• WEF SHINES BECAUSE OF THE LADY!
• NO ONE BLAMES PRESIDENT FOR NOT COMING!
• AT LAST, SHAN STUDIES CENTER IN THAILAND!
• CHEERS TO “BOTTOM UP’ CALL IN NEW LIGHT!
• MAY PEACE RETURN TO KACHIN STATE!

Cartoon
Tips for President Thein Sein: Time to do one on War on Drugs!

Think Piece
Washington and Brussels seem increasingly willing to subjugate rights and democracy concerns in pursuit of commercial and geostrategic interests. While the gambit may aim to counter China’s influence, by looking the other way on rights abuse and lauding token democratic reforms, the US and EU are effectively endorsing Beijing’s approach.

Asia Times, 31 May 2012

The World
30 May-1 June 2012
World Economic Forum on East Asia held in Bangkok. (Agencies)

International Relations
28 May 2012

Visiting Indian PM Manmohan Singh and President Thein Sein sign MoU on $ 500 million Line of Credit, which will be used in infrastructure development projects including agriculture, irrigation, rail transportation and electric power. (Mizzima)

30 May 2012
Myanmar army ordered Indian militants on 24 May to shut their camps and leave its soil by 10 June. (Times of India)

29 May 2012

Aung San Suu Kyi arrives in Thailand to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia. (Bangkok Post)

1 June 2012

Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to World Economic Forum (WEF):

• No reforms on the judicial front. Best investment laws will be of no use
• Warns against over optimism. Many young people drinking, taking drugs and gambling. “If this goes on, we will not be able to reform them, let alone the country
• Not to think only of profits, but to think of creating as many jobs as possible for the people
• Basic education needed to secure continuous reform

(New York Times/Bangkok Post/Channel News Asia)

Thai-Burma Relations
30 May 2012

Visiting Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to workers in Mahachai district in Samut Sakhon:

• She is committed to create an environment that allows citizens to return home in peace when they want to
• Burmese migrants’ rights shall be protected
• Urges migrant to respect Thai laws

She later meets former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva. (DVB/Agencies)

31 May 2012

Visiting Aung San Suu Kyi calls on Deputy PM Chalerm Yubamroong to press concerns about Burmese migrants in Thailand. (AP)

1 June 2012
For the second time in a week, President Thein Sein is canceling his trip to Thailand, 4-5 June, just days after failing to appear at the World Economic Forum, 31 May-1 June. (Reuters)

Politics/ Inside Burma
31 May 2012
Officials alone cannot transform Burma and the country needs a “bottom up initiative” to become a democratic nation, an editorial in the New Light says. The reform strategy is irreversible and there will be no backsliding or derailment in the road to democracy. A “just and fair view” also needed rather than a one-sided approach”. (Mizzima)

Ethnic Affairs
28 May 2012

The Burmese government begins issuing national ID cards to Karen IDPs in Kyaukkyi, Pegu Region. It was witnessed by Minister of Immigration and Population Khin Yi, KNU leader Tu Tu Lay and Norwegian Deputy FM Torgeir Larsen. (Irrawaddy)

30 May 2012
8 Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) leaders, led by Hkun Tun Oo, meet 88 Generation Students Ko Ko Gyi, Mya Aye, Pyone Cho, Thet Zaw and Zaw Min at Hkun Tun Oo’s home in Mayangone township, 0800-0930. Among topics discussed are cooperation of democratic forces both inside and outside parliament and making more effective and transparent efforts on ethnic affairs and peacebuilding. (Kawli News)

31 May 2012
Minister Without Borders U Aung Min warmly welcomed by KIA in Maijayang. (KNG/SHAN)

Shans/ Shan State
28-30 May 2012
Organized jointly by Chiangmai University and Payap University of Chiangmai, a Shan Studies seminar is held in Maehongson, according to Saengmuang Mangkorn, Chairman of the Chiangmai-based Taiyai (Shan) Association. Dr Jaroon Khamnuanta, former Director of Thailand Research Fund and a Shan native of Maehongson, has donated 7 rai of land for the construction of the research building. (SHAN)

31 May 2012
KIA 9th Battalion bans night transportation of all vehicles traveling between Lashio and Muse, starting June 1. (KNG)

1 June 2012
Ruili, opposite Muse, is undergoing a period of backlash:

• Crsis-stricken Europe
• Fighting between the Burma Army and the KIA on the border
• Burma is doing business with other countries unlike before

(AP)

Economy/ Business
26 May 2012
The Voice newspaper, quoting the Ministry of Mines, reports private jade mining in Phakant will be suspended by the end of the month, due to the fighting in the area. (Mizzima)

29 May 2012
Visa on Arrival (VOA) kicks off on 2 June, say Burmese officials. It will cost $ 50 and not be available for tourists. (Mizzima)

30 May 2012
Private banks have begun rolling out automated teller machines in recent weeks. One customer shows a two month old ATM card. (Reuters)

Human Rights
30 May 2012

Norwegian deputy FM Torgeir Larsen, meeting Burmese NGOs in Chiangmai, unveils pilot scheme for resettlement of displaced civilians. He faces fierce criticism for cutting cross border funding and acting to hastily when Burma’s nascent political reforms appear fragile. (Irrawaddy)

30 May 2012
200 workers at Yangon Crown steel factory in Horawbi township, near Rangoon, ends strike begun since 19 May, after factory owner agreed to increase basic salary. (DVB)

30 May 2012
Some 215,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS on 2011, of whom around 120,000 need antiretroviral treatment (ART). But only 40,000 are receiving it. As a result, some 18,000 are dying every year, according to Dr Nafis Sadik, UN special envoy on HIV/AIDS for Asia Pacific. (Reuters)

31 May 2012
Latest update from AAPP says there are 471 confirmed political prisoners, with 465 more in a verification process. (Mizzima)

30 May 2012

Deputy Foreign Secretary Torgeir Larsen, speaking in Chiangmai, insists it is not coercing ethnic and civil society groups into joining the government. “It is about testing out the way.” Norway’s peace initiative has been further censured for channeling all aid money through government sanctioned NGOs. Charles Petrie, who is leading the initiative, insists there are new opportunities to operate openly inside Burma. Many rights groups meanwhile say it is far too early to move back as legal entities. (DVB)

1 June 2012

Tint Swe, head of the Press Scrutiny and Registration Department (PSRD), says iron grip on the country’s media will be released from the end of the June. (AP)

1 June 2012
Steve Marshall, head of ILO in Burma, says “consistent reports that there has been a general reduction in the use of forced labor” have been received. Arakan Project report however says forced labor continues in Northern Arakan State. (DVB)

Environment
30 May 2012
The earth’s core is 2,900 km beneath our feet, a ball of iron roughly the size of Mars where temperatures reach 5,500 C, as hot as the surface of the sun. This core iron generates Earth’s magnetic field. But the strength of our north-pointing field has dropped by about 10% in the past century, suggesting we may be headed toward a polarity switch. Not to worry – we will be so many particles of dust before the great compass flip-flop is through. (New York Times/Bangkok Post)

Drugs
30 May 2012
8th druglord in parliament: Wilson Moe, a member of Nampong People’s Militia Force (PMF), wanted by Thailand on drug charges. (SHAN)

War
2 June 2012
Khun Hsang Tonhoong Column, Shan State Army, stationed at Mot Nang Len Hill, near Mongtaw, opposite Chiangmai shelled with 81 mm mortar and surrounded by Burma Army’s IB 49 commanded by Lt Col Kyaw Moe Lwin. The besiegers were in turn besieged by SSA force under Maj Kawsanla. The SSA lifted its siege after the Burma Army said it was a mistake. (SHAN)