CNI News

19 August 2023

It is still not easy in practice to upgrade Pathein Airport to enable international flights to land, said tourism entrepreneurs to CNI News. 

Pathein Airport would be upgraded to enable international flights to land at, said chairman of the State Administration Council while he met with elders of Pathein on 10th August 2023. 

Moreover, according to international norms, roads were to be upgraded depending on the daily vehicular traffic and because many vehicles were going and coming on the Yangon-Pathein road every day, upgrading roads were under progress, he said.

" international Airport is different from CIQ (CUSTOMS, IMMIGRATION AND QUARANTINE) Airport. There are three international airports which are recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Myanmar _ Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw airports. CIQ airports are Bagan, Heho, Thandwe and Mawlamyine airpords. If they upgrade the airport to be an international airport, runways must be able to bear the load of big planes. It must be consistent with the ICAO's safety standards. If it's not consistent with the ICAO's standards, they will be able to upgrade to reach the level of CIQ. Regular schedule is needed to go. There will be many steps to carry out to reach the level of an international airport." said U Thet Lwin Toe, a tourism entrepreneur.

Tourists on the Chaungtha Beach

If international airplanes can landed at Pathein Airport, ticket fares should be raised so that tourists who can spend a lot would visit and if the ticket fares were cheap, a lot of tourists could visit, which could damage the natural environment, pointed out U Thet Lwin Toe.

The number of foreign tourists who would enter could increase, which was beneficial to the tourism sector if Pathein Airport was upgraded, said U Aung Aye Han, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism, to CNI News.
" Although Pathen is over 100 miles away from Yangon, it will take you about five hours to get there if you go by car. After Pathein Airport is upgraded, if regular flights or international flights land at there, people who want to come to Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung beaches for leisure will be more convenient. If the direct flights were available, the number of tourists would increase. If they can switch to domestic airlines in Pathein, they can save time and travel more," he said.

258,000 tourists from local and abroad came to Chaungtha from January to October in 2022 and 66,000 tourists only entered there during the same period in 2021 reportedly.

Moreover, about 210,000 tourists from local and abroad came to Ngwe Saung from January to October in 2022 and 41,500 tourists only entered there during the same period in 2021 reportedly.

CNI News

19 August 18, 2023

The Tatmadaw are using howitzers at the battles breaking out in Kayah State, said revolutionary forces. 

If a war broke out, excessive use of force had not been limited and advanced technologies were being used in the current battles, said Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political analyst to CNI News.

" If a war breaks out, no matter how many enemies there are, you can choose and use a weapon what you like and shoot. There is no limit at a war. But there is limit in crime-fighting and building urban peace. In other words, there's limit in police duty that is not related to war. If the police use excessive force, they are guilty. But at a war, you can shoot an enemy with a cannon. Nothing more to say about it." he said.

A howitzer cannon of Myanmar Tatmadaw

The current attack style of the  Tatmadaw was using more weapons rather than manpower, he added. 

CNI news agency has not been able to confirm separately in relation to that the Tatmadaw used howitzer at the battles in Kayah State. 

The Tatmadaw shot to the western side of Demawso Township with cannon four times on 16th August and at present, there is a military tense between the two sides reportedly.

The Tatmadaw would go on fighting all out to ensure that it can continue to govern the country, said U Kyee Myint, a Myanmar political analyst to CNI News.

A howitzer cannon of Myanmar Tatmadaw

" They will be cruel all out because they want to rule for life. They don't want to negotiate with anyone. if they negotiated, they would stay from above and negotiate. Take what they give and eat what they feed. No one can accept. They brutally suppressed those who rebelled against them They burned down over 80,000 houses in Sagaing and Magway Regions. Pagodas and monasteries were ruined. And so in Chin State, Kachin, Kayin States. Kayah is damaged the worst." he said.

Battles have been breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the armed organizations in Kayah State - the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF), Karenni Army (KA), Moebye PDF, Pekon PDF and Karenni Revolution Union (KRU) after the Tatmadaw took power on 1st February 2021. 
According to ISP Myanmar, over 600 houses and buildings were set fire during the first six months of 2023 due to the battles in Kayah State.

CNI News

19 August 2023

 Although Bangladesh has closed the accounts of Myanmar government's two banks, it did not adversely affect the Rakhine- Bangladesh trade, said businessmen. 

Sonali, Bangladeshi state-owned bank has closed the accounts of the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) and Myanmar Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB) which are owned by the Myanmar government, according to the Bangladeshi news agencies.

Because closing the banks' accounts like that was not closing the accounts of traders, Rakhine-Bangladesh trade was not affected, said an official from Rakhine State Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, to CNI News.

While doing trade between Bangladesh and Rakhine

" When we trade, we also pay by Myanmar kyat in the Sittwe trading camp. For some local products, it's easy to send. There are two border trade gates. One is Sittwe and the other, Maungdaw. We can use Myanmar Economic Bank only in our border trade gates that has been agreed by the two countries. The Bangladeshi government followed the American sanction and has closed the Myanmar Banks' accounts. But trade regulations and agreements between the two countries cannot be violated. It might not be until trade is completely shut down." he said.

Because there are connections between Myanmar Economic Bank and the authorized bank of Bangladesh, trade is convenient for the time being, said traders. 

While doing trade between Bangladesh and Rakhine

Although that  the accounts of the MFTB and the MICB have been closed do not affect the trade for the time being, if the Bangladesh side limits drawing US dollars, commodity orders might decline, said Ko Zaw Min Thein, a trader in Maungdaw to CNI News.

"Later, there might be an impact. If the Bangladeshi government doesn't issue US dollars, it will be difficult to deliver commodities. Everything is normal for the time being. The main exports to Bangladesh are ginger and carp. The rest of exports are less.” he said.

The amount of money the two Myanmar banks had deposited at Sonali Bank in Bangladesh is over one million US dollars and their accounts had been closed over one month ago, said an official of the Sonali bank to a Bangladeshi news agency.

CNI News

19 August 2023

It is necessary to show that political means can produce good results without applying armed means, said U Ko Ko Gyi, chairman of the People's Party (PP) to CNI News.

Armed means will go on being strong as long as it can't prove that political means can produce good results, he said.

" When we solve the armed problem,  if one side that doesn't apply armed means can't prove that political means can produce good results, it purposely pushes to make the idea that the armed means must be applied more strong. What I want to say that the idea that will put down the armed conflict is not sufficient. If you can prove the political means can produce good results, armed means will automatically be weak. It's related to the political vision, I think." said U Ko Ko Gyi.

NUG-PDF

Armed conflicts that have occurred since Myanmar gained her independence in 1948 have not been able to solve for 75 years. 
Democratic elements started waging armed revolution after the Tatmadaw took power on 1st February 2021.
All the organizations need to strive with a good will so as to solve the current crises, said Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party to CNI News.

Lt-Gen Yar Pyae

" After the Tatmadaw took power, the Spring Revolution arose. Then problems and deadly things that were never expected happened. They are still happening as well. EAOs and people who are accepted by both sides and deserve to be included need to be included in the political talks. We' need to discuss intensively. All the organizations need to strive with a good will to make this country peaceful so that we can launch a case of peace, I expect." she said.

Due to the current armed conflicts in the country, political, economic, health and education sectors are in crisis. Some EAOs and international organizations including ASEAN are striving to solve these conflicts.

CNI News

18 August 2023

Collective force of the ASEAN members which have owned powerful weapons including Vietnam and Myanmar that have military experience is remarkably reliable for the world, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said that in his video message sent to the 11th Moscow Conference on International Security in 2023 (MCIS-2023) held on 15th August in Moscow, Russia.

"Although ASEAN is not a military alliance, the combined defense force of the member countries is huge.  Collective strength of the consolidation between Vietnam and Myanmar with military experiences and other ASEAN countries possessing powerful weapons is remarkably reliable for the world." he said. 

MICS conference was being held on 15th August 2023

"The ASEAN plays a key role in meetings between ASEAN and its partner countries such as East ASIA Summits and ASEAN+3 summits in relations with other powerhouse countries in Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, the association influences over the regional cooperation and helps strengthen mutual cooperation to enhance peaceful relation measures." he added.

"The SAC has been able to have performed to stabilize political, economic and security measures in most of the country except some areas. Myanmar is striving for ensuring security, peace and stability, rule of law and economic development of the nation so as to hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general elections and to hand over the State responsibilities to the elected political party under the democratic norms." he said. 

MICS conference was being held on 15th August 2023

Myanmar civil war started three months after Myanmar gained her independence on 4th January 1948 and it has not stopped up to now.

The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February 2021 after saying that NLD was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute that took place in the 2020 general election and has declared the state of emergency up to now.

Starting from that political landscape, NLD MPs and party members, some EAOs and democracy activists are striving to oust the Tatmadaw and battles are breaking out in Sagaing, Magway, Tanintharyi Regions, Chin, Kayin and Kayah States.

Although the Tatmadaw has military experience, it has been unable to achieve the peace, stability and the rule of law, which should be aware of, pointed out the political community.

CNI News

18 August 2023

 Inle Phaung Daw Oo Festival and Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held again this year, according to Shan State Ministry of Hotel and Tourism. 

The Inle Phaung Daw Oo Festival and Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival have not been held for three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

These festivals will be re-held so that domestic travellers can re-enter, said U Htin Aung Naing, director of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism of the Shan State, to CNI News.

Inle Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival

" We weren't able to hold the Inle Phaung Daw Oo Festival before the Covid-19 pandemic and during the Covid-19. But this year, we will re-hold this festival. In the same way, Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival will be re-held. Although the festival was held last year, to tell you the truth, we weren't able to fully hold it. It was just for one day. We weren't able to send many hot air balloons up in the sky. Fireworks also were not involved. We will hold the festival for five days like before with fireworks. Our main intention is to make lots of domestic travellers come to the festival. We are performing the festival to be more attractive."he said.

The ceremony of Phaung Daw Oo Buddhist images' procession to receive respect and veneration that has been suspended for three years since the Covid-19 pandemic started will be held from 15th October to 1st November. Moreover, Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held from 21st November, 2023 to 27th November, 2023 reportedly.

As there is no territorial stability at present, it is necessary to be stable and most hotels in Shan State have suspended their services. Besides,  the number of hotel staff is not sufficient for the time being. 

A hotel at the Inle Lake

So, There would be a challenge in service if a lot of travellers came, said U Thet Lwin Toe, managing director of the Myanmar Voyages International Tourism to CNI News.  

"Because it's been repeated only after over 3 years, Myanmar tourists will surely come, but regional peace is also important. There  are many hotels tha8t have been closed in Inle. About 80 percent have been closed. In this open season we pray that every hotel can reopen and be busy. If the guests come, we need to give them full service. To the best of my knowledge, many staff have already resigned. They have changed careers. Some of them have gone abroad to work. So, We might need a lot of hotel staff. If the guests really come, we need to have good service quality. But We can't provide this at once. This might be a challenge for the tourism world." he said.  

The State Administration Council led and held the Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival on 7th November for one day only last year. 

This year, many different kinds of hot air balloons including animal shaped ones and The detailed programs will be released only when it draws near to hold the festival reportedly.

CNI News

18 August 2023

Due to the battle that broke out at the Lekkhat mountain in Myawady, Kayin State on the 15th of August, Thailand has tightened security in Maesot at the Thai- Myanmar border since 16th August, said Maesot residents to CNI News. 
Joint forces including Thai border police and special forces have increasingly inspected at the border areas rather than in Maesot, said Ko Thar Gyi to CNI News.

" Thailand is checking the border entry and exit roads more than before. More checking points have been deployed on the road going from the Mae Pa side of Mae Sot to Mae La Refugee Camp. The roads and villages that can easily go to the Thaung Yin River are checked more.  Myanmar nationals from all walks of life are taking refuge In Thailand especially in Maesot, security is more worrisome. Politicians and Myanmar migrant workers without evidence should take care of their security." he said.

Thai authorities checking for security

Whenever battles broke out on the Myanmar side, Thailand tended to deploy security forces for its territory and people. 
But Thailand has deployed its security forces at the gates where Myanmar nationals can easily go through reportedly.
Myanmar nationals should watch their steps and Myanmar people should take their evidence with them when they go or come.

As Thai authorities have tightened security at the border area around Maesot, Myanmar people who are going to sneak in should take more care, said U Aung Kyaw, an official from the Labor Rights Foundation to CNI News.

Thai authorities patrolling for security

"There are also many people here who are insulting their own citizens. They are pursuing their own self-interest without having sympathy. Some of Myanmar people are telling their acquaintances or friends that they can come to Thailand, "You can come. You can register here." Such a thing shouldn't be done at all. When the application of registration is completed, the workers who have registered in the name list have been allowed to go on staying and working. Before any statement relating to migrant workers is issued, at a time like this, if they sneak in, they will be arrested." he said.

The process of registering in the name list was completed at the end of July. Only the workers who have registered in the name list have been allowed to stay until the end of September.

Those who want to come to Thailand should decide whether they should come to or not after thinking thoroughly without trusting what brokers say, suggested the people helping migrant workers.

CNI News

17 August 2023

Myanmar migrant workers who registered in the name list in the end of July have not been officially allowed to change employers and workplaces, said the people helping Myanmar migrant workers, to CNI News. 

At present, those who have registered in the name list have been allowed to stay and work until September and they are not allowed to change employers and workplace before employee identification cards are issued for new employees reportedly.

" According to the law, employees are allowed to work with current employers. But they are not allowed to go work beyond the designated area. The current Thai government has extended the rights to work for the workers who have registered in the name list until September. These workers are not allowed to go and work beyond the designated area. If a migrant worker even has necessary documents, he can't go to another employer if the employer accepts. They both are guilty" said Ko Naing Aung Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization.

Migrant workers waiting in line to make labor cards at the Thai border

However, the workers can change their employers and workplace in some provinces reportedly. But some migrant workers who have registered in the name list till the end of July do not have employers. 

So, they ask brokers and agents to be their employers nominally. When registering in the name list, if the employer and the workplace were the same, it would be better, said U Min Oo, in charge of workers affairs from FED to CNI News.

So, when employers need workers, they call workers from the agents and according to the situation, migrant workers tend to change employers and workplaces reportedly.

A factory's workshop in Thailand

Employers who have connected with the agencies might ask the number of workers they want. Agencies will send the workers because they get service charge. 
So, those workers can work there. But the name of their employer is their agency. You can't change your employer obviously at a time like this. Authorities can take actions against those who illegally have change their employers if they inspect and find that.

Only when a new Thai government has been formed already, those have registered can start taking new employer identification cards and the rights to work for those who registered in the name list probable will be extended one month after another reportedly.

CNI News
17 August 2023

Myanmar was included in the countries that allowed Chinese nationals to travel in group, which Chinese ministry of culture and tourism had stated. 

So, Myanmar should re-grant Chinese tourists visa on arrival that was granted before, said tourism operators. 

As there are only three Myanmar embassies in China, visa is inconvenient for Chinese tourists when they come to Myanmar. So, Chinese tourists should be granted visa on arrival and the government should lay down the travelling policy  after negotiating with tour guides, said U Thet Lwin Toe, managing director of the Myanmar Voyages International Tourism to CNI News.

" If Chinese tourists are granted visa on arrival, it will be convenient. Discussion to grant visa on arrival are under way. Like that India and China were granted visa on arrival in the past, they should be re-granted that we have told officials because China is very spacious. Myanmar embassies are in Nanning, Kumin an Peking only. So, it's not easy for Chinese tourists to go and take visas in Myanmar embassies. And airlines are expanding their business. Tourists who come are connected with tour agents and they will travel with tours and tour guides. It will be better if they go with our policies." he said.

Pilgrims who arrive at Bagan

The Chinese government suspended to allow travelling abroad in group starting from January 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the Chinese government has allowed travelling abroad in group now. 

Most Chinese tourists come to Mandalay from which they tend to go to Bagan, Shan State and beach areas reportedly. Because stability is weak in Myanmar currently, it is not convenient to go to Bagan from Mandalay.

 So, it would be convenient for tourists to go to Bagan from Mandalay by flight, said U Zaw Weik, chairman of of the Association of Hotel Operators (Pagan Zone) to CNI News.

security forces deployed in front of a hotel in Naypyidaw

" The problem is that any plane doesn't come to Bagan. So, tourists will come to Bagan from Mandalay by road. But motor roads are not convenient because they have to go through Myingyan and Nahtogyi where fighting takes place very often. So, if small planes fly between Mandalay and Bagan, it will be convenient. I don't think authorities will do so. The minister doesn't know anything about this field. Because he doesn't even have a guesthouse of his own, he doesn't know about tourism. The tourists will arrive in Mandalay. But the tourists want to come to Bagan. It will not be convenient to go to Bagan or Kalaw by car. If the plane flies to Bagan from Mandalay four times a week, it will be convenient. If so, the tourists can sleep one or two nights at Bagan. If there's anything wrong on the motor road, relevant people will get into trouble." he said.

Because the number of tourists who enter Myanmar have decreased lately, if the Chinese tourists come in group, it will be beneficial to the regional people, said U Tin Aung Naing, director of the Shan State Ministry of Hotel and Tourism to CNI News.

" There are two official trade gates in Shan State. One is Muse and the other is Chinshwehaw. We don't know yet which gate will be allowed. Chinese tourists can enter as a package tour. They will come to Lashio. And they will come to Inlay. In any case, when a lot of tourists don't come, if tourists come, it will be beneficial to the regions they will come to." he said.

Tourists are forbidden to come to northern Shan State by flight, they can come to Yangon and Mandalay by flight and through border gates, said travel operators.