CNI News
24 February 2024

It would make an effort to establish a public government based on public will, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) announced on 22nd February, 2024.

However, the statement did not mention exactly whether it meant a public government that would rule only Ta'ang (Palaung) people or one that would rule the entire country by attempting to overthrow the Tatmadaw.

" The Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) will administer to further improve in the issues of security, rule of law, education, health and social development in areas where the TNLA Army is based including the seven towns that have been controlled by the TNLA in the Operation-1027 and will make an effort to establish a public government that is based on the public will." said in the statement.

Moreover, together with all ethnic people in the Ta'ang region, it would protect against the forced recruitment, tax collection and interference in the public management by other ethnic groups and it would lead to achieve the political goals of the people as soon as possible, the TNLA stated.

While seeing the statement by the TNLA

The TNLA, together with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army(MNDAA), the Arakan Army(AA), the Bamar People Liberation Army(BPLA), the People's Liberation Army(PLA), the Burma National Revolutionary Army(BNRA) and the Mandalay People's Defense Force (PDF-Mandalay), launched the Operation-1027 in northern Shan State on 27th October 2023.

After that, the TNLA was able to seize the control of Kutkai, Namkham, Mai Ngor, Nansang, Mang Ton and Namtu Towns after fighting against the Tatmadaw. However, Ta'ang (Palaung) people are being recruited by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the MNDAA.

At present, there is a territorial dispute between the KIA and the TNLA in Kutkai Township and a military tension is breaking out between them.

In the same way, the TNLA also has a territorial dispute with SSPP in Namkham Township and a military tension is taking place between them. There is a military tension between them.

CNI News
24 February 2024

After some top leaders of the New Mon State Party resigned from the party, people are keeping a close watch on where the party is headed.

Some leaders of the NMSP broke away from the party and built an offshoot called the New Mon State Party (anti-dictatorship) and stated that they would join with anti-Tatmadaw forces in the fight against the State Administration Council.

 Although the leaders of the NMSP made efforts to get their national rights through the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement(NCA), because they did not get them, Mon youths of the party broke away, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" Leadership of the NMSP has tried for the interests of their nationalities for about three decades. But they are facing a situation where they can't get their rights and at the same time, when the movements of the Spring Revolution intensify among other ethnic groups, young people of the party have broken away. This is a natural situation as well." he said.

While seeing Naing Banyar Lal, vice leader of the breakaway NMSP (one with glasses) while the NMSP was discussing with the SAC

The Central Executive Committee of the NMSM announced on 14th February, 2024 that it would try to reunite with the NMSP (Anti-Military Dictatorship).

The SAC was in contact with the leaders of the NMSP and the party leaders had nothing to do with the secession and the NMSO would go on with the NCA, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC.

The statement released by the offshoot of the NMSP saying it would join with the revolutionary forces was hailed by most Mon youths, a Mon youth told CNI News.

While the NMSP was signing the NCA

"Most Mon youths are optimistic about it. The timing also happened. The State Administration Council (SAC) has approved the People's Military Service Law. It turned out to be a good situation for the opposing organizations. Most people probably have a lot to do with them. The NMSP that goes with the NCA reviews most youths will join the revolutionary forces. In practice, youths are joining." he said.

The Breakaway New Mon State Party stated that although the NMSP discussed with the Tatmadaw three times, expected results were not achieved at all after it made an effort to find a political answer to political problems in accordance with the NCA.

The NMSP is a Mon ethnic armed organization that signed the NCA on 13th February 2018.
Some military analysts are considering that it is also possible to pretend that the New Mon State Party is splitting into two factions in order to remedy the fact that the party is being criticized for not fighting against the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

23 February 2024

All the ethnic people who are suppressed and are searching for the revolutionary path would be accepted and welcome, the Shan State Progressive Party(SSPP)/ Shan State Army (SSA) stated as of 20th February, 2024. 

Pieces of news describing all the ethnic people are currently facing more oppression by military dictators are reported are heard everyday; in accordance with the law of revolution, if there is oppression, there will be revolution and all the ethnic people are searching for the revolutionary path which the SSPP/SSA has heard, the SSPP/SSA stated.

"If the oppressed people of all ethnicities who are searching for the revolutionary path will follow the objective, policy, rules and regulation of the SSPP/SSA, any race or religion will always be accepted and welcomed. However, the SSPP/SSA did not state exactly which organization the military dictator was.”SSPP/SSA said.

The statement released by the SSPP/SSA

After saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute that took place in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February 2021 and has taken the State power. So, democratic elements are making efforts to topple the Tatmadaw.

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Arakan Army (AA), the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA), the Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA) and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched the Operation-1027 on 27th October, 2023 after which urban and rural areas were damaged and many civilians were wounded and killed.

After that, the TNLA seized control of Namkham and Kutkai towns and carried out restrictions on the freedom of peoples such as Shan and Kachin. 

While the leaders of the SSPP/SSA were holding a meeting

So, the TNLA is being denounced. Moreover, the TNLA and the SSPP/SSA have a territorial dispute and military tension.

In the same way, the MNDAA doesn't allow any ethnic armed groups including the KIA and the SSPP to go through the territories that it has captured after fighting against the Tatmadaw. Moreover, it is restricting on ethnic Burmans coming to work.

CNI News

23 February 2024

The cultivation area may decrease in the next corn planting season because the profits are low from corn, according to corn farmers. As the local corn price depends on the ups and downs of the global corn price, local corn price is falling.

Because the price of corn at the port of Yangon is only 1,100 kyats per viss, farmers get only 900 to 1,000 kyats per viss, said farmers. As it will be convenient for farmers to get 1,200 kyats per viss, farmers might grow other crops in the corn growing season. So, corn cultivation.

So, corn cultivation could be reduced by about one third, Ko Min Khaing, a corn farmer from Ayeyarwady Region, told CNI News. 

While seeing a corn wholesale center (Xinhua)

"If the corn price is not good this year, corn cultivation acres could be reduced a lot. Farmers don't make a profit because the inputs are expensive. So, farmers will grow other crops instead. In any case, farmers can make a proper profit only when they can sell their corn at 1,200 to 1,250 kyats per viss. Corn cultivation may be reduced by about one third in Ayeyarwady Region."he said.

The cost for an acre of corn cultivation was over 10 lakh kyats and the money returned is only nearly 20 lakhs. So, that amount of money could not cover the wages and inputs that were invested and the cost for replanting, said farmers.

Corn farmers in northern Shan State found it difficult to reap the corn due to the battles this year and because of difficult transportation, they had to sell the corn at a lower price reportedly. 

While seeing a corn wholesale center (Xinhua)

Because farmers may lose due to the current drop in corn prices, in the coming corn planting season, corn cultivation could be reduced by half, U Kyaw Moe, secretary of the Northern Shan State Corn Industrial Association, told CNI News. 

" In my opinion, corn cultivation could be reduced by 40 or 50 percent. They will grow corn in the end because they have no alternative but to grow corn. The corn cultivation will surely be reduced by half.”he said.

Green peas and green gram could be grown instead of corn in the coming corn growing season reportedly. Corn is grown most in northern and southern Shan State, and Ayeyarwady Region. 

Corn is grown a little in the western part of Bago Region, Naypyidaw, Mandalay Region, Magway Region and Kachin State.

CNI News

23 February 2024

The National Unity Government (NUG) should approach the Thai Government politically and humanitarianly for Myanmar youths who will flee to Thailand because the People's Military Service Law has been approved in Myanmar, the people who are helping workers told CNI News. 

Many youths are making efforts to leave for Thailand because they don't want to perform the military service.

In the situation like that, when Myanmar youths get to Thailand, security, job opportunities and other issues that they might encounter should be highlighted by the NUG to make Thailand and the international community know them, U Moe Kyaw, associate general secretary of Yaung Gyi Oo Labors Organization, told CNI News.

While seeing the NUG

" Myanmar youths are trying to leave for Thailand because they don't want to perform the military service. But because they are still young, those young people may lose opportunities to continue their education. How will Thailand receive them not to lose those opportunities. They are being called new arrival. What is Thai attitude towards new arrivals? The NUG should politically approach Thailand and the international community in order that they can provide humanitarian aids to the youths and the NUG will have to try to reach a state where the youths can live and work in line with human dignity, I'd like to tell it." he said.

However, Thai PM said a few days ago that Myanmar citizens who will enter Thailand illegally would be taken action against and those who would come legally would be welcome. 

Possibility or impossibility to discuss with Thailand regarding migrant Myanmar people who would soon arrive in Thailand depended on the NUG's activity, those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers pointed out.

While the Thai authorities are arresting and inspecting Myanmar citizens

If the NUG could help and protect Myanmar migrants, it would be good beyond measure, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.

" First, battles are breaking out in Myanmar. So, people are going to safe places. Next, the case that Myanmar citizens in the foreign countries must transfer 25 percent of their salaries to Myanmar. And then, a problem that a mandatory military service law has been approved has arisen in Myanmar. There are problems in various ways. It is a concern for the local public. Consider these as long-term projects for the people and if they can find ways to benefit the people, it will be better." he said.

There are many Myanmar people entering Thailand illegally at present and there are also daily arrests reportedly. Moreover, several hundreds of Myanmar people are waiting in line at the Thai Embassy to get visas and visa applications have increased significantly, according to the statements by the Thai Embassy.

CNI News

23 February 2024

Politicians still could not solve the national problem at present, Dr.Nyo Nyo Thin, chairperson of the Yangon Watch Group, told CNI News. 

The current situation was one in which politicians could not mediate the organizations involved in the conflict and attempts to mediate were being criticized, she said.  

"Political leaders who are standing in the middle can't persuade any side. As soon as they tell one side, they are accused of being supporting another side. They are attacked. Their lives are threatened. They are worried about the security of their families. For the time being, politicians haven't been able to solve the problem for the future of the country. Most of the people who are Buddhists, in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha, need to believe something only after investigating for themselves without believing what others say. The public should not believe what organizations say without verification." she said to CNI News.

Saying that the NLD party was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute that took place in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February 2021 and it has taken the State power after declaring the state of emergency.

the Bamar People's Liberation Party

After that, democratic elements waged an armed resistance and armed conflicts are taking place across the country. Due to the conflicts, the country is facing crises in politics, economy, health, education and so on.

 All the stakeholders involved in the conflict should meet and discuss and the people are getting into trouble a lot, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) told CNI News.

"The public is also facing many problems. If a battle broke out, the people from the place where the battle broke out would be killed. We want both sides including EAOs, PDFs and the Tatmadaw to end or reduce all the battles. Attacking the military camps is not much of a problem. But attacking towns and villages is making the public suffer. In any case, we want the battles to be reduced. We want both sides to meet and discuss to reduce the battles." he said.

the Chin National Front (CNF)

Due to armed conflict that started on 1st February, 2021, the people are facing livelihood difficulties, transportation disruptions, territorial insecurity and monetary inflation.

Although the international community including some EAOs, some political parties and the ASEAN is trying to solve the problems, it has not been able to be resolved.

CNI News

22 February 2024

The price of real estate in Thanlyin has doubled that of last year because the Thanlyin No.3 Bridge, a bridge over the Bago River, that is being built with the help of Japan and that connects Thaketa Township with Thanlyin Township has been completed more than 90 percent, according to Thanlyin real estate brokers.

A land lot whose price was more than 3,000 lakh kyats in the past has been over 7,000 lakh kyats now, Daw Juu Juu from Juu Juu Real Estate told CNI News.

" Because of this bridge, real estate sales increased. The sales in Thanlyin are more than other places. We had to provide service for about six times of sales this month. In comparison with the real estate prices in north Dagon, the prices in Thanlyin are still low. So, many affordable persons are coming and buying real estate in Thanlyin. They don't make a loss. A land lot whose price was more than 3,000 lakh kyats in the past has been over 7,000 lakh kyats now. Its area is 4,800 square feet (80'-60'). A land lot that was paid over 3,000 lakh kyats about 10 months ago can be sold at over 7,000 lakh kyats now. I provided service to buy that land lot at at 3,150 lakh kyats at that time." she said.

The Clock Tower in the center of Thanlyin

More transaction took place at Aung Chan Thar, Myoma Zay, Myo Haung Wards and the area outside the town that have permit, slip and grant land lots and the price of a land lot (20'-60) including house is from 1,000 to 6,000 lakh kyats reportedly. 

In addition, the price of real estate in Thane has increased more than last year and more transaction also is taking place this year. There are almost no land lots in Aung Chan Thar Ward, heart of Thanlyin reportedly.

Gardening land and farm land are less traded, but these lands are worth about 200,000 to 300,000,000 kyats. So, those who can afford a small amount of money are selling those land lots, said real estate agents.

Thanlyin's flagship 'Kyaik Khauk Pagoda'

Due to the scarcity of grant land in and around Thanlyin City, and but because of the abundance of permit and slip land, a person who want buy a land lot should buy it only after consulting with a skilled lawyer and inspecting data regarding the land ownership at the land registry office, Daw Myo Thwe, a real estate agent, told CNI News.

" Those who will buy land lots should go and carefully inspect what kind of land is at the land registry office together with a skilled lawyer. Most of land lots are grant land in north Dagon. There are not a lot of grant land in Thanlyin.  Permit and slip land lots are more. As the prices become higher, it's necessary so as not to be wrong in buying land lots." she said.

If the building of No.3 Bridge was finished, transportation would be smooth because the traffic jams that were taking place on the No-1 Briidge would be resolved. And then, investments local and abroad would increase in the Thanlyin Special Economic Zone.

CNI News

22 February 2024

As the number of people who contacted and enquired to leave Myanmar for foreign countries was increasing, overseas employment agencies was scrutinizing and accepting workers, the agencies told CNI News. 

Because there were too many in-person and phone inquiries every day, Daw Myat Hayman Lin, managing director of Pwint Phoo Aung Overseas Employment Agency told CNI News.

" We have to scrutinize and accept people more than before. Our agency send those who really want to work only. If they can't work after they arrive abroad, the agency will be discredited. We can't say for sure whether this business will stop or not. Because it is really a business that is running again. We don't want to fail in customer service. So, we are scrutinizing and accepting those who want to go abroad." she said.

Most of the people who want to go abroad targeted Thailand and as a second priority, they have chosen Japan and Malaysia reportedly. The reason why the people want to go to Thailand and Malaysia is because they don't have to sit for language test to enter those countries, according to the agencies.

While seeing an overseas employment agency

Most of the people who came to the agencies and inquired wanted to go abroad as soon as possible reportedly. 

The agencies that officially send workers to foreign countries needed to take time and there was no country where people could go to as soon as possible, U Myat Thu, general secretary of the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF) told CNI News.

" The youths are very keen on going abroad for the time being. If we can't send them abroad, they go to other agencies. Some of youths are sent abroad through illegal channels by brokers. Many youths are illegally sent abroad, I think. When young people hire agencies to go abroad, agencies have to take time to follow rules and regulations. If we send MoU workers, we tend to take 90 days. As we have to submit documents from the two countries, we have to take time. Some youths might go abroad through illegal channels." he said.

While seeing the office of the Department of Labor

Overseas employment agencies are accepting those who want to go abroad if there are demand letters and there has been an increase in the number of people who come and inquire to go abroad after the People's Military Service Law was approved, according to overseas employment agencies.

The number of licensed overseas employment agencies was 541 in Myanmar in the end of January, 2024 and before the end of February, 6 more agencies were added.

So, the total number of licensed foreign employment agencies has reached 547, according to the Ministry of Labor.

CNI news

22 February 2024

Military and political analysts are reviewing and discussing about how spacious territory dominance of the revolutionary forces that are fighting against the Tatmadaw is. 

EAOs and PDFs that are fighting against the Tatmadaw have dominated more than 60 percent of Myanmar's territory, said Daw Zin Mar Aung, Foreign Minister of the National Unity Government (NUG).

She said the above at the International Security Conference held in Munich, Germany from 16th to 18th February 2024.

It was necessary to re-examine the speech on territory dominance and only when a territory could be governed like "Wa", then could it be said that it was territorial dominance, said a political commentator to CNI News.

While seeing the NUG

" According to their opinion, there might be several kinds of territorial dominance. But the meaning of territorial dominance is, for example, like Wa that can systematically rule in its state. Civil administration is also in its hands. It can stand on its own. So, it can dominate its territory. But in a land where both adversaries exist, who can be said to dominate the land? So, I'd like to tell them to re-examine their interpretation." he said to CNI News.

After the Tatmadaw took the State power on 1st February 2021, along with the protest against the Tatmadaw, democratic elements started an armed resistance. At present, battles are breaking out across the country. 

The territorial dominance of the revolutionary forces was the reality and they had dominated urban suburbs and rural areas, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the Kokang force

" This is the reality that revolutionary forces have been able to dominate the territories especially urban suburbs and rural areas. General speaking, the places in towns the military council troops have not yet occupied, urban suburbs and more rural areas have been dominated by the revolutionary forces. You must say that the Kokang region has been liberated. In the rest of the states and regions, there will definitely be areas dominated by EAOs. But the revolutionary forces have not been able to threat the urban areas." he said.

At present, the battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and some EAOs/PDFs joint forces in Karen, Kayah (Karenni), Rakhine, Chin States, Sagaing and Magway Regions.

The revolutionary forces have captured 49 towns among 330 townships in Myanmar after the Operation-1027 was launched on 27th October, 2023 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA,MNDAA and TNLA), they have stated.