CNI News

3 October 2024

The Myanmar Rice Federation will provide aids to farmers whose paddy farms were sunk due to flood and has appropriated 5,000 lakh kyats reportedly. 

Seeds and fertilizers would be provided to the flood-hit farmers, chairman of the Myanmar Rice Federation, U Ye Min Aung told CNI News.

" We have appropriated 5,000 lakh kyats to help the flood-hit farmers for the time being. If necessary any more, we'll search for finance to replenish. The main necessities are seeds and fertilizers. The area where paddy can be replanted is narrow. But in some places, there is a plan to replant the short term paddy. Farmers are interested in it as well. So, we are planning to help farmers with seeds and fertilizers. Moreover, if other crops such as peas and beans will be planted, we are planning to help farmers." he said.

In supplying seeds and fertilizers to the farmers, the MRF will give them free of charge or sell on credit.

While seeing some farm plantations that were damaged due to flood in Kani Township( photo-pyae aung naing facebook)

Some farmers have crop insurance at the rate of 1,000 kyats per acre at the Myanma Economic Bank and they got the money back at the rate of 30,000 kyat per acre.

Not only were farmers be able to reap their rainfed paddy, their seeds stored also were lost in the flood-hit areas in Shan State, Mandalay Region, Karen State, Bago, Magway, Ayeyarwady Regions, Mon State and the Naypyidaw Council Territory.

Although rainfed paddy was ruined, farmers must try to make a profit in the winter crop, former chairman of the Farmers Development Association U Thein Aung told CNI News.

" In the country, as you know, it's difficult to stand economically while battles are breaking out between the two sides. Farmers have to make up for damages and losses of this year in the winter crop cultivation." he said.

The MRF is making a list of farms that were damaged due to flood and it will start providing aids when the rainy season ends. 

He wanted to request businessmen to invest in the agricultural and livestock industries in the flood-hit areas, said chairman of the SAC.

The SAC has received 42.7 billion kyats from donors for the reconstruction of flood-hit areas.

CNI News

3 October 2024

Issuance of documents for residence permit undocumented migrant workers and their children should be facilitated, those helping migrant workers told CNI News. 

The Thai government made a decision to allow undocumented migrant workers and their children under 18 to live in Thailand a few days ago.

The processes should be reduced in making documents because undocumented migrant workers have to be paying much more than price designated as it is not easy to apply documents for residence permit, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Right Foundation (LRF) told CNI News.

" Whatever any documents are made in Thailand, brokers are getting involved in a big way because the Thai authorities can't keep a close watch on them systematically. The processes should be reduced. Because there are many processes, it is kind of paving the way for brokers to get involved." he said.

While seeing Myanmar migrant workers who have held documents

According to the demand from the managing committee on foreign workers, the agreement was reached to allow undocumented migrant workers and their children to live. 

Undocumented workers are registered to be recruits and costs and registration process can be known in detail only after the Thai royal palace permits.

If undocumented migrant workers had children under 18, the children will be allowed to stay with their parents. If the children of undocumented migrant workers were over 18, they would have to register as new workers, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development, told CNI News.

While seeing migrant workers in Thailand

" The children under 18 must apply in the offices of the Ministry of Labor in the provinces concerned for their residence permit not for work permit. When undocumented migrant workers register as new workers, they need to submit information and population about their children. when their children are 18, after 60 days, they must apply for a work permit." he said.

Moreover, although a meeting was called in relation to raising basic daily wages to 400 baht in the businesses which have 200 workers above starting from 1st October, the decision was put off because the necessary number of individuals that were to attend didn't show up.

Among those arrested during the 120 day plan since the middle of this year, nearly 200,000 Myanmar citizens were arrested.

CNI News

3 October 2024

Myawaddy border trade, a Thai-Myanmar border trade route, that has been closed might be reopened due to the bilateral negotiation, said traders and businessmen. Because there was no territorial stability along the Thai-Myanmar border trade route and there was difficult transport, the trade was suspended for a long time.

Thailand has said that it would repair the Asia Highway and carry it out for territorial peace and stability.

If the Myawaddy border trade route could be reopened, the prices could decline as well, U Aung Pyae Sone, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

While a bridge that was damaged was being repaired on the Myawaddy border trade troute

“Because the way of finding an answer through negotiation is good, we welcome it. If the border trade route was reopened, the prices would go down as well. The products that are imported from China and Thailand are going up more than usual while the price of dollars is going down and the price of gold has been controlled. The problem is that prices haven't gone down because of difficult transportation. After negotiation, Thailand will repair the roads if the Myanmar side is able to take responsibility for security. But Thailand won't be able to carry out security operations in Myanmar." he said.

If the Thai government help repair the roads on the Myanmar side and help Myanmar to be able to reopen the Asia Highway, it must be welcomed, he added.

 "Mainly, if they repair the roads that were damaged because of weather or battles, we welcome it. If the transportation is good and the security is reliable, the flow of goods can be performed more. And then prices also will go down." he said.

Because the Myawaddy border trade route cannot be used, exporters are using the Tachileik border trade route in eastern Shan State and trading by sea through the Yangon-Ranong route. So, the costs were high, said traders.

While seeing trucks on the Asia Highway between Myawaddy and Kawkareik

If the Myawaddy border trade route could be reused, farmers could get higher prices for their products, U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairman of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association, told CNI News.

" If the Myawaddy border trade route was reopened, we would be able to pay 50 to 70 kyat per viss more than the current payment. There is a route going to the Thai side through Tachileik. We were not able to use the route through Myawaddy last year. We can use the Kawthaung-Ranong waterway. Many cars can't be used on the Tachileik route. The waterway by sea has limited the number of ships. So, the Myawaddy route was reopened, the flow of goods would be faster." he said.

The Myawaddy border trade with Thailand has been suspended since early April due to difficult transport and unreliable security situations.

CNI News

3 October 2024

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) was vaccinating children aged one to five and pregnant women on 30th September, said locals.

The SNA vaccinated children aged one to five and pregnant women from over 1,000 households in six villages from Manlaung Pepin Village Tract and seven villages from Man In Mingon Village Tract, Banmauk Township.

Medical team of the SNA and Banmauk township medical officer are vaccinating the children and pregnant women to prevent from diptheria, whooping cough, tetanus hepatitis B, and brain swollen. Moreover, the joint teams are vaccinating for PCP, polio, Japanese brain swollen, measles, German measles and so on, said locals.

The SNA vaccinated for the first time on 28th August 2024.

The SNA is carrying out security operations along the India-Myanmar border areas and in Banmauk, Homalin Townships, Tamu-Aung Zeya region, Khamti and Shwe Pyi Aye Townships, Sagaing Region and providing medical service to locals there.

CNI News

3 Octobe 2024

Efforts were made to make the Naypyidaw Council Territory develop and in the same way, Meiktila was being made to become a model city, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above during his meeting with departmental officials and elders in Meiktila District on 29th September 2024.

Meiktila has roads going to east, west, south and north and is a city that is pivotal regarding commerce. The area of Meiktila is just a little different from that of Naypyidaw Council Territory and there are over 900,000 people in Meiktila while over one million, in Naypyidaw, said chairman of the SAC.

" Efforts were made to enable Naypyidaw Council Territory to develop and in the same way, Meiktila is being made to enable it to develop as a model place. Geographically, Meiktila is located in the middle part of the country and pivotal in commerce. It is a district where there are universities and colleges as well. Besides, as it has a geographical situation where there is a smooth transportation, it is convenient to do businesses." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Sr-Gen Than Shwe (retired) built the Naypyidaw Council Territory in 2006 and designated it as the capital of Myanmar.

Eight lane streets and 16 lane streets have been built in Naypyidaw and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing built the Mara Wizaya Pagoda, the highest in Southeast Asia. 

Weapons for the Tatmadaw are produced in Meiktila and conferences of military commanders are held in the city. Besides, it is well-known as Tat Myo (military city) as well.

CNI News

3 October 2024

Thailand has announced that anyone could complain to the authorities if they found illegal migrant workers and the Thai employers were asked to hire documented migrant workers only and to carry out emphatically so as to hurt the job opportunities of the Thai citizens. 
In the past, the Thai government had announced so as well.

However, because dissatisfactions between some Thai citizens and Myanmar migrant workers have emerged at present, it was necessary for Myanmar migrant workers, to take more care of this period, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.

While the Thai authorities are arresting illegal migrant workers

" Those who can possibly complain may not be getting on well with you or your environment. Next, employers may be as well. Moreover, Myanmar people can also complain their compatriots. For example, when documented Myanmar citizens versus undocumented are rivals in business, the documented complain. Unscrupulous employers also tend to complain to the police when they are about to pay wages to undocumented migrants workers. Myanmar migrant workers should take more care of themselves at a time like this because they are seeing or hearing pieces of news regarding to the problems of Myanmar citizens. Narrow-minded employers can change their mind." he said.

Undocumented workers and those without work permit can be fined from 5,000 to 50,000 baht. Also, they can be imprisoned and be sent to their native countries. At present, as some Thai citizens are considering Myanmar citizens are robbing their market shares, they are demonstrating, complaining and demanding. 

While seeing migrant workers

However, as Thailand is driving its economy with migrant workers only, complaints couldn't increase, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Right Foundation (LBR), told CNI News.

" Demonstrations or complaints are just the attitudes of the minority. In fact, Thailand is depending on migrant workers to manufacture the products that are exported which are accepted by most Thai citizens. There is no reason that demonstrations or complaints will increase." he said.

Thailand has been taking actions against illegal migrant workers more strictly since the middle of 2024 under the 120-day plan.

The Thai authorities concerned went and inspected 718 factories from 5 to 19th September and 1,830 migrant workers were taken action against. So, Myanmar citizens should take more care of themselves than before and keep a low profile without boasting, suggested those helping migrant workers.

CNI news

2 October 2024

The basic military training course graduation ceremony opened by the Pa-O National Organization (PNO/PNA) was held in Yankin military region of the Special Region-6 in southern Shan State on 30th September 2024 and the PNO showed over 20,000 troops there. 

These troops are for the security of the Pa-O region, an official from the PNO told CNI News. 

"Showing our military strength like this is to protect our region" he said.

The PNO/PNA was to expand its military strength and has intended to deploy its troops in the entire Pa-O region. However, its troops reportedly would not go to other regions. 

At present, two military commands have been divided and they are Myintmo Command and Tatthar Command, said the PNO/PNA. Although they didn't have enough arms and ammunition, they were maintaining supplies, an official from the PNO/PNA told CNI News.

" We still don't have enough arms and ammunition. I'm not at liberty to say on detail how we are maintaining supplies." he said.

The PNO/PNA held military training graduation ceremony for 10,000 troops for the defense of Naungtaya region in August. 

After the PNO/PNA made peace with the Tatmadaw in 1991, the Pa-O region was designated as the Special Region-6. After the political landscape changed, because the PDF waged battles in the Pa-O region and near its border, the PNO/PNA has been building up its military strength.

CNI News

2 October 2024

Although the State Administration Council would start conducting census-taking, political circles is keeping a close watch on how the SAC would conduct census-taking while the people were facing flood disaster and military danger.

The SAC would conduct census-taking in the places where it could and it could not conduct census-taking in the regions where some EAOs have controlled, chairman of the Tailai (Shanni) National Development Party (TNDP) Sai Htay Aung told CNI News.

" The SAC seems to conduct census-taking in the places where it can. The Ministry of Home Affairs of the SAC has had facts and information about census-taking. They won't conduct census-taking in some places. They can't get exact information if they conduct census-taking now. How can they conduct census-taking in the regions controlled by the TNLA or the MNDAA? There are about ten towns that have been controlled by the TNLA. But the SAC will attempt to leave a record." he said.

While seeing some immigration staff

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has said that the SAC will attempt to be able to hold a general election in 2025 and so, census-taking would be conducted so as to make the vote list correct. 

He was keeping a close watch on how the SAC would conduct census-taking and it was necessary to take more care of security, U Thein Tun Oo, Director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies told CNI News.

" We are keeping a close watch on how the SAC will carry out in detail. It's necessary to take more care of security. We have to watch whether the SAC will leave the dangerous regions." he said. 

The SAC would hold a general election because it wanted to use the election as a political exit. It would destroy the election without fail, said the National Unity Government (NUG).

Resettlement of the flood-hit people must be carried out as soon as possible, said Vice Senior General Soe Win, vice chairman of the SAC. The SAC has announced that it would conduct census-taking from 1st to 15th October.

CNI News

2 October 2024

An explosion took place inside a bag of rice donated to the flood victims at the office of the Setsan Ward Administrator, on the Strand Road, Kyimyindaing Township, Yangon Region on the night of 30th September. 

Due to the explosion, among the people making UID smart cards in the office, ten people were hurt.

It has not been clear which organization or individual exploded the bomb inside the bag of rice that was to be donated to the flood victims. Because it was raining heavily from 9th to 15th September as a result of Typhoon Yagi, 56 townships were flooded and more than 200,000 people were flood-hit.

Artists, some people, the rich and philanthropists including the SAC are helping flood-hit people and carrying out for their reconstruction.