KNU says it will not lay down arms ahead of talks
The Karen National Union (KNU) says it will not give up its arms despite signalling their openness to begin talks with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), as Burma’s ruling military junta chooses to be known. The KNU has been engaged in an armed struggle for autonomy for 60 years and KNU vice president [...]
Gambling grows in Shan State as authorities look to raise funds
Authorities in southern Shan State have begun allowing gambling in the area with taxes from the new syndicates being used to fund local development projects. The Shan Herald Agency for News quotes local residents as saying the Laikha Township Peace and Development Council began to allow locals to open gambling dens in March. Funds raised [...]
KNU accepts Thai offer to mediate talks with junta
The Karen National Union (KNU) says it is willing to meet with Burma’s ruling military junta in peace talks brokered by Thailand. The news follows an offer Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya made during a recent visit to Burma to negotiate with armed ethnic groups along the two countries’ border (see: Thailand to help Burma [...]
KNU under pressure
The Karen national Union is coming under pressure from several fronts. The KNLA (Karen national Liberation Army), the KNU’s military wing is fighting off an attack on the headquarters of its 201 Battalion. According to The Irrawaddy, the base was attacked by a joint force of about 100, made up of both Burmese troops and [...]
Thailand to register 400,000 migrant workers
Thailand plans to register 400,000 foreign migrant workers reports the Irrawaddy. The Labour Ministry announced today it would register the workers, granting them permission to work legally in Thailand. There are believed to be nearly four million migrant workers in the country, with about 500,000 legally registered. Many Burmese migrant workers are already in Mae [...]
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