CNI News

3 Nov 2023

Due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State, the flow of goods is interrupted and the prices are sky-rocketed and shortages of fuel and other basic foodstuffs are occurring, said locals. 

Although people in the towns near the Chinese border such as Muse and Laukkai can buy goods from the Chinese border trade, Kutkai, Lashio and Theinni towns are finding it more difficult than border areas because the towns are far from the border area and it is not easy to transport goods from the mainland reportedly. 

Because there is a power failure in Kutkai at present, residents are finding it difficult to get drinking water. Moreover, fuel and other commodities are also in short supply, a Kutkai resident told CNI News.

" We are finding it difficult in everything because we can't go anywhere. People in Muse can buy goods from the Chinese side. Because we are depending on the local goods from Theinni and Lashio, all the prices are going up. People in town find it more difficult. We have almost run out of drinking water. Because the power station was mined in Kutkai, we can't use electricity. And there is no fuel for generators as well. We had to boil the water that fell from the mountain and drink it in such a situation. If this keeps up, it will be very difficult for our livelihood." he said.

Although it is just 16 miles away from Kutkai to Theinni, it is not easy to get rice from Theinni because not only battles are breaking out, a bridge also, on the way has broken, said Kutkai residents.

A meat and fish market in Yangon

Although the price for 30 eggs was 6,000 kyats in the past, but now the price has been 18,000 kyats. Moreover, the price for a bag of rice was just over 100,000 kyats in the past, but now the price has been until 200,000 kyats reportedly.

They were planning to buy basic foodstuff from the Chinese side and sell at regular prices in Muse to protect from higher prices, commodity shortages and speculation by those who store goods for long, Ko Pyae from the Kan Let Kunyi Prahita Association told CNI News.

" We have not been allowed to pass the Theinni-Yebu Gate between Lashio and Muse. Goods don't enter and they don't go out as well. The route between Lashio and Muse has been still blocked. The prices are going up all over the northern Shan State. But in Muse, the price of an egg has been up to nearly 1,000 kyats. So, we buy eggs from China and sell them. We give the poor free of charge. The prices are going up due to rumor, I think. Yesterday we sold over 5,000 eggs. They were not sold out. We are working to buy basic foodstuff from China and to sell them in Muse. We are still transporting. We have to buy an egg at 350 kyats from China. the prices of some goods might be higher a little." he said.

Due to battles, roads are blocked, bridges are broken, sounds of gunfire are still heard, schools and departmental offices are closed, said Kutkai residents. 

Moreover, MNDAA has prohibited people not use the Muse-Lashio Pyidaungsu Road and the Laukkai-Lashio Pyidaungsu Road.

CNI News

3 November 2023

It was not convenient to obtain documentary evidence for children of Myanmar migrant workers who have registered in the name list in some provinces, Thailand, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED) told CNI News.

Thai government has allowed migrant workers who have registered in the name list to temporarily stay and work in Thailand until 13th February 2025 and their children at the age of under 18.

" But when you try to obtain documentary evidence for your children, it's still difficult. It depends on provinces. In the place where we stay, we need recommendationsfrom employers or heads of villages. It's convenient to obtain documentary for children in the 10th territory of Bangkok. It depends on provinces." said U Min Oo.

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand

The documents for children are issued by Thai Labor and Employment Department in relevant provinces as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs. Although documents for children could be obtained through brokers, it was not encouraged due to a lot of inconvenience, said U Min Oo  

If children who were over 18 wanted to work, they would have to apply for work permit. The cost for applying like that would be the same as the cost of their parents reportedly.

Moreover, employers have to submit the name list until 15th January 2024 to allow workers to work legally, the Office of the Labor Ambassador has stated.

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand

"This parent and this child will be correct only if it is on the identification card that is attached together. Because parents have name list documents, children are not allowed to stay. When they go somewhere, they need to show something documented. So many children were born in Myanmar. It's even worse if you can't show a birth certificate. For example, when the parents took their children at the age of 8 to 13 with them, they were checked if they were human traffickers. So, when parents apply for the Name List, they need to apply for their children as dependents." said Ko Thar gyi helping in the affairs of migrant workers to CNI News.

When documented children travel, they can travel without territorial restrictions and are not subject to interrogation reportedly.

The number of migrant workers that have registered in the name list in Thailand about one million and they have been allowed to stay and work for just over one year. However, later the renewal might be allowed, said some people.

CNI News

2 November 2023

If any attacks including airstrikes entered its territory through the battles currently breaking out in Kokang region, it would fight against any organization, the United Wa State Army stated. 

It would not take side with any organization in the Kokang war and it applied non-aligned policy, said in the statement. After that, UWSA urged the two sides to stop the war and to meet and discuss.

" The UWSA has full rights to protect its region and people. So, if any attacks including airstrikes that enter its territory, it will fight back against them" the UWSA stated. However, UWSA said that it would help IDPs who entered the Wa region.

While seeing the anti-aircraft weapon of the UWSA

In cooperation with its allies - the Arakan Army (AA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA) and the Mandalay PDF, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) is capturing the Tatmadaw's military camps in northern Shan State.

The operation has been named 'Operation-1027' and MNDAA and its allies fought against the Tatmadaw's military camps, general administration offices, police stations and toll gates in Laukkai, Theinni, Lashio, Naungkio, Chin Shwe Haw, Mong Ko and Muse townships in northern Shan State.

After that, the Tatmadaw also has been conducting counter attacks and due to the Tatmadaw's military re-enforcements from Mandalay, battles are severely taking place. 

Laukkai, Chin Shwe Haw and Mong Ko townships where battles are breaking out are bordering with the UWSA's territory.

CNI News

2 Nov 2023 

EAOs had told Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing frankly that they would change the idea of building a federal democratic union after 2025, said Lt-Gen Gun Maw of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). 

He said the above in an interview with BBC.

" We have frankly told Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that they should find a solution to build a federal union in 2025 at the latest. We, revolutionary forces, are telling to build a federal union. So, at that moment, we told the State Consultant and C in C to lead in building a federal union and would take part in that. But the idea was not accepted, we would change the idea after 2025. And then it would be questionable why the Tatmadaw could not participate in  building a democratic federal union." he said.

However, he did not reveal which political system KIA would apply after changing federalism. 

The Arakan Army (AA) has proclaimed that confederation or a separate independent country would be established. In the same way, the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) are governing their territories in a way of confederation beyond the 2008 Constitution.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Lt-Gen Gun Maw

Although KIA was telling to build a federal democratic union, it had an ambition to build the republic of Wang Pao, which are said among the revolutionary circles.

However, the Karen National Union (KNU), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) are fighting against the Tatmadaw with the idea of building a federal democratic union. 

Brig-Gen Ta Bone Kyaw, general secretary of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said on 18 August 2022 that Ta'ang people must be ready to build a country of their own because small countries may emerge with the collapse of the current union without a possibility to build a federal union when the political demands are higher.

" Because of geopolitics or the current world political situation, when the revolution accelerates, if we can't build a federal union, small countries may emerge. We, Ta'ang people need to think about it. If we were able to build a federal union, we need to prepare to build a state of our own. Otherwise, we need to prepare to build a country of our own." he said.

The current crisis should not be longer than five years, Lt-Gen Gun Maw said in a interview with BBC.

Brig-Gen Tar Bone Kyaw, general secretary of the TNLA

" We have designated the period from 1st February 2021 until  sometime when the crisis ends as 'interval'. Spring Revolution is interval. We temporarily designate the period from 1st February 2021 to sometime when a stable government in the union arises as interval. We use the term 'Union' only. We don't use the term 'Union of Myanmar'. This period should not be longer than five years. But it depends on efforts, understanding, negotiations of all of us and battles. The time when we are all in trouble or the time everyone is tired of war should not exceed five years." said Lt-Gen Gun Maw of the KIA.

The time when everyone is tired of war should not exceed 5 years Having said that the NLD government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute that took place in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw toppled down the government. 

After that, former members of Hluttaw, political activists in cooperation with some EAOs are waging an armed revolution to overthrow the Tatmadaw and end the military dictatorship.

Due to armed conflicts, the number of IDPs has exceeded one million. Moreover, houses are being set fire and civilians are being killed.

CNI News

2 November 2023

The Tatmadaw has run out of patience with the KIA, the Tatmadaw stated on 31st October 2023. 

KIA and its allies attacked the troops working to secure the Myitkyina-Bamaw Road in full force and because the Myitkyina-Bamaw Road is used by the public, terrorist acts should not be done on the road, said in the statement. 

If terrorist acts were done again, appropriate responses would be made because the Tatmadaw had had zero tolerance towards any more of terrorist attacks, which it had notified twice, said in the statement.

According to the statement, battles between the two sides probably would be severe and KIA was trying to control Kachin State, U Kun Gawng Awng Hkam, a Kachin politician told CNI News.

While seeing an armored car of Myanmar Tatmadaw

" According to the statement, it seems to me battles between the two sides will be severe. But it depends on whether the Tatmadaw can do or not. Because, in my opinion, KIA also is gradually trying to control Kachin State. Another thing, at the same time, northern EAO allies are capturing the Tatmadaw's camps one after another in northern Shan State. So, the Tatmadaw may find it difficult, I think." he said.

However, the Tatmadaw conducted suitable attacks on the places where weapon and ammunition were produced and stored, the Tatmadaw stated. Although CNI News tried to contact with Col. Nawbu, information officer of the KIA, to know more about the statement, it has not been able to contact with him.

While seeing two KIA troops

" KIA will have prepared. And it depends on how much the Tatmadaw will fight. Every armed organization is sort of going strongly. So, it depends on the confrontation." said U Kun Gawn Awng Hkam.

Battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and KIA/PDF joint forces in Hpakant, Waimaw, Sagaing Region and northern Shan State including along the the Myitkyina-Bamaw Road.

CNI News

2 Nov 2023

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Commander in Chief of the Defense Services and chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) met and discussed with H.E Wang Xiaohong, Minister for Public Security and member of the State’s Council of the People’s Republic of China about the attacks by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) on 1st November 2023.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that Myanmar was a reliable country for China and vice versa at the meeting.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Wang Xiaohong discussed MNDAA's attacks on security posts in northeastern part of Myanmar (Laukkai, Chin Shwe Haw, Mong Ko, Theinni, Lashio, Muse, Nam kham). 

Moreover,they discussed jointly identifying and taking action against online scams as well as narcotic drug production and trade reportedly.

When the MNDAA forces have raided a toll gate in Theinni, northern Shan State

And then, they also discussed treating other countries with double standards by a world power for its benefit, intervening in world affairs including Myanmar politics.

There had been strength competitions among EAOs in northern Shan State since Myanmar gained her independence and also armed conflicts took place among them. Moreover, some EAOs were producing narcotic drugs and selling, which were explained to the Chinese Minister for Public Security by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing reportedly.

armed And then a riot between Feng and Yang groups arising in Kokang region and assignment to Pie group, desire for power, weapons and ammunitions production, damage to the border area's stability due to weapons were explained by the SAC chairman and he also explained the situations that can eradicate illegal online game gambling and online scams.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and H.E. Wang Xiaohong, Chinese Minister for Public Security

MNDAA launched its Operation-1027 together with its allies - the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Arakan Army (AA) and the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA) in northern Shan State starting from 27th October 2023 and battles are breaking out severely.

On the other hand, battles are severely taking place between the Tatmadaw and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin State and KIA is capturing the Tatmadaw's military camps on the Myitkyina-Bamaw Road.

CNI News

1 Nov 2023

Although the number of overseas employment agencies has become more, calling jobs from other countries has become fewer, according to overseas employment agencies. 

Although there are currently nearly 500 agencies, calling jobs from other countries is unequally fewer, U Win Myint, managing director of Lucky Overseas Employment Agency told CNI News.

" Jobs have got scarce. Calling jobs from Malaysia is almost none and that from Thailand has reduced. So, although agencies have licenses, they are struggling to exist. Japan hasn't stop calling jobs and nor has Thailand. But they have reduced recruitment. There are still liars. Those who want to go abroad for work should directly contact licensed agencies." he said.

While seeing the office of the Ministry of Labor

There were 484 licensed overseas employment agencies in Myanmar as of last September and of them, 10 was suspended. So, 474 agencies are now operating, according to the Ministry of Labor. Although some people has paid service charges to agencies, they have not been able to go abroad. 

" Some employers from Thailand have broken the agreement. When the productions were reduced according to their business need, they could not employ any more of recruits. The agreements have been signed here in Myanmar. Work permits have been got as well. The problems arose when the workers were going abroad. There are very bad employers and agencies on the Thai side. We have blacklisted them. But the agencies here in Myanmar had to compensate a lot of money." said U Myat Thu, general secretart of the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation, to CNI News.

Many foreign countries faced with economic damages beyond the Covid-19 pandemic and they had to reduce recruitment. A lot of workers go to Malaysia in a form of free calling and they are working in their former jobs, according to agencies. However, calling jobs from South Korea is just normal, U Myat Thu told CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar workers who want to go abroad for work

" Demand and supply are not equal. Because there were delays here in Myanmar, a lot of young workers left for Thailand illegally. There are too many agencies. When job demands are scarce, service charges have become high. I'd like to tell the agencies to keep business ethnics." he said.

Moreover, the Ministry of Labor is planning to raise license insurance fee for agencies from 250 to 1,000 lakh kyats and for agencies sending workers to Thailand, from 50 to 100 lakh kyats.

CNI News

1 Nov 2023

Due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and Three Brotherhood Alliance taking place starting from 27th October, Myanmar-China border trade had stopped because the,, trading routes could not used, said traders. 

Muse 105 Mile trade camp, Chin Shwe Haw border trade camp and Kyin San Kyawt border trade camp had been suspended and some commodities were much more expensive than usual, Ko Thant Zin, a truck driver from Muse told CNI News.

" The trade has been closed. Because the trade routes have been closed, the people who live on trade are hurt. The trade is closed on the Myanmar side. The trade has been closed in Chin Shwe Haw and Laukkai. For the time being, commodity prices are going up. The price of an egg is 600 to 700 kyats. We can still buy a bag of rice. If this keeps up, we can't easily buy rice. Some shops sell and others don't." he said.

While the Kokang group was raising its flag after controlling Chin Shwe Haw

Due to the battles breaking out in northern Shan State, Muse-Mandalay Road that plays an important role has been closed. In the same way, Namtu Creek Bridge was mined and broken after which trucks could not pass, said locals. 

So, many trucks were stranded and some of them returned. At present, because trucks cannot go to Muse, exporting goods to China has suspended. Because the trade has stopped, although both countries are hurt, Myanmar is more hurt, Ko Thitsa, a watermelon exporter, told CNI News.

While seeing a truck in the China-Myanmar border trade area

" Since the battles started, we had stopped loading goods on the trucks. The road is not safe. The watermelon trucks had already arrived there and watermelons were sold  at a profitable price. Because the trade has stopped, both countries are hurt. But because China is richer than Myanmar, we are more hurt.

Consequences will gradually arise." he said.  

Although Myanmar does not export anything to China at present, China is exporting its goods through Thai border and Chinese goods are entering Myanmar by sea. 

Daily border trade value of China-Myanmar through Muse 105 Mile and Chin Shwe Haw trade camps was about three million US dollars.

CNI News

1 Nov 2023

There are reviews and opinions among political commentators whether the Operation-1027 conducted by the Three Brotherhood Alliance - the Arakan Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army could reach until the central part of the country or not. 

The operation launched on 27th October 2023 attcked Lashio, Theinni, Mogok and Naungcho and the Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA) and Mandalay PDF took side with Three Brotherhood Alliance at the battles against the Tatmadaw.  

However, the operation could not reach until the central part of the country, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political and military commentator, told CNI News. 

" The operation can't reach until the central part. They are in a position to gather in one place and fight. In fact, the Tatmadaw was weak in some points while it was carrying out its tasks. But it was difficult for the Tatmadaw to control territories under the two democratic governments. It's because of weakness of the constitution. No one can see it except me. So, unexpectedly a guerilla civil war can spread. There were a lot of dark news about the Tatmadaw, which make people see the Tatmadaw as thugs. Althoughthere was no intention, there were some management mistakes of the Tatmadaw. After they were enlarged, the Tatmadaw has become a villain. Moreover, according to the 2008 constitution, the Tatmadaw had no rights to take responsibility for security. So, in the case that is happening now, as the Tatmadaw, there is a sense of having to work hard a little," he said.

While seeing comrades who are fighting for the Operation-1027 in northern Shan State

Their operation also was being implemented in Kachin State and Htigyaing Township, Sagaing Region and battles were taking place severely, Three Brotherhood Alliance stated. Whether the operation could reach until the main land or not depended on the military ambition of the Three brotherhood Alliance, U Khun Sai, one of the people who are getting involved in the peace process, told CNI News.

" As No-1, until which places has three brotherhood alliance intended to attack? If that goal is fulfilled, they might stop. Secondly, how will the Tatmadaw tackle it? If the Tatmadaw cleverly tackled it by military, political and diplomatic means, it can end quickly. Another thing is the attitudes of our neighboring countries. How do they see the battles near the border? If they see the battles should not break out and the problems should be solved peacefully, they will negotiate with the Tatmadaw and Three Brotherhood Alliance and then the battles can end quickly, I think." he said.

Due the Three Brotherhood Alliance's operation that was launched on 27th October 2023, battles were severely taking place and There are also heavy artillery fire and airstrikes. AA, TNLA and MNDAA, members of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, are northern EAOs that are collaborating in military and politics.