KAO WAO NEWS No. 9
An electronic
newsletter for social justice and freedom in Burma
January 25 - February
5
READERS’ FRONT
MON MEDIA UNDER PRESSURE
UNLD CONGRATULATES KAREN RESISTANCE DAY
MONS GATHER AT
ABBOT’S CREMATION
THAI CRACKDOWN ON MIGRANTS
MIGRANT WORKERS UNDER THREAT OF THAI MAFIA
55TH MON NATIONAL DAY IN THE WORKS
THAI YOUTH: PRISONERS OR VICTIMS
ETHNIC YOUTHS GAIN EXPERIENCE IN WORKSHOP
THAI DEFEATS MYANMAR
AT ASEAN YOUTH SOCCER
READERS’ FRONT
Dear Readers,
We invite comments and suggestions on improvements to Kao-Wao newsletter. With your help, we hope that Kao-Wao News will continue to grow to serve better the needs of
those seeking social justice in Burma
and Thailand.
And we hope that it will become an important forum for discussion and debate
and help readers to keep abreast of issues and news. Above all, we hope the
newsletter will be used as a vehicle for those who want to share their views
and experiences.
We reserve the right to edit and reject articles without
prior notification. You can use a pseudonym but we encourage you to include
your full name and address.
Regards,
Editor kaowao@hotmail.com
Dear Kao Wao,
Thank you for sending me your newspaper. Have you seen the
movie "Enemy at the Gates?" It shows how an army reporter wrote about
one of their army snipers and gradually made him into such a popular hero that
the enemy became very afraid of him. The
point is that as newspaper reporters, you can make a tremendous contribution
towards the Struggle for Freedom and helping to relieve the suffering of all
the Peoples. I wish you all the best in
your efforts.
Sincerely,
CPT (Dr.) Law Camp
Monteith,
Gjilane City,
Kosova
Dear Editors,
I would like to inform you that I am a sufferer of this
military regime. I have been pursuing the United Nations regarding compensation
for business and property confiscated by Military Regime of Burma. I studied in Rangoon
at a school that was later nationalized by the then Socialist Government. We
were compelled to leave Burma
as Refugees by the courtesy of Government of India.
In the absence of an educational certificate (not provided
by Education Authority in Burma),
I could not obtain a small job. Anyway, by the grace of God, after a lot of
struggle, today, we are established ourselves to a certain level and are
earning sufficient for our worldly needs. We could not find time to get in
touch with U.N. for any assistance [for] the agonies we have faced and the
compensation for their wrong deeds [military dictatorship] and the properties
taken over forcibly.
With kindest regards,
Unquote
MON MEDIA UNDER
PRESSURE
(Kao-Wao, Bangkok,
January 30, 2002)
Khao-Sarn News, a Thai language
Newsletter, published by the Mon Information Service (Bangkok)
received a letter from a top leader of the New Mon State Party on January 18
regarding a front-page article "Situation of Mon Revolutionary
Forces" distributed in the December 2001 issue. In the letter, Nai
Hong Sar, the Joint-Secretary General of the NMSP,
claimed the article was completely fabricated, based on mistaken facts and
falsehoods. The article reported that he resented Colonel Pan Night, the leader
of the breakaway army and appealed to the KNU to take immediate action against
the splinter group.
In a similar matter last year, another Mon language
Newsletter was warned for its report about the NMSP Conference, claiming
serious internal conflict about the election of leaders. Since 1993, Mon media
groups have emerged to keep people informed about the situation in Monland. In enjoying freedom of press and expression, the
media sometimes is too eager in writing stories and can at times be biased from
the original facts, lately it has been indulging in conspiracy theories. To avoid misinformation and to encourage
cooperation among the media groups, the formation of a "Mon Media Club"
was suggested between the New Mon State Party and the Mon Unity League at the
National Day meeting in February 2001 but as of yet the initiative has been put
on hold.
On January 8, 2002,
a gathering of activists from the Mon community urged MUL to continue its
lobbying mission between the New Mon State Party and the Hongsawatoi
Restoration Party led by Col. Pan Nyunt.
The meeting advised the negotiating mission to keep the public informed
on a non-partisan basis and to provide an unbiased, accurate report on either
side of the conflict. Accordingly, the General Secretary of the MUL, Sunthorn Sripanngern, advised its
member organization, the Mon Information Service, about reporting
misinformation, as was done in the case about Nai
Hong Sar. In
the article, it stated that Nai Hong Sar himself went alone to negotiate with Col. Pan
Nyunt. However, initially, the NMSP sent
a delegation comprised of Secretary General Nai Rotsa, Nai Hong Sar and Nai AungMin
to negotiate with the break away leader after the split.
The SPDC has relentlessly marginalized the cease-fire groups
and the NMSP faces a difficult dilemma in upholding its political image among
the Mon public. “We welcome debate from
the public but it has to be in the right direction. The people are frustrated
by military suppression and are at the same time dissatisfied with the New Mon
State Party, some accuse the leaders as betrayers of the movement,” said a Mon
observer in Bangkok.
Nai Hong Sar
is a key player in the New Mon State Party and was dismissed from the Joint
Secretary position because of his strong support for the democratic movement,
as was demonstrated by his signing the historic Mae TharawTha
agreement in 1997. He was the President
of the Mon Unity League but resigned his position after the NMSP withdrew from
MUL in 1998. In his letter to the
Editor, Nai Hong Sar,
argued that civilized and responsible journalists, using their privilege of
freedom to write, do not normally report against people with a good reputation,
or write mistaken facts, falsehoods and one-sided conclusions.
UNLD CONGRATULATES
KAREN RESISTANCE DAY
(Kao-Wao, January 31, 2002)
The United Nationalities League for Democracy (Liberated
Area) sent a message to honour the 53rd Anniversary
of the Karen National Resistance Day on January
31, 2002. The UNLD was
established in 1989 as an umbrella organization for the non-Burman nationalities
in Burma. In the message sent to the Karen leaders, the
UNLD expressed its confidence of solidarity with the Karen people in the
struggle for self-determination and the future Federal Union.
The Karen National Union celebrated the resistance day at
the liberated area near Thailand’s
border where villagers, freedom fighters and foreigners attended in the border
camp opposite Tak province. The KNU called for
renewed commitment to solidarity and the struggle for self-determination. The
KNU President, Padoe Ba
Thin Sein, said talks between the ruling State Peace and Development Council
and the National League for Democracy must include the ethnic groups in a
tripartite dialogue for a genuine federal system to be successful.
The celebration included Karen dancing, musical performances
and military parade. The Resistance day
commemorates the beginning of the Karen armed struggle against the Burmese
government on January 31, 1949. Karen has begun its armed struggle for an
autonomous state since 1949, but suffered a major setback in 1994 when a group
of disaffected Buddhist Karen left the KNU and formed the Democratic Karen
Buddhist Army (DKBA). In early 1995, the Burmese Army captured Manerplaw, the KNU's largest base but the struggle continues and remains
closely with other democratic forces.
MONS GATHERED AT ABBOT’S CREMATION
(Kao-Wao, Bangkok,
February 4, 2002)
The Cremation ceremony for the abbot of Wat
Sudhamwadee, Rev. Ajar Oin
was held at Bangkadee from February 1 to 3. Thousands of Mons from various areas gathered
at the Mon village near Bangkok to
pay their respects, the abbot was known for his contribution to preserving Mon
literature.
Gen. Chetha Thanajaro,
Advisor to the Prime Minister and former Chief of Thai Army, New Mon State
Party Joint Secretary, Nai Hong Sar
and, community leaders attended the ceremony which was carried out in true Mon
traditional style with the abbot’s body ritually placed in a beautifully
designed Prasard built with Mon architectural
style. The cremation ceremony was
presided over three hundred monks from various monasteries including the most
senior Mon monk and well respected by the Royal authorities, Rev Uttama of Wangka-vivaykarram from
the Thai-Burma border.
Abbot Weindhasara known as Ajar Oin, 59, suffered from congestion in the chest and passed
away on (12.9.2001). The Abbot who lived at Wat Sudhamwadee about 14 years received “Sarsana
Dhaza Dhamasariya” title in
Burma.
Devotees joined to donate authentic Mon food quid of betel,
glutinous rice cakes, noodles and beverage at the memorial service. Thai traditional foods and other twenty kinds
were served in pavilions. Three
traditional dance groups teamed with sixty from Weangka
village, fifty-two from Maharchai and fifty from Takoh Khabue (Pak Nam)
performed during the 3-day ceremony. It
is said the dancers from Maharchai had been
rehearsing for months for a special event like this.
Migrant Watch
THAI CRACKDOWN ON
MIGRANTS
(Cited from Bangkok
Post, February 3, 2002)
Pol Lt-Gen Charnvut
Watcharabukka, commissioner responsible for the
Illegal Labour Suppression Centre, says there are over one million workers not
registered and working illegally in Thailand. He is optimistic that 36,000 of these people
will be caught and sent back home within a short period of time. Starting
February 10 to June 10, 2002, Thai authorities will again, after a short
relapse, commence their annual campaign of repatriating undocumented (illegal)
workers back to neighbouring countries, which includes Burma, targeting nine
provinces; Tak, Ranong, Phuket, Samut Sakhon,
Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Samut
Prakan and Sa Kaeo. Thailand
has requested neighbours to set up holding center (camps) for these people who
will be preventing from leaving the country again.
MIGRANT WORKERS UNDER
THREAT OF THAI MAFIA AT THE BORDER
(By Sanin Bop, Bangkok
/ Hatyai)
Mon migrant workers in Malaysia
experience unexpected discrimination by the Thai Mafia in Southern
Thailand between Malaysia
and Thai border. Mon workers in Malaysia
face an uncertain future, as they are unable to find shelter and employment in
the construction sector, in many situations they must use what little money
they have to pay bribes to both the Malaysian and Thai police. The Mafia and local police work side by side
in abusing the law.
It is fair to say that undocumented (illegal) migrants break
the law and order of respected countries but governments should adopt a moral
duty not to leave them in the hands of the Mafia (traffickers). The rights of the employed are not credited
to migrant workers in foreign countries because they do not hold a valid
document for legal entry. However, at
the same time countries have benefited greatly by importing cheap labour. There is growing doubt in the claim that
‘Asian Values” will promote democracy in the
region, as stated repeatedly by Asian leaders, including Malaysian Prime
Minister, Mahathir Mohammed.
According to several sources, a number of deported Mon
migrant workers from Malaysia
have been transferred recently to the Thai Mafia in the Southern border for
50.00 Rupee each. The local Mafia charges 200.00 Rupee to deported migrants for
their release from unlawful arrest. No
migrant worker is freed unless he/she pays the amount demanded by the
Mafia. Migrants who have close friends
are able to borrow money for their release, while others who are not so lucky
are transferred to work for fishing contractors in exchange for 'Money and
Employee' without pay. In other words,
they are sold to brokers who are hunting for workers in the fishing industry.
Migrants transferred to work on commercial fishing boats must remain until they
cover their debt, otherwise they will not escape from this nightmare. If they
attempt to escape to freedom they risk being shot dead, the interviewee said.
Distressing stories like these go unheard. When arrested,
the Malaysian police will keep all personal properties and return original
properties to deported migrants, but when transferred to the local Mafia, all
expensive properties will be confiscated and not returned.
According to an interviewee, "many brokers do not heed
to their obligations when they bring migrant workers to other countries'. Migrant workers have no other opportunity for
income; they leave their families in Burma
and send much needed cash back home to the family for survival. Although most say “life is better here than
in Burma” they work hard for small wages and pay a high price for it, some have
to sleep in the bush at night. Many work
in the plantation fields or in the agriculture sector and earn only about
550.00 Rupee per month, with most expenses going toward bribes and safety as
they live under the threat of both the Mafia and police.
55TH MON NATIONAL DAY
IN THE WORKS
(Kao-Wao in Monland,
Bangkok January 31)
The Mon Communities in Thailand
held a meeting on January 26 for the 55th Anniversary of the Mon National Day,
which will fall on February 28 of this calendar lunar year. The meeting was co-organized to plan for the
upcoming event and set up by Thai Mons, Mon National
Organization of Thailand and Bangkok
based Mon Youth Community. The
celebration will take place at Bangyaphraek, Samutsarkhon Province,
36 km south-west of Bangkok. The organizing committee printed off 600
T-shirts, designed with colorful emblems for distribution and is available for
150 Baht. Many have been sold to Mons in Maharchai
and Bangkok.
The New Mon State Party will also celebrate the event with a
military parade, sports and literacy competition, cultural performances,
including dance and music, and political statements. The Mon people will celebrate in many places
and everyone will participate despite tension created by the splinter group
that has shaken both the Mon community and the NMSP. The Mon Community in Canada
will also join in on the first weekend of March in Vancouver,
Toronto and Calgary
as in previous years. The MCC urged the international Mon organizations to
draft a National Day joint-statement about the development of many issues
within the community.
Case Study: Burma’s Future?
THAI YOUTH: PRISONERS
OR VICTIMS
(By Lita Davidson in Thailand)
Pattaya
City, located in Chon Buri province, caters to
over 2 million visitors per year, making it the tourist Mecca of Thailand.
Located on the Gulf of Thailand,
Jomtien beach offers an exotic setting for luxury
resorts, bungalows, and golf courses. Hotels are named the “Charming Inn”, “Paradise”,
the “Honey Lodge”, now beauty and health spas are the trend. People come to
explore popular entertainment venues, such as “Tiffany’s Transvestite Cabaret
Show” or watch rounds of Thai boxing. But many come only for the nightlife, the
flip side of the tourist industry.
Customers can choose from a variety of prostitutes, the activity is very
much like deciding what Thai food to have, though selection is done with a
smile or a glance, not a point of the finger.
Sex workers work out of the open bars and in strip clubs
where customers pay a bar fine to the establishment for removing the worker(s),
which can range anywhere from 100-300 Baht per head
and customers can hold their companion(s) for days so long as the workers
return to pay the bar fine daily.
Workers are then paid an unfixed fee after completion of services. A
common attitude among Thai sex workers is that they are not concerned with
morality; the most important thing is having a job. On “Walking Street”,
a wide boulevard of sleazy clubs, there is one club called BOYS, BOYS, BOYS that illustrates this way of thinking. The club, owned
by a Scottish businessman, has a stage set up in the middle around which patrons
sit and mirrors are placed at 360 degrees so the young men can gaze at
themselves while dancing in front of the audience. Mostly men go there, but
women are welcome too.
All clubs have street hawkers outside shouting to passersby
the show’s highlights. Like one group of young women dressed in Thai schoolgirl’s
uniforms, holding signs announcing, “Don’t miss tonight’s feature of 12
beautiful, but 2 are ugly dancers, show.” Many tourists are Europeans, mostly
German, who stroll along the center of the street with their families. All
visitors must enjoy viewing the contradictions of Thai society; ironically,
some may experience a sort of human pathos in a Buddhist society. Is this what
the future has in store for the youth of Burma?
NATIONALITIES YOUTHS
GAIN EXPERIENCE IN WORKSHOP
(Kao-Wao, Chiang Mai, February 2, 2002)
The closing ceremony of Workshop-2 for ethnic nationalities
youths was held in Chiang Mai on February
2, 2002. Present at the
farewell ceremony were guests, 19 ethnic youths who completed the workshop and
nationalities leaders from Shan, Chin, Mon and Palaung. The workshop was organized by the
Nationalities Youth Development Program (NYDP) and lasted from January 27 to
February 2. The trainees from Pa-O,
Karenni, Karen, Kachin, Lahu,
Wa and Shan
learned about and discussed a variety of topics that included
self-determination, human rights, national reconciliation, different
perspectives on multiculturalism, gender equality and women rights. The trainers came from a wide range of
backgrounds including NYDP, NCUB, National Reconciliation Program, Asian
Indigenous Peoples Pact, and Burma Relief Centre, all
were pleased with the program’s success.
NYPD was founded in 1999 by non-Burman ethnic youths to
build solidarity among all ethnic nationalities in Burma. Last September 2001, the NYDP organized a
Nationalities Youth Seminar at the Thai-Burma border and formed the umbrella
front, United Nationalities Youth League to establish networking among diverse
ethic youths.
THAI DEFEATS MYANMAR AT ASEAN YOUTH SOCCER
(Kao-Wao, Bangkok,
February 3, 2002)
Thailand
and Burma
battled it out in the final of the first Asean Youth
soccer competition in Bangkok. Held
at the Thai Japanese stadium, the teams entered the tournament in the
round-robin stage and drew 1-1, but at the final competition Thailand
wiped out Burma
4-0. Enthusiastic crowd of 10,000
watched the final game at the stadium where there was nearly a fight between
Thai and Burmese players in the second half.
Laos
finished Third after beating Vietnam
2-1 in the third place playoff.
Burma
together with South Korea
at one point back in 1960s and the early 1970s was one of the best teams in Asia
after Japan,
under military rule, sports of all categories were
dealt a serious blow from maintaining its competitive edge as Asian’s
champions.
KAO WAO NEWS GROUP
kaowao@hotmail.com