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Regional bloc discusses Myanmar crisis at summit; Former Thai diplomat calls for engagement with NUG

October 10, 2024

unnamed — Officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Timor-Leste convene for the ASEAN summit in Vientiane, Laos on Oct. 8. (Credit: ASEAN)

Regional bloc discusses Myanmar crisis at summit

Foreign ministers and delegates from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Vientiane, Laos on Wednesday to discuss Burma’s crisis, as well as other regional issues. The military regime sent its Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Aung Kyaw Moe to the meeting.

“ASEAN now needs to prepare for a situation in which the regime is chronically weak. China and now India have been adjusting their policies to the reality of a Myanmar regime that does not control most of its borders,” Richard Horsey, the senior Myanmar advisor at Crisis Group, told DVB. “ASEAN needs a policy approach that is fit for such a context.”

Violence has continued to escalate since regime leader Min Aung Hlaing agreed to the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus in 2021, which calls for an immediate end to violence and for all sides to engage in dialogue. Officials from China, the U.S. and Russia are also attending the ASEAN summit, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He is expected to call for greater pressure on Naypyidaw during the meeting.

Former Thai diplomat calls for engagement with NUG

One of Thailand’s former Foreign Ministers, Kasit Piromya, criticized ASEAN as it held its Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos on Tuesday. He said that ASEAN must engage with all sides in Burma, including the civilian-led National Unity Government (NUG), instead of only the military regime in Naypyidaw.

“There has been reluctance on the part of the ASEAN leadership to speak to the democratic forces of Myanmar,” said Piromya, who’s also a board member for the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR). “There has been a sort of unbalanced approach and that gives a lot of leeway to Min Aung Hlaing to do whatever he likes. It’s a disgrace.”

Piromya added that ASEAN must respect the aspirations of the people of Burma, including ethnic nationalities, and help return the country to a democratic government. But not one run by the military, as the regime has tentatively scheduled to hold elections in November 2025. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nikorndej Balangura announced that Bangkok plans to host a regional consultation on Burma’s crisis in December.

Wikimedia Foundation grants Knowledge Equity Fund to DVB

DVB is the latest grantee of the Wikimedia Foundation Knowledge Equity Fund for its work “to support groups who are creating and sharing knowledge with populations left out of mainstream knowledge structures.” The Knowledge Equity Fund was established in 2021 to support racial equity initiatives and further free knowledge globally.

“We will use this grant to run training for our journalists and increase capacity building, and further maximize our audience reach through satellite TV, social media, and websites. We hope that the expansion and exposure will result in more openly-available, accurate, and creative content around people and issues of Burma,“ said DVB Chief Editor Aye Chan Naing.

DVB was selected out of a handful of the most impactful grantee applicants and will receive funds to support our work inside Burma, which has been in crisis since the 2021 military coup led to a nationwide uprising. Seven journalists have so far been killed, including DVB Citizen Journalist (CJ) Win Htut Oo, and 170 remain in prison.

News by Region

Residents of Tinteinyan village in Ye-U Township, Sagaing Region, inspect the aftermath of an airstrike that killed three civilians on Oct. 8. (Credit: CJ)

SAGAING–A mother and her two children were killed during an airstrike conducted by the Burma Air Force on Tinteinyan village in Ye-U Township, located around 56 miles (90 km) north of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa, on Tuesday.

“The family inside the house was killed and two houses were destroyed,” a Tinteinyan villager told DVB. A People’s Defense Force (PDF) member told DVB that they frequently visit the village to buy goods. Four civilians were also killed during an airstrike in Ye-U last month.

The Sagaing PDF claimed on Wednesday that it has confiscated more than 400 weapons and heroin from a police station and military outposts after it seized full control of Pinlebu town, located around 216 miles (348 km) north of Monywa, on Tuesday.

“We discovered narcotics inside the police station while we were clearing the areas,” a Sagaing PDF spokesperson told DVB. It also claimed that nearly 3,000 bombs were dropped during retaliatory airstrikes carried out by the Air Force on Pinlebu since Sept. 15.

MANDALAY—A civilian was killed during a retaliatory airstrike on Kyaukkan village in Myingyan Township, located around 66 miles (106 km) southwest of Mandalay, on Tuesday. It occurred after the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) seized control of the village, which was occupied by the pro-military Pyusawhti militia.

“The fighting began early in the morning and ended by noon when the military’s fighter jet arrived,” a PLA spokesperson told DVB. He added that another resident was arrested and killed by the military in a nearby village.

MAGWAY—The PDF claimed that it has cleared more than 180 landmines and other unexploded ordnances planted by the military on roads and lampposts in Salin Township, located around 46 miles (74 km) northwest of the Magway Region capital, as of Oct. 8.

“It is very dangerous for civilians who are unfamiliar with these explosives,” a PDF spokesperson told DVB. Salin residents said that the military planted them on Oct. 4 after PDFs destroyed lampposts near munitions factories.

MON—A woman was injured after unknown assailants opened fire on a highway bus driving on the Ye-Thanbyuzayat road in Thanbyuzayat Township, located around 40 miles (64 km) south of the Mon State capital Mawlamyine, on Monday.

“She is from Yangon and was injured in her thigh but not in critical condition,” a bus company employee told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Pro-military social media channels accused “terrorists” of firing on the bus after it failed to stop for an inspection.

Read: Residents of Thai-Myanmar border town complain about rising prices due to Chinese workers.

Record flooding in Chiang Mai impacts Myanmar migrant community. DVB English News was there. We’re on X, FB, Instagram, Threads & TikTok. Subscribe to us on YouTube.

Myanmar migrant school becomes refuge for families

English Editor

October 10, 2024

photo_6064509524808680660_y — A girl carries food items for her family from Dana migrant education center, where a food distribution for Myanmar families impacted by flooding in Chiang Mai, Thailand took place on Oct. 8. (Credit: DVB)

The Myanmar migrant community in Chiang Mai, Thailand was impacted by record flooding on Oct. 5 as the Ping River reached a record 5.30 meters, inundating many parts of the city with water. Many migrant families were affected by the floods and reached out to community organizer Htay Aung, 22, for assistance instead of the Thai authorities. See our photo essay.

Residents of Thai-Myanmar border town complain about rising prices due to Chinese workers

CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

October 9, 2024

Chinese Scammers Push up Prices for Locals in Payathonzu Town, Karen State — Payathonzu town, Karen State, near the Three Pagodas Pass on the Myanmar-Thailand border. (Credit: BNI)

Chinese nationals living in Payathonzu, located 150 miles (241 km) south of the Karen State capital Hpa-An, are paying above market prices for goods and services, according to residents. This has caused prices to skyrocket beyond the means of most locals.

The Chinese are reported to be working at casinos and online scam centers run by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA). They are also opening businesses and renting houses in Payathonzu, which is on the border next to the Three Pagodas Pass into Thailand.

The military regime in Naypyidaw does not control the town, as it is administered by a coalition of Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), including the DKBA. The Karen National Union (KNU), the KNU/KNLA Peace Council (KPC), the Karen Border Guard Force/Karen National Army (BGF/KNA), and the New Mon State Party (NMSP) also operate in Payathonzu.

The DKBA signed the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the Myanmar military but have not allied itself to the regime, which has taken control of Naypyidaw since the 2021 coup. However the DKBA has met with the regime several times over the last three years to discuss the NCA.

Most of the Chinese nationals who are moving to Payathonzu used to operate casinos and online scam centers in Myawaddy Township, 100 miles (160 km) north along the Thai border. But, many have been forced to leave due to fighting which erupted last April between the military and KNU-led resistance forces.

The BGF/KNA also ordered all foreigners working in cyber scam centers to leave the area it controls in Myawaddy, including the Shwe Kokko New City project, by Oct. 31. Since May, at least 3,000 Chinese nationals have moved to Payathonzu and its surrounding areas controlled by the DKBA.

A casino on a plot of land about 20 miles (32 km) outside of Payathonzu is currently under construction. Automotive dealerships and restaurants have recently opened in the town catering to the new arrivals, according to residents.

“Currently, there are at least five restaurants opened by the Chinese, along with several car showrooms,” a resident told BNI. “They are constructing a large casino hall resembling those seen in Shwe Kokko town, along with a proper restaurant next to that large structure.”

Payathonzu residents are concerned that the Chinese will dominate the local economy and drive prices out of the reach of local people. Chinese are willing to pay above market rates for goods and services, such as house rental fees and laborers’ wages.

“They are known to pay significantly higher rents, leading landlords to eagerly lease to them. For instance, they rent houses for 15,000 [Thai baht] per month, compared to the typical rate of around 4,000 [baht], which has resulted in rising rents. While this isn’t an issue for them, it creates considerable stress for lower-income residents [who cannot afford the new higher rents],” said a taxi driver living and working in Payathonzu.

All Chinese nationals living in the town are reportedly ordered to pay the DKBA 10,000 baht per month to be allowed to stay in town. This means that they likely don’t have proper visas or documentation allowing them to stay legally in the country.

According to locals this money is split between the DKBA, the military regime troops stationed in Payathonzu, and other ethnic armed groups based nearby. Payathonzu’s administration officials have even started translating all of its announcements into Chinese for the benefit of the town’s new arrivals. BNI

Human Rights Lens – Episode 6: Military code of conduct

English Editor

October 9, 2024

Screenshot 2024-08-27 at 6.32.37 AM — Aung Myo Min is the Minister of Human Rights in the National Unity Government (NUG). He co-presents DVB Human Rights Lens.

Human Rights Lens is brought to you by the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) and the National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Human Rights. It features NUG Minister of Human Rights Aung Myo Min. Episode six investigates sexual violence and rape used as a weapon of war by the military.

Funeral held for Zaw Myint Maung in Mandalay; Airstrikes in southern Arakan’s Taungup kills 15 civilians

English Editor

October 9, 2024

6064509524808680340 — The funeral for Zaw Myint Maung, Zaw Myint Maung, the National League for Democracy (NLD) vice-chair and Mandalay Region Chief Minister, was held in Mandalay on Oct. 8. (Credit: DVB)

Funeral held for Zaw Myint Maung in Mandalay

The funeral for Zaw Myint Maung, the jailed Mandalay Chief Minister and vice-chair of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, was held in Mandalay on Tuesday. The 73-year-old died of leukemia at Mandalay General Hospital on Monday – one day after the regime granted him an amnesty on medical grounds.

The NLD and the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS) issued condolence letters. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) praised him for his “unwavering resistance” to military dictatorship. “He never bowed, even when imprisoned and tortured in various forms, and he fought for democracy and human rights until his last breath,” added the TNLA in its statement. India, the U.S., and the U.K. embassies in Yangon sent wreaths and shared messages of condolence with the family.

Around 1,000 mourners, including the wife of jailed President Win Myint, attended the funeral. Zaw Myint Maung was detained at Mandalay’s Obo Prison shortly after the military coup took place on Feb. 1, 2021. He was later convicted on nine charges and sentenced to 29 years in prison. Zaw Myint Maung died while receiving treatment at the Mandalay Hospital’s intensive care unit.

Garment workers face 155 labor rights violations in 213 days

The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) recorded 155 cases of abuse against garment workers in factories from December 2023 up to June 30. These incidents were linked to 87 international companies, and 158 fashion brands, sourcing from factories in Burma.

“The shocking and dangerous conditions that predominantly female garment workers continue to face in Myanmar are deeply concerning. However, these publicly recorded allegations are likely just the tip of the iceberg, and the full extent of labor rights abuses will be much greater,” said Natalie Swan, the BHRRC labor rights programme manager.

International fashion brands were linked to the highest number of abuse allegations over this period at factories they reportedly source from, or have recently sourced from. The total number of abuse allegations tracked by BHRRC since the 2021 military coup amounts to 556 incidents.

Airstrikes in southern Arakan’s Taungup kills 15 civilians

At least 15 civilians, including children, were reportedly killed and at least 10 were injured by airstrikes conducted by the Burma Air Force near a market in Tanlwalywama village of Taungup Township, located in southern Arakan State on Monday. The Arakan Army (AA) seized control of the village shortly after it launched its offensive on Nov. 13.

“The whole market stalls were destroyed and there was chaos in the village. Fifteen civilians were killed instantly and many people are still missing,” a villager told Arakan-based media outlet Lay Waddy FM. Tanlwalywama village is located around 15 miles (24 km) north of Taungup town, which is still under the control of the military.

Narinjara News reported that government offices and a hospital are located near the market. Two civilians were killed and three others injured during airstrikes on the village Sept. 24. Airstrikes have intensified in areas under the control of the Brotherhood Alliance – which includes the AA, the TNLA and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) – since September.

News by Region

A Chin National Army soldier inspects a building destroyed by fighting in Thantlang Township of Chinland. (Credit: Richard Horsey/Crisis Group)

CHINLAND—The Chin National Front (CNF/CNA) spokesperson Salai Htet Ni told DVB that it controls over 90 percent of Thantlang Township, located 22 miles (35 km) west of the Chinland capital Hakha, after it seized a private bank occupied by the military on Monday.

“We recovered the bodies of three military personnel and weapons after we seized the bank, which is located on the main road of the town. I have been told that our troops are clearing the area,” Salai Htet Ni told DVB. He added that the military still occupies Thantlang’s police station and NLD party office. Resistance forces led by the CNA launched an offensive against the military in Thantlang on July 22.

ARAKAN—The AA claimed control of the Maetaung strategic outpost, which is located more than eight miles (14 km) from the Western Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters in Ann town, on Monday. It launched an attack on the outpost and other camps in Ann Township on Sept. 26.

“Both strategic outposts that guarded the headquarters were seized by the AA. [It] will soon conduct its offensive [against] the battalions around the headquarters,” a source close to the AA told DVB. It also claimed that it seized military camps in Gwa Township, southern Arakan State, on Sunday. The military destroyed a bridge in Gwa town after it retreated.

SAGAING—The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People’s Defense Force (PDF) took control of Pinlebu town, located around 216 miles (348 km) north of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa, on Tuesday. More than 60 military personnel have been detained and over 80 weapons were seized from them since Sept. 6.

“The regime conducted airstrikes and fired artillery shells in order to defend the town, but we seized control of the police station, its last position there,” a PDF spokesperson told DVB. The KIA and the PDF launched an offensive in Pinlebu on Aug. 15. A previous attempt to take control of the town was repelled by the military in November 2023.

(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,700 kyat)

Read: Myanmar regime official attends regional bloc Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Laos.

Check out: The Rohingya storytelling project redefining ‘once upon a time’. DVB English News is on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads & TikTok. Subscribe to us on YouTube.

Record flooding in Chiang Mai impacts Myanmar community

English Editor

October 9, 2024

photo_6064509524808680651_y — A food distribution for the Myanmar migrant community following record flooding in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Oct. 8. (Credit: DVB)

“This situation is really bad for the community here. I must say, for those who are [from] a vulnerable group, from the LGBT community, and [those who are] undocumented, like people who live here illegally, hesitate to reach out for help from the [Thai] rescue team,” Htay Aung told DVB. “Maybe they will face deportation. So, they are afraid of that.”

On Oct. 8, Htay Aung and the Free Burma Rangers held a food distribution for 400 Myanmar migrant families impacted by the floods.