Examine individual changes

'{{distinguish|text = the Chinese justice system [[Laogai]], or [[Lào Cai]] in Vietnam.}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox settlement | settlement_type = Town | official_name = Laukkai | native_name = {{native name|my|လောက်ကိုင်မြို့}}<br>{{native name|zh|老街}}<br>{{native name|shn|လဝ်ႉၵႆႇ၊ ဝဵင်း}} | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_map = Burma | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Myanmar | image_skyline = Laukkai.jpg | image_caption = Laukkai | image_map = | imagesize = 280px | map_caption = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{Flag|Myanmar}} | subdivision_type1 = [[Administrative divisions of Burma|State]] | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Shan State}} | subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Burma|District]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Kokang Self-Administered Zone]] | subdivision_type3 = Township | subdivision_name3 = [[Laukkaing Township]] | unit_pref = Imperial | area_total_km2 = | population = 23,435 | population_as_of = 2014 | population_blank1_title = Ethnicities | population_blank2 = [[Buddhism]] | population_blank2_title = Religions | population_density_km2 = auto | population_total = | coordinates = {{Coord|23|41|41|N|98|45|52|E|region:MM_type:city|display=inline,title}} | elevation_ft = 3200 | elevation_m = | timezone = [[Time in Burma|MST]] | utc_offset = +6.30 | website = }} '''Laukkai''' (also known as '''Laukkaing''', '''Laogai''' or '''Laokai'''; {{lang-my|လောက်ကိုင်မြို့}}; {{zh|t=老街|p=Lǎojiē}}) is the capital<ref name=breaksdown>{{Cite web |work=[[The Irrawaddy]] |date=28 August 2009 |access-date=29 August 2009 |title=Burmese Cease Fire Breaks Down |url=http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=16658 |author=Saw Yan Naing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830013448/http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=16658 |archive-date=30 August 2009}}</ref><ref name=ET>{{Cite web |title=Myanmar military moves to crush Kokang Chinese |url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/283048,myanmar-military-moves-to-crush-kokang-chinese.html |date=27 August 2009 |access-date=28 August 2009 |work=Earth Times}}</ref> of [[Kokang Self-Administered Zone]] in the northern part of [[Shan State]], Myanmar. It is located east of the [[Salween River]], which forms part of Myanmar's [[China-Myanmar border|border]] with the People's Republic of China at its upper reaches. It is about {{convert|10|mi}} away from [[Nansan, Yunnan|Nansan]] ([[Chinese character]]s: 南傘), China.<ref>[http://www.goandgotravel.com/optional-tour.htm Tour]</ref> In Laukkai, [[Southwestern Mandarin]] and Chinese characters are widely used, and the Chinese [[renminbi]] is in circulation.<ref>[http://article.daqi.com/sy_fast/2678411.html Daqi] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708231810/http://article.daqi.com/sy_fast/2678411.html |date=8 July 2011 }}</ref> It is the main town of [[Laukkaing Township]] of the [[Kokang Self-Administered Zone]]. It is {{convert|117|mi}} from [[Lashio]] and {{convert|42|mi}} from [[Kongyan]]. Its population is 23,435.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Myanmar: Regions, States, Major Cities & Towns - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/myanmar/cities/?cityid=34289 |access-date=2021-04-02 |website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref> Laukkai is notorious for its gambling, prostitution, human trafficking and online scams.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2023-11-16 |title=Myanmar scam town Laukkai empties out as war approaches |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/myanmar-scam-city-laukkai-empties-out-as-war-approaches |access-date=2023-12-15 |issn=0585-3923}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Fishbein |first=Emily |title='Fighting is all around': Myanmar faces deepening humanitarian crisis |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/14/fighting-is-all-around-myanmar-faces-deepening-humanitarian-crisis |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Its annual rainfall is over {{convert|40|in}}.<ref>[http://myanmargeneva.org/NLM2009/eng/9Sep/n090913.pdf MG] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002130039/http://myanmargeneva.org/NLM2009/eng/9Sep/n090913.pdf |date=2 October 2011 }}</ref> ==History== It was a center of fighting in the August 2009 [[Kokang incident]];<ref name=juntasploy>{{Cite web |url=http://www.shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2678:juntas-ploy-push-kokang-to-shoot-first&catid=86:war&Itemid=284 |title=Junta's ploy: Push Kokang to shoot first |date=14 August 2009 |work=[[Shan Herald]] |access-date=29 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901151337/http://www.shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2678%3Ajuntas-ploy-push-kokang-to-shoot-first&catid=86%3Awar&Itemid=284 |archive-date=1 September 2009}}</ref> on 24 August, it was occupied by troops of the [[Tatmadaw]], Burma's [[military junta]], led by Sr. Gen. [[Min Aung Hlaing]].<ref name=breaksdown/> ===Under Myanmar government=== Following the seizure of Laukkai from ethnic armies in 2009, the military installed a pro-junta militia. The militia subsequently grew rich off the production of drugs, and off gambling and prostitution to Chinese tourists. This gave rise to online scam compounds ran by trafficked people mainly from China. ''[[The Straits Times|The Strait Times]]'' reported in 2023 that around 40 scam compounds could be operating around Laukkai.<ref name=":0" /> On 17 February 2015, Myanmar president [[Thein Sein]] declared a state of emergency three-month period of martial law in Kokang in response to fighting between government troops and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, a rebel group.<ref>{{Cite web |work=[[Reuters]] |date=17 February 2015 |access-date=18 February 2015 |title=Myanmar declares martial law in troubled Kokang region |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-clashes-idUSKBN0LL11S20150217 |author=Soe Zeya Tun}}</ref> The curfew was extended on 9 September 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mann |first=Zarni |date=10 September 2019 |title=Curfew Continues in Northern Myanmar's Kokang Over Concerns About Armed Conflict |url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/curfew-continues-northern-myanmars-kokang-concerns-armed-conflict.html |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=The Irrawaddy}}</ref> On 6 March 2017, members of the [[Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army]] (MNDAA) raided the Fully Light, Kyinfu, and Kyin Kyan casinos in Laukkai. The three casinos were owned by the rival Kokang Border Guard Force. The raid resulted in the death of one person, and the capture of tens of millions of dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nanda |date=2020-07-23 |title=The Kokang casino dream |url=https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/the-kokang-casino-dream/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Frontier Myanmar |language=en-US}}</ref> ===1020 incident=== In the early hours of 20 October 2023, a {{ill|1020 incident|lt=rescue attempt|zh|1020事件}} for the hundreds of people forced to work at the Crouching Tiger villa of syndicate leader Ming Xuechang went awry, with Chinese media reporting that multiple Chinese citizens were shot and killed by guards while attempting to escape the compound. This incident has since been credited with forcing China to allow anti-junta forces to begin [[Operation 1027]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Head |first=Jonathan |title=The Chinese mafia's downfall in a lawless casino town |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67471138 |access-date=29 December 2023 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214063504/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67471138|archive-date=February 14, 2024 |date=23 November 2023 |quote=Ming Xuechang ran one of the most notorious of these scam centres, called Crouching Tiger Villa. He also reportedly ran the local police force...}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Head |first1=Jonathan |last2=Luo |first2=Lulu |title=A turning point in Myanmar as army suffers big losses |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67305690 |access-date=29 December 2023 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=9 November 2023 |quote=The Brotherhood Alliance timed their attack carefully, right after an incident in Laukkaing which snapped China's patience with the junta.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gan |first=Nectar |title=How online scam warlords have made China start to lose patience with Myanmar's junta |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/19/china/myanmar-conflict-china-scam-centers-analysis-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=29 December 2023 |work=[[CNN]] |publisher=[[WarnerMedia]] |date=19 December 2023}}</ref> ===Operation 1027=== On 27 October 2023, the [[Three Brotherhood Alliance]] launched a [[Operation 1027|new offensive]] against the Tatmadaw in northern Shan State. The offensive saw the MNDAA make gains in the Kokang, with the goal of recapturing Laukkai since its loss in 2009. On 11 and 12 November, the MNDAA started shelling Laukkai,<ref name=":1" /> and eventually ended up surrounding the city on 14 November.<ref name=":0" /> On 12 November, all 127 members of Light Infantry Battalion 129 surrendered to the MNDAA with their families near Laukkai in [[Konkyan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Entire infantry battalion surrenders in Laukkai: MNDAA – Myanmar Now |date=15 November 2023 |url=https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/entire-infantry-battalion-surrenders-in-laukkai-mndaa/ |access-date=2023-12-18 |language=en-US}}</ref> Due to Laukkai's position as a major area for scams, the MNDAA said that it would hand over any captured scam bosses to China.<ref name=":0" /> The MNDAA also issued orders to its forces to protect foreigners, rescue kidnapped victims, and to protect Chinese businesses and the China-Myanmar pipeline project.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Myanmar Resistance Forces Close In On Key Northeastern Town |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/11/myanmar-resistance-forces-close-in-on-key-northeastern-town/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Since the MNDAA began closing in onto Laukkai, the city has seen a mass exodus.<ref name=":1" /> In late November, the MNDAA opened a humanitarian corridor for migrant workers in Laukkai to flee to Lashio through Laukkaing and Kunlong townships, and Wa state. The corridor was however not used for ethnic Kokang people. Many Kokangs fled towards the Chinese border, but had tear gas fired on them by the Chinese authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Htoo Zan |first=Hein |date=28 November 2023 |title=Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang |url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/exodus-tens-of-thousands-flee-as-myanmar-junta-troops-face-last-stand-in-kokang.html |access-date=17 December 2023 |website=The Irrawaddy}}</ref> [[File:Myanmar-China Border Yanlonkyine Gate.jpg|thumb|Yanlonkyine Gate in 2019]] On 6 December, the MNDAA captured the stragetic Four Buddhist Statues Hill after three days of fighting against the Tatmadaw. The pagoda is located on a hill overlooking Laukkai and was the junta's last outpost before Laukkai.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-08 |title=Laukkai is a notorious den of online scams — and the prize in one family's 14-year quest for revenge |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-09/myanmar-mndaa-brotherhood-alliance-kokang-battle/103159456 |access-date=2023-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2023 |title=Ethnic Army Battles to Seize Another Base From Myanmar Junta Near Border With China |url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/ethnic-army-battles-to-seize-another-base-from-myanmar-junta-near-border-with-china.html |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=The Irrawaddy}}</ref> On 15 December, a temporary ceasefire was mediated by China between the Tatmadaw and the MNDAA in Kunming. China also issued arrest warrants for key members of the main families in Laukkai on 10 December, alleging that they were the ringleaders of telecom and online scams. This included the region's former chairman, [[Bai Xuoqian|Bai Suocheng]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-15 |title=Temporary ceasefire agreed after Myanmar rebel forces surround city notorious for online scam operations |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-15/three-brotherhood-alliance-kokang-laukkai-myanmar-ceasefire/103223536 |access-date=2023-12-15}}</ref> The ceasefire ended on 18 December after the junta launched airstrikes on a base controlled by the MNDAA.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 December 2023 |title=Fighting Resumes in Myanmar's Kokang Region Ending Brief Pause That Followed China Peace Talks |url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/fighting-resumes-in-myanmars-kokang-region-ending-brief-pause-that-followed-china-peace-talks.html |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=The Irrawaddy}}</ref> Following this, the MNDAA captured the Yanlonkyaing border gate on the Chinese border north of Laukkai on 19 December.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Myanmar Resistance Forces Seize Another China Border Crossing |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/myanmar-resistance-forces-seize-another-china-border-crossing/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Myanmar ethnic armed group seizes another crossing point along the Chinese border, reports say |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/myanmar-ethnic-armed-group-seizes-crossing-point-chinese-105797152 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Anti-junta forces capture Myanmar border crossing gate |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-border-gate-12192023050247.html |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Radio Free Asia |language=en}}</ref> On 28 December it was reported that "most" of Laukkai was now under MNDAA control, with junta forces largely abandoning the city.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/most-of-laukkai-now-under-mndaa-control/ | title=Most of Laukkai now under MNDAA control | date=28 December 2023 }}</ref> The MNDAA gained full control of Laukkai following a mass surrender of the last junta forces in the city on 5 January 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/mndaa-captures-military-command-centre-outside-laukkai-taking-full-control-of-city/ | title=MNDAA captures military command centre outside Laukkai, taking full control of city | date=5 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmar-regime-raises-the-white-flag-in-kokang-zone-on-china-border-in-shan-state.html Myanmar Regime Raises the White Flag in Kokang Zone on China Border in Shan State] January 5, 2024. [[The Irrawaddy]]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118021858/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmar-regime-raises-the-white-flag-in-kokang-zone-on-china-border-in-shan-state.html|date=January 18, 2024}}</ref> ===MNDAA Control=== {{Expand section|date=April 2024}} On April 24, 2024, ten men (ranging in age from 19 to 38) were convicted in three separate cases. The charges ranged from selling stolen weapons to SAC forces and extortion to human trafficking and murder. 70% of the defendants were MNDAA fighters. Afterwards, three defendants were quickly led into the forest and executed.<ref> [https://kokang123.blogspot.com/2024/04/blog-post_25.html Rigorous Military Law Proceedings: MNDAA holds public announcement of verdict and sentence on 10 criminals, including soldiers] (in Chinese) Kokang Information Center April 25, 2024 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426013541/https://kokang123.blogspot.com/2024/04/blog-post_25.html|date=April 26, 2024}}</ref> <ref> [https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/ethnic-army-executes-three-men-after-public-trial-in-northern-myanmar.html Ethnic Army Executes Three Men After Public Trial in Northern Myanmar]. April 25, 2024. [[The Irrawaddy]] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425133620/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/ethnic-army-executes-three-men-after-public-trial-in-northern-myanmar.html|date=April 25, 2024}}</ref> ==See also== * [[Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army]] (MNDAA) * [[Kokang incident]] * [[2015 Kokang offensive]] ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Authority control}} {{Border Crossings of Myanmar}} [[Category:Populated places in Shan State]] [[Category:Kokang]] [[Category:China–Myanmar border crossings]]'