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Myanmar

Latest news, updates and opinion on Myanmar, covering politics, economy, society and the country’s relationships with China and India, and other countries in Southeast Asia.

Capital

Naypyidaw

Head of State

Acting President Min Aung Hlaing

Head of Government

Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing

A voter shows her inked finger as she leaves a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday. Photo: AP

Asia elections

Myanmar polls open amid civil war as junta seeks to prolong power

The three-phase election comes nearly four years after the military took power in a coup that plunged the country into chaos.

20 minutes agovideocam

Human rights

‘Lost my future’: Myanmar’s ‘charade’ election dims hopes of diaspora

27 Dec 2025 - 12:50PMvideocam

Rohingya Muslims

Stay or go? Rohingya see no way out of predicament as Myanmar heads to poll

26 Dec 2025 - 5:05PMvideocam

War and conflict

UN says Myanmar junta using ‘brutal violence’ to force people to vote

Many have also been imprisoned for disagreeing, including three youths sentenced to over 40 years each for hanging anti-election posters.

24 Dec 2025 - 4:18PMvideocam

General Min Aung Hlaing, head of Myanmar’s military council, is seen on a screen during a parade in March to commemorate Myanmar’s 80th Armed Forces Day. Photo: AP

Extreme weather

Asia’s year in extreme weather and natural disasters, from earthquakes to floods

From the deadly earthquake in Myanmar to tropical cyclones in the Philippines, Asia went through its share of natural disasters in 2025.

23 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM

Malaysia

31 Malaysians repatriated from Myanmar job scam syndicate

The job scam victims rescued from a Myawaddy job syndicate return home safely after intensive diplomatic negotiations and a 26-hour land journey.

20 Dec 2025 - 10:55PMvideocam

War and conflict

Are Myanmar hospital air strikes a bid to ‘intimidate’ voters ahead of poll?

The junta has been emboldened to strike as China, Russia and the US are looking the other way to serve their own interests, analysts say.

19 Dec 2025 - 5:31PMvideocam

People check a hospital that was hit by a military air strike in Mrauk-U in Myanmar earlier this month. Photo: AP

United Nations

Aid cuts causing millions of refugees ‘unnecessary pain’: UN

‘The sudden, drastic, irresponsible and short-sighted collapse of foreign assistance’ has inflicted ‘so much unnecessary pain in its wake’.

15 Dec 2025 - 11:58PMvideocam

Scams and swindles

Video | China extradites scam suspects from Myanmar

The extraditions follow Myanmar’s raids on multiple scam compounds since October 2025.

10 Dec 2025 - 4:12PM

War and conflict

RSF says Israel killed highest number of journalists again this year

Reporters without Borders says the number of journalists killed reached 67 globally.

10 Dec 2025 - 10:28AM

The aftermath of an Israeli strike that killed several Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza City on August 11. Photo: Reuters

National Unity Government (Myanmar)

Starving Myanmar fighters join enemies for money as ‘dirty reality’ bites

‘We don’t have any other options,’ a pro-democracy fighter says as many rebels switch sides for survival.

9 Dec 2025 - 12:24PMvideocam

Soldiers of the Myanmar junta-linked Democratic Karen Benevolent Army guard a checkpoint in Payathonzu, Kayin state, on October 4. Photo: Kyodo

Singapore

Myanmar teen to be first foreigner deported under Singapore’s new Kpod law

As of September 1, foreigners with Kpods or testing positive for etomidate may be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore.

8 Dec 2025 - 9:34PM

United Nations

UN hits out at global ‘apathy’ as it slashes aid appeal for 2026

UN unveils streamlined plan to raise at least US$23 billion to help 87 million people in the world’s most dangerous places.

8 Dec 2025 - 2:27PM

Thailand

‘Everyone gets a cut’: why Southeast Asia’s scam industry refuses to die

Authorities are seizing assets and raiding compounds, but analysts warn the clumsy crackdown is merely scattering syndicates to new hideouts.

8 Dec 2025 - 9:51AMvideocam

A woman counts US dollars and Japanese yen banknotes in Phnom Penh. Scam money’s reach extends far beyond the Mekong. Photo: AFP

Sri Lanka

627 dead in Sri Lanka landslides as rains batter South, Southeast Asia

At least 1,812 people have been killed in the natural disasters rolling across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

7 Dec 2025 - 7:45PM

An aerial view of flooded Niyamgamdora, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

War and conflict

Air strike in central Myanmar kills at least 18

Two bombs were dropped on Tabayin township in Sagaing region on Friday evening, with one hitting a busy teashop, local officials said.

12 Dec 2025 - 4:48PMvideocam

Asean

Myanmar’s criticism of Takaichi signals ‘loyalty’ to China ahead of election

A junta spokesman slammed the Japanese prime minister’s comments on Taiwan, saying Tokyo had not shown remorse for its ‘crimes’ in Asia.

5 Dec 2025 - 6:44PMvideocam

Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar’s opium poppy growing at 10-year high amid civil war, turmoil

Myanmar has overtaken Afghanistan as the world’s main known source of illicit opium.

3 Dec 2025 - 4:59PM

Myanmar residents displaced by conflict work in an illegal poppy field in February. Photo: AFP

United States

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

3 Dec 2025 - 10:16AM

War and conflict

Opinion | Why China is succeeding in Myanmar while the West has been sidelined

The West’s incoherent strategy is no match for a ruthless, integrated Chinese approach that leverages economic links to its advantage.

30 Nov 2025 - 1:30PM

Asean

Political show? Why Myanmar is again cracking down on cyber scammers

Myanmar’s junta has been under pressure to raid fraud hubs by China as its citizens have been badly affected by these scammers, analysts say.

27 Nov 2025 - 7:00PMvideocam

White smoke billows after an explosion at KK Park online scam centre in Myawaddy, Myanmar, on October 25, Photo: AP

US-China relations

US lawmakers urge Trump to condemn Myanmar’s China-backed ‘sham’ elections

Call comes after government’s plan to stop legal protections for Myanmar nationals in US, citing elections as proof situation was improving.

27 Nov 2025 - 4:42AMvideocam

People gather around an officially published eligible-voter list to check names at a ward administrative office in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, before next month’s election. Photo: AP

Thailand

Thailand to curb repeat visa-free entries amid rise in scams, illegal work

Around 2,900 foreigners have been barred by Thailand so far this year due to their multiple short-term entries.

26 Nov 2025 - 4:18PM

The Philippines

How Philippines might navigate Asean’s divisions as it prepares to lead bloc

Analysts say the two challenges will weigh heavily on the Philippines’ agenda as chair of the bloc next year.

25 Nov 2025 - 4:13PM

Human rights

US ends temporary legal status for Myanmar nationals

Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem said the situation in Myanmar has improved and it is safe for citizens to return to the war-torn country.

25 Nov 2025 - 5:45AMvideocam

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Sunday. Photo: The Minnesota Star Tribune / TNS

Thailand

‘Half of me has died’: toxic mines threaten Southeast Asia’s rivers

More than 2,400 mines – many of which are operated by Chinese companies – are draining waste into river waters, researchers say.

24 Nov 2025 - 5:13PM

Tip Kamlue works in her fields on the banks of the Kok River, where she irrigates her crops with groundwater instead of the Kok’s water. Photo: Reuters

Asean

Why Asean’s AI ambition may lead to widening economic and tech divide

While countries such as Singapore and Malaysia are ahead in the AI race, others like Cambodia and Laos risk being left behind, analysts say.

21 Nov 2025 - 5:31PM

Thailand

Video | New Thai labour law gives Myanmar refugees a taste of freedom

Thailand has opened its workplaces to tens of thousands of Myanmar refugees, ending 19 years of confinement.

20 Nov 2025 - 9:30AM

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Myanmar

Myanmar polls open amid civil war as junta seeks to prolong power

The three-phase election comes nearly four years after the military took power in a coup that plunged the country into chaos.

‘Lost my future’: Myanmar’s ‘charade’ election dims hopes of diaspora

Stay or go? Rohingya see no way out of predicament as Myanmar heads to poll

UN says Myanmar junta using ‘brutal violence’ to force people to vote

Many have also been imprisoned for disagreeing, including three youths sentenced to over 40 years each for hanging anti-election posters.

Asia’s year in extreme weather and natural disasters, from earthquakes to floods

From the deadly earthquake in Myanmar to tropical cyclones in the Philippines, Asia went through its share of natural disasters in 2025.

31 Malaysians repatriated from Myanmar job scam syndicate

The job scam victims rescued from a Myawaddy job syndicate return home safely after intensive diplomatic negotiations and a 26-hour land journey.

Are Myanmar hospital air strikes a bid to ‘intimidate’ voters ahead of poll?

The junta has been emboldened to strike as China, Russia and the US are looking the other way to serve their own interests, analysts say.

Aid cuts causing millions of refugees ‘unnecessary pain’: UN

‘The sudden, drastic, irresponsible and short-sighted collapse of foreign assistance’ has inflicted ‘so much unnecessary pain in its wake’.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | China extradites scam suspects from Myanmar

The extraditions follow Myanmar’s raids on multiple scam compounds since October 2025.

RSF says Israel killed highest number of journalists again this year

Reporters without Borders says the number of journalists killed reached 67 globally.

Starving Myanmar fighters join enemies for money as ‘dirty reality’ bites

‘We don’t have any other options,’ a pro-democracy fighter says as many rebels switch sides for survival.

Myanmar teen to be first foreigner deported under Singapore’s new Kpod law

As of September 1, foreigners with Kpods or testing positive for etomidate may be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore.

UN hits out at global ‘apathy’ as it slashes aid appeal for 2026

UN unveils streamlined plan to raise at least US$23 billion to help 87 million people in the world’s most dangerous places.

‘Everyone gets a cut’: why Southeast Asia’s scam industry refuses to die

Authorities are seizing assets and raiding compounds, but analysts warn the clumsy crackdown is merely scattering syndicates to new hideouts.

627 dead in Sri Lanka landslides as rains batter South, Southeast Asia

At least 1,812 people have been killed in the natural disasters rolling across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Air strike in central Myanmar kills at least 18

Two bombs were dropped on Tabayin township in Sagaing region on Friday evening, with one hitting a busy teashop, local officials said.

Myanmar’s criticism of Takaichi signals ‘loyalty’ to China ahead of election

A junta spokesman slammed the Japanese prime minister’s comments on Taiwan, saying Tokyo had not shown remorse for its ‘crimes’ in Asia.

Myanmar’s opium poppy growing at 10-year high amid civil war, turmoil

Myanmar has overtaken Afghanistan as the world’s main known source of illicit opium.

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Why China is succeeding in Myanmar while the West has been sidelined

The West’s incoherent strategy is no match for a ruthless, integrated Chinese approach that leverages economic links to its advantage.

Political show? Why Myanmar is again cracking down on cyber scammers

Myanmar’s junta has been under pressure to raid fraud hubs by China as its citizens have been badly affected by these scammers, analysts say.

US lawmakers urge Trump to condemn Myanmar’s China-backed ‘sham’ elections

Call comes after government’s plan to stop legal protections for Myanmar nationals in US, citing elections as proof situation was improving.

Thailand to curb repeat visa-free entries amid rise in scams, illegal work

Around 2,900 foreigners have been barred by Thailand so far this year due to their multiple short-term entries.

How Philippines might navigate Asean’s divisions as it prepares to lead bloc

Analysts say the two challenges will weigh heavily on the Philippines’ agenda as chair of the bloc next year.

US ends temporary legal status for Myanmar nationals

Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem said the situation in Myanmar has improved and it is safe for citizens to return to the war-torn country.

‘Half of me has died’: toxic mines threaten Southeast Asia’s rivers

More than 2,400 mines – many of which are operated by Chinese companies – are draining waste into river waters, researchers say.

Why Asean’s AI ambition may lead to widening economic and tech divide

While countries such as Singapore and Malaysia are ahead in the AI race, others like Cambodia and Laos risk being left behind, analysts say.

Video | New Thai labour law gives Myanmar refugees a taste of freedom

Thailand has opened its workplaces to tens of thousands of Myanmar refugees, ending 19 years of confinement.

Video | China extradites scam suspects from Myanmar

Opinion | Why China is succeeding in Myanmar while the West has been sidelined