CNI News

13 Oct 2022

More than 10,000 guests visited Chaungtha and Ngapali beaches during the Thadingyut Holiday and Chaungtha beach received the largest number of tourists, according to statistics released by the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.

Chaungtha beach greeted a total of 10,201 holiday makers including 3,022 guests on 8th, 3,142 guests on 9th, 1,794 guests on 10th and 2,243 guests on 11th October.

Therefore, compared with the statistics in 2021, the number of tourists increased this year, Staff Officer U Naing Aung of the Chaungtha Branch of the DHT told the CNI.

  Travelers during the Thadingyut holiday.

He said, “Last year, the beach welcomed 1,976 people on the first day, 1,961 people on the second day and 1,139 people on the third day of the holiday. Compared with the statistics last year, we received more visitors this year. Normally, about 1,000 people visit the beach on weekends and on weekdays, there are about 400 or 500 visitors to the beach. It takes about five hours to travel from Yangon to Pathein. It is a short trip compared to other destinations. People from towns in Ayeyarwady Region can even visit the beach on a day return trip. Easy access matters. It is one of the most easily accessible destinations.”

During the period from 7th to 10th October, a total of 24 flights landed at the airport near Ngapali beach, bringing 1,498 domestic tourists and 107 foreign tourists.

Compared with statistics during the Thingyan holiday, the number of tourists dropped during the recent holiday, Director U Tin Tun Aung of Rakhine State DHT told the CNI.

  Travelers during the Thadingyut holiday.

He said, “About 48 or 49 percent of hotel rooms were occupied but the number of tourists during the recent holiday was not as many as that during the Thingyan holiday. Most people have to rely on flight to visit the beach. Moreover, Thadingyut is a religious holiday, so more people chose to visit Bagan during the holiday. Tourists visiting here during holiday were people who pursue recreation. Tourists spread to all destinations in the entire country. The situation has improved. The rainy season has not ended in October. So, flights cannot fully be operated at present. When October is over, more flights will be scheduled and more visitors will come to us.”

Among 107 foreign tourists who visited Ngapali beach, there were no Russian tourists and only 26 foreigners with tourist visas visited the beach.

Tour operators have expected that more guests will go to tour destinations during the upcoming Tazaungdaing, Christmas and New Year holidays in November and December.

CNI News

13 Oct 2022

The Kinmonchaung Mountain Passenger Station at the Kyaikhityoe (Golden Rock) pagoda came under attack in the morning of 12th October and three civilians were killed and 19 others were injured during the attack, according to the information team of the SAC.

A joint force of KNLA Brigade (1) and the People Defence Force arrived at the station on a vehicle in the morning of 12th October and carried out the attack with heavy weapons and small arms before withdrawing to the direction of Saungnainggyi Village, according to the press release.

A map showing the area that comes under attack issued by the SAC.

During the attack, three women were killed and 19 others including nine males and 10 females were injured. The injured were brought to the People’s Hospital in Kyaikhto.

A vendor at the passenger station said, “It is true that the station was attacked but we don’t know who carried it out. Some were killed and others were injured.”

The KNLA and the NUG had not released any information about the attack until 3 pm on 12th October.

CNI News

11 Oct 2022

As Malaysian authorities have announced a fresh general election and illegal migrants in Malaysia are likely to face more arrests, Myanmar organizations in Malaysia have warned them of the risk, the organizations told the CNI.

Secretary Steven of the Alliance of Chin Refugees told the CNI, “Authorities usually make more arrests of migrant workers whenever elections are around the corner. So, it is likely that they will make more arrests this year. Illegal migrants should be very careful with everything including visiting outside and choosing jobs and accommodations. If authorities receive address where illegal workers, they will make arrests in cooperation with immigration officers. Arrests made by the police are not the same as those made by immigration officers. They will launch operations here and there. Immigration officers want to show that they are working hard to target illegal migrants. They should keep their eyes and ears wide open.”

Migrant workers arrested by Malay authorities. (The Star)

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Parliament would be dissolved to pave the way for earlier elections.

Aljazeera quoted the prime minister as saying fresh elections would be announced within 60 days after dissolution of the parliament.

Therefore, it is speculated that elections are likely to be held in November or December and operations to arrest illegal migrants will be launched during the campaign, Myanmar organizations in Malaysia said.

During such operations, authorities tend to arrest all illegal migrants including holders of cards issued by ethnic organizations as well as by the UNHCR, Director General U Nyi Nyi Lwin of the CAR told the CNI.

Migrant workers arrested by Malay authorities. (Asia News)

He said, “Immigration officers even arrest UNHCR card holders and those who have passports as well as undocumented migrants. Then, they detain all migrant workers. Some of their employers have to come to immigration departments for the release of their workers by showing their passports and work permits. However, some employers do not want to talk with authorities and do not show up for their workers. So, they leave their workers by themselves at the detention centres. UNHCR card holders can also contact the UNHCR office. Those who hold cards issued ethnic communities will not be released.”

Therefore, Myanmar organizations in Malaysia have urged Myanmar migrant workers not to go out or involve in drinking brawls at night.

They also urged Myanmar workers who are officially working in Malaysia to bring their official documents with them.

CNI News

11 Oct 2022

The public has to bear the brunt of politics and war, RCSS/SSA spokesperson Maj Sai Kham San told the CNI.

As political issues are sensitive, challenges faced by the public should be taken into consideration, he added.

He told CNI, “Political issues are sensitive. Some politicians make assessments from the political perspective alone. They may have differing views and may not be optimistic. Some analysts make assessments from the military perspective alone. However, younger people, the public and monks are not well versed in politics. Such assessments may discourage them. There are differing views n social media.

Assessments should be made from both political and military points of view. The armed struggle is born out of politics. When political dialogue fails, stakeholders take up arms. The public has to bear the brunt of political and military issues. We need to take the basic needs of the people. Only then, will we be able to make assessments that are closer to truth.”

   RCSS troops. (Taifreedom)

Armed clashes have broken out between the RCSS and joint forces of the SSPP and the PSLF/TNLA and the situation has been tense in some areas in Shan State.

Military tensions have escalated due to lack of information exchange, communication and mutual trust among ethnic armed organizations, said Maj Sai Kham San.

He said, “The public is caught in the crossfire and gets into trouble. More and more people are displaced by war. Some people have moved to towns temporarily and become IDPs. Most of them move to border areas. As far as we know, hundreds of people move to border areas with Thailand every day. Hundreds of thousands of people have moved to border areas during the last two or three years of tensions. There are many deserted villages in southern Shan State.”

The RCSS issued a statement on 10th October to urge armed groups in Shan State to solve political issues through political means.

Different armed groups including the RCSS/SSA, the SSPP, the UWSA, the MNDAA, the NDAA, the KIA, the TNLA, the PNLO, the LDU, the AA and militias are active in Shan State.

CNI News

12 Oct 2022

Party leaders are seeking the dissolution of the Union Betterment Party led by Thura U Shwe Mann, according to sources close to the UBP.

The sources said that party leaders are taking steps to deregister the party and further details can be available from U Saw Hla Tun.

U Saw Hla Tun, a central executive committee member and the chairman Sagaing Region UBP, posted on his official social media on 11th October that party leaders are taking steps to deregister the party.

  The social media post of U Saw Hla Tun.

The Union Election Commission was informed of the deregistration on 11th October, sources close to the party said.

The UBP registered with the UEC on 8th April, 2019 and received the approval from the UEC on 25th April.

It contested the 2020 general election in the entire country but did not win any seat.

Founders of the party include Thura U Shwe Mann, who left the Union Solidarity and Development Party.

Political parties are in crisis as they will have to decide whether to contest the 2023 general election to be held by the SAC. If they decide to take part in the elections, they will have to suffer the consequences but their party registrations will be cancelled by the UEC if they do not.

CNI News

7 Oct 2022

The number of travelers has doubled during the Thadingyut Holiday, according to bus transportation services in Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Terminal.

Although there were only about 20 passengers a day at normal times, highway bus transportation services are now receiving a full busload of passengers, an official from Crown Highway Bus Transportation Service told the CNI.

He said, “The number of passengers at our bus service has significantly increased. At normal times, we had only about 20 passengers on a bus. Now, we are receiving full bus loads or more than 40 passengers on a bus. The number of passengers has doubled during the holiday.”

Yangon Region Private Transportation Supervisory has warned highway bus transportation services against increasing bus fares during the holiday.

Although highway bus transportation services do not increase bus fares, some ticketing agencies and ticket brokers have raised bus fares, the bus service official said.

The entrance to Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Terminal. (CNI/Archive) 

Some highway bus transportation services have sold out all tickets for trips between 6^th to 9^th October.

Manager Ma Kyawt Kyawt Thet of the JJ Express told the CNI, “As it was the rainy season last month, only a few people travelled. Now, some people return to their natives during the Thadingyut Holiday. The number of passengers has been rising since 5^th October. It is too early to say exactly as it is just the beginning. We have sold out all tickets for trips on 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th and 9^th October.

It was easy to buy highway bus tickets, Ko Tun Min, who is travelling to Taunggyi, told the CNI.

“There is no difficulty in buying tickets. We ordered tickets for the whole group. It costs MMK 30,000 to buy a ticket to PyinOoLwin and Taunggyi,” he said.

During the pandemic, only a few travelled and highway bus services had to rely mainly on freight transportation. Bus services are now reducing the freight services as the number of passengers has increased, according to bus services.

CNI News

7 Oct 2022

The military junta seems to be wary of establishing a stronghold by the United League of Arakan/Arakan on the Bangladesh border, Col Khun Okkar, an EAO leader, told the CNI.

As the junta cannot allow the AA to establish a stronghold in the same way as the United Wa State Army did on the Chinese border, fighting between the two sides might intensify, he added.

He told the CNI, “Fighting between them might further intensify. The military may use its navy and air force and clashes may be fiercer. Both sides will not allow each other to get a foothold in the state. Rakhine people will suffer losses. As the Wa has established its headquarters on the Chinese border for more than 30 years, it is difficult for the military to fight them back. So, Nay Pyi Taw will not allow such a situation on the Bangladesh border and fighting between them will intensify. Eventually, the side which has more bargaining power will be able to do what it wants.”

IDPs in Rakhine State.

AA Chief-of-Staff Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing once said they want to achieve self-administrative status similar to Wa Self-Administered Zone in Shan State.

The ULA/AA is enjoying increasing public support in Rakhine State and armed clashes have broken out between the AA and the military junta.

Two-year long informal ceasefire between the AA and the junta collapsed last August and fighting has resumed in Rakhine State since then.

Lists of IDPs issued by the AA.

Armed clashes in the state have displaced local residents and more people will be displaced by fierce battles, Political Bureau Member U Tun Aung Kyaw of the Arakan National Party, told the CNI.

U Tun Aung Kyaw said, “Residents from many villages have fled because they fear for their lives especially in Maungdaw, Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships. If fighting between them intensifies, the number of internally displaced persons will increase and they will suffer more troubles due to travel restrictions. They will have to live without shelter and food. We have already heard such reports.”

The number of IDPs in Rakhine State increased by 6,167 during the fighting in August and September due to fighting between the AA and the military, according to the AA.

CNI News

7 Oct 2022

Easing COVID-19 restrictions imposed since the first outbreak of the pandemic by Thai authorities bodes well for Myanmar migrant workers, labour activists told the CNI.

Thai authorities announced that all COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted as of 1st October.

U Ba Yee, an official from the Migrant Workers Rights Network, told the CNI, “It is easier for migrant workers to travel from one place to another. They are no longer required to take COVID tests. In the past, Myanmar migrant workers had to show test results which was taken within the last 24 hours and vaccine certificates. So, it is much easier for migrant workers to travel from one place to another. It brings benefits for workers at their workplaces as well.”

In the past, Myanmar migrant workers faced difficulties in travelling from one town to another and were even extorted by the police, who took advantage of the restrictions. Therefore, lifting the restrictions can reduce such problems for Myanmar migrant workers, according to labour activists.

  A worksite in Thailand.

With the restrictions lifted, Myanmar migrant workers can change jobs easily and better job opportunities are currently available in tourism-related businesses.

U Min Oo, a labour activist from the Foundation for Education and Development, told the CNI, “Thailand has reopened its economy and job opportunities have increased. Moreover, the travel season started in October and has set the target of receiving one billion tourists before the end of the year. It has already received about six million at present and authorities are trying very hard. So, job opportunities have significantly increased. Our migrant workers can get jobs. Moreover, lifting the restrictions helps them get jobs easily. It is beneficial for Myanmar migrant workers.”

Although the restrictions have been lifted, Myanmar migrant workers who want to return to Myanmar have faced difficulties as Thai authorities have not reopened the border with Myanmar.
Migrant workers who have more than six months of passport valid term can return by air but those who with passports valid term less than six months are not allowed to do so.

Thai immigration officials checking passports.

Therefore, some Myanmar migrant workers chose to be arrested by authorities and paid fines to go back home or sneak back into Myanmar by crossing the Taungyin River.

Ko Thar Gyi, a labour activist for Myanmar Migrant workers, told the CNI, “People linked with authorities from both sides are ferrying migrant workers back to Myanmar by asking for Baht 3,000 to Baht 4,500 per person. In the past, when they crossed the river, they needed to pay only Baht 20. When they arrive at the other bank, they can go back home directly. If they were arrested and repatriated by Thai authorities, they could be detained from one to three days or could be sent to quarantine centres by Myanmar authorities.”

Labour activists in Thailand have called for Myanmar nationals to work in Thailand officially instead of resorting to illegally enter Thailand.

CNI News

7 Oct 2022

The Rakhine State Administration Council has asked internally displaced persons in Kyauktaw Township in Rakhine State to return home, promising travel allowances and food aids, according to IDPs in the township.

Officials from the township administration department sent for in-charges of IDP camps in Kyauktaw Township and told them that the government would pay MMK 100,000 travel allowances and food for one month for an IDP family who wanted to return home, an official from the Yahta Butar IDP camp told the CNI.

He said, “The township SAC has told us to return home. They said they would give MMK 100,000 travel allowances, 17 relief items and food for one month. If we refuse to return home, they said they would cut off all aid to us from NGOs and INGOs.”

 Rakhine IDPs.

There are 11 IDP camps in Kyauktaw Township supported by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and international non-governmental organizations.

However, the ministry has stopped delivering aid for six months and INGOs were not able to distribute aid for one month. Therefore, camp residents have to rely on rice donated by the Nippon Foundation three months ago, according to camp residents.

Since then, camp residents have to live on picking bamboo shoots and taking odd jobs like bricklaying.

As they have been displaced for nearly three years and their houses were burnt down, it is necessary for authorities to rebuild their houses and to clear landmines in their areas, IDP Ma Oo Moe Nwe told the CNI.

   The list of IDPs issued by the AA.

She said, “It is impossible for us to go back because armed clashes are still breaking out. Fierce fighting is taking place on our way back. Heavy weapons rounds are falling into villages. The most important is to clear landmines along the route. Secondly, villagers have lost their houses. They should clear landmines and build houses first because the whole village was destroyed. We need schools and business opportunities.”

Currently, fighting has resumed between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military in northern Rakhine State and Paletwa in Chin State, increasing the number of IDPs by 6,167 in the area, according to the AA.

Armed clashes between the AA and Myanmar military during the period between 2018 and November, 2020, and current resumption of battles between them have already displaced 82,419 people in 150 IDP camps, according to the AA.