CNI News

23 February 2024

The cultivation area may decrease in the next corn planting season because the profits are low from corn, according to corn farmers. As the local corn price depends on the ups and downs of the global corn price, local corn price is falling.

Because the price of corn at the port of Yangon is only 1,100 kyats per viss, farmers get only 900 to 1,000 kyats per viss, said farmers. As it will be convenient for farmers to get 1,200 kyats per viss, farmers might grow other crops in the corn growing season. So, corn cultivation.

So, corn cultivation could be reduced by about one third, Ko Min Khaing, a corn farmer from Ayeyarwady Region, told CNI News. 

While seeing a corn wholesale center (Xinhua)

"If the corn price is not good this year, corn cultivation acres could be reduced a lot. Farmers don't make a profit because the inputs are expensive. So, farmers will grow other crops instead. In any case, farmers can make a proper profit only when they can sell their corn at 1,200 to 1,250 kyats per viss. Corn cultivation may be reduced by about one third in Ayeyarwady Region."he said.

The cost for an acre of corn cultivation was over 10 lakh kyats and the money returned is only nearly 20 lakhs. So, that amount of money could not cover the wages and inputs that were invested and the cost for replanting, said farmers.

Corn farmers in northern Shan State found it difficult to reap the corn due to the battles this year and because of difficult transportation, they had to sell the corn at a lower price reportedly. 

While seeing a corn wholesale center (Xinhua)

Because farmers may lose due to the current drop in corn prices, in the coming corn planting season, corn cultivation could be reduced by half, U Kyaw Moe, secretary of the Northern Shan State Corn Industrial Association, told CNI News. 

" In my opinion, corn cultivation could be reduced by 40 or 50 percent. They will grow corn in the end because they have no alternative but to grow corn. The corn cultivation will surely be reduced by half.”he said.

Green peas and green gram could be grown instead of corn in the coming corn growing season reportedly. Corn is grown most in northern and southern Shan State, and Ayeyarwady Region. 

Corn is grown a little in the western part of Bago Region, Naypyidaw, Mandalay Region, Magway Region and Kachin State.

CNI News

23 February 2024

The National Unity Government (NUG) should approach the Thai Government politically and humanitarianly for Myanmar youths who will flee to Thailand because the People's Military Service Law has been approved in Myanmar, the people who are helping workers told CNI News. 

Many youths are making efforts to leave for Thailand because they don't want to perform the military service.

In the situation like that, when Myanmar youths get to Thailand, security, job opportunities and other issues that they might encounter should be highlighted by the NUG to make Thailand and the international community know them, U Moe Kyaw, associate general secretary of Yaung Gyi Oo Labors Organization, told CNI News.

While seeing the NUG

" Myanmar youths are trying to leave for Thailand because they don't want to perform the military service. But because they are still young, those young people may lose opportunities to continue their education. How will Thailand receive them not to lose those opportunities. They are being called new arrival. What is Thai attitude towards new arrivals? The NUG should politically approach Thailand and the international community in order that they can provide humanitarian aids to the youths and the NUG will have to try to reach a state where the youths can live and work in line with human dignity, I'd like to tell it." he said.

However, Thai PM said a few days ago that Myanmar citizens who will enter Thailand illegally would be taken action against and those who would come legally would be welcome. 

Possibility or impossibility to discuss with Thailand regarding migrant Myanmar people who would soon arrive in Thailand depended on the NUG's activity, those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers pointed out.

While the Thai authorities are arresting and inspecting Myanmar citizens

If the NUG could help and protect Myanmar migrants, it would be good beyond measure, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.

" First, battles are breaking out in Myanmar. So, people are going to safe places. Next, the case that Myanmar citizens in the foreign countries must transfer 25 percent of their salaries to Myanmar. And then, a problem that a mandatory military service law has been approved has arisen in Myanmar. There are problems in various ways. It is a concern for the local public. Consider these as long-term projects for the people and if they can find ways to benefit the people, it will be better." he said.

There are many Myanmar people entering Thailand illegally at present and there are also daily arrests reportedly. Moreover, several hundreds of Myanmar people are waiting in line at the Thai Embassy to get visas and visa applications have increased significantly, according to the statements by the Thai Embassy.

CNI News

23 February 2024

Politicians still could not solve the national problem at present, Dr.Nyo Nyo Thin, chairperson of the Yangon Watch Group, told CNI News. 

The current situation was one in which politicians could not mediate the organizations involved in the conflict and attempts to mediate were being criticized, she said.  

"Political leaders who are standing in the middle can't persuade any side. As soon as they tell one side, they are accused of being supporting another side. They are attacked. Their lives are threatened. They are worried about the security of their families. For the time being, politicians haven't been able to solve the problem for the future of the country. Most of the people who are Buddhists, in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha, need to believe something only after investigating for themselves without believing what others say. The public should not believe what organizations say without verification." she said to CNI News.

Saying that the NLD party was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute that took place in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February 2021 and it has taken the State power after declaring the state of emergency.

the Bamar People's Liberation Party

After that, democratic elements waged an armed resistance and armed conflicts are taking place across the country. Due to the conflicts, the country is facing crises in politics, economy, health, education and so on.

 All the stakeholders involved in the conflict should meet and discuss and the people are getting into trouble a lot, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) told CNI News.

"The public is also facing many problems. If a battle broke out, the people from the place where the battle broke out would be killed. We want both sides including EAOs, PDFs and the Tatmadaw to end or reduce all the battles. Attacking the military camps is not much of a problem. But attacking towns and villages is making the public suffer. In any case, we want the battles to be reduced. We want both sides to meet and discuss to reduce the battles." he said.

the Chin National Front (CNF)

Due to armed conflict that started on 1st February, 2021, the people are facing livelihood difficulties, transportation disruptions, territorial insecurity and monetary inflation.

Although the international community including some EAOs, some political parties and the ASEAN is trying to solve the problems, it has not been able to be resolved.

CNI News

22 February 2024

The price of real estate in Thanlyin has doubled that of last year because the Thanlyin No.3 Bridge, a bridge over the Bago River, that is being built with the help of Japan and that connects Thaketa Township with Thanlyin Township has been completed more than 90 percent, according to Thanlyin real estate brokers.

A land lot whose price was more than 3,000 lakh kyats in the past has been over 7,000 lakh kyats now, Daw Juu Juu from Juu Juu Real Estate told CNI News.

" Because of this bridge, real estate sales increased. The sales in Thanlyin are more than other places. We had to provide service for about six times of sales this month. In comparison with the real estate prices in north Dagon, the prices in Thanlyin are still low. So, many affordable persons are coming and buying real estate in Thanlyin. They don't make a loss. A land lot whose price was more than 3,000 lakh kyats in the past has been over 7,000 lakh kyats now. Its area is 4,800 square feet (80'-60'). A land lot that was paid over 3,000 lakh kyats about 10 months ago can be sold at over 7,000 lakh kyats now. I provided service to buy that land lot at at 3,150 lakh kyats at that time." she said.

The Clock Tower in the center of Thanlyin

More transaction took place at Aung Chan Thar, Myoma Zay, Myo Haung Wards and the area outside the town that have permit, slip and grant land lots and the price of a land lot (20'-60) including house is from 1,000 to 6,000 lakh kyats reportedly. 

In addition, the price of real estate in Thane has increased more than last year and more transaction also is taking place this year. There are almost no land lots in Aung Chan Thar Ward, heart of Thanlyin reportedly.

Gardening land and farm land are less traded, but these lands are worth about 200,000 to 300,000,000 kyats. So, those who can afford a small amount of money are selling those land lots, said real estate agents.

Thanlyin's flagship 'Kyaik Khauk Pagoda'

Due to the scarcity of grant land in and around Thanlyin City, and but because of the abundance of permit and slip land, a person who want buy a land lot should buy it only after consulting with a skilled lawyer and inspecting data regarding the land ownership at the land registry office, Daw Myo Thwe, a real estate agent, told CNI News.

" Those who will buy land lots should go and carefully inspect what kind of land is at the land registry office together with a skilled lawyer. Most of land lots are grant land in north Dagon. There are not a lot of grant land in Thanlyin.  Permit and slip land lots are more. As the prices become higher, it's necessary so as not to be wrong in buying land lots." she said.

If the building of No.3 Bridge was finished, transportation would be smooth because the traffic jams that were taking place on the No-1 Briidge would be resolved. And then, investments local and abroad would increase in the Thanlyin Special Economic Zone.

CNI News

22 February 2024

As the number of people who contacted and enquired to leave Myanmar for foreign countries was increasing, overseas employment agencies was scrutinizing and accepting workers, the agencies told CNI News. 

Because there were too many in-person and phone inquiries every day, Daw Myat Hayman Lin, managing director of Pwint Phoo Aung Overseas Employment Agency told CNI News.

" We have to scrutinize and accept people more than before. Our agency send those who really want to work only. If they can't work after they arrive abroad, the agency will be discredited. We can't say for sure whether this business will stop or not. Because it is really a business that is running again. We don't want to fail in customer service. So, we are scrutinizing and accepting those who want to go abroad." she said.

Most of the people who want to go abroad targeted Thailand and as a second priority, they have chosen Japan and Malaysia reportedly. The reason why the people want to go to Thailand and Malaysia is because they don't have to sit for language test to enter those countries, according to the agencies.

While seeing an overseas employment agency

Most of the people who came to the agencies and inquired wanted to go abroad as soon as possible reportedly. 

The agencies that officially send workers to foreign countries needed to take time and there was no country where people could go to as soon as possible, U Myat Thu, general secretary of the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF) told CNI News.

" The youths are very keen on going abroad for the time being. If we can't send them abroad, they go to other agencies. Some of youths are sent abroad through illegal channels by brokers. Many youths are illegally sent abroad, I think. When young people hire agencies to go abroad, agencies have to take time to follow rules and regulations. If we send MoU workers, we tend to take 90 days. As we have to submit documents from the two countries, we have to take time. Some youths might go abroad through illegal channels." he said.

While seeing the office of the Department of Labor

Overseas employment agencies are accepting those who want to go abroad if there are demand letters and there has been an increase in the number of people who come and inquire to go abroad after the People's Military Service Law was approved, according to overseas employment agencies.

The number of licensed overseas employment agencies was 541 in Myanmar in the end of January, 2024 and before the end of February, 6 more agencies were added.

So, the total number of licensed foreign employment agencies has reached 547, according to the Ministry of Labor.

CNI news

22 February 2024

Military and political analysts are reviewing and discussing about how spacious territory dominance of the revolutionary forces that are fighting against the Tatmadaw is. 

EAOs and PDFs that are fighting against the Tatmadaw have dominated more than 60 percent of Myanmar's territory, said Daw Zin Mar Aung, Foreign Minister of the National Unity Government (NUG).

She said the above at the International Security Conference held in Munich, Germany from 16th to 18th February 2024.

It was necessary to re-examine the speech on territory dominance and only when a territory could be governed like "Wa", then could it be said that it was territorial dominance, said a political commentator to CNI News.

While seeing the NUG

" According to their opinion, there might be several kinds of territorial dominance. But the meaning of territorial dominance is, for example, like Wa that can systematically rule in its state. Civil administration is also in its hands. It can stand on its own. So, it can dominate its territory. But in a land where both adversaries exist, who can be said to dominate the land? So, I'd like to tell them to re-examine their interpretation." he said to CNI News.

After the Tatmadaw took the State power on 1st February 2021, along with the protest against the Tatmadaw, democratic elements started an armed resistance. At present, battles are breaking out across the country. 

The territorial dominance of the revolutionary forces was the reality and they had dominated urban suburbs and rural areas, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the Kokang force

" This is the reality that revolutionary forces have been able to dominate the territories especially urban suburbs and rural areas. General speaking, the places in towns the military council troops have not yet occupied, urban suburbs and more rural areas have been dominated by the revolutionary forces. You must say that the Kokang region has been liberated. In the rest of the states and regions, there will definitely be areas dominated by EAOs. But the revolutionary forces have not been able to threat the urban areas." he said.

At present, the battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and some EAOs/PDFs joint forces in Karen, Kayah (Karenni), Rakhine, Chin States, Sagaing and Magway Regions.

The revolutionary forces have captured 49 towns among 330 townships in Myanmar after the Operation-1027 was launched on 27th October, 2023 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA,MNDAA and TNLA), they have stated.

CNI News

21 February 2024

The trucks that were being stuck in Kyin San Kyawt, China-Myanmar border trade gate have been allowed to take out, according to truck drivers. 

Trucks that were used in  the border trade were stuck in Kyin San Kyawt by the hundred due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State in October, 2023.

The Kokang force has allowed the owners to take out their trucks at present and the truck are being taking out from Lweje and Kan Pite Tee border trade gates in Kachin State through Chinese territory. It cost owners from 50 to 70 lakh kyats if they took out one of their trucks, Ko Thitsar, a truck owner, told CNI News.

" It's convenient. In fact, we have to hire an agent from the Chinese side and then we have to drive to Lweje. Although Kokang force allows to take out the trucks, because we have to drive through the Chinese territory, we have to pay the tax to China. You have to pay from 50 to 70 lakh kyats to take your truck to Kan Pite Tee." he said.

When taking out trucks loaded with imported goods, first the trucks are driven to Muse and the goods are put in the warehouses there. And then the trucks are driven back to the Chinese side and the trucks are to be taken out from Lweje after passing the Chinese territory reportedly.

Trucks that enter from the border

There were about 500 trucks that were stuck in Kyin San Kyawt and on the Chinese side. But now there are only about 50 percent of trucks left to take out, Ko Kyaw Aung, a truck driver, told CNI News.

" We have to wait for our trucks from Kan Pite Tee and Lweje. We have to pay about 70 lakh kyats to take our truck there. There are Chinese agents that provide service to drive and send it to us. But there are no goods in the truck. The trucks that were stuck on the Chinese side and the ones that were stuck in 105 Mile camp - a total of trucks that were stuck are between 300 and 500. Half of them are left to take out." he said.

However, some truck owners are finding it difficult because the traders don't take responsibility to take out the trucks loaded with import goods reportedly.

Due to the battles in northern Shan State during the Operation-1027 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, over 100 trucks that were stuck in Kyin San Kyawt were burnt and lost.

CNI News

21 February 2024

Myanmar people should be careful because Thai PM Srettha has said that Myanmar people who would come illegally to Thailand would be taken action against, those helping in the affairs of Myanmar workers said.

If Myanmar citizens came to Thailand legally, they would be welcome and if they came illegally, they would be taken action against and regarding it, negotiations had been conducted with security agencies, said Srettha.

Although those who came to Thailand were taken action against since before, because Thai PM expressed like that, the checks probably would be tightened in the border areas, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.

While Myanmar citizens who illegally entered Thailand have been arrested

"The reason why Thai PM said like that is they seem to be worried that there will be a shortage of jobs for their citizens. If the workers who will enter work by all means, they are worried that their citizens will face a short of jobs. The current jobless rate of Thailand is just one percent. According to their law, the jobs that migrant workers will have to do have been designated. Myanmar workers are not allowed to do the jobs of most Thai citizens. But I was surprised a bit because Thai PM said like that." he said.

At a time when visa applications to leave for Thailand are on the rise obviously after the People's Military Service Law that was approved, Thai PM has warned. 

Although the Pheu Thai Party and the Thai government prioritize the economy, he was also addressing the concern that Myanmar migrant workers would rob the job opportunities of Thai citizens, Thai PM added.

Although Myanmar workers entered Thailand legally or illegally since the previous period of political stability in Myanmar, there was more illegal entry by Myanmar nationals after the political changes in Myanmar in 2021, those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers, said.

While seeing a Thai security force that is monitoring the Myanmar border

After the mandator military service law was approved in Myanmar, illegal entry may increase more than before, they said.

"There may be more security measures at the borders because Thai PM expressed has warned. Checks can be conducted strictly. You can do processes to help young people there and participate in the Spring Revolution. Otherwise if you try to enter Thailand illegally, you will be inspected at the border checkpoints and your dignity will be affected. Young people need to think carefully about how to choose the best one." said U Moe Kyaw, associate general secretary of the Yaung Gyi Oo Labor Organization to CNI News.

Although Thailand still needs labor force from neighboring countries, legal procedures must be followed, said Thai PM. 

Currently, there has been an increase in the number of Myanmar people who is entering Thailand illegally and there are daily arrests. However, several hundreds of Myanmar people are waiting in line to get visas at the Thai Embassy in Yangon.

Moreover, centers for supporting humanitarian aids to refugees from Myanmar will be open in Kayin State and Maesot within one months by cooperation between Thailand and Myanmar,  said Thai FM.

CNI News

20 February 2024

The authorities concerned should find an answer to the reason why the people are worried about the people's military service law that has been approved, politicians pointed out. 

The People's Military Service Law that was imposed in 2010 by the State Law and Order Restoration Council as Law No.27/2010 must come into effect starting from February 2024, the State Administration Council stated.

It would take a long time to implement the law and because the law was stated at a time like that, the people were worried about it, Naing Than Shwe, spokesperson of the Mon Unity Party (MUP), told CNI News.

" The people are so worried about the military service law. But I don't think it has been implemented for the time being because it can't be implemented at once. If it is implemented gradually in accordance with the rules and regulations, it will take a bit long. But it has been stated suddenly, the people are worried so much." he said.

According to the mandatory military service law, men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 must perform the military service for up to two years and specialists such as doctors aged 18 to 45 must serve for three years.

While seeing troops of Myanmar Tatmadaw

Non-Burman ethnic youths are making preparations to join their EAOs and Burman youths are also making preparations to join the revolutionary forces. At the same time, some youths are making preparations to go abroad.

All young men who could serve in the military would not be called up and forced to serve in the military; there was nothing to worry, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) told CNI News.

" They are worried because they don't know about it thoroughly. In fact, there's nothing to worry. 5000 people only will be called at one time as recruits. Only 18 people will be called up in one township. All the 13 million young people eligible to do military service won't be called up. Not much to worry about. But due to media and agitations, the public is frightened. People who actually understand it or those who can think it over won't be worried." he said.

Not every youth who was covered by the people's military service law would be recruited, Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC, said on 14th February 2024.

" Here what I want to tell you firmly about the people's military service law and the reserve force law is that not everyone that applies to the law will be called up. There is no reason to do so. As the Prime Minister, he had explained these issues with special emphasis during his meeting with political parties," he said.

The People's Military Service Law that was approved on 10th February 2024 will be implemented in late April, 2024 and 5,000 people will be called up for the Training Course No.1 reportedly.