Myanmar 20241015: Telluric, Immanent, Inventive
Mekong Memo Myanmar Weekly: Business, politics, finance, trade & legal news.
Southeast Asian business news delivered to your inbox every weekday with the Mekong Memo.
The Memo is published each weekday for the countries of your choice. Paid subscriptions receive full editions while free subscribers usually only get top headlines and the first few stories. We can’t do this without your support, so please consider a paid subscription.
The Mekong Memo is proudly presented by:
Horton International is your premier partner for executive search in Southeast Asia. Whether you're a small startup or a global corporation, our reliable and effective recruiting solutions are tailored to meet your unique needs. With extensive experience and offices across the region, we excel at overcoming recruitment challenges and securing top talent for your organization.
Click here to learn how Horton can make your life easier.
Here is this week’s edition of the Mekong Memo for Myanmar.
If you appreciate the work that goes into preparing The Memo (and the time it saves you!), please consider a paid subscription to support our efforts. Thank you.
Headlines:
ASEAN Calls for Peace in Myanmar
Controversial Census Wraps Up
UN Urged to Step Up Myanmar Response
Junta Loses Legitimacy, Retains Power
Activists Arrested, Fears of Torture Rise
Thailand Offers to Host ASEAN Meeting
Leaked Document Reveals Chinese Interests
Junta Weapons Production Unveiled
Solar Energy Adoption Rises
Civil Society Calls for ASEAN Action
Electric Trains on Junta's Agenda
Secondhand Clothes Market Thrives As Costs Bite
Literary Exploration of Violence by Train
ASEAN Calls for Peace in Myanmar
ASEAN leaders have called for an immediate end to violence in Myanmar and the creation of an environment conducive to humanitarian assistance and inclusive dialogue. The bloc's five-point consensus remains the guideline for resolving the political crisis. Rebel groups have dismissed the call, stating the onus is on the military junta. China and Russia blocked a proposed consensus statement, mainly over objections to language on the contested South China Sea.
Read more: Benar News (ASEAN call), Asia Financial (China and Russia objections)
Controversial Census Wraps Up
The military junta has conducted a national census from Oct. 1-15, claiming it will ensure an accurate voter list for upcoming elections. Critics argue the data will be inaccurate due to widespread displacement, armed resistance, and imprisonment of opponents. Ethnic minority armies and rebel groups are in opposition to the census, calling on citizens not to cooperate. The exercise has sparked uproar and skepticism among various groups and citizens.
Read more: Mizzima (Census Details, Accuracy), UCA News (Criticism)
UN Urged to Step Up Myanmar Response
The UN's approach to the Myanmar crisis is "clearly not working," according to its Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar. Critics are demanding that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres steps up to play a more active role by visiting the region, and showing better leadership. The international community is being called on to use every tool available to cut the junta's lifelines and provide support to the people of Myanmar.
Read more: Herald Malaysia (UN Criticism), UN DPPA (Warning), UN News (Warning)
Junta Loses Legitimacy, Retains Power
The military is faceing continued defeats against ethnic armed alliances, which now control more than half the country. Despite a widespread loss of legitimacy, the junta is still holding on to power through what appear to be indiscriminate bombings and support from China and Russia. There are now calls for the international community to refrain from supporting the junta's planned elections in November 2025, as it is said that they cannot be credible and therefore risk provoking further conflict.
Read more: La Croix International (Junta's status), East Asia Forum (Election Concerns)
Activists Arrested, Fears of Torture Rise
Two prominent and nonviolent activists, Paing Phyo Min and Shein Wai Aung, were arrested in Yangon, and there is a heightened concern about potential torture. The arrests are a continuation of a crackdown on dissent, with thousands detained since the 2021 coup. Human rights organizations are raising the alarm over the safety and well-being of those in custody.
Read more: Yahoo News (Activist arrests), Myanmar Now (Arrest details)
Thailand Offers to Host ASEAN Meeting
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has proposed Thailand as a venue for an ASEAN meeting in December to explore peaceful solutions to the Myanmar crisis. The offer comes as Thailand reaffirms its commitment to regional peace and looks to advance efforts towards resolving the situation in Myanmar.
Read more: The Nation Thailand
Leaked Document Reveals Chinese Interests
A leaked document shows that there is a desire in China for armed groups in Myanmar to end their offensives against the junta. China has blocked food and fuel supplies to areas under rebel control, fearing the junta's collapse could damage its geopolitical interests. The document details a meeting between Chinese officials and leaders of the United Wa State Army, Myanmar's most powerful ethnic armed group.
Read more: Myanmar Now
Junta Weapons Production Unveiled
Nearly two dozen weapons factories are producing around half of the munitions used by Myanmar's military regime. The junta has obtained weapon manufacturing technologies from China and North Korea and is approaching Russia for new capabilities. Most munitions are made domestically, but the regime relies on foreign technology and expertise to maintain its military advantage.
Read more: Eurasia Review
Solar Energy Adoption Rises
The adoption of photovoltaic solar energy is increasing due to rising oil prices and electricity costs. Unstable electricity supply and high bills are driving consumers to opt for solar energy as a reliable and sustainable alternative. Solar products and related items are becoming more accessible in the market as demand rises.
Read more: Evwind
Civil Society Calls for ASEAN Action
Myanmar civil society organizations have called on ASEAN to stop working with the military junta and support the establishment of a federal democracy. An open letter is calling for the bloc to move beyond the Five-Point Consensus and back the Myanmar people's efforts to build a new political system.
Read more: Mizzima
Electric Trains on Junta's Agenda
Junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has spoken on a need for electric trains in Myanmar. He called for research to accomplish the project and asked for continuous operation of electric multiple unit (EMU) trains, a seemingly incongruent issue on infrastructure development while the larger conflict remains the source of so much civil distress.
Read more: Mizzima
Secondhand Clothes Market Thrives As Costs Bite
Yangon’s Kyimyindaing second-hand clothing market is providing affordable fashion options as commodity prices rise and local consumers look for relief. Shoppers looking for high-quality, foreign-made items that fit well and cost less than new branded clothes are flocking to the market, which is doing better than ever. Vendors source garments from Japan, Thailand, and Europe and the market pulls in both individual buyers and small businesses reselling items.
Read more: Xinhua
And now for something completely different.
While the focus of The Memo is on news for business, we often wrap with a less business-focused article. This story combines some of our favorite topics - the steel highway, travel, and literature:
Literary Exploration of Violence by Train
A new book offers a train journey through Myanmar's violent history, providing context to the current conflict. The narrative explores the impact of wartime atrocities on civilians and the consequences of the military's actions since the 2021 coup.
Read more: Nikkei Asia
That’s it for this week… THANK YOU.
Your voice matters to us. Feel we're missing something? Have additional sources to suggest? Don't hold back— reply and tell us what you think.
If you value the Mekong Memo, please consider buying (or gifting!) a paid subscription, sharing it on social media or forwarding this email to someone who might enjoy it. You can also “like” this newsletter by clicking the ❤️ below (or sometimes above, depending on the platform), which helps us get visibility on Substack.