Nighttime Protesters Identified
Licenses Revoked for 5 Media Outlets
Rumors of Refugee Camp Preparation in Thailand
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] Tensions are escalating in Myanmar. The Myanmar military continues its hardline stance, stating that "patience has run out," while Thailand, which shares a border with Myanmar, is reportedly preparing refugee facilities in anticipation of a large-scale refugee crisis.
According to major foreign media on the 9th, the state-run TV MRTV reported in a broadcast the previous day that "the government's patience has run out" and "most citizens are demanding complete stability and more effective measures against riots." This report came before the military and police conducted operations to arrest protesters late at night in downtown Yangon the day before.
Late at night, the military and police blocked access to the Sanchaung district in Yangon, herded about 200 young protesters into confined areas, and searched houses one by one. In response, local residents defied the curfew starting at 8 p.m. and protested, urging the cessation of the late-night raids. The United Nations and local diplomatic corps also issued statements pressuring the military to guarantee the safe return of protesters.
AFP quoted residents reporting that the military and police focused their late-night apartment searches on homes displaying flags of the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
The military has also intensified media control. MRTV reported that the military government revoked the licenses of five local media outlets, including Myanmar Now, Mizzima, and 7Day News, which had been providing detailed coverage of the protests since the coup.
Meanwhile, Thailand, which shares a border with Myanmar, has established refugee camps in preparation for a large-scale refugee crisis due to the military government's harsh crackdown, according to Thailand's public broadcaster PBS on the previous day. PBS reported that Army Commander Narongpan Chitkaewtay visited Mae Sot and Tak provinces bordering Myanmar to inspect preparations for a potential large-scale refugee influx. The broadcast added that refugee camps have been set up in seven areas across the two provinces.
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