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CNI News
8 April 2024
Territorial ownership problems have arisen among the EAOs after the Myanmar Tatmadaw retreated from some townships in northern Shan State.
Ethnic groups concerned are keeping a close watch on how to solve the territorial ownership disputes. After Operation-1027 that was waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, territorial disputes have widely arisen and battles broke out among the EAOs.
Local people have become innocent victims because of territorial problems among the EAOs and it was necessary to negotiate and discuss, U Aik Lu, a Palaung politician, told CNI News.
While seeing the TNLA.force
" There are difficulties at the bottom because meetings have not been held to make a decision. As soon as there are problems among the armed groups, local people have become innocent victims. I don't think the problems will be forever. Recently, there were negotiations and discussions between them. For the time being, they have ceased fire. It's just a territorial problem." he said.
There were battles that broke out between the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) on 26th March, 2024 and the MNDAA attacked the SSPP over 50 times with drones, the SSPP stated.
In the same way, battles broke out sometimes between the SSPP and the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA); between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the TNLA; between the KIA and the MNDAA because of territorial disputes.
Territorial disputes must be solved by political discussion, U Kun Gawn Awng Kham, a Kachin politician, told CNI News.
While seeing the KIA force
" It's a kind of problem that must be solved at the political round table after the war. It's unlikely to solve by weapon forever." he said.
During Operation-1027 launched on 27th October,2023 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA,TNLA,MNDAA), they have captured many military camps of the Tatmadaw and the Tatmadaw lost control of Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Chin Shwe Haw, Phaungsai, Kunglong, Hopang, Pangwa, Theinni, Kutkai, Namkham, Nangsang, Mangtong, Namtu and Mong Ngor Townships.
After that, territorial disputes arose obviously among the SSPP, the MNDAA, the TNLA and the KIA. The SSPP, the TNLA the MNDAA, the KIA, the RCSS, the AA and militias including the Tatmadaw are active in northern Shan State.
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CNI News
6 April 2024
Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai recently visited former leader Than Shwe, his former deputy Maung Aye, former President General Thein Sein and Daw Than Than Nu, daughter of former Prime Minister U Nu in Naypyidaw, the Chinese Embassy said in a statement posted on WeChat on Friday (5th April).
China was willing to help Myanmar for the stabilization and peace process as well as reconciliation, economy, the public livelihood and the development activities, the Chinese Embassy stated.
While the Chinese Ambassador was meeting with former president U Thein Sein on 5th April 2024 ( Chinese Embassy)
Moreover, the Chinese Special Envoy Mr.Deng Xijun met with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council in Naypyidaw on 1st April 2024 and discussed the re-opening bilateral border trade posts, the stability of the border area and peace process.
The current armed conflicts that are taking place in Myanmar are accelerating with a lot of support from China. On the other hand, China is carrying out to strengthen the diplomatic channel. So, China is using the policy of provocateur in the guise of a peacemaker, pointed out military and political analysts.
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CNI News
6 April 2024
The lowest daily wages would be raised until 400 bahts to the employees in the hotel and tourism industries starting from 13th April 2024, reported in the Thai news media.
The Thai authorities have been discussing a wage increase since February and people thought wages and salaries would be raised for the workers in all industries.
However, according to the reports, wages would be raised to the employees in hotel and tourism only in some regions of the ten districts and the employees in this industry earned more wages than other employees, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CNI News.
" In fact, their jobs are well-paid. they at least earned 15,000 bahts and above. But after April, foreign tourists have gone back. At that period, their jobs are suspended. Other jobs are not suspended all the year round." he said.
While seeing the Thai government's plan to increase wages
In the hotel industry, employees in the four star and above hotels as well as in the tourism industry where 400 employees and above are working must receive 400 bahts at least each day.
The places where have been designated to raise wages or salaries are Wattana and Pathonwang in Bangkok, Pattaya in Chunbury District, Chiangmai in Chiangmai District,
Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan District, some regions in Krabi District, Khut Khat in Phang Nga District, Phukhet District, Ban Phai Township in Rayong District, Hat Yai in Songkhala District, Koh Samui in Surat Thani District.
However, some hotels protested against the pay raise and responded that they had not got ready to raise the wages and salaries, reported the Thai PBS News.
There are many Myanmar citizens working in the hotel industry in Thailand and some of them are legally working and others without documentaries. So, it was difficult to apply every worker, reviewed the people who are carrying out for the affairs of migrant workers.
While seeing Myanmar migrant workers
Moreover, although the government has designated to raise wages and salaries, some employers don't pay fully their employees, Ko Thargyi, auditor general of IBECSWO, a social assistance association, told CNI News.
" Some employers pay the wages and salaries fully, but others don't. If you don't have any documents regarding residence permit, you will find it difficult because some employers don't dare to hire you. Because the number of Myanmar citizens who entered Thailand has increased sharply, employers especially, masons - their economy has declined." he said.
There might be about five million Myanmar citizens in Thailand and most of them are mainly working in factories, workshops, construction site and seafood industries.
So, the organizations that are helping in the affairs of migrant workers in Thailand are demanding ceaselessly to raise the basic wages and salaries reportedly.
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CNI News
6 April 2024
Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council said that elections would be held in one place after another and political parties are reviewing regarding whether elections could be held.
Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing expressed that elections would be conducted in phrases while he was meeting with TASS, a Russian news agency, a few days ago.
There were elections that were conducted in phrases and firstly elections were conducted in stable places and if there was a situation in which a Hluttaw could be called, a civilian government could arise, Mahn Pyi Aung Soe, Chairman of the Karen National Democratic Party, told CNI News.
While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties
" Elections were conducted one month or one year after another under the government led by U Nu. The SAC might do so. I didn't know exactly how the elections were conducted under the government led by U Nu. But, for example, elections would be conducted firstly in stable places. And then if there was a situation in which a Hluttaw could be called, the process would be continued. If a situation in which a Hluttaw could be called didn't reach, would it be OK to wait, I'm not sure. According to the history of our country, elections were held in phrases by place or period. So, the SAC might do so. I have no comments about it." he said.
If elections would be conducted, according to the weather, they could be held in November or December and election could be conducted in Yangon Region, Ayeyarwady Region, eastern and western parts of Bago Region, urban wards, Mawlamyine and Thaton in Mon State, said a politician.
The Union Election Commission released the laws and bylaws relating to political parties registration on 31st January, 2023 and political parties must apply for registration within 60 days, it stated. After that, among the political parties that re-apply for registration, nearly 50 parties have got registration.
While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was casting ballots in the election
Although political parties wanted to make elections held, even if elections were held in stable places, what problems could arise must be considered, U Khin Maung Thein, member of the Central Executive Committee of the National Unity Party (NUP), told CNI News.
"Even if elections are conducted in stable places, what problems can arise must be considered. Political parties want to make elections held. But it's necessary to become peaceful, free and fair elections. Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that he would hold elections in stable places first and then other places gradually. He said that elections like that were held in Myanmar in the past. But the past situation is a little different from the current one, I think." he said.
The census-taking would be finished in 2024 and then a general election would be held after which the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
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CNI News
5 April 2024
Fish have died in droves in the fish farming ponds in Ayeyarwady Region due to the adverse impact of very hot weather at present, fish farming operators told CNI News.
Because of the heat from the sun, water damage and fish diseases are taking place in almost all farming fish ponds in Ayeyarwady Region reportedly.
Due to water damage and diseases occurring in fish, fish have died from 40 to 500 each day and fish farming entrepreneurs were making a loss, U San Ngwe, a fish farming entrepreneur from Zalun Township, Ayeyarwady Region, told CNI News.
" Because of heat, there are disease outbreaks in fish and fish deaths as a result of water damage. Fish deaths are reduced a bit in the places where old water can be taken out and new water can be put in. Otherwise, a lot of fish are dead. Some owners unavoidably have to catch fish in their ponds and sell at a lower price. So, at a period like this, fish farming entrepreneurs are making a loss because fish food is expensive and the price of fish is lower. In some ponds, 400 to 500 fish are dead each day. Moreover, it's not convenient to sell dead fish. Fish farming business is adversely affected by the heat from the sun that we can say." he said.
While seeing fish farming ponds
This year is the worst one in fish deaths because of the current heat, said fish breeders. fish has died since early March and this is the worst year for the fish breeding industry during the last five years, U Thein Aye, a fish farming entrepreneur from Danuphyu Township, told CNI News.
" It happened like this in the previous years, but this year is getting worse. It's because of the very hot weather. Even a fish was not dead during the last five years. About 40 to 50 fish are dead each day. It started on 15th March. In some ponds, fish started dying in early March." he said.
More than 4,000 entrepreneurs who breed, produce and sell fish are doing business of fish farming on over 100,000 acres of ponds in Ayeyarwady Region.
The department of livestock should provide fish breeders with necessary technologies to prevent water damage and diseases occurring in fish and fish deaths because of the heat from the sun and create a market that can make up for expensive fish food, pointed out entrepreneurs.
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CNI News
5 April 2024
The United Wa State Army (UWSA)/the United Wa State Party (UWSP) will have made peace with the Myanmar Tatmadaw for 35 years on 17th April, 2024 and the UWSA/UWSP has raised its flags in its region.
The UWSA broke away from the Communist Party of Burma and made peace with the Myanmar Tatmadaw on 17th April 1989.
Making peace will have been 35 years old on 17th April, 2024 and ceremonies will be held. The Wa region was designated as the Special Region-2 and the UWSA was given the self-administration.
While the UWSA flags have been raised to mark the 35th anniversary of making peace (CJ)
According to the section 56 (f) of the current 2008 Constitution, Hopang, Mongmao, Panwai, Nahpang, Metman and Pangsang (Pangkhang) Townships were divided into two districts and the region was designated as the Wa Self-Administered Division.
All these townships are being administered by the UWSA. the UWSA is more stronger than any other EAOs within the country in manpower, weapon and finance, and has won the confederation status.
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CNI News
5 April 2024
Political and military analysts are analyzing what is the military objective of the Kachin Independence Army that is waging severely battles against the Myanmar Tatmadaw.
The KIA/PDF joint forces are waging battles in Kachin State and Sagaing Region and the battles are fiercely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces.
The KIA is fighting together with its allies so as to be able to build a federal union, U Kun Gawng Kham, a Kachin politician, told CNI News.
While seeing the Lweje border trade post
" The objective of the KIA, to the best of my knowledge, is to build a federal union. So, the KIA is fighting together with its allies to build a federal union, I think." he said.
The KIA and its allies have capture the military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw along the Momauk-Lweje Road and the Momauk-Dawhpumyang Road reportedly. The KIA was fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw because it wanted the China-Myanmar border trade camps, said a politician.
" Mainly, the KIA will take the border trade camps as able as it can. After it has taken the camps, it can take the opportunities from both governments. It didn't get Muse and Kutkai. The TNLA got them. It will do like the TNLA." he said to CNI News.
While the KIA has controlled the entrance to Lweje
According to the current state of battles, he guessed the KIA had already implemented its military objective, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.
" I guess the KIA has generally implemented its military objectives at present. Because the KIA captured the Shin Lun Gabar near Momauk and Lweje, an important great military camp, the KIA has already achieved its many military objectives, that we can say. But at the same time, the KIA prevents the entrance to Lweje trade, I heard. That is, because China needs to control military activities between the China-Myanmar border and Kachin State, the Chinese Special Envoy Mr.Deng Xijun came and seems to be discussing about it, I think. China conducts military drill on 2nd and 3rd April in the China-Myanmar border. China is trying to call these forces to the negotiating table in order to control the military conflicts in Myanmar, which the military council will welcome, I think." he said.
The KIA and its allies have captured important military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Bhamo, Momauk, Sumprabum and Lweje Townships, Kachin State.
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CNI News
4 April 2024
Because the Arakan Army (AA) stated on 2nd April tha Ann-Padan road linking Ann township of Rakhine State to Padan village in Ngape township, Magway region in central Myanmar had been indefinitely closed, the people in Ann Town might find it difficult to get enough rice, said locals.
Although Ann locals bought rice from Mrauk U and Kyauktaw in the past, they could not buy rice from these towns anymore because of battles.
So, they were importing rice from Minbu Town through the Ann-Padan road. At present, if the road has been closed, Ann locals might find it difficult to get rice, U Maung Thein, a rice trader in Ann Township, told CNI News.
While the AA has seized control of Mrauk U
" As usual, we had to be carrying the rice from the Minbu side. Rice is not available from Rakhine State as well. Now the road going to the Minbu Township has been closed, I heard. If we can't really go there, there will be no rice for the people in Ann to eat." he said.
Even though the State Administration Council has closed all the roads and waterways entering Rakhine State starting from 13th November 2023, Ann Township were allowed to carry rice through departments concerned once or twice a week. However, the AA has indefinitely closed the road entering Ann, it has been difficult for Ann locals.
As there are many grassroots in Ann Township, rice sellers and administrators were implementing a limited rice supply system to prevent a shortage of rice, an anonymous administrator told CNI News.
While carrying bags of rice
" There are more workers who live from hand to mouth here in our town. They can't buy rice for one or two months in advance. When they return from work, they tend to buy one pyi of rice (one pyi=4.375 lb). Now, administrators and rice sellers have arranged to sell rice to a household one or two pyis each day." he said.
Rice is not grown in Ann Township and cashew and upland crops only are grown in the township reportedly. Therefore, if the road between Ann and Padan was closed, there would be a high demand for rice and it could be worse in the rainy season due to difficult transportation, said locals.
Moreover, locals are worried that there will be battles between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA in Ann Township.
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CNI News
4 April 2024
In a survey that asked 250 people, when asked if they viewed China as a good neighboring country, 54 percents of respondents said that China was not a good neighboring country, said in a report released by the Institute for Strategy and Policy- Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar) on 2nd April 2024.
The ISP conducted the survey in October and November 2023 and asked 250 individuals from six Myanmar policy communities for 100 questions.
The individuals were from ones from political and economic circles and ones from civil society organizations, experts who are familiar with Chinese politics, economy and international relations, activists and celebrities.
Moreover, EAOs and leaders of the PDFs/LDFs from the regions where Chinese investment projects are located were included in the respondents, the ISP-Myanmar stated.
While seeing the record of the respondents who said that China was interdering in the home affairs of Myanmar
54 percent of respondents said that China was not a good neighboring country and 41 percent, a good neighbor. Regarding the question whether China took the opinion of Myanmar people seriously, 82 percent of the respondents said that China took it seriously and 12 percent said that China thought about getting on well with the power holder.
In the same way, regarding the question whether China wanted Myanmar to become a democracy, 60 percent of respondents said that China wanted Myanmar to become a dictatorship and 26 percent, a democracy.
Moreover, 73 percent of respondents said that China was interfering in the home affairs of Myanmar and 24 percent said that China was not interfering, stated the ISP-Myanmar. The battles are currently breaking out severely between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and some EAOs/PDFs joint forces in Myanmar.
The Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) jointly launched Operation-1027 in northern Shan State on 27th October 2023 after which the battles broke out severely between the Tatmadaw and these allies.
While seeing the record of respondents who said that China wanted Myanmar to become a dictatorship
During the battles, three northern allies (TNLA,MNDAA,AA) seized control of Laukkai, Konkyan, Chin Shwe Haw, Phaungsai, Kunglong, Theinni, Hopang, Panwar, Kutkai, Namkham, Nangsang, Mantong, Namtu and Mong Ngor Townships and fought against over 100 military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw.
Moreover, the AA launched an offensive against the Tatmadaw in Rakhine State starting from 13th November 2023 and seized control of Mrauk U, Pauktaw, Minbya, Myebon, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung, Maungdaw Townships in Rakhine State as well as Paletwa and Samee Townships in Chin State and attacked over 100 military camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw.
In the same way, joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People Defense Force (PDF) are attacking and capturing the military camps of the Tatmadaw in Waingmaw, Sumprabum, Banmaw, Momauk and Lweje Townships.
China is supporting these armed groups behind the battles, pointed out military analysts, but China denied that.