CNI News

15 June 2024

Although the domestic price of mung bean is currently going up, because of India's demand for pulses and bean, the price could increase anymore, said pulses traders. 

In India, this year's mung bean yield is decreasing and Indian pulses traders have expected that the prices of pulses could go up anymore after the election and are storing pulses and bean in advance reportedly. 

Because Indian bean traders have estimated that during the next four months, India's bean market depends on the Myanmar mung bean, the price of mung bean within Myanmar could go up anymore, U Ne Win Soe, in charge of the Ayeyarwady Region Myanmar Trade Promotion Organization, told CNI News.

" The price of mung bean will go up anymore because the Indian traders have estimated that the prices of pulses and bean will go up anymore after the election and some of them have stored pulses and bean in advance. And the mung bean yield in India decreased this year than expected. Moreover, the demand is also very high. So, the farmers here in Myanmar are selling mung bean little by little in the hope of further price increases. The price is really going up as well. But India's demand for mung bean is so high. They can buy it from Myanmar alone. They have estimated that mung bean market in India depends on the Myanmar mung bean during the coming four. months. No matter how high the price is, a situation in which they must buy it will come during the coming four months." he said.

Although there is an MoU between Myanmar and India in which India will buy 50,000 tons of mung bean from Myanmar at least, India is buying all the mung bean from Myanmar. 

As Myanmar farmers reduced growing mung bean due to the high cost of cultivation, domestic yield of mung bean has decreased. 

Although Myanmar was able to export until 700,000 tons of mung bean to India in the previous years, 500,000 tons only can be exported this year reportedly.

Although the price of mung bean is 110,000 kyat per basket, the price should be higher than the current one in comparison with last year market, Ko Maung Maung Naing, a bean trader, told CNI News.

" In the beginning of the mung bean season, the price was 90,000 kyat per basket. The current price is 110,000 kyat. The price seems to be going up. In fact, the price  should go up anymore. In the previous years, the price reached 80,000 to 90,000 kyats per basket from 35,000 kyats. But we have to watch until December which is the time when the price rises to the highest level." he said.

At present Myanmar has already exported 300,000 tons of mung bean to India and About 200,000 tons of mung beans remain within the country. 

Farmers and traders have expected that the price will go up anymore and are exporting little by little. 

Mung bean is grown Hinthada and Maubin Districts most and it is also grown in Bago Region. Mung bean is exported mainly to India and a small amount of mung bean is exported to China and Korea as well.

Myanmar workers' bank accounts books in Thailand embezzled

CNI News

15 June 2024

Because agents who maintained bank accounts and bank books of Myanmar workers embezzled, the Thai authorities have issued arrest warrants for the Myanmar workers, stated the Myanmar Embassy.

As agents got fees from the gamblers and those who want to launder money and gave them the bank accounts of the workers, a large amount of deposits, withdrawals and savings occurred in the bank accounts of the workers. 

So, the Thai authorities issued arrest warrants for owners, Myanmar citizens, of the bank accounts, said in the statement released by the embassy. 

This kind of case has not been found in the southern part of Thailand; when the workers entrusted their bank accounts books and ATMs to their employers or agents, some workers entrusted by mutual agreement and others were forced to entrust, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development, told CNI News.

Garment factory workers

" We haven't found here any arrests by the authorities about it. Workers should keep their own bank account books by themselves. I don't know how they have kept their bank account books. I wonder whether they have entrusted their bank account books to the companies according to the contract. It might be likely. But it doesn't make sense so much. Fishing workers usually haven't seen their bank account books. Their employers largely tend to keep the books according to an agreement." he said.

Myanmar MoU workers who have held PJ passports have to open bank accounts at the banks arranged by MoU companies when they arrive in Thailand. 

Because the workers don't know thoroughly bank procedures, they have to carry out what some representatives from the MoU companies say and the representatives have kept the bank account books reportedly.

Because of these representatives' embezzlement, Myanmar workers who were owners of the bank account books were issued arrest warrants and detained and some of them were absconding, said in the statement by the embassy.

Fishing workers

Myanmar migrant workers who have arrived in Thailand should not use other people' names when they open bank accounts in Thailand and buy SIM cards there, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Rights Foundation (LRF), told CNI News.

" When you register your phone SIM card, your resume information should be used. And then, when you open your bank account, you have to open with the SIM. But when you you use SIM cards that have already been registered with the names of unknown people, you may face problems." he said.

The Thai Ministry of Labor has approved to issue new Thai pink ID cards to undocumented migrant workers including ones from Myanmar, announced the Thai government on 6th June, 2024.

The undocumented migrant workers who will receive Thai pink ID that will permit to work must be migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam; they must have arrived in Thailand and they must have been working for their employers reportedly.

CNI News

14 June 2024

Good politics are needed to stabilize the prices of gold and money, pointed out gold market and economic analysts. The State Administration Council (SAC) is arresting and taking action against some gold entrepreneurs and money changers, accusing they were carrying out to make the prices of gold and foreign currencies unstable.

Although taking action like this could temporarily stabilize the prices of gold and money, only good politics could stabilize the prices in the long run. Moreover, there are too few exports but many imports, a gold market analyst, told CNI News.

" The SAC is desperately in need of dollars for the time being. It might be convenient if the need was filled. In fact, the prices are unstable because politics are not good. Because politics are not good. Just a few products can be exported but at the same time we have to import a lot of goods. Almost all foreign investments have left the country. And it's not easy in practice to replace the dollar. Moreover, there is not much border trading for the time being. Myawaddy, Muse and Ranong only are left." he said.

The SAC has issued arrest warrants for 10 individuals including the owners of Weint Sein, Aung Thamardi, Zwe Htet gold shops, accusing they were carrying out to make the price of gold unstable. 

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties

The SAC identified 21 culprits including brokers and inspecting them, saying they were carrying out to make the price of gold unstable and conducting illegal gold trading, stated the SAC.

If the economy was unstable, the price of money would decline and it could affect the people, U Kwan Gawng Awng Hkam, a Kachin politician, told CNI News.

" When the economy is in turmoil, anything can happen. Economic stability is important. If the economy was unstable, the price of Myanmar kyat would decline. The economy would decline. Mainly, it will affect the people." he said.

A lot of production should be conducted to recover the economy of the country, U Sein Win, former member of the Pyithu Hluttaw, told CNI News.

While seeing the Myawaddy trade zone

" In my opinion, agricultural production of farmers should be promoted a lot. And then the basic public can be pleased with food. Although farmers have to grow, they can't sell their products at a reasonable price. So, the farmers have to be growing without ambition or belief. The instability of the country may lead to a food crisis at last." he said.

Because of battles at present, some border trades have stopped and the country is facing economic decline, devaluation of the Myanmar kyat and territorial instabilities. 

The battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed groups in many parts of the country and because of closing border trades every so often, the public is facing economic decline, devaluation of the Myanmar kyat and higher commodity price.

CNI News

14 June 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) has established the administrative mechanism by force and banned the freedom as well as is violating human rights, stated the Chinland Council on 10th June, 2024. 

The United League of Arakan/ the Arakan Army (ULA/AA) is recruiting innocent Chin people by force and giving military training; implementing the administrative mechanism by force; ignoring mutual respect among ethnic groups; banning religious and educational freedom and violating basic human rights, for which it was very upset, stated the Chinland Council.

Not only do these actions damage friendship and mutual trust among ethnic groups, they also slow down the national revolutionary process, it said.

While seeing the statement released by the Chinland Council

The Chinland Council urged the ULA/AA to avoid military activities within Chin State because the sovereignty of Chin State is its people , said in the statement released by the Chinland Council.

The AA's implementation of administrative mechanism by force without the will of the Chin people and violation of human rights may lead to unwanted ethnic and military conflicts. So, the Chinland Council has urged the AA to stop these actions.

The AA has seized control of the Paletwa Township after attacking the military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw and it is giving military training to some Chin PDFs in other townships, Chin State and arming them after which their joint forces are attacking the military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

The Chin clans living in Paletwa Township controlled by the AA have displaced due to food shortages and oppression of the AA, said locals.

CNI News
13 June 2024

They needed to carry out to free from traces of terrorism within Yangon, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council at the meeting on the Yangon Region Stability, Peace and Development held 10th June, 2024.

Riots and protests took place within Yangon Region and then because armed terrorisms arose, martial law had to be announced in some townships of the region. Although in some places of the country, terrorisms are still taking place at present, the people can travel freely anywhere in Yangon Region, he said.

" Terrorists are planning to carry out terrorist acts at the time when the security forces might not notice and the security forces must be always watching out with security awareness and security precautions. Security forces need to carry out to free from traces of terrorists within Yangon Region. The Yangon Command and the Government of Yangon Region must coordinate and cooperate for the peace, stability and development." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While those who attempted to launch 107 mm shock missiles at the opening ceremony of the Thanlyin Bridge were being arrested

Moreover, while the SAC was walking on the path to democracy, it was necessary to have security and stability, he added. And then, Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, associate secretary of the SAC discussed the needs to carry out carefully in relation to peace, stability and security within the region as well as to be systematical checkpoints reportedly.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing attended and opened the No-3 Thanlyin Bridge connecting Thaketa and Thanlyin Townships, Yangon Region on 8th June, 2024 and the Yangon UG organization made an attempt to launch shock missile attack on the opening ceremony.

Nine people who attempted to attack on the opening ceremony with 107 mm shock missiles were arrested and their instructor and two trainers were still absconding, stated the SAC on 10th June, 2024.

CNI News

13 June 2024

In spite of the fact that some buyers of condo apartments from Thailand were arrested by the State Administration Council, the Myanmar citizens didn't stop buying the apartments on the Thai side, real estate agents and condo apartment dealers from Thailand told CNI News. 

In addition to opening illegal condo apartment showrooms to sell the apartments in Bangkok without asking permission from authorities concerned, two Myanmar citizens who sold and three Myanmar citizens who bought used illegal hundi in paying for the purchase of condo apartments, so they were arrested. 

However, condominium trading activities on the Thai side didn't worry too much about it and there were daily purchases, a real estate and condo apartment trading business operator told CNI News.

" Sellers and buyers of condo apartments from the Thai side don't worry too much. There are daily purchases. Not long ago, to the best of my knowledge, Myanmar investors and Myanmar citizens who came to attend school arrived in Thailand. Maybe they are from the upper class. The second largest number of condo buyers Myanmar citizens. There has been a sharp increase in the number of Myanmar citizens who want to buy condo apartments. The other day, my acquaintances bought a condo apartment at over 40 million bahts." he said.

A condo showroom in Thailand

Those who open bank accounts in foreign countries without permission from the Central Bank of Myanmar and those who buy or sell condo apartments would be identified and taken action against, warned the SAC.

Although there are arrests, as the SAC didn't state clearly how to take action against, those who wanted to buy condo apartments would use various kinds of ways, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News. 

“When the authorities arrest buyers or sellers of the condos, by what laws are these individuals taken action against?  Most of us don't know about it. Those who conducted illegal money transferring, gold industry and condo apartment dealers were arrested, we heard. But the public doesn't know how these individuals have been punished. Whether these arrests are according to the law or to change the market is interesting. In any case, people will be buying condo apartments in various ways." he said.

At present, there has been a sharp increase in the number of the Myanmar citizens who are working as agents and brokers in the condo business of Thailand and in purchasing condo apartments, buyers are purchasing condo apartments starting at 10 million baht or so, according to real estate agents and entrepreneurs.

A condo fair in Thailand

In purchasing condo apartments, rather than buying from representative offices in Myanmar, more and more buyers directly purchase condo apartments in Thailand, a condo business operator, told CNI News.

" There are many Myanmar citizens who are working as agents and brokers in the brokerage companies in Thailand. So, more and more Myanmar citizens are directly buying condos in Thailand. Myanmar citizens on the Myanmar side bought the condos from Thailand because don't have a connection with the dealers here, I think. transferring money is conducted generally with agents. If we deposit money at the bank that they have designated, we can leave the rest to them. You can open a bank account in Thailand even if you come to Thailand on a visit visa." he said.

According to statistics from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) of Thailand, among the countries that buy condos most in Thailand, Myanmar ranked 6th in 2022 and it bought 349 condo apartments worth 2.55 billion Thai baht reportedly.
In 2023, Myanmar ranked 3rd and bought 564 condo apartments worth 3.7 billion Thai baht. During the first three months of 2024, Myanmar overtook Russia and reached the 2nd place.

CNI News

13 June 2024

The Myitkyina-Putao Road that has been closed for three months has been reopened by the permission of the Kachin Independence Army and the Myanmar Tatmadaw. 

The Myitkyina-Putao Road has been closed since 9th March, 2024 because of the battles between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA. So, basic food shortages and high prices  occurred.

At present, philanthropic cars have been allowed to use the road and foodstuffs have been permitted to be carried in a limited number of cars, Ko Shwe Htike, a resident of Putao, told CNI News.

" For the time being, small philanthropic cars have been allowed to carry foodstuffs in a limited number of cars. Passengers have not been allowed yet. Cars are entering Putao. I heard that they sell foodstuffs at a low price. It will be helpful to an extent, I think." he said.

The trucks that will go to Putao could be convenient only if they have a letter on which the signature by the minister for security and border affairs has been signed reportedly.

Basic foodstuffs could be carried and fuel has not been allowed reportedly. At present, fuel is bought from India and China and re-sold, so the price of fuel has declined a little. 

While seeing traffic on Putao-Myitkyina road

Although the price was 100,000 kyats per liter in the past, now the price is 40,00 kyats for 700 ml, Ko Dipan, a resident of Putao, told CNI News.

" Now the price of fuel is not over 100,000 kyats per liter. We have to pay 40,000 kyats for 700 ml. Sellers go and buy fuel from China and India. They or their workers carry fuel on their shoulders. It will be the best if the road is opened unconditionally. We depend on the road alone for the flow of goods. If the goods are carried by plane, the cost is too high that those who live from hand to mouth can't buy food." he said

Not only is the flow of goods interrupted, the price of fuel also is skyrocketing. So, small scale industrial enterprise have been suspended. Moreover, human's physical strength is being used for the hill-side cultivation because tractors cannot be used reportedly.

In the transportation sector, locals are travelling on foot or with bullock carts or on bicycle reportedly.

CNI News

13 June 2024

Myanmar corn could be exported more than the three month target after two months, according to the Ministry of Commerce. 

380,000 tons of corn was targeted to be exported during the first three months - April, May and June.  However, 478,000 tons of corn could be exported during the two month until the end of May. 

As Myanmar corn could be exported to Thailand through the Myawaddy border trade route only by truck in the past, a few tons of corn could be exported. However at present, as corn is exported by sea, a lot of tons of corn can be exported.

To be able to export corn to meet the target amount in coming months depended on the weather and the ship's berth, U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairman of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association, told CNI News.

" In fact, corn is exported by ship in the open season. So, more tons of corn can be exported. Because the corm was exported through the Myawaddy border trade by heavy trucks in the past, many tons could not be exported. Whether the target can be met or not in the coming months depends on the weather and the ship's berth." he said.

While seeing Myanmar corn

Domestic corn is at a good price because at present the price of global corn and of the Thai baht are getting higher. Farmers can sell their corn at 1,400 kyats per viss more that 1,400 kyats per viss they expected reportedly. 

As it was not convenient to use the Myawaddy border trade route, there had been an increase in the use of the Tachileik border trade in eastern Shan State, Ko Sai Kham, a corn trader from Tachileik, told CNI News.

" Corn exports are more than previous years because the Myawaddy birder trade route cannot be used. Corn farmers grew corn more. The price of corn in Tachileik is 47,000 kyats per bag now. The price was just over 30,000 kyats in previous years. But because the road is a little damaged in the rainy season, we have to wait a bit long." he said

Because Thailand has allowed Myanmar corn to be exempt from customs duties from February to August, the Myanmar side is carrying out so as to meet the target in exporting the corn, according to traders.

CNI News

12 June 2024

The territory of the Brigade-9 of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Pharkant Township, was attacked by air by the Myanmar Tatmadaw on the night of 9th June, 2024, Col-Nawbu, information officer of the KIA told CNI News. 

The territories of the Battalion and the Brigade-9 of the KIA was attacked and the two sides were in a tense military situation, he added.

" The military council launched air attack on the territories of the Battalion-6 and the Brigade-9 of the KIA in Pharkant Township. The two sides are a tense military situation in Kachin State. During this week, there is no ground battle." said Col-Nawbu.

Although there were no ground battles in Waingmaw Township, the Myanmar Tatmadaw was firing with heavy weapons, he said. 

While seeing Pharkant region

Because the news that Pharkant Town would be attacked the KIA/PDF joint forces during this month came out, the military council possibly attacked by air in advance and although battles broke out in Pharkant, jade mining industry was not affected, a resident of Pharkant told CNI News.

"People are working on jade mining industry day and night while battles are breaking out on the other hand. The safest place to avoid battles is the jade mining site. Battles took place again after 2012. But all the teaks in Mansi Township were no more. Battles broke out. Warplanes came. The people didn't dare to go out when timber trucks had entered China by the thousand. Battles are no more honest after 1999. Although battles are breaking out, there are 300 to 400 jade mining sites in Pharkant Township alone." he said.

The jade mining business is operating normally without being affected although battles are severely taking place around Pharkant and in Kachin State, which is questionable, according to locals. 

While seeing a jade mining site in Pharkant

There are common interests businesses of the top leaders of the KIA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Pharkant Township and they would not hurt their businesses, pointed out locals.

"There are their interests here in Pharkant. They are getting their main income from jade mining sites. They can collect tax only when these businesses operate. There are a lot of shared interests businesses of the top leaders from two sides here. They won't hurt these places. So, the industry is operating." said a resident of Pharkant.

Battles were severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces in Waingmaw, Momauk and Bhamo Townships during May and at present, battles have stopped. However, there are occasionally heavy weapon fires there.