FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Chiang Mai Food Festival celebrates Burmese cuisine
The Chiang Mai Food Festival 2024 was held at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center Jan. 27-28. It featured several Burmese food vendors in Thailand known as Zay Collectives. This includes Zinme Teahouse, Bamama Cooks, May & Min, Daw Yin Kye and others.
“Our concept is called zay which means market in Burmese,” said Trish, founder of Bamama Cooks – a Burmese kitchen and social enterprise in Thailand. “Zay Collective is a group of small Burmese business owners, based in Chiang Mai. We just want to increase awareness [about our food and culture].”
Twenty Burmese businesses were among the 140 local food vendors in attendance. They gave demonstrations on how to pour proper Burmese pulled tea and Inle green tea. Trish gave a talk about laphet, the fermented tea leaf salad. Favorites like Mohinga, Shan noodles and Kayah sausage were also available.
NUG warns against Aung San Suu Kyi home auction
The National Unity Government (NUG) President’s Office Spokesperson Kyaw Zaw warned the public against attempting to purchase Aung San Suu Kyi’s home in Yangon. A military court announced on Jan. 25 that the residence at 54 University Avenue in Yangon will be auctioned off for $90 million USD.
“It is illegal to [sell] the house and anyone doing it will be punished in accordance with the law. Nobody will get [to own] the house even if they [purchase it from] the military,” said Kyaw Zaw.
In September 2022, the NUG listed Aung San Suu Kyi’s home as a heritage property to be protected from sale or destruction. Aung San Suu Kyi has been held at Naypyidaw prison since her arrest on Feb. 1, 2021. She has been unable to communicate with her family. Her legal team has been unable to meet with her since 2022.
Pa-O National Liberation Army joins resistance to military
The Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) released a statement on Jan. 26 about its commitment to collaborate with those fighting “to end military dictatorship” and “to establish a federal democratic system.” It called on other Pa-O armed groups to stop fighting each other and collaborate for “national liberation.”
The military and its allied Pa-O militia intercepted a PNLA convoy in Hopong Township, located in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone of southern Shan State on Jan. 21. Fighting between the PNLA and the Burma Army has forced thousands of Hsihseng residents from their homes.
A military airstrike on Jan. 26 damaged houses, monasteries, and a school in and around the town of Hsihseng. The PNLA claimed that four villages close to Hsihseng were bombed nearly 20 times. “I could hear the sound of gunfire and see flames,” a resident told DVB.
News by Region
KARENNI—The Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) claimed on Jan. 24 that several Burma Army battalions are planning to defect. A KNDF official told Kantarawaddy Times how they are preparing to assist them to leave the military.
“We have already planned how and what we can offer them. Our group, which is handling the defections, has also been working to inform the ground soldiers about the defection plan,” the KNDF official said.
CHIN—The Chinland Council, formed by Chin resistance forces, held a meeting to begin the process of establishing its own parliament, government, and supreme court on Jan. 26.
It will also appoint several high-ranking government officials, including a prime minister, a chief justice, cabinet members and the judiciary. An announcement is expected in the coming days.
NAYPYIDAW—Min Aung Hlaing said at the Security, Peace, Stability and Rule of Law Committee meeting that a people’s militia composed of residents will be formed on Jan. 26.
“The military is currently understaffed and unable to recruit,” said an unnamed source from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Min Aung Hlaing added that the idea was suggested during a meeting with the 39 political parties on Jan. 6.
SAGAING—At least 15 Burma Army personnel were killed along with four members of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) when it attacked a military outpost in Kabo village, Kanbalu Township on Jan. 25.
“We seized a fire station but had to fall back as four military vehicles from Kanbalu town arrived,” said a PDF spokesperson. The PDF claimed it seized weapons following the attack.
