CNI News

8 Mar 2023

The number of domestic travellers to Bagan ancient cultural zone has increased and hotels in Bagan are receiving bookings for the Thingyan festival, according to Bagan-Nyaung-U tourism services.

As Bagan is relatively stable compared to other townships, domestic travellers will visit Bagan during the Thingyan festival but the number of domestic travellers to Bagan will not will not hit the level before the outbreak of COVID-19, Ko Kyaw Swar Lin from Bagan tourism service told the CNI.

He said, "We have received bookings for the Thingyan festival as usual. If domestic travellers do not book ahead, it is difficult for them to get rooms. So, they are making bookings for the festival. However, we cannot expect the number of travellers to Bagan to reach the level before the outbreak of COVID-19. As Bagan is relatively stable compared to nearby towns, domestic travellers are interested in visiting Bagan. It is expected that nearly the same number of pilgrims will visit Bagan during the festival."

A scene in Bagan

Recently, the number of pilgrims to Bagan has increased and about 10,000 pilgrims visit Bagan every day, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (Bagan Branch).

Domestic travellers are making arrangements to visit Bagan during the Thingyan festival but they will travel to Bagan with their own families under their own arrangements without buying packages from tour agencies. More people will visit Bagan than other destinations, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

He said, "I think the number of travellers to Bagan will increase during the Thingyan festival because people are making arrangements to visit Bagan. However, I don't know how many bookings have been made. Some travellers will go to beaches but others don't want to go to beaches again and again. So, they are preparing to go to Bagan with their families without buying packages from tour agencies. I am not sure whether the number of travellers to Bagan will be higher than recent years. Compared with other destinations, more travellers will visit Bagan."

A scene in Bagan

Normally, about 10,000 pilgrims visit Bagan every day and the number of pilgrims will increase during the Thingyan festival. During the 9-day Thingyan festival in 2022, about 200,000 pilgrims visited Bagan, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (Bagan Branch).

There are 154 hotels in Bagan but only 74 hotels have been reopened in accordance with COVID-19 rules and regulations, according to the ministry.

CNI News

8 Mar 2022

Effective action will be taken against those who hack into the online website of the Myanmar Passport Office for online appointments to change data or to commit fraud, according to an announcement.

The new online appointment system aims to reduce the number of agents and frauds but it is still necessary to closely watch the system, Ko Nay Oo, a director from an overseas employment agency that sends workers to Japan, told the CNI.

He said, "The system aims to reduce the number of agents and frauds but applicants are required to apply for passports in person. I think there will be no agents in the future. However, there are a few agents at the moment. In other towns, applicants will have to rely on agent to get passports with delays. It is difficult to handle the fake document issue. If people can get passports and visas easily, there will be no fake documents. It is convenient for applicants if passport processing is carried out nornally. If the process is halted and resumed again and again, it will be difficult for applicants."

The passport office in Yangon has adopted a new online appointment system recently.

People queuing in front of the passport office.

Under the new system, applicants are required to provide personal data and pay MMK 35,000 passport fee online to make appointments. However, there are too many applicants and problems still persist.

As migrant workers who intend to go abroad are not well versed in technology, it is difficult for them to apply for a passport by themselves and agent fees are likely to increase, Ko Thar Gyi, a labour activist who has been offering assistance to Myanmar workers in Thailand, told the CNI.
He said, "There is a problem. The appointment token number may be issued for the name of the applicant but there will be code numbers for passports. Therefore, his NRC number may not be entered into the computer system and his photo will be taken. Then, the passport will be issued. We need to think about such problems for fake documents. The applicant thinks he has received the passport but it will still be a fake document. It depends on the detailed process on the ground and authorities are required to check problems skilfully. Fraudsters will use new methods for new systems."

People queuing in front of the passport office.

The passport office was closed in December, 2022 to upgrade its processes and reopened on 24th January, 2023.

Then, the issuance of passports was again suspended on 1st March and it was announced that passport applications would resume later.

Those who fail to come to the office at the appointed time are allowed to make appointments again within seven office days, according to the announcement.

CNI News

8 Mar 2023

Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Mr. Deng Xijun of China and SAC Foreign Minister discussed continued cooperation to boost peace and stability along the China-Myanmar border on 6th March.

They also discussed on-going Pauk Phaw relations and strengthening of cooperation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, "Continued cooperation to boost peace and stability along the Myanmar-China border and latest developments in the internal peace and national reconciliation process were discussed."

Chinese Special Envoy Deng Xijun meets the SAC chairman on 29th December, 2022.

The statement added that matters related to offering assistance to efforts for development of Myanmar.

After replacing Sun Guoxiang as the special envoy for Asian affairs, Mr. Deng Xijun visited Myanmar for the first time on 29th December, 2022 and met with Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin.

Chinese Special Envoy Deng Xijun holds talks with NDAA leaders in Mongla on 21st February, 2023.

Then, he visited Myanmar again on 6th March, 2023 and held talks with members of the SAC.

Mr Deng Xijun also held talks with leaders of EAOs which are active along the Myanmar-China border including the UWSA, the NDAA, the SSPP, the KIA, the TNLA and the MNDAA to prevent fighting.

CNI News

7 Mar 2023

Tourist guides in Myanmar have been forced to work as private business owners, company staff and online shopping service providers, tourist guides and tour operators told the CNI.

Tourist guides have been forced to change their carrier since the outbreak of COVID-19 in April, 2020, when tour operations stopped and the current political changes, according to tourist guides.

Ma Theint, who stopped working as tourist guide in April, 2020 and set up a private business, told the CNI that there are differences between the two carriers.

She said, "Private businesses depend on our own abilities to conduct business. As I have set up a food stall, I need to sell products as well as provide services. I have to maintain the quality of food and think about the product line to produce similar products. Another part is service, I have to provide better services. It is quite different from the previous career. The sustainability of our private businesses depends on us. As a tourist guide, my company had to solve all the problems caused by me. I could only be fired from the job."

She added that she is interested in tourism and she aims to resume a tourist guide career when inbound tourism has recovered in Myanmar.

As inbound tourism has halted, not only tour guides but also tour agencies are encountering crises, Chairman U Zaw Zaw of the Shan State (North) Hoteliers Association told the CNI.

 A tourist guide conducting a tour for foreign tourists.

He said, "Some tour agencies have not renewed their licences since the outbreak of COVID-19. The number of such agencies have increased. They are still struggling to resume their operations. Tourist guides have changed careers. The main reason is that tourist arrivals have dropped. Some companies cannot survive. They try to invite foreign tourists but the tourists do not want to visit Myanmar. Those who visit Myanmar at present are business people. Therefore, tourist guides have faced challenges. It is a hard time for them."

Therefore, hoteliers and tour operators are conducting language courses for tour guides.

Loss of human resources in the tourism sector has an impact on the sector, a tour entrepreneur told the CNI.

He said, "This is a huge loss. When foreign tourists resume visiting Myanmar and the market has recovered, we can hire tour guides. However, competent staff at huge hotels have gone to work abroad. Some of them have returned to their native towns and villages. They will not be able to return to work immediately. Tourism depends not only on the ability to learn foreign languages but also on the experience of guides. We trained tourist guides in 1993 and the training programs gained momentum in the 2000s. Then, tourists did not come to Myanmar due to demonstrations from 2007 to 2009 and Cyclone Nargic. When tourists resumed visiting Myanmar in 2012, we faced shortages of tour guides."

Although tourism in neighbouring Thailand has recovered, Myanmar tour agencies are still relying on domestic tourism.

Enormous efforts are needed to make for the development of inbound tourism in Myanmar and there are many challenges, according to tour entrepreneurs.

CNI News

7 Mar 2023

As investment in houses, apartments, condominiums and residential complexes is likely to increase in Myanmar and property prices are likely to rise, developers are trying to attract buyers by organizing property fairs, according to the real estate market.

As local gold prices and US dollar exchange rates have increased by two to three folds at present and investment potentials in the real estate market is high, property fairs are being organized to attract investors, CEO Ko Zeya of the Yadanagiri Real Estate Agency told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "At present, showrooms have nothing to do. So, people are investing in land, condominium apartments and gold. Gold prices have skyrocketed. Commodity prices have increased significantly. Land prices are still relatively low. As US dollar exchange rates have tripled, land prices will increase to some extent. However, land prices have not increased as much as gold prices and US dollar exchange rates. So, people are likely to invest in the real estate market. Gold prices have tripled but land prices should follow suit. As a result, real estate agencies are asking for higher prices for land. So, they are organizing real estate fairs."

A real estate showroom.

Organizing real estate fairs will not have immediate effects on the market and the real estate market also relies on the ease of doing business and other hardships, according to real estate agents.

Real estate fairs are mainly organized in Yangon and at least 6 real estate fairs have been organized so far. Such fairs are also being held in Mandalay.

By organizing real estate fairs, companies that have large sums of money to advertise and employ large numbers of staff will be able to enjoy advantages, an official from the Myanmar Real Property Development Association told the CNI.
He said, "Real estate fairs are being organized. However, as real estate laws are not precise in Myanmar, there is no provision that sellers must sell their property through the agency from which they seek service from. Sellers may seek services from his agency as well as from others. Therefore, agencies try to attract customers through advertisements. Therefore, agencies that spend money on advertisements and employ a large number of staff have advantages.

A real estate showroom.

At present, land plots, apartments and condominiums are sold out steadily while the sales of high-end houses at housing complexes have slowed down.

The real estate market is likely to boom after the water festival until June, according to market observers.

However, the market will be likely to cool down before the elections, they said.

CNI News

7 Mar 2023

The expelling of Central Executive Committee Member U Phyo Min Thein and Central Committee Members Daw Sandar Min, U Toe Lwin and U Win Myint Aung of the National League for Democracy by exile Central Working Committee has fuelled debates on the future of the party.

CC U Toe Lwin, one of those who were expelled, said on 3 March on his Facebook page that the NLD CWC led by U Aung Kyi Nyunt had no legitimate right to expel them.

There are accusations and counter accusations between the two sides and it is necessary to wait and see whether the pary will re-register or not, Myanmar political observer U Ye Tun told the CNI.

The statement issued by the CWC led by U Aung Kyi Nyunt.

U Ye Tun said, "Under the new political parties registration law, parties which fail to re-register will have to hand over their party to the state. As the property owned by the NLD will be confiscated, the party will have to think about whether they will leave their huge possession in the hands of the state. Another factor is that some party members may think that the party should re-register their party as it has a huge potential to win elections whether they are held under the first-past-the-post system or the proportional representation system. Some of them think only armed struggle is the viable way. Therefore, there are armed conflicts. Now, disputes have started between the two factions and they will intensify during the last days for re-registration. It is just the beginning of their disputes. They have differing views on the issue. Some argued that they boycotted the election in 2010 and had to run for by-elections later under the 2008 constitution. They are trying to re-register the NLD. We will see more clearly later."

After the new political parties registration law and rules have been enacted, some political parties have re-registered.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The NLD is likely to be dissolved under the new law but it will continue to exist as long as it enjoys public support, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

He said, "The CEC of the NLD is still in existence. The NLD is likely to be dissolved by the SAC under their new law. However, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has already said that it is a people's party and it will continue to exist as long as it enjoys public support. I think that the party will stand together with the people as a semi-UG force outside the law of the SAC.

Since the coup on 1st February, 2021 by the Myanmar military, protests and armed conflicts have erupted in the country.

Some NLD members have joined the revolutionary forces to topple the military while others have still adopted the non-violence means.

CNI News

5 Mar 2023

Rooms at almost all hotels at Ngapali Beach in Rakhine State and Chaungtha Beach in Ayeyarwady Region have been fully booked for the Thingyan Festival, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

All hotels at Ngapali Beach have been fully booked from 13th April (the eve of Thingyan Festival) to 16th April (the last day of the festival) and it is estimated that about 2,000 overnight travellers will visit the beach during the festival, Deputy Director U Kyaw Zeya of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (Ngapali Branch) told the CNI.

U Kyaw Zeya said, "Most hotels have been fully booked for four days starting from the Thingyan eve. Last year, about 1,500 overnight travellers visited the beach during the Thingyan. So, we expect that about 2,000 overnight travellers will visit the beach this year. There are a few hotels which have not been reopened. They are just preparing to reopen. Three large hotels and seven guest houses have not been reopened. Out of 65 hotels and guest houses at the beach, 55 of them have been reopened.”

Holiday makers on the Ngapali Beach.

The number of domestic travellers to the Ngapali Beach has been rising since March.

The increase has been attributed to families that travel during the summer holidays, package tours of companies and group travels.

About 1,000 domestic travellers visit the beach every day but only an average of 55 foreign tourists visit the beach every day.

Similarly, the number of travellers to Chaungtha Beach has been on the rise and sea view rooms of hotels at the beach have been fully booked, an official from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (Chaungtha Branch) told the CNI.

A hotel at the Ngapali Beach. 

He said, "Our hotels have also been fully booked. There are two type of rooms in our hotels, one being sea view rooms and the other, back side. All sea view rooms have been fully booked and back side rooms will also be fully booked gradually. More people will come to the beach this year. After the matriculation examinations, more visitor will come to us. Even now, families with primary school children are visiting our beach. There will be more visitors during the period from the end of the matriculation examinations to April. The number of visitors to us will be as high as 8,000."

In previous years, guests made bookings for hotel rooms at the end of March but they have made bookings since early March, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

During Thingyan holidays, domestic travellers mostly visit Chaungtha, Ngwesaung and Ngapali beaches but some domestic travellers are asking for information about Tanintharyi Region and the Myeik Archipelago, according to Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.

CNI News

5 Mar 2023

It is expected that more than 300 candidates from the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party will win the upcoming elections, Chairman Sai Aik Paung of the SNDP told the CNI.

Sai Aik Paung founded the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party and took part in previous elections but he registered his party as the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party after the new political parties registration law was enacted.

The new political party will run for election in the entire country.

He said, "We will not field Shan candidates in other states or regions. We will choose candidates from local ethnic groups. There are 45 townships in Yangon Region, 26 townships in Ayeyarwady Region, 28 townships in Bago Region, 28 townships in Mandalay Region, eight townships in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, 25 townships in Magway Region and 43 townships in Shan States. If we field 600 candidates, it is expected that more than half or over 300 of them will win elections."

Under section 25 of the new law, the parties existing under the Political Parties Registration Law (The State Peace and Development Council Law No 2/2010) which are desirous to continue as political parties under this Law shall apply to the Commission within 60 days from the date of promulgation of this Law. If no such application is made, the fact of being a political party shall be deemed to have been automatically invalidated, according  to the SAC.

A ballot paper. (AFP)

So far, a total of 14 political parties have reregistered with the Union Election Commission.

The SAC may extend the state of emergency for another six months and elections are likely to be held in November or December, Sai Aik Paung added.

He told the CNI, "It is their job to restore stability and the rule of law in the country. As I just said, the current extension of the state of emergency ends in July. By then, they may extend the state of emergency for another six months. So, elections are likely to be held in November or December. In January, the new parliament will be convened and the new government will be formed in February. In March, state and regional governments will be formed and the SAC can hand over power on 1 April."

The SAC chairman said a new general election would be held in 2023 and power would be transferred to the winning party.

CNI News

5 Mar 2024

The National League for Democracy Central Working Committee led by U Aung Kyi Nyunt is illegal and has no mandate to exercise any authority, NLD Central Committee Member U Toe Lwin wrote on his Facebook page on 3rd March.

The expatriate seven-member NLD CWC led by U Aung Kyi Nyunt and Daw May Win Myint expelled NLD Central Executive Committee Member U Phyo Min Thein and Central Committee Members Daw Sandar Min, U Toe Lwin and U Win Myint Aung  from the party in a statement issued on 3rd March.

In connection with the statement, CC member U Toe Lwin responded that the so-called NLD CWC led by U Aung Kyi Nyunt has no mandate to exercise any authority.

U Toe Lwin said, "As almost all CEC members including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have been imprisoned, the CEC has not been able to make any decisions. Issuing statements under the name of the NLD and the CEC is completely illegal and the CEC including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that they would not be responsible for any decisions on 8th November, 2021 through the lawyers Daw Min Min Soe and U Khin Maung Zaw of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint. So, the so-called NLD CWC led by U Aung Kyi Nyunt, which has stolen and misused the official Facebook page of the NLD, has no mandate to exercise any authority."

The NLD CWC statement expelling four party officials including U Phyo Min Thein and U Toe Lwin.

He added that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said through her lawyers that the formation of so-called NLD CWC was completely illegal on 8th November, 2021 and it was known to all veteran NLD members that it was illegal to use the name of  illegal NLD CWC and issue statements under the name of the NLD by controlling the official Facebook page of the NLD.

U Toe Lwin said, "The so-called NLD CWC was formed outside the country and its members live in Mae Sot in Thailand and the US. Under the constitution of the NLD, people outside the country are not recognized as party members legally. It can be said that they are no longer party members. In the more than 30 year history of the party, those who have left the country (simply put it, they fled the country out of fear) are not eligible to carry out the responsibilities of the party. If they carry out the responsibilities, they are illegal.

He said that he is a CC member of the NLD and a member of the most important body of the party, the Central Disciplinary Committee. Therefore, he is well-versed in the party constitution-1988, rules and regulations issued after re-registration of the party at the end of 2011, political ideologies and processes.

The NLD flag.

He continued to say that, under the constitution of the NLD after re-registeration in 2011, there was no such thing as the CWC. Under the rules and regulations of the central disciplinary committee, the seven members of the CWC and Daw May Win Myint were no longer party members spontaneously.

At present, CEC members Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Win Myint and Dr Zaw Myint Maung have been imprisoned and other CEC members including Dr Myo Nyunt, U Han Thar Myint, U Thein Oo, Dr Tin Myo Win, U Aung Soe and Daw Khin Htay Kywe continue to live in the country.

Daw May Win Myint and U Aung Kyi Nyunt fled the country and formed the NLD CWC.

      .