Myanmar Crisis

Garment workers at a factory in Yangon in 2019 before the military torpedoed the Burmese economy.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar regime ups minimum wage by 20% amid inflation

First increase since 2021 forced by currency depreciation, soaring prices

10 October 2023
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks to reporters at the Government House in Bangkok on Sept. 5. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
25 September 2023
Archbishop Charles Bo at an interfaith prayer ceremony in Yangon in 2017: Sometimes his messages are subtle. 
Opinion

Cardinal Bo is an ally, not foe, of Myanmar's freedom cause

Catholic leader has called out atrocities, not 'cavorted' with junta leaders

20 September 2023
People line up to buy oil in Yangon in August. Food oil at one point was selling for more than double the reference price set by the government.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's fight to tame inflation sows turmoil over cooking oil

Shortages, tainted products spring up under military's price controls

16 September 2023
Myanmar's former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is said to be in deteriorating health, and her whereabouts are unclear.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's ex-ruling NLD party warns on Suu Kyi's health condition

Ex-leader said to not be receiving adequate medical care, food or accommodations

15 September 2023
Air force commanders from six ASEAN countries at an annual conference on Sept. 13 in Naypyitaw. (Handout photo from Myanmar Military Information Team)
Myanmar Crisis

6 ASEAN air force chiefs attend conference hosted by Myanmar

Indonesia, Malaysia and others skip meeting amid criticism of airstrikes

15 September 2023
F&N has produced and sold ThaiBev's Chang beer in Myanmar since 2019. (Photo by Nikkei)
Myanmar Crisis

In Myanmar, Chinese and Thai companies fill economic vacuum

As Western businesses exit country, investments come from friendly nations

10 September 2023
The seat reserved for the leader of Myanmar is left empty during the plenary session at the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on Sept. 5.
Myanmar Crisis

ASEAN to engage Myanmar in 'troika' model to cool political unrest

Current, previous and next chairs to work together, seeking a sustainable approach

6 September 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN summit in Jakarta on Sept. 5. (Photo by Nana Shibata)
International relations

ASEAN summit begins as China's new territorial map fuels tensions

Biden skips regional platform; Cambodia's Hun Manet makes diplomatic debut

5 September 2023
Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who heads Myanmar's military government, attends a parade in March 2023. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar military reshuffles cabinet with eye on extended rule

Businesses face hard choices with no clear path back to normalcy

25 August 2023
Indonesia hosted the East Asia Summit foreign ministers' meeting in July. ASEAN chairs host meetings with countries outside the bloc, which would make Myanmar's year awkward.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar military regime to withdraw from chairing ASEAN in 2026

Prolonged crisis prompts decision to skip country's turn, sources say

16 August 2023
Soldiers of the Karen National Union (KNU) stand guard during a 70th anniversary event in 2019.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's oldest resistance force KNU signals a new era

Leaders meet press, challenge military regime and promise transformation

12 August 2023
Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi attends an investment forum in Naypyitaw in January 2019. Though her prison sentence was recently reduced, the 78-year-old still faces over 25 years of incarceration.
The Nikkei View

Suu Kyi pardon does not legitimize Myanmar military rule

ASEAN unity is needed to implement measures to end chaos

9 August 2023
Singapore's United Overseas Bank is clamping down on business with Myanmar, a move one Yangon-based foreign financial sector expert said could have a "huge" impact. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Myanmar Crisis

Key Singapore bank UOB moves to cut off Myanmar

Clampdown seen as response to U.S. pressure, reputational risks

9 August 2023
Members of Myanmar's Border Guard Force conduct a patrol in a Rakhine state village that had recently been attacked by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. Ethnic tensions have only grown since the 2021 military takeover. (Photo by Oliver Slow)
Books

Book review: An essential anatomy of what went wrong in Myanmar

Author Oliver Slow deftly explores the unraveling takeover and troubled path ahead

3 August 2023
Aung San Suu Kyi still faces a 27-year sentence for charges her former economic adviser called "absurd." (File photo by EPA/Jiji) 
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's Suu Kyi 'pardon' sets stage for new diplomatic theater

Generals have reasons to strike softer tone -- and to think the world may buy it

2 August 2023
Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing inspects troops during an Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw on March 27.  (Photo obtained by Nikkei)
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar military tightens grip on power but vexed by public backlash

Government again delays general election by extending state of emergency

2 August 2023
Aung San Suu Kyi was taken into custody during the February 2021 military takeover and sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison, for corruption and other alleged crimes.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar regime partially pardons Suu Kyi, cutting her sentence

Move announced on state TV as military faces pressure at home and abroad

1 August 2023
Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has reportedly been moved from prison to house arrest.
Myanmar Crisis

Suu Kyi's reported move to house arrest signals shift in Myanmar

Military government eases stance with eye on extending state of emergency

27 July 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks at a joint press conference on July 26. (Photo courtesy of Malaysia's Prime Minister Office) 
Myanmar Crisis

Anwar, Marcos discuss 'giving flexibility' to Myanmar approach

Leaders touch on possible engagement 'without sacrificing human rights issues'

26 July 2023
The Yoma Central development project in Yangon ceased construction after Myanmar's military took over the national government.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar conglomerate Yoma bides time under military rule

Group pursues debt repayment after takeover spurs losses and cutbacks

24 July 2023
Students at New Blood School in Mae Sot, northwestern Thailand, on June 29 prepare to take the U.S. General Education Development tests. (Photo by Kosuke Inoue)
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar kids in Thailand pull off U.S. high school diploma miracle

Mae Sot school helps those who fled military action re-imagine their futures

17 July 2023
Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai speaks during the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Jakarta on July 13. (Pool via Reuters)
Myanmar Crisis

Some ASEAN members support Thai diplomacy toward Myanmar

Bloc releases statement following foreign ministers' meeting amid policy divide

14 July 2023
Thailand's Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, left, has confirmed a meeting with ousted and imprisoned Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (File photos by AP) 
Myanmar Crisis

Thai foreign minister says he met with Myanmar's Suu Kyi

Ousted leader 'in good health,' Don Pramudwinai says at ASEAN meeting

12 July 2023
Foreign ministers from ASEAN member countries gather in Jakarta on July 11. (Pool photo/Reuters)
International relations

ASEAN meetings begin amid Myanmar crisis, 'complex' challenges

10-member bloc, China to adopt guideline for South China Sea code conclusion

11 July 2023