CNI News
23 September 2023

When foreign tourists come to Myanmar and exchange their money at the exchange counters, a strict scrutiny of their exchange should be relaxed, pointed out the tourism
and hotel operators.

In the pas when foreign tourists exchange their money, as their bank notes were checked carefully to know whether they have flaws or not, Foreign tourists were sort of disturbed.

If carefully checking bank notes like that was relaxed, it would be a great relaxation to improve Myanmar tourism, said U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, (northern Shan State), to CNI News.

"It's one of the big things that should be relaxed. at present, Myanmar exchange counters don't accept the foreign currencies which have a little ink stain or a little fold line. Foreign tourists are quite surprised if Myanmar exchange counters don't take old bank notes. Sometimes, they have old bank notes only. Foreigners would felt disturbed to an extent when their bank notes are examined in a manner that they are not believed." said U Zaw Zaw.

Foreign tourists waiting to exchange their bill notes at a foreign exchange counter of the Yangon International Airport

Because Myanmar's neighboring countries don't scrutinize strictly relating to foreign currency, foreign tourists don't feel disturbed and visited these countries, which is a factor for the improvement of tourism, pointed out businessmen.

" Mainly, it is the policy of the Central Bank. They have issued a notice not to check carefully like that. But mainly they refuse these are not accepted, and those are not accepted. The dollar is valuable for bottom staff. Fake dollars are more found among the large size dollars. So, big head and small head arose in dollar. When in USA, no matter how torn bill notes can be, you can use them. But they need to have full numbers. If the top accept, the bottom will accept to take old bank notes.  Bill notes that have been somewhat old should be accepted, I think.” Said U Thet Lwin Toe, a travel entrepreneur.

There were also video recordings by some foreign tourists relating to that their old bill notes were refused.

Currently, Myanmar has granted visa free and visa on arrival to some countries to make a lot of foreign tourists enter the country and strict scrutiny relating to foreign currency should be relaxed, suggested tourism and hotel entrepreneurs.

CNI News
23 September 2023

 There are reviews and discussions among the people who are performing peace process and political circles how to control the weapons that have been spreading among the public at the time when a period of stability comes after the end of the conflict.

At present, armed conflicts are breaking out across the country and a lot of weapons are entering the country. It was not easy to disarm the weapons spreading among the public and leaders of the two competitive organizations were responsible, said U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party), to CNI News.  

" In my opinion, it will take some time to end the domestic conflict. Whether either side wins or loses, `the conflict won't stop as long as weapons are in the hands of many people. To tell you frankly, it is easy to make money by using weapon. It is not easy to disarm weapons. It depends on the leaders of the armed organizations including the Tatmadaw. If they really love the country, they will choose the best way."he said.

Some of the weapons and ammunition seized in Sagaing Region

If the weapons were not able to be controlled, the people would be always worried and murders and thefts will increase, he added. After the country was reconstructed, the first thing to do was to disarm and that matter needed to be carried out seriously, said Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political analyst, to CNI News.

" It's not too strange. When the Soviet Union disintegrated, criminal gangs arose. In the same way,  if the weapons are not able to be controlled in a country like ours after the wars, criminal gangs will use these weapons. This is a common symptom in every country. We just need to carry out to disarm vigorously. It's not too much to worry about." said Dr.Aung Myo.

Not only in the border areas of Burma, but also in the mainland areas where there was no armed conflict in the past, battles have been breaking out and  weapons and ammunitions have already arrived there. With the abundance of weapons and ammunition, thefts, robberies and killings have been taking place and the people are worried about their security.

Six gunmen robbed a house in Inn Phyat Street, Htan Daw Ward, Monywa, Sagaing Region and killed a pregnant woman who was three days away from giving birth on 10th August.

CNI News
22 September 2023

The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) discussed about collaboration to be able to hold free and fair multi-party democratic general election in the regions of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs).

The discussion was held at the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Center on 21 September 2023. 

The RCSS and the NSPNC discussed about being able to emphatically hold the 8th anniversary celebration of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and to collaborate in order to successfully hold free and fair multi-party democratic general election in the EAO regions.

RCSS's discussions about providing humanitarian aids in the EAO regions, sections in the 2008 constitution that should be amended and economical requirements for regional development were mutually discussed and negotiated. 

RCSS and NSPNC were discussing on 21 September 2023

And then, they agreed to go on holding the discussion on 22nd September.

The discussion was attended by RCSS Secretary-1 Sao Sai Ngin, Central Executive Committee members Sao Saung Han and Sao Um Khe and Central Steering Committee members Sao Sai Han and Sao Sai Lyan.

Lt-Gen Min Naing, secretary of the NSPNC and negotiation committee members attended the discussion.

The RCSS has signed the NCA with 7 other EAOs on 15 October 2015.

CNI News

22 September 2023

Visitors who come and meet or see off passengers are allowed to enter the Terminal 1 building of the Yangon International Airport, which has been stated by the Yangon International Airport.

The passengers have to enter through Gate 3 and Gate 4 and those who come and meet or see off the passengers must enter through Gate 2 and they
must register at the registration area for access card and leave through Gate 6 and the cards must be returned.

Although relaxation like that was good, if visitors don't comply with the rules, access may be disabled again, said U Thet Lwin Toe, a travel entrepreneur, to CNI News.

Some people showing visitor admission cards at the entrance to the airport

" Those who see passengers off will have to take and return the cards systematically. 10 family members will find it difficult to see off. Passengers are going abroad by the thousand each day. If a person see a passenger off, the number of visitors will be one thousand. If something goes wrong because you don't follow the rules, if the access has been canceled, We, the public, will be in trouble. To tell you according to their rules, everybody should register two hours before the flight lands or takes off. They should perform the tour management by self control system, I think." said U Thet Lwin Toe.

In the past, other people are not allowed to enter the airport building except for the passengers which made the passengers who went abroad face with difficulties. 

So, travel entrepreneurs and hotel owners demanded to relax that rule reportedly. So, visitors who come and meet or see off passengers have been allowed to enter the airport building starting from 19th September.

People are waiting in line to take out visitor admission cards at the Departure entance of the Yangon International Airport

This kind of relaxation was good for the tourism industry, said U Zaw Weik, chairman of the Bagan Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, to CNI News. 

" In the past, they didn't allow visitors to enter. If you were allowed to enter, you would be ask money about ten thousand kyats. Visitors found it difficult. We faced witha lot of difficulties. A lot of suggestions have been presented. They are reducing the rules gradually." he said.

At present, tourists from India and China have been granted visa on arrival and when they arrive at the airport, some rules should be relaxed to facilitate the process of filling out the form, pointed out some businessmen.

" because the people who come and meet have been allowed to enter the airport building, the tour guides will welcome by holding up a sign. Tourist who have got visa on arrival may come. They will have to fill out the forms. Do they accept paying by electronic money card. We'll have to think about them. If necessary, we, agents will enter the building and pay the money in advance and submit the forms when the tourists come. If we are allowed to do things like that, tourists can enter without delay." said U They Lwin Toe.

Registration card is required to be presented when taking out the admission card and any fee is not needed to pay. If someone misused the card, they would be taken action against reportedly

CNI News

22 September 2023

Basic reference price for rice paddy have been designated 1,300,000 to 2,000,000 kyats for 100 baskets depending on kinds of rice paddy for the 2023 rainfed paddy season by the Myanmar Rice Federation, which is not fair, said U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, to CNI News. 
Buyers have to buy 100 basket of Aemahta rice paddy, a kind of rough rice, at 1,300,000 to 1,500,000 kyats and if someone bought Aemahta at more than 1,500,000 kyats, they will be investigated and taken action against, said in the statement released by the Myanmar Rice Federation.

Because the statement doesn't contain that those who buy rice paddy at less than the price designated will be taken action against, and that pound weight for 100 basket of rice paddy. So, it is just bias without being fair, said U Thein Aung.

rice paddy field

" Their designation is 100 basket, but the statement doesn't contain how many pounds must be for one basket. 46 pounds are equal to one basket which is internationally recognized. Buyers in villages are buying rice paddy designating 50 to 55 pounds for one basket. They just say basket, but not pound weight. And they have controlled the highest price. And those who buy at more than 1,500,000 kyats will be taken action against said in the statement, which, however, doesn't contain that those who buy at less than 1,300,000 kyats will be taken action against. To tell you frankly, the statement is just bias." said U Thein Aung.

The prices the Myanmar Rice Federation has designated for 100 baskets of rice paddy are 13 to 15 lakh kyats for Aemahta, 16 to 18 lakh kyats for Ayeyarwady Pawsan, 18 to 20 lakh kyats for Shwe Bo Pawsan.

Farmers who grow rice paddy

Basic reference price designation intends to enable farmers, rice producers and traders to earn a reasonable profit and in order not to burden consumers, said in the statement. 
"Because we are worried that the prices of rice and paddy will rise,  basic paddy price has been released after guesstimate so that we can estimate that we should trade at which price. Only after we have calculated how much farmers will make a profit and in order not burden the consumers, we have released the statement." said an official from the Myanmar Rice Federation.

Although basic reference prices enable farmers to make a reasonable profit, it is necessary to take action against buyers who buy at less that the prices designated and to raise prices depending on the pound weight gap from the calculation of the 100 baskets, said farmers.

CNI News

22 September 2023

A ministry that will separately perform to end armed conflicts and to be able to successfully carry out peace process is needed, said politicians and people who are working in the peace processes. 

ministry in question doesn't have to do anything except for the peace process, they suggested. It is unlikely to form a ministry like that under the State Administration Council. 

According to the path on which the SAC is going after renewing every six months, it may be difficult to form the ministry, said Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), to CNI News.

Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, chairman of the NSPNC

" When the Myanmar Peace Center existed, the ministry for peace didn't exist. But under of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, we needed the ministry for peace because those in charge such as Dr. Tin Myo Win had a weak way of dealing with the peace process. So, we advised to form a ministry for peace. But DASSK rejected. When anymore of changes happened, because there was the ministry for peace, the peace process had been interrupted. If there was the ministry for peace, the foundation for peace process was strong. As the SAC has to renew every six months, they are not in a situation to form a ministry for peace, I think." he said.

The SAC is carrying out for peace process after forming the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Working Committee led by Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win and the National Solidarity Peacemaking Negotiation Committee led by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae. 

Apart from the peace process, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae has held the positions of the Minster for Home Affairs, member the SAC and National Security Advisor.

If there was a ministry that could concentrate on peace process only, it would be more convenient, said U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the policy steering committee from the Arakan National Party (ANP), to CNI News.

7 NCA signatories and NSPNC were discussing

 " It is necessary to have a ministry for peace, I think. Because I deeply believe an enormous conflict like this could be overcome only after negotiation, It would be more proper if there was a ministry that was made up of individuals with political ideas." said U Tun Aung Kyaw.

Apart from seven NCA signatories, the SAC is negotiating for peace with non-NCA signatories - the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) and the United Wa State Army.

"Currently, how are we going to find the solution by meeting and negotiation? Although a ministry for peace is formed, what are attitudes of the rest organizations? We should have a route of negotiation that we can carry out. Shall we perform the peace process by forming a department or as an organization. We have to choose something." said Mai Ohn Khine, a Palaung politician, to CNI News.

CNI News

21 September 2023

Those who started the Spring Revolution that caused the Myanmar political crisis must solve the crisis, said U Ba Shein, former Pyithu Hluttaw representative from the Arakan National Party, to CNI News.

He couldn't know how the current revolution would go on after it was started and the problem solution depends on the organizations that started the revolution, he said.

 " Who started the Spring Revolution? What are the destinations of the people who are waging the revolution? How are they going to the destinations? Are they crying out loud in disarray as the 'Spring Revolution'. After they had made political plans, if they are performing, they must have plans. Those who started agitating to wage the Spring Revolution - what do they talk about it? It is important." he said to CNI News.

A PDF comrade and U Yi Mon, the NUG's Defense Minister

Myanmar Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1 February 2021 after saying the NLD was trying to from a government without solving the vote list dispute in the 2020 general election and has taken power. 

After that, NLD MPs and democratic elements waged the Spring Revolution. Armed conflict coming from the Spring Revolution has not been able to be solved although it has been over two years long and Myanmar nationals are facing with various crises.

The path of meeting and negotiating is the best to solve Myanmar political problem, said Mai Ohn Khine, a Palaung politician, to CNI News.

Myanmar Tatmadaw

 " The best way is to meet and negotiate. There is no way better than it, I think. It is the way that can go to peace. Mainly, if all the local elements demand the rights unitedly, it will be convenient, I think." he said. 
International community including some domestic political organizations, ASEAN and UN are trying to solve Myanmar political problem.

However, the organizations involved in the conflict are keener on fighting to knock out their enemy rather than negotiation. Currently, battles are breaking out in Sagaing, Magway, Tanintharyi Regions, Chin, Kayin, Kayah, Kachin and Mon States. 

Due to these armed conflicts, All the sectors including politics, economy, education, health are deteriorating.

CNI News

21 September 2023

As it has been ceaselessly raining lately, some rice plantations in Ayeyarwady, Bago and Yangon Regions have become waterlogged, if it goes on raining anymore, the rice yield may decrease by 10 percent, according to farmers. 

Because it has been raining daily since the second week of September, some rice plants are drowning and plants are falling. 

If it goes on raining anymore, the yield of rainfed rice may decrease by 10 percent in upper Ayeyarwady Region and Bago Region, said U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, to CNI News.

" Largely, short-lived Aemahta rice paddy is grown in upper Ayeyarwady Region and Bago Region and now the rice paddy starts ripening. If it is continuously raining for  any more of five days, the yield may decrease by 10 percent." he said.

Rice paddy fields that are waterlogged

Rice paddy plants in Hinthada, Myan Aung, Kyon Pyaw, Maubin, upper Pathein Districts, upper Ayeyarwady Region are waterlogged and there are some damages, but there are no damages in Pyapon, Kyaik Lat, Labutta and Myaungmya Districts because they are on the higher land reportedly.

The paddy fields which have not been waterlogged in Bogale Township are infected with pest and the cost for spraying pesticide about 100,000 kyats per acre. But Due to being able to spray pesticide in time, the yield can be damaged a little, said U Aye Naing, a farmer from Bogale Township, to CNI News.

" We use pesticide in the paddy nurseries and plantations. The cost has increased. Because we can spray pesticide in time, rice paddy is not badly damaged. But the yield can be damaged a little. When the fungus is infected, it is a little worrying. It is still possible to fix it now." he said.

The rice paddy that was waterlogged tend to decrease in its yield and when it is harvested, it is sold at a lower price than the market price.

CNI News

21 September  2023

Most of the rice shops in Myanmar are selling the mixture and when they sell kinds of fine rice such as Shwe Bo Pawsan and Ayeyarwady Pawsan, the rice shops mix fine rice with kinds of rough rice such as Yet Koe Zel and other rough rice reportedly from consumers.

When they sell fine rice, because there are price designations on fine rice, they mix fine rice with rough rice to be consistent with the designated price so that they can make a profit reportedly. 

Discussions on rice quality would be performed so as to enable consumers to get the quality that is consistent with the price, an official from the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders Association, to CNI News.

" It will depend on the performance of each shop. As there are price designations depending on quality, some shops might mix to be able to sell at the price designated. We haven't discussed about how to control the quality as yet. We will discuss about it a bit not to hurt consumers. Rice is an important commodity. If a shop sell rice incorrectly and its name is damaged, the shop won't be able to sell a lot anymore." he said.

A rice shop

Designated rice prices for sale at a low price are 150,000 kyats a bag of Pawsan and 130,000 kyats, a bag of Pyapon Pawsan reportedly. Due to designation like this, some rice shops mix fine rice with one third of Yet Koe Zel, Sin Thukha and Aemahta reportedly.

Because the prices designated enable the sellers to make a suitable profit, sellers should not mix and sell like that and authorities should take action against those who are selling incorrectly, said U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, to CNI News.

" Because the prices have been designated for those who store and sell to make a decent profit, the shops that mix with bad things and sell should be taken action against by the government without fail. If they are not taken action against, they will get a chance to commit a misdeed like this again. Officials concerned urgently scrutinize and should take action, I think." said U Thein Aung.

As the price of Pyapon Pawsan was about 80,000 kyats per bag when Shwe Bo Pawsan and Pyapon Pawsan appeared abundantly, the prices designated enable those who store and sell to make a decent profit, said farmers. 

Although the rice mills often mix different types of rice while grinding the paddy, the rate of mixture is about three percent only, said rice mill owners and farmers.