Insight Myanmar Insight Myanmar

Episode #239: Phil Robertson paints a harrowing picture of the plight of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. He describes how migrant workers, driven by economic desperation from Myanmar, are ensnared in a system of exploitation and abuse on arriving in Thailand, despite legal frameworks intended to protect them. They face stagnant wages, hazardous working conditions, and an almost complete lack of legal protection. Employers frequently confiscate their passports, binding them to harsh and oppressive labor conditions under threat of deportation or worse.
The Thai police and immigration authorities, far from being protectors, often act as predators. Robertson recounts stories of police brutality, sexual assault, and extortion, with migrant workers viewed not as human beings but as sources of illicit income. The systemic corruption and lack of enforcement of labor laws create an environment where abuse is the norm, not the exception.

Robertson’s call to action is clear: significant legal and regulatory reforms are needed to protect the rights of migrant workers. He emphasizes the importance of international pressure and the role of NGOs in shining a light on these abuses. Only through concerted effort and awareness can the cycle of exploitation be broken, and dignity restored to these vulnerable workers.

“I would hope that there would be an effort to somehow impress upon the Thais that eventually there's going to be peace, and eventually there's going to be a representative democratic government in Myanmar, and the people who run that government are going to be looking at how Thailand treated them and their compatriots during their hard times. Unless Thailand takes some corrective action, then Thai-Myanmar relations are going to suffer in the future because of these kinds of abuses against ordinary people.”

Episode #238: Helene Maria Kyed, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies. sheds light on the phenomenon of military defections since the 2021 coup. Historically, defections were rare and there wasn't even a Burmese term for it. Prior to the coup, soldiers might desert, but not defect, driven by dissatisfaction rather than a desire to join the ethnic resistance or other oppositional forces.
The coup has changed this landscape dramatically. Defections have surged, driven by a combination of factors including ideological disillusionment with the military's actions, economic hardships, and the promise of a different future. These defectors are not just leaving their posts; they are actively joining the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and various resistance organizations, seeking to dismantle the military's grip on power.

Kyed highlights the critical role of the CDM and ethnic armed organizations in facilitating defections, offering support and safe havens to those who choose to leave. This support ranges from financial aid to logistical assistance, helping defectors escape the military's reach and start anew. However, the journey is fraught with danger, as defectors risk retribution not only against themselves but also against their families.

The defection movement is not just a numbers game—it represents a profound shift in the military's cohesion and morale. By providing a pathway for soldiers to leave, the resistance is chipping away at the military's strength from within, offering a glimmer of hope for a more just and peaceful future for Myanmar.

“Historically and comparatively it is quite unprecedented, and quite impressive how, not only in terms of the material support, but also the way that these different activities online have been able to move this defection forward in Myanmar,” she says. “We need to keep in mind the historical unprecedentedness not only in the Myanmar context, but worldwide, of the resilience, and impressive strategies and practices of the revolutionary movement in Myanmar.”

Episode #237: Dragos Badita, a seeker of wisdom and a skilled artist from Romania, embarked on a transformative journey to Myanmar in 2019. His desire to delve deeper into Buddhism and meditation led him to the Pa Auk Monastery, where he spent weeks immersing himself in practice. But beyond meditation, Dragos, with his artist's eye, meticulously made sketches throughout his trip, including his monastery surroundings. These drawings, filled with details that he might otherwise overlook, mirrored the patience and commitment required in both meditation and art. Through his art, Dragos reveals the profound meaning embedded in everyday scenes, such as a pair of sandals at a meditation hall's entrance symbolizing community and respect. 
Reflecting on his own homeland’s transition away from many years of dictatorship, Dragos draws parallels with Myanmar in expressing hope for a democratic future there, seeing the same spirit of change there. So his journey not only enriched his understanding of Buddhist teachings, but deepened his appreciation for freedom and its transformative power.
Dragos points out that the Buddhist understanding he gained in Myanmar derived from lessons learned off the cushion as well. “You see monks in the morning, and it reminds you that this exists, that it's happening it has some weight to it. A lot of time has passed from when the Buddha gave the teachings, but this is still happening! The monks with the alms bowls in the morning, it is still happening after all this time.”

Episode #236: Debbie's life has been a remarkable journey, spanning continents and causes, and fueled by an unwavering commitment to activism and human rights. Born in Malaysia, Debbie’s early experiences as a crime reporter ignited her lifelong dedication to advocacy. Her journalism skills—honed in a landscape where women reporters were rare—provided her a unique lens to view and challenge societal injustices.
Transitioning from journalism to activism, she found herself deeply involved in the democratic struggles in Myanmar, driven by a fascination with its people and a determination to help topple the oppressive military regime. Her activism reflects a broad fight against inequality and oppression across Southeast Asia. Her approach is deeply intersectional, recognizing the entwined struggles of various, marginalized communities. Through her leadership in alternative ASEAN networks and initiatives, she has challenged authoritarianism and helped nurture a generation of new activists, particularly empowering women to lead in their communities. This work has also extended to challenging economic injustices, advocating for inclusive policies that ensure all voices are heard and respected.
“It wasn't like I woke up one morning and said, ‘I want to be a champion for human rights, and this ideal is noble ideal,’” she says. “Basically, I became a human rights activist because I was trying to solve a problem. We do need to have a more pragmatic and understanding that, yes, human rights principles are absolutely important. But we have to remember that at the center of this are human beings, we have to be human-centered in our human rights approach.”

Episode #235: Peter Morris shares his informed and detailed views on the ongoing challenges and the imminent potential of Myanmar's Spring Revolution. A lawyer and journalist by trade, Morris discusses the critical need for Western support, particularly from the U.S., to bolster the revolution, emphasizing the strategic and humanitarian benefits such backing would entail.
Morris underscores the present, precarious, military situation in Myanmar. He sheds light on China's nuanced position, caught between its strategic interests and the unstable junta, suggesting that Beijing's influence could be pivotal yet is hampered by internal conflicts and a lack of clear policy direction.

Throughout the dialogue, Morris articulates a clear vision for Myanmar’s future, stressing the importance of international support through humanitarian aid, which he argues would hasten the junta's fall by alleviating the burden on local resources. This support, he believes, could redefine the geostrategic landscape, particularly in relation to Chinese interests and the broader regional stability.

“We still have to be patient, that's going to be key,” he says. “After all the successes that they've had going up against this powerful military, with little help from the outside, largely on their own, well, it's been an epic struggle, and they're winning! Many books will be written about this struggle. And women are involved, even on the front lines as well. It's nurses doing all kinds of other things, taking leadership roles. It's a movement, it's a revolution.”

Episode #234: Ye Htet joins the podcast to discuss his nuanced and evolving perspective on the efficacy and philosophy of non-violence in the face of Myanmar's turbulent political climate. Initially skeptical, Ye Htet's journey towards embracing non-violence began amid widespread protests following the military coup. His turning point came from diving deep into non-violence literature, which shifted his understanding from mere tactics to a deeper philosophical engagement. This shift was not just intellectual but also strategic, as he began to see non-violence not as passive resistance, but as a form of active engagement that transforms societal structures and norms.
Ye Htet's commitment to non-violence is shaped by both strategic considerations and a philosophical conviction that enduring change requires more than just the absence of violence; it necessitates a foundational transformation in how power and resistance are conceptualized and enacted. His approach involves educating others about the mechanisms and principles of non-violence, fostering discussions, and building resources that support peaceful resistance. Ye Htet views non-violence as a powerful tool for societal change, one that can alter the very dynamics of power and conflict in Myanmar, moving towards a more equitable and peaceful future.

Ye Htet also believes that choosing the path of non-harm is not just a net good for society, but an inner protection— and transformation— of the individual those chooses that path. “It’s a very significant chance to deviate your lines of thinking and your original approach and intentions. So that's one thing,” he says. “When you do physical violence and kill, you also kind of sacrifice a part of yourself.”