Mark Inkey
@markinkey.bsky.social
English Editor for BNI (Burma News International), journalist writing about Myanmar and SE Asia.
Junta aligned Tang Gu Tan militia in Kawnglanghpu Township, Putao District, Kachin State bans locals from going to China to buy and sell goods, instead forcing them to deal with Chinese merchants they installed and tax who gouge the locals. www.bnionline.net/en/news/shin...
Shingkawng residents struggle as junta and militias restrict goods flow
In the remote village of Shingkawng in Kawnglanghpu Township, Putao District, Kachin State, residents are enduring hardships as the junta and an allied militia group jointly block the transport of goo...
www.bnionline.net
September 11, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Junta aligned Tang Gu Tan militia in Kawnglanghpu Township, Putao District, Kachin State bans locals from going to China to buy and sell goods, instead forcing them to deal with Chinese merchants they installed and tax who gouge the locals. www.bnionline.net/en/news/shin...
Heavy rains at the the tail end of Cyclone Wipha have bought havoc to several parts of Myanmar, including southern Shan State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/sout... and earlier Mon Sate: www.bnionline.net/en/news/no-j... and Arakan State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/leas...
Southern Shan State Flooding Causes Casualties
Villagers have died and others are missing due to flash floods that hit two villages in Theinkone Village Tract, in Pindaya Township, southern Shan State on 28 July 2025. At around 3:00 am, torrents o...
www.bnionline.net
July 31, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Heavy rains at the the tail end of Cyclone Wipha have bought havoc to several parts of Myanmar, including southern Shan State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/sout... and earlier Mon Sate: www.bnionline.net/en/news/no-j... and Arakan State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/leas...
Mon State communities affected by tornadoes and strong winds on 23 July at the tail end of Cyclone Wipha, have yet to receive any assistance from the junta. Despite this, junta telegram channels put out laughable false news saying the junta had supplied aid. www.bnionline.net/en/news/no-j...
No Junta Aid for Mon State Storm Victims
Mon State communities affected by tornadoes and strong winds on 23 July 2025, that were the tail end of Cyclone Wipha, have yet to receive any assistance from the junta. On 23 July, tornadoes and stro...
www.bnionline.net
July 29, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Mon State communities affected by tornadoes and strong winds on 23 July at the tail end of Cyclone Wipha, have yet to receive any assistance from the junta. Despite this, junta telegram channels put out laughable false news saying the junta had supplied aid. www.bnionline.net/en/news/no-j...
IDPs in Ganantaung camp in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State urgently need food and medical supplies according to camp officials and residents.
They forage for food in the forest, which has become harder since the start of the rainy season. www.bnionline.net/en/news/ponn...
They forage for food in the forest, which has become harder since the start of the rainy season. www.bnionline.net/en/news/ponn...
Ponnagyun Township IDPs Need Food
The 1,094 displaced people (IDPs) sheltering in Ganantaung camp in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State are in urgent need of food and medical supplies according to camp officials and residents....
www.bnionline.net
July 25, 2025 at 3:59 AM
IDPs in Ganantaung camp in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State urgently need food and medical supplies according to camp officials and residents.
They forage for food in the forest, which has become harder since the start of the rainy season. www.bnionline.net/en/news/ponn...
They forage for food in the forest, which has become harder since the start of the rainy season. www.bnionline.net/en/news/ponn...
IDPs Urgently Need Malaria Drugs in Danu Self-Administered Zone in southern Shan State. www.bnionline.net/en/news/idps...
IDPs Urgently Need Malaria Drugs in Danu Self-Administered Zone
People displaced (IDPs) from Minpalaung Village in Ywangan Township in southern Shan State, currently sheltering in forest nearby the village, urgently need medical assistance following a malaria outb...
www.bnionline.net
July 24, 2025 at 10:32 AM
IDPs Urgently Need Malaria Drugs in Danu Self-Administered Zone in southern Shan State. www.bnionline.net/en/news/idps...
An ISP-Myanmar report says the KNU controls a third of the Thai border area, the KNU claims it controls 90%. Possible confusion as ISP Myanmar were talking about entire border, whereas the KNU only controls 90% of border in Karen State according to ISP Myanmar map. www.bnionline.net/en/news/knu-...
KNU Disputes Report Saying it Controls a Third of Thai Border Areas
The Karen National Union (KNU) has disputed a report saying the group controls about one third of the border area with Thailand and claims that it instead controls 90 per cent of the border area. The ...
www.bnionline.net
July 24, 2025 at 6:39 AM
An ISP-Myanmar report says the KNU controls a third of the Thai border area, the KNU claims it controls 90%. Possible confusion as ISP Myanmar were talking about entire border, whereas the KNU only controls 90% of border in Karen State according to ISP Myanmar map. www.bnionline.net/en/news/knu-...
Junta soldiers who deserted to the AA reveal that the junta is shooting conscripts who try flee the frontline or desert. Some conscripts are shooting themselves to avoid going to the frontlines. They are left to die and if they survive imprisoned. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...
Junta Shoots Conscripts Who Try to Flee
The junta is sending newly drafted conscripts to the frontlines to fight the Arakan Army (AA) and reportedly executes any who attempt to retreat or flee. Two junta soldiers who defected to the AA duri...
www.bnionline.net
July 18, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Junta soldiers who deserted to the AA reveal that the junta is shooting conscripts who try flee the frontline or desert. Some conscripts are shooting themselves to avoid going to the frontlines. They are left to die and if they survive imprisoned. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...
The junta has regained control of Naungcho (Nawnghkio) Town in northern Shan State’s Naungcho Township but there is still ongoing heavy fighting on the town’s outskirts. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...
Junta Retakes Naungcho Town from TNLA
The junta has regained control of Naungcho (Nawnghkio) Town in northern Shan State’s Naungcho Township but there is still ongoing heavy fighting on the town’s outskirts. Previously, Naungcho Town was ...
www.bnionline.net
July 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
The junta has regained control of Naungcho (Nawnghkio) Town in northern Shan State’s Naungcho Township but there is still ongoing heavy fighting on the town’s outskirts. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...
The junta's blockade of road and river routes into Arakan State has led to a shortage of ART medication to treat HIV leading to deaths. An HIV patient just died in Pauktaw Township and at least four HIV patients have died since Jan 2024 due to medicine shortages. www.bnionline.net/en/news/hiv-...
HIV Patient Dies Due to Arakan State Medicine Shortage
A patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has died in Pauktaw Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State, due to a shortage of antiretroviral (ART) medication needed to treat him. The patient, from Pauk...
www.bnionline.net
July 17, 2025 at 7:28 AM
The junta's blockade of road and river routes into Arakan State has led to a shortage of ART medication to treat HIV leading to deaths. An HIV patient just died in Pauktaw Township and at least four HIV patients have died since Jan 2024 due to medicine shortages. www.bnionline.net/en/news/hiv-...
Junta authorities Extort Money from Mon State Residents saying it is needed to support conscripts and then use the money to support regular junta soldiers and junta-affiliated militias. www.bnionline.net/en/news/auth...
Authorities Extort Money from Mon State Residents
Junta authorities in Mon State are using the conscription law to collect and extort money which is being used to support regular junta soldiers and junta-affiliated militias. Residents of Mawlamyine C...
www.bnionline.net
July 16, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Junta authorities Extort Money from Mon State Residents saying it is needed to support conscripts and then use the money to support regular junta soldiers and junta-affiliated militias. www.bnionline.net/en/news/auth...
Thefts are on the rise in Mon State and the junta authorities are doing nothing and refuse to go after the thieves when they are identified due to 'security concerns' which is likely just cowardice or collusion. www.bnionline.net/en/news/thef...
Thefts Rise in Mon State
Though thefts have been on the rise in Mon State, the junta has barely responded or taken any action against the thieves, according to residents of the state. Brazen criminals have been using the cove...
www.bnionline.net
July 15, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Thefts are on the rise in Mon State and the junta authorities are doing nothing and refuse to go after the thieves when they are identified due to 'security concerns' which is likely just cowardice or collusion. www.bnionline.net/en/news/thef...
34 women were killed and a further 49 injured by the junta across Myanmar during the month of June 2025 according to a 10 July report by the Burmese Women's Union (BWU). www.bnionline.net/en/news/34-w...
34 Women Killed In Myanmar in June 2025
34 women were killed and a further 49 injured by the junta across Myanmar during the month of June 2025 according to a 10 July report by the Burmese Women's Union (BWU). 18 of the women were killed by...
www.bnionline.net
July 14, 2025 at 10:17 AM
34 women were killed and a further 49 injured by the junta across Myanmar during the month of June 2025 according to a 10 July report by the Burmese Women's Union (BWU). www.bnionline.net/en/news/34-w...
The junta has launched an offensive to try to retake the section of Asian Highway 1 (AH1) between Kawkareik and Kyondoe in Karen State. This connects to the section of AH1 that goes through the mountains to Myawaddy on the Thai border: www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...
Junta Tries to Retake Asia Highway in Kawkareik Township
The junta has launched an offensive to retake the 15 mile (about 24 km) section of Asia Highway One (AH1) between the towns of Kyondoe and Kawkareik, in Kawkareik Township, resulting in heavy fighting...
www.bnionline.net
July 11, 2025 at 10:23 AM
The junta has launched an offensive to try to retake the section of Asian Highway 1 (AH1) between Kawkareik and Kyondoe in Karen State. This connects to the section of AH1 that goes through the mountains to Myawaddy on the Thai border: www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...
Cambodian Gvt complains to UNESCO about alleged Thai Angkor Wat copy. www.nationthailand.com/news/world/4... Previously complained when India did the same: www.ndtv.com/india-news/c... but supported China doing same: southeastasiaglobe.com/chinese-them... Who is the Cambodian Gvt's real master??
Cambodia claims Wat Phu Man Fah copies Angkor Wat in UNESCO meeting
Cambodia lodged a petition during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on Thursday, claiming that Wat Phu Man Fah is a copy of Angkor Wat, prompting a response from the Thai delegat...
www.nationthailand.com
July 11, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Cambodian Gvt complains to UNESCO about alleged Thai Angkor Wat copy. www.nationthailand.com/news/world/4... Previously complained when India did the same: www.ndtv.com/india-news/c... but supported China doing same: southeastasiaglobe.com/chinese-them... Who is the Cambodian Gvt's real master??
China held individual meeting with TNLA and probably the junta prior to all three groups meeting at China brokered peace talks in August. The meeting focussed on enforcing a ceasefire, ensuring the safety of civilians, and maintaining stability along the border. www.bnionline.net/en/news/chin...
China Holds Talks to TNLA Prior to Peace Negotiations
China separately held individual meetings in early June 2025 with the junta and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) prior to Chinese brokered peace talks between the two groups due to be held i...
www.bnionline.net
July 10, 2025 at 10:13 AM
China held individual meeting with TNLA and probably the junta prior to all three groups meeting at China brokered peace talks in August. The meeting focussed on enforcing a ceasefire, ensuring the safety of civilians, and maintaining stability along the border. www.bnionline.net/en/news/chin...
Residents are fleeing villages in Launglon Township near Dawei in Tanintharyi Region as a column of junta soldiers that entered the township in mid-June keeps moving through it terrorising villagers. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...
Junta Column Moving Through Launglon Township
A column of junta soldiers that has been moving through Launglon Township since 14 June 2025 has caused residents to flee from nearly 10 more villages in two village tracts in Launglon Township, Tanin...
www.bnionline.net
July 3, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Residents are fleeing villages in Launglon Township near Dawei in Tanintharyi Region as a column of junta soldiers that entered the township in mid-June keeps moving through it terrorising villagers. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...
There has been a surge of malaria cases in Karen State, especially the more deadly cerebral malaria. There are insufficient drugs to treat everyone. They have a limited shelf life and are being held in Myanmar ports awaiting tax clearance. www.bnionline.net/en/news/insu...
Insufficient Medicine for Kachin State Malaria Crisis
Many Kachin State townships are struggling with high rates of malaria infection and a shortage of drugs to treat malaria, according to the Kachin Backpack Health Worker Team (Kachin BPHWT). Mr Z, a ps...
www.bnionline.net
July 1, 2025 at 5:46 AM
There has been a surge of malaria cases in Karen State, especially the more deadly cerebral malaria. There are insufficient drugs to treat everyone. They have a limited shelf life and are being held in Myanmar ports awaiting tax clearance. www.bnionline.net/en/news/insu...
Nyaungshwe Township residents around Inle Lake continue to suffer. After severe flooding last Sept, the 28 March earthquake badly affected them & they had difficulty rebuilding due to shortages of materials and carpenters. Now they have been hit by floods again. www.bnionline.net/en/news/nyau...
Nyaungshwe Township Floods
Heavy rain has caused massive amounts of water to run-off from higher land and flooded lower-lying areas of Nyaungshwe Township destroying many acres of rice fields. According to residents the runoff ...
www.bnionline.net
June 18, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Nyaungshwe Township residents around Inle Lake continue to suffer. After severe flooding last Sept, the 28 March earthquake badly affected them & they had difficulty rebuilding due to shortages of materials and carpenters. Now they have been hit by floods again. www.bnionline.net/en/news/nyau...
Although government-run schools have reopened for the new academic year in Lone Khin Village in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, student attendance remains low due to ongoing instability in the region. www.bnionline.net/en/news/stud...
Students Too Scared to Attend School in Hpakant Township
Although government-run schools have reopened for the new academic year in Lone Khin Village in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, student attendance remains low due to ongoing instability in the region....
www.bnionline.net
June 13, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Although government-run schools have reopened for the new academic year in Lone Khin Village in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, student attendance remains low due to ongoing instability in the region. www.bnionline.net/en/news/stud...
Tragic story about the huge increase in mothers abandoning newborns in Dawei Town for various reasons, including lack of safety, money and families being ripped apart all due to the junta. Sadly, this is probably happening throughout the country. www.daweiwatch.com/09/06/2025/1...
Does anyone want this child? - Dawei Watch
Newborns abandoned as mothers give up hope Beneath a makeshift extension on the ground floor of a dilapidated two-story house, a newborn baby lies on his back, sleeping on a rattan bed. Suddenly, he c...
www.daweiwatch.com
June 13, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Tragic story about the huge increase in mothers abandoning newborns in Dawei Town for various reasons, including lack of safety, money and families being ripped apart all due to the junta. Sadly, this is probably happening throughout the country. www.daweiwatch.com/09/06/2025/1...
The early onset of the rainy season has caused landslides and floods making it difficult to transport goods, especially food, from India to Arakan State along land routes and rivers, leading to an increase in food prices in Arakan State. www.bnionline.net/en/news/rain...
Rains Decreases India to Arakan State Trade
The early onset of this year’s rainy season has worsened the condition of roads between India and Arakan (Rakhine) State and has led to goods being transported on them becoming damaged. These roads, w...
www.bnionline.net
June 12, 2025 at 9:11 AM
The early onset of the rainy season has caused landslides and floods making it difficult to transport goods, especially food, from India to Arakan State along land routes and rivers, leading to an increase in food prices in Arakan State. www.bnionline.net/en/news/rain...
Heavy rains have heralded an early start to the wet season that has brought a malaria outbreak to Arakan State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/mala... and a dengue fever outbreak to Mon State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/deng...
Malaria Cases on the Rise in Rakhine
The number of malaria cases in Rakhine has surged during the monsoon season. Local residents report that malaria is prevalent in Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Mrauk-U, and Min...
www.bnionline.net
June 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Heavy rains have heralded an early start to the wet season that has brought a malaria outbreak to Arakan State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/mala... and a dengue fever outbreak to Mon State: www.bnionline.net/en/news/deng...
Thousands of residents from 13 eastern Pekon Township villages in southern Shan State have had to flee their homes due to heavy fighting in the area. www.bnionline.net/en/news/figh...
Fighting Forces 8,000 to Flee in Pekon Township
Thousands of residents from 13 eastern Pekon Township villages in southern Shan State have had to flee their homes due to heavy fighting in the area. On 2 June 2025, junta forces supported by members ...
www.bnionline.net
June 11, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Thousands of residents from 13 eastern Pekon Township villages in southern Shan State have had to flee their homes due to heavy fighting in the area. www.bnionline.net/en/news/figh...
Gold mining in Homalin Township, northern Sagaing Region has silted up and polluted lakes, rivers and streams so much that fish resources have been severely depleted. www.bnionline.net/en/news/gold...
Gold Mining Depletes Fish Stocks in Homalin Township
Gold mining in Homalin Township, northern Sagaing Region has silted up and polluted lakes, rivers and streams so much that fish resources have been severely depleted. Gold mining is happening in many ...
www.bnionline.net
June 10, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Gold mining in Homalin Township, northern Sagaing Region has silted up and polluted lakes, rivers and streams so much that fish resources have been severely depleted. www.bnionline.net/en/news/gold...
The junta is using Russian-made software in southern Shan State to identify people who joined the anti-coup Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and those wanted under Section 505 of the Penal Code. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...
Junta Uses Russian Software to Identify and Arrest People
The junta is using Russian-made software in southern Shan State to identify people who joined the anti-coup Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and those wanted under Section 505 of the Penal Code. The ...
www.bnionline.net
June 10, 2025 at 7:11 AM
The junta is using Russian-made software in southern Shan State to identify people who joined the anti-coup Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and those wanted under Section 505 of the Penal Code. www.bnionline.net/en/news/junt...