CNI News
27 April 2024

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) sealed the office of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Mongko, Muse District, northern Shan State on 23rd April 2024.

U Jiting Ang, administrator of Mongko Township from the MNDAA and  Rang Hou, deputy sub-township administrator led and stick a letter mentioning that the MNDAA sealed the office on the morning of 23rd April.

The groups led by Lieutenant Rang Hou and Lieutenant Laodawng from the MNDAA arrived in the office for the second time at 7:30 p.m. on that day and sticked the letter on the office.

In collaboration with the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA), the MNDAA launched an operation called Operation-1027, on 27th October, 2023 in northern Shan State.

While seeing the chairman of the TNLA

The allies captured over 100 military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw and many townships during the operation and the MNDAA seized control of Chin Shwe Haw, Mongko, Phaungsai, THeinni, Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Kyucote and Kunglong.

After that, the TNLA captured Nansang, Mantong, Namkham, Kutkai, Namtu, Mong Ngor and Monglon and the AA controlled the Muse 105 Mile Trade Road. The MNDAA and the TNLA have started implementing administrative and judicial processes in the towns and cities, and released statements preventing the movements of other EAOs.

So, the TNLA sealed the KIA's office in Kutkai Township and banned the Kachin traditional events in the township. In the same way, the MNDAA also sealed the office of the KIA in Mongko.

While seeing the MNDAA forces and the TNLA forces in Kutkai (Myanmar Now)

Moreover, because of administrative dispute between the TNLA and the MNDAA, there were mutual shootings near Maw Han Village, Kutkai Township on 19th April 2024 and some of the troops from both sides were injured.

On top of that, there were territorial disputes and military conflict between the TNLA and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) in Namkham Township.

The MNDAA, the TNLA, the AA, the KIA, the United Wa State Army (UWSA, the Myanmar Tatmadaw, militia, the People's Defense Force and local defense forces are active in the northern part of Shan State.

CNI News

27 April 2024

Migrant workers including ones from Myanmar whose 4-year MoU have expired must leave Thailand in the end of this month at the latest and if they don't do so, they will be taken action against, warned the Thai authorities, according to the Thai media.

Because the work permit term with four year validity of some migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia will expire on 30th April. 

So, they must leave Thailand before expiry date and if they didn't do so, they would be prosecuted, said deputy spokesperson of the Thai government.

Under the terms of the MOU, migrant workers whose four year contract term have expired needed to leave Thailand for one or two days and then they could re-enter after stamping the seal, U Tun Win Naing, chairman of the Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN), told CNI News.

" The Thai authorizes have warned they will arrest the workers whose MoU will expire don't leave, according to the terms of MoU. It would be convenient if the Myanmar government officials came to Thailand and provide service to Myanmar migrant workers. I've heard that Myanmar government officials will come to Ranong and provide service. Migrant workers have to go to Kawthaung and to stay there for one day and then they have to stamp the seal to show that they have left Myanmar. And then they can re-enter Thailand. The Myanmar government officials will provide service in Ranong, I heard. It will take the workers one week at the latest." he said.

The Thai employers hired migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia under 4-year MoU. The MoU expired in January. So, the Thai authorities have warned the migrant workers to leave Thailand.

However, some Myanmar migrant workers whose MoU expired cancelled their contracts and are working after making work permit cards (Baht Pink Card).

What the Thai authorities said that if migrant workers whose four year MoU expire didn't leave Thailand in the wake of April, they would be taken action against was the claim according to the law and it would be impossible to carry out in practice, Ko Moe Lay, a person who is working in Thailand, told CNI News.

" I see what the Thai authorities said is a threatening phrase because there are so many undocumented people who are working in Thailand. Even so, the arrests have declined a little because the authorities understand and accpet the situation, I think. If they arrest, there are so many undocumented people. Their number is 10 times more than four year MoU workers." he said.

However, the Ministry of Labor of Thailand is collaborating with the governments concerned to make migrant workers whose MoU will expire soon re-renter Thailand without delay reportedly.

Migrant workers covered by the statement could leave from the nearby border gates and if their employers have submitted necessary documents, they could re-enter Thailand as soon as possible, said deputy spokesperson of the Thai government.

CNI News

27 April 2024

There were searches for an answer to end armed conflict and make peace, Padoh Saw Shwe Maung, former chairman of Dooplaya District of the Karen National Union (KNU), told CNI News. 

There were attempts to end the armed conflict in the entire nation including Karen State and at the same time, monks also had sent the letters of request to Karen armed groups, he said.

" We must say they are trying to resolve the problem. Armed conflicts are taking place because they haven't found a right solution. There are attempts to end the war, thinking of various ways. The monks also have sent letters of request to the organizations concerned. And then, more letters which support the letters of request were sent as well. I have to say that they are doing what they can." said Padoh Saw Shwe Maung to CNI News.

While seeing union ethnic people

At present, because of battles that took place in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, the Thai-Myanmar border trade has been suspended. Because the border trade is stopped, it is adversely affecting the entire nation including Karen State and attempts should be made in order to reopen the border trade, said a politician.

The people should release their attitude in order to reduce battles and the political problem could not be resolved by the armed method, Mahn Pyi Aung Soe, chairman of the Karen National Democratic Party, told CNI News.

" Armed organizations should control themselves or give in a little. The people also should release their attitude. The political problem can't be resolved by the armed method. We didn't succeed although we solved the problem in this method for over 70 years. Finding an answer by negotiation is the best." he said.

Padoh Saw Shwe Maung

There has been an agreement between the Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces to abstain from waging battles in Myawaddy Township to designate the township as a non-combat economic zone reportedly.

Because of armed conflicts, border trades have suspended and the people are daily suffering from economic crisis, higher prices, monetary inflation and insecurity.

CNI News

27 April 2024

The Myawaddy trade route, a Thai-Myanmar border trade post, was needed to recover so that there would be a smooth flow of goods within Myanmar and the prices would decline, according to economic analysts and traders.

Because battles are currently breaking out, the China-Myanmar border trade and the India-Myanmar border trade have suspended. Although the China-Myanmar border trade in northern Shan State has been re-opened, the trade has not been conducted yet.

Regarding the Myawaddy border trade that has stopped due to battles, the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the revolutionary forces have agreed to keep Myawaddy as a non-combat economic zone in order to deliver goods reportedly. So, if the Myawaddy economic zone could be re-opened, it would be beneficial to the country, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

"There are border trade posts with China, India and Thailand. But to tell you honestly, there is only one post with Thailand left. Althught the border trade posts have been re-opened in northern Shan State, the people don't understand how they have been re-opened. We are still lucky to have only one border trade post. If we don't even have this trade post, we'll get into trouble. If both sides agree to keep Myawaddy as a non-combat economic zone, it is beneficial to the country. It's essential to make the Myawaddy border trade route good. We are glad if both sides have agreed to that." he said.

Because the Myawaddy border trade stopped due to battles, it affects the Thai economy, and is making the prices higher and causing commodity shortages in Myanmar.

It would be the best if non-combat zones could be established in any region, Mahn Pyi Aung Soe, chairman of the Karen National Democratic Party, told CNI News.

While seeing the Myawaddy border gate

" The suspension of the border trade adversely affects the Thai economy. And then, not only the people of Karen State, but also the people of the whole country suffer from higher prices. It will be better to keep Myawaddy as a non-combat zone. In fact, it will be best to keep any region as non-combat zones." he said.

Myawaddy border trade post is a post whose trade value is several million dollars. 

Moreover, among the border trade gates, Myawaddy border trade gate is the shortest and fastest trade gate.

Because the trade was not conducted through the Myawaddy border gate in exporting to Thailand, trading by sea caused delays and they found it difficult, said traders.

If the trade could be conducted through the Myawaddy border trade, the flow of goods would be faster and agricultural products could be exported at a more profitable price, U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairman of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association, told CNI News.

" The shortest and fastest route to export corn or other agricultural products from Yangon, the commercial capital, is the Myawaddy border trade. If we can't use this border trade, we have to trade by sea. If so, we face a lot of difficulties. It would be so much better if the border trade was re-opened." he said.

Because the battles broke out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KNLA/PDF joint forces in Karen State, the No.2 Friendship Bridge in Myawaddy Township, mainly important to the Thai-Myanmar border trade, has been closed since 11th April, 2024. So, the bilateral trade has been suspended.

Among the border gates that can trade with Thailand - Tachileik, Myawaddy, Htikhee, Mawdaung, Myeboederik and Kawthaung, Myawaddy is the border gate where trade can be mostly conducted.

The trade value of the Thai-Myanmar border trade was more than one billion dollars in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

CNI News

26 April 2024

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army sentenced its 10 troops including officers to death before the public in Laukkai City that it has seized control of on 24th April, 2024. Among those sentenced to death were included former deputy battalion commanders and former regional secretaries of the districts.

The reason why they were sentenced to death was because they committed kidnapping, robbing money and gold articles from the public and abuse of power, the MNDAA stated.

The judiciary that imposed the death penalty was led by Lt.Col.Yang Wensang, Vice President of the Military Court of the MNDAA. The information filed by  Major Yang Jitang, Deputy Director of the Political and Defense Department was read out in front of the public and the 10 criminals were punished.

While 10 people including officers who were sentenced to death were being executed by the MNDAA on 24th April

The MNDAA launched Operation-1027 in collaboration with the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) on 27th October, 2023 and captured Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Phaungsai, Kyucote, Kunglong, Chin Shwe Haw and Theinni in northern Shan State.

At present the MNDAA is implementing its administrative and judicial processes in the cities and towns it captured during the operation.

CNI News

26 April  2024

There has been an increase in the number of Myanmar people who go to Laos to work and the people who inquire about the jobs have increased as well, those who are working in Laos told CNI News.

Most of Myanmar workers in Laos are working in the construction sites, casinos, hotel industries, hospitality and as hard labors. Wages are received in Chinese Yuan as well as in Thai Baht reportedly.

However, it could be difficult for a person if he goes to Laos without having any guarantor or a family member or intimate friend who is working there. Moreover, because the Laotian authorities have been watching and arresting illegal workers in the wake of the Water Festival, it was necessary to beware, a person who often go to Laos to work, told CNI News.

While a tall building was being constructed in Laos

" 4 or 5 10 wheeled cars that carried illegal workers went to the Golden Triangle area in the previous weeks and then, from the area, they crossed Mekhong River. Legal workers have been banned for the time being. So, workers are entering illegally. Some workers enter Laos through Thailand. It's better for you if you have an intimate person who is working there in Laos in a company or workplace." he said.

The number of Myanmar workers who are working in Laos might be several thousands and they are working in the agricultural industry as well reportedly. Moreover, a hard labor could receive 300 bahts a day and if you work in a casino, you could earn 10,000 bahts a month. If a worker worked in the businesses that pay in Chinese Yuan, he could earn at least 3,500 yuans a month (1,700,000 Myanmar kyats) reportedly.

While seeing Myanmar migrant workers in Laos

If someone worked in Laos, he would essentially need a residence permit card, an employment agency told CNI News.

" If you don't have a residence permit card, you will be arrested. Illegal workers are also arrested. Some people went to Laos as hard labors. The companies there don't apply for residence permit cards for them. They are using Myanmar hard labors to reduce labor costs. There are many people who haven't got jobs." he said.

The Laotian police raided and arrested illegal casinos from 8th to 9th April and they also went to the places where migrant workers stayed and arrested illegal residents.

CNI News

26 April 2024

Myanmar Sein Ta Lone mangoes would be exported to Singapore only this year, according to mango firms and brokers' sales centers. 

Although the mangoes were always exported to China in the past, because the Muse border trade post has been closed this year, the mangoes could not be exported to China reportedly.

Because there has been a decrease in the yield of Sein Ta Lone mango within the country this year, only about 20 tons of mango that was the same amount as last year could be exported, U Htay Aung, manager of the Thazin Nwe Mango Farm, told CNI News.

" According to our estimate, we'll export 20 or 30 tons because the mango yield decreases this year. The price has been opened like that of last year. The price is 15 to 17 lakh kyats for one ton of small size mangoes." he said.

Myanmar mangoes are often exported from May to August every year. In doing so, the mangoes are exported to China through the border trade and to Singapore by sea.

As the border trade with China, this year there is only one border trade post, Myla, in the eastern part of Shan State and if the mangoes were exported to China, because of delays on the way, the qualities of the fruit could be lower, said brokers' sales centers.

While seeing Myanmar mangoes

So, mango exports through border trade would be almost non-existent and mango exporters must rely only on the domestic market, said mango traders. However, if the mango export declined while the ability to produce value-added products from mangoes is low, the mango market could get worse, Ko Khant Naing, owner of the Jade fruit sales center, told CNI News.

" The prospect of the mango market will be good for the traders abroad. When the mangoes appear abundantly, local market doesn't have the ability to buy most of mangoes. Because there are still a few factories that dry up mangoes or make them juice in the country, when  a lot of mangoes appear, the market will collapse. We don't get the price we. want. It's getting worse this year, I think." he said.

The price of a Sein Ta Lone mango is currently 800 to 1,700 kyats in the local market and the prices could decline in May and June when the mangoes appear abundantly. But later, the prices might go up again, said traders.

Because of difficult transportation this year, mango farm businessmen were not able to increase the yield systematically. Moreover, due to low rainfall, mango yields also decreased reportedly.

Myanmar Sein Ta Lone mangoes are mostly grown in Mandalay, Sagaing Regions and southern Shan State.

CNI news

25 April 2024

There has been a preliminary agreement between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and revolutionary elements to keep Myawaddy, Karen State as a non-combat economic zone where goods can be delivered for life reportedly.

Col. Saw Chit Thu from the Karen National Army (KNA) that was transformed from the Border Guard Force of Karen State mediated and negotiated to do so after meeting with Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win.

An agreement was reached on four points between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the revolutionary forces, said in a letter sent by the Thai Border Guard Force to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

While seeing Col. Saw Chit Thu

The four points are - No.1 to abstain from waging battles within the Myawaddy District, to designate the city as a safe zone for everyone and to keep it as an economic zone to deliver goods for life, No.2 to redeploy the No.275 Infantry at the original place from the No-2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge area on the morning of 23rd April and the KNA has already been in charge of security for the administration of Myawaddy at 7:00 a.m. on 23rd April, 2024.

In the 3rd point, Customs and immigration officials will be reinstated at the No.2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge area and in the fourth point, these processes will be completed within 2 to 3 days from April 23rd and could reach a normal situation, said in the report by the Thai BGF.

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)/ the People's Defense Force (PDF) joint forces launched offensives to seize control of Myawaddy in April. Because of the offensives, the Tatmadaw's No.275 Infantry, the Myawaddy City Guard, had to retreat from Thin Gan Nyi Naung military camp and the camps within the city to the No.2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and waited for reinforcements.

While the national flag is being raised at the No.275 Infantry by the Tatmadaw

The Myanmar Tatmadaw re-launched offensives to regain control of Myawaddy and the battles broke out severely after which on 21st April, both sides ceased fire.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw stated that it raised the national flag again after regaining the No.275 Infantry on 23rd April. Currently, the KNA is handling the security procedures in Myawaddy and the border trade activities could not be started reportedly.

The trade value of the Myawaddy(Myanmar)-Mae Sot (Thailand) border trade is about several million dollars.

CNI News

25 April 2024

There are now reviews among political and military analysts in relation to what might happen from the power struggle between the State Administration Council (SAC) and the National Unity Government (NUG).

Due to the political changes that originated in the wake of 1st February, 2021, armed conflicts are widely taking place across the country. Neither side would win decisively in the power struggle and a dialogue path could emerge, Naing Than Shwe, spokesperson of the Mon Unity Party (MUP), told CNI News.

" According to the current situation, neither side can win and a dialogue can arise that we hope, because Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint have been transferred not long ago. Because of doing so, we hope a meeting with international diplomats might arise. Another thing, the military tension might reduce gradually because both sides have suffered lots of deaths and injuries, we think." he said.

Wile seeing the NUG

Even though it has been more than 3 years since the armed conflict between the SAC and the NUG started, they have not been able to find a solution up to now. So, the people are facing difficult livelihoods. Moreover, because of battles, there are a lot of civilian deaths, IDPs and house damages.

The SAC and the NUG - neither side would win decisively and the current situation would not go ahead. So, tripartite - the SAC, the NUG and the EAOs- discussion would result in a solution, Col.Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News.

"My first review is that neither side will win. The second is that it's impossible to go on like this. If this keeps up, it hurts neighboring countries - India, Thailand and China. I'm sure they won't like the current trend. It will be better to make a dialogue arise without hurting the dignity of any side. There are not two sides only in our country. On top of that, there are EAOs as well. So, we need to hold a tripartite discussion that contain the NUG (instead of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi), the SAC and the EAOs so that we can find a solution, I think." he said.

While seeing some leaders of the EAOs

There are also conversations among the political community that if China, India and Thailand intervene and solve the current political crisis of Myanmar, it could be resolved.

The SAC and the NUG are making efforts to get rid of each other decisively, mutual announcing terrorist organizations.