banks have gone bankrupt and two Switzerland banks has been almost bankrupt, stock and share prices have dived. As a result, gold prices have gone up day by day. The more the banks are bankrupt, the higher the gold prices are. So, domestic gold prices have risen but the demand has dropped. Domestic gold prices have gone up just because of the rising international gold prices."

In the international gold market, prices have risen from US$ 1,883 per ounce to US$ 1,929 per ounce on 17th March.

 Gold jewelry.

Similarly, domestic gold prices have increased and the reference pure gold price at the YGEA rose by more than MMK 50,000 to MMK 2,272,000 per tical.

Although international gold prices have skyrocketed, domestic gold prices cannot be raised much because of price discrepancies between the two markets. As gold prices are higher, more people will resell their gold, which will accumulate in the Yangon market, he added.

He said, "There are price discrepancies between the domestic and international markets. If we increased domestic gold prices, those who have bought gold jewelry would resell theirs. An gold mines have also been producing gold. They can resell their gold only in Yangon and gold has accumulated in Yangon. And no one wants to buy gold jewelry at the prices of more than MMK 2.8 million per tical. Everyone is reselling their gold. If international gold prices drop to US$ 1,600 or about 1,700 per ounce, Myanmar people will be able to buy gold."

As a consequence of the collapse of the bank, US dollar prices are likely to fall but gold prices in the domestic market are calculated based on US dollar prices at home, gold prices at home are still likely to further rise global prices, according to market observers.

CNI News

18 Mar 2023

The Federal Political Negotiations and Consultative Committee has announced on 16th March, 2023, that it has supported the mediation of the People's Republic of China to help end internal conflicts in Myanmar.

The FPNCC held its meetings in Pangkham in Wa region from 15th to 16th March, 2023 and issued the above statement.

The meetings were attended by leaders of its members including the Wa State Solidarity Army, the Peace and Solidarity Committee (National Democratic Alliance Army) of Special Region 4 in Shan State (East), the Kachin Independence Army, the Shan State Progressive Party, the Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party, the Arakan Army and the Palaung State Liberation Front.

The FPNCC said in its statement, "In connection with the domestic affairs of Myanmar, we believe that a federal union must be established by building absolute peace between the Bamar mainland and the minority ethnic groups in border areas."

Although there are various ways and means to realize the concept, the minority ethnic groups will have to rely on the strength and capabilities of the minority ethnic people eventually, according to the statement.

The Myanmar military declared a state of emergency and toppled the National League for Democracy Government on 1st February, 2021 after accusing it of forming a new government without settling voters' list disputes in the 2020 general election.

Then, anti-coup protests erupted and armed conflicts between the military and the National Unity Government, the National Unity Consultative Council, the Committee Representing the Pyithu Hluttaw, the People's Defence Force and Local Defence Forces escalated.

CNI News

18 Mar 2023

Politicians have called for prevention of racial conflicts between the Pa-O and the Karenni due to the murder of more than 20 local residents including three monks in Namnane (Namnamt) village in Pinlaung Township in Shan State (South).

In addition to the Pa-O, the Myanmar military and resistance forces have exchanged accusations against each other.

At present, racial and religious conflicts between the Pa-O and the Karenni are being incited, Chairman Khun Myint Tun of the Pa-O National Federal Council said.

A scene in Pinlaung Township.

Khun Myint Tun said we regret that the military junta is wickedly inciting racial and religious conflicts between the Pa-O and the Karenni. Although Pinlaung and Saungpyaung areas are included in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone, they are not resided by the Pa-O only. As the saying goes, there is the Pa-O, there is the Karenni and there is the Karenni, there is the Pa-O. The Karenni and the Pa-O have been residing in the areas like sibling or a family. Therefore, I call for the Pa-O people and the Karenni people not to believe in the propaganda lies of the military junta and to foster the family spirit without allowing it to disintegrate."

He also urged the PNO/PNA miliitia led by Patron U Aung Kham Hti to review their policy of cooperation with the military junta.

Resistance forces in the entire country are required to stand on a common stance at present and should resolve issues through negotiations among themselves, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Members of the KRU.

He said, "As resistance forces have failed to forge an alliance or agree to a charter, there is horizontal as well as vertical friction among them. Friction can also be caused by incitement of the military. All EAOs in the entire country are required to stand on a common stance and resolve their issues through negotiations. It is possible to resolve issues through such means. It is impossible to settle the disputes by only two parties involved in the disputes. All parties must be involved to achieve a genuine solution. If they raise their voice only, they will be exploited by the enemy."

There are 135 officially recognized ethnic groups in Myanmar, according to government agencies.

As Myanmar is such an ethnically diverse country, there are sometimes territorial disputes and religious and racial conflicts.

CNI News

17 Mar 2023

The new rice law should not impose restrictions on farmers, according to them.

The State Administration Council has issued the draft of the new rice law for the domestic sufficiency of rice and systematic exports.

Although the law was drafted for systematic exports of rice, it is important that the law does not create side effects for farmers and restrictions on rice exports are likely to have an impact on farmers, Chairman U Thein Aung of the Farmer Development Association told the CNI.

He said, "They said the rice law aims to regulate rice exports and to take action against tax evasion from rice exports. However, the law should not impose unnecessary restrictions on farmers. If the law was drafted with good aims without affecting outputs, the ministry should enact the law. We have always urged authorities not to restrict farmers. We cannot tell them not to enact laws but we will have to talk about the consequences of laws, rules and policies. We will have to think about whether the laws impose restrictions on farmers. However, we will get higher paddy prices when rice can be exported."

Farmers.

Although it is necessary to enact the rice law, the government should focus on issues encountered by farmers such as reduction of high costs of inputs, fuel and commodities, according to farmers.

As the draft law stipulates that a reserve rice purchasing committee shall be formed, it is important to purchase and resell reserve rice after considering the harvesting season and prices in the market, according to farmers and rice merchants.

Only then, will it be fair for farmers and consumers, they added.

Loading rice.

The draft law also says that reserve rice will be resold when rice prices are very high. However, it is necessary to resell reserve rice at reasonable prices and rice exports will not be affected by the law, an official from the Myanmar Rice Merchants Association told the CNI.

He said, "We need a rice law. Merchants want to export rice without restrictions. However, they should be fair. The law aims to control the market with reserve rice when rice prices rise significantly. They will monitor rice milling and trading. Prices should be reasonable in the market. It will not have an impact on rice exports. Exchange rates will have impacts on small exporters."
The draft law has 10 chapters and 51 provisions and regulates rice exports, taxation on rice mills, storage and production of quality rice.

If the draft law imposes restrictions on the market, the rice industry will come to a halt and farmers are likely to reduce cultivation acreage, farmers said.

The draft law is under discussion in Yangon and Pathein and plans are underway to hold discussions over the draft law in major rice cultivation areas including Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay from March to early April, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.

CNI News

17 Mar 2023

Brig-Gen Say Sai Tun of the Shanni National Army has warned the Shanni people against attempts to cause disintegration and demise of them.

He made the comment in his speech on Shanni National Day ceremony held at an area controlled by the SNA on 13th March 2023.

A Shanni National Day ceremony.

He said, "At the same time, I would like to urge all on this occasion not to waste time by reminiscing glories of the past. At present, the Shanni people have come under attack from all sides and encounter hardship. Therefore, it is necessary for the people to be united and I would like to reiterate that the SNA will stand firmly together with the people in defence of them. At a time like this, the Shanni people and the SNA are required to stand back to back in unison. We will have to move forward until our goals have been achieved. We should be aware of the incitement of those who want to create divisions among us."

Amid the Myanmar political crisis, political, military and economic hardship and armed conflicts have erupted in areas resided by Shanni people.

Areas controlled by the SNA.

As Shanni King Tho Han Bwa was assassinated, the Shanni people were not able to build a united force. However, they have been able to establish the Shanni National Army, the commander of SNA Brigade 753 said.

He said, "Leaders have been trying to build unity without success in successive eras. The attempts have resulted in a unified force at the times of us. In retrospect of the past, after the assassination of King Tho Han Bwa, the Shanni people were not able to build a united force. Now, the SNA, a united national force and army, has been established."

The SNA is active in Hkamti, Homalin, Phaung Pyin, Pinlebu, Wuntho and Banmauk townships in Sagaing Region, along the Indo-Myanmar border and in Mohnyin and Mokaung in Kachin State.

The SNA is an ethnic armed organization aiming at the formation of a Shanni State by integrating Homalin District, Mawlike District, Kalay District, Hkamti District, Kathar District and Tamu District in Sagaing Region and Bhamo District, Myitkyina District, Mohnyin District and Mokaung.

CNI News

17 Mar 2023

A large number of bookings have been made by domestic travelers at hotels in Shan State for the upcoming Thingyan Festival, the Ministry of hotels and tourism in Shan State and hoteliers told the CNI.

Hotels in Kalaw, Taunggyi, Kyaukme, Lashio, Muse and Laukkai have recently received bookings while some large hotels have been fully booked, according to them.

A floating water festival in Nyaungshwe-Inlay in Shan State (South).

Chairman U Zaw Zaw of the Shan State (North) Hoteliers Association told the CNI, "Most of them are coming to Shan State for Thingyan Festival. There are also some businessmen who visit Shan State to study economic opportunities during their holidays as they heard businesses thrive in Shan State. As demand exceeds supply, they have to book hotel rooms in advance. Otherwise, they will encounter difficulties. In the past, no one booked rooms in advance. However, there were visitors during Thingyan Festival. Last year, there were only a few visitors on the first and second days of the festival but the number of them increased later. Now, they are making bookings in advance."

In the 2022 Thingyan Festival, only about 5,000 travelers visited Shan State (North) and it is expected that more people will visit northern Shan State this year.

Authorities are planning to build pavilions, walking water festivals and other arrangements for the festival, Deputy Director U Sithu Kyaw of Shan State Hotels and Tourism Department told the CNI.

A floating water festival in Nyaungshwe-Inlay in Shan State (South).

He said, "We will have to wait and see the situation this year because it was said that plans were underway to organize floating water festival in Inlay in Nyaungshwe and to build pavilions in Taunggyi. When the plans are publicly announced, there will be changes. If other activities are also added, the situation will change. It was said that authorities were planning to organize the festival on a grand scale. I am not certain about the arrangements. However, hotels with good image and reputation have been fully booked. We are thinking about attracting overnight visitors to Nyaungshwe. "

Hoteliers are required to provide better services and security measures for their guests during the festival.

Hotels at beaches have also been fully booked for the festival while hotels Bagan have received many bookings.

CNI News

17 Mar 2023

The National Unity Government has not done enough for Myanmar migrant workers, Myanmar labour activists who have been helping them told the CNI.

Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi from Thailand told the CNI that the NUG should make further efforts to offer effective assistance for migrant workers and to be recognized as a legitimate government by Thailand.
He told the CNI, "To be frank, the NUG is very weak in offering assistance to Myanmar migrant workers. Its performance is unsatisfactroy. As the government has to carry out tasks in multiple sectors, it is very difficult for the NUG to tackle labour issues, a field in which they are not competent. The minister, the deputy minister, the director-general and staff of the NUG labour ministry are very incompetent in offering assistance to migrant workers. I am talking about the situation on the ground."

However, he said that he had seen NUG labour officials holding negotiations with their Thai counterparts several times over the issues of Myanmar migrant workers.

 Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.

As South Korea is a country respecting human rights, centres and NGOs offer assistance to solve the issues of migrant workers, In-charge Ko Khant Nay Kyi of the Assistance Centre for Migrant Workers in Busan told the CNI.

He said, "There are government-funded labour protection centres in every town in South Korea. They offer assistance to solve the issues of migrant workers including wages, physical abuses, changing jobs and healthcare insurance. The Myanmar embassy never offers assistance to Myanmar workers. As the centres and NGOs are offering assistance, the junta embassy or the NUG ministry are not likely to cooperate with us significantly.

However, he admitted that he sometimes has to cooperate with the embassy and the NUG labour ministry is also offering assistance in some cases.

Supporters of the NUG.

To effectively offer assistance to Migrant workers, the NUG needs to replace all people from the labour ministry with new ones, Ko Thar Gyi added.

He said, "All staff the NUG labour ministry has sent to Thailand for migrant workers should be replaced with competent one because it is a country with the largest number of Myanmar migrant workers. I am saying so not out of prejudice. We will have to solve the problem by using whatever means we have. The government elected by us should be far-sighted and know the situation on the ground case by case. It should employ staff who are competent."

Large numbers of Myanmar migrant workers are leaving the country due to economic and wage issues.

Most of them have left for Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan while many more are applying for passports to leave the country.