CNI News

14 June 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) has established the administrative mechanism by force and banned the freedom as well as is violating human rights, stated the Chinland Council on 10th June, 2024. 

The United League of Arakan/ the Arakan Army (ULA/AA) is recruiting innocent Chin people by force and giving military training; implementing the administrative mechanism by force; ignoring mutual respect among ethnic groups; banning religious and educational freedom and violating basic human rights, for which it was very upset, stated the Chinland Council.

Not only do these actions damage friendship and mutual trust among ethnic groups, they also slow down the national revolutionary process, it said.

While seeing the statement released by the Chinland Council

The Chinland Council urged the ULA/AA to avoid military activities within Chin State because the sovereignty of Chin State is its people , said in the statement released by the Chinland Council.

The AA's implementation of administrative mechanism by force without the will of the Chin people and violation of human rights may lead to unwanted ethnic and military conflicts. So, the Chinland Council has urged the AA to stop these actions.

The AA has seized control of the Paletwa Township after attacking the military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw and it is giving military training to some Chin PDFs in other townships, Chin State and arming them after which their joint forces are attacking the military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

The Chin clans living in Paletwa Township controlled by the AA have displaced due to food shortages and oppression of the AA, said locals.

CNI News
13 June 2024

They needed to carry out to free from traces of terrorism within Yangon, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council at the meeting on the Yangon Region Stability, Peace and Development held 10th June, 2024.

Riots and protests took place within Yangon Region and then because armed terrorisms arose, martial law had to be announced in some townships of the region. Although in some places of the country, terrorisms are still taking place at present, the people can travel freely anywhere in Yangon Region, he said.

" Terrorists are planning to carry out terrorist acts at the time when the security forces might not notice and the security forces must be always watching out with security awareness and security precautions. Security forces need to carry out to free from traces of terrorists within Yangon Region. The Yangon Command and the Government of Yangon Region must coordinate and cooperate for the peace, stability and development." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While those who attempted to launch 107 mm shock missiles at the opening ceremony of the Thanlyin Bridge were being arrested

Moreover, while the SAC was walking on the path to democracy, it was necessary to have security and stability, he added. And then, Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, associate secretary of the SAC discussed the needs to carry out carefully in relation to peace, stability and security within the region as well as to be systematical checkpoints reportedly.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing attended and opened the No-3 Thanlyin Bridge connecting Thaketa and Thanlyin Townships, Yangon Region on 8th June, 2024 and the Yangon UG organization made an attempt to launch shock missile attack on the opening ceremony.

Nine people who attempted to attack on the opening ceremony with 107 mm shock missiles were arrested and their instructor and two trainers were still absconding, stated the SAC on 10th June, 2024.

CNI News

13 June 2024

In spite of the fact that some buyers of condo apartments from Thailand were arrested by the State Administration Council, the Myanmar citizens didn't stop buying the apartments on the Thai side, real estate agents and condo apartment dealers from Thailand told CNI News. 

In addition to opening illegal condo apartment showrooms to sell the apartments in Bangkok without asking permission from authorities concerned, two Myanmar citizens who sold and three Myanmar citizens who bought used illegal hundi in paying for the purchase of condo apartments, so they were arrested. 

However, condominium trading activities on the Thai side didn't worry too much about it and there were daily purchases, a real estate and condo apartment trading business operator told CNI News.

" Sellers and buyers of condo apartments from the Thai side don't worry too much. There are daily purchases. Not long ago, to the best of my knowledge, Myanmar investors and Myanmar citizens who came to attend school arrived in Thailand. Maybe they are from the upper class. The second largest number of condo buyers Myanmar citizens. There has been a sharp increase in the number of Myanmar citizens who want to buy condo apartments. The other day, my acquaintances bought a condo apartment at over 40 million bahts." he said.

A condo showroom in Thailand

Those who open bank accounts in foreign countries without permission from the Central Bank of Myanmar and those who buy or sell condo apartments would be identified and taken action against, warned the SAC.

Although there are arrests, as the SAC didn't state clearly how to take action against, those who wanted to buy condo apartments would use various kinds of ways, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News. 

“When the authorities arrest buyers or sellers of the condos, by what laws are these individuals taken action against?  Most of us don't know about it. Those who conducted illegal money transferring, gold industry and condo apartment dealers were arrested, we heard. But the public doesn't know how these individuals have been punished. Whether these arrests are according to the law or to change the market is interesting. In any case, people will be buying condo apartments in various ways." he said.

At present, there has been a sharp increase in the number of the Myanmar citizens who are working as agents and brokers in the condo business of Thailand and in purchasing condo apartments, buyers are purchasing condo apartments starting at 10 million baht or so, according to real estate agents and entrepreneurs.

A condo fair in Thailand

In purchasing condo apartments, rather than buying from representative offices in Myanmar, more and more buyers directly purchase condo apartments in Thailand, a condo business operator, told CNI News.

" There are many Myanmar citizens who are working as agents and brokers in the brokerage companies in Thailand. So, more and more Myanmar citizens are directly buying condos in Thailand. Myanmar citizens on the Myanmar side bought the condos from Thailand because don't have a connection with the dealers here, I think. transferring money is conducted generally with agents. If we deposit money at the bank that they have designated, we can leave the rest to them. You can open a bank account in Thailand even if you come to Thailand on a visit visa." he said.

According to statistics from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) of Thailand, among the countries that buy condos most in Thailand, Myanmar ranked 6th in 2022 and it bought 349 condo apartments worth 2.55 billion Thai baht reportedly.
In 2023, Myanmar ranked 3rd and bought 564 condo apartments worth 3.7 billion Thai baht. During the first three months of 2024, Myanmar overtook Russia and reached the 2nd place.

CNI News

13 June 2024

The Myitkyina-Putao Road that has been closed for three months has been reopened by the permission of the Kachin Independence Army and the Myanmar Tatmadaw. 

The Myitkyina-Putao Road has been closed since 9th March, 2024 because of the battles between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA. So, basic food shortages and high prices  occurred.

At present, philanthropic cars have been allowed to use the road and foodstuffs have been permitted to be carried in a limited number of cars, Ko Shwe Htike, a resident of Putao, told CNI News.

" For the time being, small philanthropic cars have been allowed to carry foodstuffs in a limited number of cars. Passengers have not been allowed yet. Cars are entering Putao. I heard that they sell foodstuffs at a low price. It will be helpful to an extent, I think." he said.

The trucks that will go to Putao could be convenient only if they have a letter on which the signature by the minister for security and border affairs has been signed reportedly.

Basic foodstuffs could be carried and fuel has not been allowed reportedly. At present, fuel is bought from India and China and re-sold, so the price of fuel has declined a little. 

While seeing traffic on Putao-Myitkyina road

Although the price was 100,000 kyats per liter in the past, now the price is 40,00 kyats for 700 ml, Ko Dipan, a resident of Putao, told CNI News.

" Now the price of fuel is not over 100,000 kyats per liter. We have to pay 40,000 kyats for 700 ml. Sellers go and buy fuel from China and India. They or their workers carry fuel on their shoulders. It will be the best if the road is opened unconditionally. We depend on the road alone for the flow of goods. If the goods are carried by plane, the cost is too high that those who live from hand to mouth can't buy food." he said

Not only is the flow of goods interrupted, the price of fuel also is skyrocketing. So, small scale industrial enterprise have been suspended. Moreover, human's physical strength is being used for the hill-side cultivation because tractors cannot be used reportedly.

In the transportation sector, locals are travelling on foot or with bullock carts or on bicycle reportedly.

CNI News

13 June 2024

Myanmar corn could be exported more than the three month target after two months, according to the Ministry of Commerce. 

380,000 tons of corn was targeted to be exported during the first three months - April, May and June.  However, 478,000 tons of corn could be exported during the two month until the end of May. 

As Myanmar corn could be exported to Thailand through the Myawaddy border trade route only by truck in the past, a few tons of corn could be exported. However at present, as corn is exported by sea, a lot of tons of corn can be exported.

To be able to export corn to meet the target amount in coming months depended on the weather and the ship's berth, U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairman of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association, told CNI News.

" In fact, corn is exported by ship in the open season. So, more tons of corn can be exported. Because the corm was exported through the Myawaddy border trade by heavy trucks in the past, many tons could not be exported. Whether the target can be met or not in the coming months depends on the weather and the ship's berth." he said.

While seeing Myanmar corn

Domestic corn is at a good price because at present the price of global corn and of the Thai baht are getting higher. Farmers can sell their corn at 1,400 kyats per viss more that 1,400 kyats per viss they expected reportedly. 

As it was not convenient to use the Myawaddy border trade route, there had been an increase in the use of the Tachileik border trade in eastern Shan State, Ko Sai Kham, a corn trader from Tachileik, told CNI News.

" Corn exports are more than previous years because the Myawaddy birder trade route cannot be used. Corn farmers grew corn more. The price of corn in Tachileik is 47,000 kyats per bag now. The price was just over 30,000 kyats in previous years. But because the road is a little damaged in the rainy season, we have to wait a bit long." he said

Because Thailand has allowed Myanmar corn to be exempt from customs duties from February to August, the Myanmar side is carrying out so as to meet the target in exporting the corn, according to traders.

CNI News

12 June 2024

The territory of the Brigade-9 of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Pharkant Township, was attacked by air by the Myanmar Tatmadaw on the night of 9th June, 2024, Col-Nawbu, information officer of the KIA told CNI News. 

The territories of the Battalion and the Brigade-9 of the KIA was attacked and the two sides were in a tense military situation, he added.

" The military council launched air attack on the territories of the Battalion-6 and the Brigade-9 of the KIA in Pharkant Township. The two sides are a tense military situation in Kachin State. During this week, there is no ground battle." said Col-Nawbu.

Although there were no ground battles in Waingmaw Township, the Myanmar Tatmadaw was firing with heavy weapons, he said. 

While seeing Pharkant region

Because the news that Pharkant Town would be attacked the KIA/PDF joint forces during this month came out, the military council possibly attacked by air in advance and although battles broke out in Pharkant, jade mining industry was not affected, a resident of Pharkant told CNI News.

"People are working on jade mining industry day and night while battles are breaking out on the other hand. The safest place to avoid battles is the jade mining site. Battles took place again after 2012. But all the teaks in Mansi Township were no more. Battles broke out. Warplanes came. The people didn't dare to go out when timber trucks had entered China by the thousand. Battles are no more honest after 1999. Although battles are breaking out, there are 300 to 400 jade mining sites in Pharkant Township alone." he said.

The jade mining business is operating normally without being affected although battles are severely taking place around Pharkant and in Kachin State, which is questionable, according to locals. 

While seeing a jade mining site in Pharkant

There are common interests businesses of the top leaders of the KIA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Pharkant Township and they would not hurt their businesses, pointed out locals.

"There are their interests here in Pharkant. They are getting their main income from jade mining sites. They can collect tax only when these businesses operate. There are a lot of shared interests businesses of the top leaders from two sides here. They won't hurt these places. So, the industry is operating." said a resident of Pharkant.

Battles were severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces in Waingmaw, Momauk and Bhamo Townships during May and at present, battles have stopped. However, there are occasionally heavy weapon fires there.

CNI News

12 June 2024

After men were allowed to work abroad with an age limit, banning on applying for passport for visit (PV) from passport for job (PJ) was not an answer, pointed out the people are carrying out for the sake of workers.

Since the restriction on men to work abroad, other people who would go abroad in other ways might be tightened, that he reviewed in advance and more restriction on permission to go abroad was not an answer, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED) told CNI News.

"The government is worried that those who go against the government go abroad in some way and will collaborate with the organizations and international community, but it's not an answer. To tell you frankly, because nothing is systematical in our country, everything has deteriorated already, that we can say. If something happens, they order to ban or suspend it. Something like that can't resolve the problem. The government should consult with relevant experts how to resolve the problem." he said.

Because of restriction on permission to work abroad, PJ holders were making preparations to apply for PVs in order to go abroad. However, the government has banned on applying for PV from PJ since 6th June, 2024. 

While seeing those who are trying to go abroad

Although the government is getting foreign income from its citizens working abroad, restriction on working abroad might be related to politics, reviewed the people who are carrying out for the affairs of workers.

If the restriction on going abroad was a wrong way, it would make the public get into trouble, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.

" The main reason is that restriction is conducted in various ways because of the conscription law. If the restriction was a wrong way, there  would be an increase in the number of undocumented people and human trafficking. There will be more violence against women. These are worrisome. According to the current situation, many young people will go abroad whether they get PJs or PVs. When they leave the country with PVs, they become illegal workers. At any rate, migrant workers can't be threatened." he said.

While seeing those who will go abroad to work

Among the migrant workers who came back on leave, those who could not show any evidence that they transferred money monthly to their families would not be issued OWIC cards, which the Labor Directorate has announced. 

They have to legally transfer money through international money transferring businesses such as Western Union, IME, RIA and Money Gram. For example, a worker who returned from Thailand - if his salary was 800,000 kyats, he must have transferred 25 percent of his salary to his family each month.

CNI News

12 June 2024

Those who planned to launch shock missiles attack on the opening ceremony of the No-3 Thanlyin Bridge connecting Thaketa and Thanlyin in Yangon Region attended by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, C in C of the Defense Services and Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) were arrested, stated the SAC on 10th June, 2024. 

The opening ceremony of the No-3 Thanlyin Bridge held on 8th June was attended by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, associate secretary of the SAC, Chief of the Air Force and chief minister of Yangon Region. 

Those who planned to attack were arrested while they were making preparation to launch shock missile attack on the ceremony.

Members of Yangon UG - Sein Gyi (B) Aung Htwe, Cho Gyi (B) Hein Htet Aung, Min Thu, Maung Hein, Aung Thura Tun, Pyae Phyo Zaw and Htet Arkar Lin were arrested in an old wooden hostel room in the dockyard staff housing area in 61 Ward, Dagon Myothit Seikkan Township with two shock missiles, two fuses, two grenades, two batteries, four wire coils and other accessories on 8th June, 2024, stated the SAC.

And then, collaborators to launch a shock missile attack - Chit Kay Khine, Zarni Aung (B) Ko Zar were arrested with a 107 mm shock missile and a fuse on 9th June, 2024 said in the statement.

CNI News

11 June 2024

The State Administration Council (SAC) would speed up what should be done in terms of security, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC. 

He said the above at the Meeting (3/2024) of the SAC.

Although the SAC was walking on the way to a true and disciplined multi-party democratic system, terrorists were solving the political problem through violent means, said chairman of the SAC.

They were carrying out to gain regional power rather than walking on the way to a multi-party democracy; the SAC was carrying out in accordance with the 2008 Constitution and trying to make all ethnic people enjoy equal rights, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

"The security forces of the SAC were performing to ensure uninterrupted road and waterways transports and for the regional stability and peace. Moreover they were carrying out to prevent from illegal drug trafficking and some security camps in some places are being attacked; the SAC would continue to carry out in momentumwhat should be done in relation to security measures." he said.

The SAC was carrying out in accordance with the agreements in terms of the NCA and some EAOs that had agreed to cease fire with the Myanmar Tatmadaw were violating the agreement, said chairman of the SAC.

Because the country was a union in which a variety of ethnicities were living together, the Myanmar Tatmadaw was carrying out restrainedly and didn't attack the EAO's military camps for the sake of the union, he added.  

The SAC was carrying out in rder to meet and discuss with political parties and the EAOs that has signed to cease fire in the near future in relation to the peace of the union, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The election of representatives for the political parties group of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee was held on 25th and 26th May, 2024. Among the 10 NCA signatories, seven EAOs have formed themselves as an ally.