English Edition
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 152
CNI News
1 June 2024
40 Thai senators signed and demanded to remove the Thai PM Srettha Thavison from office and if the Thai PM was removed from office, it might impact on migrant workers, those performing affairs of migrant workers, told CNI News.
Appointing the lawyer who had spent 6 months in prison for giving two million Baht as a bribery in 2008 as the Minister of the Prime Minister's Office in April was unethical, said the senators who demanded to remove the Thai PM, which was accepted to hear by the Thai constitutional court.
If a cabinet reshuffle was conducted or something was changed in the government, it could impact on migrant workers more or less, U Min Oo, In charge of Labor Affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED) told CNI News.
While seeing Sretha and the Thai court sign
" If there is a change of government, there will be policy changes. There are departments relating to migrant workers under the Ministry of Labor. It's likely to prepare the laws on migrant worker employment management. Worse or better than the current situation depends on a newly appointed team. The current PM often talk about foreign affairs policy and minimum wages relating to migrant workers. If the Thai PM was removed from office, it would impact on migrant workers more or less." he said.
According to the Thai constitution, ministers of the PM's office need to be honorable people and if they are not honorable, they should not be appointed as the ministers.
However, the current Thai PM appointed the lawyer without following the points of the constitution, which was decided by the constitutional court that will hear and inspect.
The Thai PM Srettha is carrying out the matters relating to raising minimum wages for migrant workers and social security.
Arresting undocumented migrant workers was very lower under the government led by Srettha than the previous PMs and some illegal people are being only arrested politically.
While seeing some migrant workers in Thailand
Moreover, under the current government, more and more foreign migrant workers have been able to get the jobs which they were not officially allowed to do, Ko Moe Lay, who is staying and working in Mae Sot, told CNI News.
" Arrests are very low in my eyes. Many Myanmar citizens are doing their own businesses in Thailand. For example Myanmar people are opening shops or stores that are not allowed by the Thai law. They are seen a lot in Mahachai,Thailand. There were a lot of arrests in the past. But under the government led by this PM, arrests are very few." he said.
Srettha was elected as PM three months after the general election held in May, 2023 and his tenure is just about one year.
The PM must submit the defense letter to the court within 15 days and if the court decided that he was guilty, he would have to resign, said in the Thai media.
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 144
CNI News
1 June 2024
Future leaders the people can rely on must be able to be produced, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) while he met with demonstrator officials from the Defense Services Academy in Pyin Oo Lwin.
He wanted demonstrators to teach their pupils, combining with their experiences and to produce leaders that the country and the Tatmadaw can rely on, he said.
" It's necessary to carry out strictly when it comes to training and not to indulge trainees. Moreover, instructors also should not indulge themselves. As qualified instructors, they must systematically teach literary education and military science, combining with their experiences and must be able to produce future leaders. Cadets must have really learned the lessons and lead on the ground with good and firm mentality and leaders who can be relied by the State, the Tatmadaw and the people must be produced." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
While seeing the Myanmar Tatmadaw
The Defense Service Academy is mainly teaching and training to produce good officers full of physical and mental qualifications; cadets must learn and train the training lessons specified by the course year to ensure physical and mental fitness, he said.
However, the curriculum of the defense services academy must be changed; the history is being wrongly shaped and taught; teaching that the Tatmadaw is the savior of Myanmar must be changed, said U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.
" The Tatmadaw is fighting against the public and vice versa now. In the situation like this, the public is no more in the eyes of the Tatmadaw. The public he means is just the army family community. The public doesn't stand with the Tatmadaw any more. Soldiers don't dare to go out in uniform. The hatred between the Tatmadaw and the public is now the biggest of history, I think." he said.
While seeing the Myanmar Tatmadaw
Except for the national defense industry, the Tatmadaw must be under a civilian government and the Tatmadaw has no business to take part in politics, administration and other industries, he added.
The Defense Services Academy that is located in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region is teaching military science and university education and producing lieutenants.
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 161
CNI News
31 May 2024
Not only has Myanmar Kyat devalued, general prices are also increasing, so the public is facing more crises, which could push Myanmar citizens to go abroad more, labor affairs and economic analysts told CNI News.
Several months ago, the prices of foreign currencies were over 3,000 Kyats per dollar, over 500 Kyats per Chinese Yuan and about 100 Kyats per Thai Baht. Moreover, the price of gold was over 40 Lakh Kyats per tical only.
At present, the prices are over 4,700 Kyats per dollar, over 6,000 Kyats per Yuan, and about 120 Kyats per Baht; the price of gold also has been higher until over 57 Kyats per tical.
While seeing dollar and kyat
Because the prices of foreign currencies had been very highly on the rise while the value of Myanmar Kyat was plunging, there may be an increase in the number of Myanmar citizens who wanted to go abroad to work, those performing in labor affairs locally and abroad told CNI News.
" Because the Myanmar Kyat is so inflated that those who want to go abroad must spend more money a lot. May be it can cost them 35 to 40 Lakh Kyats if they go to Thailand now although it cost them only 20 to 30 Lakh Kyats in the past. Because the price of everything related to foodstuff has become higher, it's difficult to make ends meet. So, Myanmar citizens will try to leave for neighboring countries where can be more convenient for them to work." said U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED.
Because the age of men who will go abroad to work has been limited at present, the men who are restricted to work abroad will leave for neighboring countries illegally or with visitor visas, reviewed some people.
While seeing a factory
The devaluation of Myanmar Kyat had been taking place gradually since several years ago, the current devaluation is getting worse, pointed out economic commentators. So, how to reform the entire economic system must be considered rather than each sector; if the economic system was not right, the current problems would go on, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.
" An economic system must be built on a political system. Firstly, a right economic system must be built. A right and credible political system is needed. As soon as a political system that can transport everything can be built again, problems will be automatically resolved. The current situation is so worrisome. It's good for exporters when the price of dollar goes up. But not many people can export. When a country whose currency value declines has to import more than to export, the country is always hurt." he said.
The basic daily wage of Myanmar is 4,800 Kyats only and it is mainly paid in the factories only. So, the daily wage of a worker is just about one dollar because the current price of dollar is over 4,700 Kyats per dollar.
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 192
CNI News
31 May 2024
According to the instructions of the Ministry of Construction, road and bridge tolls will be raised from 1st June, 2024 reportedly.
Although it has not been announced how much the road and bridge tolls will be increased, if the tolls are raised, truck fares also will be raised and at the same time, commodity prices also will be higher, according to highway freight operators.
The prices of auto accessories are on the rise at resent and driver fees and labor charges are raised as well. If the road and bridge tolls were raised, goods delivery fees would be raised as well, U Kyin Thein, chairman of the Myanmar Highway Freight Transportation Services Association, told CNI News.
While collecting road toll
" if the road and bridge tolls are raised, transportation charges will also be raised and then the prices of auto accessories, grease, engine oil and driver fee will be raised as well. There are also many untold costs on the way." he said.
Toll gates are different from one another in collecting road and bridge tolls. Some collects tolls depending on the number of wheels while others, on the vehicle and cargo tonnage.
Although town entrance fees, road and bridge tolls were raised, in comparison with other situations, the rates charged were not exorbitant, and transportation charges could fluctuate, U Thant Zin Tun, a corn trader, told CNI News.
While a road toll gate was being checked
" Freight charge will just a little more expensive. It's not a big deal. In fact, prices are higher because of higher fuel prices, bad route and unexpected problems." he said.
The Ministry of Construction had over 300 toll gates including town entrance toll gates. However, 160 toll gates didn't collect tolls from April, 2016 under the NLD government reportedly.
However, all the toll gates have been collecting tolls since November, 2021 reportedly.
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 139
CNI News
31 May 2024
As a result of a negotiated settlement, some troops the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) were sent back to Muse Township, Lwe Ye Oo, In Charge of the News and Information of the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA), told CNI News.
The SSPP troops in Nakkham Township were took to in the direction of Muse in cars by the TNLA a few days ago.
" We took SSPP troops of our ally to their original movement camp in Muse Township by car on 26th and 27th May. This matter has been conveniently settled. The decision made at the meetings held several times was implemented." she said.
While seeing the entrance to Namkham Town
Namkham Town was captured by the TNLA during Operation-1027 launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (TNLA, AA and MNDAA).
Regarding that over 100 SSPP troops that were active in Namkham Township were carried to Muse Township by car, CNI News phoned the Information Officers of the SSPP, but it was not able to contact them.
The campsites stationed by SSPP troops were places captured by the TNLA from the Myanmar Tatmadaw. Moreover, because there were a lot of arms and ammunition there, they were burdens for the public, said Lwe Ye Oo.
While seeing the SSPP Force
" The military camps stationed by the SSPP were places we had to fight and capture from the military council. Because there were military camps like this, collecting more taxes from the public was conducted. Another thing is public safety and raises other concerns. So, both sides negotiated and the SSPP troops had to be sent back." she said.
There were territorial disputes among the EAOs in northern Shan State after Operation-1027.
At present, the TNLA has captured Nansang, Mantomg, Namkham, Naptu, Kutkai, Monglon and Mong Ngor, and is carrying out to start operating administrative mechanism reportedly.
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 141
CNI News
30 May 2024
The Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) is the best way to solve the political problem of Myanmar, Col.Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News.
The political problem could not solved by armed means, so he urged China, India, Thailand, Japan and ASEAN to push the stakeholders to make peace talks arise, he said.
"I would like to suggest to go in accordance with the provisions of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). Because they are political problems, we need to solve them with political means. No matter which side uses armed means, it won't work, that we accept. As soon as every organization understand it, battles currently breaking out will decrease. And then, they will reach on the path of discussion again. Some are extremist organizations as well. They want to solve the problem with armed means. But in practice, it's impossible to solve with armed means according to the situations within ASEAN and internationally, that everybody knows. So, I request China, India, Japan, Thailand and other neighboring countries to encourage peace talks. I'd like to present that going in accord with the provisions of the NCA is the best way." said Col.Khun Okka to CNI News.
While seeing the Chinese Special Envoy
Leaders of some organizations have said that the had been void since the Myanmar Tatmadaw took power after announcing the state of emergency on 1 February 2021.
The NCA has been signed by the Karen National Union (KNU), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the KNU/the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)-Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), the Arakan Liberation Party(ALP), the Chin National Front (CNF), the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU).
The KNU, CNF and ABSDF have reduced their participation levels and don't attend the peace talks anymore.
While seeing leaders of some political parties
Because the military framework had become wider at present, it was not a good sign and it should be solved by political means rather than by military means, U Khin Maung Thein, member of the Central Executive Committee of the National Unity Party, told CNI News.
" The military framework has become wider. It's not good in the world or in any country. Other countries negotiated the difficulties like that and overcome them. The situation of the country is so bad. The bad situation should be solved by political means rather than by military means that we would like to recommend." he said.
More widespread armed conflict has occurred since 1st February, 2021 and all the sectors including politics, peace, economy, social and health are deteriorating.
The people are also facing lack of employment, higher commodity prices, monetary inflation and insecurity.
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 183
CNI News
29 May 2024
The State Administration Council (SAC) has replaced the position of Deputy Minister for Defense with Maj-Gen Ko Lay, reported the SAC on 28 May 2024.
Former Deputy Minister Maj-Gen Aung Lin Tun was appointed from March 2021 until march 2024.
However, he was arrested for his involvement in the Zha Pian (telecom fraud) case in march this year.
And then, the SAC stated on 28 May 2024 that Maj-Gen Ko Lay has been appointed as Deputy Minister for Defense.
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 186
CNI News
29 May 2024
In exporting Myanmar onions abroad, because of difficult trade routes, the prices of onion have decreased, according to onion traders.
Myanmar onions are being exported to China through the Myla border trade in eastern Shan State and Lweje border trade in Kachin State; to Thailand through Htoh Kaw Koh route, Kawthaung-Ranong route and Sinkhun-Maw Taung route.
However, because battles are currently taking place in Kachin State; Htoh Kaw Koh road is being damaged due to heavy rain; Kyon Eik Bridge and Bilin Bridge were mined and damaged and cannot be used, exporting onion to China and Thailand have been suspended reportedly.
So, the price of onion within the country had decreased and it was not easy in order to make the onion market recover, U Aung Myint, an onion trader from Myingyan, told CNI News.
" Because of difficult export routes, transportation is delayed. Even goods that have already been sold cannot be exported. Warehouses are full with goods. So, the prices are declining. Unless export routes are good, it won't be easy to make the market recover." he said.
The domestic price of onion was 2,200 Kyats per viss last week and the price is gradually decreasing. Currently, the price is only 1,700 Kyats per viss.
If difficult export routes are going on existing, the price of onion can decline anymore, estimated some people. Moreover, because there are difficult transportations in carrying onion from villages to onion broker's sales centers and truck fare is high, the price is declining, according to onion traders from Pakokku.
Because the Myanmar Tatmadaw and check points commandeer trucks in Pakokku Township, the arrival of onion to the wholesales centers has been low, U Kyaw Thaung, an onion trader from Pakokku told CNI News.
" The transportation is not good to carry onion. The roads from Pakokku have been often closed. It's 30 miles away from my village, Chet Myon, to Pakokku. We have to pay the truck fare 200 Kyats per viss, but 180 kyats per viss if you carry onion to Pathein that is about 300 miles away from Pakokku. Today, onion trucks don't enter because trucks are commandeered. The price of onion today is 1,800 kyats per viss. The arrival of onion is low. Truck owners are afraid of their trucks to be commandeered. When a truck is commandeered, the truck owner has pay a driver 80,000 to 100,000 Kyats each day." he said.
Because of difficult transportation to export onion abroad, onions are piling up by the lakh vises to export abroad in the brokers' sale centers and depots reportedly.
At present, onions are being exported abroad by sea and traders are trying to export onions to Thailand through Kawthaung border, using motor boats.
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 158
CNI News
29 May 2024
the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPJDC)'s political parties group was jointly led by four political parties, U Khin Maung Thein, member of the Central Executive Committee of the National Unity Party (NUP), told CNI News.
The four parties are the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the People's Party (PP), the Arakan Front Party (AFP) and the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), he said.
The National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee(NSPNC) invited 47 parties which have got registration, but two of them didn't attend. 16 people out of 45 parties were elected to take part in the political parties group.
And then, NSPNC asked us to elect leader and deputy leader of the group. And then, people of four parties were elected to serve as leader and deputy leader.
The four parties are the SNDP led by Sai Aik Pao, the USDP, the People's Party (PP) led by U Ko Ko Gyi, the AFP led by Dr.Aye Maung. Leaders the four parties are also the leaders of the political parties group, which are submitted." said U Khin Maung Thein to CNI News.
While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties
The representatives from the 47 parties for the UPJDC's political parties group were elected on 25th and 26th May reportedly.
The UPJDC must be made up of 16 representatives each from the government, the Hluttaw and the Tatmadaw, the NCA signatories and the political parties, which has been imposed in the NCA.
The four political parties which have taken the leadership role must always lead and carry out for the peace process and political affairs, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party, told CNI News.
" The four parties will always lead political parties and carry out the peace process and political affairs and then, the current constitution will be amended by the EAOs, political parties and the Tatmadaw government. If they reach an agreement and sign it, they will submit the agreement to the government which will come to power through a general election and the Hluttaw to approve." he said.
Although the political parties group has been formed already at least two times from 2021 to 2023, it hasn't been able to carry out effectively in the peace process. Moreover, it is not interested by the public and international diplomats, reviewed a politician.