Vietnam offers to host peace talks on Myanmar crisis
Vietnam state media reported that Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính offered his country as a potential diplomatic bridge for Burma’s crisis, which has engulfed the nation and has crippled the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since the 2021 military coup. Vietnam’s Prime Minister met with U.N. Special Envoy Julie Bishop at the 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday.
“Việt Nam opposed embargo measures that negatively impact the lives of the Myanmar people and the Myanmar issue must be resolved by the Myanmar people themselves, through agreement, compromise, and the involvement of all relevant parties,” Vietnam News reported Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính as saying at the WEF.
He told Bishop that Vietnam was committed to facilitating dialogue among stakeholders in Burma to help stabilize the country. Bishop reportedly welcomed the proposal and pledged to collaborate further with ASEAN to achieve this. The U.S. government sanctioned Mytel, a joint venture between the military and Vietnam’s Viettel, on Jan. 6.
Bangkok says its ‘not to blame’ for cyber scam operations
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has rejected claims made by the regime in Naypyidaw that Bangkok is partly to blame for the proliferation of online scam operations along the Burma-Thai border, saying that “the problem is a complicated matter that concerns multiple parties.”
“I don’t understand why it is so extremely difficult for the [Provincial Electricity Authority] to take action. How shameful it is to have the Myanmar media saying that Thailand, as the supplier of energy [for the scam hubs], is supporting the crimes.” said Rangsiman Rome, the chairperson of Thailand’s House Committee on State Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy and Reform.
Regime media reported on Jan. 20 that electricity and internet to cyber scam operations in Karen State’s Shwe Kokko, located 16 miles (25 km) north of Myawaddy town across the border from Thailand’s Tak Province, comes from “other countries.” Myawaddy Township is adjacent to Mae Sot, Thailand and 140 miles (225 km) east of the state capital Hpa-An.
Ma Thida on Myanmar’s struggle for democracy from 2011-23
Ma Thida is a medical doctor, writer, human rights activist and former prisoner of conscience. She founded and served until 2016 as president of PEN Myanmar, whose mission includes monitoring issues related to freedom of expression, developing a culture of literature in Myanmar, and making it a part of the country’s educational curriculum.
“We were all thinking we were on the road to democracy. And whatever the obstacle is or blocking us, we will overcome it. But during the past decades, we were a little bit confused. We are still on the road to democracy. But after the 2021 coup attempt, a lot of people started saying, it’s [a] U-turn,” Ma Thida told DVB. “We were at some point from point A to point B, and then back to point A, that means the U-turn.”
Ma Thida is the author of the book A-Maze: Myanmar’s Struggle for Democracy, 2011-2023. Read an excerpt from her new book on our website. Watch DVB Newsroom on DVB English News YouTube or Spotify. It’s also available to listen to on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get podcasts.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Fortify Rights responded to the Arakan Army (AA) admission of guilt in executing two prisoners of war, calling for details on the actions it has taken against those responsible, and for it to cooperate with international justice mechanisms. The group published leaked videos allegedly showing AA members cutting the throats of two prisoners of war.
“It’s not enough to merely say that the perpetrators have been punished. The AA must be transparent about who was held accountable, what actions were taken, and share this information with international investigators without delay,” said Ejaz Min Khant, a human rights associate at Fortify Rights.
SHAN—The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) claimed that two people were killed and more than 20 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on a public hospital in Kyaukme, northern Shan State, on Saturday. Kyaukme is located 68 miles (109 km) southwest of the regional capital Lashio and 107 miles (172 km) east of Mandalay. It came under TNLA control on Aug. 5.
“The military intentionally targets the hospital where people receive medical treatment. One of the rooms inside the hospital was destroyed and two women, including a nurse, were killed instantly. The authorities shut down the area after recovering the bodies,” a Kyaukme resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The 150-bed hospital was built in 1967 and has been run by the TNLA since it took control of the town.
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