CNI News

7 October 2024

The unity was needed among the Pa-O armed groups in Myanmar, said Col. Khun Okkar, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) on 4th October, 2024. 

Col. Khun Okkar urged Pa-O armed groups to build Pa-O national unity as soon as possible while he was talking about forming an interim council dated 29th September 2024. 

Because the unity among the armed groups in the Pa-O regions collapsed, Pa-O people were suffering a variety of trouble, said in the statement.

Pa-O people play an important role in carrying out to solve the conflicts taking place among the Pa-O armed groups as well as to have a unity among them, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

While seeing the statement urging to form an interim council

" Pa-O people play an important role in building the unity among the Pa-O armed groups. The Pa-O people led by monks request again and again and the way the people intervene is the best and the most peaceful way because any armed group has to depend on the people. If the people don't support, don't like the armed conflict and object to the armed conflict, designating it's not beneficial to the people, the armed conflict can't last for long. If the armed conflict took place, it wouldn't break out in a big way. After the conflict ceased, if armed groups cooperate, we can say it's unity. Now that the conflict has been taking place for over six months, we have to watch any more of a little time and to re-organize gradually kind of." he said.

There are four Pa-O armed groups and they are the Pa-O National Organization (PNO/PNA) that is cooperating with the Tatmadaw, the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) that is led by Col. Khun Okkar, the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO/AD) that is led by Col. Khun Thurein and the Pa-O National Federal Council (PNFC) that is led by Khun Myint Tun.

While seeing troops of the PNLO/PNLA

The PNLO led by Col. Khun Okkar will go on the NCA path and the PNLO/AD led by Khun Thurein is fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw, making allies with the PNFC and supporting the Spring Revolution. 

Battles are breaking out in the Special Region-6 that has been controlled by the PNO/PNA and the unity is broken among the Pa-O armed groups.

If there was no unity among the Pa-O armed groups, it was unlikely to go on; there were tensions ideologically in military and politics; there were external influence on both sides and it could adversely impact on the people, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

While seeing the PNO/PNA

" There hasn't been such a bad conflict for the time being, but an ideological tension. There are military and political tensions, but they haven't widely spread yet. There are external influence on both sides. The elements that have seceded from the NCA have been influenced by the BGF or the Spring Revolution. So, the people might suffer." he said.

On the other hand, as the Tatmadaw that becomes weaker has used the militias more, the people might find it difficult, pointed out military and political analysts.

So, an army which the Pa-O people could rely on must be built so that it could maintain the conflicts and the reason why an interim unity council was call was to implement these tasks, said Col. Khun Okkar.

CNI News

4 October 2024

The price of dollar fell to around 4,500 kyats per dollar during the past few days from above 5,000 kyats per dollar and economic commentators are discussing regarding to how much the price of dollar can fall.

If the price of dollar went on falling, it would be above 3,500 kyats only, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

" The price of dollar falls because there is no sudden demand at the moment. In fact, 5,00 kyats per dollar is still very high. Because that the price of dollar fall is not too bad. We are relieved from pain. But the real disease cannot be cured. As a matter of fact, market must be created by demand and supply. As long as we don't reach that situation, we can't reach the original state. In my opinion, if the price of dollar falls at the lowest, it just will be above 3,500 kyats." he said.

It was expected that the price of dollar would reach 5,000 kyats in the end of this year and because there has been an increase in the number of migrants within the country due to battles, the price of dollar went up until 7,000 kyats and then fell to 5,000 kyats. 

At the moment, the price fell to 4,500 kyats again.

The Central Bank of Myanmar

The reasons why the price of dollar fell was because the global price of dollar fell; the Central Bank of Myanmar has sold dollars and there was no sudden demand for dollars, reviewed some people.

Although the Central Bank was carrying out to make the price of dollar fall to around 4,000 kyats, economic analysts made a comment that it was not possible the price of dollar could fall under 5,000 kyats.

So, that the price fell to around 4,500 kyats was surprising, an economic commentator told CNI News.

" That the price of dollar has fallen this time is quite surprising. We can say the rest all are normal, but the dollar case is abnormal. In 2008 shortly after Cyclone Narghis, the price of dollar plunged. Dollars entered Myanmar by millions from UN. And then, we received a lot of aids from Japan. When dollars enter Myanmar, the price of dollar tend to fall. Now how much international aids can enter Myanmar? Depending on that, we have to estimate how the price of dollar might be." he said.

If the price of dollar went up, it would go up gradually and how high the price would go up could not be estimated, said economic analysts. 

The price of dollar could change to an extent depending on the new US government that would come to power after the US election, they reviewed.

CNI News

4 October 2024

The rainfed paddy yield of Ayeyarwady Region can decrease by 30 percent (1.5 million tons) in comparison with last year, according to the Farmers Development Association. 

When the rainfed paddy was planted this year, low-lying paddy fields were sunk and pests destroyed paddy plants when the paddy was reaped. So, the yield will decrease.

although about 80 baskets of paddy per acre could be produced from the farms that were not sunk, about 40 baskets per acre could be produced from the farms that were sunk and suffered pests, U Thein Aung, former chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.

" The regions where paddy fields were mainly damaged in Ayeyarwady Region are Myan Aung, Hinthada, Maubin Districts and Kyaunggon Township in Pathein District. The yield could decrease by about 30 to 35 percent in Ayeyarwady Region." he said.

While cultivation is being conducted on farms in the Ayeyarwady delta region 

There are over 3.7 million acres of rainfed paddy yearly and three to four million tons of paddy can be produced. However, 1.5 million acres of paddy that had been grown were sunk.

Moreover, some farms of paddy were damaged because of shellfish and other pests, U Aye Naing, a farmer from Bogale Township, told CNI News.

" The yield has decreased. Shellfish bites paddy fields in the middle part where there is fresh water and other pests, lower part. If there are 260 acres, about 70 acres were damaged. Pests bite paddy in the lower part where there is salt water. If about 300 baskets are produced as usual, now we get about 150 baskets only." he said.

At present rainfed paddy is being reaped and the price of paddy is 15 lakh kyat per 100 baskets, one lakh more than last year. 

However, because the agricultural cost was high, farmers made a little profits, said farmers.

CNI News

4 October 2024

As Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) are making attempts in competition in order to seize control of Lashio City in northern Shan State, there are comments among political analysts about how important Lashio is militarily and economically. 

Is important militarily and economically to EAOs and the Myanmar Tatmadaw, Col. Khun Okkar, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News.

" Lashio is economically an important city. In the past, troops of the Burma Communist Party had entered Lashio. It has a strategic command of the Tatmadaw, which the MNDAA has seized control of the city. The dignity of central authorities was hurt because they lost control of a militarily important place. So, they will be disturbing so as not to enable the people to live in the city in some way." he said.

While seeing the MNDAA

Lashio is located on the China-Myanmar border trade route and economically important. In the same way, the Northeast Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw, militia and other military camps were located. 

At present, the MNDAA has captured Theinni, Phaungsai, Monko, Chin Shwe Haw, Laukkai and Kon Kyan including the Northeast Command during Operation-1027. 

And then, as the MNDAA is establishing administration in Lashio, the Myanmar Tatmadaw is trying so as not to enable the MNDAA to establish administration by launching air strikes.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw possibly was attacking Lashio by air to regain control of its Northeast Command and Lashio was important to EAOs because it was pivotal in northern Shan State, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing Muse 105 Mile Trade Gate

" Lashio is important to an extent. But it's not the most important to (Sr-Gen) Min Aung Hlaing. The most important thing to him is that the MNDAA can't stay in Lashio any longer and to make the people flee the city. He is crushing down the city because he can rebuild the Northeast Command, I think. And northern Shan State is important to EAOs and Lashio is the most important to northern Shan State. So, the Command was established in Lashio." he said.

As the China-Myanmar trade routes pass through Lashio, it is economically important, added U Than Soe Naing. " All the economic routes connecting China pass through Lashio. Because Lashio is closed, the military council is losing by hundred million dollars. So, the military council seems to be trying to create a situation in which there is no one to live in Lashio." he said.

Although the Chinese government persuaded the MNDAA to retreat from Lashio and to set foot in Laukkai, the MNDAA responded it was unlikely because it could face objection from its troops, according to the diplomatic circles.

The MNDAA announced on 4th September it would discuss peace through the China's mediation; it wouldn't attack to Mandalay and Taunggyi; it wanted full self-administration; it wouldn't expand its military and it would conduct self-defense.

CNI News

3 October 2024

The Myanmar Rice Federation will provide aids to farmers whose paddy farms were sunk due to flood and has appropriated 5,000 lakh kyats reportedly. 

Seeds and fertilizers would be provided to the flood-hit farmers, chairman of the Myanmar Rice Federation, U Ye Min Aung told CNI News.

" We have appropriated 5,000 lakh kyats to help the flood-hit farmers for the time being. If necessary any more, we'll search for finance to replenish. The main necessities are seeds and fertilizers. The area where paddy can be replanted is narrow. But in some places, there is a plan to replant the short term paddy. Farmers are interested in it as well. So, we are planning to help farmers with seeds and fertilizers. Moreover, if other crops such as peas and beans will be planted, we are planning to help farmers." he said.

In supplying seeds and fertilizers to the farmers, the MRF will give them free of charge or sell on credit.

While seeing some farm plantations that were damaged due to flood in Kani Township( photo-pyae aung naing facebook)

Some farmers have crop insurance at the rate of 1,000 kyats per acre at the Myanma Economic Bank and they got the money back at the rate of 30,000 kyat per acre.

Not only were farmers be able to reap their rainfed paddy, their seeds stored also were lost in the flood-hit areas in Shan State, Mandalay Region, Karen State, Bago, Magway, Ayeyarwady Regions, Mon State and the Naypyidaw Council Territory.

Although rainfed paddy was ruined, farmers must try to make a profit in the winter crop, former chairman of the Farmers Development Association U Thein Aung told CNI News.

" In the country, as you know, it's difficult to stand economically while battles are breaking out between the two sides. Farmers have to make up for damages and losses of this year in the winter crop cultivation." he said.

The MRF is making a list of farms that were damaged due to flood and it will start providing aids when the rainy season ends. 

He wanted to request businessmen to invest in the agricultural and livestock industries in the flood-hit areas, said chairman of the SAC.

The SAC has received 42.7 billion kyats from donors for the reconstruction of flood-hit areas.

CNI News

3 October 2024

Issuance of documents for residence permit undocumented migrant workers and their children should be facilitated, those helping migrant workers told CNI News. 

The Thai government made a decision to allow undocumented migrant workers and their children under 18 to live in Thailand a few days ago.

The processes should be reduced in making documents because undocumented migrant workers have to be paying much more than price designated as it is not easy to apply documents for residence permit, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Right Foundation (LRF) told CNI News.

" Whatever any documents are made in Thailand, brokers are getting involved in a big way because the Thai authorities can't keep a close watch on them systematically. The processes should be reduced. Because there are many processes, it is kind of paving the way for brokers to get involved." he said.

While seeing Myanmar migrant workers who have held documents

According to the demand from the managing committee on foreign workers, the agreement was reached to allow undocumented migrant workers and their children to live. 

Undocumented workers are registered to be recruits and costs and registration process can be known in detail only after the Thai royal palace permits.

If undocumented migrant workers had children under 18, the children will be allowed to stay with their parents. If the children of undocumented migrant workers were over 18, they would have to register as new workers, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development, told CNI News.

While seeing migrant workers in Thailand

" The children under 18 must apply in the offices of the Ministry of Labor in the provinces concerned for their residence permit not for work permit. When undocumented migrant workers register as new workers, they need to submit information and population about their children. when their children are 18, after 60 days, they must apply for a work permit." he said.

Moreover, although a meeting was called in relation to raising basic daily wages to 400 baht in the businesses which have 200 workers above starting from 1st October, the decision was put off because the necessary number of individuals that were to attend didn't show up.

Among those arrested during the 120 day plan since the middle of this year, nearly 200,000 Myanmar citizens were arrested.

CNI News

3 October 2024

Myawaddy border trade, a Thai-Myanmar border trade route, that has been closed might be reopened due to the bilateral negotiation, said traders and businessmen. Because there was no territorial stability along the Thai-Myanmar border trade route and there was difficult transport, the trade was suspended for a long time.

Thailand has said that it would repair the Asia Highway and carry it out for territorial peace and stability.

If the Myawaddy border trade route could be reopened, the prices could decline as well, U Aung Pyae Sone, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

While a bridge that was damaged was being repaired on the Myawaddy border trade troute

“Because the way of finding an answer through negotiation is good, we welcome it. If the border trade route was reopened, the prices would go down as well. The products that are imported from China and Thailand are going up more than usual while the price of dollars is going down and the price of gold has been controlled. The problem is that prices haven't gone down because of difficult transportation. After negotiation, Thailand will repair the roads if the Myanmar side is able to take responsibility for security. But Thailand won't be able to carry out security operations in Myanmar." he said.

If the Thai government help repair the roads on the Myanmar side and help Myanmar to be able to reopen the Asia Highway, it must be welcomed, he added.

 "Mainly, if they repair the roads that were damaged because of weather or battles, we welcome it. If the transportation is good and the security is reliable, the flow of goods can be performed more. And then prices also will go down." he said.

Because the Myawaddy border trade route cannot be used, exporters are using the Tachileik border trade route in eastern Shan State and trading by sea through the Yangon-Ranong route. So, the costs were high, said traders.

While seeing trucks on the Asia Highway between Myawaddy and Kawkareik

If the Myawaddy border trade route could be reused, farmers could get higher prices for their products, U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairman of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association, told CNI News.

" If the Myawaddy border trade route was reopened, we would be able to pay 50 to 70 kyat per viss more than the current payment. There is a route going to the Thai side through Tachileik. We were not able to use the route through Myawaddy last year. We can use the Kawthaung-Ranong waterway. Many cars can't be used on the Tachileik route. The waterway by sea has limited the number of ships. So, the Myawaddy route was reopened, the flow of goods would be faster." he said.

The Myawaddy border trade with Thailand has been suspended since early April due to difficult transport and unreliable security situations.

CNI News

3 October 2024

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) was vaccinating children aged one to five and pregnant women on 30th September, said locals.

The SNA vaccinated children aged one to five and pregnant women from over 1,000 households in six villages from Manlaung Pepin Village Tract and seven villages from Man In Mingon Village Tract, Banmauk Township.

Medical team of the SNA and Banmauk township medical officer are vaccinating the children and pregnant women to prevent from diptheria, whooping cough, tetanus hepatitis B, and brain swollen. Moreover, the joint teams are vaccinating for PCP, polio, Japanese brain swollen, measles, German measles and so on, said locals.

The SNA vaccinated for the first time on 28th August 2024.

The SNA is carrying out security operations along the India-Myanmar border areas and in Banmauk, Homalin Townships, Tamu-Aung Zeya region, Khamti and Shwe Pyi Aye Townships, Sagaing Region and providing medical service to locals there.

CNI News

3 Octobe 2024

Efforts were made to make the Naypyidaw Council Territory develop and in the same way, Meiktila was being made to become a model city, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above during his meeting with departmental officials and elders in Meiktila District on 29th September 2024.

Meiktila has roads going to east, west, south and north and is a city that is pivotal regarding commerce. The area of Meiktila is just a little different from that of Naypyidaw Council Territory and there are over 900,000 people in Meiktila while over one million, in Naypyidaw, said chairman of the SAC.

" Efforts were made to enable Naypyidaw Council Territory to develop and in the same way, Meiktila is being made to enable it to develop as a model place. Geographically, Meiktila is located in the middle part of the country and pivotal in commerce. It is a district where there are universities and colleges as well. Besides, as it has a geographical situation where there is a smooth transportation, it is convenient to do businesses." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Sr-Gen Than Shwe (retired) built the Naypyidaw Council Territory in 2006 and designated it as the capital of Myanmar.

Eight lane streets and 16 lane streets have been built in Naypyidaw and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing built the Mara Wizaya Pagoda, the highest in Southeast Asia. 

Weapons for the Tatmadaw are produced in Meiktila and conferences of military commanders are held in the city. Besides, it is well-known as Tat Myo (military city) as well.