Malaysia says Myanmar ‘more open’ to dialogue
In a cautious but notable shift in diplomacy, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan revealed that Burma’s new administration led by Min Aung Hlaing, who was inaugurated president by a pro-military parliament on April 10, appears significantly more receptive to regional peace recommendations than his previous regime, which seized power during the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021.
Speaking before Malaysia’s Parliament on Thursday, Hasan summarized his high-level diplomatic mission to Naypyidaw in May, where he met with the regime’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Tin Maung Swe. The meeting marked a clear contrast to previous rounds of gridlocked diplomacy, particularly when Malaysia chaired the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025.
“I see that the Myanmar side this time seemed more open to the suggestions that were expressed compared to our previous interaction, when Malaysia was the chair of ASEAN last year,” Hasan told lawmakers. While the regional peace plan has largely been viewed as a failure due to Min Aung Hlaing’s absolute refusal to engage with opponents he labeled “terrorists,” Hasan’s briefing hinted at a small tactical opening. Read more
Thai accused of murder stands trial for immigration offense
A Thai woman appeared in the Kamayut Township court on Tuesday in her trial on an immigration-related charge linked to allegations that she killed her ex-husband, a U.S. diplomat, according to an attorney familiar with her case. Pavinee Supasirivisan is also charged with murder for the unnamed diplomat’s death last month, but is first standing trial on a charge of violating Burma’s immigration code.
Three prosecution witnesses, including immigration officers, testified during the hearing, according to the attorney who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The attorney said she had two legal representatives in court but did not have further details and it was not clear whether she had entered a plea. The charge carries a sentence ranging from six months to five years.
Witnesses testified at her trial but no further details were provided by an official from Kamayut’s immigration and population department. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with the press. It was not immediately clear how long the trial might last, nor when she would be tried on the charge of murder, which carries a possible sentence ranging from 10 years in prison to the death penalty. Read more
Myanmar sailors wait for safe passage through Strait of Hormuz
Hundreds of sailors from Burma are among the estimated 11,000 international seafarers trapped near the Strait of Hormuz, waiting for safe passage after nearly four months of maritime paralysis triggered by the war in Iran. As a massive multinational evacuation plan finally gets underway, the prolonged shipping gridlock has sent shockwaves back to Burma, worsening an already severe domestic fuel shock.
For the crews trapped outside the vital choke point, daily life has become a grueling exercise in waiting. Speaking to DVB on the condition of anonymity, a Myanmar sailor detailed the claustrophobic reality of being anchored roughly 50 miles (80 km) off Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates—over 150 miles southwest of the volatile strait.
“There have been no active clashes near us, but we cannot move. We are just waiting to leave,” the sailor told DVB. The timing of the shipping blockade could not be worse for the country. The U.N. estimates that 16.2 million people—nearly one-third of Myanmar’s entire population—are currently in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Read more
News by Region
KAREN—The Karen National Union (KNU) told DVB that 15 schools operating in Hpapun (Mutraw) District have been forced to shut down due to retaliatory airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force since June 1. Hpapun, located 110 miles (177 km) north of the state capital Hpa-An, is in KNU Brigade 5 territory.
Kler Doh, the KNU Brigade 5 spokesperson, said that nearly 20,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes since May 5. Students continue their studies in Hlaingbwe and Hpa-An townships. At least 100 homes in Hpapun’s Kyaukkwin village were destroyed by arson on May 26, according to residents.
MON—One civilian was killed, one was injured, and thousands were displaced from their homes in six villages of Kyaikto Township by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force since June 18, residents told DVB. Kyaikto, located in KNU Brigade 1 territory 87 miles (140 km) north of the state capital Mawlamyine.
Analysts told DVB that regime forces are attempting to push into neighbouring Karen State from KNU Brigade 1 territory. DVB couldn’t reach the KNU spokesperson due to poor service, but the ethnic armed group stated that one civilian was killed by artillery strikes in Kyaikto’s Ngapyawtaw village on June 5.
TANINTHARYI—Deputy Commander-in-Chief Kyaw Swar Lin ordered his troops at the Coastal Region Military Command (RMC) in Myeik Township to protect the Dawei Deepsea Port and the Ye-Dawei-Myeik-Bokpyin-Kawthaung highway on Wednesday. Myeik is located 151 miles (243 km) south of the region’s capital Dawei.
Russia’s state-run energy company Inter RAO and the regime-controlled Launglon Economic Development Company signed an agreement in Russia on June 5 to develop a coal-fired power plant at the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which was revived through a deal between Moscow and Naypyidaw in February 2025.
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