CNI News

25 August 2023

Politicians and EAO leaders are reviewing discussing differences between Thailand and Myanmar in dealing with peace, stability and economy when the military leaders take political power. 

Whenever the military takes power in Thailand, the country's economy, education, health, tourism sectors do not tend to be adversely affected. However, whenever the military takes power in Myanmar, the country's political, economy, education, health sectors tend to deteriorate. 

Whenever the military takes power in Thailand, the US does not impose any sanctions and the public and army do not tend to commit violence, said Col. Khun Okka, an EAO leader to CNI News.

" When the military takes power, the US doesn't impose sanctions. But soon after the military took power, the US tend to suspend its aids to Thailand for a short time. When the military seizes power in Thailand, the public doesn't protest in a big way. The public also is not affected. Thai king also is the main pillar. If he didn't object the coup, demonstrations wouldn't take too long. When Thai king didn't agree to the coup, it was not successful. When General Suchinda couped, he suppressed brutally the protesters. But when Thai king admonished him, brutal suppression stopped." said Col.Khun Okka.  

Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister of Thai Caretaker Government and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

Because there are no individuals and institutions that can intervene and maintain, terrorist attacks cannot be stopped, he added. There are no pillars that can intervene in our country. 

“That's why, we are finding it difficult. I had told ethnic leaders if we would intervene soon after the coup took place. But They didn't dare to do so. Now that there aren't any intervention, terrorist attacks are endless." he said.

There are 19 coup d'états in Thailand between 1932 and 2014. Although the number of coup d'état is less than in Thailand, a coup d'état tends to take several decades.

Due to the military coup, Thai economy also tend to decline. But Thai management is better than Myanmar, said Yebaw Aye Lwin, spokesperson of the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) to CNI News.

"The participation of the institutions and experts in Thailand are much better than in Myanmar. As soon as the military coups in Myanmar, due to poor management, economic decline and a lot of setbacks arise." he said.

If the foundations of the country - freedom, justice and equality are dysfunctional, armed conflicts will be occurring, said U Ko Ko Gyi, chairman of the People's Party (PP) to CNI News.

" To tell you frankly, a government - any kind of government is most responsible for all the problems of the country. If you put blame on the opposition and underground activists that instabilities arise because of them, it's not enough. Why do these problems arise? The foundations of our country - freedom, justice and equality in the Independence Declaration which are carved in the Independence Monument in the center of Yangon, if these basics are broken, political conflicts and armed conflicts will take long" he said.

Due to the current armed conflicts, the country's politics, economy, education and health are deteriorating and the public is facing with crises as well.

CNI News

25 August 2023

Tourists from China and India who will come to Myanmar will be given visas on arrival, U Aung Aye Han, deputy director general of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism told CNA News. 

Although it is not known exactly when visas on arrival will be issued to these tourists, it is likely to start in the next open season, he added.

" They are our neighboring countries and most of tourists who go abroad are from these countries. Moreover, most of tourists who come to our country are from these countries as well. So, we have planned to give the visas on arrival to the tourists from these countries. Other countries might be given visa on arrival, I think. After knowing early the news that will give visa on arrival, If the marketing is conducted in their countries, the number of tourists who will come to Myanmar can increase. We can't grant visa on arrival. It just belong to the foreign affairs and immigration departments." he said.

Chinese tourists in Bagan

In 2019, Myanmar granted visa on arrival to India and China, according to the statistics of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism, over 13,000 Indian tourists entered Myanmar through the Yangon Airport during the first four months that year.

In the same way, 520,000 Chinese tourists entered Myanmar from January to September in 2019.  

Whether visa on arrival is granted or not should depend on the number of tourists who came to the country, said U Zaw Weik, chairman of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) to CNI News.

"When we are unable to get up on our own for the time being, we need help to get up again. According to the current situation, we are making plans to make visitors enter. After granting visas on arrival, we have to study whether it has produced positive impact or negative impact. Depending on the results, we might increase or reduce visa on arrival. The government should do so." he said.

Foreign tourists at the airport

Not only India and China, South Korea, Japan and Russia would also be granted visa on arrival, according to businessmen. 

If the visa on arrival was granted, because more foreign tourists might enter, the government should ease restrictions on foreign tourists who want to come to northern Shan State, said U Zaw Zaw, chairman of Northern Shan State Hotelier Association to CNI News.

" I don't think tourists are allowed to come to northern Shan State. There is not in a situation to be able to grant visa on arrival for northern Shan State, that they have reviewed, I think. Tourist should be allowed to come to Lashio, I think." he added.

The number of foreign tourists who entered Myanmar was about 3.55 million in 2018, over 4.5 million in 2019, over 800,000 in 2020, 120,000 in 2021, over 360,000 from April 2022 to March 2023, according to the statistics of the ministry of hotel and tourism.

CNI News

24 August 2023

Private banks are also among those who are performing to make the dollar price go up for many reasons, pointed out business people and economists. 
When the banking system was attacked to make it break down, although the currently-existed banks were helped, some of them are not faithful at present, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun at the news conference of the State Administration Council held in Naypyidaw on 22nd August, 2023. 
The speech meant that although the Central Bank has designated that one dollar must be sold at 2,900 kyats, private banks were indirectly selling dollars at a higher price than the designation, said U Thiha Paing, founder of the Via Logistics and Supply Chain, to CNI News.

The workplace of a domestic private bank

" What I understand the speech of Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, the government sold dollars to the private banks at 2,900 kyats per dollar. When the private banks re-sell, they should sell a dollar at 2,902 kyats. But they sell indirectly at a higher price than the designation, adjusting the market price. It's happening like that practically. If you go buy dollars at the private banks at that rate, you won't be able to buy. Myanmar Airways International (MAI) sell the passengers at 2,900 kyats per dollar, but they ask 750 kyats as service charge." he said.  

Private banks are trading US dollar through intermediaries on their behalf, said U Thiha Paing. 
" Private banks have account to account transfer among them. If you go buy at a private bank at 2,900 kyats per dollar, they will say it's sold out. But the bank has employed a man. The bank will say he can sell dollars. Trading is performed by account transfer. The bank doesn't sell dollars directly. The bank sells dollars through a person who is related to the bank." he said.

The workplace of a domestic private bank

Private banks are making financial speculations and traders also are making dollar price speculations. So, not only the private banks, traders also should be controlled, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst to CNI News.

" Private banks also make financial speculations. The authorities didn't reveal the names because they thought they shouldn't. Even if the private banks sell dollars at 2,902 kyats per dollar, traders will re-sell dollars at 3,500 kyats per dollar. So, the people get into trouble. Traders are making import and export, calculating at the rate of 3,500 kyats per dollar instead of 2,922 kyats per dollar. This must be controlled or the dollar price won't decline. The gold rice is the same as dollar. The price for one tical of gold should be about 29 lakh kyats. In the market, the price is 37 lakh kyats." he said.  

Although the Central Bank has designated that the dollar price is 2,100 kyats per dollar, in the external market, one dollar is up to 3875 kyats. 

Due to the increase in the dollar price, the prices of commodities including those of gold, fuel and edible oil are increasing day after day.

CNI News

24 August 2023

Only when there are stability and security in the tourist areas of Myanmar, Chinese investors who want to invest in hotel and tourism may come into Myanmar, said hotel and tourism operators to CNI News.
For further development of the hotel and tourism sector, she would invite Chinese investors, said Dr. Thet Thet Khaing, Union Minister for Hotel and Tourism while she met with a delegation Led by the Deputy CEO of Chery Holding Group Co., Ltd and Chairman & CEO of Rich Resource International Investment Co., Ltd.

The investors from China must be attracted to make them want to come and invest here in Myanmar and currently, Chinese business people are concerned about territorial insecurity, said, U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, northern Shan State, to CNI News.

Daw Thet Thet Khaing and Chinese business people

" I got back from the Kumin Trade Fair a few days ago. I discussed about tourism with them (Chinese businessmen). They wanted to tell me that our country is unstable. Firstly we should make our country peaceful and stable. A lot of them want to come to our country if it's safe when they come. They are interested in import and export as well. Their tourists want to come here and they want to make our tourists come to China. To be worse, foreigners are not allowed to come to northern Shan State. Air tickets are not sold to them. These all adversely affect the tourism. This needs to be relaxed, I think, for our northern Shan State." he said.

Myanmar also came to join the countries that allow Chinese tourists to travel in group in their countries, according to a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism. 
Preparations are being made to make Chinese tourists facilitate in both spending money and travelling and it is carrying out to relax visa, said the Union Minister for Hotel and Tourism.

Although , 50 percent were positive and negative about China in the past, Because the Chinese tourists can spend more money, it is necessary to carry out to make a lot of Chinese tourists enter Myanmar, U Zaw Weik, chairman of Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told CNI News.

Chinese tourists

" As China is a developed country, more than 50 percent of Chinese tourists have a good spending power. Lots of Chinese tourists can be seen in Europe as well. Big souvenir shops in the European countries such as Germany and Switzerland have employed staffs who can speak Chinese fluently. They also welcome Chinese tourists. If there are peace and stability here in Myanmar and Chinese tourists will enter, it will be beneficial to us. And then, they will go to restaurants and souvenir shops. Although there is no territorial stability yet, we have to invite. But Chinese investors will have to think about it, I think." he said.

367,368 international tourists, including 48,342 Chinese tourists entered Myanmar in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, according to the statistics of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism.

CNI News

24 August 2023

Even though there are calls to resolve Myanmar's political crisis through dialogue, because of the positions and demands of the two forces, dialogue is still a long way off, said the political community. 

If the NUG/PDF wanted to go to the path of dialogue, they needed to announce to let the world know that they would no longer commit acts of terrorism, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun at a press conference held On 22nd August, 2023.

As armed conflicts are widespread throughout the country due to the landscapes that were changed after 1st February 2021, organizations from local and abroad are requesting the stakeholders to meet and discuss.

The State Administration Council was holding a news conference on 22nd August, 2023

"I know they themselves participated in vote fraud. We could take action against them. But we sent them back after saying that we had to. We told them to face in accordance with the law. Some of them chose armed path. There are people who agitate to follow the armed route. They chose the path of armed violence that is happening now. If they are going to go to the path of dialogue, firstly they who have been announced as terrorists by the government must confess to let the world know that they will no longer commit terrorist acts. Secondly, they need to announce to let the world know that they denounce terrorist acts." said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

The State Administration Council would work together with some EAOs, political parties and international organizations for the peace and stability of the country, he added. 

NUG-PDF

The country's economy, education, health, and social conditions are deteriorating from all sides due to the current crises. 

The path of dialogue was the political exit of the SAC and according to the current political landscape, it was unlikely to hold a political dialogue at present, said Ko Banyar, director of the Karenni Human Rights Organization to CNI News.

" We have admitted that there were human rights violations in some places. But we haven't committed any terrorist acts. Dialogue is SAC's exit. At present, it is unlikely to hold a political dialogue." he said.

Revolutionary forces waging the Spring Revolution have proclaimed that there is no need to discuss the blood debt. On the other hand, over 24,000 houses and buildings were set fire during the first six months of 2023 due to the armed conflicts, according to ISP Myanmar.

CNI News

23 August 2023

When India has limited its rice export, foreign countries may increase their order of Myanmar rice, which rice exporters are reviewing. 

Moreover, because the rice prices of Thailand and Vietnam have risen, buyers are turning to Myanmar, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation. 

Currently, Myanmar rice is being exported to the Philippine and African countries are increasingly buying Myanmar rice, said an official from Myanmar Rice Traders Association to CNI News.

"A lot of rice is bought both locally and by foreign countries. A lot of rice is bought because India has limited its rice export as well. Rice is being exported to the Philippines. African countries buy  Myanmar rice regularly. Rice here can be sold more than before." he said.

A farmer plowing the field

India, which is the largest exporter of rice in the world, has limited its rice export, aiming to prevent domestic rice prices from rising before its general election that will be held early next year. 

If the purchase of Myanmar rice increased due to India's limitation of its rice export, it would be beneficial to rice farmers, said U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association to CNI News.

" India's rice export is not less. But as it has limited its rice export, if a lot of rice here can be sold, it can be beneficial to the farmers here. The farmers can produce more than the current amount. Because the production cost is high, they can't produce to the full. If they can make a profit from rice, they can produce another one third. When some other sanctions are imposed on Myanmar, if the number of countries which buys Myanmar rice and crops has increased, it is a good news." he said.  

A rice mill

Although international rice prices are going up, the government will reduce the rice export licenses next month so as not to make domestic rice prices rise, said the Myanmar Rice Federation. 

Buyers of rice for export buy very little at the Bayint Naung commodity depot and traders go to the areas where rice is produced and buy rice directly. 

So, rice entering the commodity depot has been less, said U Than Oo, secretary of the Bayint Naung Rice Commodity Depot to CNI News.

" It is said that rice export licenses will be reduced so as not to make the domestic rice prices rise. But exporters are still buying rice. But the amount has been less. They don't buy rice as much as they bought before. But they have to buy rice. They go to the areas where rice is produced and buy rice directly. Rice doesn't enter the commodity depot so much." he said.

Current rice prices are trending upwards and if the government reduce the rice export licenses, domestic rice prices will decrease.

According the Myanmar Rice Federation, the government will suspend issuance of rice export license in September. But it has not yet been confirmed because it is being inspected whether it is consistent with the policies from the ministry or not reportedly.

CNI News

23 August 2023

Government staffs from the office that issues passports for Myanmar citizens who will leave for foreign countries for many reasons are needed not to be brokers, said the people who are carrying out for the labor affairs, to CNI News.

When the people apply for passports, the staffs for the office have worked as brokers since before and the staffs are often paid some money when filling out the form. 

Moreover, currently-used online booking system are more encouraging the staffs to work as brokers, said Ko Thar Gyi, one of the people helping Myanmar migrant workers to CNI News.

“In the office that issues passport in Myawady, there are government staffs who have connected with agents. The agents who have paid the staffs 100,000 or 150,000 kyats for each can draw passports or get token numbers for 100 to 200 people. It goes without saying that staffs from every passport office are working as brokers. Some retired staffs who are related to senior officials still are allowed to work as brokers for 50 or 100 passport books. So, the cost of a passport rises many times than official price.

Those who apply for passports in front of the passport office

So, what I want to say as a whole, there are few staffs who take exact and right responsibility in all the passport offices in Myanmar. When they become passport office staffs, they are exploiting Myanmar people as their business." he said.

Myanmar Passport Office is verifying issuance of passports by Green Channel for MoU workers, religious organizations, those who will go abroad on government duty and the students who will go abroad for further studies. 

Moreover, the office has been verifying issuance of passports as soon as possible by Green Channel for the people who need to travel abroad on time due to health and education issues since a few days ago, that the office released.

There are fraudulent activities with brokers asking more money on social media and the people need to watch out not to be cheated, said in the statement released by the office. 

Although processing to get passport fast is good, relevant department has to take action against the brokers who are cheating instead of informing the people to watch out, suggested those who are carrying out for the labor affairs.

"A person or a worker cannot fill out the form with necessary facts and does not dare to go into the office. Moreover, if the system has been created to be difficult, they essentially need brokers. At a time like that, the brokers earn income by collaborating with relevant department. Online system is not convenient not only in Myanmar but also here. A worker must get a token from the embassy online after which he has to go to the appointment. He has to fill out the form. In practice, ordinary workers or people do not dare to do that or cannot do that. Then, they need brokers." said U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from FED.  

There are prices starting from 250,000 kyats to get a passport at present reportedly. Moreover, if a person lost his passport in Myanmar, he must announce in the state-owned newspaper that he lost his passport. 

Six months later, he must be allowed to apply for a new passport, said in a statement released by the passport office.

CNI News

23 August 2023

There are reviews among the political community regarding how the relation of the National Unity Government (NUG) with Myanmar's neighboring powerful countries-China and India is. 

The two neighboring countries had good relations with Myanmar successive governments and also have built good relations with the State Administration Council (SAC) and They don't have close relations with the NUG, said political analysts.

NUG, which is close to Western countries, is treated less by India and China. But severe battles probably could break out before the end of 2023, said Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political analyst to CNI News.

Sr- Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the Chinese Special Envoy

" If they (NUG/PDF and some EAOs) fight against the Tatmadaw at the same time, they'll never beat the Tatmadaw because strategically India and China will never allow the dominance of the NUG which is supported by the US that I want to say. Especially China won't allow that. In the end, the country might end up in great trouble, The NUG's revolution will not be successful that I want to say firmly. More battles may break out. But it's just to an extent." he said.  

Foreign ministers from China, India, Thailand, Cambodia and Russia, and senior UN officials often come to Myanmar and meet with senior officials of the SAC. On the other hand,the US, Indonesia and some European countries also interact with the National Unity Government.

India well treats revolutionary forces and IDPs and China is closer to the SAC, said Salai Timmy, spokesperson of the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF), to CNI News.

Sr- Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the Indian ambassador

" China has taken side with the SAC since before. India is in a situation that has changed gradually. Mizoram (Province in India) that receives our refugees and IDPs treats us well. Our relations are in a very good situation. We don't know for sure about the relation between the NUG and Mizoram border. We can say about the relation among Mizoram and our CNDF and around Chin State." he said.

There are discussions among the political community that the NUG is closer to the US and not close to China, India and Thailand. 

China, India and Russia have built good relations with the SAC since the Tatmadaw took power on 1st February, 2021 reportedly.

CNI News

22 August 2023

The statement about the overseas workers identification card (OWIC) of Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand was unclear to Myanmar migrant workers, those who are helping migrant workers said to CNI News. 

Myanmar Embassy would not ask 250 bahts for an OWIC card starting from 18th August anymore when migrant workers who are four years full of MoU and are holding passports for job (PJ) renew their passports, said in its statement. 

It is unclear among the Myanmar migrant workers whether the statement means the embassy will no longer issue the OWIC cards or it will issue the OWICs free of charge reportedly.

Front side of the OWIC card

Whenever Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok or military embassy in Chinmai release statements, we don't see anything useful for Myanmar migrant workers. 

“Instead of solving the problems on the ground real-time, it's like only when we recover, they come and give the medicine. when the Myanmar migrant workers went back to their country, on the friendship bridges between the two countries or at the other border areas, they had to pay the brokers 2,500 to 3,000 bahts to get an OWIC card. But at that time, they didn't issue any statements like this. At present, OWIC cards don't apply in Thailand anymore." said Ko Thar Gyi, a person helping migrant workers.

Although Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok doesn't ask money for OWIC cards when it performs passport renewal, migrant workers must apply for OWIC cards at the relevant labor offices when they get back to Myanmar and go abroad again.

Back side of the OWIC card

According to the statement, Myanmar migrant workers whose MoU are about to expire must go back to Myanmar and renew through previous U-turn program, said U Aung Kyaw, an official from the Labor Rights Foundation to CNI News.

"All Myanmar MoU workers who signed the contract in Myanmar must go back to Myanmar to renew, which especially they want to tell. As Thailand has signed that, all MoU workers whose four-year terms are full must go back to their native countries. In the early years, as we all know, because of the outbreak of Kovid-19 pandemic, people were not allowed to cross the border between the two countries. So, workers were allowed to go on staying. Now that there is no more Covid-19, the Thai side has said that the workers must go back to their native countries after four years and sign a new contract according to MoU." he said.

Myanmar Embassy should release its statements clearly so that migrant workers can understand and beware of not to make the brokers 'role bigger, said the people helping Myanmar migrant workers.