Hot Temperature, Junta Moves Suu Kyi to House Arrest

The air temperature in Naypidaw reached 39 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and rose to 41 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.

AP PHOTO/PETER DEJONG

The photo on December 11, 2019, shows the leader of Myanmar's National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, waiting to give a statement at the International Court in The Hague, Netherlands.

NAYPYIDAW, WEDNESDAY — Myanmar's military junta moved a number of political prisoners from prison to special houses to reduce the impact of the heat wave. These include Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy, and U Win Myint, former President of Myanmar.

The news of the transfer of a number of senior political prisoners was conveyed by the junta spokesperson, Zaw Min Tun, on Tuesday (16/4/2024) night, to several foreign media representatives in Myanmar. However, the transfer has not been announced to the public.

"Not only Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint, but also several long-term detainees are receiving necessary care due to the extremely hot weather," said Zaw Min Tun.

Also read: Junta reduces Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence

An unnamed military official stated that Suu Kyi and Win Myint had been moved from their previous detention location to a house, before an official statement was delivered to foreign media representatives. Min Tun did not mention the location of the temporary detention house. There was no indication that the new location was Suu Kyi's former lakeside house in Yangon, which was previously used.

AP PHOTO/THEIN ZAW

A resident cried tears of joy shortly after being released from Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar on Wednesday (17/4/2024). The military junta reportedly released around 3,000 prisoners.

According to Myanmar's Department of Meteorology, the air temperature in Naypyidaw reached 39 degrees Celsius on Tuesday afternoon and increased to 41 degrees Celsius on Wednesday morning local time. Air temperature is expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks.

Suu Kyi (78) is serving a 27 year prison sentence for various alleged crimes brought by the military junta led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Since being detained shortly after the military coup on February 1 2021, his health condition has reportedly declined.

In September 2023, a report emerged mentioning that Suu Kyi was experiencing symptoms of low blood pressure, dizziness and loss of appetite. However, she did not receive treatment in qualified health facilities outside the prison because the junta did not allow her to seek medical attention.

AP PHOTO/KHIN MAUNG WIN

Archive photo of Aung San Suu Kyi's house by the lake, Yangon, Myanmar, on August 11, 2009.

Kim Aris, Suu Kyi's youngest son who lives in London, England, in September 2023, said that his mother could not access the private doctor who had been accompanying her. Suu Kyi even occupies a different prison cell from other inmates and tends to be isolated. She also heard Suu Kyi experiencing problems with her gums and teeth. However, nothing can be done because the junta does not allow anyone to meet Suu Kyi.

Also read: Suu Kyi's historic house is auctioned off, no one wants to buy it

The special detention facility owned by the junta in Naypyidaw does not have adequate facilities. Sean Turnell, former economic advisor to the Australian NLD government, said that the detention complex did not have air conditioning. The cells occupied by the prisoners also had many leaks during the rainy season. Turnell once experienced the prison cell after being detained for several months following the coup.

It is not clear how long Suu Kyi, Min Wyint, and other senior political prisoners in Myanmar will remain under house arrest, whether it is only temporary or part of a sentence reduction. The junta spokesperson provided no clarification on this matter.

The resistance government, the National Unity Government (NUG), has so far not issued a statement regarding the transfer of Suu Kyi and Min Wyint.

Chinese military exercises

The relocation of Suu Kyi and Min Wyint occurred amidst news of a series of significant blows against the junta military by pro-democracy groups and their allies, armed ethnic minority militias. Since October 2023, the junta forces have suffered several crushing blows from these groups.

AP PHOTO/SAKCHAI LALIT

A member of the Thai troops stands guard on his vehicle equipped with weapons in Maesot, Tak Province, Thailand, Saturday (13/4/2024).

In October 2023, the National Democratic Army Alliance of Myanmar (MNDAA), the Arakan Army, and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army successfully launched sporadic attacks on the junta forces at the Myanmar-China border. This action inspired other resistance groups to attack the border areas of Myanmar with India, Bangladesh, and Thailand. The latest success was the United Karen National Union (KNU) resistance group's ability to push back the junta forces that controlled Myawaddy, a border city between Thailand and Myanmar.

Also read: The Myanmar Junta's Grip is Increasingly Fragile on the Border

Tensions at the border have led to an increase in the number of refugees from Myanmar to neighboring countries, including China. China has finally decided to increase its readiness at the border.

MANAN VATSYAYANA

View of the town of Myawaddy, Myanmar, seen from across Thailand in Mae Sot District on April 11, 2024.

According to the Chinese government-affiliated CCTV television station, military exercises along the border with Myanmar began on Wednesday (17/4/2024), including air and land defense exercises. This is the second combat exercise by the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army of China in April.

"The Chinese military is ready to respond to emergencies and will firmly uphold national sovereignty, stability along borders, as well as the safety of its people's lives and property," said the Southern Theater Command of the PLA in a statement.

A security warning was issued by the Chinese Embassy in November and December 2023, urging residents to leave the troubled city of Laukkai in the Kokang region, Shan State. In 2015, a mortar allegedly belonging to warring factions in Myanmar landed in Yunnan, China. In 2009, clashes in the region caused tens of thousands of people to flee across the border to China. (AP/AFP/REUTERS)