CNI News

8 March 2024

The amendment of the law regarding political parties by the Union Election Commission was making preparations to seize the properties of political parties kind of, Sai Leik, general secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), told CNI News.

A party which is designated to be void automatically because of not re-applying for party registration or a member of a party who is not lower than the position of a central executive - if one of them broke the Sub-Subsection (4),(5),(6) or (7) of the Subsection (a) of the Section 12, the properties of the party must be deposited to the department or the organization designated by the government in accordance with the way designated, the UEC stated on 5th March, 2024.  

The amendment of the law needed to verify whether a person's action represented the entire organization or not. This was not a fair law, said Sai Leik.

While seeing Sai Leik, general secretary of the SNLD party

" This law, to tell you frankly, is the one that has amended the law they stated in February. If a CEC of a party that doesn't re-register violates a law they have enacted, the property of the party will be seized, according to their law. They should review whether it's reasonable or not. They have to review whether an individual's crime or activity represents the entire organization." he said.

"In my opinion, this is not a reasonable law. No matter it was stated by the UEC or the State Administration Council (SAC), they are looking for a reason to confiscate the property of major political parties that don't re-register." he said to CNI News.

Political Parties Registration Laws and Regulations were stated by the UEC on 31st January 2023 and political parties must register within 60 days, according to the law. However, some parties including the NLD and the SNLD did not re-register.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and leaders of political parties

There was no reason for the criticism of the amended Political Party Registration Law and they had given the list of properties that their party own, U Kyaw Aung, from the Ta'ang National Party (TNP), told CNI News.

" Our party has nothing to criticize it for the time being. As they define. We don't re-register. We have given the list of our party's property including money and office supplies. We don't want to talk about it anymore." he said.

After the UEC had told political parties to re-register, more than 40 political parties have been registered.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC said the census would be taken in 2024 and a general election would be held after which the State power would be handed over to the winning party.

CNI News

8 March 2024

Some factories and workshops in Mae Sot, on the Thai-Myanmar border, were dismissing legal workers for no reason and hiring illegal ones, Ko Thargyi, a person who is helping in the affairs of migrant workers. 

Doing like this was for the interests of factories and workshops and the factories and workshops hired illegal workers, saying labor certificates would be issued and then, their salaries were being underpaid monthly from the time when they started working, he added.

" Because illegal migrant Myanmar people from all walks of life have entered Thailand, employers have dismissed their legal workers in their factories for no reason. A few days ago, a factory that produces glass frames dismissed 70 workers. And then, it has hired workers who entered illegally, asking 2,00 to 3,000 baht for fee for job application. Many problems like that are taking place in Mae Sot." said Ko Thargyi.

While Thai authorities are checking Myanmar workers

Such situations arose because a lot of Myanmar people stay in Mae Sot as well as more and more absconders from Myanmar are entering. Moreover, as Thai citizens realize the administration situation in Myanmar, they were exploiting the situation, those who are helping migrant workers reviewed.

Moreover, Thai authorities are fining Myanmar people who enter Thailand through the No.1 Friendship Bridge between Myawady and Mae Sot with border pass from 1,500 to 3,000 baht reportedly. Although there is no shortage of jobs in border areas in Thailand, many workers are working without having set rights and wages there, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CNI News.

"There are plenty of jobs in areas related to tourism in the season like this. Jobs are available in factories, workshops and farms as well. But those who are working without getting fixed rights and wages have been more." he said.

While seeing a workshop

Thai officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Home Affairs have carried out more strictly monitoring and inspection in wards and townships for the security, he added. 

Although most Myanmar people sneaked into Thailand through Phayathonsu and Myawady-Maesot gateways in the past, Kawthaung-Ranong border gates are being used just now by many Myanmar people who enter Thailand illegally. 

And then, many of them are being arrested reportedly.

CNI News

8 March 2024

If there were armed people on the border trade route, traders could not only encounter obstacles in the way of trade but also experience increases in financial costs, reportedly. 

Discussions are being made in order to re-open China-Myanmar border trade and the State Administration Council (SAC) is talking about not being any armed groups along the border trade route.

" There are gates or check points of seven or eight armed groups on the trade route including the Tatmadaw, the KIA, Shan and Ta'ang. Moreover, there are still checkpoints of armed groups that arise later. We don't have to pay not more than 10,000 at the Tatmadaw's checkpoint. But we have to pay 200,000 kyats at least at the checkpoints of so-called revolutionary organizations. So, because there are so many armed groups on the trade route, it's impossible to make commodity price fall." said U Nay Myo Win, an importer, to CNI News.

While seeing the policemen inspecting the trucks

Because of the money paid to the armed organizations, the traders had to raise the prices and sell to the customers. So, the customers only were mainly affected, said traders. The main border trade routes of Myanmar are Myawady-Thailand, Muse-China, Tamu-India and Rakhine-Bangladesh routes, and all of them are stagnant due to battles.

Trade costs are rising exponentially because armed groups are asking money on the way to Myla and Tachileik border gates in eastern Shan State as well as Kan Pite Tee and Lweje border trade gates in Kachin State.

" Regarding trade, Myanmar is depending on the border trade. As along as you can't make the border trade routes safe and smooth, it's not sure to develop within 10 years to come because Myanmar has no direct trade with Europe and the US. If the trade routes were safe and smooth, exporters would make a reasonable profit, the State's GDP would increase as well and the people can buy goods at a reasonable prices." said U San Naing, a watermelon trader, to CNI News.

While seeing trucks

Although armed groups ask money on the trade routes, any armed group didn't guarantee the security for traders and truck drivers, said truck drivers.

" If armed groups ask money, we must pay them. But no armed group guarantees for our security. No one guarantees what will happen within one mile ahead. We have to go after inquiry for our livelihood." said Ko Htet Naing, a truck driver, to CNI News.

There are Myanmar Tatmadaw, Militia, Border Guard Force, the People's Defense Force, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Arakan Army (AA) on the border trade routes of Myanmar.

CNI News

7 March 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) could shape its goal after the three northern armed groups aka the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA,TNLA and AA) implemented the Operation-1027, U Myo Kyaw from the United Nationalities Alliance, told CNI News.

The AA could shape its goal, confederation and it could carry out administration, legislation and judiciary in the territories that it has captured, he said.

" The AA has expressed the word, confederation since before. They want the confederate that is not less that the status the Wa group has won. We have to keep a close watch on the situation. After the Operation-1027, their goal has been shaped. In other words, they can do a lot in their territory. It's impossible for the Tatmadaw to re-enter the places that it has retreated. We have to watch how the AA will shape a government." he said.

While seeing the AA force

At present, battles are severely breaking out between the AA and the Tatmadaw in Rakhine State and local people are fleeing to safety. The AA made a lot of profit during the Operation-1027 that was launched on 27th October, 2023 and the AA was making efforts to control anymore of territories, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" The AA made a lot of profit from the Operation-1027. Although the Operation-1027 was finished, its goal has not yet been achieved. The TNLA and the MNDAA have just been able to take a foothold from the operation. Because the AA hasn't, it'll have to go on. Its movement doesn't stop, we have to say like this." he said.

The AA had no plan to break away from the union and establish a separate country; the AA had aimed to establish a state that is not lower than the confederation status, said Khaing Thukha, spokesperson of the AA at the press conference held on 4th March 2024.

While seeing Khaing Thukha, information officer of the AA

" We haven't had any plan to build a separate country up to now. We have revealed clearly that we want to get a status that is not lower than the confederation. We won't ask our enemy to get it. We will continue to carry out to surely get it by ourselves." said Khaing Thukha.

Establishing or not establishing a separate country was directly proportional to whether or not they could live together. Moreover, unhappy situation despite living together and the situation in which their people were arrested, tortured and killed must be considered, he said.

After the Operation-1027 was launched, the AA has seized control of Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Myebon, Mrauk U, Taung Pyo Letwe, Minbya, Ponnagyun Towns in Rakhine State and Paletwa and Samee Towns in Chin State.

CNI News

7 March 2024

The current harvesting fee for summer and winter rice paddy has increased by more than 30,000 kyats, according to farmers. 

Although harvesting fee for summer rice paddy was about 100,000 kyats per acre last year, the fee currently has been from 130,000 to 150,000 kyats. However, the price of paddy was about 16 lakh kyats per 100 baskets last year and at present, the price has been 22 lakh kyats. 

So, harvesting fee also increased, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmer Development Association, told CNI News.

"It's no wonder because in the past, harvesting fee was equal to the price of 8 baskets of paddy. Although the fee has increased, it's not more than the price of 8 baskets of paddy now. In comparison with the price of paddy, you can't say the harvesting fee is expensive. At a time like this last year, Thukha (kind of paddy) became about 16 lakhs. But its price has been 22 lakh kyats now. The price of paddy has gone up by 6 lakh kyats on average.”he said.

While harvesting rice

Winter paddy is currently harvested and farmers have started harvesting summer paddy in Ayeyarwady Region. Starting from April, summer paddy will be reaped in all townships reportedly.

Although the cost of harvesting and threshing increased, because the price of rice received by farmers was higher than before, farmers didn't make a loss, said farmers. In the past, because the harvesting was conducted by manpower, it was costlier than at present. In the same way, because the machine maintenance costs are also rising, the current harvesting fee is reasonable, U Aye Naing, a farmer from Bogale Township, told CNI News.

While harvesting rice

" Farmers in Dedaye, Kungyangon and Pyapon have started reaping summer rice. The cost of harvesting and threshing has increased. Maybe it's from 1.2 to 1.5 lakh kyats. It's lower than the price of 10 baskets of grain. So, you can't say that the fee for harvesting and threshing is expensive. 100 baskets of grain can be produced from one acre on which additional cultivation is conducted. We can sell 100 baskets of grain at 20 lakh kyats. If we hire a harvester and thresher machine, it costs us less than using manpower." he said.

The yield of summer grain is good this year and 100 baskets of grain can be produced from an acre. So, although the cost for cultivation on an acre was 15 lakh kyats, according to the current price of grain, farmers can make a profit of 500,000 kyats per acre, said farmers.

CNI News

7 March 2024

The three northern allied groups aka Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA,TNLA and AA) have already signed the ceasefire agreement in northern Shan State, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) announced on 6th March, 2024.

The ceasefire agreement between the National and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) of the State Administration Council (SAC) and the Three Brotherhood Alliance was signed in China on 11th January 2024.

" The Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) signed the Haigin Ceasefire Agreement between the Myanmar military council and the Three Brotherhood Alliance together with its allies with the mediation of China on 11th January 2024 and has conducted ceasefire in the northern parts including Ta'ang region." the TNLA stated.

The three northern allied groups (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) launched the Operation-1027 on 27th October, 2023 and fought against the Tatmadaw's military camps in northern Shan State after which they captured Kokang, Konkyan, Phanugsai, Kunlong, Chin Shwe Haw, Kyucote, Theinni, Kutkai, Namkham, Nansang, Mantong, Namtu and Mong Ngor Townships.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance met and discussed with the SAC on 7th,8th and 9th December, 2023 for the first time and on 23rd December 2023 for the second time and in January, 2024 for the third time and on 1st to 2nd March, 2024.

At present, the TNLA has seized control of Namkham, Mantong, Nansang, Kutkai, Mong Ngor, Namtu and Theinni, and is building administration in the towns. Moreover, the TNLA has demanded the SAC to recognize 12 townships as the territories controlled by the TNLA reportedly.

Taking into account the stability of the socio-economic life of the local people, they went on carrying out the process of ceasefire and conflict reduction, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC on 4th March 2024.

CNI News

7 March 2024

A large number of Myanmar people entered illegally Thailand through the border gates of the two countries and were arrested, those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers told CNI News. 

Although most Myanmar people sneaked into Thailand through Phayathonsu and Myawady-Maesot gateways in the past, Kawthaung-Ranong border gates are being used just now and security operation has been tightened more in the border areas, Ko Thargyi, a person who is helping in the affairs of migrant workers, told CNI News.

" One or two days ago, nearly 100 people were arrested and they were carried on six wheel trucks from Ranong-Kawthaung. Security is more strict at the Maesot-Myawady border area. Check points have become more. There are arrests almost everyday. Not only Myawady-Maesot, other gates such as Phayathonsu, Ranong-Kawthaung, Mae Sai-Tachileik, are also used by a lot of Myanmar people to sneak into Thailand." he said.

While authorities have detained those who entered illegally

Although entering another country illegally was not encouraged, those who sneaked in for many reasons needed to beware of unscrupulous brokers and it was necessary to be careful so as to evade arrests, suggested those who are helping in the affairs of foreign migrant workers. Moreover, Thai authorities are checking factories and workshops and if illegal workers there are found there, they are being arrested reportedly.

Because too many Myanmar people are entering the Thai side, rental fees for hostels and houses are increasing and some are finding it difficult for accommodation, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CNI News.

" Especially, accommodation difficulty takes place in the region such as Maesot. An accommodation whose rental fee was 1,000 baht in the past must be paid 3,000 baht now. The places to be rented have been scarce really. Because of having to report the guest list, it's not easy to rent accommodations. Headmen, local police and authorities are scrutinizing guests." he said.

Moreover, Thai immigration officers are tightening the entry of Myanmar citizens with a border pass whose validity is seven days and instant entry is not allowed. They are allowed to enter only when legal residents recommend reportedly.

CNI News

6 March 2024

The question is being raised among political and military observers if the declaration of martial law by the State Administration Council in Nansang, Mang Ton and Namtu Townships, northern Shan State was aimed to fight against the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). 

The commander of the Northeastern Command empowered to exercise the martial law in the territory of the command including Mantong, Nansang and Namtu townships in order to carry out more effectively security, rule of law, peace and stability in the territory under the section-419 of the constitution, which the SAC stated on 4th March, 2024.

The commander or his military territorial commanders who are handed over responsibilities by the commander could exercise the martial law, said in the statement. 

While seeing the TNLA force

The declaration of martial law was making preparation to re-capture the townships that the TNLA had captured, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" There are not security forces of the SAC in these regions while the commander of the Northern Command has been empowered to exercise the martial law. The commander is still in Lashio. According to the martial law, the commander will impose the laws and conduct trials. The intension of the martial law is that the Tatmadaw has prepared in order to re-capture the territories that it lost control of when the opportunity comes sometime in the future." he said.

 The martial law did not come under pressure because the TNLA was conducting administration, judiciary and legislation in these three townships, he added. On 28th February, 2024, the martial law was declared in Momeik and Mabein Townships, northern Shan State.

While seeing the TNLA force

The martial law has been declared in the 61 townships of Myanmar until on 4th March 2024, according to Data for Myanmar. Some people in the townships are worried that fighting will happen again because of this law. However, the townships are in a regular situation, a Palaung politician, told CNI News.

"For the time being, people in Namtu, Nansang and Mantong are just staying calm. It's normal. The TNLA has not prepared anything. They think that Palaung people mainly live in these three towns only." he said.

The TNLA has captured Namkham, Nansang, Mantong, Mong Lon, Namtu, Mong Ngor and Kutkai during the Operation-1027 that was launched on 27th October, 2023 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance.

CNI News

6 March 2024

The two governments of Myanmar and China only will manage the border trade and gates, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the State Administration Council.

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee of the SAC met and discussed with the three northern alliance groups (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) in Kunming, China from 1st to 2nd March 2024.

After that, the news came out that the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) would take 70 percent of customs duty and the government, 30 percent in the territory that the MNDAA has seized control of especially in the Kokang region from the management of border trade and gates. However, those pieces of news were just false news and if there were armed groups on the border trade route, the border trade couldn't be reopened, which was discussed only.

"As the number one, national territory of our country and sovereignty will continue to firmly exist. As the number two, we are carrying out a ceasefire and conflict reduction process in view of the stability of the socio-economic life of the local people. As the number three, the stability of the border region, rule of law, management of border gates and trade will be under those of the governments of the two countries." said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

The three northern groups implemented the Operation-1027 and has seized control of Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Kyucote, Kunlong, Phaungsai, Chin Shwe Haw, Namtu, Hopang, Theinni, Kutkai, Namkham, Nansang, Mantong and Mong Ngor Towns.

In the same way, battles have been breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State since November, 2023 and the AA has captured Paletwa Township in Chin State and Mrauk U, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Minbya, Kyauktaw, and Ponnagyun Townships in Rakhine State.

Because of these attacks and territorial control, China-Myanmar border trade cannot be opened, the two countries are losing millions of dollars every day. There were some reports that the SAC had to recognize the territorial control at the fourth meeting held from 1st to 2nd March. However, the point regarding recognition was not included in the discussion and the SAC demanded the three northern groups to retreat their troops from the territories they had captured at the meeting.  

The pieces of news that the SAC recognized the territorial control were wrong and they were discussing strengthening the ceasefire, said Dr.Nyo Tun Aung, Deputy Commander in Chief of the AA at the press conference held on 4th March, 2024.