CNI News
1 May 2024

Vice Sr-Gen SoeWin, Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) and Deputy Commander in Chief of the Defense Services reappeared in public view on 29th April 2024.

It has been nearly one month since he disappeared from public view. He went to the Tatmadaw Hospital in Mawlamyine and met the officers and other ranks receiving treatment there on 29th April.

The SAC broadcast the news of that meeting at 8:00 p.m. on 29th April. Lt-Gen Nyunt Win Swe, Commander of the No-2 Special Operation Team, Deputy Chief of the Military Security Affairs, Commander of the Southeastern Command and military senior officers were met together with Vice Senior General Soe Win.

Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win supervised the operation to regain the control of Myawaddy, Karen State, which was captured by the KNLA/PDF joint forces.

While holding a meeting to supervise the operation, revolutionary forces attacked with drones and because of that attack, Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win was wounded, which the revolutionary groups stated.

However, Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC responded to the claims that Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win was missing from the public view by saying that he was healthy and serving the duties.

CNI News
30 April 2024

Although the Pa-O self-administered region has become stable after the battles between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the revolutionary forces ceased, IDPs have not been able to go back to their native places reportedly.

Sesai Town that was damaged by the battles was being cleaned and some battles were breaking out in the border regions only, Saw Khun Kyaw Win, member of the central executive committee of the Pa-O National Organization (PNO), told CNI News.

" For the time being, most of the territories including Sesai and Maenal Mountain have become stable. Some battles are still breaking out in the border regions. To the best of my knowledge, some of IDPs ha gone home. But some have not been officially allowed to go home. Clearance processes including land mines are being carried out." he said.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw and the PNO have seized control of Sesai Town and the PNO might be militarily active in the No-6 Special Region; if there were other armed groups in their region, battles might break out, he said.

 While seeing the ruins of Sesai

The battles began between the PNO and the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) in San Phu Village, Hopong Township in January, 2024.

Locals had to flee to safety because of battles between the Tatmadaw/PNO joint forces and the PNLA allies and Sesai was burned and damaged. At present, the people were finding it difficult to travel and facing crises, a local of Pa-O region, told CNI News.

" Mainly, the people can't travel smoothly. The transport was difficult even when we were in the village. It's very difficult to do business or trade at present. So, we, the people want peace. The rainy season will set in soon. We'll have to grow. For that, we'll have to make preparation. Because it' difficult to buy necessary things, we want to be peaceful." he said.

While seeing a PNLO comrade

There has not been a situation in which local people can go home safely. However, some of IDPs have gone home, said Saw Khun Kyaw Win.

" Almost the entire Sesai was damaged. I can't estimate how much damage in the rural area and villages. Sesai was mainly damaged. There might be a little damage in the southern part of Pinlaung. In Hopong Township and Maenal Mountain, monasteries and four or five villages were damaged. The monasteries were set fire." he said.

According to the 2008 Constitution, Pinlaung, Sesai and Hopong Townships were designated as the Pa-O Self-administered Region.

CNI News

30 April 2024

The Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies sending MoU workers to Thailand by Yangon-Don Muang flight were not allowed to buy air tickets and visas, but an assigned company had to purchase them, the agencies told CNI News.

A worker must pay 145 dollars for an air ticket and service. However, because the cost has not been released separately, it was costlier than that they bought themselves, pointed out overseas employment agencies.

" 145 dollars has been designated to buy an air ticket and service for a worker. But we are not allowed to buy ourselves. The company that has been assigned are allowed to buy them. It's very costly. Agencies want to know how much the service fee is. A visa is paid 1,300 bahts. the Thai agencies have to take the responsibility for the visa. We are not allowed to apply for the visa ourselves. The service to get a visa is paid 800 bahts, I heard. I don't know why." said an official from an overseas employment agency to CNI News.

MOU workers going to Thailand would be sent from Yangon-Don Maung Airport starting from 29th April, and sending MoU workers by MAI and MNA airlines only would be allowed starting from 11th May, the Directorate of Labor stated.

Although CNI News phoned and asked the Migrant Worker Branch of the directorate to know more exactly about the air ticket and service fees, it made no answer.

While seeing Myanmar migrant workers

In sending workers to Malaysia or sending MoU workers to Thailand by Yangon-Don Muang flight, agencies were allowed to buy air tickets in the past.

However, agencies are not allowed to buy air tickets themselves any more since the Yangon-Don Muang flight was officially designated to send MoU workers reportedly. So, if overseas employment agencies were allowed to buy air tickets and visas, the cost could be reduced a little for workers, U Min Oo, In Charge of Labor Affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.

" Because an assigned company only are allowed to buy air ticket and service, it's unjust a bit. The cost has gone higher. If the cost for the air ticket and service was higher, it wouldn't be convenient for workers." he said.

Myanmar MoU workers were regularly sent from the Myawaddy-Mae Sot No.1 Friendship Bridge in the past and there were camps that welcomed the workers in Mae Sot. However, because the MoU workers would be sent by Yangon-Don Muang flight starting from 29th April, the camps that welcome the workers would be transferred to Don Muang reportedly.

CNI News

30 April 2024

Associations and organizations in Myanmar and organizations concerned from China discussed in order to be able export Myanmar mangoes to China without causing transport difficulties and time delays, according to traders. 

They discussed in order to export Myanmar mangoes quickly without being stopped for interrogation along the way and three mango trucks have been exported as a test for the time being, Ko Thitsar, a trader, told CNI News.

" We have three trucks of mangoes as a test. discussion is being conducted to get the green line transport for mango. Mango is different from watermelon and cucumber. In fact, mango is in the green line. Vehicles which are going in the green line must not be interrogated. The goods in the green line contain perishable green groceries, fish and meat, as well as patients. They must not be stopped. Organizations from both countries are discussing about the green line." he said.

Myanmar mangoes

Mangoes that is different from other fruits or crops could get good prices only when it arrive in the market in time; however this year border trade with China is not conducted through Muse and Kyin San Kyawt but through Myla border trade; so there might be time delays, said traders.

So, fruit wholesale centers, trader associations and relevant organizations are making efforts to facilitate the export of mangoes. If the mango export route was convenient, mangoes could be exported to the Myla border trade post in three days, said traders.

Because the cost for exporting mango this year is higher than the last year and there are some difficulties relating to the weather and transportation route, growers, whole sale centers and traders, should take care of information about mangoes, U San Aung, a mango trader, told CNI News.

a China-Myanmar border trade gate

"The Chinese market currently demand the best qualification of mangoes. Transport charges is higher. The weather also is so hot. Six towns of Myanmar are included in the world hottest towns. These are challenges. If we can overcome these challenges, we'll be successful. Mango farmers, brokers, agents and departments all need to cooperate. Because we are currently depending on the Chinese market, we hope the best. Farmers also should listen to the news because transport charges are so high. I'm worried that farmers will make a loss." he said.

When Myanmar mangoes were exported to China through Wan Ding-Kyin San Kyawt checkpoint in the past, the export was faster and the cost was lower. However, because the export must be conducted through the Myla border trade post in the eastern part of Shan State, each truck costs about 100 lakh kyats. So, some traders don't export mangoes reportedly.

40,000 to 50,000 tons of Myanmar mangoes such as Sein Ta Lone and Hintha were exported to China yearly in the past. However, in the wake of political changes, difficult trade route, higher transport charges as well as reduction in input utilization in mango farms emerged. So, the tonnage of mangoes exported to China was also decreasing, said traders.

CNI News
28 April  2024

Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, the Minister of Home Affairs of the State Administration Council and Mr.Wang Xiaohong, the Minister for Public Security of China met and discussed to promote the cooperation in relation to the personnel and project security in Beijing on 25th April 2024.

"China is carrying out to improve the China-Myanmar relation, always looking at it from a grand strategy perspective; China wants to seriously collaborate with Myanmar in the rule of law and the security sector; it wants to thoroughly fight cross-border crimes such as online scams and narcotic drugs; it wants to seriously collaborate with Myanmar in the personnel project security; it continues to push the building the through thick and thin Chin-Myanmar community and it wants to carry out for the two countries and regional security, stability and development." said the Xinhua News Agency.

Lt-Gen said that Myanmar wanted to deepen the cooperation with China in the bilateral law enforcement and the security sector, according Xinhua. China has invested in the projects such as electricity, natural gas, petroleum, copper, metal and deep water ports and in a lot of other businesses.

While Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Myanmar Union Minister for Home Affairs was meeting with Mr.Wang Xiaohong, the Chinese Minister for Public Security on 25th April 2024

China is worried about the security of its investments and its citizens The reason why China is worried is because of the current instabilities that came after the Tatmadaw had toppled down the NLD government on 1st February 2021 and took the State power and the Tatmadaw said the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute.

And then, the public demonstrations against the SAC arose and some people protested against the Chinese Embassy. Moreover, some businesses owned by Chinese citizens were also burned.

On top of that, the battles are severely breaking out between the Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces in the regions where there are Chinese projects and investment.

CNI News

28 April 2024

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has arrested Naga youths more and more, said local Naga people.

The human rights of the Naga people were being violated; he didn't want to talk about the voluntary participation of young Nagas in the current revolution; however, the KIA came to houses and was forcibly arresting Naga youths, said a resident of Shin Bway Yang.

" I feel that human rights have been violated in our region because Naga youths are being forcibly arrested even though they are at home. They (KIA) tell us that the military council's Conscription Law is unjust and not to accept it. But they are forcibly arresting Naga youths. Is it just? What law is it? The people are asking the question. They are treating us lawlessly." he said.

The KIA was forcibly recruiting Naga youths and sometimes told the youths not to live in Kachin State if they didn't want to serve in the military, he added.

While seeing Naga people

A lot of Naga youths had to run away after Naga youths were arrested at home in some villages, Shin Bway Yang Township in the second week of April, 2024.Although CNI News tried to contact Col.Nawbu, information officer of the KIA to know more about the arresting by phone, it could not contact him.  

Many Naga youths took part in the battles between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA, and the KIA was making the Naga become an extinct tribe, naming Naga youths it arrested Kachin names, a local Naga told CNI News.

" 800 or 900 Naga youths were arrested from 2022 to 2024. Some of their parents thought that their sons were working in the gold or jade industry. Largely Nag youths come to Tanai Hmaw on the Naga Mountain. But their sons didn't reach their workplaces. They were arrested on the way by the KIA. Many Naga youths are included in the battles between the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces. As soon as the Naga youths arrive in their organization, they are named Kachin names. They have no more Naga names. The KIA is trying to cause the extinction of Naga tribe, I think." he said.

While seeing the ENDA/ENNO force

Over 300 Naga youths were arrested in 2023 and some of them were released. At present, the KIA is arresting Naga people living in Shin Bway Yang, Nanyun, Pansaung, Lahe, Donhee, Khamti Townships and Nan Si Pon region reportedly.

The Eastern Naga Defense Army (ENDA)/The Eastern Naga National Organization seceded from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) with the KIA's military support and is based in Laiza.

CNI News
27 April 2024

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) sealed the office of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Mongko, Muse District, northern Shan State on 23rd April 2024.

U Jiting Ang, administrator of Mongko Township from the MNDAA and  Rang Hou, deputy sub-township administrator led and stick a letter mentioning that the MNDAA sealed the office on the morning of 23rd April.

The groups led by Lieutenant Rang Hou and Lieutenant Laodawng from the MNDAA arrived in the office for the second time at 7:30 p.m. on that day and sticked the letter on the office.

In collaboration with the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA), the MNDAA launched an operation called Operation-1027, on 27th October, 2023 in northern Shan State.

While seeing the chairman of the TNLA

The allies captured over 100 military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw and many townships during the operation and the MNDAA seized control of Chin Shwe Haw, Mongko, Phaungsai, THeinni, Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Kyucote and Kunglong.

After that, the TNLA captured Nansang, Mantong, Namkham, Kutkai, Namtu, Mong Ngor and Monglon and the AA controlled the Muse 105 Mile Trade Road. The MNDAA and the TNLA have started implementing administrative and judicial processes in the towns and cities, and released statements preventing the movements of other EAOs.

So, the TNLA sealed the KIA's office in Kutkai Township and banned the Kachin traditional events in the township. In the same way, the MNDAA also sealed the office of the KIA in Mongko.

While seeing the MNDAA forces and the TNLA forces in Kutkai (Myanmar Now)

Moreover, because of administrative dispute between the TNLA and the MNDAA, there were mutual shootings near Maw Han Village, Kutkai Township on 19th April 2024 and some of the troops from both sides were injured.

On top of that, there were territorial disputes and military conflict between the TNLA and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) in Namkham Township.

The MNDAA, the TNLA, the AA, the KIA, the United Wa State Army (UWSA, the Myanmar Tatmadaw, militia, the People's Defense Force and local defense forces are active in the northern part of Shan State.

CNI News

27 April 2024

Migrant workers including ones from Myanmar whose 4-year MoU have expired must leave Thailand in the end of this month at the latest and if they don't do so, they will be taken action against, warned the Thai authorities, according to the Thai media.

Because the work permit term with four year validity of some migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia will expire on 30th April. 

So, they must leave Thailand before expiry date and if they didn't do so, they would be prosecuted, said deputy spokesperson of the Thai government.

Under the terms of the MOU, migrant workers whose four year contract term have expired needed to leave Thailand for one or two days and then they could re-enter after stamping the seal, U Tun Win Naing, chairman of the Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN), told CNI News.

" The Thai authorizes have warned they will arrest the workers whose MoU will expire don't leave, according to the terms of MoU. It would be convenient if the Myanmar government officials came to Thailand and provide service to Myanmar migrant workers. I've heard that Myanmar government officials will come to Ranong and provide service. Migrant workers have to go to Kawthaung and to stay there for one day and then they have to stamp the seal to show that they have left Myanmar. And then they can re-enter Thailand. The Myanmar government officials will provide service in Ranong, I heard. It will take the workers one week at the latest." he said.

The Thai employers hired migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia under 4-year MoU. The MoU expired in January. So, the Thai authorities have warned the migrant workers to leave Thailand.

However, some Myanmar migrant workers whose MoU expired cancelled their contracts and are working after making work permit cards (Baht Pink Card).

What the Thai authorities said that if migrant workers whose four year MoU expire didn't leave Thailand in the wake of April, they would be taken action against was the claim according to the law and it would be impossible to carry out in practice, Ko Moe Lay, a person who is working in Thailand, told CNI News.

" I see what the Thai authorities said is a threatening phrase because there are so many undocumented people who are working in Thailand. Even so, the arrests have declined a little because the authorities understand and accpet the situation, I think. If they arrest, there are so many undocumented people. Their number is 10 times more than four year MoU workers." he said.

However, the Ministry of Labor of Thailand is collaborating with the governments concerned to make migrant workers whose MoU will expire soon re-renter Thailand without delay reportedly.

Migrant workers covered by the statement could leave from the nearby border gates and if their employers have submitted necessary documents, they could re-enter Thailand as soon as possible, said deputy spokesperson of the Thai government.

CNI News

27 April 2024

There were searches for an answer to end armed conflict and make peace, Padoh Saw Shwe Maung, former chairman of Dooplaya District of the Karen National Union (KNU), told CNI News. 

There were attempts to end the armed conflict in the entire nation including Karen State and at the same time, monks also had sent the letters of request to Karen armed groups, he said.

" We must say they are trying to resolve the problem. Armed conflicts are taking place because they haven't found a right solution. There are attempts to end the war, thinking of various ways. The monks also have sent letters of request to the organizations concerned. And then, more letters which support the letters of request were sent as well. I have to say that they are doing what they can." said Padoh Saw Shwe Maung to CNI News.

While seeing union ethnic people

At present, because of battles that took place in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, the Thai-Myanmar border trade has been suspended. Because the border trade is stopped, it is adversely affecting the entire nation including Karen State and attempts should be made in order to reopen the border trade, said a politician.

The people should release their attitude in order to reduce battles and the political problem could not be resolved by the armed method, Mahn Pyi Aung Soe, chairman of the Karen National Democratic Party, told CNI News.

" Armed organizations should control themselves or give in a little. The people also should release their attitude. The political problem can't be resolved by the armed method. We didn't succeed although we solved the problem in this method for over 70 years. Finding an answer by negotiation is the best." he said.

Padoh Saw Shwe Maung

There has been an agreement between the Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces to abstain from waging battles in Myawaddy Township to designate the township as a non-combat economic zone reportedly.

Because of armed conflicts, border trades have suspended and the people are daily suffering from economic crisis, higher prices, monetary inflation and insecurity.