CNI News

12 April 2024

Domestic price of corn is likely to rise a bit in the wake of the Thingyan festival, which traders are reviewing. According to the Thailand's demand of corn, Thailand possibly could purchase Myanmar corn more after the Thingyan period, said corn traders.

Because the price of corn probably could rise in the near future, corn farmers and traders within the country should not sell too much corn in one go so that supply and demand would be balanced and a profitable price would reach, U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairman of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association, told CNI News.

" Thailand has raised the price of corn gradually since a few days ago. Approximately, the price of corn could go up if the Thai side bought Myanmar corn more in the wake of the Thingyan period. In the situation like this, corn farmers and traders within the country should buy corn little by little at a time so that the price will reach a profitable one that we want." he said.

Although people have guesstimated that the price of corm could rise in the wake of the Thingyan period, it would not be convenient for corn traders to buy corn to store, said traders.

While seeing Myanmar corn

A situation in which it is difficult to estimate up and down of the price of corn has arisen and as one could make a loss if one buy corn in advance to store. So, traders are buying and selling corn at a market price, Ko Sai Kham, a corn trader from Tachileik, told CNI News.

" In the previous years, we had paid brokers' sales centers in advance to buy corn. When the price went up, we carried corn to Tachileik. But now we can't do like that. The price Thailand paid declined. Although we thought that the price would go up, it declined. And then we made a loss. So, we do not dare to buy corn in advance. That's why, we buy corn at the market price and we sell it at the market price. Although it's difficult to predict the ups and downs of the price, it would be better if the price went up." he said.

Traders have been allowed to export corn to Thailand with tax exemption from 1st February to 31st August 2024. The price of corn could go up in July and August, 2024 and there would be ups and downs at intervals before July, said traders.

The expansion of corn cultivation in Thailand has increased this year and it is difficult to export corn because of territorial instabilities. Moreover, traders and farmers are waiting for the time when the price of corn will go up. So, there will probably be a lot of corn left within the country, according to corn traders.

CNI News

11 April 2024

The question how much armed conflicts taking place in Myanmar are affecting Thailand is being asked. If there were peace and stability in Myanmar, Thailand would be the most profitable country, said Thai PM Srettha. 

If there were peace and stability in Myanmar, Myanmar migrant workers could go to Thailand to work legally; moreover, products could be mutually exported and at present, discussions were being conducted to mutually export the products, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.

" If there are stability and peace in Myanmar, Myanmar migrant people can go and work in Thailand officially. And then, they can enjoy basic labor rights more. Another thing is border trade between the two countries. The borderline is more than 2,000 Kilometer long between the two countries. In the southern part of the border are businesses and waterways. During the Thingyan, mutual visits have been allowed and then, discussions are being conducted to mutually export products. Due to the current stabilities on the other side of Mae Sot, Thailand is suffering a lot economically. So, the Thai authorities want to make Myanmar stable." he said.

While seeing the Thai-Myanmar border trade gate

There were over three million legal Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, he said. Because battles are breaking out along the Thai-Myanmar border, the Myawady border trade has stopped.

617 troops including families from the Thin Gan Byuha Military Camp under the Southeastern Command of the Tatmadaw in Myawady Township, Karen State surrendered to the Karen National Unity(KNU) a few days ago, the KNU stated on 6th April, 2024.

Most of the Thai products that enter Myanmar come into Myanmar through the Myawady border trade, said traders. Because battles are breaking out along the Thai-Myanmar border, the interests of Thailand including the Thai national security was being affected, U Myo Kyaw, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), told CNI News.

While seeing an armed group

" Revolutionary elements have captured Myawady where arrangements were made for the Thai-Myanmar border trade but also the product coming from other countries. For example, the products from Japan don't enter Myanmar directly. They come from Bangkok through Mae Sot to Myawady. Trade value gained from trade route between Bangkok and Myawady is a very large amount of money. But as the troops of the SAC have retreated, it will affect Thailand to an extent. So, it seems that Thailand wants to negotiate to protect their interests." he said.

Because severe battles are breaking out in Myawady, the Thai army and the Thai Border Guard Force are patrolling and tightening security in Mae Sot, reported in the Thai media.

The Thai-Myanmar borderline is over 1,300 miles long and a lot of revolutionary forces as well as the Karen National Union (KNU), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA), the United Wa State Party (UWSP/UWSA), the New Mon State Party (NMSP) have been active along the Thai-Myanmar border.

CNI News

11 April 2024

The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) and the group of elected Hluttaw representatives said in a letter sent on 8th April 2024 to the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) that it could not attend the second People's Conference (5th day) led by the NUCC.

The People's Conference led by the NUCC was held from 4th to 6th April and the conference was extended for another two days. However, the conference was one day off on  8th April and confirmed to hold on 9th April as the last day.

Because the NUCC tried to confirm the five points that the CRPH did not agree, the CRPH would not attend the conference to be held on 9th April, said in the the letter. 

The NUCC tried to confirm the points beyond the provisions included in the part (2) of the federal democratic charter; it tried to confirm the point beyond the agendas that were distributed in advance; the NUCC tried to reform and confirm the particulars the chairman decided to record at an agenda of the conference; Additional proposals that were not included in the original program at the conference that are needed to take time and discuss among the groups concerned and some representatives of the conference failed to comply with the rules and regulations laid down by the conference, said in the letter.

If the particulars in the letter were analyzed, cooperation among the opposition elements would be found to be weak, and it seemed that they were giving priority to the public support without thoroughly discussing the political process, pointed out political analysts.

The CRPH is a committee which is made up of the Hluttaw representatives who won in the 2020 general election and most of them were from the NLD and are included in the National Unity Government as well.

CNI News

11 April 2024

When departmental officials submit pieces of information relating to trade, investment and other business activities to relevant ministry levels, if the pieces of information were wrong without being consistent with the ground conditions, the economy of the country may be affected, considered economic analysts.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council, told a Russian News Agency that Myanmar's economy was on an upward trajectory several days ago. 

Because of the speech, it was a matter of thinking whether the pieces of information received by top officials of the SAC was really correct or not, pointed out businessmen and economic analysts.

While seeing the exports

If the pieces of information regarding trade and investment were wrong, the decisions about those activities may be wrong and it was dangerous to the economy of the country, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

"It is important to get the statistics right. The first step is data. Only after the data are translated, they have become information. Only after putting that information in the system and reviewing it, that review is right. If the review is wrong, all the remaining things will be wrong. It is dangerous." he said.

Moreover, if the data related to import and export were wrong, insurance of import and export licenses may be increased or declined, said traders.

If it happened like that, traders and businessmen could experience losses and delays. Because the Ministry of Commerce had reduced the number of export licenses, exporters were finding it difficult, U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairman of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association, told CNI News.

" Traders find it difficult to export. An export license has limited the amount of export. For example, if you want to export corn, the number of tons you will export has been limited. So, we find it difficult to load the corn onto the ship because a larger ship can hold twenty thousand tons and above, but a smaller one, two or three thousand tons. So, if you have to use a larger ship, you'll find it difficult." he said.

While seeing the lower class

Although an export license was allowed to export over 20,000 tons in the past, about 3,000 tons only have been allowed to export now reportedly. 3,000 tons of goods are just fit for a domestic coastal vessel and there is a wide gap between a domestic coastal vessel and a larger ship used for export abroad, that can hold until 20,000 tons.

It was not east to get correct statistics related to trade from the departments at present because the right statistics were not be available in the past, said economic analysts.

It was necessary for departmental officials to present not only right data and information but also pieces of information on the reality of the current Myanmar economy to the Chairman of the SAC, pointed out businessmen.

CNI News

10 April 2024

Religious leaders made a request to stop battles breaking out in Kayin State and make peace, said in a letter that was sent to General Saw Johnny, Commander in Chief of the  Karen National Union (KNU)/ the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) by Christian leaders and Buddhist monks within Karen State. 

The title of the letter was a special request for peace and it was sent on 5th April 2024.

Buddhist monks within Karen State discussed at the Lamin Priyatti Sar Thin Daik, a monastery where Buddhist Scriptures are taught to monks, in Hlaingpon Village, Hlagadown Village Tract, Pa-an Township, Karen State.

While seeing the special request of religious leaders

After that, Buddhist monks and Christian religious leaders met in Gyar Taw Ya Monastery in Pa-an City and sent the Special Request letter to the Commander in Chief of the KNLA General Saw Johnny.

Because religious leaders want (1) peace within the entire nation (2) absolute unity (3) everlasting peace, Buddhist monks in Karen State made a special request to free from the damage of religious buildings, roads, bridges, schools, lives and properties of the public and the troubles of the IDPs due to the battles breaking out in Karen State, said in the letter.

While seeing the special request of religious leaders

Moreover, stakeholders involved in the armed conflict should collaborate in building the everlasting peace in a peaceful manner as a show of humanitarian, said in the request letter.

Battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KNLA/PDF joint forces in Karen State. 

Due to these battles, houses are being burnt; local people are fleeing to safety; border trade routes are interrupted and commodity prices are going up.

CNI News

10 April 2025

CNA has maintained a policy that will crush down other armed groups so as not to enable other armed groups to exist any more, Eastern Division Director Puzothang from the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) told CNI News. 

The ZRA had got ready to make a political dialogue and the Chin National Front (CNF) had maintained a policy that it alone must exist in Chin State, he said.

" We are always ready to discuss politically. But the CNF isn't. Because they armed first, they don't try to negotiate with other armed groups in Chin State. They have maintained the policy that their organization alone must exist in Chin State and that it will crush down other armed groups. We told them to show self-control among our ethnic groups during the democratic revolutionary period. They don't negotiate politically. The Tatmadaw and the CNF come and attack our territory." he said to CNI News.

While the Zomi Revolutionary Army

The fighting broke out between the ZRA and the CNF a few days ago in Tedim Township, Chin State and any more of battles could take place, he said. Although CNI News.

made a phone call to Salai Htet Ni, spokesperson of the CNF to know more about the ZRA's speech, he made no answer.

The ZRA was carrying out for the stability of its region, but the CNF was giving military training to their ethnic people and has been active, said Puzothan.

While the Chin National Front (CNF) force

"The Chin National Army/ Chin National Front (CNA/CNF) is giving military training among our ethnic groups and the CNA/CNF asks their armed groups to attack our Zomi region." he said.

Battles often break out the CNA/CNF and the Eastern Division (ZRA). The ZRA has been active in Tonzan, Tedim in Kachin as well as Kalay and Tamu Townships in Sagaing Region, Kabaw Valley region and area near the India-Myanmar border.

The CNF is an EAO that has signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement(NCA) whose headquarters is located in Thantalan, and has been active in Hakha, Tedim and Matupi.

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.

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.

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.