Min Aung Hlaing to visit Thailand in August; Military claims strategic road in Sagaing Region ‘secured’

Min Aung Hlaing is expected to make his first official visit to Thailand since assuming the presidency in early August, according to anonymous sources in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday. The trip would mark his second “official” visit to an ASEAN member state since the regime’s “sham” 2025-26 elections, which ended on Jan. 25, and resulted in a pro-military parliament and administration led by him. Regime Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe attended an “informal” meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in the Thai capital Bangkok on July 12. During the talks, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow reportedly urged Burma to take concrete steps toward implementing the Five-Point Consensus, the regional bloc’s peace plan urging dialogue among all stakeholders to the conflict since the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021. The People’s Defence Force (PDF) and political leaders in Sagaing Region told DVB that the regime’s claim of it regaining control over the 120-mile (193 km) long Kalewa-Monywa road on July 7 is “propaganda,” as fighting between regime and resistance forces continues in Mingin Township this week. Mingin, located along the Kalewa-Monywa road is 114 miles (183 km) northwest of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa. Soe Win Swe, a member of the Sagaing Forum Federation, told DVB that the regime wants to “raise the morale of its soldiers.” The Kalewa-Monywa road is located along the 870-mile (1,400 km) India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral (IMTT) Highway that connects India’s northeastern Manipur State to Thailand’s Tak Province, via Burma. The counteroffensive in Sagaing began in April following the recapture of Tigyaing town. The PDF in Yinmabin Township told DVB that regime forces had recaptured 20 per cent of the Kalewa-Monywa road while resistance forces remained in control of the remaining 80 per cent. Residents told DVB that regime forces are unable to secure the 81-mile (130 km) long Kalay-Khampat-Tamu road despite regaining control of Khampat on June 20. Yinmabin is located 29-108 miles (46-173 km) west of Monywa and south of Mingin. Filmmaker Aung Phyoe has made cinematic history, capturing the prestigious Grand Prix – Crystal Globe for Best Film at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) for his debut Burmese language feature film with English subtitles titled Fruit Gathering (Thit-thee Khu). The award, which carries a $25,000 USD cash prize shared equally between the director and producers, was presented during the festival’s closing ceremony on July 11. The milestone marks the first time a film from Burma has ever competed in—let alone won—the top category at the historic European festival. ARAKAN—Residents in Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U townships told DVB that their KBZ bank accounts and mobile wallets have been suspended since the first week of July. Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U, located 96-142 km (60-88 miles) north of the state capital Sittwe, were seized by the Arakan Army (AA) in 2024. A mobile financial service provider from Kyauktaw Township told DVB that he lost up to 200 million MMK ($46,511 USD) due to the termination of his KBZ Pay account. Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U residents added that service fees for withdrawing 100,000 MMK ($23 USD) costs between 6,000-8,000 MMK ($1.30-1.80 USD). MON—The regime’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) reported on Tuesday that the Bilin River had receded below the danger level of 1,022 centimeters after continuous rainfall caused it to overflow–forcing over 10,000 residents from 20 low-lying villages in Bilin Township to relocate to higher ground since Friday. Residents told DVB that they feared recurring floods and wouldn’t be returning home yet. An aid worker told DVB on the condition of anonymity that displaced residents need drinking water and food at nine temporary camps. Bilin is located 69 miles (111 km) north of the state capital Mawlamyine. YANGON—Police seized illegal drugs worth an estimated seven billion MMK ($1.62 million USD) in Dala Township on July 8, regime media reported. It added that 10 people were arrested in Dala, which is located nine miles (14 km) south of Yangon, in connection with the seizure. No charges have been announced. A Dala resident told DVB that 310 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice,” was discovered by police on a boat. Authorities burned more than 50 tons of illegal drugs, including heroin, opium, ketamine, methamphetamine, marijuana and “ice,” worth an estimated $600 million USD on June 26.