CNI News
10 February 2024

Due to difficult transportation in the current avocado season, it is difficult to export avocado and Myanmar avocado can be exported to Thailand alone, according to the Myanmar Avocado Association.

Although Myanmar avocado was being exported to Thailand through border route, traders made a loss and farmers could not sell at a profitable price, Ko Kyaw Soe Min, secretary of the Myanmar Avocado Exporters Association, told CNI News.

" We must export avocado whether we can sell it at a profitable price or not because it's kind of marketable greens. It can't be kept for long. Coffee can be kept for long. We can't export avocado to other countries except for Thailand. We can use the border route only to export. As the traders make a loss, they can't buy avocado at a higher price from the farmers. We have expected to export about 250 tons of avocado including Hass." he said.

Although Myanmar avocado is exported to China, Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, Singapore, India and Vietnam, this year it can be exported to Thailand alone.

Moreover, India offered to buy 1,000 tons of avocado from Myanmar in July, 2023, Myanmar cannot export because it is not convenient to ship by sea or through border routes.

In exporting avocado to Thailand, because of difficult transportation, when traders are late to buy avocados, the fruits tend to be overripe.

Although one kilogram of avocado could be sold at 8,000 kyats last year, but this one kilogram is paid just 5,000 kyats at most, Khun Arkar, chairman of the Kyauktalone Township Avocado Association in southern Shan State, told CNI News.

" In the early season, avocados of high quality can be sold at 3,000 or 4,000 kyats a kilo. But avocados of low quality, 1,000 or 1,500 kyats a kilo. When the buyer are late to buy because of difficult transportation, many fruits falls this year. In the past, avocados can be sold at from 4,000 to 8,000 kyats a kilo. When avocados are scarce, the price goes up a bit. In the middle of the season, avocados are cheap. The highest price is just 5,000 kyats." he said.

In Myanmar, there are 25,000 acres of avocado plantation and  it is grown in Shan State, Mandalay Region, Chin State, Sagaing Region, Kachin State and Kayah State. In Myanmar, about 3,000 tons of avocados yielded in the 2022-23 fiscal year.

CNI News
10 February 2024

Due to rising fuel prices, travel expenses of domestic and foreign tourists have increased from 10 to 20 percent, U Naung Naung Han, chairman of Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

When the fuel prices increased again after the tours had been sold, because tourism industries could no longer ask for more money from tourists, the tourism industries were finding it difficult, he said.

" We have to calculate the prices in advance. Prices have to be calculated 6 months or one year in advance. But As the fuel prices have risen. Car rental prices have also gone up a lot. So, prices have been high in tourism. Especially in the rural areas, the availability of fuel is not certain in some places. Car rental prices have to be estimated." said U Naung Naung Han to CNI News.

At present, due to not only high prices of fuel but also unavailability of the fuel in some places, prices of hotel rooms have gone up because generators have to be used for electricity and a hotel room whose price was 50,000 kyats in the past has been 70,000 kyats now reportedly.

While seeing tourists at the beach

As few tourists enter the regions where battles are breaking out, salaries are reduced to half on the basis of working 10 days and taking 10 days off, according to hotel operators.

So, as there are more and more people traveling in groups with their own plans, the development of tourism has declined, tourism and hotel entrepreneurs review.

Because of the Chinese New Year when there are few tourists who come back home, hotel industries in northern Shan State where battles are taking place are allowing tourists to stay, reducing prices, U Zaw Zaw, Northern Shan State Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

While seeing tourists on the U Bein Bridge

" In our northern Shan State, we can buy fuel, but it's more expensive. the price is 3,000 kyats a liter. A high price like that can damage the tourism to an extent. In fact, if the fuel prices decline, car rental fees will decrease and then more and more tourists will travel. At present, tourism has dropped quite a bit. It can damage a lot in the long run." he said.

If the relevant ministry designates a quota of fuel for tourism, the tourism sector is likely to rise again, tourism and hotel operators review.

Although local tourists are going to Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake and beach areas at present, there has been a decline in the number of tourists.

However, domestic tourism may rise slightly in the end of February and in March, according to Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.

CNI News

9 February 2024

While the preparations were made to hold the Kachin National Revolution Day in Kutkai, northern Shan State, the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA) prevented  the celebration and the Kutkai Kachin Messenger Association objected the TNLA's prevention, the association stated on 6th February, 2024.

In commemoration of 63rd anniversary of the Kachin National Revolution Day that fell on 5rh February, while Kachin people in Kutkai were hoisting Kachin national flags in the courtyards of their home, some TNLA troops entered and prevented the celebration, broke the flagpoles, tore off the flags, took the flags away and kicked the flagpoles, saying according to the above order, said in the statement.

After saying that the TNLA attacked and captured Kutkai, the TNLA troops ordered and treated Kachin people like a dictator. Moreover, the troops threatened aiming guns at the unarmed people, said in the statement.

The issue should be resolved by the responsible leaders of both sides as soon as possible, a former member of the Hluttaw told the CNI news agency.

" If the superiors coordinate with each other quickly, it will be convenient, I think. We have to worry even if there will be racial issues. Now, villagers don't dare to go home. 25 percent only of the villagers went home, I think. We don't want racial issues. We don't want to comment about the military affairs. It will better if the TNLA and the KIA negotiate." he said.

While seeing the TNLA force

After the KIA had raised flags in the Ta'ang monasteries in Namphekka in the past, there were tensions between the two ethnic groups, he added.

The TNLA troops despised the three-fingered sign that is a symbol of the Spring Revolution and said even though the people raise three fingers, they would have to live under the TNLA and these actions were protested on behalf of Kachin people in Kutkai, said in the statement released by the Kutkai Kachin Messenger Association.

As armed organizations should exercise restraint, considering for the public, a Kachin ethnic told CNI News.

 " It's very important to armed organizations to exercise restraint. Rather than arguing who is right or who is wrong, it is very important to bring the public the truth after thinking it over." he said.

The Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA), the People Defense Force (PDF), the Tatmadaw and militia including the KIA and the TNLA are active in norther Shan State.

CNI News

9 February 2027

2024 was a landmark year that the Tatmadaw would be completely annihilated, said Mahn Win Khaing Than, Prime Minister of the National Unity Government (NUG) at the Union Hluttaw meeting. 

The NUG would carry out to ensure that political, economic and social sectors are stable and transitional period beyond the rule of the Tatmadaw arrives smoothly and to bring the culprits to trial, he said.

" In the year of 2024 that we will completely annihilate the military council, I'd like to make a promise in front of the people's representatives that we'll work hard to make our alliances stronger, to have the ability to connect with all forces with the same purpose, to be able to build foundations for a genuine federal democracy, to make the politic, economic, social sectors stable beyond the rule of the military council, to ensure the transitional period to arrive smoothly, to bring the culprits to court. In 2021, we started opposing the military dictatorship. In 2022, our resistance began to strengthen. In 2023, we gathered our revolutionary forces. 2024 has been designated as milestone year to completely overthrow the terrorist military dictatorship. For that, our government is ready to cooperate with all allies to the best of our ability." said Mahn Win Khaing Than.

While seeing the NUG

To make the military dictatorship die out and to establish a federal democratic union were included in the consensus announced by the NUG on 31st January, 2023.

The consensus was agreed among the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the Chin National Front (CNF) and they must continue to try to reach consensus with ethnic alliance organizations, said Duwa Lashila, Acting President of the NUG.

Democratic elements waged armed resistance with protesting against the Tatmadaw after it has taken the power on 1st February 2021.

He wanted the stakeholders to find an answer in sympathy with the people who are suffering various crises, U Kyi Myint, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar Tatmadaw

“There must be a slogan like that. But the slogan might not be realized. It might be implemented as well. As the opinion of people who don't take side with any organization like us, we want all the stakeholders to get an answer in sympathy with the people who are suffering. The people are facing death and famine in various forms. We are sorry for them." he said.

At present, the battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and some EAO/PDF joint forces across the country and due to these battles, the people are suffering from economic crisis, travel difficulties and daily insecurity.

CNI Article

Written by Chit Min Tun

9 February 2024

As soon as you talk about the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), most of the people tend to mix up with the Shanni militia. The SNA is different from the Shanni militia and so are their positions.  

The Shanni armed group that is active in Karmine-Tarlawgyi region is the Shanni militia. However, it is not named as the Shanni militia and is called Tarlawgyi militia or indigenous militia. 

There are three kinds of militia. The first is an armed group that has changed from a revolutionary ethnic armed group after making peace with the Tatmadaw. 

The second is an armed group that is formed in order to protect thieves and robbers and the third, an armed group that is formed by the Tatmadaw in order to protect some ethnic armed groups and other elements that destabilize with various objectives. 

Without including in these three kind of groups, ethnic armed groups that are fighting against the Tatmadaw are called EAOs. Among the EAOs is the SNA and an independent organization without being under any organization.

So, all the Shanni armed groups are different from one another and some are EAOs and others, militias.

While seeing the joint KIA-PDF force

The above-mentioned particulars are explained based on the facts and information collected from my research in relation to regarding the SNA as the Shanni militia.

I'd like to present based on the facts I have collected about the emergence of the SNA, where it' been active,  what its aim is and how it's important in Sagaing Region whose stability is weak.

The SNA was built on 5th July, 1989. Although it was not strong when it was built, but now it's been able to be active in several territories. At present, the SNA has been made up of four brigades.

Its Brigade-753 has been active in Homalin, Phaung Byin, Pinlebu, Shwe Pyi Aye Townships as well as along the Chindwin River near to the border of Mingin Township in Sagaing Region. 

Its Brigade-972 has been active from Namdaw Sanpya Village in Homalin Township to the region along Uru Creek, Sezin-Hparkant region, the region along the Indawgyi Lake and Karmine region.

Its Brigade-891 has been active in Thaungthut, Mawlike Towbship, Thanan Myothit on the other side of Chindwin River, Tamu, Kalay Townships and the area bordering with India. Its Brigade-614 has been active in Banmauk, Indaw Township, the area bordering with Wuntho Township and along the railway to Kachin State.

While seeing Shanni ethnic people

The battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces, causing damage to the regional stability. So, the SNA also became responsible not only for the peace and stability of the Shanni region but also for protecting the various ethnic groups in the region.

The five political objectives of the SNA are (1) the SNA will protect the local people from armed groups who bully and dominate, (2) the SNA will protect against the dangers of drugs, (3) All-round development of the people in the region including health, education, economy, agriculture and livestock, and the promotion of social life will be carried out, (4) natural environment in the region will be protected and preserved, and (5) the SNA will work together with other nationalities in building a federal union based on equal rights and self-determination. 

So, the SNA will have to consider in order to protect the regional stability and local people.

So, is the SNA going to be on the Tatmadaw's side in the battles between the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces? Is it going to be on the the KIA?PDF's side. Or is it going to be without any side. 

It will have to seriously consider about it because there will be good and bad in any one of two choices. The Tatmadaw will control the movement of the KIA/PDF forces because it wants to control Sagaing Region. 

So, who is the enemy? Who can be an ally? Who will be the temporary partner?  After thinking it over, the Tatmadaw can also make approaches to the SNA.

HPDF-124 While seeing comrades

In the same way, the KIA/PDF also want to control Sagaing Region. So, the KIA/PDF can choose the path of eliminating other forces that may hindering so that they can strongly attack the Tatmadaw or the path of forming an alliance and joining their side.

So, the SNA that has been active in the middle and upper parts of Sagaing Region is important to both the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF. In a situation like this, the organization that can mobilize SNA probably will be stronger.

If any organization could not persuade the SNA or the SNA will protect regional stability in its own way without joining any side, it is impossible for any organization to have the upper hand in Sagaing Region.

But there are accusations that the SNA is collaborating with the Tatmadaw. On the other hand, whether the accusations are true is something to think about because the battles broke out between the Tatmadaw and the SNA in Khamti and Homalin Townships.

In any case, the SNA is playing an important role in Sagaing Region. However, if its strategy and tactics were wrongly laid down, it could lead to a dangerous situation.

So, we will have to watch the state of peace and stability will be in the territories where the SNA has been active in Sagaing Region.

CNI News

8 February 2024

Officials from the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF) and leaders of the Thai Business Committee have submitted to the government in order to set the service fee of the overseas employment agencies sending workers to Thailand in Thai Baht instead of Myanmar kyat, according to the Ministry of Labor.

As the service fee of overseas employment agencies sending workers to other countries has been set in respective country's currency or dollar, the service fee of the overseas employment agencies sending workers to Thailand should be set in Thai baht, which has been submitted to the government, U Win Myint, managing director of the Lucky Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.

" Due to the instability of the Baht price, the service charge changes from time to time. The service charge of overseas employment agencies sending workers to Malaysia is set in dollar. So, the MOEAF has presented to the government in order to set the service charge of overseas employment agencies sending workers to Thailand  in Thai baht. To set in Thai baht will be confirmed only if the official letter comes out. Service charge have been set in dollar for sending workers to Japan. It was convenient because the price of baht was stable in the past. And because the price of dollar also was stable in the past, there were not so many problems. But lately, the prices of baht and dollar have not been stable. The instabilities like that cause chaos. Agencies and workers make losses. So, agencies request to set in baht." he said.

While seeing an overseas employment agency

Although the service charge for the agencies was designated 150,000 kyats in the past, because the rate was not convenient, the agencies demanded to raise the service charge after which the service charge has been raised to 300,000 kyats. 

When the agencies have requested to set in Thai baht instead of Myanmar kyat, the agencies have asked 10,000 bahts as the service charge, according to the agencies. However, the ministry has not issued an official letter, Daw Myat Hayman Lin, managing director of Pwint Phoo Aung Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.

" In fact, Myanmar kyat only is being used for the service charge in sending workers to Thailand. Now the agencies have asked 10,000 bahts for the service charge to send workers to Thailand. Even though, 8,000 bahts might be designated." she said.

While seeing Myanmar workers

When sending workers to Thailand, Yangon-Myawady-Maesot route has not been conveneint as yet. 

The Ministry of Labor agreed to send workers through Kawthaung-Ranong route and Yangon- Don Mueang flight. But at present, Yangon-Don Mueang flight has been suspended temporarily. So, Kawthaung-Ranong route is being mainly used reportedly.

When sending workers to Thailand, because the Kawthaung flight can hold 50 people only. So, the agencies have to take two days to meet a demand letter offering 50 workers because other passengers will travel on the same flight, according to overseas employment agencies.

CNI Article

8 February 2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), says every so often that the SAC will hold the election and hand over the State power to the winning party. 

However, the SAC doesn't say clearly that the election they will hold is whether a general election or by-elections.

In the same way, even though the SAC overthrew the NLD government, saying that the NLD was trying to get the State power without solving the vote list dispute, it hasn't announced decidedly whether the results of the 2020 general election have been void or not.

So, is a new election that Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing means is either a general election or bi-elections or what kind of election? It is food for thought or questionable.

After the NLD government was overthrown on February 1, 2021 by the Tatmadaw, security operations were being carried out

The SAC hasn't revealed for the time being when the election will be held. However, it's said that it will conduct the national census-taking in 2024 after which the election will be held. So, the election that will be sponsored by the SAC might be held in 2025 or 2026. In any case, the SAC will look for a political exit.

On the other hand, armed conflicts are severely taking place in many parts of the country and there has been an increase in the territories that the SAC lost control of. 

A general election was held in 2010, and by-elections, in 2012 and a general election, in 2015 and by-elections, in 2017 and a general election, in 2020. In any case, the number of constituencies that will take part in the election to be held under the SAC government probably will be less.

In a situation like this, there's something to be considered whether the SAC will hold a general election or by-elections. If a general election was held, the results of the 2020 general election would be void automatically, that we could deem.

Otherwise, if by-elections were held, the SAC would temporarily suspend the results of the 2020 general election without abolishing them. And then, the Hluttaw that contains the representatives who win in the by-elections will be held and an elected political party government might be formed.

While the UEC was explaining the voting system to political parties

There might be some disputable issues in a situation like that. The disputable issues might include whether the public will accept it or not and if the results of the 2020 general election were not cancelled, the NLD MPs would be recognized.

However, the law relating to political parties registration that was enacted on 26th January 2023 by the SAC and the law that amends the law relating to political parties registration that was imposed on 30th January 2024 by the SAC should be studied and compared.  

According to the section-2 (g) of the law relating to political parties registration, the by-election is the election that is occasionally held by the Union Election Commission for the vacant constituencies because during a normal Hluttaw tenure, the election has been put off in a constituency or an MP passes away or an MP has been removed from its position in accordance with the law.

According to the section-2(g) of the law that amends the political parties registration law, the by-election is the election occasionally held by the UEC for the vacant constituencies when a member of the Hluttaw resigns or passes away or is removed from the membership of the Hluttaw in accordance with the law. As an amendment, a point saying 'because the election is put off during a tenure of the Hluttaw' is omitted.

While seeing the chairman of the NLD party Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

If that is the case, the SAC will no longer hold the next election as a general election but will hold the election as by-elections only and winners of the by-elections will be added to the elected representatives from the 2020 general election. 

After that, the Hluttaw will be held with more than half of all the members of the Hluttaw. In this way, the SAC will overcome the crisis, won't they? If that kind of political landscape was created, the requested fact that the results of the 2020 must be internationally recognized would have already accepted.

In the same way, political parties that have won in the 2020 general election and that don't want to collaborate with the Tatmadaw must attend the Hluttaw and will have to continue to participate in politics.

As the NLD has won in the 2020 general election, the fact that it will form a government might be confused because most of the NLD MPs have chosen the armed path and taken part in the NUG. So, they might be removed for the membership of the Hluttaw according to the law.

Some of the NLD MPs passed away and others might resign from the membership. So, candidates with the second highest number of votes in the constituencies where the NLD candidates have won might be declared as winners by the UEC.

While announcing the results of the election

That's why the SAC probably will hold by-elections rather than a general election. After that, an elected government and the Hluttaw will arise and some of the opposition elements probably will arrive in the Hluttaw. If that happens, the situation that a single person has handled three powers-legislative power, administrative power and judicial power-can be overcome and three powers can be distributed.

After three powers can be distributed, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing will make a choice whether he will go on staying in the Tatmadaw or take government responsibility.

At any rate, the Hluttaw, the government and the Tatmadaw need to be separate institutions. If a single person has handled three powers, the country is more likely to decline than it is likely to improve.

So, we'll keep a close watch the law that amends the political parties registration law is whether a political strategy of the SAC or an exit for the country and the public.

CNI News

7 February 2024

Domestic rice prices have gradually risen during the past few days. The price of one pyi (2.55718 L) of rice is rising from 4 to 600 kyats, according to the rice market.

The rice prices have risen because the rice exporters are buying rice at high prices, an official from the Myanmar Rice & Paddy Traders Association, told CNI News.

" Exporters need rice to export. There's a regular consumption within the country. When the prices are so high, those who have stored rice for long will sell it. At present, the rice from warehouses has come out a little. The the rice prices went up has made the export earnings increase. Because the exporters make a profit, they raise the prices and buy rice. It depends on the government's policy as well. Domestic consumption is regular. The export policy may change. The rice prices are low or high depending on the financial change." he said.

Although the price of Pawsanhmway, a kind of fine rice, was 120,000 kyats per bag (24 pyis) in the past, but now its price has been 125,000 kyats. The price of Aemahta, a kind of low quality, has risen from 80,000 to 84,000 kyats per bag within this month.

For the time being, there has been an increase in buying rice paddy and its price has risen to 80,000 kyats for 100 bags. So, domestic rice prices also have gone up, said farmers. 

While seeing a rice shop

However, when the summer rice appears abundantly, the rice prices would be stable again, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.

" The price of 100 baskets of rice paddy has risen from 50,000 until 80,000 kyats. So, the price of one pyi of rice also will go up a bit. The prices of rice will go up a little at a time like this. And the summer rice paddy hasn't appeared. The rice prices will rise depending on the current price of rice paddy and exchange rate. But the prices won't go up exponentially, I think." he said.

Rice is sufficient for the domestic consumption because farmers in Ayeyarwady Region have expanded their cultivation of rain, winter and summer rice paddy with higher prices, reportedly.

However, the yield of rice paddy has been low in Sagaing Region, Rakhine State and Mon State because some townships of these regions are not stable. 

So, the exporting amount of rice has been reduced this year, according to the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders Association.

CNI News

7 February 2024

Col.Win Ram from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Khaplang Yung Aung (NSCN-K/YA) passed away in Myitkyina, Kachin State on 5th February 2024, the NSCN-K/YA stated. 

Col.Win Ram passed away while he was receiving medical treatment in Myitkyina.

Colonel Win Ram was deputy secretary of the NSCN-K/YA and he served for 12 years. So, the NSCN-K/YA was deeply saddened for Col.Win Ram passed away. He served his duty with full courage until his last breath-out for the Naga people, the NSCN-K/Ya stated.

While seeing the condolence statement by NSCN-K/YA on the death of Col. Win Ram

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland was built in 1980. 

There were disagreements among the leaders - Isak, Muivah and Khaplang after which in 1989, the organization was divided into two groups and the one is the NSCN-Khaplang or the NSCN-K and the other, the NSCN-Isak-Muivah or the NSCN-IM. The NSCN-K is based in Burma and NSCN-IM, in India.

Khaplang, chairman of the NSCN-K passed away in 2017 and U Khango Konyak, vice chairman, became the chairman in 2018. However, he was soon removed from power on 17th August that year and U Yung Aung was appointed as the chairman.

While seeing Ang Mai, leader of the NSCN-K/AM

U Yung Aung fired Deputy Chief of Staff Niki Sumi, Minister Star Sam, and Chief of Staff Nyam Lang on 29th July 2020. After that, Niki Sumi built a breakaway faction called the NSCN-K/NK and it agreed to peace with the Indian government on 8th September 2021.  

In the same way, the NSCN-K/YA dismissed Home Minister Ang Mai in 2023 and he built the KSCN-K/AM faction.

Moreover, U Aung Sai and U Jimmy who were dismissed from the NSCN-K built the East Naga Defense Army (ENDA/ENNO).