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CNI News
10 April 2024
A basic military training graduation ceremony of the Battalion-4 under the Brigade-891 of the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) was held a few days ago.
The SNA has five brigades and they are 891, 753, 972 and 614.
The SNA was built on 5th July, 1989 and it laid down five political objectives and is implementing them.
The five political objectives of the SNA are (1) to protect local people from being bullied by armed groups (2) to fight drugs (3) to carry out all round development activities such as upgrading health, education, economy, agriculture, livestock and living standard of local people (4) to conserve natural environment within the region and (5) to collaborate with other ethnic people in building a federal union based on equal rights and self-determination.
Shanni regions were divided and put into Kachin State and Sagaing Region after Myanmar gained her independence. The SNA is making an effort to gain Shanni State after gathering its regions - Myitkyina, Banmaw, Mohnyin, Mogaung, Kalay, Tamu, Homalin, Khamti, Katha and Mawlike Districts.
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CNI News
9 April 2024
The Thai government held an emergency meeting on the morning of 9th April because of rapidly changing Myanmar political situation and formed the Working Committee on Myanmar, said Thai PM Srettha.
The committee will monitor all Myanmar affairs including border trade and stability in the border region.
Srettha stated on his Facebook page that the emergency meeting was held and the committee was formed.
" The situations taking place in Myanmar are important to Thailand and Thailand has laid down a policy and is carrying out for the interests of the people from the two countries. An emergency meeting was held this morning and the Thai-Myanmar border issue was discussed at the meeting." he said on his page.
Thailand was providing Myanmar with humanitarian aid and was ready to work with Myanmar in all fields including border trade and stability within Myanmar. Moreover, Thailand was monitoring potential effects because of the current situations taking place in Myanmar, he said.
The Thai government was holding an emergency meeting relating to the Myanmar issue on 9th April 2024
Currently, the battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and some EAOs/the PDF joint forces in Kayin and Kayah States on the Thai-Myanmar border.
Due to these battles, legal border trade has stopped and the Thai government is losing many million bahts each day because the trade could not be well conducted. Moreover, it has to be rescuing refugees fleeing to Thailand.
In the same way, Thailand is solving the issues of legal or illegal Myanmar migrant workers. At present, the battles are severely breaking out in Thin Gan Nyi Naung near Myawady and the security of Myawady is also worrying.
China, India and the US are demanding Thailand to intervene and resolve the Myanmar issue reportedly.
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CNI News
9 April 2024
Malaysia has extended another month to issue calling visas for foreign migrant workers including Myanmar who are included in the demand letters, overseas employment agencies told CNI News.
Calling visas for foreign migrant workers would be issued in the end of March at the latest and visas would be banned in the end of May at the latest, Malaysian authorities stated.
However, another month extension was just for calling visas and visas would be allowed until 31st May, U Win Myint, managing director of the Lucky Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.
" Those who have applied are allowed to take calling visas until April. But migrant workers are allowed to enter on 21st May at the latest. There is no demand letter anymore. Some migrant workers have submitted for calling but they haven't got calling visas. They don't seem to finish working. So, they have extended another month. But they don't accept new applications." he said.
While migrant workers are making documents
The Malaysian Minister for Home Affairs said at the news conference held a few days ago that another month would be extended. Another month extension like that was because some workplaces in Malaysia needed workers, those helping Myanmar workers in Malaysia told CNI News.
If labor demands were met, there would not be extensions, said U Barbu Gyi, a person who is helping Myanmar citizens.
" Calling foreign migrant workers is because they need workers in the agricultural industry and another one, may be construction site. If the quotas were met in these places, there would not be extension anymore." he said.
Undocumented workers and overstayers have been allowed to go back to their native countries after making them pay the fines starting from 1st March 2024.
Moreover, Malaysian authorities are carrying out to issue the Ricarli Braci permit stickers that were allowed to apply in 2022 in the end of June at the latest.
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CNI News
9 April 2024
Due to the lack of territorial insecurity and because the legal trade was delayed in exporting or importing through border trade, almost the current border trades became , said traders.
If legal trade was conducted, because there were delays, more illegal trade would have been conducted, they said.
Because there are no territorial stabilities in the border trade areas, when trades are conducted, traders must pay armed groups. Although there were illegal trades in export, according to the domestic demand at present, more and more import was being conducted, U San Win, a trader from Myla, told CNI News.
While the TNLA force is collecting money from trucks and buses
" There are illegal trades in every border trade. It's not convenient to conduct legal trade. Because there is no rule of law, the amount of illegal trade is much more. You have to pay armed groups on the way. If you conduct legal trade, it will be very difficult and take a long time. There are a lot of illegal imports or exports. No one can scrutinize it. If you are scrutinized, it will take a long time. Traders can't wait such a long time. Mainly, it's worse in importing. You have to go only after paying armed groups on the way because there is no territorial security whether you conduct legal or illegal trade.” he said.
Because there are illegal trades, it can damage the country's economy and delay legal trades.
The government should relax the trade policy and open trade channels so that the market economy would develop and the trade sector would improve more as well as import and export could be conducted more, pointed out traders.
Because some imports had been restricted and it took a long time to get an import license, illegal trades arose, an import businessman told CNI News.
While the police force is checking trucks
" It's necessary to relax the trade policy regarding essential imports to the country. It's necessary to reduce many process steps. The staff in every step take advantage. For example, if a product was ordered from abroad, it is paid one kyat. But as soon as it arrives in Myanmar, it is paid 100 kyats. Traders don't make a big profit. But consumers have to pay so much. Monitoring these, if the government relaxes the trade policy to make it easy, consumers can buy things at a cheaper price. We can carry out faster. If there are difficulties and delays, the prices are higher and the poor have to buy things at a higher price. It would be better if one stop service is everywhere." he said.
At present legal trades are being conducted in Myla, a China-Myanmar border trade, Tachileik, a Myanmar-Thailand border trade and Kan Pite Tee, a China-Myanmar border trade.
The goods from Thailand are being illegally imported after paying the checkpoints of the Tatmadaw and EAOs along the Thailand-Myanmar trade route according to traders.
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CNI News
9 April 2024
The movement of the Spring Revolution that wasn able to threaten Naypyidaw has reached a stage, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.
Naypyidaw was attacked for the first time during the past 70 years and the revolutionary movement has reached a situation that could threaten Naypyidaw, he said.
" Revolution has reached a stage that can threaten Naypyidaw which can be said to be the safest place of the military council. Revolutionary elements have the foresight to match the situation rather than being technically superior. That is to say, those drones were not high-tech drones. But they were Kamikaze drones. So, they were able to fight effectively." said U Than Soe Naing to CNI News.
While seeing the drones that were shot down by the Myanmar Tatmadaw
However, political and military analysts asked a question which situation was designated to measure a revolution. The drones that entered Naypyidaw Airport and Zeyarthiri Township were shot down on 4th April 2024, the State Administration Council stated.
On the other hand, revolutionary elements attacked the military headquarters in Naypyidaw by 16 Kamikaze drones and Aylar Airforce (Naypyidaw Airport) by 13 drones on 4th April 2024, the National Unity Government (NUG) stated.
However, it was not likely to threaten inner parts of the country although revolutionary elements could threaten border areas, said a politician.
While seeing somewhere downtown Naypyidaw
" Revolutionary elements can't threaten inner parts but border areas. Now the Tatmadaw has lost control of the Thin Gan Nyi Naung military camp. In the upper part of the country, it lost control of Kunglong and Laukkai. But it will be difficult for the revolutionary elements to take control of inner parts where easy logistics can be performed. Drones can enter. It is possible. To the east of Pyinmana, there are forests and mountains." he said.
The Tatmadaw was able to re-capture Kawlin, Kani and Mabein Towns which are located in the inner part, he pointed out. Currently, both the Tatmadaw and revolutionary elements are using drones.
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CNI News
8 April 2024
Because the preparations are being made to conduct court hearings to dissolve the Move Forward Party (MFP), if the MFP was dissolved, there may be an impact on Myanmar migrant workers, those who are carrying out for the sake of Myanmar migrant workers told CNI News.
The MFP collected data and information about the migrant workers during the election campaign and if it was dissolved, a party that would demand for the migrant workers at the parliament could be reduced, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CNI News.
"MFP is powerful. If the party is no more, it will weaken us. If there's no party that will argue and demand for migrant workers at the parliament, migrant workers will lose some rights they deserve. The MFP collected data and information about migrant workers. If their party came to power, they said that they would lay down the better policy relating to migrant workers. We can't count on other parties so much." he said.
Although there were opposition parties like the MFP at the parliament, if there were many opposition parties, it would be better, pointed out those who are helping migrant workers.
People should not conclude that the party would be dissolved and their party would be protected after the legal team proved that the party was innocent, said the spokesperson of the party.
While the MFP Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat was campaigning before the election
Moreover, the case was very important. It was an example not only for the future of the party but also for the Thai political world, he added.
If the party was dissolved, its MPs would remain at the parliament as independent ones. However, they would not be as strong as a party, Ko Naing Aung Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.
" If the party was dissolved, its MPs would remain as independent ones. There could be a lot of difference. It would be better if they are allowed to discuss and given the freedom. If the MFP was dissolved, the Thai people and migrant workers would be sorry." he said.
The Thai Election Commission sent a complaint letter in which the Move Forward Party should be dissolved because it and its former leader, Pita Limjaroenrat attempted to overthrow the constitutional monarchy to the constitutional court.
The MFP promised to amend the laws that take action against those who speak ill of or against the king as well as to reform the monopolies of the Thai army and enormous businesses and won the election last year with the most votes.
However, after the election, the MFP was ostracized in attempts to form a coalition government and is facing political and legal problems.
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CNI News
8 April 2024
Territorial ownership problems have arisen among the EAOs after the Myanmar Tatmadaw retreated from some townships in northern Shan State.
Ethnic groups concerned are keeping a close watch on how to solve the territorial ownership disputes. After Operation-1027 that was waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, territorial disputes have widely arisen and battles broke out among the EAOs.
Local people have become innocent victims because of territorial problems among the EAOs and it was necessary to negotiate and discuss, U Aik Lu, a Palaung politician, told CNI News.
While seeing the TNLA.force
" There are difficulties at the bottom because meetings have not been held to make a decision. As soon as there are problems among the armed groups, local people have become innocent victims. I don't think the problems will be forever. Recently, there were negotiations and discussions between them. For the time being, they have ceased fire. It's just a territorial problem." he said.
There were battles that broke out between the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) on 26th March, 2024 and the MNDAA attacked the SSPP over 50 times with drones, the SSPP stated.
In the same way, battles broke out sometimes between the SSPP and the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA); between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the TNLA; between the KIA and the MNDAA because of territorial disputes.
Territorial disputes must be solved by political discussion, U Kun Gawn Awng Kham, a Kachin politician, told CNI News.
While seeing the KIA force
" It's a kind of problem that must be solved at the political round table after the war. It's unlikely to solve by weapon forever." he said.
During Operation-1027 launched on 27th October,2023 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA,TNLA,MNDAA), they have captured many military camps of the Tatmadaw and the Tatmadaw lost control of Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Chin Shwe Haw, Phaungsai, Kunglong, Hopang, Pangwa, Theinni, Kutkai, Namkham, Nangsang, Mangtong, Namtu and Mong Ngor Townships.
After that, territorial disputes arose obviously among the SSPP, the MNDAA, the TNLA and the KIA. The SSPP, the TNLA the MNDAA, the KIA, the RCSS, the AA and militias including the Tatmadaw are active in northern Shan State.
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CNI News
6 April 2024
Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai recently visited former leader Than Shwe, his former deputy Maung Aye, former President General Thein Sein and Daw Than Than Nu, daughter of former Prime Minister U Nu in Naypyidaw, the Chinese Embassy said in a statement posted on WeChat on Friday (5th April).
China was willing to help Myanmar for the stabilization and peace process as well as reconciliation, economy, the public livelihood and the development activities, the Chinese Embassy stated.
While the Chinese Ambassador was meeting with former president U Thein Sein on 5th April 2024 ( Chinese Embassy)
Moreover, the Chinese Special Envoy Mr.Deng Xijun met with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council in Naypyidaw on 1st April 2024 and discussed the re-opening bilateral border trade posts, the stability of the border area and peace process.
The current armed conflicts that are taking place in Myanmar are accelerating with a lot of support from China. On the other hand, China is carrying out to strengthen the diplomatic channel. So, China is using the policy of provocateur in the guise of a peacemaker, pointed out military and political analysts.
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CNI News
6 April 2024
The lowest daily wages would be raised until 400 bahts to the employees in the hotel and tourism industries starting from 13th April 2024, reported in the Thai news media.
The Thai authorities have been discussing a wage increase since February and people thought wages and salaries would be raised for the workers in all industries.
However, according to the reports, wages would be raised to the employees in hotel and tourism only in some regions of the ten districts and the employees in this industry earned more wages than other employees, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CNI News.
" In fact, their jobs are well-paid. they at least earned 15,000 bahts and above. But after April, foreign tourists have gone back. At that period, their jobs are suspended. Other jobs are not suspended all the year round." he said.
While seeing the Thai government's plan to increase wages
In the hotel industry, employees in the four star and above hotels as well as in the tourism industry where 400 employees and above are working must receive 400 bahts at least each day.
The places where have been designated to raise wages or salaries are Wattana and Pathonwang in Bangkok, Pattaya in Chunbury District, Chiangmai in Chiangmai District,
Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan District, some regions in Krabi District, Khut Khat in Phang Nga District, Phukhet District, Ban Phai Township in Rayong District, Hat Yai in Songkhala District, Koh Samui in Surat Thani District.
However, some hotels protested against the pay raise and responded that they had not got ready to raise the wages and salaries, reported the Thai PBS News.
There are many Myanmar citizens working in the hotel industry in Thailand and some of them are legally working and others without documentaries. So, it was difficult to apply every worker, reviewed the people who are carrying out for the affairs of migrant workers.
While seeing Myanmar migrant workers
Moreover, although the government has designated to raise wages and salaries, some employers don't pay fully their employees, Ko Thargyi, auditor general of IBECSWO, a social assistance association, told CNI News.
" Some employers pay the wages and salaries fully, but others don't. If you don't have any documents regarding residence permit, you will find it difficult because some employers don't dare to hire you. Because the number of Myanmar citizens who entered Thailand has increased sharply, employers especially, masons - their economy has declined." he said.
There might be about five million Myanmar citizens in Thailand and most of them are mainly working in factories, workshops, construction site and seafood industries.
So, the organizations that are helping in the affairs of migrant workers in Thailand are demanding ceaselessly to raise the basic wages and salaries reportedly.