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Travel operators in Burma hope to boost domestic tourism ahead of Christmas

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Travel companies in Burma reopened last October after domestic tourism nearly came to a halt since the COVID-19 lockdown began in March 2020. There were 4.3 million international arrivals to Burma in 2019. “Business cannot operate like before COVID-19. There are only a handful of places in the country that you can safely travel to. Only those places are available for domestic tourism,” said Naung Naung Han, chairperson of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneur Association. 

During the recent Thadingyut festival, many domestic tourists visited areas like Bagan, Ngwe Saung, Chaung Tha and Ngapali. But it is impossible to ensure the safety of tourists due to the uprising against the military following the February 2021 coup. Domestic tourism in 2022 has only grown by 10 to 20 percent compared with the previous year, according to Naung Naung Han. 

Local tour operators hope that Burma’s tourism sector may rebound in 2023. “There were around seven million domestic travellers before COVID-19.  It [will be] really difficult to reach that number,” Naung Naung Han added. The junta allowed for the resumption of international flights into Burma on April 17, 2022. It opened up its tourist e-visa program after the country’s borders were closed for more than two years. Travel warnings to Burma have been issued by several countries due to the political instability and violence following the 2021 military coup.

DPDM Global: Keeping Kachin Customs Alive in the U.S.

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A newlywed couple in the U.S. proves how to keep Kachin customs alive. By bringing traditional culture into a modern marriage in Jacksonville, Florida. Doh Pyay Doh Myay (DPDM) Global is DVB’s travel program, exploring diversity worldwide. Every week Burmese diaspora on another continent are given a voice. #တို့ပြည်တို့မြေ #ထိုင် Doh Pyay Doh Myay (DPDM) Global is DVB’s travel program, exploring diversity worldwide. Every week Burmese diaspora on another continent are given a voice. #တို့ပြည်တို့မြေ #ကနေဒါ #Roadshow #USA #america #OverseasBurmese #DVBTV DVB TV – 15.12.2022

Rohingya remain stranded at sea near Indonesia, U.S. announces new resettlement program for Rohingya

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FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM

Around 180 Rohingya remain stranded at sea near Indonesian coast

A boat carrying 180 Rohingya has been stranded at sea, near the coast of Indonesia, for 20 days. They are facing food and water shortages, according to Aung Kyaw Moe, an adviser to the National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Human Rights. “They have a satellite phone on board. They used the phone to tell their relatives in Cox’s Bazar that they are experiencing food shortages after the boat’s engine broke down. They [said] that they were in Indonesian waters,” he told DVB. A recording from the Rohingya on board requesting urgent humanitarian assistance from Indonesia has been circulating on social media. Aung Kyaw Moe said that his Ministry of Human Rights has also made pleas to the Indonesian government to assist the Rohingya stranded at sea. Another boat with Rohingya on board is reportedly missing. It is unknown how many are on board.

U.S. announces new resettlement program for Rohingya refugees

The U.S. State Department announced a refugee resettlement program for the Rohingya in collaboration with Bangladesh and the United Nations for High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Dec. 13. The program is a part of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program that has provided more than $1.9 billion USD in humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and elsewhere. “In addition to supporting immediate basic needs, our humanitarian assistance strengthens the resilience, economic security, and dignity of refugees and host communities by improving education and livelihood opportunities,” the statement said. The State Department also affirmed its support to hold the perpetrators of the Rohingya Genocide accountable.

NUG announces new spokespersons for the President and PM offices

The NUG announced on Dec. 14 that it has appointed Kyaw Zaw as spokesperson of the President’s Office and Nay Phone Latt as the spokesperson of the Prime Minister Office. The previous spokespersons were replaced due to “competing ministerial duties.”

Canada sanctions arms and jet fuel suppliers to the Burma Army

Canada imposed new sanctions on arms brokers and jet fuel suppliers to Burma on Dec. 13. Companies listed in the sanctions include Dynasty International Company Limited, International Gateways Group, and Asia Sun Group. Canada is the first country to follow human rights groups’ recommendations to sanction aviation fuel suppliers. 

News by Region

KAREN—The Thai-Burma Friendship Bridge (1) that connects Myawaddy, Karen State to Mae Sot, Thailand will reportedly reopen soon. The bridge has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown began in 2020.

The Burma Army burned down four rice warehouses in Hpapun Township, located in the Karen National Union’s (KNU) Brigade 5, on Dec. 10. The Burma Army reportedly looted the village during the attack, according to locals. A KNU official said that more than ten houses have been damaged in the township from airstrikes carried out since November.

SHAN—Airstrikes occurred in Mongmit Township against the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on Dec. 13. Fighting between the TNLA and the Burma Army broke out from Dec. 7 to 11, according to TNLA spokesperson Tar Aik Kyaw. “The [air force] were flying over Namsan all day,” he said. The Ta’ang Women’s Organization (TWO) said that one villager was killed and two others were injured by the Burma Army in Konethar village on Dec. 7. The TNLA claimed that around 50 homes in Konethar village were damaged by Burma Army shelling. The TNLA claimed the Burma army looted the village during the attack. More than 1,000 people have been displaced from their homes because of the fighting.

DVB PICKS—Watch the latest Doh Pyay Doh Myay (Our Land Our Region) Global English video of a newlywed couple in Jacksonville, Florida keeping Kachin customs and traditions alive.

Kyaw Moe Tun to remain Burma’s UN ambassador, Junta snubs ethnic armed groups

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FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM

Kyaw Moe Tun to stay as Burma’s UN ambassador

The United Nations General Assembly Credentials Committee has renewed the status of Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun as Burma’s Permanent Representative to the UN, according to VOA. The UN has refused to recognize the junta-picked appointee. Kyaw Moe Tun took up the ambassador post in New York in 2020 prior to the military coup. Kyaw Moe Tun represents Burma’s National Unity Government (NUG), which consists of elected lawmakers unable to take their posts due to the coup, along with several other leaders from communities across the country.  

Junta snubs dialogue with ethnic armed groups

The junta’s National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) refused to meet seven National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) signatories in Thailand on Dec. 12. Saw Kyaw Nyunt is a spokesperson for the seven ethnic armed organization (EAO) signatories: Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Democratic Benevolent Karen Army (DKBA), Karen Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC), Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), New Mon State Party (NMSP), Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS). “We requested to start a dialogue with a few representatives in Chiang Mai, but we were told that it was not ready,” said Saw Kyaw Nyunt.

News by Region

BAGO—The Pyay Prison Court sentenced Kyaw Zayya to an additional nine years in prison on Dec. 12. The representative of the Pyay Township Regional Hluttaw, Kyaw Zayya, was convicted under the Myanmar Liquor Act and Natural Disaster Law, according to a source from Pyay prison. He was previously sentenced to 10 years under the Counter-Terrorism Law and for electoral fraud.  

MANDALAY—A District Court sentenced Sue Sha Shin Thant to 22 years in prison on Dec. 12. Sue Sha is an LGBTQ+ activist convicted under Section 505(a) and (b) of the Penal Code for incitement, along with Section 302/114 for murder and Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. Sue Sha was arrested in October 2021 and is being held at Mandalay’s Obo prison. 

An explosion injured four people at Zeus bar in Chan Aye Tharsan Township on Dec. 13. Urban guerrilla groups in Mandalay claimed responsibility for the attack and that Zeus bar sells drugs to its patrons. The groups stated that the attack was conducted in the morning when the bar was empty in order to prevent civilian casualties.

NAYPYIDAW—Security forces stopped a protest in Zabuthiri Township on Dec. 12. Protesters denounced the NUG and People’s Defence Force (PDF) for the alleged murder of a woman in Tamu. “People from the Union Solidarity and Development Party, Ma Ba Tha monks and military lobbyists protested the incident of Tamu,” a source told DVB. “They also brought paid workers to protest in Pobba Thiri Township on Dec. 8 but dispersed as security forces did not allow the gathering,” the source added.

Naypyidaw People’s Defense Force announced today that one of its members was killed after an arrest and interrogation in Lel Way Township from Dec. 1 to 3. The 19-year-old man’s family was told that he had died of a heart attack. His body was cremated in Pobba Thiri Township on Dec. 4. 

SHAN—Burma Army shelling destroyed around 50 houses in Namhsan’s Konethar village, SHAN reported. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) confirmed the destruction and claimed that the village was targeted. “Both sides suffered casualties, but we don’t know everything yet,” said Tar Aik Kyaw, a TNLA spokesperson. Fighting between the Burma army and the TNLA has escalated, forcing more than 1,000 locals to flee. 

SAGAING—Locals identified the bodies of five men that were killed by the Burma Army in Pay Pin Chaung village, Kawlin Township on Dec. 11. “They were not able to run away when the military column attacked,” a local told DVB. A total of 224 houses in the township have been burned down since Dec. 9. Over 20,000 civilians were displaced from their homes due to the fighting in Kawlin. They are in urgent need of food and blankets.

YANGON—One person was wounded in an explosion in North Dagon Township on Dec. 12. “A man fell down and was bleeding on the ground. After a while, military vehicles arrived and they were taken away in an ambulance,” a local told DVB. At least 12 people in Yangon have been injured in attacks since the beginning of December. 

The Bank of China (BOC) held an event for Yangon university students on Dec. 9. The BOC China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) has given out scholarships and grants to 100 students at the University of Yangon. Than Than Swe, the chairperson of the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM), claimed that the junta’s cooperation with the BOC is “mutually beneficial.” The CBM granted the BOC an official banking license in April 2020.

DVB READS—Pencilo introduces her fifth book “Burma Spring Revolution: 100 Days of Darkness” published in South Korea. DVB English is on-demand, via YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify, or your favorite podcast listening app: link.chtbl.com/dvbenglish

Junta holds ceremony with Russian officials, Journalist receives additional prison sentence

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FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM

Junta holds ceremony to mark nuclear project with Russian officials

On Dec. 11, the junta held an event in Naypyidaw to celebrate its agreement with Russia’s Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation. According to regime media, the Russians will help establish a nuclear power plant in Burma. The junta’s Ministry of Electric Power and Ministry of Science and Technology signed a memorandum of understanding with Rosatom last July after Min Aung Hlaing met with Russian officials. Russia and Burma have grown closer since last year’s coup. Obtaining nuclear technology has long been an ambition of  Burma’s previous military juntas and was the subject of a 2010 DVB documentary film called “Burma’s Nuclear Ambitions.”

Journalist receives further prison sentence 

The Insein Prison Court sentenced journalist Sithu Aung Myint to an additional seven years in prison on Dec. 9. This stems from a charge of attempting to incite “hatred” against the Burma Army and civil servants. “The recent sentence under Section 124(a) is seven years in prison with a fine of K10,000 ($ 4.70 USD),” a source close to the court said. Sithu Aung Myint is now facing 12-years in prison. This includes the five year sentence he received from other charges. The veteran journalist has reported for DVB, VOA and Frontier Myanmar.

News by Region

MANDALAY—The Burma Army paid workers to attend an anti-National Unity Government (NUG) demonstration in Madaya town on Dec. 12. The protesters reportedly marched on the road and chanted anti-NUG and anti-People’s Defense Force (PDF) slogans. “Around 70 locals attended the rally. They are from John Brick factory and were paid a day’s wages. They were paid K3,000 ($1.43 USD) and we’re given one bag of rice each,” a local told DVB. 

RAKHINE—The Border Guard Police smuggled goods into Bangladesh using a port in Maungdaw, local traders said. “Around three motorboats leave from Maungdaw Port illegally every day in coordination with the border guard police,” a local trader told DVB. The goods being transported to Bangladesh are reported to include alcohol and coffee.

SHAN—At least 1,200 people living in Namsan Township have been forced to flee after fighting between the Burma Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) broke out five days ago. “All the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are of different ages, including elders, pregnant women, children and disabilities. They have no extra clothes to wear. They need blankets and medicine. Most importantly they need food. The monastery cannot afford to take care of all the IDPs as there are too many of them,” a Buddhist monk told DVB. “On Dec. 7, the military council sent reinforcements including soldiers with five helicopters to Konethar, Panlock and Huemen. Fighting broke out as TNLA personnel were already in Konethar,” said Tar Aik Kyaw, the TNLA spokesperson. A religious building and five houses  in Konethar village were destroyed by Burma Army shells.

SAGAING—A Pyu Saw Htee militia is threatening to burn down Yaw village in Kabalu Township if residents don’t attend military training, locals said. “In previous days, attendees were randomly chosen. Only those that were selected had to attend the training. But now it has become mandatory,” a resident told DVB.

The Kalay People’s Defense Force (PDF) claimed to have killed a Burma Army sergeant and arrested two employees of the Myanma Economic Bank (MEB), according to locals. “Now we are investigating the remaining two. We are not going to beat them,” a Kalay PDF spokesperson told DVB. The two are being held “in line with international human rights standards,” according to the PDF. They are expected to be charged by a legal team formed by Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) police officers.

YANGON—Two people were injured in an explosion at an immigration office in Dagon Township on Dec. 12. Two people on a motorbike were reported to have thrown a grenade inside the office, a source said. “One man and woman were hit. They are not office staff. They are now in the hospital,” a source told DVB. Two unexploded homemade bombs were discovered and detonated by the Burma Army in Hlaingthayar Township on Dec. 12, according to a residents. “The army detonated the bombs. No one was injured,” a local told DVB.

DVB Reads: Ei Pencilo on “Burma Spring Revolution: 100 Days Of Darkness”

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Ei Pencilo, 31, is a Burmese author who escaped Yangon during the February 2021 military coup. Her memoir “Burma Spring Revolution: 100 Days of Darkness” documents how she evaded arrest in Burma, and ended up in the U.S. It was published in South Korea.

“My name is Pencilo. 

I adopted this as my pen name in 2012. 

Before that, I wrote under my given name. 

Since 2015, I have published four books as Pencilo. 

I wrote a book about my own experiences and what happened during the first 100 days of the coup.

I call it “Burma Spring Revolution: 100 days of Darkness.”

A South Korean book publisher contacted me and asked to publish it in the Korean language. 

This is my first time being published in Korean. 

I also want to raise awareness about Burma in South Korea. 

Burma’s struggle for democracy is similar to South Korea’s 

It would be impossible to publish a book like this in Burma now. 

In the book I have documented what the Burma Army did to the people. 

I wrote it as a record of the coup. 

So, I’d prefer to publish it in other languages. 

I am thinking of publishing an ebook and a physical copy. 

The e-book is for readers in Burma who won’t be able to purchase the physical book. 

I plan to translate my book into English so international readers can learn what happened in Burma. 

The Spring revolution is more important than my book. 

I will try to publish in Burmese and English. 

All proceeds will go to the Spring Revolution. 

I began writing on February 4th as I escaped from Yangon to the border. 

The book shares how I evaded arrest and made it out of Burma. 

I also wrote about the protests, and the atrocities committed against peaceful protesters. 

Once I reached the U.S., I couldn’t finish writing it.

But after three months, I could finally finish it. 

My book marks two important days imprinted in my mind. 

Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing was the first anti-coup protester killed by the military. 

Nyi Nyi Aung Htet Naing was shot at the Hledan protest. 

I heard the news about their deaths the day I arrived at the border. 

I had never heard of anything as cruel as killing these peaceful protesters. 

At my age all I knew about Burma’s brutal crackdowns and killing its own people have been from history books. 

I never thought it could really happen in 2021. 

I was really shocked.”

DVB Reads (Podcast) is on-demand to stream or download on listening apps: SoundCloud, Anchor FM, TuneIn Radio, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts.

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The Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) publishes daily independent news and information across Myanmar and around the world by satellite TV and the internet. DVB was founded in 1992 and is registered as a non-profit association in Thailand.

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