Myanmar Spring Chronicle – March 21
MoeMaKa, March 22, 2024
Escalating Exodus: Myanmar Grapples with Conscription Law Fallout
A poignant image circulated on social media recently depicted scores of individuals, believed to be from neighboring towns, huddled on the floor of Yangon’s Mingaladon Airport, emblematic of the mass exodus engulfing Myanmar since the military coup.
In the aftermath of the coup, a steady stream of young and middle-aged individuals has been fleeing the country, seeking refuge from the perils of conflict and conscription. The sight of packed flights bound for Malaysia and Thailand has become a commonplace occurrence, reflecting the urgency driving this exodus.
Many departing youths and individuals over 30 are opting for Malaysia and Thailand, seeking sanctuary from the specter of war and mandatory military service imposed by the conscription law. This trend has only intensified in the wake of the law’s implementation, exacerbating an already dire situation.
The exodus extends beyond air travel, with a significant number undertaking perilous journeys across the border into Thailand, both through legal channels and clandestine routes. Reports of arrests and interceptions at border crossings are rife, underscoring the risks associated with this desperate bid for safety.
From the Pa’O region in Shan State to Mon and Karen States, individuals are resorting to costly human trafficking networks to facilitate their escape. Brokers charge exorbitant fees ranging from 150,000 to 20,000 baht to smuggle them into cities across Thailand. However, many fall prey to border patrols or face apprehension at checkpoints en route to Bangkok.
Driven by a dual imperative of economic opportunity and evasion of military service, these individuals are liquidating their assets and depleting their savings to fund their escape. As reports of conscription sweeps and coercive practices by local authorities proliferate, the sense of urgency among the populace reaches fever pitch.
In response to the military’s mobilization efforts, some are seeking refuge in controlled territories of ethnic armed groups or joining the People’s Defense Forces (PDF). Yet, for the majority, fleeing the country remains the preferred recourse, driven by a steadfast refusal to serve in any military capacity.
This mass exodus is already taking its toll on Myanmar’s labor force, with significant ramifications for agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. The unchecked flight of skilled and able-bodied individuals threatens to exacerbate existing economic woes, compounding the country’s woes.
While the military council’s activation of the conscription law was aimed at bolstering its ranks, the unintended consequences have precipitated a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions. With an estimated 20 evaders for every two individuals eligible for conscription, Myanmar finds itself grappling with an unprecedented societal upheaval.
Against a backdrop of anxious families, fleeing citizens, and rampant corruption within local administrations, Myanmar teeters on the brink of an existential crisis, grappling with the repercussions of a law that has upended lives and livelihoods across the nation.