Migrant workers in Thailand under increased scrutiny
Labor assistance groups and migrant workers told DVB that authorities in Thailand are launching nationwide inspections on all foreign workers to target undocumented migrants and those whose actual employment does not match their work permit details “in accordance with Thai labor laws.” These inspections are being carried out at factories, construction sites, and restaurants nationwide.
“The job on my document is listed as farmer, but I am actually working in a different sector. I have to be very careful during these inspections,” a migrant worker in Chiang Mai told DVB on the condition of anonymity.” Ye Min, the spokesperson at the Aid Alliance Committee, urged workers to remain cautious and ensure their documentation is legally updated to reflect their actual employer and job type.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that Thailand hosts more than 2.3 million registered migrant workers from Burma—many of whom arrived after the 2021 military coup. On May 2, four undocumented workers from Burma were reportedly arrested in Chiang Rai Province while attempting to evade police after allegedly killing their worksite leader in a dispute over unpaid wages on May 1.
Min Aung Hlaing accused of attempting to evade justice
Three prominent human rights organizations have issued a sweeping condemnation of Min Aung Hlaing, accusing Myanmar’s regime leader of using diplomatic coercion to intimidate Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to try and derail ongoing international war crimes investigations under the legal principle of universal jurisdiction.
In a joint statement, the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network (RMCN), the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO), and the Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP) alleged that Naypyidaw is actively interfering in domestic legal processes across the region to shield Min Aung Hlaing, who was inaugurated as Burma’s president by a pro-military parliament on April 10, from individual criminal liability.
“We urge the governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia to firmly reject any external pressure and uphold the independence of their judicial systems. We further call on all U.N. member states and ASEAN partners to resist this attempt to normalize impunity under the guise of diplomacy,” the three rights groups stated in a press release on May 5. Read more
Civilians in Myanmar flee airstrikes into India
An unknown number of residents from Chin State’s Falam Township have reportedly fled into India’s Mizoram State after seven civilians, including six children, were killed during airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Falam’s Khawpuichhip village on Friday, Falam, located 41 miles (66 km) north of the Chin State capital Hakha, was recaptured by regime forces from the Chin Brotherhood on April 25.
“After they heard that Khawpuichhip village was being bombed, villagers began crossing over to the Indian side,” a police officer in India’s Mizoram State told the Hindustan Times, adding that the ethnic Chin civilians fleeing airstrikes in Burma arrived in a panic and the exact number of arrivals could not be confirmed by Indian authorities. Falam is located 41 miles (67 km) east of the Burma-India border.
The Chin Brotherhood told DVB that a military counteroffensive is moving toward the Burma-India border town of Rikhawdar, which was seized by the Chin resistance groups in 2023, after it regained control of Falam. Regime forces control Hakha and partially control Thantlang and Tedim with Chin resistance controlling four of the state’s nine townships. Paletwa Township is under Arakan Army (AA) control.
News by Region
CHIN—Local media Chin World reported on Wednesday that regime forces recaptured Tedim Township’s Mount Kennedy outpost from the Chin resistance on Tuesday. Tedim, located 68 miles (109 km) north of the state capital Hakha, is contested between regime and resistance forces.
It added that the mountain outpost is “strategically important” for its communications equipment and a radio broadcast tower. No casualties were reported. Control of the mountain outpost has changed hands between the military and the resistance four times, Chin World reported.
KACHIN—Forty-nine civil society groups released a statement on Tuesday calling for the “total cessation” of the Myitsone Dam project, which was suspended in 2011 by then-President Thein Sein. They are calling for a halt to lobbying efforts, threats, and “sham” public consultations.
“It offers no benefits to the public and will only result in the severe destruction and loss of people’s lives, homes and properties,” the 49 Kachin groups stated on May 4. The dam is worth $3.6 billion USD and includes six sites with a total capacity of 19,099 megawatts of electricity. Read more
KARENNI—At least 27 civilians have been killed with 44 injured and more than 300 homes and buildings destroyed by regime airstrikes, artillery shelling and landmines since January, according to a statement released by the Karenni Human Rights Group (KHRG) on Wednesday.
KHRG called for an urgent international response to protect civilians, stop displacement, and place sanctions on aviation fuel going to the military. Demoso, Hpruso, Bawlakhe and Loikaw townships are under regime control. Karenni resistance forces control Mese and Shadaw townships.
SHAN—Residents in the state capital Taunggyi told DVB that a man “fled his home” on Tuesday after beating a “16-year-old” waitress to death on Monday. A resident who witnessed the incident told DVB that the waitress was murdered over a tip she received from a customer and didn’t report.
An aid worker in Taunggyi told DVB that bruises were found on the murdered waitress’ face, hands, and abdominal area. The man, identified as a local bar owner named Aung Myo Thu, had physically abused his employees and other acquaintances at the bar, according to residents.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,190 MMK)
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