Insight Email

SAC’s World Biggest Stupa and Superstitious Number ‘Nine’

This week’s ISP Insight Email focuses on the consecration event of the world’s highest marble Buddha Stupa, Maravijaya, which main sponsor is the SAC’s leader, the stupa’s relationship with the junta’s superstitious lucky number ‘nine’. We also present the change of the financial control by the SAC’s Central Bank over export earnings - forcing the conversion of Myanmar Kyat from a ratio of 65:35 to 50:50. However, the policy may have little impact and currently, the state of Myanmar's economy is alarming for both consumers and producers.

A Fragile Economy and Probability of Conflict Resurfacing in Kachin State

This week’s ISP-Myanmar Insight Email No.18 highlights the World Bank’s Burma Economic Monitor and the fragile status of Myanmar’s economy. We also present the probability of conflict resurfacing in Kachin State along key routes for the military and border trade purposes, and the fighting in the border town of Mese, Kayah State, highlighting a switching of allegiances of the Karenni Border Guard Forces (BGF) against the junta.

Pattaya Meeting, and the Inexorable Rise of Rare Earths Mining

This week’s ISP Insight Email focuses on the informal meeting on Myanmar in Pattaya, organized by the Thai caretaker government. Readers will also find a discussion of the possibility that SAC officials held a secret meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi amid the ongoing concern that the media information space is becoming ever more conducive to rumors, fake news, misinformation, and disinformation.

Inconclusive Mongla Talks and Sagaing Forum’s Federalist Push

This week’s ISP Insight email focuses on the Mongla talks between the State Administration Council (SAC) and the Three Brotherhood Alliance. In addition, it discusses the importance of the Sagaing Forum in its attempt to formulate the long-term vision, as well as medium-term and short-term preparations for their anti-coup struggle in Sagaing Region where more than 300 armed resistance forces are active.

Alerted Security in Mae Sot, Thai-Myanmar border in Post-Election: Normal Response?

This week's focus revolves around the repercussions of the devastating Cyclone Mocha and the unfolding dynamics of the warming El Niño phenomenon. Amidst the ongoing challenges in forming a new Thai government following the May election, there is a growing concern regarding the escalating security issues at the Thai-Myanmar border, particularly in Mae Sot. In addition, this bulletin delves into the current state of school enrollment in Myanmar’s new academic year.

ASEAN Summit and Humanitarian Assistance Prospects

The Cyclone Mocha, one of the strongest cyclones to ever hit the Bay of Bengal, made landfall on the coastlines of Myanmar and Bangladesh on May 14. Its dangerous winds, downpours and storm surge wreaked havoc on 90% of infrastructure in and around storm epicenter in Rakhine State.

Neighborhood Diplomacy Coming to the Forefront and Military Budget Set to Swell

This week, instead of actually reading, we are rather listening to the traditional Thangyat during the Thin-Gyan water festival. Thangyat is quite a unique tradition in Myanmar and is inseparable from the Thin Gyan. Thangyat is a unique performance art that combines traditional folk verse chanting with rhythmic drumming and even rap-like lyrics, accompanied by dance and song routines.