Myanmar 20250923
Mekong Memo Myanmar Weekly: Business, politics, finance, trade & legal news.
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Here is this week’s edition of the Mekong Memo for Myanmar.
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Headlines:
Citizenship Revocations Target Celebrity Critics
Election Still Planned, Still Getting Pushback
Army Pushes to Secure Election Areas
Trade Restrictions Causing Shortages
China Remains Critical Ally and Trade Partner
Trafficking to Myanmar Reported From Thai Airports
Chinese Brands Dominate the Auto Sector
Ag Opportunity for Coffee and Avocado
Japanese Co’s Recruiting Myanmar Workers
Ooredoo Telecom Rebrands as U9
Citizenship Revocations Target Celebrity Critics
The junta has yanked the citizenship of a handful of celebrities, including Myanmar Academy Award winner Zin Wine and singer Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein, apparently due to their opposition to the regime. Zin Wine, who escaped to Thailand in 2022, says he lives in fear of arrest after being stripped of his citizenship. The junta has been busy of late, taking aim at political opponents and artists, claiming they broke state laws, and effectively making them stateless in an attempt to crush public spirit. The strategy is intended to isolate critics internationally, according to Richard Horsey from the International Crisis Group.
Read more: ABC News
Election Still Planned, Still Getting Pushback
The junta is pushing ahead with its December-January election plans against the odds. The regime has amended election rules to lower the threshold of registrations for parties to compete from “half” to “a quarter” of the total number of constituencies. The Election Commission has already conceded that voting is not going to happen in 121 townships - about 14% of national parliament constituencies. The military proxy party USDP is expected to field more than 20 senior regime figures as candidates, including current ministers and generals. The NLD has warned its members against participating, threatening disciplinary action for those who might try their chances. New laws have been rolled out with penalties, including death, for anyone brave enough to publicly oppose the election.
Read more: The Diplomat (Requirements Change), The Irrawaddy (USDP Candidates), Mizzima (No-Election Zones), Mizzima (NLD Warning)
Army Pushes to Secure Election Areas
Local resistance leaders say the Myanmar military is again pushing offensives to win control of more territory ahead of December’s elections. The Tatmadaw's renewed strategy comes after a year of regrouping, the conscription of 75,000 troops, and a new & improved drone warfare capacity thanks to Chinese and Russian support. The junta this week sent more than 1,000 soldiers to secure Union Highway No. 8, an important route linking Mon State and Tanintharyi Region, and an effort that’s led to daily clashes with resistance forces. In Kachin State, the military has made gains in the jade mining hub of Hpakant, capturing Sann Kywal Village on after fierce fighting.
Read more: Asia Times (Military Strategy), The Irrawaddy (Highway Offensive), The Irrawaddy (Jade Hub Fighting)
Trade Restrictions Causing Shortages
New restrictions on Thai imports coming through the Karen State border are causing shortages of consumer goods throughout Myanmar. The disruption of trade routes from border towns like Myawaddy and Hlaingbwe to Hpa-an and cities including Yangon and Mandalay are causing prices to rise and products to disappear from shelves. The military closed Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 2 and said drivers are only allowed to move items for personal use. Authorities are reportedly taking even simple goods like soap and snacks from drivers at checkpoints.
Read more: Mizzima
China Remains Critical Ally and Trade Partner
The junta needs to continue working with BFF China with ongoing high-level diplomatic visits and trade deals. Prime Minister U Nyo Saw again visited China from September 15-18 for the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo, where he met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng to talk about trade, development, and drug trafficking. The junta wants more gemstone sales to China as international sanctions are hitting the industry hard. Reps signing an MoU with Myanmar Trade Centre (Hainan) to do more marketing. China says that it remains committed to humanitarian assistance and reaffirmed support for the junta in keeping stability.
Read more: The Irrawaddy (PM Visit), The Irrawaddy (Gemstone Sales), Mizzima (Trade Focus)
Trafficking to Myanmar Reported From Thai Airports
Thailand's immigration authority is denying allegations of connections to online scam operations after a Reuters investigation was published this week. The report claims immigration officials at Thai airports played a role in getting victims into vehicles that took them to scam centers in Myanmar. Nine people trafficked between 2022 and 2025 described being escorted through Bangkok's airports by officials before being transported to the KK Park complex in Myanmar.
Read more: The Diplomat
Chinese Brands Dominate the Auto Sector
Chinese electric vehicles are quickly changing the face of Myanmar's automotive landscape. The recent Myanmar Auto and Parts Expo 2025 featured 35 brands, all of which were Chinese, and most of which (30/35) were EVs. The Myanmar government has promoted EV imports since 2023 with incentives, including zero import duties. As of the end of last month, the country had registered 9,026 EVs year-to-date.
Read more: Xinhua
Ag Opportunity for Coffee and Avocado
Agricultural expansion projects for coffee and avocado cultivation are in the works to bring in more export dollars and to support farmers. The Department of Agriculture expects to cultivate up to 100,000 acres of coffee within a year or two in areas including Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Bago, Ayeyarwady, Mon, Tanintharyi, Sagaing, and Magway. Today, about 63,226 acres of coffee have been planted in a mix of both Arabica and Robusta varieties. The department says it is going to support its goals by providing farmers with seeds, seedlings, and technical support. The Myanmar Avocado Producer and Exporter Association is also working to expand the area allocated to avocado cultivation. Production of the fruit is expected to do better than last year's yield of 3,000 tonnes.
Read more: The Star (Coffee), GNLM (Avocado)
Japanese Co’s Recruiting Myanmar Workers
The Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo has announced the recruitment of about 600 workers from Myanmar by ~120 Japanese companies. The embassy is verifying demand letters, making sure that the hiring is in compliance with Japanese Labour Inspectorate rules. As of September 12, 123 job postings have been processed, with job openings to hire more than 500 workers - about 90 men and 490 women. The recruitment drive comes as many workers are desperate to find legal employment opportunities in order to get away from domestic economic challenges.
Read more: GNLM
Ooredoo Telecom Rebrands as U9
Visitors to Myanmar will no doubt be familiar with the Ooredoo brand, but as of three days ago, it’s officially been rebranded to U9. The transition is expected to be mostly invisible for customers - mobile numbers and service plans will stay unchanged. U9's branding is trying to emphasize "U" for "You," apparently representing customers and communities, while "9" is supposed to represent continuity and progress. Daw Caroline Yin Yin Htay, CEO of U9, announced the rebrand.
Read more: The Fast Mode
That’s it for this week… THANK YOU.
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