CNI News

30 January 2024

The Myanmar-Laos Friendship which has been closed for four years due to the Covid-19 pandemic reopened on 25th January 2024 reportedly. The products from Myanmar could be exported to China and Thailand through the bridge, said traders.

However, if the products from Myanmar were exported to China and Thailand through Laos, the cost would be higher. As the permit for the Myanmar corns which are being exported to China has expired, corn exporters could no longer use the bridge, Ko Sai Kham, a corn trader from Tachileik, told CNI News.

" If you go from the Kenglat Bridge or Friendship Bridge which has reopened now as well, your goods have to be sold to China. During the validity period of the permit, exporters will go from Myla or Kengtung. If you go from Laos, it will cost you more. But because the bridge has reopened, nearby people from the two countries will benefit. Visits or trading local products can be conducted." he said.

Because of the re-opening of the Myanmar-Laos friendship bridge, it can help the tourism industry a lot although there is a little trade between Myanmar and Laos reportedly.

Vehicles passing on the Myanmar-Laos Friendship Bridge

Because the flow of goods between Laos and Myanmar was just a little, it was possible to carry out bilateral communication issues, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" There is a little trade through the bridge between Laos and Myanmar. The bridge had been closed in the past. There may be expectations ahead. It has reopened so as not to cut the bilateral communication for the time being, I think." he said.

Myanmar-Laos Friendship Bridge has been built to link Xieng Kok in Laos with Kenglat Town, Tachileik District in eastern Shan State, Myanmar, which opened on 20 November 2018. However, the trade through the bridge was suspended after 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic reportedly.

Myanmar-Laos trade value was only 0.411 million dollars in the 2019-2020 fiscal year and there was no import from Laos, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

CNI News

30 January 2024

The problems of Myanmar could be solved only when a federal democratic union could be built, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA) stated on 29th January 2024.

It was said in the statement of the annual meeting of the RCSS held in Loi Tai Leng, its headquarters from 26th to 28th January 2024 and it would make an effort to resolve the political problem by meeting and negotiating with relevant organizations, said in the statement.

General Yawd Serk, chairman of the RCSS/SSA

Myanmar is deteriorating in all sectors including politics, economy, peace, social, education, health and so on while armed conflicts are widely taking place within the country due to political changes after 1st February 2021.

Although the statement of the RCSS was right, it was necessary to obtain the opinion of ethnic groups and citizens relating to what kind of federal structure would be built, Mai Ohn Khine, a Palaung politician, told CNI News.

" It's right. The political problem can be solved only when a federal union can be built. I haven't found out the detail of the statement. There are various kinds of federal structure. It will be the best only after obtaining the opinion of ethnic groups and citizens." he said.

While the NCA's 8th anniversary celebration was being held

Moreover, the statement has urged the ASEAN to intervene in order that Myanmar political problem could be solved. Efforts would be made to strengthen the long-term national unity of Shan State and Anti-narcotics, anti-online scams and anti-human trafficking activities would be carried out in its controlled area, said in the statement.

The RCSS/SSA is an ethnic armed organization that has signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

CNI News

29 January 2024

The Ministry of Labor of the National Unity Government could not do anything to help in the affairs of Myanmar migrant workers but only nominally, Ko Thar Gyi who is helping migrant workers, told CNI News. 

Although Myanmar migrant workers don't like the State Administration Council (SAC), they have to apply for evidence documents because they are allowed to work only if they have necessary documents and the NUG's Ministry of Labor does not know how to do in the affairs of the labors because they did not know thoroughly about the affairs of the labors, he said.

" Even though we don't like the Tatmadaw, we have to compulsorily apply for the CI books because if we, Myanmar nationals, don't have evidence documents, we'll be arrested here in Thailand. The NUG's ministry does not know how to work. It can't do anything to help more than 5 million Myanmar people in Thailand. The Tatmadaw's ministries ask money in various ways." said Ko Thar Gyi.

CI books will be issued to about 900,000 undocumented Myanmar workers according to the agreement between Myanmar and Thailand.

Although a migrant worker must pay about 300 bahts for a CI book, the workers have to pay more than the fixed rate due to other unspecified costs. Brokers or agencies ask brokerage depending these costs, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CNI News.

" Negotiations between the one stop service center and the agencies as regards the evidence documents were not convenient during December 2023. Myanmar government legally asks 310 bahts for a CI book. But one year ago, the cost for it was over 700 bahts. But in 2023, the cost was about 1,000 bahts. When CI books are applied just now, whether the cost will be more than 1,000 or not has not been clear. There are a service department in the one stop service center and agencies under the department. Depending on them, the costs may be more or less. The cost here can be said to be around 15,000 bahts." he said.

The period designated for providing service to credentials will expire in middle of February 2024. After that period, there might ba an increase in arresting undocumented workers, said the people who are helping migrant workers.

Myanmar migrant workers who have been included in the name list might be arrested if they were late for permit process beyond the designated period, they said.

CNI News

29 January 2024

Most of the hotels in Myanmar are in a deficit situation where the expenses are more than profits because the electricity is not regularly available, according to hoteliers. 

Some hotels where lots of guests don't come are not in a situation to accept guests due to irregular electricity availability. 

So, it is necessary to find a solution to difficulties hotels are experiencing, U Thet Lwin Toe, managing director of the Myanmar Voyages International Tourism, told CNI News.

" There are even some hotels that cannot accept guests because the cost has become higher with irregular electricity availability. The prices are also high. Moreover, if the service is poor as well, it will get worse. Ministries and those involved in tourism collaboratively must find a way to solve these difficulties." he said.

Just a few tourists are entering during the current non-festival period and electricity is also not available full time reportedly. Since electricity is not available regularly, the hotels in Bagan are providing electricity with generators. 

Due to higher.cost, the hotels are providing electricity only part-time by using generators depending on the number of visitors who enter, U Zaw Weik, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association (Bagan Zone), told CNI News.

" It's not been convenient. The electricity is not available regularly. We have to improvise so as not to lose. We have to provide electricity part-time only. The electricity is never available all day long." he said. 
The hotels in beach and mountain areas are okay because there has been an increase in the number of tourists entering at present reportedly.

The hotels in Bago Region have to use generators for a short period of time because there are few guests who put up although a lot of tourists enter the region reportedly.

CNI News

29 January 2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council said that the public security system involving the public was highly effective when he met with political parties, Dr.Aye Maung, chainman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) told CNI News.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that in early January and it would be better if the political parties participated in the system because the peace and stability were wanted, he added.

" In other words, the public security system involving the public can protect you from falling into danger when you inform the security organization for the security of your home, your family and your neighborhood. The people who know that came to participate in the public security. He said with an example that the public security is highly effective. Moreover, he said that parties were built, believing a federal democratic system. Parties are composed of many party members who are guided by their parties. So, it would be better if party members participated in the public security which he said. He didn't mean that party members must participate in it." said Dr.Aye Maung.

Due to political changes after 1st February 2021, the country is facing crises and experiencing economic downturns In the same way, the people are struggling for their livelihood everyday and facing general crises including insecurity and high commodity prices. In addition, they are also facing the dangers of assassinations and landmines.

If the two armed groups contended, unexpected fighting might emerge, U Thet Zaw, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" The other side is the People's Defense Force and this side formed the Public Security Force. When the two groups contend, unexpected battles might break out. Killings may arise. In fact, the public security force is a necessary organization as well, I think." he said.

Due to domestic armed conflicts, many people were killed and so many houses were burned and damaged. Moreover, most locals are fleeing to safety.

Although some EAOs, political parties, ASEAN and international organizations are trying to solve the armed conflicts, the problem is still not resolved. 

CNI News

27 January , 2024

As the period designated for making evidence documents will expire after February, the arrests of undocumented workers might increase, those who are helping migrant workers in Thailand, told CNI News. Checks and arrests have been conducted across Thailand since 10th January 2024.

Because of the increasing number of people who have sneaked into Thailand and taken refuge recently, arrests are being conducted in Tak District everyday, said Ko THar Gyi, a person who is helping Myanmar migrant workers, told CNI News.

" If you don't renew your temporary labor certificate, you will be arrested and then you must pay a fine and you must be sent back to your courtry. You have held a visa and your visa is still. But the visa will expire on the 13th of February. Thai authorities will check whether you have renewed your visa or not on their computers. They will go and arrest those who haven't renewed their visas according to the addresses described in the work permits. According to the law of visa section, those who haven't renewed will be blacklisted from one to five years. Myanmar migrant workers who haven't renewed their visas will be arrested and must pay a big fine. And then, they will be sent back to Myanmar." he said.

The reason why arrests have increased was because brokers persuaded that temporary labor certificates could be applied through VIP channel although temporary labor certificate application has been closed said the people who are helping migrant workers in Thailand.

While seeing a workshop in Thailand

Moreover, when the authorities came and checked other people, they found undocumented workers and arrested. As criminal inspection was being conducted in the Cambodia-Thailand border area, Myanmar people who are working near the area needed to be careful, suggested the people who are helping migrant workers in Thailand.

He heard that Thai authorities have started asking money in Maesot, U Min Oo, In charge of Labor Affairs from the FED, told CNI News.

While some Thai authorities are inspecting in a workplace  

" Thai officials started asking 10-year residence permit holders money yesterday and the pink card holders were also asked money in Maesot. I haven't heard like that in Ranong. There are not so many problems in Ranong. There are so many people in Maesot. So, we hear the problems from Maesot every so often. We haven't known asking money is legal or illegal." he said.

Although Myanmar migrant workers who have been included in the name list are not arrested, if they did not proceed the permit processes and went beyond the fixed period, they might be arrested, said the people who are helping migrant workers in Thailand.

CNI News

27 January , 2024

The Pa-O National Organization (PNO) wouldn't choose the way that would hurt the people, Saw Khun Kyaw Win, central executive of the PNO told CNI News. The joint forces of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the Karenni National Defense Force and the People's Defense Force (PDF) recently attacked Sesai Town in southern Shan State on 24th January 2024.

The joint forces attacked the Tatmadaw and the PNO's check point and residents of Sesai have fled to safety reportedly.

The policy of the PNO has been ' we have no enemy' since before as a political party, not as an armed group. They might choose the way that will hurt the people, but we won't. If we unavoidably experienced the situation that might hurt the people, we would try to minimize the impact on the public." said Saw Khun Ktaw Win.  

While seeing revolutionary forces

Although CNI News contacted the officials of the PNLO to know more about the attack of Sesai, they made no answer. At present, residents of Sesai fled to Taunggyi, and Hopong and the number of IDPs has not been known as yet, a resident of Taunggyi helping IDPs told CNI News.

" There have been very few people in Sesai just now. I don't know how many people have left the town exactly.  Some of them have asked for help. Most of them have gone to Taunggyi. Many of them don't have enough money to travel. There aren't enough cars. They are getting into trouble. We are to give them money for transport or gasoline." he said.

27 houses of San Phoo Village were burned and damaged after a battle broke out between the PNO/PNA and the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA). After the PNO agreed for peace with the Tatmadaw and it ruled the Pa-O region which was designated as the Special Region (6).

After that, the PNO registered at the Union Election Commission as a political party in 2010.

So, the PNO is standing not only as militia but also as a political party and administering the Pa-O Autonomous Region containing Pinlaung, Sesai and Hopong Townships.

The PNLO/PNLA has been active in Sesai, Hopong, Mawkmai regions and Mawkmai has been designated as its headquarters.

CNI News

26 January 2024

The Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA/PSLF) are contending for administration in Namkham Township. 

The SSPP called  meetings and told village administrators from some villages  in Namkham Township and to recruit new troops in early January 2024. 

After that, the TNLA sent a letter to the SSPP and informed not to conduct recruitment, building military and administration mechanisms, and money collection on 21st January 2024.

If the negotiations were conducted between the allies, it would be convenient, Lwe Chi Sangar, spokesperson from the Ta'ang Women's Organization (TWO), told CNI News.

While seeing the letter sent to the SSPP by the TNLA

" If the negotiation and consultation were conducted between the northern allies, it would be more convenient, I think." she said. The TNLA captured Namkham on 19th December 2023 during the Operation-1027 launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance on 27th October 2023.

After that, the TNLA called and told village administrators in Namkham Township to take a census in early January. And then the TNLA met and discussed with businessmen in the town about the tax issues reportedly.

Revolutionary forces would not retreat from the towns that they have already captured. However, a lot of disputes relating to territorial ownership might emerge, U Myo Kyaw, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance, told CNI News.

"The scope of the revolution has widened now. In my opinion, there will most of Shan people in Namkham. But the TNLA, a member of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, has captured that township. So, the TNLA won't withdraw from the Territory that it has captured for the time being. So, there will be a little conflict between the TNLA and locals, Shan people. Not only in Namkham Township, there also might be a little conflict like this in other places." he said.

While seeing the TNLA force in front of the Namkham Township Court

The organizations concerned should meet and negotiate to find a solution rather than resolving by arms, he added.  Most of the people living in Namkham Township are Shan nationalities.

Moreover, Myanmar-born Chinese people, government employees, and Burmese who came and settled from the mainland live in the township. In addition, Kachin and Palaung people also are living in the nearby villages and mountains.

Currently, the SSPP is increasing its troops in Namkham Township and it has been active in the town as well. 

The TNLA also is making preparations to establish an administration in the township that it has captured after fighting against the Tatmadaw.