EU pledges assistance to Myanmar refugees in Thailand
The E.U. announced on Tuesday that it has launched a 15 million Euros ($17 million USD) programme to support an estimated 107,000 refugees from Burma living in nine camps along the Thailand–Burma border from 2026–2028. The E.U. Ambassador to Thailand Luisa Ragher, Thai authorities, U.N. agencies, including the U.S.-based International Rescue Committee (IRC), attended the event in Bangkok on April 20.
“Our partnership seeks to ensure that refugees are not only protected, but also empowered to become self-reliant and active contributors to society,” stated Ragher. The Director-General of the Department of International Organizations at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pinsuda Jayanama called the E.U. assistance “timely” as Thailand transitions from aid dependency toward a more self-reliant and inclusive approach.
This E.U. refugee support programme comes as Thailand advances policies allowing legal employment outside of the nine camps. Funding will be distributed in phases among humanitarian partners to support essential services, healthcare and child protection programmes. Japan pledged 453 million yen ($2.95 million USD) in health assistance to around 60,000 refugees living in three camps in Tak Province on Feb. 16.
Did Min Aung Hlaing only ‘rebrand’ his regime?
Burma Campaign UK, a London-based human rights watchdog, released a briefing paper on Wednesday called “Burma’s Rebranded Military Regime” detailing how 17 of the 30 ministers appointed by Min Aung Hlaing, who was inaugurated president by a pro-military parliament on April 10, are from the military with 10 facing international sanctions for their role in human rights violations and the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021.
Data reveals that 86 per cent of ministers and lawmakers are either active soldiers or members of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). “The unelected Burmese military MPs and ‘elected’ military lawmakers [USDP] control the Lower House with 341 out of 373 seats and the Upper House with 164 out of 213 seats. In total, they control 505 out of 586 seats,” stated the paper released on April 22.
Burma Campaign UK claimed that this rebrand is a part of a strategy to “try to relieve international pressure” on the regime in Naypyidaw, which seized power during the 2021 coup. Burma Campaign UK criticized its New Year amnesty on April 17 as “military propaganda,” and called for the immediate release of all 22,000 political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held incommunicado over the last five years.
Read our latest story on DVB English News: Myanmar considering ‘good things’ for detained Aung San Suu Kyi, Thailand says
A national security advisor under sanctions
Min Aung Hlaing appointed President’s Office Minister Tin Aung San his National Security Advisor on Wednesday. Tin Aung San was elected to the Pyithu Hlutttaw, or lower house of parliament, for Naypyidaw’s Ottarathiri Township in the regime’s 2025-26 elections. He is now tasked with advising Min Aung Hlaing on national security matters.
Tin Aung San was appointed national security advisor in August 2025 to the regime’s National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), which oversaw security and defence affairs following the 2021 military coup. He held this position, as well as the President Office Minister in regime Prime Minister Nyo Saw’s cabinet, until Min Aung Hlaing reformed the NDSC on April 11.
Tin Aung San served as the Burma Navy chief from 2015-21, then as one of the regime’s six deputy prime ministers and defence minister in August 2023 but was dismissed from the position in December 2024. He has been sanctioned by the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and the E.U., since 2021. Check out our new Myanmar Sanctions Monitor.
News by Region
KACHIN—Residents of Hpakant Township told DVB that an unknown number of doctors and nurses have been arrested during a raid carried out by regime forces at a private hospital and a guest house in Aungyar village on Tuesday. Hpakant is located 94 miles (151 km) north of the state capital Myitkyina.
A resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the arrests were connected to alleged care provided to members of the People’s Defense Force (PDF). The bodies of four men found at a dumpsite in Hpakant on April 15 were allegedly arrested and killed by regime forces, residents claimed.
SAGAING—Residents of Taze Township told DVB that one PDF member was killed and four other PDF members, as well as one civilian, were injured during airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Tuesday. Taze is located 70 miles (113 km) north of the region’s capital Monywa.
The PDF in Taze told DVB that “multiple” airstrikes carried out by three regime jet fighters targeted its former camp. At least 14 civilians were killed by airstrikes in Taze’s Kanhtooma village on Nov. 24 and Sept. 26, according to the PDF. Kanhtooma village was seized in February 2024.
NAYPYIDAW—Residents in Tatkon Township told DVB that water and fuel prices are rising. A 20-liter bottle of drinking water increased 1,000-2,500 MMK ($0.23-0.59 USD) due to rising transportation costs caused by fuel shortages. Tatkon is located 38 miles (61 km) north of the capital.
One litre of 92-octane gasoline increased 4,625-4,735 MMK ($1.10-1.12 USD) and 95-octane gasoline rose 4,780-4,945 MMK ($1.13-1.17 USD). Diesel prices rose from 5,680-6,485 MMK ($1.30-1.50 USD) per liter for regular and 6,805-7,755 MMK ($1.60-1.80 USD) for premium April 9-23, according to the regime.
YANGON—Traders at the Shwe Padauk Fish Wholesale Market in Hlaing Township told DVB that one viss (1.6 kg) of rohu has risen 6,500-8,500 MMK ($1.54-2.02 USD), pomfret 7,000-8,000 MMK ($1.66-1.90 USD), and carp 17,000-20,000 MMK ($4.04-4.76 USD). Retail prices are about double wholesale prices.
Fish farmers told DVB that 1 kg of fish feed has risen 660-1,200 MMK ($0.15-0.28 USD), and it takes 25.6 kg of fish feed to produce 6.4 kg of fish which earns 8,000-32,000 MMK ($1.90-7.61 USD) based on the variety. “It’s either loss or breakeven,” one told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,170 MMK)
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