Latest news with #MyanmarJunta
South China Morning Post
28-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Thai river turns orange as dangerous toxins from Myanmar mines flush downstream
Dangerous levels of arsenic in a northern Thai river contaminated by chemicals used in mines across the border in Myanmar risk unleashing an unprecedented ecological disaster on the kingdom's waterways, environmentalists have warned, as images of the orange-yellow waters go viral. Advertisement Bangkok is seeking renewed talks with Myanmar's junta to stop the toxic sediment flowing downstream into the Kok River, which runs from Shan State, in Myanmar through Thailand's border province of Chiang Rai. But the urgency of the health crisis for riverside communities – who have been warned not to wash, drink or eat fish from the contaminated waterway they depend on – is compounded by the fact that the mines are located in territory controlled by the Wa, an ethnic armed group notorious for drug production, unchecked resource extraction and opaque business ties to China. Thai villagers started to notice the discolouration of the water in March. Fishermen on the Chiang Saen river. Photo: Earth Thailand However, satellite imagery suggests the contamination began as early as last September, when large upstream forest areas in Myanmar were cleared for mining – initially thought to be for gold, but now suspected to involve rare earths, based on the volume of chemical effluent released into the river.
South China Morning Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Asean summit opens in Malaysia with trade dismay, US tariffs top of mind
Southeast Asian leaders are meeting in Malaysia on Monday seeking trade deals with new partners as US tariffs threaten unprecedented damage to their export-reliant economies. The two-day Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur is also expected to increase pressure on Myanmar's military junta and attempt to resolve issues with East Timor's application to join the bloc. It comes as growth across the region has taken a hit from US President Donald Trump 's threatened tariffs, with levies of up to 49 per cent set to be imposed on member states unless they can make deals before a July deadline. The tariff upheaval has pushed the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to pursue trade deals with non-US partners and increase intra-bloc trade and business cooperation. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday lamented that the very foundations of free trade were being 'dismantled under the force of arbitrary action'. Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks on Monday at the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP But he added in his opening remarks at the summit that he believed in 'the fortitude and staying power of Asean to withstand the headwinds and weather the storms of the challenges and uncertainties facing us.'
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Indonesia calls for stronger Asean action on Myanmar crisis, backs Malaysia's initiatives
JAKARTA, May 25 — Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has expressed full support for Malaysia's various initiatives, as this year's Asean Chair, in facilitating a peaceful resolution to Myanmar's internal conflict. He reaffirmed Indonesia's readiness to continue actively contributing to the restoration of democracy and stability in Myanmar during the Extended Informal Consultation on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) held in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. 'Asean's strength lies in its unity. In facing the Myanmar crisis, we must speak with one voice and act with one purpose to push for the full implementation of the 5PC,' he said, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry on Sunday. The meeting, held ahead of the 46th Asean Summit, served as an informal forum for Asean foreign ministers and special envoys for Myanmar to discuss developments in Myanmar and explore ways to effectively implement the 5PC. The 5PC was adopted by Asean in April 2021 following the military coup in Myanmar on Feb 1 that year. It calls for an immediate cessation of violence, inclusive dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and for the envoy to be granted access to all relevant stakeholders in Myanmar. Despite its significance, implementation of the consensus has largely stalled due to the junta's continued non-compliance, with the issue remaining a central concern in Asean's ongoing engagement with Myanmar. The 46th Asean Summit is being held under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship theme, 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. This year also marks the country's fifth time at the helm of the regional grouping since its previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. Asean comprises 10 member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Sugiono reiterated the importance of fully implementing the 5PC and focusing on ending violence, expanding humanitarian assistance, and ensuring inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders in Myanmar. 'Indonesia remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting a peaceful resolution in Myanmar. Regional stability can only be achieved if Asean stands united and acts based on the principles of consensus and solidarity,' he added. — Bernama
South China Morning Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Myanmar junta's drones from China, Russia tilt balance of war against resistance forces
The Myanmar junta's growing use of advanced drones – many supplied by China and Russia – has intensified its campaign against resistance forces, shifting the momentum on the battlefield and inflicting rising civilian casualties, analysts say. Advertisement While the military's gains remain limited, experts warn that the deployment of infrared and night-vision-equipped drones has raised the cost of the rebellion, as foreign-made technology bolsters a regime once seen as losing ground on multiple fronts. Sources on the ground say these foreign-made drones have given the junta a tactical edge in its operations against rebel groups in recent weeks. Although drones were initially used mainly by the armed opposition, pro-junta Telegram channels have recently shared video footage of military drone strikes targeting rebel positions in Bhamo township, Kachin state. Radio Free Asia reported in March that the attacks involved drones fitted with either infrared or thermal night vision cameras, resulting in casualties. Citing officials from the Kachin Independence Army and a local civilian defence unit, the US-funded media outlet's Burmese-language service said the Myanmar military's use of these drones in combat had a devastating impact. Advertisement 'Make no mistake – these advanced drones have gotten more rebels and innocent people killed in villages across the countryside,' said Htwe Htwe Thein, an associate professor of international business at Australia's Curtin University whose research specialities include Myanmar.
Free Malaysia Today
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Hundreds flee across Thai border after attack on Myanmar army
Myanmar has been mired in civil conflict since a military coup in 2021. (The Arakan Army/AP pic) BANGKOK : More than 300 Myanmar people fled into Thailand to seek refuge following an assault on the military by ethnic armed groups, Thailand said today, days after the junta extended a post-earthquake ceasefire. Myanmar has been mired in civil conflict since a military coup in 2021, with the junta battling a coalition of ethnic armed organisations and pro-democracy resistance forces. Yesterday's attack by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and its allied Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) targeted a military base in Kayin state, about 2.5km from the Thai border, according to the Thai military. 'The attack involved a close-range encirclement of the base and the use of armed drones to continuously drop explosives throughout the day,' a statement said. By today, 327 Myanmar nationals had crossed into Thailand and were sheltering in two temporary sites, including a temple, with Thai military and police providing security and humanitarian aid, officials said. Thai forces have ramped up patrols along the border in Tak province to prevent what officials described as a potential 'breach of sovereignty by foreign armed forces'. Myanmar's military government and various armed groups opposed to it announced a ceasefire after the March 28 quake to help relief and recovery efforts. The truce has been repeatedly broken by air strikes by the junta and attacks by armed groups. The magnitude-7.7 quake near the central city of Mandalay killed nearly 3,800 and left tens of thousands homeless.
