Domestic News Updates – January 18, 2025 Evening
๐๐ 1. Chin National Receives 2025 Humanitarian Award
January 18
According to international news reports, the 2025 Humanitarian Award was presented to Chin national Elizer Vani today, January 18, during a Martin Luther King Day commemoration ceremony held in Indiana, USA, where many Myanmar refugees have resettled.
Martin Luther King Day is observed on the third Monday of January each year to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fought against racial discrimination. It coincides with his birthday month.
Elizer Vani is the co-founder and current Executive Director of the Burmese American Community Institute (BACI). Speaking with VOA, Elizer Vani expressed her gratitude and pride in receiving the award. She credited Dr. King's legacy, particularly his Nobel Peace Prize-winning efforts, as the inspiration for this honor. She also emphasized that the recognition was made possible through the collective efforts of everyone at BACI and extended acknowledgment to the entire nation of Myanmar.
Elizer Vani is known for her advocacy for democracy and human rights. She has also been actively supporting the needs of displaced people and refugees living in the United States.
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๐๐ 2. Local Residents Displaced as Military Fires Artillery in Shwe Thaung Yan Township
January 18
Residents in Shwe Thaung Yan Township, Ayeyarwady Region, have been forced to flee their homes due to indiscriminate shelling by the military, according to local sources.
Eyewitnesses reported that the military, stationed in a battalion near the township’s outskirts, fired artillery shells toward villages near Shwe Thaung Yan, suspecting movements by the Arakan Army (AA) and allied forces. Shelling from the military base in the southern areas of Baung Mee village has targeted nearby areas, including Shwe Thaung Yan Rest Camp, Wet Thay, Ta Pin Maw, and Thapauk Kan. The attacks, which often take place at night, have displaced residents to temporary shelters in Thapauk Kan, Ohn Chaung, and Shwe Thaung Yan wards.
The Pathein Special News Unit reported that soldiers fleeing from battalions near Gwa Township and neighboring areas have contributed to instability within the ranks. Frequent cases of disobedience, desertions, and internal conflicts among military units have been observed in recent days.
Additionally, there were reports of aerial bombing near the outskirts of Baung Mee village. Civilian homes were damaged, and injured soldiers were transported to the No. 4 Military Field Hospital using various vehicles, including civilian ambulances and bamboo carts.
A military source indicated that while clashes had briefly subsided, intense fighting resumed near Baung Mee on the evening of January 16. The military reportedly resorted to airstrikes in response to the clashes.
The increased violence has caused many residents to flee toward Shwe Thaung Yan town. Despite normal civilian activity on routes like Pathein-Makyi Zin-Thabaung Road as of the morning of January 18, areas like Kyarr Khaung, Thit Phyu, and The Phyu remain under heightened military scrutiny. Military checkpoints along these routes have tightened inspections of bamboo-laden trucks, believed to be used for soldier transport.
In early January, clashes near the Gwa-Shwe Thaung Yan border—including areas like Kular Chaung, Kyauk Chwan, Pauktu Mine, and Makyi Zin villages—resulted in casualties among civilians. During a battle in Makyi Zin village, the military employed air and naval forces, resulting in further civilian deaths and destruction.
Reports suggest that since the Arakan Army (AA) took control of Gwa Township near Ayeyarwady Region, the military has reinforced its presence in nearby townships like Shwe Thaung Yan, Thabaung, Yekyi, Ngathaingchaung, Kyunpyaw, Pathein, and Hinthada.
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๐๐ Thai Deputy Police Chief and Mae Sot Authorities Discuss Measures to Crack Down on Chinese Zhร piร n Gangs
January 18
Authorities from Mae Sot, a region along the Thai-Myanmar border, convened with the Thai Deputy Police Chief on the afternoon of January 17 at the Immigration Bureau conference hall in Mae Sot to discuss measures to crack down on Chinese ่ฏ้ช (Zhร piร n) gangs operating in the area. This meeting was reported by local news, citing an official statement from the Thai police.
Attendees included Thai Deputy Police Chief Tapp Chai Pitnilebut and officials responsible for Mae Sot District in Tak Province, Thailand. Discussions focused on cross-border crimes, human trafficking, and the prevention and suppression of online fraud operations run by Zhร piร n syndicates.
Additionally, officials emphasized strengthening oversight of foreign tourists visiting Mae Sot and other areas along the Thai-Myanmar border. The Deputy Police Chief urged local authorities to closely monitor and inspect suspicious activities, report concerns to relevant embassies, and prioritize ensuring the safety of tourists in the area.
This meeting followed a high-profile incident on January 7, during which Thai authorities rescued a Chinese actor who had been trafficked into Myanmar's Myawaddy region. The case garnered widespread international media attention, highlighting the prevalence of cross-border crimes, human trafficking, and online fraud syndicates. As a result, Thai authorities have intensified their efforts to combat such crimes.
In response to the growing issue, the Thai government has tightened security measures along the Thai-Myanmar border, particularly in the Mae Sot–Myawaddy region. They have also erected warning signboards in Thai, Chinese, and English in Mae Sot to discourage both Thai citizens and foreigners from engaging in Zhร piร n-related operations in Myanmar.
These updates were reported by Radio NUG correspondent Ko Khant.
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