CNI News

10 November 8, 2023

Myanmar workers in Thailand who have expired their MoU contracts have to come back to Myanmar-Thai border gates to renew. 

However, some of them don't come back to the border gates, Myanmar Embassy in Thailand stated. 

Those who don't come back to the gates will become overstayers, said in the statement.

So, if Myanmar MoU workers with full term have decided to enter Thailand again as MoU workers, they should come back to the border gates to renew, Ko Thargyi from the IBECSWO social welfare association, told CNI News.

" If the workers don't come back through an official channel, they will have no rights to re-enter Thailand. It will be better for them to go from an official channel. But they have their reasons. Those who come back like that have to pay 1,400 bahts for stamping fees. If so, they can re-enter. There is no problem for those who have their passports expired when they go back. Another thing, when they go back to Myanmar, They left their books with their relatives in Thailand. In Thailand, a guest is regularly allowed to stay for three months. When they come back through other channels, they take their books back. Mainly, it is convenient as long as a guest is allowed to stay for three months." he said.

Those who re-enter the Myanmar side with the U-Turn system

Myanmar MoU workers in Thailand have to enter Myanmar through the border gates when their MoUs expire. When they pass the gates, officials from the two countries conduct printing of entry and exit stamps and delisting.

Myanmar workers who didn't come back to the Myanmar side re-enter Thailand with MoU when Thai border immigration officials would find out they were overstayers. 

So, they will pay the fine, be limited for entrance or be taken action against, Myanmar Embassy has stated.

"Myanmar workers distant from Bangkok find it difficult to go to Bangkok to renew their passports and other documents. At the time of new labor registration, they have registered. Moreover, employers can't wait for his workers who will take time for renewal. So, they arrange with brokers. Brokers submit for the rights to stay and work for new workers. Workers have no rights to choose."he said.

At present Myanmar MoU workers don't have to go back to Yangon for renewal and they have to go to Myawady and Kawthaung for renewal, where officials provide service with one stop service.

CNI News

10 November 2023

The Tatmadaw was prioritizing to handle the places of military movements that can threaten Naypyidaw, Col.Khun Okka, an ethnic armed leader, told CNI News.

The Tatmadaw  was prioritizing military measures in Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay Regions and trying to control Karenni State, he said.

" The Tatmadaw is carrying out military measures as a priority in Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay Regions. Second priority is Karenni. It has also done a lot on the Karenni front. It doesn't prioritize very much the places such as Chin and KNU territories. The Tatmadaw seems to consider that it will be able to control them at any time. It will mainly handle the central elements that are threatening, I think." said Col.Khun Okka.

While seeing a place in the city of Naypyidaw

The battles have been breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance since 27th October 2023. Moreover, the battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces in Sagaing Region.

The Tatmadaw would mainly carry out to re-open the China-Myanmar trade route, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" The Tatmadaw will mainly carry out to re-open the China-Myanmar border trade route. The rest cases are not that important for the Tatmadaw. There isn't any Tatmadaw battalion in Kawlin. But to the north of Kawlin there is a battalion headquarters in Wuntho that is over 10 miles away from Kawlin. To the south of Kawlin, there are about 1,000 Kant Balu militias. It's not that the Tatmadaw doesn't care that territory. Mainly, it will carry out to re-open the China-Myanmar birder trade route." said Dr. Aung Myo.

While seeing the guide map to get to the MICC-2

Northern armed organizations were fighting against the Tatmadaw, blocking the Muse and Chin Shwe Haw trade routes and the Tatmadaw would carry out necessary response measures, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council, at the National Defense and Security Council meeting held on 8th November 2023.

CNI News

9 November 2023

As the trade through China-Myanmar border gates such as Mang Wein, Kyin San Kyawt, Chin Shwe Haw has stopped, Myanma economy has been affected by 50 percent, said economic commentators and border traders. 

Because the Mandalay-Muse trade route (Pyidaungsu Road) cannot be used due to battles, it has been difficult for farmers. Moreover, as the trade route was interrupted, it would be difficult for the local people's livelihoods as well, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

Myanmar was mainly exporting agricultural crops to China through China-Myanmar trade route and cattle are also being exported.

" Myanma economy has been affected by 50 percent due to the battles. The goods from the Chinese side cannot come to the Myanmar side and vice versa. So, border trade is hurt by the billion dollars. Mainly, we have to export agricultural goods during the season. If we can't export them in time, they will be damaged. because we can't stock them. Local people's livelihoods will be quite difficult. So, We must try so hard to recover the economy. In my opinion, the government should carry out as soon as possible to make the territories stable and peaceful and to make the battles end." said U Thet Zaw to CNI News.

While seeing the militia

Myanmar has not been able to export its goods to China through Muse and Kyim San Kyawt border trade. Moreover, fruit traders have to be exporting their goods through Lweje border gate in Kachin State and Myla border gate in eastern Shan State.

 Although the cost was about 60 kyats only for a truck with goods in exporting goods from Kyin San Kyawt gate, the current cost is about 100 kyats, Ko Thit Sar, a watermelon trader, told CNI News.

" We are currently exporting our goods to China through Lweje and Myla. The cost has increased by about three times. In the past, when we regularly went from Kyin San Kyawt to Wang Ding, the cost was about 60 kyats. But now,even truck fee from Thibaw to east Shan State is about 50 kyats. Duty is 400 yuan. The total cost including other expenditures is over 100 kyats." he said.

While seeing someone doing border trade

In the export of goods to China through Lweje and Myla, fruit only is being exported and other commodities such as rice, corn, various peas and beans, and aqua products have not been able to be exported.

However, because the journey is more distant and it takes longer, the quality of the fruit declines and the amount of damage increases reportedly. However, because of the demand for fruits from China, Myanmar traders can sell fruits at a high price and are making a profit, said traders.

Due to the battles between the Three Brotherhood Alliance and the Tatmadaw are taking place in northern Shan State, border trades at Mang Wein, Kyin San Kyawt and Chin Shwe Haw have stopped starting from 27th October 2023.

CNI News

9 November 2023

Temporary Border Pass (TBP) was issued again from 3rd to 10th November to enter China through border gate and 3,600 people have been issued, U Htay, chairman of the Humanitarian Aid Delivery Network, told CNI News.

Due to the battles that are currently breaking, the number of people who take TBPs is getting fewer and the place that issue TBPs has been changed to the Nandaw Gate. It is not clear when TBPs will be issued anymore, he said.

" Those who take TBPs has fewer because the flow of goods has stopped. 3620 people took TBPs on 3rd November. In the past, about 6,000 people took TBPs regularly. Because the roads have been blocked, the people from the mainland can't come, I think. Because a TBP is allowed to stay for seven days, it's difficult to come back from the other side. There are people who are staying on the Chinese side with QR code. There are many people who don't come back. More than half of the people who have entered China don't come back. 

While seeing the people who came to get TBPs

TBPs will be issued at the Nandaw Gate staring from 11th November. TBPs haven't stopped. They will take into account of the safety for the staff and themselves." he said.

Although the line of people waiting to get the TBPs was long in the past, the number of people who get the TBPs has been fewer, said Prahita (philanthropic) associations. 

The Tatmadaw camps, police stations, township general administration offices and toll gates in Laukkai, Theinni, Muse, Mong Ko, Chin Shwe Haw, Naunghkio, Lashio townships in northern Shan State were attacked by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and its allies on 27th October 2023.

The attack is called the Operation-1027 which contains the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Arakan Army (AA), the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA) and Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF) with the MNDAA and battles are still breaking out. 

Because some roads in northern Shan State have been blocked, those who want to enter or leave Muse are stranded on the way and some of them are staying in nearby houses, an official from the Beautiful Heart Philanthropic Association told CNI News.

Those who came from Laukkai were facing with traffic jam.

" There are so many people who are stranded. For example, you can't come from Pang Sai to Muse. You can't come from Kutkai to Muse. Now, you can't come from Mandalay to Muse at all. A girl lost a leg of hers due to a mine explosion this morning. The price of gasoline is very high. One liter is paid 3,000 kyats. The price is going up every day. But you can buy it. Even though goods cannot come from the main land, they come from China. The grassroots are suffering a lot." he said.

It is reported that the number of IDPs has reached 25,000 withing one week due to the Operation-1027 waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance. Over 8,000 IDPs are taking refuge in the monasteries in Theinni Township reportedly. It is also reported that tens of thousands of local people are trapped in the fighting.

" We can't go or come between Theinni and Muse. There is no flow of goods as well. Muse, Namkham, Theinni is one side and the road from Theinni to Gote Twin is the other side. But we have heard that China have accepted IDPs. Some IDPs go to China. China authorities don't check IDPs tightly. IDPs are not allowed to use mobile phones, I heard." said U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, (northern Shan State), to CNI News.

Those who came and get Temporary Border Pass before the battles, those who come back from Laukkai, Traffic Jam and TBP card.

CNI News

9 November 2023

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) should explain why it arrested Sai Mao Awn, a Shan youth and maintain co-existence policy, Sai Kham Aung from the Shan State Monks and Public Peace Cooperation Committee told CNI News. 

It should be maintained so as not to cause more conflict among the Shan people and the leaders from both sides should discuss, he said.

Sai Mao Awn who was helping IDPs in Sellant Village, Muse Township, northern Shan State was arrested by the TNLA in the morning of 7th November 2023.

It is not clear whether Sai Mao Awn is still alive or not." There is no need to be so much of a problem among the people of Shan State. It is important for the leaders from the both side to exercise restraint so that we can co-exist. They should discuss and consult to solve the problem." said Sai Kham Aung to CNI News.

While seeing Sai Mao Un who was arrested by the TNLA

The TNLA started fighting against the SSPP troops who went to solve the case relating to that Sai Mao Awn was arrested by the TNLA after which mutual shooting broke out, the SSPP stated. During the battle, five TNLA troops were killed at least and one SSPP troop was killed.
 After that TNLA captured two SSPP troops as prisoners of war and they two were shot dead in the center of the village, said in the statement. Although CNI News tried to contact the officials from SSPP and TNLA by phone, it has not able to contact them.

Shan political parties and civil societies are demanding to release Sai Maung Awn. Armed groups which have been formed to protect the people's lives and properties should carry out their goals, said Sai Kham Aung.

"We have to solve the conflict for the sake of Shan people's lives and properties, we need to protect the people's lives and properties as much as possible. Every armed organization was formed to protect the lives and properties of the people. 

So, I want them to mainly carry out their ambitions. Mainly I want them perform it to minimize the harm to the public as much as possible A battle ensued between the TNLA and the SSPP in Mai Yu Lay region, Kutkai Township, northern Shan State on 23 September 2023.

 After that, leaders from both sides discussed to negotiate and solve if a problem arose with mutual observance of agreements on politics and military.

CNI News

8 November, 2023

As Sai Maung Un who lived in Sellant Village Tract, Muse Township, northern Shan State and was helping IDPs was arrested by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on 7th November 2023, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) has asked the TNLA to release him. 

Sai Maung Un was serving as a secretary of Sellant Village Tract Executive Committee of the SNLD.

The TNLA arrested Sai Maung Un at his home without giving any reason at 9:55 a.m. on 7th November 2023.

While seeing a statement released by the SNLD

 " As Sai Maung Un was a person who was doing humanitarian aid work without having anything to do with any organization that is participating in armed conflict, the SNLD has requested the organization concerned to release him as soon as possible without exception and to send him home." said in a statement released on 8th November 2023 by the SNLD.

It is not clear whether Sai Maung Un is still alive or not. However, when head of Muse township and seven security forces from the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA) went to negotiate with the TNLA to release Sai Maung Un, they all were shot dead by the TNLA with superior force.

" SSPP's seven security forces led by head of Muse township went to Sellant Village in which the TNLA has been active to ask the reason why Sai Maung Un was arrested when about 100 TNLA troops started shooting SSPP/SSA troops and fighting had been taking place in Sellant Village up to 12:00 a.m. Although SSPP head of Muse Township and two troops surrendered, both of them were shot dead in the center of the village." said the SSPP.

While the SSPP is objecting to that its head of Muse Township and troops were shot dead by the TNLA

Currently, the TNLA, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA) have been waging Operation-1027 starting from 27th October 2023 together with the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA) and the People's Defense Force-Mandalay.

Because the Tatmadaw is also trying to crush the Operation-1027, battles are severely taking place in the entire northern Shan State.

CNI News

8 November 2023

Actions should be taken action to minimize the affect on locals in Kawlin Township, Sai Kyi Zin Soe, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

After combined force of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Arakan Army (AA), and Kawlin People’s Defense Force had captured Kawlin, it was impossible for town residents to go on living in the town. 

Moreover, the Tatmadaw would launch an offensive again, he said. The combined force has announced that they have attacked and captured Kawlin Town.

" After the combined force has captured Kawlin, it's difficult for residents to go on living. The Tatmadaw might launch a counter-offensive mainly by airstrikes. So, residents gave to flee to safety. when they flee, they need other necessities. They need to be protected from other dangers. When we provide necessary assistance, some of them lost their lives." said Sai Kyi Zin Soe to CNI News.

While seeing PDF troops touring the city of Kawlin by motorcycle

Rather than conquering the city of Kawlin, it would be more important to maintain it in the long term and it was necessary to help IDPs regardless of enemy or friend, he added. The National Unity Government (NUG) stated that PDFs and its allies successfully captured Kawlin City on the sixth of November 2023.

Because the Tatmadaw was able to re-capture Kawlin at any time, it might not attack as a priority, Dr. Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator told CNI News.

" To tell you the truth, the Tatmadaw will launch a counter-offensive. But I'm not sure whether it might be priority or not. The Tatmadaw can re-capture Kawlin at any time. 

While seeing somewhere in Kawlin

Because the railway there is not used, the Tatmadaw might attack as a priority. It will carry out to make the Chinese-Myanmar trade route re-open as a priority, I think." he said.

About 50,000 residents had to flee to safety because of Kawlin Battle and about 10 civilians were killed during the battle, according to the statement released by Kawlin revolutionary elements.

Moreover, IDPs were in need of edible oil, fuel, medicine, blanket, shelter and basic foodstuff, said in the statement.

CNI News

7 November , 2023

Battles was severely breaking out between the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) and KIA/PDF joint forces at Hlazingon Village, Naung Po Aung Model Village Tract, Homalin Township, Sagaing Region since morning until around 2:00 p.m.of the 7 November 2023. 

The SNA forces were located on the hill of the monastery in Hlwazingon Village and KIA/PDF joint forces were in many parts of the village.

While seeing HPDF-124 Force

The KIA-PDF joint forces were waging a massive offensive against SNA after encircling it. Locals and the SNA said that at the battle the KIA-PDF side suffered more losses, while the SNA side lost one troop and injured five troops.

Currently, Hlwazingon villagers have already fled to safety. KIA/PDF joint force fighting against the SNA contains Khamti District No.1 Battalion, HPDF Battalion-124, HPDF Moe Gyoe Force and Homalin Township Public Security Force (Homalin Pa La Pha).

CNI News

7 November, 2023

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) stated on 7th November 2023 that it was able to clear a military camp of the Tatmadaw deployed inside the pagoda compound in the center of Namkham, in northern Shan State. 

It seized 28 various weapons including one pistol and military equipment from the Tatmadaw/ militia joint forces, said in the statement.

Although battles were taking place between the TNLA and the Tatmadaw/militia joint forces, the TNLA had not been able to control the entire Namkham, said Namkham residents, adding that most Shan people live in Namkham Town and its nearby rural areas and those Shan regions are still the elements of the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP).

The statement released by the TNLA that it has seized the Tatmadaw's camp in the pagoda compound in the center of Namkham

Under the title of Operation-1027, Three Brotherhood Alliance - the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) are fighting against the Tatmadaw. 

However, the SSPP has deployed its troops to protect Shan people without participating in any side, said the people close to the SSPP.