Myanmar Spring Chronicle – November 6: The Scene
(MoeMaKa – November 7, 2025)
The Junta’s Pressure on Artists and the Fate of Mogok
As Myanmar’s military junta moves closer to staging its so-called “elections,” it has intensified pressure on the country’s artists, forcing them to take part in propaganda projects and threatening punishment for those who refuse.
Reports surfaced in recent weeks that the junta was demanding participation from all prominent actors, directors, and musicians in the production of pro-election films and media. Soon after, news broke that popular actress Phway Phway had been arrested — a move widely seen as part of this campaign of coercion.
According to information released on the evening of November 6, Phway Phway was detained in Pyin Oo Lwin while traveling for a film shoot. It remains unclear whether she will face criminal charges or be pressured into appearing in propaganda videos before being released.
Sources close to the film industry said that during a meeting on October 30, the junta’s Director General of the Ministry of Information informed members of the film community that all well-known artists were required to take part in election-related productions. Those who refused, he reportedly warned, would face consequences.
Observers noted that his remarks seemed directed particularly at well-known actors and singers who had joined anti-coup protests in 2021 and were later released from prison under amnesty.
Each artist, according to reports, is expected to record themselves reading pre-approved campaign messages to be broadcast nationwide.
The arrest of Phway Phway came just days after these threats, signaling that the junta’s warnings were not idle.
In recent months, several directors and actors have also been detained after either “liking” social media posts criticizing junta propaganda or posting subtle critical remarks about pro-election videos. They were charged under the Election Security Law issued in late July and taken into custody.
The junta’s coercion, intimidation, and arrests of artists highlight its growing desperation and reliance on fear to maintain control. By turning the creative community into a tool of propaganda, the regime is forcing individuals to choose between participating in its campaigns or facing imprisonment.
While a small number of artists have long been sympathetic to the military, the majority have either opposed or distanced themselves from it. Many well-known actors and musicians were arrested in the wake of the 2021 coup for joining the Civil Disobedience Movement. Among those detained were Pyay Ti Oo, Eindra Kyaw Zin, Paing Takhon, and Poe Poe, who were sentenced to prison terms and later released under sentence reductions or pardons.
The junta’s latest crackdown appears to be part of a broader effort to reassert control as it struggles militarily across the country. Facing battlefield losses and fears of defeat, the regime has turned to intimidation within the arts and media — an attempt to display dominance and suppress dissent through fear rather than legitimacy.
Tensions in Mogok and Momeik
Beyond the cultural front, tension is also escalating in Mogok and Momeik, as the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) prepares to withdraw under an earlier agreement expected to take effect by the end of November.
The People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) operating in central Myanmar now face a difficult situation: once the TNLA withdraws, residents fear the junta will launch a major offensive to retake the towns — sparking renewed urban battles, civilian casualties, and widespread destruction.
On the night of November 6, residents of Mogok reportedly banged pots and pans in protest, condemning China’s interference in the peace process and expressing strong opposition to the junta’s potential return. Videos and statements posted by local PDF commanders confirmed these protests.
Locals have made it clear they do not want renewed airstrikes or military rule, but ensuring those wishes are respected remains difficult. Once the TNLA’s withdrawal deadline passes, the junta is expected to launch a ground assault to reoccupy the town — a move that appears almost inevitable.
During the Operation 1027 campaign, TNLA and allied PDF forces held control of Mogok for over a year. While they have pledged to defend it, their limited firepower, resources, and lack of coordinated strategy make their situation precarious.
Reports also suggest that some independent armed groups in Sagaing Region — not under direct command of the National Unity Government (NUG) — may assist in defending Mogok, though details remain uncertain. Between the two towns, Mogok, known for its ruby mines, has become the primary focus of defensive efforts.
With the TNLA’s withdrawal expected within the next two to three weeks, any serious defense of Mogok will require coordinated planning and strategic unity among resistance forces. Whether such coordination currently exists between the NUG’s Ministry of Defense and other armed groups remains unclear.
A Nation Under Pressure
The events unfolding in both the arts and on the battlefield reveal a common thread: a regime attempting to maintain control through fear, coercion, and violence. Whether by forcing artists into propaganda roles or by launching assaults on towns under resistance control, Myanmar’s junta continues to rely on intimidation as its central instrument of power — even as its grip steadily weakens.