Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 54

HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION

1000
Ks.

DAILY EDITION

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

ISSUE 25 | FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Birth control
pulled from
shelves on
police orders
SHWE YEE SAW MYINT
TOE WAI AUNG
newsroom@mmtimes.com
A POLICE force special project to
reduce sexual crime during Thingyan
has resulted in registered contraceptive pills and even condoms being
pulled from shelves, in a move health
professionals say is highly misguided.
Pharmacists have described it as the
strongest crackdown on such products
in at least a decade, but said trade was
continuing unabated only out of sight
of the authorities, and at inflated prices.
Yangon police announced on March
30 that they would arrest owners of
pharmacies or other shops found to be
selling emergency contraceptives, birth
control pills or medicines for erectile
dysfunction.
Officers have been forcing pharmacy owners to sign pledges not to sell the
medicines before and during the festival, including products registered with
the Food and Drug Administration. In
some areas of Yangon, pharmacies have
even reported that police have told
them to stop selling condoms.
Many have responded by pulling
contraceptive products from their
shelves, or even closing completely.
Police Lieutenant Thi Thi Myint
said the campaign had been preceded
by educative talks.
On March 23 we started arresting
shop owners who are selling the drug
we have prohibited, she said.
Dala township Police Lieutenant
Colonel said he had been ordered to
round up all of those selling erectile
dysfunction medicine, whether on the
street or in a shop.
CONTINUED ON NEWS 3

IN PICTURES

PHOTO: KAUNG HTET

Firefighters battle a blaze inside an apartment on 54th Street in Yangons Pazundaung


township yesterday afternoon. Police said the fire, which started in an apartment on
the eighth floor of the building, was sparked by an electric shock. Twenty fire engines
attended the scene of the blaze, extinguishing it in around 45 minutes.

Central Bank moves on rates


The Central Bank of Myanmar has moved swiftly over the past week to narrow the gap between official and market
exchange rates, following calls from the business community for more stability in the newly floated currency. BUSINESS 10

2 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES April 10, 2015

Page 2

online editor Kayleigh Long |


kayleighelong@gmail.com

THE INSIDER: The local lowdown & best of the web


Lost & Found
Just in time for Thingyan, Yangonbased blogger clbre Marek lenarcik
of life in the Tropics fame has dropped
his latest literary effort, the rather
clunkily titled Burma lost & Found:
Three years living my dream job in the
travel industry in rangoon and beyond.
Although its political isolation has
ended, Myanmar remains a land of
little known cultures and peoples His
journey takes him to fishing villages on
the Andaman Sea, landlocked hunting
communities and holy mountain
peaks, read a press release heralding
the hotly anticipated follow-up to his
first book, This is Thailand: A Story of
love, Sex and Betrayal in the Tropics.
While its exciting to see more
books being written about Myanmar,
i must profess to being a big fan of
his early work and am not sure this
latest release will hold a candle to it.
perhaps the best example would be
his masterful take on the list format
blog post from October 2012, Three
years in the tropics: 10 reasons why its
good to be an expat where, despite
the rigidity of the listicle structure, his
devil-may-care prose shone through.
He outlined things like weather,
food, adventure and fascinating
life to paint a compelling picture of
why life as an expat is so darn good.
Hospitality was also offered as
one of the reasons. To wit: The more
****ed up the country was (most often
by its own government), the more
smiles you can receive from people
who do not expect absolutely nothing
from you. Oof.
Also on the list was women.
Being an expat and traveling related to
that, gives an opportunity to meet women
from many cultures with all types of
looks, temperament and character,
it began, describing half of the worlds
population with the qualities one might
associate more closely with the search
for a family-friendly dog.
Having experience with a few
European women and a certain
number of Asians and latinas, i
know that i will never date again a
woman from a widely defined Western
Civilization. Women of the Far East
and South America are much more
feminine, and they can take care of
their men much better, than all the
European women, ive met. (Slow
blink.) Contrary to the popular opinion,
many of them are well-educated.
Very often they work and pursue their

Once was Burma ...

Archival material courtesy of


Pansodan Gallery

First floor, 286 Pansodan, upper block, Kyauktada township

Early and often: A military MP votes for an absent member. Photo: Myanmar Post

career dreams, but despite of it they


havent lost this something, which still
makes them women, and not men in
the skirts. (Hmmmm...) if you prefer
petite Asians, go to Thailand or the
philippines, where they are waiting
for you with their errr arms wide
open. if you prefer a little bit more
meat and temperament, go to Brazil or
Colombia. in the latter you will find the
biggest amount of beautiful women per
square mile in the world.
it takes a powerful piece of writing
to make one feel physically ill, but that
really gripped my guts and set me
reeling. He seems to inhabit so credibly
the persona of someone who holds a
fundamentally sinister worldview.
in fact, Mr lenarcik blurs the lines
between fiction and non-fiction so well
that some Western women (aka men in
skirts) actually left angry comments on
his blog, pointing out that perhaps the
protagonists beliefs were a little sexist
and possibly a tad colonialist. Ever one
to stir the pot, he replied, its only
European/Western women who got
offended by this kind of writing.
page 2 managed to contact one of
this rare breed of well-tempered, nonshedding, masters-degree-holding
local women to get her opinion on the
piece, who laughingly says that her
immediate reaction was [she] wanted
to find out where he lives and put a
****ing brick through his window.
But, she said, she quickly realised
this would not be possible as it would
require her to leave the kitchen.

While im not sure his new book will


live up to expectations, i hold out hope
it will be an exciting offering from a
master provocateur it was, after all,
the talk of the irrawaddy lit Fest.
The self-published lost & Found is
available on Amazon for around US$25.
A portion of the profits will be going
toward a womens literacy program in
rakhine State. (Kidding! its not.)
Fact-check Friday
When she was first locked up here in
1989, this would have been almost a
country lane, and the secluded villas
like this on the edge of inle lake would
have been quiet and peaceful places,
far from the bustle of central rangoon,
which in those days, to tell the truth,
was also not that bustling.
Unless The Guardian knows
something we dont and Suu Kyi has,
indeed, relocated to Nyaung Shwe,
someone needs to step up their factchecking.
Pick of the pandals
if youre sticking around for Thingyan,
youre probably considering paying a
visit to a pandal. Choosing which one
is a tricky business. This year there
are two that page 2 believes will be
worth the admission price. One is the
illuminati mandat, which has been
encouraging people to post illuminati
selfies on Facebook in order to win
free tickets. The other is called MilF,
and will feature artists from local
music scene stalwarts Jamit! a nice

Oh Wai (Peacocks Voice) covers a Sikh celebration in July, 1970.

break from the techno. i asked my


esteemed colleague if he knew what
a MilF was and he said that hed had
to Google it, but was now familiar with
the term.
In brief:
Thingyan 2015 likely to be much more
dangerous because of selfie sticks

Next week:
Vatican roulette how to shoots up in
popularity in Myanmar Google search
queries as population control law is
passed
local pharmacies briefly do
roaring trade in antibiotics, after half
the city inadvertently guzzles fetid
zoo runoff

www.mmtimes.com

NEWS EDITOR: Thomas Kean | tdkean@gmail.com

News 3

CONTINUED FROM NEWS 1


He said that police officers had not
been instructed to stop pharmacies
from selling registered medicines,
and that if they had done so it was
a mistake.
But one pharmacy owner in downtown Yangon, who asked not to be
named for fear of recriminations, told
The Myanmar Times that police had
told him he faced arrest if he sold any
contraceptive products including
those registered with the FDA.
I sold registered erectile dysfunction drugs and birth control pills before they started the Thingyan project. These products are completely
legal and come from pharmaceutical
companies, he said.
Now we are only selling them
to people that we know, and we are
hiding them under the desk, he said,
adding that sales volumes were similar to before but products were being
sold for about twice the price.
He criticised the way police had

gone about the special project and


the lack of clarity in their orders.
When police called us to a meeting about Thingyan festival they
didnt say which brands were banned
and didnt announce anything legally.
Its just verbal instructions.
A spokesperson for the management committee of Mingalar Market,
Yangons main wholesale market for
pharmaceuticals, said all shops had
signed a pledge to not sell contraceptive or erectile dysfunction medicines
during the project period.
Dr Thiha Thit, the owner of a private medical clinic in Ahlone township, said the police project was
misguided.
Erectile dysfunction medicine
does not encourage anyone to commit a sex crime, he said. Police
should stop stores from selling date
rape drugs instead.
If police stop the sale of emergency birth control pills it will simply

cause more social problems. I also


think they should have set a clear
policy and announced it properly.
A spokesperson for Modern Choice
Experts, a distributor of imported
condoms, said the police crackdown
created unwanted legal uncertainty
for businesses.
For companies who have invested
the money and energy to complete this
[registration] process and who play by
the rules, I imagine its an unpleasant
surprise to have sales suspended without an announcement or clear reasons
stated, the spokesperson said.
In the absence of any official announcement its hard to work out the
motivation for this, but we guess it is
concerns about promiscuity and morals during Thingyan festival. There
can be no medical or safety grounds,
if the drugs suspended already have
been approved and certified by the
FDA. Additional reporting by
Thomas Kean

A pharmacy owner holds birth control pills yesterday that police have ordered
him to take from the shelves in the lead-up to Thingyan. Photo: Thiri Lu

Six-way talks should result


in agreement, says Daw Suu
HTOO THANT

PYAE THET PHYO

THE country needs good agreements to come out of talks starting today between the government
and opposition, Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi said yesterday, as she reiterated
her refusal to commit her National
League for Democracy to taking
part in parliamentary elections in
November.
It is important to proceed to
hold political talks. Moreover, it is
essential to get agreements good for
the country, she told a news conference in Nay Pyi Taw.
Asked about the 48-party talks
convened by President U Thein Sein
on April 8 ahead of the six-way talks
scheduled for today, she replied, Its
difficult to say what happened in the
talks. We took time there by having
tea.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi earlier
told reporters that there had not
been enough time for discussion
as so many people were attending.
However she said she felt positive
about the talks starting today.
The meeting, the first of its
kind, will bring together the president, the NLD leader, both speakers of parliament, the head of the
military and an ethnic minority
representative.
Participants in the 48-party talks
said they expected amendments to
the 2008 constitution, written by the

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (left) arrives for a session of the lower house of
parliament in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. Photo: AFP

military, to dominate the agenda.


Pressed again on whether she
would compete in the parliamentary elections, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
said politics was unpredictable.

So I cant say definitely what I


will do in the future. I mean all options are open for choosing, based
on all possibilities, she said.
Her refusal to rule out a boycott

of the elections was raised last December and repeated last week in a
media interview. The NLD says that
for elections to be free and fair the
constitution should be first amended so that the military is no longer
guaranteed one quarter of seats in
parliament. The constitution also
bars Daw Aung Suu Kyi from being
elected president by parliament because she has children with foreign
citizenship.
Asked about possible victory in
the elections, she said, The main
energy of the NLD is people. We depend on the people.
U Ye Htut, presidential spokesperson, said on April 8 that changing the constitution would be one
topic among many at the six-way
talks. Discussions would also cover
holding free and fair elections and
issues of political stability before
and after the elections. The president has also set the peace process
as a focus for the talks.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had originally proposed four-way talks but
she said she backed the parliamentary proposal to hold six-way talks.
I have nothing to object to it. It is
good that the president accepts the
Hluttaws proposal and holds the
meeting, she said.
She said she had no objections
to the party affiliation of the head
of the Union Election Commission
but stressed that it was important
he carry out the task correctly. She
called on the media to keep watch.
U Tin Aye, the chair, is a former lieutenant general and former member
of parliament for the presidents ruling USDP.

NLD tightens
discipline
over joining
protests
THE opposition National League for
Democracy (NLD) has instructed its
members to seek approval if they intend to take part in protests in the
name of the party.
U Nyan Win, party spokesperson,
said the NLD was not limiting members individual rights to participate
in political activities. We just want to
say that approval must be taken if the
protests and political activities will be
joined by members using the partys
name, he said of the decision taken by
the NLDs central executive committee.
If approval is not given, it is against
party rules, he added.
A committee statement said the
clarification was made after members
had requested a formal response to
their concerns. It also said that members must not use properties and assets of the party for the benefit of other
organisations. The NLD said it had observed that some of its members were
involved in political activities without
requesting party permission.
An NLD source, who asked not to
be identified, said some NLD members
were facing criminal charges for joining
student protests in Letpadan last month
that were ended by a police crackdown
and mass arrests on March 10.
On February 9, the NLD expelled U
Thein Lwin from a senior position for
supporting student demonstrations
for education reform and attending
discussions with the government and
education ministry as a representative
of the National Network for Education
Reform.
U Nyan Win said members could
participate freely in political activities
if they did not use the partys name.
Lun Min Mang

4 News
Chief Executive Officer
Tony Child
tonychild.mcm@gmail.com
Editorial Director U Thiha Saw
editorial.director.mcm@gmail.com
Deputy Chief Operating Officer Tin Moe Aung
tinmoeaung.mcm@gmail.com
EDITORIAL
Editor MTE Thomas Kean
tdkean@gmail.com
Editor MTM Sann Oo
sannoo@gmail.com
Chief of Staff Zaw Win Than
zawwinthan@gmail.com
Editor Special Publications Myo Lwin
myolwin286@gmail.com
Editor-at-Large Douglas Long
dlong125@gmail.com
News Editor MTE Guy Dinmore
guydinmore@gmail.com
Business Editor MTE Jeremy Mullins
jeremymullins7@gmail.com
World Editor MTE Fiona MacGregor,
Kayleigh Long
The Pulse Editor MTE Charlotte Rose
charlottelola.rose@gmail.com
Sport Editor MTE Matt Roebuck
matt.d.roebuck@googlemail.com
Special Publications Editor MTE Wade Guyitt
wadeguyitt@gmail.com
Regional Affairs Correspondent Roger Mitton
rogermitton@gmail.com
Sub-Editors Peter Swarbrick, Laignee Barron
Chief Sub Editor MTM Aye Sapay Phyu
News & Property Editor MTM
Tin Moe Aung
tinmoeaung.mcm@gmail.com
Timeout Editor MTM Moh Moh Thaw
mohthaw@gmail.com
MCM BUREAUS
News Editors (Mandalay)
Khin Su Wai, Phyo Wai Kyaw
Nay Pyi Taw Bureau Chief Hsu Hlaing Htun
hsuhlainghtun.mcm@gmail.com
DIGITAL/ONLINE
Online Editors Eli Meixler, Thet Hlaing
elimeixler@gmail.com, thet202@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHICS
Director Kaung Htet
Photographers
Aung Htay Hlaing, Thiri, Zarni Phyo
PRODUCTION
zarnicj@gmail.com
Art Director Tin Zaw Htway
Production Manager Zarni
MCM PRINTING
Printing Director Han Tun
Factory Administrator Aung Kyaw Oo (3)
Factory Foreman Tin Win
SALES & MARKETING
ads.myanmartimes@gmail.com
Deputy National Sales Directors
Chan Tha Oo, Nay Myo Oo,
Nandar Khine, Nyi Nyi Tun
Classifieds Manager Khin Mon Mon Yi
classified.mcm@gmail.com
ADMIN, FINANCE & SYSTEMS
Chief Financial Officer Mon Mon Tha Saing
monmonthasaing@gmail.com
Deputy HR Director Khine Su Yin
khinesu1988@gmail.com
Director of IT/Systems Kyaw Zay Yar Lin
kyawzayarlin@gmail.com
Publisher U Thiha (Thiha Saw), 01021
Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd.
CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION
Yangon - subscribe.mt@gmail.com
Mandalay - mdydistribution.mcm@gmail.com
Nay Pyi Taw - nptdistribution.mcm@gmail.com
ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES
Telephone: (01) 253 642, 392 928
Facsimile: (01) 254 158
The Myanmar Times is owned by Myanmar
Consolidated Media Ltd and printed by
Myanmar Times Press (00876) with approval from MCM Ltd and by Shwe Myanmar
(P/00302) with approval from MCM Ltd. The
title The Myanmar Times, in either English or
Myanmar languages, its associated logos or
devices and the contents of this publication
may not be reproduced in whole or in part
without the written consent of the Managing
Director of Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd.

Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd.


www.mmtimes.com
Head Office: 379/383 Bo Aung Kyaw Street,
Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Telephone: (01) 253 642, 253 651, 392808
Facsimile: (01) 254 158, 392 928
Mandalay Bureau: No. 20, 71st Street,
Between 28th street and 29th Street,
Chan Aye Thar San Township.
Tel: (02) 24450, 24460, 65391. Fax: (02) 74585.
Email: mdybranch@myanmartimes.com.mm
Nay Pyi Taw Bureau: No (15/496) Yaza Htarni
Road, Paung Laung (2)Q, Pyinmana.
Tel: (067) 25982, 25983, 25309, 21426
Email: capitalbureau@myanmartimes.com.mm

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 10, 2015

Twelve feared dead after jade


mine landslide at Hpakant
WA LONE
walone14@gmail.com

Parliament
opens up
monogamy
bill to debate

THREE miners have been confirmed


killed and nine others are missing
after a landslide at a mine owned by
Mya Yamon Jade company near Hpakant in the second such disaster in two
weeks.
Police said yesterday that heavy
rains earlier in the week had brought
a torrent of mud and soil down on the
worksite and its 200-foot-deep mineshaft on April 8. All the victims were
company staff.
Corporal Saw Htun Aung, from
Kachin States Lone Khin town in the
area of the landslide, said five miners
were taken to hospital. Two miners
died in hospital while a third body was
found yesterday morning. Nine people
were still missing, he said. Two bulldozers had been retrieved but one was
still missing.
Police said they were still investigating the cause of the disaster. The
Mya Yamon Jade company did not
respond to calls. Police, company staff
and civilian organisations were taking
part in rescue efforts.
U Lar Lay, a resident of Hpakant,
said a serious landslide occurred after workers used explosives to break
rocks, triggering vibrations that
brought down loose wet soil from
above.
They throw the loose soil into the
gully of the mountain near their worksite, and the company workers were

A DRAFT law on monogamy will be


open to public debate with civil society groups invited to contribute their
views, the secretary of the lower house
bill committee said yesterday in a further sign that parliament is willing to
consult over some pieces of controversial legislation.
U Saw Hla Tun said international
non-government organisations, interested people and the Union Supreme
Court would be asked for their suggestions to improve the monogamy
bill, which would outlaw extra-marital
affairs.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, or Union Parliament, has sent the bill
drafted by the Supreme Court to the
Pyithu Hluttaw, or lower house, for
debate. The Bill Committee submitted the report to the hluttaw yesterday after holding five sessions with
the lower houses Social Development Committee and the Citizens
Fundamental Rights, Democracy
and Human Rights Committee.
The monogamy bill is one of four
controversial laws proposed by the
Committee for the Protection of Nationality and Religion, a Buddhist organisation linked to an ultra-nationalist group of monks.
Hearings are expected to begin in
parliament after the Thingyan holidays. Htoo Thant, translation by
Thiri Min Htun

A worker scours the hillsides of Hpakant for jade. Photo: Kaung Htet

working in the ground hole, he said.


U Khin Maung, chair of the Thin
Khar Free Funeral Service, said landslides and natural disasters would
happen often in Hpakant because
mining companies had destroyed the

environment. There was no safety


planning, he said.
Nine workers were confirmed dead
and dozens were missing after a landslide struck a jade mine in Hpakant on
March 30 following heavy rains.

Chinas ceasefire support fails


to dispel suspicion over motives
GUY
DINMORE
guydinmore@gmail.com

CHINA has been busy promoting a


ceasefire agreement between the Myanmar government and armed ethnic
groups along their joint border, but
suspicions remain over its real intentions and the extent of Beijings control
over its faraway southern reaches.
With official observer status at the
nationwide ceasefire talks in Yangon,
China dispatched its special envoy for
Asia, Wang Yingfan, who also attended
the ceremonial signing of the draft accord on March 31 that concluded 16
months of negotiations. In public and
behind the scenes, China was actively
lobbying for an agreement.
China has been playing a positive
and constructive role in facilitating the
peace talks, Hua Chunying, spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry,
said in Beijing on March 31.
Diplomats said China had in particular pressed the Kachin Independence Army to throw its weight behind
the nationwide agreement. KIA leaders
made a first visit to Nay Pyi Taw before
the last round of talks began, holding
talks with President U Thein Sein and
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing that
set the positive tone leading up to the
draft agreement.
In an interview with Chinas Xinhua news agency after the signing,
Major General Gun Maw, deputy chief
of staff of the KIA, stressed the importance of reaching a conclusive ceasefire
agreement and spoke enthusiastically
of Chinas Belt and Road initiative to
project trade and regional cooperation
through Myanmar to the Indian Ocean
and beyond.

ANALYSIS
China had actively entered the
peace process in 2013, hosting peace
talks in Ruili between the KIA and the
Myanmar government in the hope of
ending a renewed conflict which had
taken a heavy toll on Chinese investments in northern Myanmar.
But further south of Kachin State
along their 2011-kilometre (1250-mile)
shared border, Myanmar and in
particular the Tatmadaw harbours
strong suspicions of Chinas intentions. In northern Shan State in early
February ethnic Chinese rebels with
close ties to Chinas Yunnan province
launched an offensive to regain control
of the self-administered Kokang region
that they lost to the Tatmadaw in 2009.
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army is led by Phone
Kya-shin, also known by his Chinese
name Peng Jiasheng, who is accused
by Myanmar and the US of being a
drug lord. Details are sketchy of the
events behind his ousting six years
ago, but some observers say it appears
that China, or at least elements in
Yunnan, accepted the outcome of the
power struggle and froze his assets,
apparently until a year or so ago when
the octogenarian commander started
rearming and recruiting fighters in
China in preparation for his attempted
comeback.
Tens of thousands of mainly ethnic
Chinese residents of Kokang have fled
the fighting, mostly to China, while the
Tatmadaw tally of soldiers killed was
approaching 100 until a virtual news
blackout was imposed over two weeks
ago.
Continued fighting has demonstrated that the Tatmadaw has no intention
of heeding Chinas calls for a negotiated ceasefire with the Kokang fighters

even at the risk of the conflict spilling


across the border. Myanmar apologised on April 2 for killing five Chinese
farm workers with a wayward bomb,
and there have been unconfirmed reports of other incidents of accidental
cross-border fire since then.
Diplomats in Yangon are asking
whether China, which has beefed up
its military presence in the area, will
contemplate a new deal with Myanmar
in Kokang that would see the end of
Phone Kya-shins dynastic ambitions in
exchange for border stability.

I suspect that at
this point, Beijing
would be happy
with whatever
arrangement
restores stability
along the border.
Gregory Poling
Center for Strategic and
International Studies

Yun Sun, a China analyst at the


Stimson Centre in Washington, says
it would appear that China is playing
a bigger positive role overall in the
peace process to boost bilateral ties in
Chinas national interests.
However, I would preach caution
at the same time. The view in China
is not monolithic, she said. We know
there are people in China who feel that
China should support Kokang, and
some of them most likely have. Some
of the comments in China today indeed vividly remind people of Russias

positions on Crimea. At the minimum,


these developments represent uncertainties in Chinas policy on the peace
issue.
Gregory Poling, analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, says Beijings top
priority remains border stability and
not losing further influence in Myanmar after what some see as a pro-Western shift in Myanmars foreign policy
since U Thein Seins government took
office in 2011. Meanwhile, local players
in Yunnan government and business
also intervene to benefit most directly from lucrative cross-border trade
with the ethnic armed groups.
Those two different groups of
players in Chinas Myanmar policy
have often been at cross-purposes, but
the spillover effects from the Kachin
and Kokang conflicts, and the damage theyve done to illicit cross-border
trade, have them of like mind here, Mr
Poling commented.
I suspect that at this point, Beijing
would be happy with whatever arrangement restores stability along the
border, with or without Peng Jiasheng.
A Myanmar participant in the
peace process, who asked not to be
named, said suspicions remained that
hardline elements in China were ready
to use the ethnic groups as leverage on
Myanmar in pursuit of its strategic and
geo-political interests, which revolve
around securing trade and energy
across the Indian Ocean and its rivalry
with the US for regional influence.
Beyond the ceasefire talks, he
noted, China was reaching out to opposition groups and inviting them
to China. They are trying to win the
hearts of everyone, he said. This is
a very important development. In the
past they were only close to the government. They are the 800-pound gorilla
on the border. We have to be friendly
with the Chinese.

News 5

www.mmtimes.com

Universities prepare charters


ahead of next academic year
MAY
THINZAR
NAING
maythinzarnaing.mcm@gmail.com

UNIVERSITY charters that the government says will guarantee higher


education institutions autonomy are
being written for introduction later
this year.
The charters will be completed by
September and come into force when
the 2015-16 academic year begins
in December, said a senior ministry
official.
The official said autonomy would
be genuine and could be used to
manage universities freely and conduct reforms.
All universities, whether they are
under the Ministry of Education or
other ministries, will become autonomous. They will have the chance to
be run freely like international universities, said the official, who asked
not to be named.
U Aung Thu, the rector of Yangon
University, said the charters would
be written to conform to the National
Education Law.

Commission
to report
findings
on ferry
sinking
MRATT KYAW THU
mrattkthu@gmail.com
A COMMISSION formed by Rakhine
State Hluttaw MPs to examine the sinking of the Aung Takon 3 ferry near Myebon last month is expected to submit
its findings today, members said. The
report, which was originally due on
April 7 but was pushed back three days,
is expected to contradict the findings of
a state government investigation.
The hluttaw set up the commission
on March 24 because MPs said they
did not trust the results of the government investigation into the disaster.
The state-owned vessel sank in
calm seas on March 13. The vessel was
overloaded with both cargo and passengers, many of whom were not listed on the manifest, and the real death
toll is thought to be much higher than
the 69 bodies recovered by the time
the search was called off.
All MPs were instructed to gather
information from their constituencies
on the sinking by April 7. They then
gathered in Sittwe on April 8 and 9 to
collate their findings.
We have found things that the
government omitted from their report
and were putting those detailed facts
on our reports, said MP U Aung Win,
who represents Myebon for the Rakhine National Party.
He said the government had not disclosed that the vessel was carrying almost 30 heavy steel sheets and 80 bags
of lime. The government has blamed
members of the crew, whom it said
were drunk when the ferry went down.
I think that our report can find
some answers to how and why the
ferry sank, said U Aung Mya Kyaw, a
representative for Sittwe from the Rakhine National Party.
We have enough evidence about
what happened.

A graduate has her photo taken at Yangon University. Photo: Thiri Lu

At present we have a draft charter, he said. When it is finished we


will release it to the public.
Despite government assurances,
critics say that the National Education Law will maintain central government control over universities
through a national-level university

council.
The government says the council
will only be used to set sector-wide
policies and will have no control over
the operations of the universities, including how budgets are spent.
The issue of autonomy is central
to student-led protests against the

National Education Law, which culminated in a police crackdown at


Letpadan on March 10.
Parliament is in the final stages of
approving amendments to the law,
but some students say they changes
are different from those agreed at
four-party talks between student
leaders, the Ministry of Education,
MPs and the National Network for
Education Reform held in February.
Ko Min Ko Naing, a leader of 88
Generation student group, said student activists had made many sacrifices over the decades to secure
autonomy for universities.
He described the National Education Law and university charters as
the start of the process of granting
autonomy.
We shouldnt be satisfied yet. We
need to do a lot more, he said.
After the National Education
Law [amendments] are enacted,
there may be more areas of the law
that need to change.
We know that it is not easy to
grant universities autonomy, but it is
absolutely necessary.
Myanmar has 169 universities,
degree and colleges spread across 13
ministries.
Translation by Win Thaw Tar

Pilgrimage
numbers rise
THE number of locals on domestic pilgrimage tours during the 2014-15 season is expected to reach 4.8 million, a
huge increase over the previous year
but just short of the 5 million predicted
by the Domestic Pilgrimage and Tour
Operator Association.
The pilgrimage tour season lasts
from the beginning of August to the end
of the Buddhist year in mid-April. The
figure for 2013-14 was 3.5 million.
U Myo Oo, an adviser to the association, said this seasons numbers have
been negatively impacted by the political situation in Myanmar.
Civil conflicts and student protests
have made people afraid to visit certain
places, like the Laukkai region [in eastern Shan State]. People are mostly going to peaceful places, he said.
But he added that Myanmar people
are getting a taste for travel, so the number of pilgrim trips is increasing yearly.
Locals know to take trips and how to
do it economically, he said. But across
the country, there is a problem with the
demand for hotel rooms outstripping
supply as the industry expands.
U Myo Oo said a favourite destination for pilgrim tours during Thingyan
is the Shin Ko Shin Pagoda itinerary in
Dawei, Tanintharyi Region.
But Daw Khaung Khaung, the manager of Tango Travel and Tours, said
most people avoid pilgrimage tours
during water festival in favour of the
beach. Ei Ei Thu

6 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 10, 2015

Professional bartender stirs


up Yangons cocktail scene
EI EI THU
91.eieithu@gmail.com
TWENTY members of the Myanmar
Bartenders Association (MBA) received training in Yangon on April
8 from Brandon Grusd, a finalist in
the 2012 Bacardi Legacy Cocktail
Competition.
The training, aimed at improving the skills of local bartenders, was
held at Hummingbird Latin American restaurant in downtown Yangon.
Its great to have the opportunity
to train bartenders in different countries and get an idea of whats going
on around the world, Mr Grusd,
who works as a professional beverage consultant, told The Myanmar
Times.
I was actually very surprised
when I trained the Myanmar bartenders. I didnt think their level
would be good, but they are very
passionate. They want to learn
more, study and research, which
is a great way to reach the international level.
U Pung San Raydam, the owner
of Hummingbird, said Mr Grusd
picked five participants from the
training to compete against each
other in a bartending competition
held on the same evening as the
training.
It was good practice for the bartenders to improve their skills, even
if the competition was just for fun,
he said. We need such trainings and
small competitions because we need
many more qualified bartenders for
the local bar industry.

After delays,
police order
GPS on buses
AYE
NYEIN
WIN
ayenyeinwin.mcm@gmail.com

Brandon Grusd leads a training session for local bartenders at Yangons


Hummingbird restaurant on April 8. Photo: Naing Wynn Htoon

MBA founder U Tun Tun Aye said


the local cocktail scene is currently
in flux: While an increase in tourist
arrivals has helped fuel a small business boom for some bar and restaurant owners, the industry is being
held back by problems with liquor
imports, lack of qualified bartenders
and the relatively low number of local cocktail consumers.

Many qualified bartenders from


Myanmar work in foreign counties because the salaries are higher
overseas, he said. Also, bar owners
here have difficulty importing liquor, and many bars are the same because everyone copies each others
cocktails. Bar owners need to maintain their services and control their
quality to satisfy customers.

DESPITE scepticism from drivers and


bus line owners, the Spy in the Cab is
coming. Transport authorities say no
bus or truck will be allowed on the
highway after May 1 unless it has been
fitted with the Telematics GPS system.
Pressure to monitor bus drivers
more closely began in June last year,
just weeks after a deadly bus crash on
the Yangon-Mandalay Highway that
claimed the lives of 14 passengers and
left 29 injured.
Traffic police began looking at a
satellite-connected system that would
monitor vehicle speed in real time
via a remote control centre, and even
measure how long a driver stayed at
the wheel. The system would also store
details of drivers licences and accident
record. In defence of the arrangement,
Nay Pyi Taw council officials cited statistics showing that two-thirds of the
accidents on the highway resulted from
human error. About 700 buses use the
highway every day.
In September, the Ministry of

Construction selected B Smart Telematics to install GPS products on buses operating between Yangon and Mandalay,
after conducting a tender in which six
companies submitted proposals.
But last December, in the face of
protests from bus company owners
who said the new system would do little to improve safety, the government
backed down on immediate installation but embarked on a pilot scheme.
Last week, deputy chief engineer
of the highway maintenance group U
Kyaw Naing said the pilot had been a
success. Buses and trucks must install
the system by May 1 or we will not allow them on the highway, he said.
Owners are still not convinced this
will improve safety, and also complain
of the cost.
We dont want to install telematics. Nobody can tell us how many accidents this will prevent, or what good
it would do ... The only beneficiary of
this scheme is the company concerned,
said a spokesperson for JJ Express.
The service is said to cost K20,000
per vehicle a month, with one year payable in advance.
B Smart Telematics director Ko
Aung Nyi Nyi Maw said yesterday the
company had so far installed the system in 50 trucks. No buses have applied yet but they will have to soon.

News 7

www.mmtimes.com

Mandalay vote to hit new electoral low


Little interest, few candidates and seven-month terms of office have many asking why municipal authorities are holding a vote

MAUNG
ZAW
mgzaw.mmtimes@gmail.com

EVIDENTLY inspired by the example


of Yangon, in which a handful of people
voted for candidates they did not know
to carry out policies of determined obscurity, Mandalay is sleepwalking towards its own non-election next month.
And if the question is who runs
Mandalay? the answer from the great
majority of its inhabitants is a resounding who cares?
On March 1, Mandalay Election
Commission opened an office on 27th
Street in pursuance of a law passed last
December stipulating that almost half
the members of MCDC will be chosen
by popular vote. Advance voter lists
were drawn up, and work began on
revising the Mandalay City Development Law to expand the citys sevenmember governing committee to either
13 or 15 members, of whom six would
be elected.
In this city of 1.2 million, the one-

voter-one-household rule means that


in the six townships where the election
will be conducted the number of potential voters is only about 200,000.
However, the number of actual voters is likely to be far lower due to strict
eligibility requirements that will exclude tenants, unregistered households
and illegal residents. When the municipal election was held in Yangon in
December, barely 400,000 of 870,000
households were able to vote due to
these rules. The Yangon election generated little interest, with around threequarters of eligible voters not bothering to fill in a ballot.
The Mandalay poll looks set to play
out along similar lines. The formation
of the election commission and initial
steps to prepare for the poll have failed
to energise the public, said U Win Htay,
vice president of the Mandalay Region
Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
last month.
The flow of information from
MCDC is weak so nobody is talking
about it, he said.
One month later, with about four
weeks to go before the election the
date of which has still not yet been
set very little more is known, despite

Candidate flies flag


for Mandalay women
KHIN SU WAI
jasminekhin@gmail.com
DAW Khin Lay Myint is well-known in
Mandalay; a prominent fixture at most
civil society-organised social events.
Shes used to leading from the front,
with her trademark enthusiasm.
It is this enthusiasm and a touch
of boldness that encouraged her to
register as a candidate in Chan Aye
Thar San township for the Mandalay
City Development Committee election scheduled for May. She is the only
woman among the 12 candidates across
six constituencies.
I applied after seeing the announcement in the newspaper. Some
women dare not apply as a candidate
because they would feel shame if they
were not elected. But I hope that if I
can win then more female candidates
will take part in the future, she told
The Myanmar Times this week.
She said she comes from the peoples side and can serve as an effective medium between the public and
government officials. Her priorities, if
elected, will be to improve water supply and fight traffic congestion in Chan
Aye Thar San.

I hope that if I
can win then more
female candidates
will take part in the
future.
Daw Khin Lay Myint
MCDC election candidate

Daw Khin Lay Myints family has


a long history in the citys commercial
sector; she is the sixth generation to
have run a gold shop in Zaygo market.
When she was young, she dreamed
of being a teacher. In 1983, however,
her elder sister, who ran the family
shop, married and left to work with her
husband. At her mothers insistence,
she took over the reins of the store.
In the market, she joined friends
from other gold shops and formed a

Daw Khin Lay Myint. Photo: Khin Su Wai

social welfare group. From that, she


began joining other organisations and
associations, and is now an auditor of
the Myanmar Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association and vice chair
of its Mandalay branch. She is also
treasurer and auditor of the Mandalay
Region Chambers of Commerce and
Industry.
Her involvement in civil society activities has taught her the importance
of unity, as well as a willingness to negotiate with others, she said.
But Daw Khin Lay Myint wasnt
always so interested in social and civil
society activities.
After I married, I wasnt involved
in any association or groups. I decided
to focus on my business and look after my children, she said. But then
in 2004 I suffered breast cancer. From
that time, I considered what I can do
for people before I die. I want to help
improve everything around me so I offer as much help as I can.
To free up time for these pursuits,
she has handed over her gold business
to her daughter.
She said her husband supports her
in whatever she wants to do, and he is
pleased that she wants to compete for a
seat on MCDC. Even though the tenure
of the committee members is short, she
said, I want to compete to show other
women that they can do it too.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun

notices in the local state-run media.


I didnt even know there was going to be an election, let alone who will
contest it for our township, said Ma
Kay Khine, a student of Mandalay University of Foreign Languages, last week.
The business community seems to
be scarcely more enthralled. For us, we
dont have much interest in the MCDC
election, said U Zaw Zaw, vice chair of
Mandalay citys Gems Trading Centre,
adding, Public interest is pretty low, I
think.
Unusually for an election, the candidates themselves are not much more
enthusiastic. This is in part because
they will serve for only seven months,
before fresh elections are held as in
Yangon, the law states that municipal
representatives terms of office will
be concurrent with that of the Union
government.
Daw Khin Lay Myint, the sole female candidate, who is running for a
seat from Chan Aye Thar San township, said, Not many people are running. I applied to be a candidate when
I read about the election in the paper.
Most women are put off from applying
because they would be embarrassed
about losing. I hope more women will

run in the future if Im elected. I want


the public to know that women can do
this.
The election will be held in the constituencies of Aung Myay Thar San,
Chan Aye Thar San, Maha Aung Myay,
Chan Mya Tharsi, Pyigyitagun and Amarapura townships. While Patheingyi is
part of Mandalay district, it is not included in the election under the MCDC
law.
The law states that candidates must
be at least 30 years of age, be born of
parents who are both Myanmar citizens, hold a bachelor degree and have
lived in the township in which they
are standing for election for at least 10
years. Candidates or their relatives must
also own property in that township.

12

Candidates approved for the election


across six constituencies

Of the 21 hopefuls who initially


put their names forward, only 12 survived an initial scrutiny to determine
their eligibility. The candidate for Mahar Aung Myay township is running
unopposed, and nobody at all is listed
as running for Aung Myay Thar San
township.
The public have until April 14 to
submit objections to the list, as long as
they give their reasons.
An election commission spokesperson said the body had discussed
what to do about the lack of a single
candidate in Aung Myay Thar San, but
planned to proceed with the vote regardless. We will try our best for this
election, the spokesperson said.
One candidate who was not approved to stand for election was
U Sein Hla, a lawyer from Chan
Aye Thar San township. He said he
planned to follow the election results
closely.
Im sorry Im not on the list, but
Im not complaining, he said. Ill be
interested to see what happens on
election day, with one constituency
vacant and another fielding only one
candidate. Translation by Thiri Min
Htun and Zar Zar Soe

8 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 10, 2015

FALAM, CHIN STATE

Long wait for Chin airport nears end


More than 70 years ago, the British proposed an airport at Falam in Chin State but only now has funding been allocated to begin work

BILL
OTOOLE
botoole12@gmail.com

AFTER 70 years of lobbying, the last


state in Myanmar without an airport
is finally on the verge of receiving its
own runway a move advocates say
could kickstart tourism in one of the
remotest corners of the country.
Earlier this month, parliament approved a request from the Ministry
of Transport for K1 billion to begin
construction of an airport in northern Chin State, the only one of the nations 14 states that is not connected
to domestic air services. The funding
is for 2015-16, with more expected in
coming years.
The long-awaited airport has
been in the works since at least 1934,
when surveyors from the British colonial government identified a mesa
in Falam townships Surbon village as
the ideal spot, owing to the relative
lack of nearby mountains and favourable weather conditions.
The Japanese invasion in 1942
put any construction plans on hold,
however. The plan did not gain momentum again until 1962, when the
newly established peoples councils
of the Ne Win regime began pressing
the central government to give Chin
State an airstrip.
The residents of Falam were so
confident that the government would
follow the advice of the British surveyors that they started construction on
the suggested plot, even before they
gained official permission from the
government. Working with hoes, pickaxes and donations of food and money
from the surrounding villages, the
anxious residents hoped to kick-start
a new era for their impoverished state.
I remember it was raining, but
we hoped for the best, said U Van
Gyi, an 86-year-old part-time teacher
in Falam, recalling the 1963 groundbreaking ceremony.
Work to clear the airstrip continued for several weeks. As the months

Flags mark out the proposed site for the airport near Surbung village in Falam township. Photo: Griffin Hotchkiss

dragged on and no word came from


the government, however, the donations dried up and work ceased.
Several Falam residents speculated that momentum for the project
deteriorated because of the regimes
paranoia that Indian armed groups
would use the airstrip for an invasion.
The speculation was not entirely unfounded as later events revealed. In
1968, five years after the airport project was put on hold, fighters from
the Mizo National Front which was
fighting the government of India for
independence crossed the border
and occupied Falam for five days.
The fighters looted the treasury and
burned down a police station before
eventually withdrawing.
The airport project was shelved

for another four decades. Then in


2010, national elections gave Chin
politicians a public platform to press
for infrastructure in their largely undeveloped state.
U Thein Seins government agreed
to build an airport, but then the location became a matter of dispute. Chin
politicians were split over where it
should go, with many pressing for it
in their home constituencies. U Van
Gyi described the debate as a tugof-war that further delayed a final
decision.
Once again, Falam residents took
matters into their own hands. The village elders formed an airport implementation committee to solicit donations and sent several work crews and
bulldozers to Surbon to clear the site.

Salai Robin, an MP representing


Haka in the Chin State Hluttaw, acknowledged that the green light for
the long-awaited airport caused a
good deal of contention.
Many people have different views,
but [Falam] is fine for me. We have
to put it where it is best, he told The
Myanmar Times after the ministry
made its final decision.
Local leaders are cautiously optimistic about the economic benefits
the new airport can bring.
Salai Lal Tin Mang, a Falam town
elder who sits on the airport implementation committee, said he and
his colleagues do not see the new
infrastructure as supporting industrial development, as the airstrip
will at most be able to accommodate

medium-sized passenger planes.


However, it will open up the state
to tourism, ensuring that visitors no
longer have to travel overland from
Bagan or Kalemyo in Sagaing Region.
We have no industry [in Chin
State] ... We need to rely on income
from tourism, he said.
Fewer than 1000 foreign tourists
reportedly visited Chin State in 2013,
but since then the government has
relaxed travel restrictions in most areas, making the state much easier to
access.
While all the Chin leaders interviewed for this article were pleased
about the recent approval for the
states airport, several expressed frustration that the process has dragged
on for so long.
U Thwang Bik, a pastor with the
Falam Baptist Church, said it was unfair that people had to resort to using
their own money to start construction on an airport.
People are wondering why it
took so long, and why they allowed
competition between the different
towns, he said. We feel like we are
abandoned.
The Department of Civil Aviation
did not respond to repeated requests
for comment.
But Salai Robin said the long-running airport saga was one of many
examples of central government
neglect.
Its not only the airport the
[construction of ] roads and everything else are always delayed for Chin
State, he said.
And Chin States long wait for an
airstrip isnt actually over yet. When
the airport will be completed remains
an open question. According to Salai
Lal Tin Mang, the implementation
committee estimates it will cost K15
billion to complete meaning less
than 7pc of the cost has been funded
so far.
Never mind, K1 [billion] is better than zero, isnt it? Salai Lal Tin
Mang said. We are very happy now
... We will finish this project one step
at a time.
Additional reporting by Htoo
Thant and Lydia Zo Rem Mawi

GOVT SCHOLARSHIP

Winners of presidential study Journalists included in


scholarship program
grants plan studies abroad
NAY ZAW AUNG WIN
newsroom@mmtimes.com
STUDENTS who have been awarded
a coveted presidential scholarship to
study abroad are grateful for the opportunity, eager to launch themselves on
their academic careers and accepting of
the need to put their new-found skills at
the service of the government.
President U Thein Sein announced
in February that the government would
fund overseas university courses for
students who met the qualifications.
I read about this last year in [state
newspaper] Kyemon [The Mirror]. I
hadnt really thought about studying
abroad before, but I became very interested once Id acquired the qualifications, said Ma May Eain Hmwe,
one of the 70 students who have been
awarded a scholarship.
To qualify, students had to score
above 500 in matriculation exams, be
unmarried, aged between 16 and 20,
and the child of two Myanmar citizens.
Another successful applicant, Ma
Pyae Thandar Soe, said the selection

process was not complicated. It had


two parts. First, you had to take an Aptis test in vocabulary, reading, writing
and speaking. That accounted for 60
percent of the scholarship. A lot of people got screened out at that stage. Then
came the interview. If you managed to
convince the interviewer, you were in,
she said.
The government has not stated the
amount or duration of the scholarship.

Working for the


government for
eight years sounds
harsh. I like to think
of it as working for
my country.
Ma Pyae Thandar Soe
Scholarship recipient

The organisers just told us to produce the confirmation letter from the
college that admitted me and not to
worry about the funding. But no time
limit was stated. You cant just apply
to a school without preparation, said
Ma May Eain Hmwe, who is currently
taking IELTS courses, with an eye to
applying in either Australia or the US.
Returning student are required to
come back and work for the government for twice as long as they spent
studying, or to replay three times the
sum of their scholarship.
Working for the government for
eight years sounds harsh. I like to think
of it as working for my country, said
Ma Pyae Thandar Soe.
Ma May Eain Hmwe also considers this a long-term investment for the
good of the country. Im planning to
study engineering, which would take
at least four years to finish at undergraduate level. That means eight years
working for the government. But thats
a secondary concern for me. Im just
very happy to have got the opportunity
to study abroad, she said.

JOURNALISTS are to receive funds


from the Presidents Scholarship program intended to raise the educational
qualifications of public servants by giving them access to overseas education.
Six candidates, five of them working
journalists, have applied for scholarships for Masters and PhD studies in
journalism, and attended an interview
on April 2.
It is not clear how many scholarships will be awarded to journalists,
the chief interviewer for the journalism
section of the program said.
We have four candidates for Masters study and two for PhD study. I
have no information on how many
scholarships will be awarded. I just interviewed the candidates and gave my
assessments, said Daw Tin Tin Htwe,
head of Yangons National Management College, which offers a BA (Journalism) program.
More than 4500 candidates have
applied for scholarships in 15 fields, including engineering, medicine, agriculture, education, economics, hotels and
tourism and English-language studies.
Of these, 800 passed the first hurdle

an English language test which are


followed by an interview.
Daw Tin Tin Htwe said scholarships
ares not earmarked for a specific university. The journalism candidates are
now taking university entrance examinations, she said.
Although the selection process of
the program is nearly finished, detailed
information, including the number of
scholarships, is not available. But it was
announced that the scholarship would
cover all costs, including accommodation, meals and travel expenses as well
as tuition. The exact source of the programs funding is also unclear.
Successful candidates have to sign
a contract with the government undertaking to work in assigned civil service
positions for twice the length of the
study period on their return.
It is not clear whether journalists awarded scholarships will have
to work for state-owned media. Other
scholarship recipients have to work for
the government for at least twice the
length of their foreign studies, or pay
three times the value of the scholarship
in compensation. Sandar Lwin

News 9

www.mmtimes.com

A dangerous path for Myanmar

Views

Population control measures are clearly targeted at Muslims, particularly the Rohingya of Rakhine State

HIS week in Myanmar the


Pyidaungsu Hluttaw passed
a law that gives regional governments the right to restrict
how many children a woman
has, legally enshrining a human rights
breach found in few other countries in
the world with the notable exception
of China.
The state-run Myanma Alinn
newspaper reported on April 7 that
the legislation, known as the Population Control Bill, had been approved
by parliamentarians in Nay Pyi Taw.
The new bill, which is yet to be
signed into law by the president, will
enable regional and state governments
to request a presidential order limiting
women to one child every three years.
It does not detail what sanctions, if
any, could be imposed on someone
who broke such regulations.
When this legislation was first proposed, a number of people working in
rights suggested it was little more than
a distraction from political reform and
would not come to pass. It appears
such an outrageous proposition that
its easy to see why they didnt take it
seriously.
As it progressed through parliament, however, rights groups began
to raise louder concerns. Scores of
womens rights groups in Myanmar
spoke out against it.
But the bill part of a group of four
draft laws proposed by the monkled Committee for the Protection of
Nationality and Religion (Ma Ba Tha),
one of which restricts a Buddhist
womens right to marry a man of another faith also gained considerable
public support.
As it moved through the legislative
process, many who might have voiced
objections to its rights implications
have simply shrugged their shoulders,
and suggested the absence of any
clear punishment for violating the law
means it isnt really important and will
have little impact.

A woman watches a boy run through a Rohingya IDP camp in Sittwe. Photo: Yu Yu

Lets be clear about this. This


piece of legislation is hugely significant. It takes away a womans right
to choose when to have children
and gives authorities new powers to
control womens bodies against their
will.
Anyone who has bought into the
idea that this law is there to protect
women is at best misguided. Taking
away a womans choice to have a child
is not a protection. It is a violation.
This law is inherently sexist it does
not appear written to restrict how
often men can have children.
There are already too many laws
in Myanmar that can, and are, used
to criminalise basic civil liberties. The
introduction of a new one goes beyond
backsliding on rights reforms, to a
situation in which the government is
seeking additional rights-breaching
powers.
According to the World Health
Organization, Reproductive rights
rest on the recognition of the basic
right of all couples and individuals
to decide freely and responsibly the
number, spacing and timing of their
children and to have the information

and means to do so, and the right


to attain the highest standard of
sexual and reproductive health. They
also include the right of all to make
decisions concerning reproduction
free of discrimination, coercion and
violence.
This new piece of legislation is
clearly contrary to that statement.
State control over womens bodies
when it comes to reproduction particularly in terms of restricting access
to contraception or abortion takes
place in many countries across the
world.
But forced limits on the number
of children a woman can have moves
beyond withholding medical services, which requires an interaction
with external agents, toward actively
controlling what should be an entirely
independent decision for a woman
and if she has one her partner.
This bill is unnecessary and a
breach of basic rights. It creates the
very real opportunity for abusive
physical violations.
If it truly benefits society for people
to have smaller families the way forward is to improve women and mens

access to family planning support. Improving womens education opportunities and economic status will enable
them to make informed choices.
Legal interference should be unnecessary. Experience across the world
has shown that higher education and
incomes has led to smaller families
through choice, not coercion.
But without such support, any
law attempting to control reproduction is going to be ineffective, unless
direct means forced contraception or
even sterilisation and abortion are
brought into play.
Its easy to dismiss the likelihood of
these measures. But it was also easy to
dismiss the idea that such a law could
come into force in the first place. Such
violations have happened elsewhere,
including in neighbouring India and in
China, where the one-child policy has
encouraged female infanticide.
It would be disingenuous not to
acknowledge that this law, along
with the three others in the race and
religion package, is aimed particularly
at one group of people: Muslims, and
in particular those who describe themselves as Rohingya.
Perhaps one reason fewer people
have objected to it as might otherwise
is because it plays into widespread
fears about a perceived increase in the
Muslim population in Myanmar.
But the law presumably to avoid
too much international condemnation does not identify any specific
target. Instead it uses vague and general terms, which means that if the
circumstances were to arise it could be
applied to anyone.
In supporting it, advocates have
effectively signed away their own
reproductive rights to try and control
those of a group they feel threatened
by. That is: they have given up control
over their own body, in order to allow
the authorities to exert control over
someone elses. That is an extremely
dangerous path to go down.

EDITORIAL

Rise above
personal
interest
THE March 8 meeting attended
by four dozen political leaders in
Nay Pyi Taw has prepared the way
for a long awaited six-party meeting today. President U Thein Sein,
the two speakers of parliament,
Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, National
League for Democracy leader
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and an
ethnic leader, U Aye Maung, will
hold talks.
Momentum has been building
for a meeting along these lines,
with a limited number of participants. For a while, it seemed they
might not happen. Now the meeting is on, the question remains:
What will they discuss, and what
is the possible outcome?
The constitutional amendment, peace process and upcoming general election will definitely
be on the agenda. There is speculation that discussions will focus
on the current and future roles of
vital institutions the legislature,
the executive, the judiciary, the
military and political parties in
regard to the constitution, and
how this could change with possible amendments.
No one seems to have particularly high expectations for a breakthrough, for any major decision.
Political analysts do not envisage
any immediate tangible results.
Only the sincere political will of
Myanmars leaders and their prudent vision will advance the countrys goals of mutual trust and
national reconciliation and avoid
deepening division. If the motivation is that of the vested interest of
the individuals, it is unlikely anything of benefit to the nation will
come out of the summit.

10 THE MYANMAR TIMES April 10, 2015

Business
tin
yadandar
htun

myatnyeinaye11092@gmail.com

the Central Bank is selling large


amounts of dollars The price will
fall.
U Mya Than also said the dollars
strength against the kyat was not necessarily a reflection of the kyats weakness, but rather that the currency of
most countries around the world is
weakening relative to the greenback.
While banks often depend on the
Central Bank for their dollars, money changers say they turn to other
sources.
An official with PHK money
changers in Pabedan township said
its operations do not involve banks.
Rather, the firm simply buys and sells

1080

expensive products, she said.


Differences in rates from one firm
to another also make transactions different. Daw May Oo Khaing also said
that the country is not yet in a position to fight the worlds dollar market,
so whether the exchange rate is higher
or lower, it has not had a large effect
on exports and imports.
Businesspeople say they would like
to see more stability in exchange.
Daw Toe Nandar Tin, managing director of Fishery CMP Company, said
it would like the exchange rate to stabilise around K1000 to a dollar. When
the kyat depreciates, raw material inputs become more expensive.
While the difference between the
exchange rate at the Central Bank and
the rate at other banks is not a concern, businesses want more stability
and cheaper imports.
When the exchange rate is $1 to
more than K1100, it is not comfortable
for us, she said.

The market USD-MMK exchange


rate (red) and Central Bank of
Myanmar reference rate (blue).

1060
1040

09-Apr

30-Mar

15-Mar

28-Feb

15-Feb

1020
1000

Greece to make debt


payment amid a cloud
of uncertainty

business 11

business 14

OPINION

1100

06-Feb

THE Central Bank of Myanmar has


rapidly increased its rate for US
dollar-kyat conversion over the last
week, nearly catching up with the
market rate.
The Central Bank had left its official rate at K1027 per US dollar since
February, though the rate charged by
most money lenders and increasingly
by commercial banks had climbed to
as high as K1090.
The spread between the official
rate and the market rate created the
potential for arbitrage, and caused difficulty for consumers, with some people aiming to change money telling
The Myanmar Times they have been
turned away from banks or offered
non-market rates.
The Central Banks reference rate
for the kyat against the dollar is based
on auctions it conducts and authorised domestic dealer banks, according
to its website.
Local banks have few options to
obtain foreign currency, often relying
on the Central Banks daily auctions.
Yesterday the Central Bank increased the reference rate to K1065,
within 1.5 percent of the market rate
of about K1080. When the reference
rate was at K1027, the spread had
been as high as 5pc.
The Central Bank of Myanmar had
been selling US dollars at a low price
recently, but now the rates are rising,
said U Mya Than, chair of Myanmar
Oriental Bank.
The CBMs price to buy dollars is
now not that much different from the
other banks, he said.
If the Central Bank sells large
amounts of dollars, the price at
the other banks will drop. Now

yadanar.mcm@gmail.com

dollars from customers.


If I dont have any dollars to sell,
I dont sell, he said. But there are always buyers and sellers operating.
He added that it can be expensive
to buy and sell through the banks,
meaning he usually steers clear.
Daw May Oo Khaing, managing
director of Ocean Crown Service, said
most exchange businesses do not rely
on the Central Bank or the private
banks, but generally turn to stateowned Myanmar Investment and
Commercial Bank for exchange.
That bank makes it very easy to
exchange money and transfer it overseas. Some of the private banks have
so many complaints for old and crumpled dollar notes, and they also ask us
too much about the source of the dollars, she said. They make it so busy
for us; thats why we dont go there.
Exporters have also generally welcomed the weakening kyat, while
importers face problems from more

Are Special Economic


Zones a glimpse into
Myanmars future?

Exchange Rates (April 9 close)


Currency
Euro
Malaysia Ringitt
Singapore Dollar
Thai Baht
US Dollar

Buying
K1150
K293
K778
K32.7
K1068

Selling
K1180
K304
K796
K33.8
K1080

PROfIlE

Central Bank raises exchange


rate to meet the market price
myat
nyein
aye

11

BUSiNESS Editor: Jeremy Mullins | jeremymullins7@gmail.com

Entrepreneur
finding the
right designs

As China
slows, can
Myanmar
benefit?
Curtis s Chin
Jose b Collazo

tin yadanar htun


yadanar.mcm@gmail.com

THE news out of China is about a


new normal of slower economic
growth down to about 7 percent. But
at the recently concluded 2015 Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of
Commerce (APCAC) held in Singapore,
the focus was on the growth potential
of the 10 nations comprising the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and the upcoming ASEAN
Economic Community, with Myanmar grabbing a significant amount
of attention as the new investment
destination.
Indeed, as the Golden Age of investment in China driven by Beijings
one-time focus on unbridled economic
growth fades, a new one seems to be
rising in Myanmar and elsewhere on
the investment frontiers of Southeast
Asia as businesses look to diversify
away from the Middle Kingdom.
The interest in Myanmar from
the APCAC delegates was evident at
a special session convened after the
summit had formally closed where
US Ambassador to Myanmar Derek J
Mitchell spoke to attendees about the
investment opportunities and challenges in the country.
This is in contrast to the recent
news coming out of China. Microsofts
mobile phone division acquired from
Nokia is closing production facilities
in China, eliminating roughly 9000
jobs. Some of those jobs will shift to
Vietnam. Japans Citizen Holdings and
Panasonic have also announced the
closing of factories in China.
Questions also persist over whether
China is unfairly targeting foreign
companies as it seeks to protect its
own state-owned enterprises. Yet, even
as companies when viewing China
take off their rose-colored glasses, the
Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam
cannot stand still. They as well as
other ASEAN nations must also act to
improve their own investment climate
if they are to take advantage of a slowing China.
While Singapore continues to rank
number one in the world for ease of
doing business, Myanmar ranks number 177 out of 189 due to weak governance and rule of law, according to the
World Bank. Upcoming elections will
also bring new challenges and uncertainty to the business environment.
So, whether focused on Phnom
Penh or Yangon, how does one succeed
in business in countries where the rule
of law and transparency are still very
much areas for improvement? As we
have shared in media and discussed
in forums across the region, there are
lessons to be learned from business
professionals who have found success
in some of Southeast Asias frontier
markets.
First, be realistic about your timeline for success. International brands
have succeeded in part by taking a
longer-term view to networking and
to developing relationships with local
partners.

CREATING designs comes naturally to


Ko Zaw Min Tin, the founder and CEO
of Pixellion Creative Design company.
He has been experimenting with
designs since he was 16, and at age 27
he now helms his own creative company, making designs for web sites, applications and also social media.
Customers tell me what facts and
data they want to use, and our company creates the design, and also does
research on what designs will appeal
to users, he said.
The company opened its doors in
May 2014, though it had been operating previously without an office. Ko
Zaw Min Tin said he has not had to
market the firms services so far, as he
attracts custom largely through wordof-mouth.
Design is needed for social marketing there are few beautiful designs
in Myanmar, he said. If a foreign
company comes to Myanmar, the local companys design is important to
compete.
Ko Zaw Min Tin said that he always
knew the design business would be
strong, but so far it has exceeded his
expectations.
In the 11 months since officially
opening, it has created over 30 designs
for apps, 10 web page designs and over
300 Facebook page designs. He listed
brands such as Huawei, the Myanmarcardb online shopping page and Lithan
University College as among his clients.
Part of his success comes from few
professional competitors. Ko Zaw Min
Tin claims his company is currently
the only one in the country able to provide such a high level of design.
Our companys service meets customers needs in increasing popular
social marketing. The market has been
good without searching for clients or
customers, he said.
The company opened last year with
only one employee, but now have 10.
The office has similarly grown, to 1250
square feet.
I faced many difficulties renting a small office when I first started
the company, but within six months I
moved into a larger office, he said.
For Ko Zaw Min Tin, he is working
in a business that he enjoys. His parents

more on business 12

A labourer works at a gold mining site in Myanmar. Photo: AFP

Mining ministry takes five firms


to court over annual fees
aung kyaw min
aungkyawmin.mcm@gmail.com
FIVE small gold producers will be
taken to court for not providing
agreed-on amounts of gold to the
government, according to U Aye
Kyaw, a director at the Ministry of
Mines.
We have tried to connect with
them by notice and visits to get
the companies to pay the gold
that they owe before the financial
year ends. Some of them responded that they would pay when we
visited their office, but then came
and only paid part of what they
owe, he told The Myanmar Times.
The five companies drawing
ministry ire are Ann Phwe Kabar,
Moe Thoute Kyeh Thit, Seven Century, Aung Sit Thwe and Myanmar
Htawara Company. They were
named by the ministry in the last
week of March.
The case will take place in Nay
Pyi Taw at the Dekkhinathiri district court.
The ministry has also requested
legal advice from experts, he said.

Some companies can pay the


amount of gold they owe, but
are watching the response of the
government, he said. So we will
move toward prosecuting them,
but it can be withdrawn if they
pay.
Companies approved to extract
gold by the Ministry of Mines
generally make payments in kind.
The payments are generally only
waved in the face of natural disaster or conflict at the site.
U Aye Kyaw said some companies are also a group, with

Some companies
can pay the amount
of gold they owe,
but are watching
the response of the
government.
u aye kyaw
Ministry of Mines

the same managing director, but


working under different names,
which can complicate the picture.
He added the five companies
under criticism are operating in
Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region and Kachin State, on sites of
about 20 acres and with permits
lasting for 3 to 5 years.
These types of permits were
relatively common until the
change in government in 2011,
when the ministry began switching to a cash-based annual payment for leases.
U Aye Kyaw said that while five
firms are being prosecuted, over
40 companies have not kept up
their payments.
Some companies were not
working at their extractive sites,
but they didnt tell the ministry.
They are waiting to resell to their
partners through an understanding, but this is not legal, he said.
Myanmar has also been working on a new Mining Law, though
industry insiders say the process
has taken much longer than was
initially anticipated.

gave him a computer when he was in


Grade 3, at about seven years old. While
initially interested, he was too young to
initially get much out of it.
At the time, computers were not
popular, he said. But I began to understand computers when I was in
Grade 5.
Computers occupied more of his
attention than attending school. Initially a promising student, claiming a
few awards, his marks dropped as he
became more involved in technology.
I was not interested in high school
and didnt attend class. But my parents
scolded me, so I went enough to graduate, he said.
After graduating, he started work
as a freelance designer and blogger.
His parents pushed him to go to Singapore for higher education, but instead
he stayed in Myanmar and attended
Distance University. His career in design was already beginning, however,
and he did not sit for his exams.
I always say, Think simple!
Follow your passion, he said. Ko
Zaw Min Tin said he
emphasising leading
instead of simply
being a boss, and
also allows loose
working hours, as
long as the project
is completed.
Most important in his
business
is meeting his
customers
needs.
If the
customer
wants to
change
Ko Zaw Min Tin.
somePhoto: Zarni Phyo
thing or
needs
help, I
come
to my
customers and
help,
even if its
a holiday,
he said.

12 Business

As China
slows, can
Myanmar
benefit?
continued from business 10
Granted, relationships are important in every country, but this can
be particularly true in parts of Asia.
As with marriage, trust needs to be
built over time before a commitment is agreed to, and just as in
a marriage, the hard work begins
when the signing ceremony ends.
Second, leverage local talent.
This can include local nationals
who work with locally-based business organisations such as chambers of commerce. They, and other
organisations as well as law, accounting and consulting firms with
local expertise, can help with introductions and provide valuable insight into the nuances of the local
business environment.
Third, recognise you are not
alone. There is strength in numbers.
Businesses that have done well in
nations where corruption is endemic have often partnered in efforts to
change the environment in their favor by together refusing to take part
in illegal business practices.
Fourth, educate your local partners of the consequences to violating anti-graft laws. Local business
partners may well be unaware that
foreign laws, such as the United
States Foreign Corrupt Practices
Act or the United Kingdoms Bribery Act, apply to multinationals
outside their own country. Local
partners may well assume that because you are doing business in
their country you are not required
to abide by the laws back home.

As the Golden
Age of investment
in China driven by
Beijings one-time
focus on unbridled
economic growth
fades, a new one
seems to be rising in
Myanmar.

Fifth, understand and address


the challenges of corruptions close
cousin: cronyism. Many businesses
entering Asias frontier economies
seek to do so in partnership with
the family and friends of the political elite. Companies that follow this
approach must be aware of both
the benefits, and the potential for
an extreme downside. The power
imbalance in the relationship along
with deficiencies in the regulatory
environment can make it difficult
to fairly resolve any disagreement
should the partnership go bad.
Finally, and most importantly,
dont hesitate to walk away from
a deal. Or, as in the case of Nokia,
Citizen Holdings or Panasonic in
China today, to shift and to adjust
as one market opportunity closes
and another opens.
Curtis Chin served as US ambassador
to the Asian Development Bank (20072010) and is a managing director with
advisory firm RiverPeak Group, LLC.
Jose B Collazo, a Southeast Asia
analyst, is an associate of RiverPeak
Group.Follow Curtis on Twitter at @
CurtisSChin and Jose at
@josebcollazo.

THE MYANMAR TIMES April 10, 2015

Jakarta

Worlds most-loved property


stocks tap Indonesian boom
FALLING interest rates, an expanding population and a governmentsponsored building boom are turning
Indonesia into the worlds favorite
place to buy property stocks.
Developers on the Jakarta stock
exchange, including PT Lippo Cikarang and PT Alam Sutera Realty,
have the highest average analyst
ratings among global peers and the
most buy recommendations of any
industry group in Indonesia, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
The Jakarta Construction, Property
& Real Estate Index has advanced
25 percent over the past 12 months,
twice as much as the nations benchmark index.
Indonesias central bank cut borrowing costs in February for the first
time in three years, improving the
outlook for Southeast Asias largest
economy as President Joko Widodo
seeks to lift growth to 7pc. Singapores
sovereign wealth fund and Indonesias state pension system are both
increasing investments in the nations property market as Mr Widodo
boosts infrastructure spending and
the worlds fourth-biggest population
keeps expanding.

opINIoN
Alex
JAggArd
alex.jaggard@mekongeconomics.com

What are the best ways to boost


investment in Myanmar? Thats a
rather general question to start with,
and one that generates an understandably wide range of opinions,
each with their own strengths and
weaknesses. So how can we really
find out what would work best? One
way could be through Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
SEZs are specially located enclaves
with more business-friendly economic
regulations than the typical laws of
the country, usually established to
increase investment and trade opportunities, create jobs, and attract
foreign investment.
The benefits that SEZs can bring
to an economy are numerous. Companies establishing themselves in SEZs
can benefit from a potentially large
pool of labour, tax benefits and other
incentives to stimulate production, as
well as improved access to the domestic market. Strategically, foreign companies looking to establish a presence
in-country could first situate in an
SEZ and use this as a springboard to
access the rest of the country, taking
advantage of less stringent regulations that may otherwise frighten
them towards a more accommodating
country. or local populations, SEZs
can provide employment opportunities and a chance to improve their
standard of living. And, importantly
for a previously isolationist country
such as Myanmar, SEZs can also be
used as a petri-dish to experiment
with certain policies to see what
works and what doesnt, and perhaps
provide an idea of what policies could
be unfurled (or avoided) across the
country as a whole. A seemingly winwin situation for everyone involved.
Despite the recent influx of investment, Myanmars current economic
climate continues to pose many
challenges to business growth, as
illustrated by the countrys ranking of
177th (out of 189) in the World Banks

An elevated road for cargo container trucks (R) and regular traffic (L) are seen
under construction at Jakartas port district in Tanjung Priok. Photo: AFP

We are overweight on the property sector and continue to be positive,


said Arief Wana, a director at PT Ashmore Asset Management Indonesia

in Jakarta, which oversees the equivalent of $690 million, including the nations top-performing equity fund in
2014. The firm added Alam Sutera to

the top five holdings of its Dana Progresif Nusantara fund in December.
The Jakarta property gauge rose
0.1pc on April 6. Alam Sutera gained
0.8pc while Lippo Cikarang rose
0.4pc.
The average consensus rating on
Indonesian property companies with
at least five analyst recommendations
is 4.32, on a scale where 5 equates to
a unanimous buy rating. That compares with 4.13 in the United States
and 4.1 in China. Shares in the Jakarta property index will probably
climb 14pc over the next 12 months,
according to price targets compiled
by Bloomberg.
The gauge is valued at about 13.9
times estimated earnings. Thats an
11pc discount versus the broader Jakarta Composite Index, compared
with an average premium of 11pc
since Bloomberg began tracking the
data in 2006.
Indonesias new-home prices
probably climbed 5.7pc in the first
quarter from a year earlier, following
a 6.3pc gain in the final quarter of last
year, according to a February survey
by the nations central bank.
Bloomberg

Are SEZs a glimpse of the future?


2014 Doing Business. The advent of
SEZs should change this.
The countrys first SEZ at Thilawa,
near Yangon, is currently under construction aided in part by Japanese
investment. The Thai government
has reaffirmed its commitment to
the development of an SEZ in Dawei,
after the contract was awarded to
Thai-Italian developers, also backed
with Japanese assistance. Tenders
are being made for the creation of
another in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine
State, to complement newly-built
infrastructure in the area including a
controversial oil and gas pipeline to
China which started operating at the
beginning of the year. There is talk
of other SEZs being built in Pathein,
Ayeyarwady Regions, and Myawaddy,
Kayin State.
These are encouraging signs
and, along with the enactment of
the Foreign Investment Law in 2012
and the SEZ Law in 2014, show
the governments continued appetite for promoting business and
industrial growth in the country. To
drive this forward, Myanmar planners could study SEZs in southern
China, considered some of the finest
examples of SEZs in the world. With
considerable government support,
these cities exploited their proximity to accessible trade routes around
the South China Sea to evolve from
quaint fishing villages into the
primary engines of an economic
powerhouse in less than half a century. This is promising as Myanmar,
frequently referred to as in the
crossroads of Asia, is nestled between some of the largest and most
vibrant economies in the world, and
thus uniquely situated along some
lucrative trade routes. SEZs would be
a fantastic way of benefitting further
from these: SEZs in Kyaukphyu and
Dawei offer doorstep access to the
Indian Ocean and beyond, while an
SEZ in Myawaddy offers the same
to Thailand and many of Myanmars
ASEAN neighbours.
However, the success of an SEZ
depends more than geostrategic locations. SEZs in Myanmar should be
built with sound attention towards
the economic, social and environmental impact they would have. Not only

is this important from a moral perspective, but guaranteeing safeguards


on these issues would also do much
to attract companies from countries
with ethically-concerned consumers, particularly the EU and North
America, and expand the potential
number of companies looking to
locate in Myanmar.
Unfortunately there is little to
suggest that enough is being done
to address these potential impacts,
aptly illustrated by the ambitious
Kyaukphyu project. Currently mired
in confusion and doubt, critics have
seethed over the lack of transparency on the tendering process and
questioned the areas suitability and
viability. Meanwhile there are reports
that villagers have had their land
seized without adequate compensation, and concerns abound over the
environmental impact of the construction, threatening the livelihoods
of local populations comprised largely
of farmers and fishermen.
Similar stories have emerged of
the Thilawa and Dawei projects,
which have been subject to extended
delays because of poor infrastructure
and access difficulties, and a lack of
funding. There is also apprehension
whether electricity provision would
be enough, and current telecommunications and road links must be
upgraded considerably before the SEZ
is active.
Where to begin to address this
multitude of issues? To start, funds
could be set aside to establish local
and government-level watch groups
or project-specific supervisory bodies
responsible for identifying, investigating, and rectifying these issues.
Impact assessment studies should be
completed thoroughly and impartially, and the opinions of local populations should be seriously considered
rather than used as a symbolic
box-checking exercise. Meanwhile,
bidding processes to construct SEZs
should be carried out in a transparent
and accountable manner, to ensure
that the winners of any tender process are chosen solely on merit and
based on the benefits that they would
bring to the local populations and
economy. Any issues or problems in
the construction and implementation,

infrastructure-related or otherwise,
must be addressed before SEZs are
built to ensure that the projects are as
successful as possible.
Once these SEZs are operational,
it is crucial for policy makers to study
their effects closely. They must analyse exactly what policies work well
and continue to mold and nurture
these further, whilst also scrutinising
which ones did not work as expected
or were even prohibitive to encouraging business growth. Strong laws and
regulations should promote business growth but also ensure that the
resulting benefits are not entirely appropriated elsewhere. Not only would
this lead to fertile business environments, but also display a willingness
by the government to engage further
with businesses and encourage investment from both foreign and local
companies (or, perhaps most likely,
joint-ventures between the two).
With all this in mind, lets return
to the original question: How can we
boost investment in Myanmar? The
list of recommendations provided
here is by no means exhaustive, but
used correctly SEZs could provide
some of the answers were looking for.
In addition, they should be thought of
as a stepping stone or guide towards
enhancing an enabling economic
environment in the country, with
a flourishing private sector providing the foundations to nationwide
development. Nevertheless, despite
the promise SEZs hold for Myanmar,
many issues exist that may ultimately
constrain their success. For the sake
of SEZs, and consequently for investment in general, it is imperative that
these are resolved.
Alex Jaggard is the country representative
for Mekong Economics in Myanmar.
Mekong Economics is a development
consultancy organisations, specialising
in conducting policy research and project
evaluations across the South East Asia
region for donor organisations including
the World Bank, ADB, bilateral donors
and INGOs. Mr Jaggard has consulted
extensively across Southeast Asia,
covering a range of topics including
banking and finance, energy and
environmental issues, trade policy,
microfinance and impact evaluations.

International Business 13

www.mmtimes.com
SEOUL

Samsung
looks to S6
to reverse
fortunes
SAMSUNG said yesterday it expected its new flagship smartphone
to shatter sales records and pull
the company out of a recent profit
slump that saw it lose ground to
arch-rival Apple and cheaper Chinese makers.
The Galaxy S6 is the sixth edition
of the South Korean electronics giants high-end, signature handset.
Along with its curved-edge variant, the Galaxy S6 Edge, the S6 will
hit stores at home and in some 20
countries, including the United
States, Singapore, India and Australia, today.
Unveiled in March, the two
phones have received rave reviews
fanning hopes of a big comeback for
Samsung after the much-criticised
Galaxy S5 largely flopped last year.
Given the response from the
market and clients ... we expect the
S6 to set a sales record for all Galaxy models, Lee Sang-Chul, the vice
head of Samsungs mobile unit, told
reporters.
Samsung rarely discloses handset sales figures but the Galaxy S4
released in 2013 is known to have
set the firms sales record of 70 million units globally.
The firm suffered a dramatic
slide in profits last year, hit by slowing demand in an increasingly saturated and competitive smartphone
market that it had largely dominated since 2011.
The company struggled to fend
off a double challenge from Apple
in the high-end market and rising
Chinese firms such as Lenovo and
Xiaomi in the fast-growing mid and
low-end markets.
Samsung hopes the S6 will re-establish it as the clear global smartphone market leader over Apple,
which has enjoyed blockbuster sales
of its iPhone 6, launched last September.
Several market trackers had
Apple and Samsung tied in global
smartphone sales in the fourth
quarter of 2014, while at least one
suggested Apple had regained the
throne it lost to Samsung in 2011.
Signs that Samsung was beginning to turn things around were
confirmed on Apirl 8 when it released a better-than-expected profit
estimate for the first quarter.
Its forecast of an operating profit
of 5.9 trillion won (US$5.4 billion)
was down 30.5 percent from a year
ago, but beat average analyst expectations of around 5.5 trillion won,
and was up 11.5pc from the previous
quarter.
The S6 and the Edge powered
by Googles Android operating
platform feature metal and glass
bodies in a break from their plasticbacked predecessors.
The head of the companys mobile unit JK Shin said the complex
production process for the curved
S6 Edge meant it might be difficult
to meet initial demand.
I think there will be some supply shortage for a while although
were trying our best, he said.
Both new handsets allow users to
recharge wirelessly by placing them
on a charging pad. A 10-minute recharge provides an extra four hours
of use.
Users will also be able to make
mobile payments in a service similar to the Apple Pay feature available on iPhone 6.
Samsung said the Samsung Pay
service would be launched first in
South Korea in July. AFP

HYDERABAD

Conviction in Indias Enron


AN Indian court yesterday convicted the former chief of outsourcing
giant Satyam and his aides over a
US$2.25 billion accounting fraud
scandal dubbed Indias Enron, the
prosecutor said.
Byrraju Ramalinga Raju, his
brother and eight others were
found guilty of manipulating Satyams books in 2009 during the IT
boom in India in a case that shook
the industry and raised questions
about the countrys regulators.
All the accused have been convicted of almost all charges, prosecutor K Surender told reporters
outside the court in Hyderabad,
capital of southern Andhra
Pradesh state.
Mr Raju was charged with
criminal conspiracy, cheating and
breaching public trust in a fraud
that prosecutors told the court
caused 140 billion rupees ($2.25 billion) in losses to shareholders.
He faces prison for breach of
trust following the years-long
case and a trial in which prosecutors produced thousands of pages
of financial documents and 200
witnesses.
The Satyam scandal erupted in
2009 after Mr Raju admitted in a
letter to shareholders to overstating
profits for years and inflating the

companys balance sheet, a confession that saw the companys share


price plummet.
Tech Mahindra, a unit of Indian
vehicle and farm equipment manufacturer Mahindra and Mahindra,
bought Hyderabad-based Satyam in
April 2009, saving it from collapse.
Mr Raju, who was educated in India and the United States, was one of
the stars of Indias software boom a
key driver of the countrys economic
growth over the previous decade.
The concern was that poor
performance would result in a
takeover, he said in his letter to
shareholders.
It was like riding a tiger, not
knowing how to get off without being eaten.
The confession sent shockwaves
through the industry, which had
put Mr Rajus success down to
dedication and hard work in Hyderabad, an IT hub that acts as the
Indian headquarters of Google and
Microsoft.
Raju was like the messiah of IT
for Andhra Pradesh back then, said
KV Kurumanath, an editor at the
Hindu BusinessLine newspaper.
He was looked upon as a god,
and a big achiever, said Mr Kurumanath, who has been closely
following the case.

Byrraju Ramalinga Raju speaks in


2008. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Mr Raju has been out on bail


since November 2011 after spending nearly three years behind bars
during the trial.
His brother, Satyams former
managing director B Rama Raju,
was also convicted, along with
other employees and two former
PricewaterhouseCoopers workers.
A senior investigator hailed the

verdict and hoped the sentencing


of the 10 later yesterday or today
would act as a big deterrent to
other corporations against misusing shareholders money.
India very rarely prosecutes
corporate fraud. And this is the biggest corporate fraud case in South
Asian history. So for us, getting a
conviction is a big victory, he said
on condition of anonymity.
Mr Rajus lawyers have told the
court that he was not responsible for
the losses and that documents filed
during the trial were fabricated.
Indias equity market regulator
last year slapped multi-million dollar fines on Mr Raju for manipulating the firms shares during the
scandal.
But the case raised concerns
about why regulators, who were
only prompted to act after Mr
Raju confessed, failed to spot the
scam earlier, along with corporate
governance issues and accounting
standards.
The biggest thing this reveals is
the failure of Indias regulatory system, said S Nagesh Kumar, a news
analyst and former editor based in
Hyderabad.
US energy giant Enron collapsed
in 2001 in the wake of massive false
accounting revelations. AFP

14 International Business

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 10, 2015

ATHENS

Greece pays up amid cloud of uncertainty


GREECE was due to make its 459 million euro (US$495 million) April loan
payment to the IMF yesterday following days of uncertainty, but the European nations ability to honour its
debts remains a source of acute anxiety
to creditors.
As Greek Prime Minister Alexis
Tsipras launched a two-day charm offensive in Moscow on April 8, the order
for the payment had already reached
the Bank of Greece, a source familiar
with the details told AFP.
Additionally, interest payments of
just under 400 million euros and the
renewal of 2.4 billion euros in six- and
three-month treasury bonds due to
mature on April 14 and 17 were also assured, according to the source.
It would be impossible for Greece
not to service its debts this month, the
source said.
But despite government reassurances and the raising of 1.14 billion euros from the sale of six-month bonds
on April 8, mostly to domestic buyers,
Greece remains in a precarious position, shut out from international debt
markets and reliant on short-term
bonds for borrowing.
Greek banks are dependent on the
European Central Bank for financing,
but the eurozones central bank no
longer accepts Greek sovereign bonds
as collateral for loans.
IMF chief Christine Lagarde said
late April 5 that Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis had pledged to
make the payment on time in a meeting in Washington, but that failed to
quell speculation that the hard-left
government was finding it increasingly difficult to raise money to pay
its debts.
Since 2010, Athens has received two
successive loans from the EU and the
IMF totalling 240 billion euros in exchange for tough austerity measures
and sweeping economic reforms.
Mr Tsiprass government, which
took power in January, has engaged in
difficult negotiations with European
leaders to continue receiving support
while easing the austerity requirements
in order to boost economic growth.
Experts from the IMF and the European Union are scrutinising a list of

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras attend a signing ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow. Photo: AFP

economic reforms proposed by Athens


in a bid to unlock another 7.2 billion
euros in loans to stave off possible
bankruptcy.
Mr Tsipras himself fuelled market
fears over Greeces readiness to pay its
debts when he warned German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a letter last
month that Athens would not be able

MILLION EUROS

459

Size of the debt payment Greece was


due to make to its creditors yesterday

WASHINGTON

to service its debt without more financial help from the European Union.
And in a move that risks further irritating European neighbours, Mr Tsipras
has made no secret of seeking closer ties
to Russia at a time when Moscow is at
loggerheads with the European Union
over the conflict in Ukraine.
In his meeting with Putin on April
8, warm words were exchanged and a
vague joint action plan on cooperation was agreed upon, with Mr Putin
insisting Athens has not asked for financial aid and that a Russian embargo on Greek produce would remain as
part of a wider ban on EU agricultural
imports.
Mr Tsipras was to meet Russian
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev yesterday for further discussions.
Greece was particularly hard-hit by
the January embargo decision, which

was instituted in retaliation for sanctions imposed by the bloc against Moscow, as more than 40 percent of its
exports to Russia were farm products.
In a sign of potential compromise, a
proposal to set up joint Russian-Greek
companies based in Russia that would
provide a loophole in the ban were
mooted on April 8, by a Greek government source, under which Greek fruits
and vegetables would not be considered as exports.
There is a desire from both sides
to launch a procedure whereby Russiabased joint companies for Greek exporters of agricultural products, said
the source.
Greece and Russia have talked up
the possibility of closer economic ties
between the two Christian Orthodox
nations ahead of the visit set to be
followed by another trip to Moscow for

Mr Tsipras for WWII victory anniversary commemorations in May.


Also prominent among the issues
on the agenda on April 8 was gas and
energy cooperation, with Mr Putin and
Mr Tsipras mentioning the possibility
of Greek involvement in Moscows new
Turkish Stream pipeline project.
Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis said on April 7 Greece had a
national interest and was strongly interested in extending the
planned Turkish-Russian pipeline
to its territory.
Back in Brussels, eurozone experts
were due to begin the second day of a
working meeting Thursday on Greeces
reform demands submitted at the end
of March.
The discussions were only making small steps, even baby steps, a
source said. AFP

SYDNEY

Asian banks displacing Indian firm downplays coal criticism


global lenders: IMF
INTERNATIONAL banks have slowed
cross-border lending since the financial crisis, but their local affiliates are
filling the gap in a positive sign for
greater financial stability, the IMF said
on April 8.
The slowdown in cross-border lending since 2008, especially by European
banks, has in part been replaced by a
surge from Asian banks, the International Monetary Fund said in a new
report.
But global banks are also lending
more from their subsidiaries inside recipient or host countries.
And that is likely good for countries
that are vulnerable to sharp swings in
capital flows in economic downturns,
the IMF said.
Cross-border lending is a particularly volatile form of cross-border
capital flows, said Gaston Gelos of the
IMFs Monetary and Capital Markets
Department.
Around domestic crises, foreignowned affiliates tend to reduce their
credit less than domestic banks.
The study suggests that countries
on the receiving end of international
capital flows would do well to encourage more local branches of foreign
banks.

The study, from the IMFs latest


Global Financial Stability Report, addresses how economic crises can be exacerbated by sharp changes in lending
policy by global banks.
In a domestic crisis, domestic banks
will sharply tighten lending, constricting economic activity. The same happens with loans from outside the country, the IMF said.
But foreign bank branches within a
country, the study says, cinch up their
loan books less quickly and tightly, effectively taking a larger role in supporting growth.
Both cross-border lending and the
number of international banks subsidiaries in recipient or host countries
have declined since the 2008 crisis, the
IMF noted.
Banks, especially those in Europe,
have retrenched in order to strengthen
their capital foundations and meet
tougher requirements from regulators.
But the proportion of their global
loan business from foreign subsidiaries
has grown.
Domestic credit is less affected during times of global stress in countries
that are home to banks with large international operations, the study said.
AFP

INDIAS Adani Group yesterday


brushed aside a decision by three
leading French banks not to fund
huge coal industry projects in Australias Galilee Basin near the Great
Barrier Reef, saying it had no bearing on the company.
Australia last year gave the green
light to an A$16.5 billion (US$12.7
billion) mine development by the
firm, with the project set to play a
major role in opening up Queenslands resource-rich Galilee Basin.
It also approved a major coal
port expansion for Adani at Abbot
Point on the Great Barrier Reef
coast subject to strict environmental conditions.
But several Western banks, including Germanys Deutsche Bank and US
giants Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and
JPMorgan Chase, have ruled themselves out from providing funding for
parts of the development, citing environmental concerns.
They were joined on April 8 by
Frances Societe Generale, BNP
Paribas and Credit Agricole, which
confirmed to AFP they would not
finance the vast mine project.
BNP Paribas said its decision
was part of a policy of responsible
financing set up several years ago.
Its the first time the banks have
pledged not to finance projects

across a whole region because of


the impact on the environment and
the climate, Friends of the Earth
spokesperson Lucie Pinson said.
But an Adani spokesperson in
Queensland dismissed the French
banks decision, saying, [It] has
not formally requested any financing from the institutions you have
referred to.
In a statement the spokesperson
added, An institution ruling out
something it was not requested to
do has no bearing on the company.
Adanis projects in Queensland
comply with the strictest environmental conditions in a worlds best
practice environmental approvals
framework.
The company continues to progress the financing arrangements

An institution ruling
out something it was
not requested to do
has no bearing on
the company.
Adani spokesperson

for its projects in Australia.


The massive project was a climate bomb resulting in 705 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year, or nearly as much as
Germany the worlds sixth biggest
national polluter, according to Ms
Pinson.
The group said Societe Generale,
BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole
were among the 25 leading international financiers in the coal industry.
The Queensland government
last month scrapped plans to dump
dredge waste in reef waters as part
of the port expansion in favour of
land disposal after an outcry.
Conservationists said the plan to
deposit 3 million cubic metres (105
million cubic feet) of material into
the World Heritage-listed waters
could hasten the natural wonders
demise.
They argued the marine dumping would damage the site by
smothering corals and sea grasses
and exposing them to poisons and
high levels of nutrients.
The dredging is meant to allow
freighters to dock at Abbot Point,
increasing the coal ports capacity
by 70 percent to make it one of the
worlds largest.
AFP

JOB WATCH
Position for Office Secretary
Does your organization have a great idea?
The USAID Civil Society and Media Project is calling for applications.
On March 16, 2015, the Civil Society and Media Project issued two Requests for Applications (RFAs) calling for grant
applications from local civil society organizations (CSOs) and media organizations.
The Advocacy, Engagement and Public Dialogue RFA will provide grants to CSOs for projects or initiatives that support
democratic reforms. Applications are due April 30th.
The Public Interest Reporting (PIR) RFA will provide grants to independent media organizations, as well as media-focused
CSOs, to increase the number and quality of public interest news stories that they produce on democratic governance and
reform. PIR RFA applications are due April 24th.

Bangladesh Embassy, Yangon is looking for an Office


Secretary (01). The incumbent should have graduation
in any discipline with an excellent communication skill in
English and working knowledge of computer. Experience
will be given preference with an age limit of 25-40. Only
interested and qualified applicants may send their CV with
photograph and copies of educational certificates to
mission.yangon@mofa.gov.bd by 20 April 2015.

To download the RFAs - in English or Myanmar please go to http://www.themimu.info and click on "Calls for Proposals."

Business Development Officers.


Tun Foundation Bank is a Private Bank which has been operating

The Bank is currently undertaking a major modernization program,


including computerization, new products and services and as part
of that process the Bank wants to develop the sales and service
culture within the bank.

Purpose of the job.


To successfully drive the sales and marketing activities in the
branches, by targeting both corporate and business customers.
These jobs are in branches around Yangon.

Job Functions.
1. To build up market intelligence/ data base on potential
customers, businesses in the area
2. To build up relationships with people in the community to build
awareness of the Bank.
3. To structure deals with customers.
4. Be Familiar with products and suggest changes if required.
5. To be keen and enthusiastic with positive enthusiasm and
work ethic.
6. Be prepared to work to and meet agreed targets.
We are looking for people who are focused with an enthusiasm

N E W V A C A N C I E S A P P L Y N O W!

in Myanmar since 1994.

Business Development manager


Marketing manager
Sales and distribution manager
Brand manager
Logistic officer
Medical doctor
Project manager
Sales engineer
Site engineer
Chief Accountant
Accountant
HR Manager
HR Executive
Legal executive
Secretary
Passenger service agent ( airline)
Receptionist
Customer service

for sales. Overseas of Private Bank experience is a requirement.


The applicants need to be self starters who want the opportunity
to grow with the organisation.
Opportunities to progress to Management positions exist.
Please submit your CV together with a paragraph about why you
think you would be suitable for this role to
david.o@tunfoundationbankmyanmar.com

No. 851/853 (A/B), 3rd Floor, Room (7/8),


Bogyoke Aung San Road, Lanmadaw Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: (951) 229 437, 09 49 227 773, 09 730 94007
Email: esearch@yangon.net.mm,
esearch.myanmar@gmail.com
www.esearchmyanmar.com
www.facebook.com/esearchmyanmar

16 THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 10, 2015

World

17

WORLD EDITOR: Kayleigh Long

Historic ObamaCastro meeting set


to take place

Class-action suit
against Facebook
launched

WORLD 21

WORLD 23

PHNOM PENH

Cambodia tobacco draft laws passes


CAMBODIAS National Assembly unanimously passed a draft law on tobacco
control on April 8, in a bid to combat
the annual US$100 million smoking
habit that kills 30 people every day.
According to a statement issued by
Prime Minister Hun Sen in December
and read out during the April 8 session,
the law contains 13 chapters and 49 articles intended to educate and reduce
tobacco use.
The prime minister highlighted
how 75 percent of women and 80pc
of children are affected by smoke at
home, while 90pc of restaurant- and
bar-goers are exposed, and half of people are affected in their workplaces.
Hun Sen said, on average, an individual cancer patient costs the government $10,000 per year, and the cost of
treatment to the country is significantly higher than the $100 million spent

by Cambodians on tobacco products.


Cambodia is a signatory to the
World Health Organization Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control, which
imposes regulations over the production, sale, distribution, advertisement
and taxation of tobacco.
Among its stipulations is a commitment to protect people from secondhand smoke, an increase in taxes to
discourage smoking, the restriction of
tobacco sales to minors, the combating
of illicit tobacco and the inclusion of
large health warnings on all cigarette
packaging.
Dr Yel Daravuth, who works with
the WHO Cambodia office and has assisted in the drafting process of the
law since the convention was signed
in 2003, said once the law passes
the Senate and is signed off by King
Norodom Sihamoni, graphic visual

IN PICTURES
Photo: AFP

warnings of the damaging health


consequences of smoking will take up
55pc of cigarette packets a significant proportion more than the 30pc
stipulated by the convention.
If there is a warning picture on
cigarette packets, its more effective at
educating people in rural areas. Most
rural area people cannot read written
warning messages, he said.
Mr Daravuth said the law was supported by 90pc of Cambodians.
The government has also said it will
begin subsidising farmers who stop
growing tobacco in favour of other
crops.
Tobacco kills more than 6 million
people around the world annually.
In Cambodia, about 11,000 people
die each year from tobacco-related
diseases.
Phnom Penh Post

The Phuket
ferry burns near
Noppharat Thara
beach in Krabi
province on April
8. Scores of foreign
tourists endured
a dramatic sea
rescue after a
blaze devoured
a ferry travelling
between two
resort hotspots in
southern Thailand,
police said.

BANGKOK

Israeli girl dies in Krabi boat blaze


SEARCHERS yesterday found the body
of the 12-year-old Israeli girl who was
trapped in a bathroom on a burning
tourist ferry that sank on April 8 off
Krabi, a senior official said.
Supatcharapong Vorapradit, the
Krabi defence chief, said the search
team reported finding the body of Shani Maril, 12, amid the ferry wreckage at
10:59am on April 9. It was about 100
metres from the spot where the tourist
ferry sank. Divers were taking the girls
body to the shore.
Pol Capt Sutthiwat Aunsiam, a duty
officer at Muang Krabi station, told Jor

Sor 100 radio on the night of April 8


that Shani Maril, aged 12, was believed
to have been in a toilet near the engine
room when 100 other frightened passengers and crew were rescued from
the burning ferry that sank off Krabi
on the evening of April 8.
Marine police rescue crews and divers began searching for the wreckage
of the vessel yesterday morning.
The 35-metre Ao Nang Princess 5
was carrying 115 passengers, 107 adults
and 8 children. It was about 8km off
Railay beach near Ao Nang when the
fire began about 3:30pm in the engine

room at the rear of the ferry.


Flames quickly engulfed the vessel, which burned to the waterline
then sank off Krabis Noppharat Thara
beach, Boonchao Tangsiripaisarn, director of Krabis Marine Office 5 said.
A swift rescue effort by nearby fishing trawlers and pleasure craft saw all
of those on board, except the missing
Israeli child, plucked safely from the
sea. No other injuries were reported to
passengers or crew.
The ferry was operated by Ao Nang
Travel and Tour Co.
Bangkok Post

PYONGYANG

N Korea and Mexico in ship stoush


NORTH Korea has accused Mexico of illegally detaining a ship and denied that
it was linked to a firm blacklisted under
UN sanctions.
The Mu Du Bong ran aground near
the port of Tuxpan in July and was
later impounded over its ties to North
Koreas Ocean Maritime Management
firm, which has been targeted by UN
sanctions.
The Mu Du Bong is a peaceful merchant ship, North Koreas deputy representative An Myong Hun told reporters at the North Korean mission.
The detention of the Mu Du Bong
is a rampant violation of the dignified
sovereignty of the DPRK, he said, referring to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.
We will take necessary measures

to make the ship leave immediately,


he said.
The Security Council blacklisted the
Ocean Maritime Management company in July over an attempt to ship arms
to North Korea from Cuba.
The North Korean diplomat said a
crew of 50 North Koreans were being
held with the ship and added, Their
families are crying for their return.
Ricardo Alday, spokesperson for
Mexicos UN mission, said there were
33 North Korean nationals in Tuxpan
and that talks were under way with
Pyongyang to allow them to return
home.
This is not an illegal action, Mr
Alday told AFP. We are fulfilling our
international obligation under Security
Council resolutions.

The Security Council already has


a series of sanctions in force against
North Korea over its nuclear program
and missile launches.
A report by a UN panel of expert in
February found that Pyongyang was
still trying to purchase items to bolster
its nuclear and missile programs.
The 6500-tonne Mu Du Bong hit a
coral reef in the Gulf of Mexico on July
14, apparently due to a navigational error, Mexican officials said.
The North Korean envoy said
Pyongyang had compensated Mexico
for the environmental damage to the
reef.
An Myong Hun accused the United
States of pressuring Mexico to refuse to
release the ship.
AFP

BEIJING

China to step up patriotism campaign


CHINAS top official in Tibet vowed on
April 8 to evaluate Buddhist monks
and nuns for their patriotism and
install national flags in monasteries to
raise ideological control in the region.
The ruling Communist party will
deepen assessment activities to ensure model harmonious monasteries as well as patriotic, law-abiding

monks and nuns, the regions party


chief Chen Quanguo wrote in the Peoples Daily newspaper.
It was not clear on what grounds
the assessments would be made. China often uses terms such as patriotic
and harmonious to mean allegiance
to political authorities.
The drive would be aimed at making

monks and nuns feel the warmth and


care of the Party and government, Mr
Chen added.
Many Tibetans accuse the government of religious repression and
eroding their culture, claims denied
by Beijing, which says it has brought
development to the region.
AFP

SYDNEY

Aus Immigration Department was


aware of alleged abuse at Nauru
STAFF at an immigration camp on
Nauru claim the Australian government was aware of the alleged sexual abuse of women and children
asylum seekers on the Pacific island
outpost for more than a year, but
failed to act.
In an open letter released on April
7, the current and former employees
said the immigration department had
been aware of the sexual and physical assault of women and children on
Nauru for at least 17 months.
But Immigration Minister Peter
Dutton said his predecessor was only
made aware of the allegations in late
2014, and had then ordered a review.
The review revealed allegations of
sex crimes, including against a minor, and found that assaults had been
under-reported and many detainees
were anxious about their personal
safety.
Investigations are underway into
some of the allegations, and some of
the Nauru staff have been sacked.
The review reported back to the
department with 19 recommendations

and those recommendations are being


acted upon now, Mr Dutton told Sky
News.
And if there are further allegations then people should make those
to the appropriate authorities and
they will be investigated.
The letter is signed by 24 former
and current staff including psychiatrists, youth workers and teachers,
and calls for all asylum-seekers to be
removed from Nauru.
It also wants a Royal Commission
a major formal public inquiry into
the abuse allegations and the governments response.
The letter claims that the immigration department was informed,
in writing, of allegations via incident
reports, as well as by being present at
daily and weekly meetings at which
assaults were discussed.
It says that when a boy was sexually assaulted by a detention centre
employee in November 2013, the thenimmigration minister was informed.
Despite this, the boy was kept in detention, where he was subject to further

abuse.
It is important to highlight that
many survivors who did come forward previously, still remain in Nauru subject to further abuse, the letter
stated.
Viktoria Vibhakar, who worked
with the charity Save the Children on
Nauru, said those who signed the letter felt morally obliged to do so.
She said one girl had wanted to
take her own life after being sexually
abused, while other small children
were demonstrating disturbing sexualised behaviour.
I believe that all of those children in Nauru need to be removed
from detention and brought to Australia where they can be safe, Ms
Vibhakar told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Since 2013 Australia has sent all
asylum-seekers arriving by boat into
detention on Nauru and Papua New
Guinea, and denied them resettlement in Australia despite an outcry
from rights groups.
AFP

DHAKA
COLOMBO

Nasheed
assembles
legal team
JAILED former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed has
announced a high-profile international legal team, including
prominent rights lawyer Amal
Clooney, to prepare a fresh attempt to secure his release.
Mr Nasheed was imprisoned
for 13 years last month following a
rushed trial which the UN says was
in violation of Maldives own laws
and practices and international
standards.
Mr Nasheeds office said three
celebrity lawyers had agreed to represent him.
It named them as Jared Genser,
who had represented Myanmars
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; Ben Emmerson, a judge on war crimes in
Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia;
and Amal Clooney, who had defended the former Ukrainian prime
minister Yulia Tymoshenko and is
married to Hollywood star George.
I am very pleased to have such
an extraordinary team agree to
take up my legal defence internationally, Mr Nasheed was quoted
as saying in a statement issued by
his office.
It was not clear how the team
would work to secure his release after a deadline to file a formal appeal
against his conviction and sentence
lapsed late last month.
Mr Nasheed insisted that Maldivian authorities blocked his appeal by not releasing the court transcripts necessary to file it.

With the appointment of a foreign


panel to represent him, Mr Nasheed
said he was eager to expose what he
called the autocratic rule of President
Abdulla Yameen.
I am determined to ensure the
world understands the injustice of
my detention and the broader suffering of the Maldivian people under President Yameen, he said.
The Maldives government has
resisted international pressure to
release Mr Nasheed, jailed under
tough anti-terror laws for ordering
the arrest of a chief judge in 2012
when he was president.
The Maldivian government said
last month that Mr Nasheed had
decided not to appeal, a claim denied by the former president.
The decision to prosecute Mr
Nasheed under terror laws has
made his conviction particularly
controversial and sparked a series
of protests.
Mr Nasheeds party says the verdict has dealt a blow to the countrys young democracy seven years
after it embraced multi-party elections following three decades of
rule by strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the current leaders
half-brother.
The opposition has held nighttime rallies over the past year to
protest at what it calls growing authoritarianism, which has damaged
the atoll nations image as a tourist
paradise.
AFP

BANGKOK

Red Shirts cancel


anniversary event
THAILANDS anti-coup Red Shirts
yesterday cancelled a religious ceremony marking the fifth anniversary
of a deadly military crackdown, accusing security forces of surrounding a
temple where the memorial was due
to take place.
Members of the street movement
loyal to ousted Thai premiers Yingluck
and Thaksin Shinawatra had planned
a Buddhist service today for scores of
Red Shirt supporters who died during
a crackdown on their months-long protest in Bangkok in the spring of 2010.
But yesterday Red Shirt chair Jatuporn Prompan said the ceremony
had been cancelled after police and
soldiers surrounded the Kerd Karn
Udom temple just outside the capital.
Even though relatives have explained it is a merit-making religious
ceremony, police and soldiers are not
permitting them to hold it, he said in
a post on his Facebook page.
Therefore this year the entire meritmaking ceremony is cancelled.
A junta spokesperson could not be
immediately reached.
But the move comes after a series
of warnings by Thailands generals,
who seized power from Ms Yinglucks elected government last May,
against any gathering to commemorate the event, one of the bloodiest
chapters in the kingdoms turbulent
political history.
Since it seized power the army has
repeatedly ordered the Red Shirts not
to assemble, briefly sweeping key leaders into detention in the days following the coup, closing radio stations
and monitoring communications.
Mr Jatuporn had earlier promised
to downsize the event and urged authorities to allow the relatives of the
dead to attend a Buddhist merit making ceremony at the temple.

His comments came after Defence


Minister Prawit Wongsuwan a retired general who held the same government post in 2010 urged Red
Shirts to hold a private memorial only.
Many military were also killed
and we dont have to hold a memorial, he said on April 8.
In March 2010 thousands of Mr
Thaksins red-shirted loyalists occupied key intersections in central Bangkok, demanding fresh elections to replace the then pro-military appointed
government.
The first deadly military response
came on April 10 followed by larger
crackdowns between May 13 and 19
that left scores dead including many
unarmed demonstrators, two foreign
journalists and several soldiers.
Thai junta chief and premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha was a top military officer at the time and is often described
as the architect of the crackdown.
Gen Prayut lifted martial law last
week only to replace it with sweeping
new security measures retaining the
militarys chokehold over the country.
Political gatherings of more than
five people are still banned while the
military still has the power to arrest,
detain and prosecute people for national security crimes or those who
fall foul of the countrys strict royal
defamation laws.
Rights groups have argued the new
rules, issued under the controversial
section 44 of the interim constitution,
grant more powers to Gen Prayut including greater censorship over the
media.
The move drew swift condemnation from the European Union, the
United States and the United Nations
human rights chief who described the
new powers as even more draconian.
AFP

Pair sentenced over Assam attacks


A COURT in Bangladeshs north has
sentenced two Indian insurgents to
life in prison for using Bangladeshi
territory to carry out militant attacks across the border in Assam, a
prosecutor said.
Ranjan Chowdhury, alias Major
Ranjan, and Prodip Marak were
sentenced in a district court in the
town of Kishoreganj on April 8 amid
tight security over their roles in a
separatist movement in neighbouring Indias northeast Assam state.
Both were present in the court

when the judge convicted them and


then sentenced them to life in prison under the countrys arms act and
anti-terrorism act, chief prosecutor
Shah Azizul Haque told AFP.
The pair were arrested in 2010
in Bangladesh, from where they
planned attacks in India as members of the United Liberation Front
of Asom (ULFA).
Both are senior officials in ULFA
and they had been using Bangladesh territory for years to carry out
guerrilla war in the Indian state of

Assam before they were arrested


with arms and explosives, the prosecutor said.
It is the second time Bangladesh
has convicted Indian insurgents after
ULFAs general secretary was sentenced following his arrest in 1997.
India has long maintained that
separatist groups from its restive northeast have set up camps
in Bangladesh, which shares a
4096-kilometre (2545-mile) border
with its giant neighbour.
AFP

BEIJING

China eyes rail link with Nepal


A RAILWAY between China and
Nepal that could include a tunnel
under Mount Everest is under consideration, Chinese state media said
yesterday, as Beijing builds links with
a country India regards as firmly within its sphere of influence.
The Qinghai-to-Tibet railway
already links the rest of China with
the Tibetan capital Lhasa and beyond, and an extension running as
far as the international border is
already being planned at Nepals
request, the China Daily newspaper
reported, quoting an expert at the
Chinese Academy of Engineering.
This is expected to be completed
by 2020, it cited a Tibetan official as
saying.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang
Yi visited Kathmandu in December
and, according to Nepalese reports,
said the line could eventually be extended to the Nepalese capital and
further, potentially providing a crucial link between China and the huge
markets of India.
Such a plan could see a tunnel being built under Mount Everest, the

China Daily said.


The line will probably have to go
through Qomolangma so that workers may have to dig some very long
tunnels, expert Wang Mengshu told
the newspaper, referring to Everest
by its Tibetan name.
He said that, due to the challenging Himalayan terrain with its
remarkable changes in elevation,
trains on any line to Kathmandu
would probably have a maximum
speed of 120 kilometres per hour.
The proposal underscores Chinas influence in the impoverished
Himalayan nation, where Beijing has for years been building
infrastructure such as roads and
investing billions of dollars in
hydropower and telecommunications.
Chinese tourism to Nepal, which
is home to eight of the worlds 14
peaks over 8000 metres, is also on
the rise.
Beijings increasing role has
raised alarms in New Delhi that China, already closely allied to Pakistan,
is forging closer economic ties with
Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Nepal

in a deliberate strategy to encircle


India.
In an apparent counter-move, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
pledged late last year that South
Asias largest economy would fund
a series of regional investments and
free up its markets to its neighbours
exporters.
But India has struggled to compete with Chinas financial muscle.
Chinese plans to expand the rail
network in Tibet have also come under criticism from rights groups including the International Campaign
for Tibet, which has warned of the
projects dangerous implications
for regional security and the fragile
ecosystem of the worlds highest and
largest plateau.
The Chinese governments
claim that rail expansion on the
plateau simply benefits tourism
and lifts Tibetans out of poverty
does not hold up to scrutiny and
cannot be taken at face value, ICT
president Matteo Mecacci said in a
statement last year.
AFP

18 World

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 10, 2015

ADEN

Aid trickles in to battle-hit Yemen


MUCH-NEEDED aid was trickling
into Yemen on April 8 as rebels
fought fresh battles with pro-government forces backed by a Saudi-led air
campaign set to enter its third week.
Washington said it had deepened
its involvement in the air war on
Iran-backed rebels and voiced fears
al-Qaeda was exploiting the power
vacuum.
The World Health Organization
meanwhile said more than 640 people had died and over 2200 been injured in the violence since March 19,
calling the humanitarian situation
critical.
Aid groups have been struggling
to get help into the country, where
a Saudi-led coalition last month
launched air strikes against Shiite
Huthi rebels challenging President
Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

Saudi Arabia is
sending a strong
message to the
Huthis and their
allies that they
cannot overrun
Yemen by force.
Anthony Blinken
US deputy secretary of state

Aid agency Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said April 8 it had managed to bring a boat carrying 2.5
tonnes of medical aid to the main
southern city of Aden, the scene of
heavy fighting between rebels and
pro-government forces.
A second boat belonging to the
International Committee of the Red
Cross carrying medical aid and person-

nel also docked in Aden port but could


not unload because of fighting in the
area, said air campaign spokesperson
Brigadier-General Ahmed al-Assiri.
But a planned cargo flight of aid
was not able to travel to Yemen due to
a logistical problem, ICRC spokesperson Sitara Jabeen said in Geneva.
Fighting has intensified in Aden,
Mr Hadis former stronghold which
he fled for Saudi Arabia last month.
At least 22 people, mostly civilians, were killed April 8 as rebel forces shelled the Mualla and Crater residential districts from surrounding
hills, a medic and local officials said.
Witnesses said bodies could be
seen on city streets and mosques
called through loudspeakers for aid
to the city.
Saudi-led warplanes also carried
out further strikes, hitting rebel positions at Adens international airport
and the huge Al-Anad air base to its
north, a Yemeni military source said.
The Huthis have seized control of
large parts of Yemen including the
capital Sanaa and joined forces with
security forces who have remained
loyal to longtime strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, forced from power in
2012 after a year-long, Arab Springinspired uprising.
Riyadh accuses Tehran of backing
the rebels and has vowed to bomb
them into submission to prevent
them establishing a pro-Iran state on
its doorstep.
On the diplomatic front, the Iranian and Pakistani foreign ministers
held talks in Islamabad on April 8
and pledged to work to find a negotiated solution to the conflict.
Irans Mohammad Javad Zarif laid
out a four-stage plan for talks, calling
for an immediate ceasefire followed
by humanitarian assistance, dialogue
amongYemenis and the formation of
an all-inclusive government.
Washington has backed the Saudiled coalition and US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said late

Yemeni fighters opposing Huthi rebels fire weapons in the southern Yemeni city of Aden on April 8, as clashes continue
to rage in the city between Shiite Huthi rebels and forces loyal to the fugitive Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.
Photo: AFP

April 7 that it was stepping up weapons deliveries and intelligence sharing in support of the effort.
Saudi Arabia is sending a strong
message to the Huthis and their allies
that they cannot overrun Yemen by
force, Blinken told reporters in the
Saudi capital.
In support of that effort we have
expedited weapons deliveries, he said.
A US defence official told AFP that
Washington was sending primarily
precision-guided munitions.
Yemen has been a longstanding
US ally, allowing Washington to carry
out a drone war against al-Qaedas
powerful local branch.
Last week, al-Qaeda seized much

of Hadramawt provincial capital Mukalla in Yemen and on April 7 they attacked one of the last loyalist strongholds in the city.
US Defence Secretary Ashton
Carter acknowledged on April 8 that
al-Qaeda was making gains and the
fighting in Yemen was complicating Washingtons counter-terrorism
efforts but vowed they would go on
regardless.
Obviously its always easier to
conduct CT ops when there is a stable government willing to cooperate,
he said.
That circumstance now obviously doesnt exist in Yemen but that
doesnt mean that we dont continue

to take steps to protect ourselves. We


have to do it in a different way, but we
do and we are.
Al-Qaeda, meanwhile, offered
bounties of gold for the killing or capture of ex-president Saleh and Shiite
militia leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi,
in a message posted online.
Concerns over the countrys growing humanitarian crisis have spread
beyond its borders and aid agencies
said refugees were arriving in the
Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti.
A total of 238 refugees from Yemen have registered in Djibouti in recent weeks, the UN refugee agency
UNHCR said, and preparations were
being made for many more. AFP

GENEVA

BAGHDAD

WHO revises Yemen


death toll

Iraq looks to retake Anbar from IS

THE World Health Organization


has revised the number of people
killed and wounded in nearly three
weeks of fighting in Yemen, with up
to 643 dead and 2226 injured in the
multi-sided conflict.
These are only health facilitybased figures and casualty estimates
are likely to continue to increase as
additional cases are verified and reported, said the UN health agency
on April 8, specifying the figures
cover the period from March 19 to
April 6.

DEAD

643

Revised estimate of casualties in three


weeks of fighting in Yemen, according
to the World Health Organization, along
with 2226 people injured

On April 7 the WHO had reported that at least 540 people had been
killed and 1700 wounded over the
same nearly three-week span.
A Saudi-led coalition has been
bombing Iran-backed Huthi rebels

who are battling forces loyal to fugitive President Abedrabbo Mansour


Hadi.
The Huthi rebels have seized
control of large parts of Yemen including the capital Sanaa, prompting international concern that alQaeda forces could exploit a power
vacuum there.
Over 334,000 people have been
displaced inside the country by the
fighting and 254,400 have sought
refuge abroad, according to WHO.
The humanitarian situation is
critical, with power cuts and water
and fuel shortages further deteriorating ... the situation, it said.
Attacks on healthcare workers
and health facilities have been reported in Sanaa and the cities Saada
and Aden.
Since March 30 three volunteer
ambulance workers have been shot
and killed while on duty, the WHO
said.
Access remains difficult to Yemen, where 65 WHO personnel are
stationed. The agency said it had
a delivery of supplies waiting in
Dubai that will be brought in as
soon as possible.
WHO estimated Yemen needs
about US$62 million (58 million euros) in funding to pay for its healthcare needs. The WHO has so far received a $2.7 million donation from
Japan.
AFP

IRAQS premier says that the countrys next battle is to retake Anbar province from the Islamic State
jihadist group, his most direct
statement yet on Baghdads target
after Tikrit.
Our next stand and battle will
be here in the land of Anbar to
completely liberate it, Haider alAbadi said from a base in the province west of Baghdad on April 8,
according to his office.
He was visiting Anbar to check
on preparations for the upcoming
military campaign.
Mr Abadi announced last week
that Iraqi forces retook the city of
Tikrit from IS, in Baghdads biggest
victory to date over militants who
overran large parts of the country
last June.
It was unclear if the next
target would be Nineveh, ISs main
stronghold in Iraq and the first
province to fall last year, or Anbar,
a massive desert province stretching from the borders with Syria,
Jordan and Saudi Arabia to the
western approach to Baghdad.
While IS has gained further
ground in Anbar since June, the
governments loss of territory in
the province predates the jihadist
offensive by six months.
Security forces dismantled a
key anti-government protest camp
near provincial capital Ramadi in
late 2013, sparking a crisis that
saw anti-government fighters take
parts of that city and all of Fallu-

jah, to its east.


Iraqi forces have battled IS for
months but made little progress in
the massive province, where the
government only controls pockets
scattered across territory broadly
under IS control, making any wide
operation a logistical challenge.
Iraqi soldiers and police along
with Popular Mobilisation units
paramilitary forces that are dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias have regained significant
territory from IS north of the capital.
They retook Diyala province,
then fought a month-long battle for
Tikrit in neighbouring Salaheddin.
Though Tikrit was a significant
success for the government, it also
highlighted problems facing Iraqi
forces on other fronts, including
Anbar.
One is the difficulty of rooting
out entrenched jihadists.
While Mr Abadi said Tikrit has
been retaken, the interior ministry
said there was fighting against IS
holdouts in the city as recently as
April 8, over a week later.
The myriad forces involved in
anti-IS efforts pose a challenge for
command and control, especially
when militiamen are disparaging
the army and the army is suspicious of the militias, as was the
case during the Tikrit operation.
There was a very important lesson in the battle of Tikrit, Defence
Minister Khaled al-Obeidi told a

news conference in the Jordanian


capital Amman.
Disciplined national forces that
will fight under the command of
the army are those that will participate in future battles, he said,
indicating some unnamed groups
had not met that standard.
Some Shiite militiamen looted
stores in central Tikrit, while Mr
Obeidi said that groups numbering some 2000 people entered the
city after it was retaken and began
vandalising and burning.
Mr Obeidi said 67 houses and
85 shops were burned, terming this
unacceptable, while saying that
the toll for the city could ultimately
have been worse.
Tensions between Iranian-backed
militias which are the largest and
most effective and the US-led coalition are also an issue, and both are
playing a role in Anbar.
Washington made clear that it
did not want Iranian-backed groups
involved in Tikrit, while they said
the same of the US, freezing their
offensive operations after the
strikes began.
It also took a month for Iraqi
forces to retake Tikrit a relatively small city that IS seeded with
bombs and defended with snipers
and suicide bombers.
Recapturing the vastly larger
area of Anbar, where militants have
had even longer to prepare their
defences, will be a major challenge.
AFP

World 19

www.mmtimes.com
KHARTOUM

TOKYO

Sudans hardline leader under


scrutiny as elections loom

New test
for Ebola
developed

SUDANESE President Omar al-Bashir, who is running for reelection


next week, seized power in a 1989
Islamist-backed coup and has since
weathered international isolation, his
countrys dismemberment and economic hardship.
Vilified by many in the West for
hosting al-Qaeda in the 1990s and for
alleged war crimes in Darfur, he oversaw South Sudans secession in 2011.
The 71-year-old has proved to be a
cunning political operator.
While indicted twice by the International Criminal Court, he has
strengthened his hand at home and
abroad.
Parliament granted him greater
powers last year and recent diplomatic successes have left him riding high.
Sudan helped broker a deal between Egypt and Ethiopia in March
over a dispute about the sharing of
waters from the Nile.
Mr Bashir also joined a Saudiled coalition against Shiite rebels in
Yemen last month, moving closer to
Riyadh and the Gulf.
He is virtually unopposed in the
elections as the 15 other candidates
are little-known and most opposition
parties are boycotting the polls.
He has still toured the country
giving speeches, dancing and waving his trademark cane, apparently
unaffected by two knee operations
last year.
Sporting a thick moustache, the
career soldier is well known for his
populist touch, insisting on being
close to crowds and addressing them
in colloquial Sudanese Arabic.
Mr Bashir, who has two wives and
no children, was born in 1944 in Hosh
Bannaga to an agricultural family,
in Sudans Arab heartland north of
Khartoum.
He entered the military at a young
age, rising through the ranks and
joining an elite parachute regiment.
He fought alongside the Egyptian
army in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

A JAPANESE research team announced yesterday it had developed a


field test for Ebola that gives results
in just over 11 minutes down from
the 90-minute test used now.
The breakthrough by Nagasaki
Universitys Institute of Tropical
Medicine will allow medics to move
much more quickly in treating people
with the haemorrhagic fever, Professor Jiro Yasuda told AFP.
The result time was unexpectedly short, said Mr Yasuda of the
trial conducted in Guinea last month
on 100 samples, of which 47 proved
positive.
The Guinean government has now
asked the institute and its collaboration partner Toshiba to supply equipment to roll out the test, he added.
The test hinges on what the researchers have called a primer, a substance that amplifies only those genes
specific to the Ebola virus found in a
blood sample or other bodily fluid.
Using existing techniques, ribonucleic acid (RNA) biological molecules used in the coding of genes is
extracted from any viruses present in
a sample.
This is then used to synthesise the
viral DNA, which can be mixed with
the primer and then heated to 60-65
degrees Celsius (140-149 Fahrenheit).
If Ebola is present, DNA specific
to the virus is amplified by the action of the primers. The by-products
from the process cause the liquid to
become cloudy, providing visual confirmation, Mr Yasuda said.
Currently, a method called polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, is used to
detect the Ebola virus. This requires
doctors to heat and cool samples repeatedly and takes at least 90 minutes,
sometimes up to two hours.
The Ebola virus, transmitted
through contact with infected bodily fluids, has killed more than
10,000 people in western Africa
since it re-emerged in December
2013. AFP

Supporters of Sudans President Omar al-Bashir (portrait-R) gather for the incumbent presidents campaign rally for the
upcoming presidential elections in El-Fasher, in North Darfur, on April 8. Photo: AFP

In 1989, then a brigade commander, he led a bloodless coup against the


democratically elected government.
He was backed by the National
Islamic Front of his then-mentor Hassan al-Turabi.
Under Mr Turabis influence he
led Sudan towards a more radical
brand of Islam, hosting Al-Qaeda
and sending jihadist volunteers to
fight in the countrys civil war with
the south Sudanese.
The US slapped Sudan with a
trade embargo in 1997 over charges
that included human rights abuses.
In 1999, Mr Bashir moved to end
Sudans isolation, ousting Turabi from
his inner circle and later surprising his staunchest critics by signing
a peace accord in 2005 to end more

than two decades of devastating


north-south conflict.
When ethnic insurgents launched
a rebellion in Darfur in 2003, his governments decision to unleash the
armed forces and allied militia saw
him slide back into isolation.
More than 300,000 people have
been killed in the conflict, the UN says,
and more than 2 million displaced.
The ICC indicted Mr Bashir in
2009 for war crimes and crimes
against humanity and in 2010 for
genocide.
Since 2011 he has also faced insurgencies in South Kordofan and Blue
Nile states, launched by the Southern
Peoples Liberation Army-North.
In recent years, he has weathered
other challenges.

Sudans economy suffered badly


from the souths split in 2011, losing
most of its vital oil revenues.
Protests that erupted in Khartoum
in September 2013 over the lifting of
petrol subsidies were brutally suppressed by security forces, with dozens killed.
Mr Bashir tried to smooth tensions over protests by announcing
a national dialogue with the opposition to address Sudans myriad
problems.
But critics said the offer was not
sincere, and Mr Bashir was further
criticised when he announced in
October he was running for reelection after previously denying he
would.
AFP

20 World

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 10, 2015

IN PICTURES
Photo: AFP

Lida Antonova,
79, stands next
to a field near
the village of
Petropavlivka
on April 6. As a
tenuous ceasefire
brings a lull
to Ukraines
yearlong conflict
between proRussian rebels
and Ukrainian
troops, the
lurking danger
of landmines
threatens lives as
well as economic
recovery,
particularly
on once-rich
agricultural
lands.

World 21

www.mmtimes.com
PARIS

PANAMA CITY

One- third
of countries
meeting
education
goals: UN
THE UN gave one-third of the worlds
countries a passing grade yesterday for
efforts to provide universal basic education, but said most governments had
failed on a pledge made 15 years ago.
In 2000, 164 countries agreed at the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) World Education Forum to
ensure basic education for all by 2015.
But in its latest annual report, the UN
body said that only a minority had
passed the test.
Several European countries as well
as Cuba, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia are
among those who managed to meet
the education goal, said the report.
Pakistan, Yemen and several countries in sub-Saharan Africa were nowhere close to meeting their targets.
Only around half of the 164 countries have succeeded in providing
universal primary education, the
report said. In 15 years, the world
has made significant progress, the
director general of UNESCO, Irina
Bokova, said.
Millions more children are in
school than would have been had
the trends of the 1990s persisted.
But governments need to prioritise the
poorest especially girls, she added.
The worlds poorest children are
four times less likely to go to school
than the richest, the report said.
Around 58 million children are still out
of school globally and 100 million children fail to complete primary education.
Gender parity at the primary and secondary levels has improved but girls
education is often hindered by early
marriages and pregnancies, said the
report.

Millions more
children are in
school than would
have been had the
trends of the 1990s
persisted.
Irina Bokova
Director general of UNESCO

The 2000 Dakar education summit had also hoped to halve the number of illiterate adults. But the rate
of global illiteracy has dropped only
slightly from 18 percent in 2000
to an estimated 14 percent in 2015.
Of the 781 million illiterate adults
worldwide, two-thirds are women,
says UNESCO.
The report comes a month ahead
of UNESCOs World Education Forum
in Incheon, South Korea, which will
set new education targets for 2030.
The UN agency said funding remained the main obstacle to expanding education and that the
international community must find
an additional $22 billion (20 billion
euros) to meet the education-for-all
targets by 2030.
The report recommended that
governments devote 15 to 20 percent of their national budgets to
education, and that donors increase their contributions fourfold.
UNESCO also wants governments to
mandate at least one year of free preprimary education for all children.
AFP

Obama readies for Castro meet


US PRESIDENT Barack Obama and
Cubas Raul Castro will have a historic face-to-face encounter at the
Summit of the Americas this week,
breaking the ice after decades of
glacial relations.
The image of US and Cuban
presidents sitting across from each
other at the 35-nation summit for
the first time after decades of Cold
War-era animosity will be the highlight of the gathering in Panama on
this weekend.
While the meeting will mark a
major milestone no Cuban leader has attended a Summit of the
Americas the two sides have yet
to reopen embassies and lingering
differences have been evident at negotiations that started in January.
Cubas inclusion on a list of state
sponsors of terrorism has been a
major sticking point in negotiations
to restore full diplomatic ties, which
were downgraded back in 1961.
The White House indicated this
week that the State Department
was in the final stages of deciding
whether to recommend Havanas
removal from the list. Congress
would then have 45 days to decide
whether to override Mr Obamas
decision.
Were trying to get it done
quickly, a US State Department
official told AFP on condition of

anonymity.
In another sign of warming ties,
the US State Department said Secretary of State John Kerry could
meet with Cuban Foreign Minister
Bruno Rodriguez on the sidelines of
the summit.
But a scene of lingering tensions
among Cuban dissidents and government sympathizers emerged on
April 8 ahead of the summit.
Some 100 Castro regime supporters jeered dissidents as they
arrived at a Latin American civil society forum in a Panama City hotel,
shouting sell outs and imperialists before leaving the event.
Another wild card is Venezuelas
socialist President Nicolas Maduro,
Havanas main ally in the region.
He could overshadow the summit
with grievances over US sanctions
against Caracas officials over an opposition crackdown.
Mr Maduro plans to bring a petition with 10 million signatures
from Venezuelans demanding that
Mr Obama revoke his executive
order declaring Venezuela a US national security threat.
The Obama-Castro meeting will
still punch through as the highlight,
but certainly [Venezuela] will complicate that story and weaken it, Ted
Piccone, a foreign policy advisor during the Bill Clinton presidency, told

AFP.
Mr Maduros petition could become a major polarising issue at the
summit, said Mr Piccone, now an
expert at the Brookings Institution
think tank.
The White House is seeking to
ease tensions, saying it does not really believe that Caracas threatens
US national security, and dispatching a senior official to Caracas.
Top State Department official
Thomas Shannon met on April 8
with Venezuelan Foreign Minister
Delcy Rodriguez, whose office said
that she demanded that Mr Obama
withdraw his executive order.
Separately, the Brazilian government said President Dilma Rousseff
spoke with Mr Maduro, who expressed his willingness to promote
a reduction of tensions with the
United States on the basis of mutual respect of national sovereignty.
Brasilia said Mr Maduro had
spoken with US Vice President Joe
Biden by telephone.
Raul Castro and other Latin
American leaders have defended
Venezuela.
But neither the United States
nor Cuba will let Venezuela insert
itself in this process in any way,
said Frank Mora, a Latin America
expert at Florida International
University and former Pentagon

official.
All eyes will undoubtedly be on
how Mr Obama and Mr Castro interact during the summit.
The last substantive talks between US and Cuban leaders was
also in Panama in 1956, when President Dwight Eisenhower met with
Fulgencio Batista, who was toppled
by Fidel Castro three years later.
For Mr Obama, the gathering
comes on the heels on last weeks
tentative nuclear accord with Iran,
another historic US foe. Some 59
percent of Americans agree with
the restoring of relations with Cuba,
according to a Marist College poll.
For Mr Castro, it marks another
milestone amid slow, tentative economic reforms that he has implemented in Cuba since taking over
for his brother Fidel after an illness
in 2006.
Mr Obama and Mr Castro briefly
shook hands at Nelson Mandelas
memorial service in Johannesburg
in 2013, and they spoke by telephone before their December announcement that they would seek
to restore full diplomatic ties.
White House officials say that
while the two leaders will have a
chance to meet, they may not sit
down for a formal bilateral gettogether. AFP

22 World

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 10, 2015

IN PICTURES
Photo: AFP

A woman mourns next


to one of the 15 coffins of
police members of the State
of Jalisco killed during an
ambush by criminal gang
assassins April 6 during
the funeral in Guadalajara
City, Mexico, on April 8.
Five more officers were
wounded in the assault
the deadliest in recent
years for security forces
battling the drug war
which took place on a
twisting rural highway near
the village of Soyatan as a
convoy carrying the elite
state police unit headed
to Guadalajara, Mexicos
second-biggest city.
CHARLESTON

Uproar in US as police
shooting caught on tape
A MAN who recorded chilling video
of a white police officer gunning
down a black man said on April 8
that the shooting followed a struggle in which the officer had gained
control of the situation.
The now widely distributed video of South Carolina officer Michael
Slager shooting Walter Scott repeatedly in the back was recorded by
23-year-old Feidin Santana.
The video sparked public outcry
and led to a murder charge against
the policeman after it challenged
the officers account of the shooting
that took place in the coastal city of
North Charleston.
The shooting is Americas latest
high-profile police killing of a black
man. A string of such shootings of
unarmed victims, where officers are
rarely charged, have sparked protests around the country with demonstrators alleging racism in the nations police forces.
Before I started recording, they
were down on the floor. I remember
the police [officer] had control of
the situation, Mr Santana said in
an interview with NBC television
about what he witnessed in the moments before filming started.
He had control of Scott. And
Scott was trying just to get away
from the Taser [stun gun].
I knew right away, I had something on my hands, he said about
recording the video.
Mr Slager was arrested and
charged with murder after the video surfaced showing him shooting
eight times at Mr Scott, 50, while
Mr Scott was running away.
He was fired from the police
force on April 8 after being charged
with murder and being booked into
jail.
Mr Slager could face a sentence
of up to life in prison or the death
penalty.
Mayor Keith Summey announced
the sacking at a highly charged
press conference frequently interrupted by residents angered over
the killing.

The mayor said the police department would buy body cameras
for officers to wear to help investigate shootings.
Protesters gathered in front
of City Hall throughout the day
and demonstrated against racial
inequality.
Signs at the rally included slogans such as Stop racist police terror and No justice, no peace.
Some demonstrators said the
quick arrest of the officer helped defuse what could have been a tense
situation.
The deadly shooting occurred
April 4 following a traffic stop for a
broken tail light. After initial police
reports claimed Mr Scott had taken
Mr Slagers stun gun, Mr Santanas
video was released to The New York
Times and published April 7.
The video shows wires from the
stun gun extending from Mr Scotts
body, implying that the victim rather than the police officer had been
hit as the two men scuffled.
As Mr Scott, who was heavy-set,
tries to flee, Mr Slager draws his
handgun and shoots eight times toward his back.
The officer later approaches Mr
Scott, who is on the ground, telling him to put his hands behind
his back, before putting him in
handcuffs.
Mr Slager appears to pick up a
device that had fallen during the altercation and drop it by Mr Scotts
body.
Mr Scott was hit by five bullets
three times in the back, once in the
upper buttocks and once in the ear,
said family lawyer Chris Stewart,
quoting the coroner who examined
Mr Scotts body, according to the
Times.
Mr Scotts father, also named
Walter, said the family was devastated by his sons death, but was
grateful for the video evidence.
The way he was shooting that
gun, it looked like he was trying to
kill a deer or something running
through the woods. I dont know

whether it was racial or something


wrong with his head or what, the
father told NBCs Today Show.
I thank God they had the video. God has my back. When I saw
it, my heart was broken. I said, It
cant be. I saw it. I couldnt take it
anymore.
The victims family spoke out at
a news conference after the officers
arrest and called the unidentified
person who filmed the video a hero.
They remembered Mr Scott as
a Dallas Cowboys football fan and
loving father of four.
Senator Lindsey Graham of
South Carolina expressed his dismay after seeing the video.
The horrific video is very difficult to watch and deeply troubling
on many fronts, Mr Graham said.
The US Justice Department released a statement saying it would
take appropriate action over the
shooting.
The killing of unarmed black
teen Michael Brown in August was
a catalyst for a recent surge in protests and a renewed debate on racism and police tactics.
A jury chose not to indict a
Ferguson, Missouri, police officer
for the shooting. Since then, other
killings by police have prompted
protests in cities from coast to
coast.
In December, two New York police officers were killed by a gunman
who had boasted he was going to
avenge police abuses.
Police officers have enjoyed significant legal leeway in the United
States and prosecutors and civilian
grand juries have often proved reluctant to indict them over excessive force.
The US Justice Department has
launched investigations into a number of police departments after
shootings.
It unearthed what it called
damning evidence of racism in
the Ferguson police force after Mr
Browns shooting.
AFP

PARIS

Promising results in
HIV reduction trial
RESEARCHERS have announced a
lab-manufactured antibody significantly reduced HIV blood levels in a
small but promising human trial, and
caused no harmful side effects.
The virus-suppressing action did
not appear to last, however, and some
patients developed resistance to the
agent, said the authors of the research
published by Nature on April 8.
This meant the designer molecule
dubbed 3BNC117 may be best used in
combination with other drugs, said
the team while highlighting the
promise of a new, immunotherapybased approach to fighting HIV.
This represents potentially a new
class of drugs with activity against
HIV, study co-author Marina Caskey
of New Yorks Rockefeller University
told AFP.
It is possible that 3BNC117 and antibodies like it will boost the patients
own immune responses, leading to
better control of their infection.
So-called monoclonal antibodies
like 3BNC117 which are cloned from
a single parent immune cell, hold the
promise of actually killing HIV-infected cells.
Currently, cocktails of antiretroviral drugs are used merely to suppress
replication of the virus for which no
cure or vaccine exists.
Antibodies remain active in the
body for longer than daily-dose antivirals, said the scientists, and may be
administered with longer intervals
in between, perhaps once every few
months.
The new agent, cloned from a cell
taken from an HIV-positive person,
was given to 12 uninfected volunteers
and 17 infected with HIV.
Each received a single, intravenous
shot in doses ranging from 1 to 30 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight,
and were monitored for 56 days.
All eight individuals given the
highest dose showed up to 300-fold
decreases in the amount of virus in
their blood, said the US-German research team.
The viral load was lowest about a
week after treatment, and remained
significantly reduced for 28 days.
In four of the eight high-dose
volunteers, viral loads were below

starting levels by the end of the


eight-week trial period, but resistance to the antibody developed in
the other four, said the scientists.
This meant the molecule would
likely not be effective on its own, and
would have to be used in a combination with other drugs.
Outside experts described the findings as promising, but said a working
antibody treatment for HIV was likely
years away.
We have been able to show for the
first time that monoclonal antibodies
against HIV can significantly reduce
levels of the virus in blood, Ms Caskey
said by email, and that it is safe to be
administered in humans.
Monoclonal antibodies, used in
treating cancer, have proven difficult
and expensive to produce for HIV.
In nature, antibodies identify and
latch on to foreign agents like bacteria
and viruses, tagging them for attack
by the immune system.
The AIDS virus, however, constantly mutates to elude antibodies
including the potent broadly-neutralising (bNAb) type of antibody
produced by only 10-30 percent of
HIV-infected people but only after
many years by when it is too late.
By cloning bNAbs, scientists hope
to treat HIV infections before the virus mutates.
In this Phase I clinical trial, 3BN117
was active against 195 of 237 HIV
strains.
But resistance is a problem, said
Ms Caskey as with existing antiretrovirals that need to be used in combinations of different drugs for the
same reason.
One antibody alone, like one drug
alone, will not be sufficient to suppress viral load for a long time because resistance will arise, she said.
Besides the possibility of HIV
treatment, the study also raises prospects for a vaccine.
If researchers can induce an
uninfected persons immune system
to generate potent antibodies such
as 3BNC117, it might be enough to
block the HIV infection before it
can be established, said a university
statement.
AFP

World 23

www.mmtimes.com
VIENNA

Social network to face


privacy class action suit
AN Austrian law graduate spearheading a class action suit against Facebook for alleged privacy breaches said
ahead of the first hearing yesterday
he hopes the case will eventually lead
to an overhaul of a Wild West approach to data protection.
Max Schrems and 25,000 other
Facebook users are suing the social
network for various rights violations,
ranging from the illegal tracking of
their data under EU law to Facebooks
involvement in the PRISM surveillance programme of the US National
Security Agency (NSA).
Basically we are asking Facebook
to stop mass surveillance, to [have] a
proper privacy policy that people can
understand, but also to stop collecting
data of people that are not even Facebook users, 27-year-old Mr Schrems
told AFP in an interview.
There is a wide number of issues in
the lawsuit and we hope to kind of win
all of them and to get a landmark case

against US data-gathering companies.


The case has been brought against
Facebooks European headquarters in
Dublin, which registers all accounts
outside the United States and Canada
making up some 80 percent of Facebooks 1.35 billion users.
Mr Schrems was able to file his action against the Irish subsidiary at a
civil court in Vienna because under
EU law, all member states have to
enforce court rulings from any other
member state.
Among other issues, judges will
have to rule on Facebooks objection
that the class action is inadmissible
under Austrian law an objection dismissed by Mr Schrems lawyer as lacking any substance.
So far, the social media company
has not been available for comment
on the matter.
Interest in the case has been overwhelming. Within days of launching
the suit in August last year, thousands

BOSTON

Marathon bomber convicted


CONVICTED in the worst attacks on
US soil since 9/11, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
faces a new court date with the same
jury, which now must decide if the Boston Marathon bomber must pay for his
crimes with his life.
Mr Tsarnaev faces either life in
prison or the death penalty, after a jury
unanimously convicted him April 8 of
carrying out the worst attack in the
United States since the 9/11 hijackings.
Jurors took a day and a half to find
the 21-year-old former student guilty
on all 30 counts related to the April 15,
2013 attacks, the murder of a police officer, a car jacking and a shootout while
on the run.
The Muslim immigrant of Chechen
descent, who took US citizenship in
2012, stood in a dark blazer, occasionally fidgeting and hooking one hand into
his trouser pocket as the clerk read out
the verdict.
He now faces life in prison without
parole or even the death penalty when
he is sentenced by the same jury at the
second phase of the trial, which could
start early next week, Judge George
OToole told the court.
Survivors, including the parents of
eight-year-old Martin Richard who was
killed in the attacks, crammed into the
gallery to hear the verdict as a strict security cordon was set up outside in the
biting wind and sleet.
Three people were killed and 264
others wounded, including 17 who lost
limbs, in the twin blasts at the citys
marathon nearly two years ago.
Mr Tsarnaev went on the run and
was arrested four days later, hiding
and injured in a boat on which he had
scrawled a bloody message apparently
justifying the attacks to avenge the US
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Survivors welcomed the verdict
and thanked the jury after a harrowing month-long trial of grisly videos of
the horror after the attacks, and heartbreaking testimony from those who
lost limbs and loved ones.
We are thankful that Dzhokhar
Tsarnaev will be held accountable for
the evil that he brought to so many
families, said the family of Sean Collier, a police officer whom the defendant murdered on the run.
The attacks shocked the relatively
small northeastern city of Boston and
revived fears of terrorism in the United
States after the September 11, 2001,
strikes on New York, Washington and
Pennsylvania.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh expressed

hope that the trial would help bring


some closure. The incidents of those
days have forever left a mark on our
city, he said.
Seventeen of Mr Tsarnaevs convictions carry the death penalty, and the
second phase of the trial is likely to
prove far more contentious.
Massachusetts has not executed anyone since 1947, and Catholic bishops
in the state this week reiterated their
opposition to the death penalty.
At his trial, government prosecutors
portrayed Mr Tsarnaev as a callous terrorist who carried out the bombings to
punish the United States, living a double life as a 19-year-old enrolled at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
Mr Tsarnaevs lawyers admitted that
he planted one of the pressure-cooker
bombs, but said he was a feckless accomplice, bullied or manipulated into
taking part by his more radical elder
brother, who was killed on the run.
Prosecutors spent four weeks calling 92 witnesses and presenting Mr
Tsarnaev as a cold, calculating killer,
who learned with his brother how to
build pressure-cooker bombs through
al-Qaeda English-language magazine
Inspire.
He wanted to terrorise this country. He wanted to punish America for
what it was doing to his people, assistant US attorney Aloke Chakravarty
told the court in an emotional closing
statement.
That day they felt they were soldiers, that they were mujahideen and
they were bringing their battle to Boston, added Mr Chakravarty.
The court heard Mr Tsarnaev was
a marijuana-smoking, seemingly laidback student who had failed a number
of exams and become an avid reader of
the Islamist literature that investigators found on his computer.
The prosecution said he was selfradicalised as early as high school and
was captivated by the teachings of USYemen cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who
was killed in a drone strike in 2011.
They emphasised the appalling injuries that killed eight-year-old Richard; Krystle Campbell, 29; and Lingzi
Lu, 23; and the murder of police officer
Collier, who was shot five times.
Defence lawyer Judy Clarke, who
has saved some of Americas most
notorious convicts from the death
penalty, said Mr Tsarnaev deserved
to be condemned but that the attacks
would never have happened without
Tamerlan. AFP

of people mostly based in Europe


but also in Asia, Latin America and
Australia had signed up.
In the end, Mr Schrems limited the
number of participants to 25,000 but a
further 55,000 have already registered
to join the proceedings at a later stage.
Each of the plaintiffs is claiming a
token amount of 500 euros (US$540)
in damages.
Mr Schrems said the case is not
about getting rich, but about the
principle that fundamental rights
have to be applied.
We have privacy laws here in Europe but we are not enforcing [them],
he said.
The core issue is: Do online companies have to stick to the rules or do
they live somewhere in the Wild West
where they can do whatever they want
to do?
The battle began nearly four years
ago, after Mr Schrems had spent a
semester at Santa Clara University in

New York City Department of Parks and Recreation employees take down a
statue of former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden at
the Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, New York, on April 6. Photo: AFP

Silicon Valley.
The Austrian said he was startled
by the general lackadaisical attitude
toward European privacy laws.
The general approach in Silicone
Valley is that you can do anything you
want in Europe without facing any
major consequences, Mr Schrems said.
As a result, he set up the Europev-Facebook (EvF) advocacy group,
which in particular campaigns for the
overhaul of the so-called Safe Harbour agreement, a data exchange pact
signed in 2000 between the United

States and the European Union.


In parallel with the class action, Mr
Schrems and the EvF have also filed
several complaints against Facebook
in Ireland.
That case was referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) after Irish
authorities refused to open an investigation into the alleged breaches of
privacy.
The ECJs decision, expected in
2016, could have wide-ranging implications for US tech companies operating in Europe. AFP

FREE

HOW TO GET A FREE AD

HOW TO GET MORE BUSINESS FROM


AS LITTLE AS K.5,000.

By Fax
: 01-254158
By Email : classified.mcm@gmail.com
By mail : 379/383, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Kyauktada Township, Yangon.

BuY SpAce ON THeSe pAGeS


Call: Khin mon mon yi - 01-392676, 392928

General
Education
SAYA Saw Aung (Ex.A.P)
Chemistry Classes for
Int'l School (sec-levels),
IGCSE, Cambridge Int'l
AS & A Level & SAT-2,
Ph: 09-500-5470.
need
A
TUTor?
Homework
help
&
tutoring in English, Maths,
Physics, Chemistry. 12
years experience. Only
Ks 150,000 per month.
Ph: 39298, 09-73255281.
cHeMiSTrY Teacher
Saw : Edexcel, Cie & SAT
2 II. Ph: 09-500-5470.
HoMe TUTion & Guide,
For Pre KG, Primary
and Secondary Level,
Special in Maths, Tr. Daw
Khin Swe Win (B.E.H.S
Thuwunna) Rtd. Ph: 09730-99679,
An
experienced
English Tutor is looking
for private students
or teaching classes
at schools (5 years
experience in teaching,
all ages and levels). I
offer fun and interactive
classes for a reasonable
price. If interested, lease
text or call:09-252394112.
SpeciAl for Math,
Geometry, Algebra &
Calculus. For Int'l school
(ISY, ISM, YIS & ILBC)
Grade V to XII. If you
want to be outstanding
in Math,Please contact :
Tr.Kaung Myat BE(PE).
Ph:09-731-42020, 092533-70400, Email :
kaungmyatoo251@
gmail.com
lcci Level 1 + 2 & 3,
(Home teaching & old
question prepare for
exam) Ph: 09-421134427.
pHYSicS Tutor needed
for year 12 international
school student. Ph: 09502- 2834.
engliSH ( home tuition),
speaking,
grammar,
issue. letter, academic
writing. SAT. TOEFL.
IELT.GCE,
IGCSE.
GMAT four skills . local
& international school
English : English for
Japaneses children and
adult - home tuition
courses are available
now. You can contact to
SayaU Kyi Sin (Mumyint
Thar) Ph:09-4210-67375,
www.kyisinplb.
blogspot.com
STUdY gUide, Need
help with your studies?
I can ensure that you
have that extra time and
attention you need to
succeed. I am a qualified
tutor, with stright A's in
GCE A levels and four
gears of experience,
tutring students of Grade
5 ~ 12, GCE O and A
levels, Sat and IELTS.
Ph: 01-253543, 09-5190543.
MATHeMATicS Teaching
: Students (Grade 1
to 9 from YIS, ISM,
ISY, Yangon Academy,
MIS & MISY) who are

weak in Mathsand dont


know how to solve the
problems. Guide : only
Maths for IGCSE O
Level students who will
sit for the exam in 2015.
DawNaingNaingAung,
B.Com (Q), No. (6),
Thuketa St, Baukhtaw,
Yankin. Ph : 544594, 09500-4993.
gUide for 2nd M.B.,B.S,
Students, Ph: 09-32121352, 09-517-3808.
priMArY - International
school, Private school: Kg
to Primary 4 home guide.
Ph: 09-4200-33613.
igcSe, GCE, SAT,
PHYSICS. Saya U M
T (since 1984). Ph: 09730- 52859

Expert Services
Tin Tin lATT, Certified
Public
Accountant
Finance
Profectional
40 years' expserience
in Government, NGO
& company accountin,
audition & finance,
Audition
(external/
internal),
Financial
management,
NGO
Financial Management
training and on the job
accounting training. Ph:
09-2506-49443, Email :
dorothytintinlatt@gmail.
com. Bldg 221, Rm 2,
Yanshin Rd, Yankin.
we do Serve interpret
English-ChineseMyanmar for movies,
project datas & files.
Serving translate English
- C h i n e s e - M y a n m a r.
Teacher Mr. William Lin
(Taiwan) YUNAN DIP,
IDCS, BM, TW CIVIL &
IT Top one (Interpreting,
Translating & Teaching
Language
Class)
Yangon. Ph: 09-421147821, 09-79580-7548
ToUr gUide Service,
If any prospective tour
operator needs a licensed
guide in English. Please
contact Mr David, 44 st, 3
Flr, Natchanug , Tamwe.
Ph: 09-30199028.
Union
MiSSion,
Computer Troubleshoot
ing & Repair, Windows
Os Installation, Anti Virus
& Software Installation,
Office & Internet Cafe
Network
Contracts,
Wireless
Networking
Setup,
Router
&
CPE
Configuration,
Server Installation &
Configuration, CCTV
System solutions &
Installation service. Ph:
09- 2527-06 016
welcoMe to contact us
for serving & translating
your business cases.
(1)Seminar, (2)Training
(3)Projects. Contact ~
Teacher Mr. William Lin
(Taiwan) 09-4211-47821
Zcl(Y.U.f.l), Translation
Service : Translate from
English to Myanmar,
Myanmar to English. Ph:
09-2506-66325. email
atar1990@gmail.com
TrAnSlATing
&
Interpreting Service: Part
time service for English to
Burmese to English. For

business Correspond ing,


Emails, Faxs & letters.
Conferences & business
communities for Local
companies and offices.
Service offered in person,
by phone and fax, mobile
and emails. Phone: 092540-43372
MYAnMAr
Access
Int'l Co., Ltd provides
the following services.
ISO
Implementation
Programme, HR Develop
ment
Programme,
Hospitality
Manage
ment
Programme,
Project Management
Programme,
English
Training Programme.
Ph: 09-731-18749, 09732-40764 or email :
zinminpon@gmail.com,
kaungsanthu1994@
gmail.com

For Rent
cArS,
(Expert use
only). Mid size wagon.
Now only350.000kyats
per month with deposit
for long term. company
ID required. Call 09 730
33776.

For Sale

Air
coMpreSSor,
Product type: GA 907.5,
Serial number: ARP
881188, Max. final
pressure (e) .. bar 7.5
Interstage pressure (s)
(e) .. bar, Motor power:
kW....... 90 Max. speed:
..... r/min.... 1500, Year
of manufacture: .... 19 90,
Made by Atalas Copco
Airpower n.v. Wilrijk
Belgium. Ph: 09-4217
-44300
red linK Yadnapon
internet, Ph:09-421744300.
eMBASSY'S Furniture
(second hand) Please
contact Tel: (01)652-344,
mobile : 09-503-3739
Email: tztztz780@gmail.
com

General
gloMed Pharmaceutical
Co., Inc. www.glomedvn.
vn

Language
engliSH ( home tuition)
speaking,
grammar,
issue. letter, academic
writing. SAT. TOEFL.
IELT. GCE, IGCSE.
GMAT four skills. local
and international school.

Property
English for Japaneses
children & adult - home
tuition: courses
are
avail e now. you Can
contact to Saya U Kyi
Sin (MUMYIT THAR) Ph:
09-4210-67-375, www.
kyisinplb.blogspot.com
engliSH for professional
purpose is the need of
principle of written
English.Writing ought to
be easiest of the four skill
for students of English
as a Second language,
unlike listening & reading,
the student is control
with the words. However
writing class often the
opportunity to see growth.
to share important ideas
and to develop sense of
community. . If you had
tried as much as you
can to follow the lesson
and you will get good
experiences and skill.
Middle school students
can study in a small class.
Spanish is also inquired.
U Thant Zin, 28-3B, Thati
Pahtan St, Tamwe. Ph:
09-503-5350, 31021314,.
An
experienced
Chinese
(Mandarin)
teacher here in Yangon,
Myanmar. I have over
6 years teaching in
Singapore. Please do
not hesitate to contact
me for an evaluation.
Im a professional teacher
who will help you improve
your speaking, reading
and writing skills. I use
Singaporean text books
and Chinese speaking/
conversation
books
for teaching speaking,
reading and writing in
Mandarin. Im available
Monday-Sunday with
a flexible schedule. I
also teaching Myanmar
language to all Foreigner.
Elizabeth Bao Shi :09516-2988, also SMS.
A Two MonTH English
specking
classes,
Parents desiring to hire a
tutor or send their children
to teacher's classes
(Tamwe/Downtown) are
requested to contact
soon. Limited learners
only. Ph: 09-301-99028.
engliSH for int'l school
students who want to
practice or improve
their English including
literature and language
art (principle of written
English) for SAT . If you
had tried as much as you
can to follow the lesson
and you will get good
experiences and skill.
This program will help you
capability and fill your luck
of knowledge..Middle
school students can study
in a small class. U Thant
Zin, 28-3B,Thatipa Htan
St, Tamwe. Ph:09- 5035350, 09-310-21314,
09-319-24423
leArn
frencH,
Myanmar, English and
Tamil in a month. Limited
seats. Ph: 09-30199028.
iM an experienced
Chinese
(Mandarin)
teacher here in Yangon,
over 6 years teaching
in Singapore. Please do
not hesitate to contact me
for an evaluation. Im a
professional teacher who
will help you improve
your speaking, reading
& writing skills. I use
Singaporean text books
& Chinese speaking/
conversation
books
for teaching speaking,
reading & writing in
Mandarin.
MondaySunday with a flexible
schedule. I also teaching
Myanmar language to all
Foreigner. Ph : 095-95162988
An ex- engliSH high
school master is tutoring
in English and Myanmar

languages for individuals


or a small group. For
further details, pls phone:
09-301-99028.
wiTHin 24 hours can
make you confident
in Myanmar language
speaking scripts! Teacher
Phyu Phyu Khin : 09-49308926, phyuporcupine@
gmail.com, Add : 56/I,
Thiri Marlar Lane, 7.5
mile, Pyay Rd, Yangon.
TeAcHing MYAnMAr
language for adults
Near Myay Ni Gone City
Mart, Sanchaung. Tel:
09-4200-30782, 09- 972
148 283
http://www.
facebook.com/ronald.
large.92

Travel
SMile
pAnorAMA
Travels & Tours Co., Ltd,
Car rental services. Ph:
09-505-3004, 09-250605665.
09-4440-11279
(Mandalay)
JpM Journeys Princess
Myanmar Travel & Tours
: Domestic & Int'l ticketion,
Hotel accommodation
bookings,
Package
tours, Visa on arrival,
Publics buses, trains,
river boats, Off the beaten
track, Individually tailored
incentive tours, Special
event tours, Expert
guides for all journeys
princess Myanmar tours.
Ph: 09-731-45835, 09252-030997. Email : jpm.
sales3@gmail.com, jpm.
rsvn@gmail.com

Training

We provide the following


Training, CISCO, CCNA,
CCNP,
MICROSOFT,
MCSA, MCSE, LAB,
EC-COUNCIL
CEH,
SECURITY
ADMIN.
w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m /
imcscompany, 09-450016040.

MAndAlAY Computer:
Computer for Kids,
Basic Accounting for Job
I-Office , Advanced Excel
Course, DTP Course
MYOB Software, Peach
Tree Software, Window
Shortcut Course, Email &
InternetCourseMp3,Mp4,
Video Editing, Multimedia
Course. Ph:09-444011279(MDY)
ArT BASic, Perspective,
Interior Design, Exterior
Design & Colour Theory.
Learn Art 5 months to be
a professional architect.
Only 2 months for
Special classes. Home
tuition also available.
New Vision Art Gallery
and Center,No 132
lift no: 4 Bagaya Rd,
Sanchaung,
Shann
Lann Bus top, Ph: 092542-57911

Public Notics
pHYSicS TUTor needed
for Year 12 International
School student. Ph: 09502-2834
coMMUniTY Partners
International, Yangon
office relocated to the
following address- No.
(12/B), Hnin Si Lane,
Parami Road, Chaw dwin
gone, Yankin Township,
Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: +
95 1 657909

Sell / Rent
KAMAYUT,
Diamond
Condo, Pyay Rd, 1600
sqft, 1MBR, 2BR, 3A/C,
f.f, 4300 Lakhs & 35 lakhs,
Call owner: 09-518-8320

Housing for Rent


(1)nAwArAT Condo,
1200 Sqft, 1MBR,
1BR, f.f, $1500. (2)Kan
Yeik Mon Condo, 1500
Sqft, 2MBR, 1BR, f.f,
$1500.
(3)University
Yeik Mon Condo, 1500
Sqft, 1MBR, 1BR, lift,
$1500. (4) Yadanar Htun
Condo, 1360 Sqft, 2BR,
2AC, Ph, lift, $850. (5)
Classic standard Condo,
2000 Sqft, 2MBR, 1BR,
f.f, $2500. Ph: 09-421072150, 09-7963-02109.
7 Mile (Near - Bank /
Market / Shop) Bungalow
Type, One Bed Room,
Two Beds Room, Fully
furnished, Car Parking
/ Laundry Service /
Cleaning Service are
available.
Weekly,
Monthly, Yearly For 1
Month Rental : 900 USD.
Enquiry (Office Hour 9
am to 5 pm) Contact : 094217-43 770.
BAHAn, (1)Shwe gone
daing Rd, new condo,
20'x70', 1MBR, 2SR, ph
line, aircons, good for
both residence & office
USD 1000 per month.
(2)Pent house condo
near Kandawkyi lake.
lake view. 5 bedrooms,
furnished, wooden floor.
aircons. USD7000 Per
month. - 09-9769-05901
KAMAYUT, (1)Pyay Rd,
70'x75', 2 storey building.
3MBR, good for either
office, showroom or
shop, ph line, waircons,
US 10000 per month.
(2)University Rd, new
condo, 2000sqft. 1MBR,
2SR. furnished, hot
water system. generator
line. Security system.
USD 3700 per month. (3)
Inya Rd, 50'x50' 2 storey
new house. 1MBR, 2SR.
furnished. car garage.
US 4000 per month. Ph:
09-9769-05901
MAYAngone, 7 Mile,
Pyay Rd. t/sp, 0.7 acre
land, nice lake view, big
lawn. 2 storey nice old
house, 3MBR, ph line,
semi furnished, USD
5000 per month. Ph:099769-05901
(1)7 Mile, single house,
2 RC, 2MBR, 1SR, fully
furniture, USD 4500. (2)
8 Mile, single house, 2
RC, 2MBR, 1SR, fully
furniture USD 7000. (3)
Near Russian Embassy,
2 RC, 2MBR, 1SR , fully
furniture USD 15000. Ph:
09-2527-03331
(1)Bo YAr nYUnT St,
2500 sqft, 1MBR, 2SR,
fully furniture USD 3000.
(2)Near United Living
Mall, 1500sqft, 1MBR,
2SR, USD 1500 (3)
Shwe Ohn Pin housing,
1500 sqft, 1MBR, 2SR,
no furniture. USD 1500.
(4)8 Mile, Prom condo,
2500sqft, 1MBR, 2SR,
fully furniture, USD
4000. (5)Near China
Embassy, Golden rose
condo, 2500 sqft, 2MBR,
1SR, fully furniture USD
4000.(6)Chanthar Gone
Young condo, 2500 sqft,
1MBR, 2SR, USD 2500.
(7)University Avenue Rd,
Takatho Yeikmon Condo,
1250 Sqft, 1MBR, 2SR,
fully furniture, 2500 USD.
Ph: 09-2527-03331.
BoTATAUng, 46th St,
6 Flr, 25' x 60', 1500
sqft, 3 Bedrooms, 2
toilets, 3 A/C & fully
furnitures. US$ 700 or
kyat 750,000/month. Ph:

09-514-2988.
HlAing THAr YAr,
Punhlaing Golf Estate,
Lake view condo(C),
702, 2255 sqft, 2 Bed
Rooms + 1MBR, fully
funished, direct ph line
+ extation line, (2)Lake
view condo(C), 802,
4176 sqft, 3 Bed Rooms
+ 1MBR, fully funished,
direct ph line + extation
line, Negotiable. Ph: 09730-26390 (Nilar Win
Maung) 09-2543-11756
(Aung Lwin).
BAHAn, Near Chatrium
Hotel, Po Sein Rd, 2
RC house, 3 rooms
with toilet, 3 AC, 2
Cable phones, internet
available, wide car
parking. US$ 2300 per
month. Please contact
:09-7944-40510, 09312-87827.
condoTel , Condo with
hotel services: (1)1850
sqft 1MBR, 1SR@
Bahan.
2800US$/
month.
(2)1750sqft
2MBR, 2SR@ Tamwe.
2800US$/
month.
(3)1650 sqft 1MBR,
2SR@
Tamwe.
2800US$/ month. (4)
1650 sqft 1MBR, 2SR
@ Mayangon. 4000US$/
month.
(1)neAr 50 ST, 1200
sqft, 1MBR, 1SR, fully
furniture. USD 1200. (2)
Near Park Royal Hotel,
1850 sqft , 2MBR, 1SR,
fully furniture USD 3200.
(3)Near Park Royal
Hotel, 1875 sqft, Hall
type ,1 1/2 storey, G flr,
good for open shop, USD
5800. (4)Near United
Living Mall, 1200 sqft,
2MBR, fully furniture
USD 1500. (5)Pearl
Condo, 1800 sqft, 2MBR,
1SR, fully furniture, USD
2500. (6)7 Mile, U Kyaw
Hla St, 3 RC, Hally type,
good for office, USD
4000. (7) New University
Avenue Rd, Ag Da Kong
condo 1200 sqft, 1MBR,
1SR, fully furniture
USD 2500. (8)New
University Avenue St,
1800 sqft, 2MBR, 1SR,
fully furniture USD 2500.
(9) Minda Ma condo,
2200 sqft, 3MBR, fully
furniture, USD 5000. Ph:
09-2527-0 3331.
reTAil Shop Space
Available, 250 sqft. Heavy
foot traffic. Suitable for
takeaway, beauty saloon
and fashion shops. Bahan
Township.Prominent
Center. Ph:09-4303-0
288. Email : slee888@
gmail.com
office
SpAce
Downtown, Modern office
space at an affordable
price. 1,356 sqft, so
would be large enough
for staff and to facilitate
a meeting room and a
kitchen. Located on the
11th floor it has 24 hours
security and a back-up
generator. Price- $3,500.
Ph :09- 314-91678.
BAHAn
Condo:
Conveniently located in
Pearl condo, a 20 minute
drive from downtown or
from the airport. There
are many shops and
restaurants in the building
and the property can be
used for both commercial
and residential purposes.
It has 2 master bedrooms,
one single bedroom with
one common bath and
has 1,550 Sqft of living
space with a great view.
Price:$2,600. Ph:09- 31491678
BAHAn,
Affordable
Single family home:
off Sayasan Rd, in
residential area, it is
completely remodeled
recently in western
style. 3MBR, 2SR, 4

bathrooms total with


A/C in every room. It
has a nice lawn with
space large enough for
7-8 car parking. Home
size is about 3500 sqft,
land size is about 7,000
sqft Price- $3,500. Ph :
09 2543 82482.
BAHAn, Near Chatrium
hotel, Po Sein Rd, 2
RC house, 3 Rooms
with toilet, 3 AC, Cable
phone, wide car prking,
US$ 2150 per month.
Ph:09-794440510, 09312-87827.
pABedAn, 3rd Flr, 27th St
(Middle), , 25'x50' (Lift),
2SR, 1MBR, 2 aircon, 7
Lakhs, Ph: 09-510-4881,
09-730-73226.
BAHAn, (1)Pearl Condo
New Bld. 1600sqft,
1MBR, 2SR, f.f, 25
Lakhs. (2)New University
Ave Rd, 2 Flr, 40' x 60',
3MBR, 5A/C, Ph, f.f, 25
Lakhs, (3) Yankin Centre,
1705 sqft, 1MBR, 2SR,
Ph, 4A/C, f.f, 15 Lakhs
(5) New University Ave
Lane, 2Flr, 22'x55',
1MBR, 1SR, f.f, 15
Lakhs, Maureen: 09518-8320.
office SpAce To leT
3100 sqm available over
5 floors in a 12-storey
building with car park,
restaurant, multi function
hall and apartments.
Please contact - Ph:
09-2523-59355.
Email : office-mm@
uniteammarine.com,
web: www .facebook.
com/officespaceyangon

Housing for Sale


2 TAUnggYi Plots for Sale
(1)Regularly-shaped plot
of 0.25 acres @ Yay Aye
Kwin Ward for MMK
9,000 Lakhs ; (2) 0.11
acres @ Yay Aye Kwin
Ward with 2-storey house
and good view for MMK
3,000 Lakhs. Interested
buyers
or
brokers
in Taunggyi, please
email to pdecfinance@
gmail.com or call 09262702844.
eAST dAgon, VIP 11
quarter, 40' x 60', Gayan,
550 Lakhs. Negotiable,
Ph: 01-500064, 094480-03146.
(1)BAHAn, 483, Ayeyeik
thar
Condo
(2-B),
Ayeyeikthar 2nd St, New
University Ave,, 2000 sqft,
2nd flr, 2MBR, Kitchen
Room, Living room, Fully
decorated, Tile/ Parquet
flooring, Own meter, Own
generator/ Motor, Utilities
fully equipped, Own
car parking. Price 4950
lakhs. (2)Sanchaung,
39, Zayyathukha St, 4th
Flr, 625 sqft, Hall type,
Tile/ Parquet flooring, 450
Lakhs. Tel: 09-513-5533,
09-510-3053, 09-250574308.
TAUng gYi, Bayar Phyu
Quarter, 50' x 55', 150
lakhs, Negotiable, Ph: 01500064, 09-4480-03146
lUxUrY
condo,
Between Mahabandoola
Rd & Merchant St,
Nawarat Condo, Big
car parking, Lift 5 no,
security - Satellite TV
System, firesafety, gym,
Spa Room; Function
Room, Libary , Coffee
Lounge, 1450 sqft, Ph
:09-519-7133, 09-5173086

Want to Hire
expAT
working
in
Yangon looking for
accommodation to share
with other Expats. If you
want to rent a bedroom in
your house or flat please
contact me through my
email at biscay.world@
gmail.com

FREE

THE MYANMAR TIMES april 10, 2015

Employment
UN Positions
The UniTed Nations
World Food Programme,
is
seeking
(1)
Programme Assistant
GS-5, Hakha. For more
information, please visit
to http://www.themimu.
info/jobs-for-myanmarnationals. Please Email
the applications with UN
P-11 to wfpmyanmar.
vacancy@wfp.org COB
22 April 2015.

Embassy
embAssy of Egypt is
seeking an experienced
staff to work as bearer
at the Ambassador's
Residence. Must be able
to speak English well and
have experience in the
same field. Qualified and
Interested candidates
should submit CV and
copies of testimonials
as soon as possible
to Embassy of Egypt,
No.81
Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Rd, Dagon
Township or to email:
egyptembassy86@
gmail.com.

Ingo Position
( 1 ) A c c o U n TA n T
(Press) - 1 Post (2)
store Assistant - 1
Post
(3)supporting
Officer - 1 Post. Please
send application letter,
CV & related documents
to
Myanmar
Red
Cross Society (Head
Office)
Yazatingaha
Rd,
Dekkhinathiri,
Nay
Pyi
Taw.
Ormrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com
www.
m y a n m a r
redcrosssociety.org
myAnmAr red Cross
Society is seeking
Legal Adviser 1 post,
MRCS Head Quarter
Nay Pyi Taw/Yangon :
Bachelor of Laws and/
or an Attorney-at-Law
qualification, involving
a professional degree
related to international
law.
4-5
years
experience. Confirmed
skills in the following
fields:
representing
an institution, public
speaking & presentation
skills, legal drafting,
analysis and synthesis,
negotiation & networking.
Fluent in both Myanmar &
English. Good computer
skills.
Knowledge
& experience of Int'l
Humanitarian Law highly
desirable. Knowledge
of the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent
Movement and of the
latter's organisation,
legal and regulatory
framework and modes of
operation. Please send
application letter, CV,
and related documents
to Myanmar Red Cross
Society Head Office:
Yazathingaha
Rd,
Dekhinathiri, Nay PyiTaw.
Or mrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com
www.
myanmar
redcross
society.org.
The
sUbsTAnce
Abuse
Research
Association (SARA), a
registered local NGO in
Myanmar, is looking for
Finance Manager (Full
Time) 1 Post : (800US$
to 900US$) based in
Yangon : Masters degree
in Accounting, Business
Administration, or related
field required. 5 years
experience in successful
financial management
of international projects.
Understanding of rules
and regulations related
to Global Fund and
3MDG project funding &
reporting requirements.
Strong working know
ledge of computer
programs & accounting
softwares:
Microsoft
Word, Excel, ACCPAC,
Peachtree, MYOB etc.
Demonstrated skills in
financial oversight of
Humanitarian Projects
in
Myanmar.
Well
organized,
strong
attention to detail, and
ability to multitask.
Fluency in English.
Good
planning
&
organizational skills.
Working experiences

in the Financial Rules


and
Regulations,
Procedures of Global
Fund and 3MDG, is a
definite asset. Should be
submitted preferably by
email to Ms. Khin Thida
Lwin
sara.hro.ygn@
gmail.com , and cc to
sara.sao.ygn@gmail.
com. The application
must contain a phone
number, email address,
recent passport photo, 2
referees & a statement
of expected salary by the
applicant. Closing date :
22nd April, 2015.
commUniTy Partners
International
(CPI)
is seeking human
Resource and Admini
stration Director in
Yangon. Qualifications:
Bachelor's
degree
required in Human
Resources, Business
Administration,
or
related field. 10 years
experience in HR and
five as an HR Manager
or Director with an
INgO. Excellent written
and verbal English skills
required.
Burmese
language skills preferred.
Experience
working
in Myanmar strongly
preferred. Interested and
qualified applicants can
submit CV and a cover
letter to via ZipRecruiter
(add ink) or by email to
hr.ygn@cpintl.org by
May 01, 2015.
commUniTy Partners
International (CPI) is
seeking health systems
strengthening/ health
information system
Director in Mae Sot,
Thailand : Master's
degree
in
health,
public health, health
economics, or health
policy. 5 years of proven
experience
directly
related to HSS/ HIS.
Knowledge of Microsoft
Access, STATA, and/
or ArcGIS. Fluency in
written and spoken
English. Interested and
qualified applicants can
submit CV and a cover
letter to via ZipRecruiter
(add link) or by email
to hr.ygn@cpintl.org by
May 01, 2015.
ProgrAmme manager
1 Post Mindat (Chin
State) Please send
application letter, CV
and related documents
to
Myanmar
Red
Cross Society (Head
Office)
Yazatingaha
Rd,
Dekkhinathiri,
Nay
Pyi
Taw.
Ormrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com www.mya
nmar redcrosssociety.
org
Closing
date:
16.4.2015
The inT'L rescUe
Committee (IRC) is
seeking
(1)Project
Officer Infrastructure
1 Post in Myebon/
Minbya, Rakhine State:
Bachelor's degree in
related field. 2 years
experience. Skilled in
Excel, Word software.
Very good command
of English & Myanmar.
(2)Project
Officer
Agriculture 1 post in
Myebon, Rakhine State
: Bachelor's degree in
related field. 2 years
experience in relevant
field. Skilled in Excel,
Word software. Very
good command of
English. (3) health
Service Quality Officer
: B.NSc/ B.CommH/
Diploma in Nursing.
2 years experience in
primary health care and
sexual and reproductive
health care services.
Good command of
English & Myanmar.
Chin (Khumee) Ethic
language(s) written and
verbal skill is favourable.
Please submit a Cover
letter & CV to the Human
Resources Department
by email at: WaiMar.
Naing@rescue.org
Closing date : 13 April
2015.
Terre des hommes
Italia (TDH-It) is seeking
MCN Field Officer
(Based in Yenanchaung
&
Natmauk)
:
Experienced Midwife,
Nurse or Medical Doctor.
3 years of experience in
Maternal and child health

& nutrition programmes.


Good written and spoken
English & Myanmar. Fully
computer literate in MS
Office Package. Please
submit application with
completed information
about current job and
expected salary incl.
CV, photo, references
by email or by postal
service to Terre des
Hommes Italia: TDH-It
Country Office: 48, Shwe
Hinn Thar St, 11 Ward,
Hlaing, Yangon. Tel:
654604. Email: hr.tdhit.
mya@gmail.com
cAreer Opportunities
(1)Field supervisor
1Post (2)Branch
WASH Officer- 3 Posts
(3)WAsh coordinator
- 1 Post (4)WAsh
manager-1 Post. Please
send application letter,
CV & related documents
to
Myanmar
Red
Cross Society (Head
Office)
Yazatingaha
Rd,
Dekkhinathiri,
Nay
Pyi
Taw.
Ormrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com
www.
myanmar
redcross
society.org
(1)LogisTics
deve
lopment
Officer
(NayPyiTaw) 1 Post.
Please send application
letter, CV & related
documents to Myanmar
Red Cross Society (Head
Office)
Yazatingaha
Rd,
Dekkhinathiri,
Nay
Pyi
Taw.
Ormrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com
www.
myanmarredcross
society.org

Local Positions
g sTAr hoTeL is seeking
(1)driver - M 2 Posts (2)
Waiter - M 10 Posts (3)
room Attantant - M/F
3 Posts (4)bell boy - M
1 Post (5)cashier - F
3 Post (6)Public Area
cleaner - M/F 2 Posts (7)
Receptionist - F 3 Post
(8)m&e (Maintainess)
- M 1 Post. For new
branch at Thaketa G
Star II is seeking (1)
Waiter - M 10 Posts (2)
cashier - F 3 Posts.
Please submit CV with
necessary documents
to 20/b,c , Thukhawati
St, West Yankin, Yankin
tsp. Tel ; 09-32109590/
09-32109591. Closing
Date : 15 .5 .2015.
We
Are
seeking
Translator : 3 year
experience,
Strong
knowledge of legal
terminology, Positive
working
attitude,
interpersonal
and
communication skills,
Good awareness of
current affairs, cultures
and politics, It is an
advantage to have a
knowledge of and/or
interest in specialist
areas such as law,
politics/government/
public administration,
economics, marketing
and financial affairs.
Interested candidate
please send CV to ppo@
kcyangon.com with Last
drawn, expected salary
& availability period.
greAT goLden Glory
Co., Ltd, A Leading
Chemical distribution
company is seeking
for self - motivated and
dedicated staff for the
following positions. (1)
sales
coordinator
- M/F 1 post : Any
graduate, Chemistry
or Business related
subjects more preferred,
Age 25 ~ 35 years. (2)
Accouontant - F 1 post
: Graduate in B.Com,
CPA or related subjects,
Age 25 ~ 40 years, (3)
Logistics - M 1 post :
Any graduate, Age 2- ~
35 years, Good driving
skill. (4)driver - 1 post
: Good communication
& driving skill. All above
positions, except for the
driver, must possess the
following qualifications
: Fluent in written &
spoken English, Good
computer skill, 3 years
experience in related
field. Please submit CV,
photo with necessary
documents to 85 ~ 87, 3
Flr, 32 St, Pabedan. Ph:
387366, 387431. Email

3g@ggglory.com.mm,
3gmyanmar@gmail.
com. Colsing date : 15
May 2015.
KeLVin chiA Yangon
Ltd is a foreign legal
consultancy firm. We
invite motivated and
committed individuals
to join us as
(1)
Lawyers
who
will
work on a variety of
corporate & commercial
matters & transactions
in Myanmar. If you are
a Myanmar-qualified
lawyer with strong
English language skills,
you are invited to apply
to join our Myanmar
practice group. Myanmar
nationals admitted to intl
bars are also welcome
to apply. Training will be
provided. (2) corporate
Affairs
Executive
As a corporate affairs
executive, you will
be
involved
with
business development,
networking,
market
research and liaison
work.
Applicants
should be proficient
in English, energetic
& self-motivated. All
nationalities are welcome
(Myanmar, Japanese,
Korean,
Chinese,
Taiwanese, etc). Please
email application and
curriculum vitae to ppo@
kcyangon.com
WeLL esTAbLished
Hotel in Bagan is looking
for sales & marketing
manager (Yangon) M/F 1 Post : At least
5 years experience
in similar position,
Efficient in Computer,
Excel & Word, Mature,
assertive & posses
strong managerial &
Leadership skills, Wellorganized,
Flexible.
Should be fluent oral and
written English. Please
send the CV with 1 recent
passport photos, Labour
Registration card and
relevant certificates to
Rm 2H, 1st Flr, Nawarat
Condo, Sa Mon St, 22/24,
Pyay East Qtr, Dagon
Tsp, Yangon. Email.
gm@tharabargate.
com
or
bodsec@
hoteltharabarbagan.
com.mm Closing date :
30 . 4. 2015.
gLomed PhArmAceU
TicAL Co., INC is
seeking
(1)sales
manager - Male 1 post
in Yangon: Excellent
in English. Determines
sales
plans
by
implementing marketing
strategies; analyzing
trends
&
results.
Establishes
sales
objectives by forecasting
and developing annual
sales quotas for regions
and territories; projecting
expected sales volume
for existing and new
products. Implements
national sales programs
by developing field
sales action plans.
Completes
national
sales
operational
requirements
by
scheduling & assigning
employees; following
up on work results.
Maintains
national
sales staff by recruiting,
selecting,
orienting
employees. Maintains
national sales staff job
results by counseling and
disciplining employees;
planning, monitoring,
and appraising job
results. Willing to go on
business trip in the whole
Myanmar. (2)Medical
sales representative
(MSR) : male/female 4
posts in Yangon, 2 posts
in Mandalay, 1 in each
other State in Myanmar:
Approaching and making
good relationship with
customers.
Recom
mending & selling
products to customers in
pharmacies in appointed
area. Collecting market
information and reporting
to Sales Manager. Details
will be discussed in the
interview. Some other
tasks will be given by
the direct manager. (3)
Office Admin - female 1
post in Yangon : English
speaking. Coordinates
administrative activities
and
supports
the
offices daily operations

to ensure efficiently
office admin function.
Contacts with the vendor
to carry out indirect
purchasing
process
such as car rental, the
apartment lease, HOTEL
BOOKING, air tickets.
Coordinates logistics
for the expatriate such
as visa/working permit/
residence
permit/
apartment lease agree
ment. Arranges travel
and logistics for internal
parties. Checks all
expenses relate to
travel report and creates
weekly/travel report in
SAP system. Arranges
appointment/meeting
when necessary. Other
miscellaneous duties as
assigned by Superior.
CVs should be sent
by email to : giang.
glomedvn@gmail.com;
C/c to: Congkhanh.
nguyen@glomedvn.
com
H/P: +95 92
5200 2759 Mr. Giang
(English speaking) +959
261 779 889 Mr. Khanh
(English speaking) Add.:
35th str., 1st floor, middle,
Kyauktada,
Yangon.
www.glomedvn.vn
We Are seeking (1)
Production Manager
- M 1 post : Need to
hold a degree of A.G.T.I
(Mechanical), 3 years
experience in related
field, Age 30 ~ 55 years
old, Well knowledge
in modern furniture &
furniture
installation
&
production.
(2)
marketing manager
- M/F 1 post : Have
to understand project
sales, retail marketing
& other marketing
tools and technique.
4 years experience in
Decorative Materials
and
Construction
materials industry. (3)
Project Coordinator
(Interior)- M/F 1 post
: Able to set
project
timelines & coordinate
different parties. Well
knowledge in modern
furniture & furniture
installation & production.
3 years experience in
interior scope of work. (4)
Project Manager- M/F 1
post : Have to manage
the projects (Interior
Decoration, Renovation,
and Construction) also
timelines, procurement,
materials and labor.
A.G.T.I (Civil) or B.E
(Civil). 5 years experience
in related field. Well
experience in high-rise
construction, at least 6
storey. Well knowledge
in steel structure, precast building & modern
building
techniques.
Able to set project
timelines & coordinate
different parties. Familiar
with
construction
methods & building
codes.
(5)Assistant
hr manager - M/F 1
post : Any graduate, 5
year experience, Must
have HR knowledge,
Computer
skills
&
also reporting skill.
Good communication
skills. Self-motivated,
independent thinkers and
willing to work under team
environment.
Please
submit CV, photo with
necessary documents
to HR Department Zware
Group of Companies
(DeArch Co., Ltd, Live
Life Co., Ltd, Builder
Group Co., Ltd, MBIG)
440,
Waizayantar
Rd (at the corner of
Waizayantar Rd & Thit
Sar Rd), South Okkala,
Yangon.
Tel:
951565911, +951-8551294,
+959-73117966 www.
zwaregroup.com
Email: recruitment@
zwaregroup.com
hogo
is
seeking
Technical Marketing/
sale marketing, 3~5
Posts in Yangon : Any
Bachelor's degree or
diploma in any field
with good command
in
IT.
Candidates
have excellent using
experience at iPad,
iPhone, Android Smart
phone and Smart TV
will be an advantage.
Minimum
2
years'
experience with sale or
marketing in networking/

CCTV
field.
Any
interested candidates
should submit not later
than 30th April along with
CV and recent passport
photo to HOGO Yangon
Business Consulting
Co., Ltd. No.(71), Ground
Floor, (5th) St, (2) Ward,
Lanmadaw, Yangon.
Email : hogobusiness@
gmail.com
singAPoreAn
Construction Company
in newly, will be starting
project in Myanmar soon
is seeking QS Engineer
1 Post M/F : Minimum
5 years experience in
related fields, Preparing
BoQ, doing bills payment,
Providing local supplier
contacts. Please send
CV to 2014thanda@
gmail.com within two
weeks.
AsiA PLAzA hoTeL
is seeking (1) sale &
marketing manager
- M/F 1 Post. (2)
Assistant Fo manager
- M/F 1 Post. (3)sales &
Marketing Executive M/F 2 Posts. (4) Fo
supervisor - M/F 2
Posts. (5) F&b manager
M/F 1 Post. (6)chief
Accountant - M/F 1
Post. (7) g.s.o (Guest
Service Officer) - M/F 1
Post. (8) hr Assistant
- F 1 Post. Must be
interesting, strive and
in the long term for this
position. Please can
apply with CV form,
Photo, Expect salary,
Certificate &
other
attachement copy. Asia
Plaza Hotel, Yangon,
No(277), Corner of 38th
& Bogyoke Aung San Rd,
Kyauktada, Yangon. Ph:
391070, 391071.
singAPoreAn
Construction Company
in newly, will be starting
project in Myanmar soon
is seeking QS Engineer
- M/F 1 Post : Minimum
5 years experience in
related fields, Preparing
BoQ, doing bills payment,
Providing local supplier
contacts. If you interest,
please send your CV
to 2014thanda@gmail.
com not later than within
two weeks.
myTcL is currently
seeking (1)Document
Assistant/Warehouse
Assistant - M/F 3 Posts
:Age 23 ~ 35 years, Any
University
graduate,
Good communication
skills both in Myanmar
and English. Fluency
in
Myanmar
and
English
language.
Good Computer skills
in particular for Data
processing & analysis,
MS Office, Email and
Internet, etc. Honesty,
reliability, hardworking
and be a good team
player.
One
year
experience.
Please
submit the application
letter with full CV
detailing experience,
knowledge & skills, one
passport photo, copy of
all relevant certificates,
labour
registration
card, NRC card &
recommendation letter
from police station to
Administration Depart
ment : Myanmar Yang Tse
Copper Limited, Yangon,
70(I) Bo Chein St, Pyay
Rd, Hlaing, Yangon. Tel:
01-514194~7, Email:
yangtse@yangtse.com.
mm , Note: Employment
is always subject to
passing an MYTCL
Medical Examination.
Colsing date : 24 April
2015.
engLish TeAcher
in Language School :
Responsible & reliable,
Efficient and resultoriented, At least 3
years in teaching,
Willingness and capacity
to accommodate when
faced with difficult and
frustrating
working
conditions, Able and
willing to travel in
Yangon.
Interested
applicants are to send
their current C.V with
recent photo and fixed a
day for interview. Send to
jatojamie@gmail.com or
call 09-4500-50725.
eXo TrAVeL is seeking
(1)Admin Assistant
(Logistics) : Any degree

holder or equivalent
qualifications, Able to
use Microsoft office
programs comfortably.
Relevant
work
experiences would be
advantageous.
Hard
working and team player.
Able to commit overtime
when necessary. (2)
Travel consultant : 2
years
experience in
tourism related field, Proactive & Team spirit, good
organizational & problem
solving skill, Excellent
interpersonal skills &
communication skills,
Strong sales & customer
service focus, Computer
proficiency : Microsoft
word, Excel, & Outlook,
Good communication in
English/French (Written
& Spoken ). (Only those
with a genuine interest
in joining a professional
travel company for
long-term commitment
need apply.) Interested
candidates are invited
to send a detailed
resume HR Manager at
memecho@exotravel.
com or mail to 147.
Shwegonedaing
St,
West Shwegonedaing,
Bahan, Yangon, Tel: +
95 (0) 1 8604933
zWAre groUP is
seeking (1)marketing
manager - M/F 1 post
(2)Project Coordinator
(Interior) - M/F 1 post
(3)Project Coordinator
(Civil Structure) - M/F
2
posts
(4)Admin
Assistant - M/F 2 posts
(5)civil engineer - M/F 2
posts (6)Office Secretary
- M/F 1 post (7)Assistant
hr manager - M/F 1 post
(8)marketing Assistant
- M/F 3 posts (9)Office
staff - M/F 2 posts
(10)Senior
Quantity
surveyor (Head of QS)
- M/F 1 post (11)Project
coordinator - M/F 1 post
(12)sales engineer M/F 1 post (13)driver
- M 1 post (14)general
helper - M 1 post (15)
store Keeper - M/F 2
posts. Please submit CV,
photo with necessary
documents to 440,
Waizayandar St, Corner
of Thitsar Traffic point,
South Okkalarpa. Ph :
01-565911, 01-8551294.
Email:
recruitment@
zwaregroup.com
inT'L Accounting &
Law firm is seeking (1)
Junior Associates, LL.
B or LL. M - F 3 posts.
(2)cPAs - F 2 posts. (3)
Accountants, B Com,
Level II, Level III - F 3
posts. (4) Receptionist
& Secretary - F 2
post.
For all posts:
Ages between 22 and
35, Fluent in English,
Excellent negotiation &
communication skills,
Computer skills. Please
submit CV to alex.
hwang@polaris.com.
mm
myAnmAr Access
International Co., Ltd
is seeking marketing
Executive : 2 year
experience in marketing
field, Age 25 years
and above, Must be
able to speak & write
English, Must be able
to use Ms & Power
point, Well organized &
result-oriented. Contact
us- zinminpon@gmail.
com, sunandar91072@
gmail.com. Ph:09-253062042, 09-732-40764.
consTrUcTion
company is urgently
seeking for Office
staffs - 3 posts : Male
or Female, Age between
25-35, Any Graduate/
Degree Holder, Minium
(2 ~ 3) years working
experience, for the
materials in construction
field, computer skills,
internet, email, Able
to speak Myanmar &
Chinese OR Myanamr &
English. please contact
09 - 4303-1641
We
Are
seeking
Experience Teacher :
Yanagon English centre
run by ex-pats requires
teachers with skills in
delivering
corporate
training. Contact think
in English @ 09-425026102, for ph interview.
Kh hoTeL Yangon is
currently seeking self

motivated, dedicated
and potential candidates
for the following posts;
(1)sale & marketing
manager - M/F 2 posts
: University graduate,
Excellent
English
communication
skill,
written & spoken, 3 years
experience in relate
field, Good personality.
(2)M&E Technicians M 3 Posts : Must have
related certificates or
Diploma or B.Tech, 2
years experience in
hospitality
industry,
Must work shift duty.
Interested candidates,
please submit CV with
relevant documents to
KH Hotel : 28, 7 Miles,
Pyay Rd, Mayangone,
Yangon. Ph: 01-652989,
01-653358, 01-653359.
JAPFA
comFeed
Myanmar Pte Ltd is
seeking
(1)senior
Accountant : B.Com
(or) CPA, Age under
50, Have knowledge
& experience on tax &
regulation of Myanmar,
(2)Accountant : B.Com
(or) LCCI level 3, 3 years
experience, Computer
literate & accounting
knowledge
(3)chief
Finance : B.Com, 4 years
experience, Knowledge
& experience on cash
& finance, Knowledge
on banking sustem.
(4)Office staff : Any
graduate,
Computer
literate (Microsoft office),
(5)driver : 3 years
experience in driving, can
drive for ferry / foreigner,
English literate. Contact
01-652536,
652544,
or submit CV to 37,
Kabaaye
Pagoda
Rd, Inya Lake Hotel
Compound, East Wing.
siTUATion WAnTed,
A Freelance Licensed
guide (Eng) Wishes to
serve in any position
with any reputable tour
agency.
Prospective
employers may contact
soon. Ph: 09-301-99028.
dVb mULTimediAGroup
Co., Ltd is seeking Team
development Lead :
Fluency in both English
& Myanmar language,
2 ~ 4 years working in
a quota- driven sales
environment, 2 ~ 4 years
working in an office/
business environment
(multi-national company
expsrience a plus), 2 ~
4 years managing office
or sales staff, 1 ` 2 years
working with structured
sales process steps &
practices, 1 ~ 2 years
working with MS office
programs and email
communications, 1 ~
2 years working with
sales reporitng tools
and / or CRM software.
DVB has a competitive
compensation package.
Intersted candidate may
submit CV & cover letter
to admain@dvb.no.
niTiPon is seeking (1)
shop manager - F 1
post in Mandalay : Must
have management skills,
experience for customer
service, Graduated, Good
English communication,
Age 28 ~ 35, Sign in 2
years contract, (2)sales F 2 posts in Yangon : Basic
knowledge of English &
understanding skill, Any
graduate, Age 18 ~ 30,
For all posts : Expesrience
in cosmetic field/service
filed, Salary negotiable,
Please send resume with
supporting documents to
sabaephyu26@gmail.
com
KeLVin chiA Yangon
Ltd is a foreign legal
consultancy firm. We
invite
motivated
&
committed individuals
who are able to work
as: Account cum Admi
nistrative Assistant :
Good written and spoken
communication skills in
English. Must be wellorganized, meticulous,
have initiative & execute
instructions promptly.
Accounting background
& experience preferred.
Interested
applicants
are invited to send their
full resume together with
a recent photograph to
ppo@kcyangon.com we
regret that only shortlisted
candidates will be notified.

26 Sport

THE MYANMAR TIMES April 10, 2015

RAllyinG

Athletics

Bubka says new


legal arms needed
in doping war

A competitor in the 2015 Dakar Rally drives through hostile desert terrain. Photo: AFP

Chile pull out of


2016 Dakar Rally
because of floods
c
hILe will not participate
in the 2016 Dakar rally because of damage caused by
flooding in the north of the
country which has hosted
the race since 2008.
Chilean sports minister Natalia
riffo said that the decision had been
made after consulting with Dakar rally organisers AsO.
In addition, there are communication problems ... which make the

passage of the Dakar 2016 through


Chile impossible, added riffo.
The death toll from flash floods
which have devastated Chiles normally arid north has risen to 26 and could
increase further, with another 120 people still missing.
The Atacama region, home to the
worlds driest desert, and the neighbouring city of Antofagasta, some
800 kilometres (500 miles) north of
the capital santiago, were deluged by

heavy rains on March 24 that swept


away thousands of homes, leaving
thick layers of muck and tens of thousands of devastated residents in their
wake.
Chile and Argentina are the two
south American countries which have
always hosted the rally since it pulled
out of Africa in 2008 because of security reasons.
Peru and Bolivia have also hosted
it. AFP

INTerNATIONAL athletics needs


stronger legal weapons to tackle
doping cheats, pole vault legend
sergey Bubka said April 8 as he
launched his campaign for the
IAAF presidency against Britains
sebastian Coe.
The 51-year-old Ukrainian also
said that athletics should consider events with men and women
competing against each other, but
insisted the sport must be defended from cuts for the 2020 Tokyo
Olympics as new sports press for
places.
Bubka was part of the International Olympic Committee athletes commission that a decade
ago started pressing for coaches
and other staff around athletes to
be punished for doping offences.
Bubka has called doping one
of the biggest dangers to 21st century sport. But he said legal restrictions had held back efforts
to impose the punishments that
athletes wanted.
It was a very, very complicated
issue because from a legal point of
view you would like to do many
more sanctions. You would like to
do more punishment.
But Bubka told a video press
conference from Ukraine that this
had always created legal and human rights issues.
We need to work together. We
need to study legally how we can
strengthen our position, in which
way we can put sanctions, if we
need to put sanctions on a national federation which violates, he
said, in answer to a question on
whether russia should face special action over a widespread doping scandal to hit its sports.
Who is cheating will be punished, no exception for cheaters,
Bubka said, vowing zero tolerance if successful in the election.
But the six-time world pole
vault champion said tougher sanctions need deep study. Many
federations are just introducing
four-year bans for drug cheats and
legal challenges are expected.
Coe, Bubkas British rival for
the IAAF presidency that will be
decided at a congress in Beijing in
August, has said russias athletics
federation must be helped to combat doping rather than isolated.
Bubka released a manifesto
that included a promise of providing a synthetic track for every
country that does not have one

and building closer ties with business to increase International Association of Athletics Federation
revenues.
Like Coe, Bubka said that athletics must find new ways to increase its attraction, especially
among young people.
he promised the most intensive review of international athletics that would make proposals
to an extraordinary congress. This
could include changes to the flagship world championships.
Bubka said the IAAF should
even consider men and women
competing against each other as
well as staging athletics in shopping malls and other new venues.
Mixed gender competition
this area may have many opportunities and we must move to this
direction.

We need to work
together. We need
to study legally
how we can
strengthen our
position, in which
way we can put
sanctions.
sergey Bubka
iAAF presidential candidate

he highlighted mixed gender


races and contests already held in
some Caribbean countries.
Bubka is already a vice president of the IOC which is looking at ways to cut some Olympic
events to bring in new sports at
the 2020 Tokyo Games.
The Ukrainian said athletics
had to make itself more attractive
and work with the IOC to keep its
place as the number one Olympic
sport.
It is universal and it is a
unique sport and we should
maintain our events and our disciplines in the Olympic program
and I believe in collaboration we
will always protect the position
and role of our sport. AFP

Golf

Heartthrob Horan caddies for McIlroy at Masters


IrIsh pop music star Niall horan of
One Direction botched his tee-shot
moment April 8 in the Masters Par-3
Contest while serving as world number one rory McIlroys caddie.
The 21-year-old heartthrob to teen
fans of the famed British boy band, a
12-handicap player according to McIlroy, was handed the chance to hit a tee
shot at the ninth and last hole on the
special course at Augusta National.
But in this case, horans one direction was the wrong one as his shot
found the water.
My right arm got stuck on my chest
and I pulled it across and it wound
up in the drink on the very left, horan said. Any other day I would have
found the green but theres a lot of
pressure out there.
Its not like horan does not

perform before thousands of people


at concerts, although there were relatively few teen girls at the famed golf
course.
Its very different, horan said. I
do perform to a lot of people but Im
performing to their parents today. Its
a very different crowd.
There were plenty of middle-aged
women getting autographs and selfies
from horan, star golfers ignored in favor of the singer.
Little bit of a younger demographic than the Masters is used to, McIlroy
said of One Direction. Im a big fan.
They have been hitting it for years.
McIlroy said the relaxed atmosphere
of the event could help him in his quest
to win his third major title in a row and
complete a career Grand slam by winning the Masters this week.

It was a lot of fun out there, McIlroy said.


Golfers often have their children
serve as caddies in the easygoing competition, something four-time Masters
winner Tiger Woods and defending
champion Bubba Watson did.
McIlroy made his deal with horan
when he learned the singer would be
attending the Masters this year for the
first time, offering the prized caddie
spot that had once belonged to McIlroys
former girlfriend, Caroline Wozniacki.
I caught up with him in Australia
at the end of last year and he was really excited and I said, If youre available Wednesday afternoon and you
want to carry the bag for nine holes,
youre more than welcome, McIlroy
said. hes really excited to be here.
AFP

Sport 27

www.mmtimes.com
FANTASY FOOTBALL

Prepare for our first-ever sports bracket


matt roebuck
matt.d.roebuck@gmail.com

F you were worried what you


would do without The Myanmar Times sport coverage over
the festive Thingyan period
then worry no more: we have
come up with a way to keep every
keen sportsmind in Myanmar busy
until we return on April 22.
After Thingyan The Myanmar
Times will launch its first football
predictions competition based on
the results of the General Aung San

1st Round

Round of 16

Shield. That means you have a little


over a week to prepare your predictions before we launch the contest in
our first edition after the break.
The full rules and conditions of
entry will be confirmed then but
predictions will need to be completed and delivered to the competition
address by Friday, April 24, the day
before Round one of Myanmars toplevel knockout football tournament
begins.
That means you have until then
to study the form, weigh up your options and decide who you think will

Quarter Final

make it all the way to lift the returning General Aung San Shield.
Last years Myanmar Football Federation knockout cup winners were
Ayeyawaddy United who defeated
Nay Pyi Taw FC in the final. The twotime winners have gone on to find
improved form, coming runners-up
in the Toyota Mekong Championship
and even offering a threat in the continental competition the AFC Cup. The
games losers sold a number of their
players to Ayeyawaddy in the close
season and have struggled in this
years national league.

Final

Semi Final

Both teams find themselves in the


right-hand side half of the draw, arguably the weaker half as five of the top
six sides in 12-team Myanmar National League-1, including 2011 winners
Yangon United and four of the top five
sides in 10-team MNL-2 will compete
in the left-hand draw. That side of
the draw also includes Hantharwady
United, the leagues Bago representatives who won the inaugural competition in 2010 when they were known as
Okktha United before being relegated
to MNL-2 and returning to the top
flight this season.

Semi Final

Quarter Final

Yadanarbon
Mawyawady

Match 7

Match 1

???

???

Match 8

???
???

???

Match 19

Magwe

???

GFA

Match 10

Yangon Utd

Match 4

Match 12

University

Manaw Myay

Match 20

???

Match 21

Match 13

???
Winners of MFF Knockout competition (in professional era)

???
Match 16

Match 3

???

???

Chin Utd
Myawady

Silver Stars
???

Ayeyawady Utd

???

KBZ

Match 9

1st Round

Match 11

Match 17

???

Hantharwady Utd
???

Round of 16

Zeyar Shwe Myay

Match 15

Match 2

..................................................................
*This challenge is devised as a nongambling promotion and is intended
solely for entertainment purposes.

Zwekapin Utd
???

Horizon

Phong Gan

The Round of 16 will be played


in July, once the league break for international competition such as the
FIFA U20 World Cup and the SEA
Games is complete. It is at this stage
where the majority of the MNL-1
teams will enter the fray.
So take your time and study the
form before the action all kicks off
on April 25.

???

Year

Winner

Result

Runner-up

2010

Okktha United*

31

Southern Myanmar FC

2011

Yangon United

50

Nay Pyi Taw FC

2012

Ayeyawady United

10

KBZ FC

2013
2014

Cancelled due to SEA Games


Ayeyawady United

20

*Renamed Hantharwady United

Nay Pyi Taw FC

Southern
Match 5

Best Utd
???

Match 18

Dagon

???

???

Match 6

Match 14

Rakhine Utd

Nay Pyi Taw

Sport
28 THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIl 10, 2015

SPORT EDITOR: Matt Roebuck | matt.d.roebuck@gmail.com

Join the fun in our football


prediction competition
SPORT 27

FOOTball

Myanmar sit in pot four


MaTT ROebuck
matt.d.roebuck@gmail.com

IFAs April rankings were


announced yesterday and
with a worldwide position
of 158th that means Myanmar will go into the fourth
pot of five for the official draw of
the Preliminary Joint Qualification
Round Two for the FIFA World Cup
2018 to be held in Russia and the
AFC Asian Cup 2019 hosted by the
United Arab Emirates.
The draw for the competition will
be held in Kuala Lumpur on April 14.
Vietnam are the highest ranking of the Southeast Asian nations
in 125th place and are therefore the
regions only entrants sitting in pot
two. The Philippines (139) and Thailand (142) will be in the third pot
while Timor-Leste (152), Indonesia
(159) and Singapore (162) join Myanmar in the fourth. Malaysia (164),
Laos (178) and Cambodia (179) complete the regions entrants and will be
drawn from pot five.
Cambodia are ranked joint last
with Chinese Taipei among those
remaining in the competition and
had to qualify for this round by beating Macau 4-1 over a two-legged tie.
Timor-Leste also played in the first
qualification round overcoming
Mongolia 5-1 over two legs and it is
those two victories that have propelled them ahead of Myanmar in
the rankings.
Much was made of the mountainous Bhutan and their attempts
to reach Russia from the position of
209th in the world dead last in the
FIFA rankings. However after recording two victories against the dismissive Sri Lanka they have now climbed
to 163rd and sit alongside Myanmars
White Angels in pot four.
India, who were also forced to
qualify for this stage of the competition by beating the lower ranked
Nepal have jumped from 171st to 147th
and in the process have leap-frogged
Myanmar and a host of other nations
into pot three.
Whoever Myanmar are drawn
against, whether their first game

The logo for the FIFA 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia . Photo: FIFA

scheduled for June 11 is drawn as


a home or away game, there will unfortunately be no games played out
in front of the screaming crowds of
the Thuwunna Stadium or the passionate support of Mandalays Mandalar Thiri. Following the crowd
violence that marred the July 2011
game against Oman that acted as

Pot 1

a qualifier for the 2014 FIFA World


Cup. Myanmar was 2-0 down in the
second leg of the tie when the referee
awarded a penalty to Oman. The reaction of the crowd was to pelt the
referee and the pitch in general with
rocks, shoes and water bottles, leading the games abandonment.
The White Angels were initially

barred from qualification for the


2018 competition but following an
appeal they were reinstated into
the competition under condition of
home games being played at a neutral venue.
When The Myanmar Times spoke
to the senior sides coach Raddy
Avramovi last month, he confirmed
that the current plans were for home
games to be contested in Thailand,
though this had yet to be finalised.
Either way the result unfortunately robs true fans of a guaranteed four
competitive home games between
the start of the second round and its
completion in March 2016.
The issue of crowd trouble is one
that Myanmar is still yet to address,
after a large pitch invasion by spectators after the AFC U19 Championship quarter-final match between the
home side and the UAE.
After that instance the Asian
Football Confederation Disciplinary
Committee condemned the nations
footballing body for a failure to
guarantee law and order as well as
safety at the venue, improper conduct by spectators and repeated
infringements of the [the tournaments] Code.
The committee ordered that should
any infringement occur again then
the next national representative team
game to be played on home soil will be
played without spectators, with that
order being suspended for a probationary period of two years. The Myanmar Football Federation were also
fined US$24,000 (K24 million).

Pot 2

Pot 3

Pot 4

Pot 5

Iran (40)

Saudi Arabia (95)

Afghanistan (135)

Timor-Leste (152)

Malaysia (164)

Japan (50)

Oman (97)

Philippines (139)

Kyrgyzstan (153)

Bangladesh (167)

South Korea (57)

Qatar (99)

Palestine (140)

North Korea (157)

Hong Kong (167)

Australia (63)

Jordan (103)

Maldives (141)

Myanmar (158)

Yemen (170)

United Arab Emirates (68)

Bahrain (108)

Thailand (142)

Indonesia (159)

Guam (175)

Uzbekistan (73)

Vietnam (125)

Tajikistan (143)

Turkmenistan (159)

Laos (178)

China (82)

Syria (126)

Lebanon (144)

Singapore (162)

Cambodia (179)

Iraq (86)

Kuwait (127)

India (147)

Bhutan (163)

Chinese Taipei (179)

FOOTball

Human rights
tackles UEFA
HUMAN rights organisation the Simon
Wiesenthal Centre on April 8 urged
UEFA to act on alleged anti-semitic
chants during a friendly match between
Austria and Bosnia.
The Los Angeles-based group, which
combats anti-semitism and terrorism
while promoting human rights, called on
UEFA president Michel Platini to punish
the Bosnian Football Association.
The Centre claims to have a video of
Bosnian fans chanting Kill the Jews
while waving Palestinian flags.
In a letter to Platini, the Centres director for international relations, Shimon
Samuels urged UEFA to take the strongest disciplinary measures against the
Bosnian Football Association.
This action debases the beautiful
game and presages violence in sport
from a new Jihadist-Nazi alliance, added
Samuels.
The alleged incidents took place during a friendly in Vienna between Austria
and Bosnia.
The letter comes just a few days after the Palestinian Football Association
asked FIFA to ban Israel from international competition over racist behaviour
against Arabs.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter rejected
any such possibility on April 7 ahead of
a meeting with PFA chief Jibril Rajoub
in Cairo.
When asked by AFP at a press conference to comment on the PFA request,
Blatter said, Such a situation shall not
occur at the FIFA congress because suspension of a federation for any reason
is always something which harms the
whole organisation.
In its draft resolution asking Israel to
be barred, the PFA also protested at the
creation of five clubs in settlements on
land occupied since 1967, clubs participating in Israeli national championships
in violation of international law.
The PFA last called for Israels suspension in November after Israeli forces
raided its headquarters in the West Bank
city of Ramallah.
It has also cried foul over Israeli travel
restrictions on Palestinian players.
To be passed the Palestinian resolution must win the support of at least 156
other delegates at the 209-member FIFA
congress. AFP

wEEKEND
THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10-16, 2015

Copy that
Original tunes step
into the limelight

Video
visionary

Director removes the


romance from rock

contents

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

FEATURE

ot
h
ps
To

A man takes part


in Russias beard
and mustaches
championship in
central Moscow on
April 4.
Photo: AFP

12-13

Blown cover
Myanmars music
industry struggles to
overcome decades
of reliance on
songs pirated from
international artists
FEATURES

14-15

Directors bury music


video cliches
In Burundi, drums
beat the ancient
memories of unity
TRAVEL

16-17

Beatboxing in
Bhutan
Festivalgoers flock
to the remote
Himalayan kingdom

4
6
8
9
10
11
18
19
20
25
26

Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd.


www.mmtimes.com

arts & entertainment


Hip hop duo give love the finger
FOOD & DRINK
Chef Ricardos Taco Bar reviewed

Head Office: 379/383 Bo Aung Kyaw Street,


Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Telephone: (01) 253 642, 392 928
Facsimile: (01) 254 158

healthy & beauty


MSG: Makes snacks good, or means sick gourmands?

Mandalay Bureau: Bld Sa/1, Man Mandalar


Housing, 35th Street, between 70th and 71st
streets, Yan Myo Lone Quarter, Chan Aye Thar
San Township.
Tel: (02) 65391, 74585. Fax: (02) 24460
Email: mdybranch@myanmartimes.com.mm

STYLE
Fashion victim: Chinese designers face struggle

Nay Pyi Taw Bureau: No (15/496) Yaza Htarni


Road, Paung Laung (2)Q, Pyinmana. Tel: (067)
25982, 25983, 25309, 21426
Email: capitalbureau@myanmartimes.com.mm

mandalay
Rock the shopping mall: Mandalay bands face the music
HOME & GARDEN
Online boutique brings Scandinavian minimalism to
Myanmar homes
TRAVELSCHEDULES
Domestic and international flight times
TRAVEL
Las Vegas hides a tasteful ace up its sleeve
PUZZLERS
Comics, crosswords, predictions and fiction
socialite
Fabulous photos from the biggest bashes around town
whaTSON
Your weekly guide to events in Yangon

Chief Executive Officer


Tony Child
tonychild.mcm@gmail.com
Editorial Director U Thiha Saw
editorial.director.mcm@gmail.com
Deputy Chief Operating Officer Tin Moe Aung
tinmoeaung.mcm@gmail.com
WEEKEND
Editor-at-Large Douglas Long
dlong125@gmail.com
Pulse Editor Charlotte Rose
charlottelola.rose@gmail.com
Editor Special Publications Wade Guyitt
wadeguyitt@gmail.com
Art Director Tin Zaw Htway
kohtway.mcm@gmail.com
Layout Designer Khin Zaw
kophoaww@gmail.com
COPYRIGHT MCM
The Myanmar Times is owned by Myanmar
Consolidated Media Ltd and printed by
Myanmar Times Press (00876) with approval from MCM Ltd and by Shwe Myanmar
(P/00302) with approval from MCM Ltd. The
title The Myanmar Times, in either English or
Myanmar languages, its associated logos or
devices and the contents of this publication
may not be reproduced in whole or in part
without the written consent of the Managing
Director of Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd.

wEEKEND ARTS&entertainment

A singer performs at the Shwe


Taing Nyunt 100th anniversary tribute
concert in 2010. Photo: Staff

Traditional artists
face the music
BY CHIT SU

OVE Myanmar, love its music.


But devotees of traditional
Myanmar music are finding
that young people, though their
patriotism is not in doubt, are
deserting Myanmar music in droves.
Pop, rock, punk and K-pop have
stolen the scene, leaving little time
or space for more traditional sounds.
The old music still has its fans, but
they are ageing, and rural. Audiences
are dwindling and new recordings
few. TV and radio make less time
for it.
I want young people to love
Myanmar music and want to create
it, but its limits are narrow, said
pianist U Khin Hla, the leader of
Alinkar Wityee traditional orchestra
since 2000.
Most artists setting out on the
traditional path find they have to
perform studio music. Composers are
hampered by the lack of a copyright
law. Most artists survive by playing at
donation ceremonies and weddings.
Most singers are old and cant
afford to produce albums or learn
new techniques. New albums are
rare, said Lei Lei, 60, a well-known
traditional singer.
A new artist has to get the
attention of the audience by singing
studio music. If you do nothing but
traditional music, you will lose, said
U Khin Hla.
The Myanmar Music Awards this

year featured no pure traditional


music. Even the Alinkar Wityee
orchestra features not only the
time-honoured hnegyi (a large
double reed pipe), si and wa (a bell
and a clapper), soung (harp), pattala
(xylophone), tayaw (fiddle) and bone
(drum) but also modern keyboards.
The orchestras nine members, who
handle all the instruments between
them, are mostly aged over 60.
We are old, and our musical
journey has been long. We survive
because audiences know us well. I
just worry about the young artists,
he said.
U Khin Hla believes Myanmar
music still exists because the
government promotes a national
contest, the traditional and cultural
performing arts competition. He
knows of five orchestras still in
business.
There was a time when our Maha
Gita was very popular. But there has
been a global cultural shift, said Lei
Lei, who hopes the next generation
will not abandon their heritage.
Our music is difficult, and fewer
people want to sing it. If people dont
listen, the music dies, she said.
Myanmar Music Association
trains singers in the art of Maha Gita
and plans to open a home for aged
traditional musicians.
If you are Myanmar, you love
your country, you love the people and
you love the music, said Lei Lei.
We cant let it die, said U Khin
Hla.

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

Hip hop
duo
give
love the
finger
BY NANDAR AUNG

UST two crazy women in


weird clothes chanting
unsettling songs, they pride
themselves on fighting. In the
10 years they have travelled this
rocky road together, they have
battled their parents disapproval,
the disdain of their peers and the
mockery of the music world.
Melody, snorts Dazin. Who
needs tuneful? Give me songs
about the feelings and the lives of
singers.
She got into hip hop by getting
hooked on Kyat Pha, whose lyrics
inspired her to form her own band.
She found a partner in Triple A,
Aye Aye Aung.
Ten years on, they have evolved
into Yangon Always Kingdom,
YAK, whose image is the winged
lion with the voice of an angel.
We faced discrimination and
ignorance. We had no money to put
an album together. But thats all in
the past now, said Aye Aye Aung,
now aged 30 to Dazins 31.
For their first four years, they
released nothing. For the next four,
not so much.
In 2013, the girls uploaded to
their Facebook page their first
MTV song, Porn Face, which
celebrates women prepared to put
up with being laden down with
Gucci and LV as long as they get to
sleep with bald, rich old men. Or
something like that.
I am a woman. But I talk like a
man. You wont catch me singing
love songs. Im a rapper, says
Dazin, who works in a recording
studio by day and writes songs at
night.
Their oeuvre of some 30
songs tells of their lives and their
struggle.
Last year the group uploaded
Main Ma Rap Yuu Tway, a couple

Photos: Supplied

of crazy rap women.


Ive heard the lot: pop, rock,
punk, R&B, whatever. I keep
coming back to hip hop. It flows
through me, and I relax, said
Triple A.
Neither was obviously marked
for greatness in the field of hip
hop. They were the daughters of
unmusical parents who worked
for the government. Triple A,
under her workaday alias of Aye
Aye Aung, worked as a marketing
supervisor in a shoe store. But they
carved an original path.
Determinedly unfeminine,
they sport baggy shirts and pants,

sparkly necklaces, dangly bangles.


We dont wear sexy clothes or
sing in sexy voices. They said the
audiences wouldnt like us, but hip
hop is our life. And while life lasts,
we will make hip hop songs, vows
Dazin.
Last year, MTV World people
came from America to make a
documentary about them for the
Rebel Music program, celebrating
the lives and struggles of hip hop
artists in Myanmar, Venezuela,
Turkey, Senegal, Native America
and Iran.
Main Ma Rap Yuu Tway comes
out in May.

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND ARTS&entertainment

Do musicians die young?

The truth about the 27 Club


BY MICHAEL HANN

N Australian academic has


studied the deaths of 12,665
musicians to see how they
died, and what age they were and
shes found some surprises.
For whatever grisly reason,
people are fascinated by musicians
deaths. Part of it, doubtless, is
the feeling that those who love
someones music feel they also
somehow know the maker of the
music. Part of it is that musicians
deaths make news, whereas the
death of the old chap in the flat over
the road barely registers outside his
immediate family and friends. And
part of it is that musicians seem
unusually prone to headline-worthy
deaths murder, suicide, overdose,
plane crash.
Even the most studious people
find themselves getting facetious
on the subject of musicians deaths.
Greil Marcus, rarely a critic to roll
out the lolz, devoted a 1979 Village
Voice article which you can find in
his un-lolz-ily titled collection In the
Fascist Bathroom to ranking the
deaths of various stars, giving points
according to past contribution to
music, future contribution and
manner of rock death.
Now, though, the subject of the
music death has been subjected to
academic rigour. Dianna Theodora
Kenny professor of psychology
and music at the University of

Sydney has published a series


of articles studying musicians
causes of death. In her first article
she studied the deaths of 12,665
musicians who died between 1950
and June 2014, to look at their
longevity and the proportion of
deaths caused by suicide, murder
and injury or accident. And, as the
table below shows, musicians are
much more likely to die in one of
those ways than non-musicians.

56

Most common age for


musicians to die
In her second piece, Kenny
looked at the myth and it is a
myth of the 27 Club, the name
given to the group of musicians who
have died aged 27, including Amy
Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Janis
Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, which has
driven the belief that somehow the
age of 27 is imbued with a mystical
horror for those who make music. In
fact, Kenny shows, more musicians
have died aged 28 than 27 and
the commonest age for them to
die is 56. Its just there were more
famous people among the 27 cohort,
and their deaths were particularly
notable in manner.

Now Kenny has examined cause


of death by genre. And it rather
suggests that certain types of
music carry certain specific types
of risk. Its not perfect research
nowhere does she explain how
she has differentiated between rap
and hip hop as genres, for example
but there are fairly obvious
patterns. Some of them are hardly
surprising: Hip hop musicians are
much more likely to be murdered
than those in any other genre.
The oldest genres blues, jazz,
country have the highest rate of
musicians succumbing to heartrelated illness and cancer (in 50
years time, hip hops stats will
start to reflect the many rappers
who manage not to get murdered
and make it through to old age).
And metal and punk are, by
massive margins, the styles in
which musicians are most likely
to suffer accidental deaths (which
includes crashes and overdoses).
Metal, too, has an issue with
suicide: Almost one in five dead
metal musicians took their own
life, whereas the God-fearing folk
of gospel are the least likely to kill
themselves.
Now, Im not entirely sure what
if anything we can learn from
all this, aside from perhaps getting
a heads-up that pursuing a career
in music could be hazardous. But
its fascinating stuff. And to any
musicians reading this: take care!

The Guardian

Fans pay tribute to Amy Winehouse in front of her house in London on July 27, 2011.
Winehouse died four days earlier, aged 27.

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

wEEKEND | FOOD&DRINK

Taco or not to go?

Judas Priest guitarist Glenn


Tipton displays his caffeineoverdose countenance during a
concert in Budapest, Hungary,
on August 11, 2011.
Photo: Shutterstock

BY CHARLOTTE ROSE

Judas Priests British


Steel coffee will help
you live after midnight
Veteran metallers unleash their own
coffee to mark the 35th anniversary
of their landmark album
A

GEING rockers chances of


living after midnight have
been dramatically increased
not because anyone has devised an
age-specific course of debauchery, but
because Judas Priest have released
their own brand of coffee.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary
of their landmark album British
Steel, the Birmingham metal gods
have teamed up with Dark Matter
Coffee in Chicago to produce the
ultimate hesher coffee. British Steel
coffee will be available online, and
from Dark Matters three Chicago
shops.
Youll need a grinder, too, because
the coffee is being sold as a whole
bean (you can get it pre-ground if you
specify when ordering). But thats
OK, because orders of the coffee will
come with a free Grinder or, rather,
a cassette single featuring the Priest
song of the same name.
British Steel, from April 1980,
is considered one of the classics of
metal, eventually going platinum in

the US. It contained three hit singles


Living After Midnight, Breaking
the Law and United.
Priests lead singer, Rob Halford,
has his solo work compiled next
month by Sony. The Essential Rob
Halford also contains music from his
projects 2wo and Fight.
Last month Halford uncovered a
novel he had written in the 1970s. Its
very childlike, but Im just pleased
that I was able to find it. I dont know
if anything will come of it. I am just
relieved that having thought it was
completely lost, I now have it, he told
website Classic Rock Revisited.
Its a pretty cool story. Its about
this evil kind of guy who steals
peoples emotions by capturing their
tears. He has this library and instead
of books he has these little glass
vials of humanity. He has a room full
of these things and it is called the
Library of Tears. Ive now discovered
it, and who knows what will happen to
it. I am not sure.

The Guardian

FRIEND of mine recently


decided to leave Yangon
and move back to the
United States, her reason being
that she missed two things: good
Mexican food and her husband. In
that order.
As Weekends recent restaurant
reviews have shown, Yangon is fast
losing its reputation as a barren
wasteland when it comes to foodie
culture. The citys emergent food
scene means it is now possible
to find almost everything from
a decent chicken tikka massala
or gourmet burger to shawarmatopped hummus, ceviche and
even Russian cuisine. Authentic
Mexican food, however, has
remained surprisingly scarce.
Mexican chef Ricardo Lujan
has clearly spotted an opportunity
with his introduction of a weekly
Mexican food night at the Belmond
Governers Residence. For a set price
of US$42 per person (plus tax and
service charge), guests can indulge
their taste buds in an all-you-caneat gustatory tour of Mexican
delights, including a seafood salad
bar; homemade nachos with a
selection of spicy salsas, guacamole
and dips; and homemade flour
and corn tacos with fillings such as
steak, marinated chicken, pork and
prawns in tequila.
As if all that wasnt enough to
keep a Mexican food-lover happy,
the price also includes free-flow
Corona beer, Margaritas and tequila
shots. Now, I have never been to
Mexico, but I find it somewhat
dubious that Mexicans drink freeflow Margaritas and tequila shots
with their dinner. Never one to
doubt the authenticity of a waiter
in a sombrero, however, I thought it
only right to give it a go.
Several (editors note: 10)
Margaritas later, Id forgotten what
the food tasted like. Fortunately,
this review comes to you courtesy
of my dinner guest, who reminded

me to take notes. And at the top of


my notes, in big capital letters, Ive
written PRAWNS IN TEQUILA
= AMAZING. Evidently, the
prawns were the highlight, but all
of the marinated taco fillings are
delicious, as are the freshly grilled
homemade tacos themselves.

Topped with guacamole, cheese


and an overwhelming array of
bright, fragrant salads and fresh,
spicy salsas, they will make you
loco with pleasure.
With so many meaty taco
fillings to try, it may be tempting
to forgo the salad bar in favour
of scoffing as many steak-filled
wraps as possible. Dont. The
seafood salad is a thrill: Chef
Ricardo helpfully prepared mine
for me (perhaps noticing me
wobble), layering an assortment
of ingredients to create a tangy,
refreshing sundae.
The real excitement comes when
you spot the fresh churros, hot out
of the fryer and topped with vanilla
sugar and rich, dark chocolate or
caramel sauce. As a desert person,
this was all I really needed to justify
a spend of $42, although by this
time, I was too high on Margaritas
to really enjoy them.
A visit to the Belmond Governors
Residence is always a delight and
the elegant outdoor restaurant
is a charming place to spend an
evening filling up on crisp, summery
Mexican flavours. Ricardos veritable
feast is sure to more than satisfy
the cravings of Mexican-starved
gastronomists. Yes, its pricey, but
for the time being at least you have
little choice, so don that sombrero
and get there, rapido.
Just maybe go easy on the
tequila.
Chef Ricardos Taco Bar
Belmond Governors Residence
35 Taw Win Road, Dagon
Thursday, 18:30-21:30
Restaurant Rating:
Food
Beverage
Service
Value
X-factor

8
9
9
7
9

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | FOOD&DRINK

RECIPE

How to make the perfect devilled eggs


the filling, so it blends better with the
other ingredients.

BY FELICITY CLOAKE

EVILLED eggs are one of those


dishes that are so much more
than the sum of their parts.
Make all the fancy canapes you like,
but Ill bet my bottom dollar the eggs
and cocktail sausages still disappear
first. Theres a good reason you never
see a leftover devilled egg.
In the US, where theyre
considered grandma food par
excellence, devilled eggs have been
enjoying an unlikely renaissance as
bar snacks, but in the UK theyre only
just starting to show up on hipster
menus.
The style
The idea of stuffing eggs is an ancient
one, but the devilled variety is a newer
innovation. There are as many ways
to stuff an egg as there are to skin a
cat, so here Ive tried to stick to the
classic variety. The first recipes,
which pop up in late 19th century
America, generally feature some
mixture of hot mustard and chilli
pepper, tangy vinegar and something
creamy, and these have been my
blueprint here.
The eggs
Although you can devil any kind of
poultry egg you like, from quail to
ostrich, the classic recipe uses the
hens variety, hard-boiled. Opinions
on how best to get them to this
state differ greatly, from Simon
Hopkinson, who puts the eggs in a
pan of cold water, brings it to the boil,
then takes it off the heat and leaves

The perfect devilled eggs


8 servings
4 eggs at room temperature
3 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp softened butter
tsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp mustard powder
Generous shake of hot sauce
tsp flaky celery salt
1 tbsp chopped chives
Cayenne pepper, to garnish

it to stand for 5 minutes, to Chef


John who leaves them in there for 17
minutes.
All of these techniques work just
fine as long as you get the timings
right; this is one occasion where you
dont want the yolks to be at all soft in
the middle, because any gooey bits will
end up as a chewy lump in the filling.

it out and to enhance its flavour.


Mayonnaise is the most popular
choice, though Marion Harland,
writing in 1882, moistens them
with just with a very little melted
butter and Hopkinson sour cream.
Mayonnaise alone is quite acceptable,
but a little soft butter makes them
into something really special.

The fat
The yolk must be mixed with
something even richer, both to bulk

Seasonings
A devilled egg should have a certain
heat to it, though it shouldnt be

aggressively so. Most people go for


Dijon. But I, like Margaret Anne
Mitchell, whose recipe was a winner
at the Southern Foodways Alliance
devilled egg contest, prefer the sweet,
almost peppery heat of dry English
mustard powder, especially as vinegar
is another key flavour.
You can also add further heat in
the form of a chilli, paprika or chilli
powder. A final dusting of cayenne
pepper or paprika looks pretty, but I
prefer to add chilli in liquid form to

Put the eggs in a pan large enough


to hold them in one layer and cover
with about 2cm cold water. Bring to
the boil, then immediately turn down
the heat so the water just shivers, and
cook for 12 minutes. Scoop out and
place under cold running water until
completely cool.
Rap the eggs against a hard
surface to crack the shells all the
way round, then starting at the blunt
end, carefully peel them. If you really
want to impress, cut a little off each
side so they sit flat on the plate, then
cut in half. Scoop out the yolks into a
small bowl and mash with a fork. In
a separate bowl, whip together the
mayonnaise, butter, vinegar, mustard
powder, hot sauce and celery salt with
a little pepper until well combined,
then stir in the egg yolk and chives.
Taste and add more of any of the
seasonings to suit your taste.
Spoon or pipe into the egg whites,
arrange on a plate and sprinkle
with a little cayenne pepper before
serving.

The Guardian

KINSHASA

DR Congo chef
reaches stardom
after return to roots
BY MARTHE BOSUANDOLE

ACISM and the financial


meltdown kept Congolese
master chef Christian Yumbi
down and out in Belgium. Back home,
the gourmet innovator has finally
won the stardom he fought for.
I did my best [in Belgium]: I
studied, opened my own business,
married a Belgian woman and spoke
Flemish. But despite all that, I always
felt like a foreigner there, said
Yumbi, who in 2014 won the panAfrican television contest Star Chef.
Because he drove a flashy car,
Yumbi said he was frequently stopped
by the Belgian police, who would ask
me whether I was a football player or
a drug dealer.
Despite his masters degree from
the prestigious Ritz Escoffier cooking
school in Paris which he financed by
washing dishes none of his Belgian
employers ever appointed him a top
chef.
I was good, but it was practically
impossible to become chef because
I am black and African Unsettled,
frustrated and tired, I struggled to
survive, said Yumbi, 40.
Refusing to give up, the food lover
took out a US$20,000 loan in 2014 to
open his first restaurant in Belgium,
which he named Re-Source.
Yumbi was inspired by the

so-called slow food movement that


aims to preserve traditional cuisine
and steer clear from fast food.
It was like going back to the
source thats where the name ReSource came from, he said.
Two years later, Re-Source earned
a mention in the influential French
restaurant guide Gault & Millau, but
the 2008 financial crisis hit Yumbis
project hard.
Heartbroken by the crisis-fuelled
loss of clientele and the racism he
kept facing, Yumbi finally gave up,
packed his bags and went home to
his native city of Lubumbashi in
southeastern DR Congo, but quickly
found he would be better off moving
to Kinshasa.
In a country where millions
barely have anything to eat, the chef
re-opened Re-Source in the upscale
Gombe area, where most restaurants
are owned by better-off expatriates.
Yumbi faces difficulties in DR
Congo too: The rent is high, red tape
is troublesome and it is hard to find
qualified employees.
But the chef says he appreciates
the good-quality produce he finds in
the Congolese capital.
A Kinshasa farm supplies the
restaurant with top-quality organic
vegetables, including plump
tomatoes, tasty aubergines and
mouthwatering cucumbers, while
meat and fish are also bought from

Chef Christian Yumbi works in the open-air kitchen at Re-Source restaurant in Kinshasa, DR Congo, on February 19.
Photo: AFP/Federico Scoppa

local distributors.
Dishes are exotic and not for the
conservative palate. They range
from mushroom soup to crocodile
tournedos for starters, and goat
smoked over a wood fire for mains.
The presentation is artful and
colourful, marrying traditional
Congolese tastes with European
minimalism.
What I care about the most is
that my clients feel good, Yumbi said
as he stood working in his kitchen
overlooking the little garden and
indoor swimming pool at Re-Source.
In our modern Congolese
kitchen, each product maintains

its original flavour, the chef said,


preparing a healthy, oil-free spinach
dish.
A Re-Source regular said Yumbi
is not just a great cook but also a
wonderful host.
The somewhat reserved chef
welcomes his guests himself, cooks
and serves them, said the client,
who loves the fragrant little ginger
doughnuts offered between courses.
Last year, Yumbi gained stardom,
defeating 11 other African contestants
in the Star Chef television show
broadcast on a pan-Africa channel.
Looking back on his TV days, he
said that in order to convince the jury

of his qualities, he could leave nothing


to chance.
He was meticulous with the
choice of products, their preparation,
cooking and final presentation, he
said.
Yumbi won 10 million CFA
francs ($16,750), which he invested
in renovating his restaurant and
setting up a school to train future
chefs, which already has a dozen
enthusiastic students.
Running a team of 20 food lovers
at Re-Source, Yumbi says he feels
more fulfilled, more free in Congo
than he ever has anywhere else.

AFP

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

wEEKEND | HEALTH&beauty

MSG: Makes Snacks Good,


or Means Sick Gourmands?
WADE GUYITT

CCORDING to comments
made to The Nation by
Piya Sosothikul, executive
director of Thai footwear and
MSG manufacturer Seacon Group,
the average person in Myanmar
consumes 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
of MSG per year.
MSG monosodium glutamate
enhances savoury tastes. In 1908 a
Japanese scientist found a traditional
broth did not match existing
categories of sweet, salty, sour or
bitter. He called the taste umami, a
combination of the Japanese words
for delicious and taste, and tested
various glutamate salts to find one
that could be made an additive for
other foods. Sodium glutamate won:
He patented a crystalised form and in
1909 it hit the market as Aji-no-moto,
or essence of taste.
Not all umami tastes involve
MSG, of course. Tomatoes and green
tea are both naturally high in it, as is
breast milk and parmesan cheese.
So why should we worry about
MSG? Well, MSG is 78 percent free
glutamic acid, 21pc sodium and

about 1pc contaminant. This doesnt


taste good alone you wouldnt dip
a spoon in it but it makes other
tastes fresher, riper, stronger. And
the food industry is obsessed with it.
Therein, say some, lies a problem.
In 1958, the US Food and Drug
Administration labelled MSG
Generally Recognised as Safe
like salt, vinegar and other common
ingredients and has not changed
that label since. But a decade later,
medical journals began discussing
Chinese Restaurant Syndrome
anything from numbness to heart
palpatations, experienced after
eating MSG. Today the preferred
nomenclature is MSG Symptom
Complex, which the FDA classifies
as short-term reactions to MSG.
The problem with MSG is that
glutamate reactors arent just on
your tongue theyre in your brain,
nervous system, eyes, pancreas
and other organs, even your heart.
All can be excited by MSG, which
is why its dubbed an excitotoxin,
meaning it poisons by activating
receptors. When magnesium stores
are low, the receptors can overreact
to MSG, possibly triggering cardiac
arrest, even in otherwise healthy

young athletes. Research is not


conclusive but some contend it may
hasten the onset of Alzheimers,
Parkinsons, Lou Gehrigs, and a
host of other diseases that interfere
with learning and motor skills.
Its important to note that few
medical studies have reliably
reproduced long-term or shortterm anecdotal findings. Some
even say the old name Chinese
Restaurant Syndrome proves
the whole backlash against MSG
is manufactured nonsense, and
that MSG is perfectly healthy or
at least, no more unhealthy than
anything else we eat regularly.
These people say the whole idea of
MSG being bad for us started as a
Western plot to steal back business
from Asian restauranteurs. But,
given that the syndrome was first
brought to light by a 1968 letter
to the New England Journal
of Medicine by a physician a
Chinese-American physician that
seems unlikely. The letter also noted
MSG use was relatively rare among
cooks in China at that time and
today MSG, while a popular additive
during the cooking process in Asia,
is more deeply embedded in food

The average person in Myanmar consumes 800 grams (1.76 pounds) of MSG per year. Photo: Staff

production in the West, being baked


in to nearly all processed foods and
leaving consumers no control over
how much they consume.
If so, this is a problem, as
anecdotal reports and some medical
studies connect MSG to obesity,
eye damage, headaches, fatigue,
disorientation and depression. The
FDA itself says that those who suffer
from MSG Symptom Complex
those especially susceptable, around
30pc of the population may
experience numbness, burning,
tingling, facial tightness, chest
pain, difficulty breathing, headache,
nausea, increased heartrate,
sleepiness or weakness.
In countries where MSG has a
bad rap, products containing MSG
as an ingredient must say so on
the label. But not if its ingredients
themselves contain MSG: Natural
chicken flavouring, soy sauce, malt
extract, natural pork flavouring
and malt flavouring usually either
contain MSG or create it during
processing. Its best to assume that
if its processed, theres MSG in it
somewhere. Its best to assume if

its fast food, theres MSG in it one


popular chain was found to use MSG
even in salads without dressing.
The Eastern diet tends to
involve fewer processed foods
than Western cooking does. The
bad news is many purchase it raw,
adding it themselves. So how does
Myanmars 800 grams a year stack
up? A New York Times article
from 2000 (In China, MSG is no
headache, its a new treat) found
the average Chinese resident ate
about 1.3 pounds (590 grams) of
MSG that year, six times as much
as 10 years earlier. It also found
95pc of restaurants and 70pc of
homes used it daily, and said Japans
consumption was higher, though
there the ginger and taurine-rich
is thought to protect against MSG
reactions. In countries where foods
are stir-fried, the benefit is lost.
Whether MSG is as bad as critics
contend, or worry-free as supporters
suggest, it might be nice to just eat
regular food again, without the
umami making it all taste identical.
The best food additive, in the end,
might just be subtraction.

We hit the streets of Yangon


to find out how you feel about
MSG in your food.
Ye Min Kyaw, entrepreneur
Its really concerning to me. I dont
think it can be good for your health
Ive heard it causes cancer so I
dont think we should be eating so
much of it. But people here dont
realise how bad it is for them.

Tom Barton, newspaper editor


I can tell when food has a lot of MSG
in it because it gives me palpitations
like Ive had too much coffee. I dont
really know a lot about it but its
probably fine in Australia its not
illegal, I think food companies just
have to make it clear on their food
labels if their products contain MSG.

U Myo Min Zaw, deputy director,


Department of Revenue
It is difficult for Myanmar people
to stop eating MSG because weve
been eating it since we were young,
but we should try to cut down. Food
companies will use MSG if it means
they can sell more products, but I
think they have a responsibility to
make sure people understand the
health implications.

Ko Kyaw Thet,
chef, Rangoon Tea House
I suffer from hypertension when I
eat MSG, so I stopped eating MSG it
altogether and we dont use it in our
restaurant. People should cut it out
of their diets as much as possible
and substitute it with something
else. For example, in our restaurant,
we use onion instead of MSG.

Ma May Myo Min, market seller


If we eat too much MSG it can cause
bad health. So we should reduce the
amount we eat as much possible.

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | STYLE

Fashion victim: Chinese designers face struggle


A

PARADE of unknowns on
the catwalks of Beijing
Fashion Week highlights the
challenges facing Chinese designers
trying to break into an industry
dominated by foreign brands: high
production costs, excessive retail
prices and customers who still
favour Western labels.
Not a single international
fashion house exhibited at the
show, much of which took place
in a former factory building in the
suburbs of the Chinese capital, far
from the spotlights of Paris, New
York or London.
Instead the event was opened by
a group of young Chinese designers,
some of them still students, who
won a competition for the privilege.
Among them was Liang Xiudong,
from Xian, who presented a mixture
of black capes, silver epaulettes and
oversized sleeves. His watching
father dressed in a cheap greybeige jacket said proudly, Its
good, very good. I see a great future
for him.
But Liang was more sanguine. I
know the biggest difficulties are still
ahead of me, he said.
Another winner, Liang Diyun, 22,
opened his Beijing studio last year
but his brand has yet to get off the
ground.
The Chinese publics taste is
significantly less advanced than in
Western countries, he lamented.
A few Chinese labels that have
appeared in the last 15 years such
as Zuczug or JNBY have managed
to establish themselves and now
have hundreds of shops, but
international experts say Chinese
designers have yet to find their

identity.
Honestly, I see a lot of pretty
things in China, but nothing I could
call modern Chinese style has
emerged yet, Anna Wintour, editor-

A model parades a creation during the


FADVSUN Sun Juxiang collection at China
Fashion Week in Beijing on March 26.
Photo: AFP

in-chief of Vogue, said on a visit in


January.
China will drive almost half of
global growth in the beauty and
womens ready-to-wear luxury
markets in the next 10 years,
according to consultancy McKinsey.
Many would-be Chinese
dressmakers head to elite Western
fashion schools to learn, and some
are returning to the country in an
effort to capture that potential.
But the Asian giants wealthiest
customers remain captive to foreign
brands.
At the same time, multi-brand
shops in which they can exhibit
their wares are a new concept in the
country, leaving few retail outlets
accessible to individual designers.
Zeng Yanjie recently returned
from Milan to try to set up a label,
only to find out that, in her view,
independent Chinese designers do
not have a lot of space in which to
grow.
Beijing Fashion Week only has
around 10 independent designers
and it doesnt attract individual
buyers, she added.
Most Chinese associate fashion
with expensive foreign labels, but
young designers often ask equally
high prices in an effort to build their
brand reputation leaving them
offering poor value.
The problem is that many
of them have luxury prices for
Taobao-style products, complained
fashion commentator Hung Huang,
referring to Chinas giant online
equivalent of e-Bay. You cant price
it as luxury and sell something
whose quality is not worth it.
Designers defend themselves,

Models parade creations designed by Chinese designer Wei Chao at China Fashion Week in
Beijing on March 30. Photo: AFP

saying the problem is driven by


high production costs and an
inflexible textile industry, and Hung
acknowledged that for a production
run of, say, a mere 500 shirts, you
need totally different equipment
than that required for larger orders.
No one is willing to supply you
they just hang up the phone on
you. The costs are too prohibitive,
she said.
Alice McInerney, a fashion
journalist and consultant based
in Beijing, added, Factories have
specific minimum order quantities
that can be extremely high for
a young emerging designer. So
price points get pushed higher and
higher.
This can be a hard sell for a
customer when comparing a more

established international brand


having the same price point as a
Chinese designer they have never
heard of, she said.
But Manix Wong, a Hong Kong
designer who is helping several
Chinese labels try to make a name in
Europe, held out hope for a future in
which he believes disdain for vulgar
nouveau riche displays of wealth will
create new opportunities.
Not many Chinese customers
appreciate unknown independent
designers, he said. But people
are becoming more educated and
sophisticated in fashion. They
start to get bored of Gucci, Prada,
Louis Vuitton and also too many
rich people using the same bag and
wearing the same clothes.

AFP

10

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

wEEKEND | Mandalay

Rock the shopping mall: JamIt!


is music to Mandalays ears
BY ANNE CRUICKSHANKS

ANDALAY is often defined by


three things: heat, dust and
culture. The first two boxes
are easily ticked, especially at this
time of year, but the romanticised
vision of Mandalay as a cultural
centre is often a disappointment to
the uninitiated.
There are a lot of gifted artisans,
but the promotion and exhibition
of the work leaves a lot of room
for improvement. The recent
Irrawaddy Literature Festival is a
good example. Despite an agenda
packed with talented writers,
turnout was low, perhaps due to
the lack of a market and a schedule
that was released a scant 48 hours
beforehand. Mandalays painters
have long been regarded as some
of the best in the region, yet the
number of art galleries selling bogstandard Monks with Umbrellas
or Market Vendor water colours
far outweighs the studios displaying
more talented works.
The same can be said for the
music scene: The talent is here
but the opportunities are limited.
Mandalay lacks ample venues, and

The authorities have


made it more and
more difficult to get a
permit. Venue owners
dont want to host a
show because they
worry about fighting
or noise violations
MIckey.
Lead singer, Romantics

obtaining permission from the


citys authorities is a long, arduous
and expensive process leaving
bands no choice but to get creative
in organising shows. The Yangonbased JamIt! concert series has
organised three shows in Mandalay
over the past 18 months using a
skate park, a dim sum restaurant/
wedding hall and the corner of
a shopping mall as venues, with
another recent underground show
being held in a church parking lot.
Romantics lead singer, Mickey,

says, In the past we had regular


shows, but because of some
problems with fans and band
members, the authorities have
made it more and more difficult to
get a permit. The venue owners also
dont want to host a show because
they worry about fighting or noise
violations.
The audience is craving more.
While cheesy pop and hip-hop
continue to dominate the airways,
Mandalays rock and punk fans are a
loyal bunch. At a recent SIR (Skulls

Bands perform at the Mandalay JamIt! event at Diamond Plaza shopping mall. Photos: Emmanuel Maillard

in Ribcage) show on the roof of


Diamond Plaza, audience members
crashed through the razor-wire
barriers to get closer to singer
Fokker. As they clung to his shirt
and jeans, one attendee commented
that he appeared to be wearing a
robe made of fans.
The March JamIt! show was
a much smaller but equally
enthusiastic crowd. The night began
with dozen or so fans consuming
smuggled beers in the corridor.
But as the music started, the

party moved inside, with dancing,


drinking and singing filling the
halls and shops. Certainly not the
typical Friday night shopping mall
scene.
In speaking with the audience,
which was made up predominately
of locals but also included a handful
of expats, it was clear that everyone
had a good time.I have never seen
a concert like this [in Mandalay],
said 22-year-old fan Kaung Min
Khant. The bands seem to support
each other on and off the stage and
the fans appreciate it. It is a great
concept and I hope we have more
like it.
This modern rock and punk
scene resonates with the younger
Mandalay population. The lyrics
run the gamut from glorifying the
joys of a good night out with friends
to speaking out against authority
and conformity. In a way, the bands
are providing a voice the fans can
relate to.
But for now this voice is limited.
Classic rock bands such as Iron
Cross and Zaw Win Htut make
yearly appearances in Mandalay, but
attract an older audience. The rental
for the venue, usually a large field
at the base of the citys famous hill,
along with the necessary permits,
drives ticket prices up to at least
K10,000, making it affordable only
to a small sector of the population.
Arkar Win Mya, owner of JM
Guitar Shop and LA Studio, has seen
the changes in recent years. My
memories of the music scene in
Mandalay are watching live shows of
some rock bands such as Iron Cross
and Emperor. They inspired me to
open my guitar shop. JM is very
popular with university students,
but he still feels that the Mandalay
music scene needs to progress.
In my opinion, the authorities
should allow us to play live music
in public places, restaurants, etc,
and parents should be open-minded
about their childrens interest in
music.

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

11

wEEKEND | HOME&GARDEN

Online boutique brings Scandinavian


minimalism to Myanmar homes
H

AVE nothing in your home that you


dont know to be useful, or believe to be
beautiful. The William Morris quote
on The Dcor Cos Facebook page says all you
need to know about online decor and style
boutique, a new Yangon-based online retail
company that specialises in decorations,
tableware, kitchenware, lighting, rugs and
linen products.
Run by Melissa Lim from Singapore,
The Dcor Co supplies products from the
Netherlands, Thailand, China and Japan.
We believe in well-designed but affordable
products. Most of our designs are based on
Scandinavian designs our favourite style
because it is less fussy yet makes the space

BY CHARLOTTE ROSE

Puppy Dog Eyes


cushion cover US$30

feels fresh and put together, said Lim. But


our style varies. Minimalist, industrial or
eclectic, we dont believe in having only one
style because everybody should be able to
personalise their homes and showcase their
own personal style, she added.
Among The Dcor Cos signature products
are its wall decals (pictured), which Mel says
are good for rental rooms and homes as they
can be applied easily and removed without
damaging the existing state of the walls.
The online stores April collection consists
of a range of colourful cushion covers and
crockery which will brighten up any home.
To order products, or more information,
visit The Dcor Co Facebook page.

y wall decal US$30

Imperfection Is Beaut

Omb
Mint-green wooden Nordic clock US$60

Model:
Chalkboard labels
(set of 3) US$12

When
planning a
garden, take
it slowly
BY ALYS FOWLER

ARDEN design is like getting


dressed; you assemble a style
that flatters and is practical
enough for you to live in. It works
when it is well edited. You dont get
dressed by putting on every piece of
clothing you like, and you shouldnt
approach your garden this way either.
Too many gardens and borders are
made up of every plant that looked
nice in the garden centre. This is
rarely successful, particularly if you
chose one of everything.
So decide on your style cottage,
modernist, jungle, Italianate,
Japanese, French potager or whatever
and then choose plants to match.
Above all else, be practical:
You cannot swim successfully in a
ballgown any more than a sun-loving
plant can thrive in shade, or acidlovers grow in chalk. Give the garden
a rhythm that draws the eye from one
place to another.
One way to do this is to choose a
structural plant that repeats through
the garden. Box shrubs such as
currants, repeat-flowering roses or
perennials can work the trick is to
choose something that has presence
for a large part of the year.
Between these structural
elements, weave a palette of tones.
Dusky colours and muted hues suit
cottage gardens; primary colours
suit more tropical schemes or use
different plants of the same colour. In
small spaces, this can be dramatic.
Often the best bits in a garden
have little to do with the gardener
because theyve been relaxed enough
to let nature take centre stage. Selfseeders are a wonderful example.
Poppies, wild strawberries and
marigolds are just a few that will take
themselves where they please and
look all the better for it.

The Guardian

Pop Wheels cushion cover US$30

re co

lours

squa

re sa

ucer

US$

10

12

wEEKEND | FEATURE

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

Blown co
Myanmars music
industry struggles to
overcome the stigma
of decades of reliance
on songs pirated from
international artists
BY ZON PANN PWINT

HEN the Beatles and Elvis Presley were great favourites among Yangon music fans
in the early 1970s, local bands such as the Play Boys took to performing Myanmar
versions of their songs to please their listeners.
The practice of copying international hit songs gained momentum over the following
decades, and popular acts like rock band Iron Cross built entire careers out of releasing
album after album of songs filched from foreign sources.
By the 1990s, copy songs had become the dominant form of popular music. Local bands
borrowed heavily from the likes of Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi. Popular songs like Stewarts
I Am Sailing and Michael Learns To Rocks Blue Night were catchy, and they helped
introduce the fans to foreign performers.
While the tunes were copied, many of these songs featured original lyrics written in
Myanmar language, a hybrid form of cover music known locally as copy thachin.
Popular singer Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein, a graduate from the Institute of Medicine, said
that in the past it was not easy for local musicians to become famous by singing original
songs, known in Myanmar as own tunes.
There was no music institute that taught us how to compose music, so musicians had to
copy, make adaptations and learn from internationally famous singers, she said.
Nonetheless, there were a handful of brave souls who refused to take the easy path of
replicating the songs of others and instead insisted on performing originals. Among them
were the late singers Htoo Eain Thin, Ba Din and Pho Cho, whose best efforts have stood the
test of time and remain popular in Myanmar.
There are many musicians who have tried hard to compose their own music and who
have struggled to achieve success as singers, but only a few have been able make their
names, Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein said. But generally, original songs have not become big hits
like copy songs.
For her first three albums, Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein took the safe path and mostly relied on
covers. She achieved instant fame with the release in 2003 of her debut Lone Wa Ma That
Saing Dot Par (Not Concerned Anymore). The title song was a cover of Shakiras Whenever
Whenever.
Her second album, 2007s Chit Thu A Mone Kyaine Sar (The Curse of Love), was also
a big hit with fans, although the discs lone original, Moe Khar Yay (Go Along With
the Crowd), never gained popularity. She followed this in 2011 with Memoir of a Diva,
another collection of cover songs by Bonnie Tyler, Queen, Celine Dion, Shakira and Within
Temptation, but this time many were sung in English.
Increasingly unsatisfied with this approach, and noticing that other local bands were
releasing better and better original material, she took a gamble on her fourth album Main
Khalay Ta Yaut A Thae Kwae Nay Thi (A Woman Is Heartbroken), released in 2013, and
packed it with new songs written by local musicians.
It took three years to produce my fourth album. It was difficult and time-consuming but
it was rewarding because those songs are great favourites with my fans and they appreciate
them, Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein said.
The singers fifth album Nan Mae Kyan Nay Yit Mae (The Name Will Remain),
due for release on April 25, will likewise consist of 10 original rock songs written by
young local composers.
One of the new songs is Sit (War), written by the Scare Band and released
as a single on January 1. It proved popular when performed during a concert in
Amsterdam last year, and the song became a hit with local fans after Phyu Phyu Kyaw
Thein posted a video of the performance on YouTube.
The young composers have become very creative, and their lyrics and tunes have
originality. Within the past 10 years weve seen more and more original songs become
successful, she said.
But music fans still love her copy songs, and during concerts they shout for famous
tunes like A Twin Kyae (Contusion in My Heart), a cover of Bon Jovis You Give
Love a Bad Name from 1986.
Now my fans like both copy and own songs. They ask for both types during my
stage shows, she said.
Composer Myint Moe Aung reckoned that in the past, original songs accounted for
about 30 percent of pop music produced in Myanmar, a figure that has increased to
about 50pc in the past several years.
Despite this move toward original material, he said copy songs are still more
popular than originals in Myanmar.
In the past, we copied songs because we wanted fans to listen to good songs with

Lay Phyu. Photo: Hein Latt Aung

Myo Gyi and Chit Sann Maung. Photo: Hein Latt Aung

wEEKEND | FEATURE

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

cover

The young composers have become


very creative, and their lyrics and
tunes have originality
Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein
Singer

They know very well it is unethical, but they just keep


doing it as it doesnt require much effort. Plus, it is easy
money.
Myint Moe Aung admitted that local composers are
aware that using material created by other artists without
their permission is morally wrong.
When Thailand-based [entertainment conglomerate]
BEC-Tero entered Myanmar about 10 years ago, composer
Shwe Jaw Jaw and I made enquiries about how to get legal
permission, Myint Moe Aung said.
At that time I got K250,000 for writing lyrics for a
song, and they said I should pay K25,000 every time I
copied somebody elses song. When we tried to legalize
the arrangement, the company left the country and the
process remained incomplete.
He said a copyright law enacted in 1914 is still on the
books, but it is outdated and inefficient. Meanwhile,
there have been no big, precedent-setting legal cases
involving copyright in the music industry like there have
been in the literary and film industries for copying other
works illegally.
In 2001 Myanmar joined the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO), a UN agency dedicated
to developing a balanced and accessible international
intellectual property (IP) system. According to WIPO,
Copyright protection also includes moral rights, which
involve the right to claim authorship of a work, and the
right to oppose changes to it that could harm the creators
reputation.
But the guidelines laid out by the organisation have
not yet been embraced in Myanmar, and in her book
MacLachlan wrote that doing so would likely have a huge
impact on the local music industry.
In reference to copy thachin, or borrowed tunes
with new words, she said, It is entirely possible that
a Western songwriter would object to the idea that
a Burmese composer could assign to their music an
entirely different meaning by creating new lyrics.
Even if they are willing, It is unlikely that most
Burmese musicians, even the very richest, could amass
enough money to pay for the rights. Therefore, they will
not be able to continue to legally record copy thachin.
In the meantime, U Myint Moe Aung said no one has
made an official move to prevent local musicians from
copying international songs.
And no one is coming to our country to legalise
copyright because the market for copy songs in Myanmar
is not very profitable, he said.

Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein. Photo: Hein Latt Aung

Copy thachin: New lyrics for an old song


You Give Love a Bad Name
by Bon Jovi

A Twin Kyae (Contusion in My Heart)


by Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein

An angels smile is what you sell


You promise me heaven then put me through hell
Chains of love, got a hold on me
When passions a prison you cant break free

The smile of fairy, the wrath of the devil


I meet many twists and turns and many stories
My chest is beating
My heart that gets hurt is bleeding

Youre a loaded gun, yeah


Theres nowhere to run
No one can save me, the damage is done

Oh hoo hoo is that love?


Oh hoo hoo am I losing?
Who puts venom into my heart?

Chorus:
Shot through the heart, and youre to blame
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name
You give love a bad name

Chorus:
He cant see what I feel in my heart
A contusion in my heart
People do not know, contusion in my heart

Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein. Photo: Hein Latt

good lyrics, he said.


Copying songs is the same as learning international
music. In this country, young composers develop their
creativity by learning international music. Today, some
of our own songs can compete with international hits,
he said.
Ethnomusicologist Heather MacLachlan, in her book
Burmas Pop Music Industry (2011), wrote that Myanmar
society values the basic idea of copying something that has
already been established as valuable or successful.
For Burmese people, copying some work of art is not
an act of laziness or theft, but rather an intelligent, sensible
move, she wrote. For this reason, the American idea of
plagiarism is almost unknown in Burma.
In a recent interview with Irrawaddy magazine,
musician Thxa Soe, famous for blending Myanmar
traditional folk songs and electronic music, was somewhat
less charitable.
When asked why Myanmar music has not been able to
gain international recognition, he responded, Because
most of the musicians here have no shame they have been
singing cover songs as if they were their own.
He explained that he was widely hated in the local music
industry for being an anti-cover song artist.
Basically, as an artist you must have your own creation.
What mostly happens here is that people either do cover
songs or take some parts of music from international hits to
blend them into their own, Thxa Soe said.

13

Photo: Naing Wynn Htoon

14

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

wEEKEND | FEATURE

Directors
bury
music
video cliches
BY CHARLOTTE ROSE

NYONE who has endured


a ten hour bus journey in
Myanmar will be familiar with
the story. Boy meets girl, boy and girl
happily enjoy ice cream together, boy
leaves girl, girl goes to Kandawgyi
Lake (without an umbrella) and
stands around crying in the rain. Boy
comes back, hugs girl, the rain stops,
and everything is right with the
world again.
Music videos in Myanmar have
long stuck to this winning formula.
But a new generation of directors
wants to change the way music
videos are made.
All the music videos you see have
girls running through gardens. Its
so boring. I want to change things,
said Zayar Lynn, who has directed
videos for rock bands such as Idiots
and Big Bag.
A glance at the roughly drawn
storyboards next to Zayars
computer which depict prisoners,
their heads covered with sacks,
being shot in the head is enough to
tell you he isnt your average music
video director.
Since I was young I have
watched horror films and my dream
has always been to scare people. I
dont like happy ending stuff, said
Zayar, who has recently finished
filming Big Bags DVD We are Big
Bag. Most video storylines are just
copied from others, but I think up
a lot of weird stuff. In my videos I
want to bury girls in the ground or
drown them I dont want to shoot
couples and romance stuff.
Most music video directors

follow this familiar blueprint


because people in Myanmar dont
appreciate out of the ordinary
stuff, says Zayar, creative
director at Dream Factory Media
Production. But he does think
things are changing, albeit slowly.
Now theres no censorship
we can try new things. Its better
for me because I can show tattoos
and piercings in my videos. And
the arts scene in Myanmar is
improving in general people
are coming back from studying
in foreign countries and theyve
started taking a new approach to
making videos, he said. For me,
part of making videos is to show
people how to do things differently.
I want to make people more
creative, he added.
Director/cinematographer Tin
Win Hlaing, who has directed music
videos for well-known hip-hop singer
Sai Sai Kham Leng, says originality
in film making is hindered by a lack
of training.
We dont have a good film school
in Myanmar so we have to study
filmmaking ourselves, and the film
industry here is not professional
enough to learn from, so you need to
have enough money to study abroad,
he said.
At 24, Tin Win Hlaing is already
an accomplished director: He has
worked on documentary projects
around the world and his short film
The Night, about well-known graffiti
artist Arkar Kyaw, was nominated
for Best Short Film at Yangons 2012
Art of Freedom Film Festival.
But the cinematographer,
whose videos for the popular songs
Sandayar and Hike Shar Bar

Punk band Big Bag appears on the set of a music video for their DVD We are Big Bag. Photo: Staff

Director Zayar Lynn (right) watches band Big Bag on the set of a music video for their DVD
We are Big Bag. Photo: Supplied

appear on Sai Sais recently released


DVD, Date Date Kyal, says even
talented directors struggle to make
quality music videos.
Music producers dont care
about creativity, they just care
about how much a video will cost to
make. If you want to be creative as a
director you need time and money,
but producers dont care they
know people will watch the videos
anyway so they dont give you any
time or budget. If directors got paid

enough theyd be happy to create


art, Tin Win Hlaing said.
But he agrees that the medium is
developing.
Some directors are starting to
copy Western videos and theyre
trying to be more creative. They
dont want girls running and smiling
and holding hands, he said.
I honestly believe the music
video directors who are making
those kind of videos are not serious
about what they are doing. They

dont care about being good theyre


just doing it to get paid. When I make
a video I take time to create the art,
he added.
However, he says the industry
wont see real change until
audiences are educated enough not
to watch cheap art.
Singer Wai Yan Kyaw knows all
too well the cost of making a creative
music video. His band Triangle
recently paid US$500 to produce a
video for their song Change. The
video, directed by Htan Khay, is the
first video the rock-band has made
and, as several of the band members
are unemployed, it was a significant
investment.
Because it was our debut video
we wanted to make sure it was good,
said 27-year-old Wai Yan Kyaw. But
not many people have seen it because
it is difficult to promote music videos
in Myanmar, he said. Even with the
video, I dont think we will ever be
famous, he added.
Zayar Lynn also admits the music
video industry is unlikely to bring
him fame and fortune.
I dont think Ill ever be famous
because of my weird ideas. People
want to see happy endings but I
dont want to create that kind of
stuff. Maybe Ill be known in the
underground music scene but I dont
think a lot of people will appreciate
me, said Zayar.
Sometimes I think it would be
easier if I was more normal.

In my videos I want
to bury girls in the
ground or drown them
I dont want to shoot
couples and romance
stuff
Zayar Lynn, creative director,
Dream Factory Media Production

A girl is buried in the ground in Zayar Lynns music video for band Sarah. Photo: Zayar Lynn

Cinematographer Tin Win Hlaing (centre) directs a scene in one of his short films. Photo: Supplied

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | FEATURE

In Burundi, drums beat the


ancient memories of unity
BY AUDE GENET

ITH wild dancing to a furious


beat, booming wooden
drums echo over a hill in
Burundi: an ancient sound, sacred
tradition and once a symbol of
unity for the kingdom.
Youngsters dance around the
circle of 15 thumping drummers,
led by 79-year-old Antime
Baranshakaje, still sprightly and
waving spear and shield, himself
the former drummer of the last
king of this small central African
nation.
Here on a hilltop in Gishora,
some 100 kilometres (60 miles)
east of the capital Bujumbura, the
drummers perform.
But it is no simple musical show:
the ritual dance of the royal drums
were last year placed on UNESCOs
Intangible Cultural Heritage list,
which describes it as a spectacle
combining powerful, synchronised
drumming with dancing, heroic
poetry and traditional songs.
It says the entire population
of Burundi recognises it as a

God came through


the drum to protect
the monarchy and the
kingdom, the whole
country
Father Adrien Ntabona
Catholic abbot and anthropologist

fundamental part of its heritage


and identity.
Today, the drums are played for
entertainment, but for centuries
they were a sacred rite, symbolic
of a united kingdom a powerful
memory for a country whose
recent history has been scarred by
decades of civil war and bloodshed.
The drum was the symbol of
royal power, said Father Adrien
Ntabona, a Catholic abbot and
anthropologist.
It was no little thing, nor as
commonplace as it is today ... For
God came through the drum to
protect the monarchy and the
kingdom, the whole country.
Indeed, in the countrys Kirundi
language, the word for drum
ingoma is the same as that for
kingdom.
Veteran drummer Baranshakaje
was one of the last to have played
for the ancient spring festival of the
sowing of the crops, before Burundi
became a republic in 1966, after
independence from Belgium four
years earlier.
It was the countrys main

Drummers of the Gishora drumming group perform in Gishora on March 14. Photos: AFP/Carl de Souza

15

festival, celebrated in December to


bless the farms, with preparations
beginning months in advance.
The giant wood drums were
carved in August as well as the
animal hides prepared to make
their skins, with the drummers and
their instruments then marching
the winding 60-kilometre (40-mile)
route from Gishora to the royal
capital at Muramvya, celebrating in
the villages on the way.
They gave us food and
drink, Baranshakaje said, fondly
remembering the parties on the
way. They respected us ... The
whole country was buzzing.
Once in Muramvya, the drums
were silenced until the king blessed
crops, Then the drum beats broke
out with wild banging relayed
across the country, the signal for
the farmers now to sow the fields.
As such, the drums were a potent
symbol of a feudal kingdom at peace
and united.
It is a time remembered with
nostalgia when people lived
peacefully alongside each other
or at least, a time that was a far
cry from the divisions, bitterness
and massacres that later emerged
between the Hutu and Tutsi groups.
As the country gears up for tense
presidential elections in June,
recollections of the role the drums
played offer a potent memory.
The royalty had an
extraordinary ability to bring
together the population, Ntabona
said. All the different groups had
a role.
If the government had imitated
the royal power by bringing
in people together, then the
bloodshed could have been avoided,
he added, mourning the one-party
system that took power after
independence.
As a symbol of royal power,
almost like a crown and sceptre
for other monarchs, one special
drum called the karyenda was kept
hidden in the palace, played only
for the king at special ceremonies.
This drum symbolised the
stability of the kingdom, said
Ntabona, adding that if the drum
was seized, it marked the complete
fall from power of the king.
According to legend, the
appearance of the special drum
coincided with the birth of
Burundis monarchy centuries ago.
But the power of the drums was
chipped away under Belgian rule,
especially with missionaries who
sought to replace the power of the
king with the King of Kings, Jesus
Christ, said Ntabona.
Drums were instead used to
herald the start of church services
and school.
The instruments power waned
further after Burundis last king,
Ntare the Fifth, was forced to flee
into exile in 1966.
Now the drums are
commercialised, and people see the
drummers as entertainment.
Today ... at parties people pay to
have a drum, said Ntabona.
Still, the ancient ways of playing
and dancing, handed down from
generation to generation, remains
the same.
Many things have changed,
admits Baranshakaje. But the
drummer, who has performed in
over 30 countries, say he has also
adapted to more modern times.
He who strikes the drum sets
the pace for the dancers, he says,
quoting an old proverb.
AFP

16

wEEKEND | TRAVEL

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

Beatboxing in Bhutan:
Festivalgoersflockto
theremoteHimalayan kingdom

Taktsang Palphug Monastery, also


known as the Tigers Nest, is one of
the most visited sites in Bhutan.

Masked dancers perform at the drupchen festival in Punakha, Bhutan.

A traffic police officer regulates traffic in Thimphu, Bhutan. Thimphu is the worlds only capital without traffic lights.

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

BY JANE DUNFORD

TS mid-afternoon in Clock Tower Square in the


Bhutanese capital, Thimphu. Prayer flags flutter in the
breeze against an ice-blue sky, mountain peaks melt
into the horizon and the crowd, complete with crimson-clad
monks, jostles for space on the stone steps. As the sound of
hip-hop fills the air, dance troupes with names like Urban
Boomers and Half Dead Guys take to the stage. Bhutans firstever street dance battle is under way and its serious stuff.
It may not be the first thing youd expect in this remote
Himalayan kingdom a mystical Buddhist nation that
famously measures gross national happiness instead of
GDP but the show is part of the brand-new Annual Bhutan
International Festival. A 10-day program of art, music, film
and food, held for the first time in February, its all about
collaboration between nations and across genres. London
choreographer Jade Shaw has been working with local
youngsters, who had previously relied on YouTube to learn
dance moves, weaving in messages about leadership and
respect along the way. Its a triumph. Rapturous laughter and
applause erupt from the audience, most of whom have never
seen anything like this.
Landlocked between giants India and China, tiny Bhutan is
one of the most intriguing countries in the world. Tourism was
not permitted until 1974 (it remains tightly controlled) and
the countrys ancient culture thrives almost intact. The street
dance session is held on the birthday of much-loved King
Wangchuck and the crowd the men all wearing a gho, a tunic
with big white sleeves, the women in colourful ankle-length
kira dresses have already enjoyed a morning of traditional
celebrations, with masked dances, strongman races and
archery competitions in the towns stadium.
But with the arrival of the internet (television was only
allowed in 1999), a curious young population (60 percent
of the country is under 25) is dipping its toe into the world
outside.
Bhutan hasnt been open very long, says festival cofounder Thinley Palden Dorji. Weve protected our culture,
but change is inevitable. The influence of the world is there:
Its now a question of how we engage with it. The festival aims
to give the youth a platform to express themselves, learn from
international artists and share ideas.
In a world saturated with festivals, this one is set apart
by more than its unusual, beautiful location. Its the first
project from EdenLAB, a new creative touring initiative
from Cornwalls Eden Project. More than 100 international
artists, performers and thinkers have been brought in to work
alongside 200 local artists, with the aim of creating a lasting
legacy, providing funding for the arts and setting up ongoing
workshops and long-term relationships. Smaller events are
planned throughout the year to maintain the momentum. And
with Queen Jetsun Pema on board as patron, it has had a very
big Bhutanese thumbs-up.
The vision is for a world-class festival thats unique in
its focus on collaboration and community, says co-director

wEEKEND | TRAVEL
Ginny Galloway. Its about youth and legacy and the fusion of
a culture thats so intact with that of the modern world.
Arriving in Bhutan was an adventure in itself. The flight
into Paro airport skims the Himalayas: All faces were glued
to the windows for a glimpse of Everest. Then it was an hours
winding drive past paddy fields and lost-in-time villages to the
capital.
It doesnt take long to get the lie of the land in Thimphu,
which has a population of 100,000. The Wang Chhu river
skirts its western edge and, on a hilltop, a 51-metre-high gilded
Buddha, one of the largest in the world, overlooks the city. This
is the only capital in the world with no traffic lights: Whitegloved police direct traffic from a prettily painted stand in the
main roundabout. Theres an almost medieval feel about the
old centre, with its wooden-shuttered buildings; the vibe is
remarkably laid-back and the people gentle.
As the days unfold, a constant stream of talent takes to
the stage monks from Majuli, in the Indian state of Assam,
perform a mesmerising dance, then Bhutanese rock band
Flying Kik scream out Rage Against the Machine covers. Other
surprises are the beatboxers MC Xander and Bellatrix from
the UK, and Chesney Snow from the US, and rapping from
BBC4 Poetry Slam champion Dizraeli.
As darkness and the temperature falls, the action moves to
Mojo Park, a bar and music venue where visitors might catch
musicians from the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra jamming
with Bhutanese guitarists and beatboxers or Indian pop star
Lucky Ali and Mercury-nominated UK indie folk artist Nick
Mulvey treating fans to an intimate gig before their stadium
turn. Theres a constant buzz in the air the Bhutanese hosts
and artists excited to have the festival in town, visitors simply
excited to be here.
I sign up for a workshop with Argentinian photographer
Sebastian Suki Belaustegui, and we venture out to a village to
practise portraits. Just 20 minutes from the city, were in a
world of wood-and-mud farmhouses with oxen ploughing the
fields. Were invited in to a home where a new year blessing is
taking place. The candlelit shrine room (theres one in every
house) is full of chanting monks and were offered puffed rice
with sweet milk as a blessing.
From Thimphu its possible to take excursions to key sites,
but the low-volume, high-value approach means tourists
have to use a tour operator, and packages require a minimum
spend of US$200 a day ($250 in high season). These have to be
paid for before a visa is granted. For those used to independent
touring, this can feel restrictive and pricey, but it does cover all
accommodation, food and transport.
As the festival draws to a close, I take a trip with British
company Mountain Kingdoms, which has been operating
here since 1986. Bhutan is a mecca for trekkers looking for
mountain hikes and remote camping, but I opt for a gentler
trip, combining day walks with comfortable hotels.
Its a spectacular winding drive north to Punakha, over
the 3000-metre Dochula pass, which is crowned with 108
stupas in memory of Bhutanese soldiers killed fighting Indian
insurgents in 2003. The sky is cloudless and the views across
the eastern Himalayas include Gangkhar Puensum, the

17

highest peak in Bhutan at 7570 metres, and a candidate for


worlds highest unclimbed mountain.
At the confluence of the milky Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu
(Mother and Father) rivers stands Punakha Dzong, a whitewalled, red-roofed fortress and monastery. In its courtyard,
rehearsals for a festival of a different kind are under way the
Punakha Drubchen is a dramatic recreation of a 17th-century
battle against the Tibetan army. Inside the temple, masked
men in full-skirted costumes dance to hypnotic chanting.
We wander the intricately painted rooms, then picnic on the
riverbank under the jacaranda trees, tucking into rice and
ema datshi or chilli cheese (chillies are used as a vegetable in
Bhutan, and ema datshi is the national dish).
The Bhutanese calendar is full of celebrations marrying
religion and myth. The countrys history is intertwined
with magical, fairytale-like tales of reincarnated rulers and
lama-saints fighting the demons who opposed the spread of
Buddhism. Perhaps the most curious of the saints is 15thcentury Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Madman, a revered
womaniser and drinker. As you trek to the monastery devoted
to him, Chimi Lhakahy, its hard not to notice the giant
penises painted on the walls of houses in his honour a
symbol of fertility and protection from evil. Those looking to
conceive come here to be blessed, and an album inside holds
photos and thank-you letters from across the world.
Bhutan takes conservation seriously, plastic bags are
banned, 65 percent of the land is forested and large swathes
are protected. We walk through pristine woodland to a convent
called Kila Gompa: the route is lined with rhododendrons
come spring, but snow and ice crunch underfoot today.
Clinging to the mountainside, it is home to 45 shaven-headed
nuns who happily offer us butter tea.
The Haa Valley, bordering Tibet in the north-west, didnt
open to tourists until 2002. Yaks graze in fields, and it feels
like weve stepped back in time once more as we arrive at
Lechuna Heritage Lodge a 100-year-old farmhouse where
Im the only guest. The owners nephew cooks me dinner and I
fall asleep as snow starts falling outside.
On my last day, I hike to perhaps the most-photographed
site in Bhutan Taktsang monastery, or the Tigers Nest, on a
cliff 900 metres above Paro valley. Legend has it that Indian
guru Padmasambhava flew here from Tibet on the back of a
tiger. I, however, climb for two hours through ancient forest
splashed with colourful prayer flags, but its worth every step.
I feel I have hardly scratched the surface of this land
of happiness, benevolent royals, jaw-dropping beauty and
magical saints. A visit at any time is an extraordinary
experience. A visit during the International Festival adds
another dimension: a glimpse of an ancient realms first steps
AFP
toward engaging with a more complicated world.
The next Annual Bhutan International Festival will be in
February 2016, dates TBC. Most events are free. A 16-day
Gentle Walking Bhutan trip with Mountain Kingdoms
costs from $4800pp with flights and all meals. Tailormade
options available.

the pulse travel


4
wEEKEND | travel schedules
18

THE MYANMAR TIMES


ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015
THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 10 - 4, 2015

DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES


YANGON TO MANDALAY
Flight
Y5 775
W9 515
YH 909
YH 917
YJ 891
YJ 891
YJ 891
K7 282
W9 201
YH 826
YH 835
YH 909
YH 831
YH 911
W9201
YH 829
7Y 131
K7 266
8M 6603
YJ 751
YJ 201
YJ 211
YJ 601
YJ 761
YJ 761
YJ 233
YH 729
YH 737
YH 727
W9 251
K7 822
YJ 151/W9 7151
K7 622
K7 226
YH 731
Y5 234
W9 211

Days
Daily
1
1,2,3,5,6
Daily
3,7
4
1,2,5,6
Daily
Daily
3
1,7
7
4,6
2
1
5
Daily
Daily
4
5
1,2,3,4
5,7
6
1,2
4
6
2,4,6
3,5,7
1
2,5
4,7
1
1,3,5,7
2,4,6
Daily
Daily
4

Dep
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:10
6:00
6:30
6:30
6:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:15
8:00
9:00
10:45
11:00
11:15
11:15
11:15
11:00
11:00
11:00
11:15
11:15
11:30
12:30
13:00
13:00
13:30
14:30
15:20
15:30

Arr
7:10
7:25
7:40
8:30
8:05
7:55
8:35
8:10
8:25
8:40
8:40
8:40
8:40
8:40
8:25
11:05
9:20
10:05
10:10
14:50
12:25
12:40
12:40
13:10
12:55
12:55
14:00
13:25
13:25
12:55
16:55
16:45
14:25
14:55
16:40
16:30
16:55

MANDALAY TO YANGON
Flight
Y5 233
YJ 891
YJ 891
K7 283
YH 918
YH 910
W9 201
YJ 891
7Y 132
K7 267
YH 830
YH 912
YJ 762
YH 832
YH 827
YH 836
YH 910
YJ 212
YJ 212
YJ 752
YJ 202
YJ 602
YH 732
YH 732
YH 728
YJ 762
W9 152/W97152
Y5 776
W9 211
K7 823
8M 6604
K7 227
8M 903
YH 738
K7 623
YH 730
YJ 234
W9 252

Days
Daily
4
3,7
Daily
Daily
7
Daily
1,2,5,6
Daily
Daily
5
2
4
4,6
3
1,7
1,2,3,5,6
7
6
5
1,2,3,4
6
6
Daily
1
1,2
1
Daily
4
2,4,7
4
2,4,6
1,2,4,5,7
3,5,7
1,3,5,7
2,4,6
6
2,5

Dep
7:50
8:10
8:20
8:25
8:30
8:40
8:40
8:50
9:35
10:20
11:05
11:30
13:10
13:20
13:20
13:20
13:20
15:00
15:15
15:05
15:30
15:55
16:40
16:40
16:45
16:50
17:05
17:10
17:10
17:10
17:20
17:20
17:20
17:25
17:40
17:45
17:45
18:15

Arr
9:00
10:05
10:15
11:30
10:45
10:05
10:35
10:45
11:30
12:25
14:55
13:25
17:00
14:45
14:45
14:45
14:45
16:25
16:40
16:30
16:55
17:50
18:05
18:45
18:10
18:15
18:30
18:20
19:15
18:35
18:30
18:45
18:30
18:50
19:05
19:10
19:10
19:40

YANGON TO NAY PYI TAW

NAY PYI TAW TO YANGON

Flight
FMI A1
FMI B1
FMI C1

Flight
FMI A2
FMI B2
FMI C2

Days
1,2,3,4,5
1,2,3,4,5
1,2,3,4,5

Dep
7:15
10:45
17:00

Arr
8:15
11:45
18:00

YANGON TO NYAUNG U
Flight
K7 282
YJ 891
YH 909
YH 917
YJ 881
YJ 891
YH 909
YJ 881
K7 242
7Y 131
K7 264
YH 731
W9 129
W9 211

Days
Daily
3,7
1,2,3,5,6
Daily
7
1,2,5,6
4
4
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
1,3,6
4

Dep
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:10
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:45
7:00
7:15
14:30
14:30
15:30
15:30

Days
5
3
1,7
4,6
1,2,3,4
2,5

Dep
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
11:00
11:30

Dep
8:35
13:30
18:20

Arr
9:35
14:30
19:20

NYAUNG U TO YANGON
Arr
7:20
7:20
8:25
7:45
7:50
7:50
8:05
8:05
8:20
8:35
16:40
17:25
17:35
17:40

YANGON TO MYITKYINA
Flight
YH 829
YH 826
YH 835
YH 831
YJ 201
W9 251

Days
1,2,3,4,5
1,2,3,4,5
1,2,3,4,5

Arr
9:40
10:05
10:05
10:05
13:50
14:25

Flight
YJ 891
YH 918
YJ 881
YJ 891
YH 910
YJ 881
YH 910
K7 242
7Y 131
K7 283
K7 265
YH 732
W9 129

Days
3,7
Daily
7
1,2,5,6
4
4
1,2,3,5,6
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
1,3,6

Dep
7:35
7:45
8:05
8:05
8:05
8:20
8:25
8:35
8:50
10:10
16:55
17:25
17:50

Arr
10:15
10:45
10:10
10:45
9:25
10:25
9:45
11:45
11:30
11:30
18:15
18:45
19:10

MYITKYINA TO YANGON
Flight
YH 827
YH 832
YH 836
YH 830
YJ 202
YJ 234
W9 252

Days
3
4,6
1,7
5
1,2,3,4
6
2,5

Dep
11:55
11:55
11:55
12:30
14:05
16:20
16:45

Arr
14:45
14:45
14:45
14:55
16:55
19:10
19:40

YANGON TO HEHO
Flight
YJ 891
YJ 891
K7 282
YH 917
YJ 881
YJ 891
YJ 881
K7 242
7Y 131
K7 266
Y5 649
YH 505
YJ 751
YJ 751
YJ 761
YJ 233
YJ 761
YH 727
YH 737
YH 727
K7 828
K7 822
K7 264
YH 731
W9 129

Days
4
3,7
Daily
Daily
7
1,2,5,6
4
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
1,2,3,4,5,6
3,7
5
4
6
1,2
1
3,5,7
3
1,3,5
2,4,7
Daily
Daily
1,3,6

Dep
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:10
6:30
6:30
6:45
7:00
7:15
8:00
10:30
10:30
10:30
10:45
11:00
11:00
11:15
11:15
11:15
11:15
12:30
12:30
14:30
14:30
15:30

HEHO TO YANGON
Arr
8:40
8:50
9:00
9:35
8:50
9:20
9:00
9:15
10:05
9:15
12:45
11:55
11:40
11:55
12:10
12:10
12:25
12:40
12:40
12:40
13:45
13:45
15:45
15:55
16:40

Flight
YJ 891
YJ 881
YJ 891
K7 283
YJ 881
W9 201
K7 243
YH 918
YJ 891
7Y 132
K7 267
YH 506
YJ 752
YJ 762
YH 732
YJ 762
K7 829
YH 728
YJ 602
K7 264
YH 738
YJ 752
W9 129

Arr
8:15
9:05
13:50
17:00

Flight
Y5 326
7Y 532
K7 320
Y5 326

YANGON TO MYEIK
Flight
Y5 325
K7 319
7Y 531
Y5 325

Days
1,5
1,3,5,7
2,4,6
2

Dep
6:45
7:00
11:45
15:30

Days
1,3,6
Daily
1,3,5,7

Dep
11:30
11:45
12:00

Days
Daily
1,2,3,4,5,6
1,3,6
1,3,5,7
Daily
1,3,4,6

Dep
7:00
10:30
11:30
12:00
13:00
15:45

Days
1
2,4,6

Dep
7:00
11:45

Flight
W9 309
6T 612
K7 423

Arr
10:35
13:10
13:50
12:50
13:35
16:40

Flight
K7 243
YH 506
7Y 413
W9 309
K7 422
Y5 422

Days
3,7
5
2,4,6
1,3,5

Dep
10:30
10:45
11:00
12:30

Days
3
4,6
1,7
2,5

Dep
7:00
7:00
7:00
11:30

Days
1,5
2,4,6
1,3,5,7
2

Dep
8:35
16:05
11:30
17:15

Arr
10:05
18:10
13:35
18:45

Days
1,3,6
Daily
Daily

Dep
13:10
13:15
15:10

Arr
14:55
14:20
16:30

Days
Daily
1,2,3,4,5,6
1,3,5,7
1,3,6
Daily
1,3,4,6

Dep
10:50
13:10
13:05
14:05
14:10
16:55

Arr
11:45
14:00
15:25
14:55
16:30
17:50

Tel: 513322, 513422, 504888. Fax: 515102

Air KBZ (K7)


Tel: 372977~80, 533030~39 (airport), 373766
(hotline). Fax: 372983

Asian Wings (YJ)


Tel: 515261~264, 512140, 512473, 512640
Fax: 532333, 516654

Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)


Tel: 09400446999, 09400447999
Fax: 8604051

Mann Yadanarpon Airlines (7Y)


Tel: 656969
Fax: 656998, 651020

Arr
8:10
12:50

Flight
K7 320
7Y 532

Arr
12:45
13:00
13:00
14:50

Flight
YJ 752
K7 829
K7 829
YJ 752
YH 730

Arr
11:00
11:00
11:00
15:25

Flight
YH 836
YH 832
YH 827
W9 252

Days
1,3,5,7
2,4,6

Dep
12:25
17:05

Arr
13:35
18:10

LASHIO TO YANGON
Days
5
1,3
5
3,7
2,4,6

Dep
13:15
15:05
15:05
15:40
16:45

Arr
16:30
15:55
17:25
17:55
19:10

PUTAO TO YANGON
Days
1,7
4,6
3
2,5

Dep
11:00
11:00
11:00
15:45

FMI Air Charter


Tel: 240363, 240373, 09421146545

Airline Codes
7Y = Mann Yadanarpon Airlines
K7 = Air KBZ
W9 = Air Bagan
Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines
YH = Yangon Airways
YJ = Asian Wings
FMI = FMI Air Charter

DAWEI TO YANGON

YANGON TO PUTAO
Flight
YH 826
YH 831
YH 835
W9 251

Air Bagan (W9)

Tel: 383100, 383107, 700264


Fax: 652 533

THANDWE TO YANGON

YANGON TO LASHIO
Flight
YJ 751
YJ 751
YH 729
K7 828

Domestic Airlines

Yangon Airways (YH)

Arr
12:55
12:55
13:50

YANGON TO DAWEI
Flight
K7 319
7Y 531

Arr
10:05
10:15
10:15
11:30
10:25
10:35
11:45
10:45
10:45
11:30
12:25
14:00
16:30
17:00
18:45
18:15
17:25
18:10
17:50
18:15
18:50
17:55
19:10

SITTWE TO YANGON

YANGON TO THANDWE
Flight
K7 242
YH 505
W9 309
7Y 413
K7 422
Y5 421

Dep
8:55
9:05
9:05
9:15
9:15
9:25
9:30
9:35
9:35
10:20
11:10
11:55
14:20
15:50
15:55
16:05
16:10
16:00
16:40
16:30
16:40
16:45
16:55

MYEIK TO YANGON

YANGON TO SITTWE
Flight
W9 309
6T 611
K7 413

Days
4
7
3,7
Daily
4
Daily
Daily
Daily
1,2,5,6
Daily
Daily
1,2,3,4,5,6
5
4
Daily
1,2
1,3,5
1
6
Daily
3,5,7
3,7
1,3,6

Arr
14:45
14:45
14:45
19:40

Subject to change
without notice
Day
1 = Monday
2 = Tuesday
3 = Wednesday
4 = Thursday
5 = Friday
6 = Saturday
7 = Sunday

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | travel

19

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULES


YANGON TO BANGKOK
Days
Dep
Arr
Daily
6:05
8:20
Daily
7:40
9:25
Daily
9:50
11:45
Daily
10:30
12:25
Daily
14:50
16:45
Daily
15:20
17:15
Daily
16:30
18:15
Daily
18:35
20:30
Daily
19:00
20:50
Daily
19:50
21:45
YANGON TO DON MUEANG
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
DD 4231
Daily
8:00
9:45
FD 252
Daily
8:30
10:20
FD 256
Daily
12:50 14:40
FD 254
Daily
17:35 19:25
FD 258
Daily
21:30 23:15
DD 4239
Daily
21:00 22:55
YANGON TO SINGAPORE
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
8M 231
Daily
8:00
12:25
Y5 2233
Daily
9:45
14:15
TR 2823
Daily
9:45
2:35
SQ 997
Daily
10:25
15:10
3K 582
Daily
11:45
16:20
MI 533
2,4,6
13:35
20:50
8M 233
5,6,7
14:40
19:05
MI 519
Daily
16:40
21:15
3K 584
2,3,5
19:30 00:05+1
YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
8M 501
1,2,3,5,6
7:50
11:50
AK 505
Daily
8:30
12:45
MH 741
Daily
12:15
16:30
8M 9506
Daily
12:15
16:30
8M 9508
Daily
15:45
20:05
MH 743
Daily
16:00
20:15
AK 503
Daily
19:05
23:20
YANGON TO BEIJING
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
CA 906
3,5,7
23:50 0550+1

DON MUEANG TO YANGON


Flights
Days
Dep
DD 4230
Daily
6:30
FD 251
Daily
7:15
FD 255
Daily
11:35
FD 253
Daily
16:20
FD 257
Daily
20:15
DD 4238
Daily
19:25
SINGAPORE TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
TR 2822
Daily
7:20
Y5 2234
Daily
7:20
SQ 998
Daily
7:55
3K 581
Daily
9:10
MI 533
2,4,6
11:30
8M 232
Daily
13:25
MI 518
Daily
14:20
3K 583
2,3,5
17:20
8M 234
5,6,7
20:15
KUALA LUMPUR TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
AK 504
Daily
6:55
8M 9505
Daily
10:05
MH 740
Daily
10:05
8M 502
1,2,3,5,6
12:50
8M 9507
Daily
13:40
MH 742
Daily
13:55
AK 502
Daily
17:20
BEIJING TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
CA 905
3,5,7
19:30

YANGON TO GUANGZHOU
Flights
Days
Dep
8M 711
2,4,7
8:40
CZ 3056
3,6
11:35
CZ 3056
1,5
17:40
YANGON TO TAIPEI
Flights
Days
Dep
CI 7916
Daily
10:50

GUANGZHOU TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
CZ 3055
3,6
8:35
CZ 3055
1,5
14:40
8M 712
2,4,7
14:15
TAIPEI TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
CI 7915
Daily
7:00

Flights
PG 706
8M 335
TG 304
PG 702
TG 302
PG 708
8M 331
PG 704
Y5 237
TG 306

YANGON TO KUNMING
Flights
Days
Dep
CA 416
Daily
12:30
MU 2012
3
12:40
MU 2032
1,2,4,5,6,7 14:50
YANGON TO HANOI
Flights
Days
Dep
VN 956
1,3,5,6,7
19:10

Arr
13:15
15:55
22:10
Arr
16:10
Arr
15:55
18:50
18:15

KUNMING TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
MU 2011
3
8:25
CA 415
Daily
11:10
MU 2031
1,2,4,5,6,7 13:30
HANOI TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
VN 957
1,3,5,6,7
16:40

Arr
8:45
9:40
22:20
11:25
13:50
14:30
17:50
18:50
20:00
21:30
Arr
7:15
8:00
12:20
17:05
20:55
20:15
Arr
8:45
8:50
9:20
10:40
12:45
14:50
15:45
18:50
21:40
Arr
8:00
11:15
11:15
13:50
14:50
15:05
18:25
Arr
22:50
Arr
10:35
16:40
15:50
Arr
9:50
Arr
11:50
11:30
14:00

International Airlines
All Nippon Airways (NH)
Tel: 255412, 413

Air Asia (FD)

Tel: 09254049991~3

Air Bagan Ltd.(W9)

Tel: 513322, 513422, 504888. Fax: 515102

Air China (CA)

Tel: 666112, 655882

Tel: 371867~68. Fax: 371869

Las Vegas hides a


tasteful ace up its sleeve

Condor (DE)

BY KITTY BEAN YANCEY

Dragonair (KA)

ENTION at a typical dinner


party that Las Vegas is a
favorite destination, and
conversation stops.
Suddenly you morph from
sophisticated world traveller to
shallow lover of all-you-can-scarf
buffets, yard-long strawberry
margaritas and penny slot
machines.
So when I and my favorite
vacation mate, Barry, promise
pals Paula and Patrick a long
weekend of delectable dining,
super shopping and hiking in
addition to turns at the tables,
theyre understandably sceptical.
But willing.
Real estate investor Patrick
did Vegas years ago, before the
invasion of ultra-luxury hotels and
celeb-chef restaurants. Paula, who
works for a global firm that works
with developing countries, is a
newbie who envisioned strippers
on every corner.
A couple of months later,
we check into the MGM Grand
resorts recently renovated rooms.
I had lobbied for more
extravagant lodgings say, casino
perfectionist Steve Wynns Encore
resort tower suites, Bellagio rooms
overlooking fountains that dance
to music, the elegant tranquility
of the non-gaming Mandarin
Oriental. But (to Paulas and my
disappointment) the men prefer
comfortable but not super-luxe
digs so that we can indulge instead
in diversions such as racing
Ferraris and Lamborghinis and
enjoying expensive meals.
If you want to talk about highend restaurants per linear mile,
I dont think its possible to beat
Las Vegas, says Anthony Curtis,
founder of the Las Vegas Advisor
newsletter and website. With
world-renowned chefs stirring the
pot, choosing where to dine is a
delicious dilemma.
We start at Madrid-born Julian
Serranos Picasso at the Bellagio,
a dimly lit den of romance where
originals of Pablos art hang on the
walls, servers anticipate your need
for a Manhattan and the pigeon is
served medium rare, as requested.
Friday morning, I drive supershopper Paula to Las Vegas North
Premium Outlets, where tourists
roll empty suitcases to fill with
designer bargains. I give her
an hour, only enough for her to
survey the Coach store and pick
out presents for her daughter and
nieces. No time, alas, for the deals
at Armani, Burberry, Dolce &
Gabbana and Tory Burch.
Paula and I have a date at
the Encore resorts spa for my
money, Vegass best. Its decorated
like an opulent but tasteful stage
set, with every detail perfect,
from heated stone chaises by hot
and cold plunge pools to locker
fronts designed like vintage
suitcases to Moroccan lanterns

Tel: 253597~98, 254758, 253601. Fax 248175

Bangkok Airways (PG)

Tel: 255122, 255265. Fax: 255119

Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG)

Tel: 370836~39 (ext: 303)


Tel: 255323 (ext: 107), 09-401539206

Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)


Tel: 09400446999, 09400447999
Fax: 8604051

Malaysia Airlines (MH)

Tel: 387648, 241007 (ext: 120, 121, 122)


Fax: 241124

Myanmar Airways International (8M)


Tel: 255260. Fax: 255305

Nok Airline (DD)

Tel: 255050, 255021. Fax: 255051

Qatar Airways (QR)

Tel: 379845, 379843, 379831. Fax: 379730

Singapore Airlines (SQ) / Silk Air (MI)


Tel: 255287~9. Fax: 255290

Thai Airways (TG)

YANGON TO HO CHI MINH CITY


Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
VN 942
2,4,7
14:25
17:05

HO CHI MINH CITY TO YANGON


Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
VN 943
2,4,7
11:45
13:25

Tiger Airline (TR)

YANGON TO DOHA
Flights
Days
Dep
QR 919
1,4,6
7:55

DOHA TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
QR 918
3,5,7
19:45 0459+1

YANGON TO HONG KONG


Flights
Days
Dep
KA 251
1,2,3,4,6,7 01:10
KA 251
5
01:30
Flights
NH 914

YANGON TO TOKYO
Days
Dep
Daily
22:10

Arr
11:40
Arr
8:50
07:45+1

SEOUL TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
KE 471
Daily
18:30
0Z 769
3,6
19:30

Arr
22:30
23:40

Arr
05:45
05:55

HONG KONG TO YANGON


Flights
Days
Dep
KA 252
4
22:50
KA 250
1,2,3,5,6,7 21:45

Arr
00:30
23:30

TOKYO TO YANGON
Days
Dep
Daily
11:45

Arr
17:15
Arr
10:45
18:45

Arr
06:45+1

Flights
NH 913

Tel: 255491~6. Fax: 255223


Tel: 371383, 370836~39 (ext: 303)

Vietnam Airlines (VN)

Tel: 255066, 255088, 255068. Fax: 255086

Airline Codes
3K = Jet Star
8M = Myanmar Airways International
AK = Air Asia
BG = Biman Bangladesh Airlines

YANGON TO DHAKA
Flights
Days
Dep
BG 061
2
11:45
BG 061
5
19:45

Arr
13:00
21:00

DHAKA TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
BG 060
2
8:30
BG 060
5
16:30

YANGON TO INCHEON
Flights
Days
Dep
PG 724
1,3,5,6
12:50
W9 607
4,7
14:30
8M 7702
Daily
23:30
8M 7502
4,7
00:35

Arr
14:45
16:20
07:50+1
09:10

INCHEON TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
PG 723
1,3,5,6
11:00
W9 608
4,7
17:20
8M 7701
Daily
18:45
8M 7501
3,6
19:50

Arr
11:55
18:10
22:25
23:25

YANGON TO CHIANG MAI


Flights
Days
Dep
Y5 251
2,4,6
6:15
7Y 305
1,5
11:00
W9 607
4,7
14:30

Arr
8:05
12:50
16:20

CHIANG MAI TO YANGON


Flights
Days
Dep
Y5 252
2,4,6
9:25
7Y 306
1,5
13:45
W9 608
4,7
17:20

Arr
10:15
14:35
18:10

Arr
8:20
14:10
15:05

GAYA TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
AI 235
2
9:10
8M 602
3,5,6
9:20
AI 233
5
15:00

Arr
12:10
12:30
18:00

Flights
AI 236

YANGON TO DELHI
Days
Dep
2
13:10

Arr
16:30

Flights
AI 235

DELHI TO YANGON
Days
Dep
2
7:00

Arr
12:10

PG = Bangkok Airways

Flights
AI 234
AI 228

YANGON TO KOLKATA
Days
Dep
1
14:05
5
18:45

Arr
17:20
19:45

Flights
AI 227
AI 233

KOLKATA TO YANGON
Days
Dep
1
10:35
5
13:30

Arr
13:20
18:00

SQ = Singapore Airways

Arr
16:40

BANGKOK TO MANDALAY
Flights
Days
Dep
PG 709
Daily
12:05

Arr
13:25

TR = Tiger Airline

YANGON TO GAYA
Flights
Days
Dep
8M 601
3,5,6
7:00
AI 236
2
13:10
AI 234
1,5
14:05

MANDALAY TO BANGKOK
Flights
Days
Dep
PG 710
Daily
14:15

SINGAPORE TO MANDALAY
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
Y5 2234
Daily
7:20
16:30
MI 533
2,4,6
11:30
14:50

MANDALAY TO DON MUEANG


Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
FD 245
Daily
12:50
15:15

DON MUEANG TO MANDALAY


Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
FD 244
Daily
10:55
12:20

Arr
16:40

NAY PYI TAW TO BANGKOK


Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
PG 722
1,2,3,4,5
19:45
22:45

KUNMING TO MANDALAY
Flights
Days
Dep
MU 2029
Daily
12:55

CA = Air China
CI = China Airlines
CZ = China Southern
DD = Nok Airline
FD = Air Asia
KA = Dragonair

MANDALAY TO SINGAPORE
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
MI 533
2,4,6
15:45
20:50
Y5 2233
1,2,4,5,6
7:50
14:15

MANDALAY TO KUNMING
Flights
Days
Dep
MU 2030
Daily
13:50

Photo: Washington Post

Air India

Arr
18:10

YANGON TO SEOUL
Flights
Days
Dep
0Z 770
4,7
0:50
KE 472
Daily
23:55

Arr
21:25

BANGKOK TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
TG 303
Daily
8:00
PG 701
Daily
8:45
Y5 238
Daily
21:30
8M 336
Daily
10:40
TG 301
Daily
13:05
PG 707
Daily
13:40
PG 703
Daily
17:00
TG 305
Daily
18:05
8M 332
Daily
19:15
PG 705
Daily
20:15

Arr
12:50

BANGKOK TO NAY PYI TAW


Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
PG 721
1,2,3,4,5
17:15
19:15

KE = Korea Airlines
MH = Malaysia Airlines
MI = Silk Air
MU = China Eastern Airlines
NH = All Nippon Airways

QR = Qatar Airways

TG = Thai Airways

VN = Vietnam Airline
AI = Air India
Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines

Subject to change
without notice
Day
1 = Monday
2 = Tuesday
3 = Wednesday

4
5
6
7

=
=
=
=

Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

that light the way to treatment


rooms.
After a soothing oxygen facial
(Paula) and expert deep-tissue
massage (me), its time to break
out the spike heels and dress for a
show.
I had suggested Cirque du
Soleils risqu combo of acrobatics
and comedy called Zumanity. But
majority rule dictates a Vegas
star spectacle, this one featuring
country-music legend Shania
Twain. The glossy-maned brunette
trots out her greatest hits at
Caesars Palace in the requisite
90-minute act (designed to get
gamers back to the casino as
quickly as possible). It includes
multiple costume changes and two
horses. A little cheesy, I think, but
in Caesars Colosseum, where the
sound is super-size and special
effects over the top, were on our
feet with the rest of the audience
at shows end.
For our last supper, Ive
chosen Andreas restaurant, at
the Encore resort. Encore is a
favorite because its a cosseting
cocoon on the raucous Strip. Paula
settles happily into a creamy beige
banquette to order spicy tuna
rolls from a server who could win
Miss Congeniality at a pageant.
Over the bar, a huge screen shows
a mesmerising image of the eyes
of Wynns second wife, Andrea. I
tell the group that George Clooney
is among the celebs whove dined
here; sadly, hes not in sight
tonight.
Later, we sit under crimson
Venetian glass chandeliers in
Encores casino and play blackjack
with fervor. Barry, Patrick and I
are more experienced, but Paula is
on a roll and delightedly exits with
a fistful of dollars.
We return to the MGM to enter
cowboy heaven. National Finals
Rodeo is in town, and a sponsor
is throwing a party open to all.
We grab plastic cups of Crown
Royal whiskey and cheap wine
and attempt to two-step alongside
polite, square-jawed gents in boots
and cowboy hats. One 6-footer
pulls up his Dont Mess With
Texas T-shirt to display a huge
tattoo of John Wayne on his belly.
Nope, it isnt city-slick, but
were on our last night in Vegas,
baby, having an after-hours high
time singing along to Friends in
Low Places. We dance till 2am,
guaranteeing bleary eyes at the
airport.
Cut to a month ago, when Paula
and Patrick were over for dinner,
and I was telling them Vegas had
a record year (41.1 million visitors
in 2014), new upscale hotels
(the Cromwell, Delano, SLS Las
Vegas), new shopping ops at the
Linq open-air mall and a terrific
restaurant from star chef Giada De
Laurentiis.
So, said Patrick, pulling out
his iPhone calendar. When are we
going back?

Washington Post

20

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

wEEKEND | PUZZLERS

SUDOKU PACIFIC

Universal Crossword
Edited by Timothy E. Parker

CRUNCH EM By Cale K. Brody


ACROSS
1 The Count of ___
Cristo
6 Waikiki
welcome
11 Boat in a
harbor
14 Be of use to
15 Stitched
16 Blvd. cousin
17 Illegal boxing
blow
19 Seed vessel (Var.)
20 In-flight info,
for short
21 One for the
off-road
22 Its shady
23 Comic bit (Var.)
27 Act as
29 Half of a dance?
30 Emulate a
picador
32 Curb (with in)
33 Burgle
34 Becomes
bushed
36 Tangle
39 Its ___ to Tell a Lie
41 Log home
43 Audio effect
44 Allots (with out)
46 Bustles
48 Eye protection
49 Online bookmarks,
essentially
51 Mexicali
moolah
52 Ships dir.,
perhaps
53 Leave
56 Abraham or Homer,
on TV
58 ___ nouveau
59 Org. for heavyweights
60 All eternity,
to a bard
61 Polloi preceder
62 Carroll poem
68 Rapid bustling
movement
69 Howling with
laughter
70 Indoor plant
areas
71 Japanese currency
unit
72 Large wall
painting
73 Adolescent

DILBERT

DOWN
1 Vandalize
2 Egg cells
3 Apprehend
4 Lhasas land
5 Snobby one
6 Fanged Nile
menace
7 Romanian
currency
8 Take the
blame
9 Trojan War hero killed
by Achilles
10 Sticks like glue
11 Tent sanctuaries
12 Throat
dangler

13 Swarming with
bacteria
18 Bait and switch, e.g.
23 Beat it!
24 Decided
25 Addiction
26 Fort Knox unit
28 Fork feature
31 Jazz genre
35 Agrees (with)
37 Second-largest land
animal
38 Thick green
cloth
40 Bookworm, in
stereotypes
42 More intrusive
45 R&B ballad

47 By hook or by
crook
50 Toyota rival
53 Laughter
sounds
54 Waste away
55 Old drum played
with a fife
57 Prefix with type or
plasm
63 Meadow call
64 Schuberts The
___-King
65 Fine-wine-producing
vineyard
66 Do-it-yourselfers
purchase
67 Fargo assent

BY SCOTT ADAMS

PEANUTS

BY CHARLES SCHULZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

BY BILL WATTERSON

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | PUZZLERS

CHRONICLES OF BEI KA STREET

A Study in
CHAPTER 4

Saffron

EDITED BY KO NAN DOI

ELL theres the clue to the


whole thing, right there!
exclaimed U Lek Trey,
pointing at the word yg&rD inscribed
on the dingy wall in a brownish tint
that might have been dried blood.
Indeed, said U Sha Lok
coolly, in no whit discomfited by
the triumphant air of the official
detective. And pray tell us, U Lek
Trey, what you deduce from this
word, and how does it help us to
know the identity of this mans
murderer? He pointed to the body
that lay dead in the middle of the
bare room, whose sightless eyes
glared madly at the ceiling.
Why, sir, its obvious.
Confronted by his foe, who he knew
was bent on his death, the victim
wrote this word on the wall to alert
investigators as to the identity of
his would-be killer. And why at this
spot? He gestured dramatically to
the extinct candle-end stuck to the
window sill a few inches from the
wall. This spot, I say, so obscure in
the daylight of this dim room was,
last night, in the light of this candle,
brightly illuminated. And what did
he mean by the word? Clearly, he
meant to convey that the murderer
lived in Parami Road, a squalid and
disreputable quarter, haunted by the
meaner criminal element. I think
you will find, U Sha Lok, U Lek
Trey nodded portentously, wagging
his finger in my friends direction,
that a swift raid, which I will order
carried out this very morning, will
net a dozen desperadoes known to
us who will be able to shed light on
this dastardly affair! Our man is as
good as in our hands.
Really, remarked U Sha Lok,
his tone that of a man who masked
with difficulty his amusement.
He strolled over and, magnifying
glass in hand, cast a cursory glance
at the word written on the wall.
Perhaps they will also explain why
the murderer stood patiently by and
watched while his victim prepared
a piece of evidence likely to convict
him, and then failed to rub it off
after he had done away with him?
Hmph! No doubt in the heat of
the struggle he was distracted and
then, the foul deed done, made off
for fear of discovery before he could
clear away all traces of his guilt. No,
sir, I think you will find that the
duck is as good as cooked.
Might your suspect also
explain how the victim managed to
inscribe this incriminating word
on the wall in this dark substance
without leaving a single trace on
his fingertips? For the dead mans
hands are entirely innocent of any
stain, said U Sha Lok calmly.
U Lek Trey did not seem to
have thought of this. Really? Oh.
Well, anyway, I have no doubt I am
right. But just out of interest, and
here he assumed a condescending,
humouring tone little short of
outright derision, what might be
your explanation of this word, U
Sha Lok?
Why, it was written by the killer,
after the death of his victim. And
it denotes that he acted, not out of
revenge or any low motive, but in
honour of the genius of parami.
But I fear the roots of this affair run
very deep, and are not to be found
here in Yangon, or all Myanmar,
though the killer may yet linger
here. Otherwise, all I can tell you of
our culprit is that he is a little taller
than the average, left-handed, with
rather long fingernails, bald, has

a good knowledge of the English


language and eats great quantities
of nuts. Apart from that, I know
nothing.
Well we shall see about that,
said U Lek Trey, reverting to his
previous officiousness. You may go
your way, U Sha Lok, but we will do
our humble duty as officers of the
law and shall this day lay our man by
the heels. Well get a result all right.
You see if we dont!
As we emerged into Ba Thoun
Street, the mackerel sky above
threatening a further downpour,
U Sha Lok was shaking with silent
laughter.
Oh, Wa Zone, the observation
of our police agents as they go about
their work, bungling at every turn,
is for the discerning professional
truly one of lifes more exquisite
pleasures! he exclaimed.
You think you can beat them at
their own game and catch the man
who did this? I asked. And your
detailed description bald, speaks
English, likes nuts, for heavens
sake. How on earth did you deduce
all that?
Why, I have no doubt that
we shall catch him. As to my
description, for the moment,
suffice it to say that the word yg&rD
was inscribed by his index finger,
presumably at eye-level. This mans
eye-level was the same as my own
and I, as you see, am slightly above
the common height. The word was
written very close to the corner of
the room, so that a man facing it,
with his left shoulder almost against
the window, would have found it
much easier to write with his left
hand than his right. Upon observing
the word with my magnifying glass,
I remarked some tiny scratches
as if, in inscribing it, his nails had
scraped the letters. As for the rest,
it is all a mere trifle, which I shall
explain once we have caught him.
And this very afternoon I shall take
the first steps toward that end. But
first, a little relaxation. There is a
harp concert this afternoon in the
precincts of Sule Pagoda. I propose
first to take a cup of tea at this
excellent establishment before us
and then repair there, where you are
welcome to accompany me.
Back at our lodgings at Bei Ka
Street later, U Sha Lok immediately
strode to his writing-desk and began
scrawling on a piece of paper.
What do you mean to do now?
I asked.
We found a ring at the
scene. Somebody probably the
killer left it there, and probably
inadvertently. Perhaps they would
like to have it back, he said tersely
as he wrote. I intend to place an
advertisement in the personal
columns of our best periodicals,
where it will certainly be seen by
the widest variety of readers. This
should serve. He handed me the
note he had written. It read:
FOUND, in the middle of
Anawrahta Street early this
morning, a plain gold ladys
wedding ring. For further
particulars, please refer to Dr Wa
Zone of 221B Bei Ka Street etc etc.
We must say it was found in
the middle of the main street, or it
will arouse suspicion. He who lost
the ring must believe it was found
innocently by a passer-by, or at least
be so eager to retrieve it that he will
take the risk. My apologies for using
your name, my dear chap, but mine
may already be too well known in
these dark circles in which we are
moving.
Next week: Foiled in the chase

WEEKLY PREDICTIONS

APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

21

AUNG MYIN KYAW


4th Floor, 113, Thamain Bayan Road, Tarmwe township, Yangon.
Tel: 09-731-35632, Email: williameaste@gmail.com

AQUARIUS | Jan 20 Feb 18

GEMINI | May 21 June 20

LIBRA | Sept 23 Oct 22

Self-blame only leads to doubt


and insecurity. Why not deal in
certainties and blame everyone
else like a normal person? Allow yourself
some time to relax this week. Working
hard has its rewards but it shouldnt be
your only source of self esteem. Why, after
recognising others as an endless source of
fault, youll have plenty of spare time for
kicking back and enjoying being perfect.

Self-management is the name of


the game this week. If you find
yourself despairing at how it all
came to this, it might be time to consider
that the stars are against you. Or, recognise
that being surrounded by incompetence
indeed takes its toll. Look for meaning in
life every day. Just try not to ascribe this
meaning to the actions of beings who exist
without using any of their prefrontal cortex.

If you can look beyond your own


welfare toward others youll be
surprised at how you benefit. In
all honestly, this is a surefire plan to keep
focused on yourself without looking like a
bad person. Beware of travel plans this
week. As Mike Tyson once quipped, we all
have a plan until were punched in the
mouth. Unless your plan was to be punched
in the mouth. In which case, bravo.

PISCES | Feb 19 March 20

CANCER | June 21 July 22

SCORPIO | Oct 23 Nov 21

Love will come knocking this


week. Put down the baseball bat
and invite Cupid in. Take faith in
the old adage, All guests give us pleasure:
some when they arrive, others when they
leave. You may be surprised what opening
your heart can do for other aspects of your
life, so take a chance. Worst-case
scenario: your career blossoms as you
attempt to distract yourself from yet
another catastrophic romantic endeavour.

Courage is not the absence of


fear; its the result of free-flow
tequila. Its also the ability to put
regret behind you as you jump back on
that horse to try one more time. However,
be aware that repeating the same action
while expecting different results can also
be called something else less
complimentary. Whichever it is, make sure
you take the time to develop meaningful
relationships this week.

Taking the time to negotiate will


give you better results this week.
Your social skills will win
potential partners worth having in
business, romance and karaoke. Make a
decision youve been putting off. If you
need more specific advice, turn to your left
and read the second line of the text closest
to you. What does it say? Think were
serious? Make the call yourself. Youre old
enough to know better.

ARIES | Mar 21 Apr 19

LEO | July 23 Aug 22

SAGITTARIUS | Nov 22 Dec 21

You cant always get what you


want. As enduring as Keith
Richards organs, the Stones
were onto something with this little pearl.
Think about it in terms of relationships: Try
not to judge or compare, but celebrate
difference. How boring would life be if
everyone was just like you? Or, come to
think of it, how perfectly smoothly would
things actually run for once.

Like a fish who cannot see the


water in which they swim, you can
suddenly be lost in a sea of
decadence with no bearing. Dont lose your
humanity as you strive for a better life. But
dont despair! No ones going to remember
you for not eating that almond croissant.
This week, challenge attachments.
Especially if theyve been sent to you from
an unknown email address.

Virtual reality is written in your


stars this week. This can take
many forms: flawed thinking,
dishonest interactions, the actualisation of
dreams or, it may just be to do with the
computer game every 80s kid ever
dreamed of. Try to see things clearly this
week. Keep the things you want and
discard those you dont. If you realise you
need something back, you can always just
regret it for the rest of your life.

TAURUS | Apr 20 May 20

VIRGO | Aug 23 Sept 22

CAPRICORN | Dec 22 Jan 19

The more things change, the more


they stay the same. Try not to be
overwhelmed by chaos on the
surface theres more than enough chaos
beneath to go around. Spend this week
trying to ignore your weaknesses but dont
build yourself up by looking down on others.
Charity is a significant theme for you this
week hopefully you wont end up on the
receiving end of it. Be on the lookout for a
message in red this week.

This week you need to practice


positive self talk. What starts off
as a doubt can weave itself into
the fabric of our beliefs.
The story of the human race is the story
of men and women selling themselves
short, said Maslow, whose pivotal
Hierarchy of Needs reminds us of what
truly matters in life: Food, shelter, safety,
love, esteem, self actualisation, and Wi-Fi.

Your burning ambition to win will


drive you through challenges
over the coming days. This is
different to a burning sensation if you
have one of those please seek medical
advice. Keep your mind sharp and your
body strong this week, even if you dont
feel too motivated. Keep listening and
learning to uncover the hidden truth (and
to find out if youre still being ripped off at
the local teahouse).

22

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

wEEKEND | QUICK GUIDE

General Listing

The Essentials
EMBASSIES
Australia 88, Strand Road,
Yangon. Tel : 251810,
251797, 251798.
Bangladesh 11-B, Than
Lwin Road, Yangon.
Tel: 515275, 526144, email:
bdootygn@mptmail.net.mm
Brazil 56, Pyay Road,
6th mile, Hlaing Tsp,
Yangon. Tel: 507225,
507251. email: Administ.
yangon@itamaraty.gov.br.
Brunei 17, Kanbawza
Avenue, Golden Velly (1),
Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel:
566985, 503978.
email: bruneiemb@
bruneiemb.com.mm
Cambodia 25 (3B/4B),
New University Avenue
Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 549609, 540964.
email: RECYANGON @
mptmail.net.mm
Canada
9th Floor, Centerpoint
Towers, 65 Sule Pagoda
Road, Yangon, Tel :
01-384805 , Fax :01
384806, Email : yngon@
international.gc.ca
China 1, Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel:
221280, 221281.
Denmark, No.7, Pyi Thu
St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles,
Mayangone Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 01 9669520 - 17.
Egypt 81, Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel:
222886, 222887,
Egyptembassy86@gmail.
com
France 102, Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel:
212178, 212520, email:
ambaf rance. rangoun@
diplomatie.fr
Germany 9, Bogyoke Aung
San Museum Road, Bahan
Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 548951, 548952, email:
info@rangun. diplo.de
India 545-547, Merchant
St, Yangon. Tel: 391219,
388412,
email:indiaembassy
@mptmail.net.mm

Indonesia 100, Pyidaungsu


Yeiktha Rd, Yangon. Tel:
254465, 254469, email:
kukygn @indonesia.com.
mm
Israel 15, Khabaung
Street, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 515115, fax: 515116,
email: info@yangon.mfa.
gov.il
Italy 3, Inya Myaing Road,
Golden Valley, Yangon.
Tel: 527100, 527101, fax:
514565, email: ambyang.
mail@ esteri.it
Japan 100, Natmauk Rd,
Yangon. Tel: 549644-8,
540399, 540400, 540411,
545988, fax: 549643
Kuwait
62-B, Shwe Taung Kyar St,
Bahan Tsp.
Tel : 01-230-9542, 2309543. Fax : 01-230-5836.
Laos A-1, Diplomatic
Quarters, Tawwin Road,
Dagon Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 222482, Fax: 227446,
email: Laoembcab@
mptmail. net.mm
Malaysia 82, Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel:
220248, 220249,
email: mwkyangon@
mptmail.net.mm
Nepal 16, Natmauk
Yeiktha, Yangon. Tel:
545880, 557168, fax:
549803, email: nepemb @
mptmail.net.mm
Norway, No.7, Pyi Thu
St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles,
Mayangone Tsp,Yangon.
Tel: 01 9669520 - 17 Fax
01- 9669516
New Zealand No. 43/C,
Inya Myaing Rd, Bahan Tsp,
Yangon.
Tel : 01-2306046-9
Fax : 01-2305805
Netherlands No. 43/C, Inya
Myaing Rd, Bahan Tsp,
Yangon. Tel : 01-2305805
North Korea 77C, Shin
Saw Pu Rd, Sanchaung
Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 512642, 510205

Pakistan A-4, diplomatic


Quarters, Pyay Rd, Yangon.
Tel: 222881 (Chancery
Exchange)
Philippines 7, Gandamar
St, Yankin Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 558149-151, Email:
p.e. yangon@gmail.com
Saudi Arabia No.6/S,
Inya Yeiktha St, 10th Qtr,
Mayangone Tsp, Yangon,
Tel: (951) 652-344, 652-344,
Fax: (951) 657-983
Russia 38, Sagawa Rd,
Yangon.
Tel: 241955, 254161,
Serbia No. 114-A, Inya
Rd, P.O.Box No. 943,
Yangon. Tel: 515282,
515283, email: serbemb @
yangon.net.mm
Singapore 238, Dhamazedi
Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 559001, email:
singemb_ ygn@_sgmfa.
gov.sg
South Korea 97 University
Avenue, Bahan Tsp,
Yangon. Tel: 527142-4,
515190, fax: 513286, email:
myanmar@mofat.go.kr
Sri Lanka 34 Taw Win Rd,
Yangon. Tel: 222812,
Switzerland
No 11, Kabaung Lane, 5
mile, Pyay Rd, Hlaing Tsp,
Yangon.
Tel: 534754, 507089.
Thailand 94 Pyay Rd,
Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel:
226721, 226728, 226824
Turkey
19AB, Kan Yeik Thar St,
Mayangone Tsp,Yangon.
Tel : 662992, Fax : 661365
United Kingdom 80 Strand
Rd, Yangon.
Tel: 370867, 380322,
371852, 371853, 256438,
United States of America
110, University Avenue,
Kamayut Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 536509, 535756, Fax:
650306
Vietnam Bldg-72, Thanlwin
Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel:
511305

UNITED NATIONS
ILO Liaison 1-A, Kanbae
(Thitsar Rd), Yankin Tsp,
Tel : 01-566538, 566539
IOM 318 (A) Ahlone Rd, Dagon
Tsp, Yangon.Tel 01-210588,
09 73236679, 0973236680,
Email- iomyangon@iom.int
UNAIDS 137/1, Thaw Wun Rd,
Kamayut Tsp.
Tel : 534498, 504832
UNDCP 11-A, Malikha St,
Mayangone tsp.
Tel: 666903, 664539.
UNDP 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan
tel: 542910-19. fax: 292739.
UNFPA 6, Natmauk Rd,
Bahan tsp. tel: 546029.
UNHCR 287, Pyay Rd,
Sanchaung tsp.
Tel: 524022, 524024.
UNIAP Rm: 1202, 12 Fl,
Traders Hotel.
Tel: 254852, 254853.
UNIC 6, Natmauk St., Bahan,
tel: 52910~19
UNICEF 14~15 Flr, Traders
Hotel. P.O. Box 1435,
Kyauktada. Tel: 375527~32,
unicef.yangon@unicef. org,
UNODC 11-A, Malikha Rd., Ward
7, Mayangone. tel: 01-9666903,
9660556, 9660538, 9660398.
email: fo.myanmar@unodc.org
UNOPS 120/0, Pyi Thu Lane,
7 Miles, Mayangone Tsp.
Tel: 951-657281~7.
Fax: 657279.
UNRC 6, Natmauk Rd, P.O.
Box 650, TMWE Tel: 542911~19,
292637 (Resident Coordinator),
WFP 5 Kan Baw Za St, Shwe
Taung Kyar, (Golden Valley),
Bahan Tsp. Tel : 2305971~6
WHO No. 2, Pyay Rd, 7 Mile,
Mayangone Tsp, Tel : 6504056, 650416, 654386-90.
ASEAN Coordinating Of. for
the ASEAN Humanitarian
Task Force, 79, Taw Win st,
Dagon Tsp. Tel: 225258.
FAO Myanma Agriculture
Service Insein Rd, Insein. tel:
641672, 641673.

For more information about these listings, Please Contact - classified.mcm@gmail.com

Emergency Numbers
Ambulance tel: 295133.
Fire tel: 191, 252011, 252022.
Police emergency tel: 199.
Police headquarters tel: 282541, 284764.
Red Cross tel:682600, 682368
Traffic Control Branch tel:298651
Department of Post & Telecommunication tel: 591384,
591387.
Immigration tel: 286434.
Ministry of Education tel:545500m 562390
Ministry of Sports tel: 370604, 370605
Ministry of Communications tel: 067-407037.
Myanma Post & Telecommunication (MPT) tel: 067407007.
Myanma Post & Tele-communication (Accountant Dept)
tel: 254563, 370768.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs tel: 067-412009, 067-412344.
Ministry of Health tel: 067-411358-9.
Yangon City Development Committee tel: 248112.
HOSPITALS
Central Womens Hospital tel: 221013, 222811.
Children Hospital tel: 221421, 222807
Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital tel: 543888.
Naypyitaw Hospital (emergency) tel: 420096.
Workers Hospital tel: 554444, 554455, 554811.

Yangon Children Hospital tel: 222807, 222808, 222809.


Yangon General Hospital (East) tel: 292835, 292836, 292837.
Yangon General Hospital (New) tel: 384493, 384494,
384495, 379109.
Yangon General Hospital (West) tel: 222860, 222861,
220416.
Yangon General Hospital (YGH) tel: 256112, 256123,
281443, 256131.
ELECTRICITY
Power Station tel:414235
POST OFFICE
General Post Office
39, Bo Aung Kyaw St. (near British Council Library). tel:
285499.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Yangon International Airport tel: 662811.
YANGON PORT
Shipping (Coastal vessels) tel: 382722
RAILWAYS
Railways information
tel: 274027, 202175-8.

Panda Hotel
Min Ye Kyaw Swa Road,
Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 212850 ~ 3,
229358 ~ 61,

ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS

AsiA PlAzA Hotel

YANGON
No. 277, Bogyoke Aung
San Road, Corner of
38th Street, Kyauktada
Township, Yangon,
Myanmar.
Tel : (951) 391070, 391071.
Reservation@391070
(Ext) 1910, 106.
Fax : (951) 391375. Email :
hotelasiaplaza@gmail.com
Avenue 64 Hotel
No. 64 (G), Kyitewine
Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon. Tel : 09-8631392,
01 656913-9

No.1, Wut Kyaung St,


Yay Kyaw, Pazundaung Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Ph: 01-8610640, 01-202187,
www.mkhotelyangon.com

Sedona Hotel
Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd,
Yankin. tel: 666900.

Excel Treasure Hotel


Yangon

No.520, Kaba Aye Pagoda


Road, Bahan Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: 01-559150 to 7
Fax: 01-559150

Excel River View


Hotel

No.(3) Block (1 to 4), Near


Thanlyin Bridge, Thanlyin
Township, Yangon Myanmar.
Tel: 056-22550, 09-8601892,
Fax: 056-22546,
No. 12, Pho Sein Road,
Tamwe Township, Yangon
Tel : (95-1) 209299, 209300,
209343 Fax : (95-1) 209344
bestwestern.com/
greenhillhotelyangon.com
Chatrium Hotel
40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe.
tel: 544500. fax: 544400.

Clover Hotel City Center


No. 217, 32nd Street
(Upper Block), Pabedan Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 377720, Fax : 377722
www.clovercitycenter.asia
Clover Hotel City Center Plus
No. 229, 32nd Street
(Upper Block), Pabedan Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 377975, Fax : 377974
www.clovercitycenterplus.asia

No. (356/366), Kyaikkasan


Rd, Tamwe Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Ph: 542826, Fax: 545650
Email: reservation@
edenpalacehotel.com

M-22, Shwe Htee Housing,


Thamine Station St., Near
the Bayint Naung Point,
Mayangone Tsp., Yangon
Tel : 522763, 522744,
667557. Fax : (95-1) 652174
E-mail : grandpalace@
myanmar.com.mm

Strand Hotel
92 Strand Rd. tel: 243377.
fax: 289880.
Summit Parkview Hotel
350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon
Tsp. tel: 211888, 211966.
Winner Inn
42, Than Lwin Rd, Bahan
Tsp. Tel: 503734, 524387.
email: reservation@winner
innmyanmar.com

Excel Palace Hotel

No.(25, D1), New University


Avenue Road, Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: 01-544491, 01-556601
Fax: 525028, 01-544604
excel@myanmar.com.mm
autospeed123@gmail.com
www.exceltreasurehotel.com

Confort Inn
4, Shweli Rd, Bet: Inya Rd
& U Wisara Rd, Kamaryut,
tel: 525781, 526872
Clover Hotel
No.7A, Wingabar Road,
Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel : (951) 546313, 430245.
09-731-77781~4. Fax : (01)
546313.
www.cloverhotel.asia.
info@cloverhotel.asia

Parkroyal Yangon,
Myanmar
33, Alan Pya Pagoda Rd,
Dagon tsp.
tel: 250388. fax: 252478.

No.183, 35th St; Bet; 77th


&78th Street, Mahar Aung
Myae Tsp, Mandalay. Ph: 02
67 404, 67 405, 67 406, 67
407, 67 408, website:www.
yuanshenghotel.com,
Email: sale.yuanshenghotel
@gmail.com

ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS (NAy PyI TAw)


153/159,Bogyoke Ag San Rd,
(Cor of 46 st),Botataung Tsp.
Yangon, Myanmar,
Tel: 951-298986,296209,
www.grandlaurelhotel.com
Hotel Grand United
(Chinatown)
621, Maharbandoola Rd,
Latha Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 372256-58
(21st Downtown)
66-70, 21st Street (Enter
from Strand Rd), Latha
Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (95-1)
378201
(Ahlone Branch)
35, Min Ye Kyaw Swar
Rd, Ahlone Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 218061-64;
Email: grandunited.
head@gmail.com, www.
hotelgrandunited.com

186, Lu Nge Thitsar


Street, on Thitsar Road,
Yankin Township, Yangon,
Myanmar. Ph: +951-8550
283, +951-8550 284,
+959-2540 63632, E-mail:
enquiry@hotelyankin.com,
www.hotelyankin.com
Inya Lake Resort Hotel
37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd.
tel: 662866. fax: 665537.
Novotel Yangon Max
Pyay Rd, Near Hledan
Bridge, Kamayut Tsp,
Tel: 01 230 5878, 01 230 5912

Excel Capital Hotel


Nay Pyi Taw

No.(23/24), Yarza Thingaha


Rd, Dekhina Thiri Township
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
Tel: 067-8106011 to 17,
Fax: 067-8106020,
excel@myanmar.com.mm
autospeed123@gmail.com
www.exceltreasurehotel.com

Reservation Office (Yangon)


123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd,
Dagon Township
Tel
: 951- 255 819~838
Hotel Max, (Nay Pyi Taw)
Tel
: 067- 414 177,
067- 4141 88
E-Mail: reservation@
maxhotelsgroup.com

ACCOMMODATION
LONG TERM

HAPPY HOMES
REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT

Tel: 09-7349-4483,
09-4200-56994.
E-mail: aahappyhomes@
gmail.com, http://www.
happyhomesyangon.com

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | QUICK GUIDE

23

THE MYANMAR TIMES MARCH 20 , 2015


Hotel Yangon
91/93, 8th Mile Junction,
Tel : 01-667708, 667688.

AGRICULTURAL
TRACTOR

KH Hotel, Yangon
28-A, 7 Miles, Pyay Rd,
Mayangone Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 95-1-652532, 652533

17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd,


Yankin Tsp.
Tel: 650933. Fax: 650960.
Email : micprm@
myanmar.com.mmwww.
myanmar micasahotel.com
Marina Residence
8, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd,
Mayangone Tsp.
tel: 6506 51~4. fax: 650630.
Sakura Residence
9, Inya Rd, Kamaryut Tsp.
tel: 525001. fax: 525002.

The Worlds Best Selling


Tractor
Bldg No. F/S (2),
ShweMarlar Housing,
Bayintnaung Rd.,
Kamaryut Tsp., YGN
Tel: +95 9 4302 4615
(English Speaking)
+95 9 508 5217
(Myanmar Speaking)
Email : utsales@
universaltractormyanmar.
com

AIR CONDITION

Sule Shangri-La Hotel


223 Sule Pagoda Rd. tel:
242828. fax: 242838.
Yuzana Hotel
130, Shwegondaing Rd,
Bahan Tsp, tel : 01-549600

ADVERTISING & MEDIA


WE STARTED THE ADVERTISING
INDUSTRY IN MYANMAR SINCE 1991

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

A D V E RT I S I N G

SAIL Marketing &


Communications
Suite 403, Danathiha Center
790, Corner of Bogyoke Rd
& Wadan Rd, Lanmadaw
Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: (951) 211870, 224820,
2301195. Email: admin@
advertising-myanmar.com
www.advertising-myanmar.
com

ARCHITECTS &
MODULAR BUILDINGS

contactus@greenarc.net.au
Tel : 09-730-22820

The First Air conditioning


systems designed to keep
you fresh all day
Zeya & Associates Co., Ltd.
No.437 (A), Pyay Road,
Kamayut. P., O 11041
Yangon, Tel: +(95-1)
502016-18,
Mandalay- Tel: 02-60933.
Nay Pyi Taw- Tel:
067-420778, E-mail :
sales.ac@freshaircon.
com. URL: http://www.
freshaircon.com

MYANMAR BOOK CENTRE


Nandawun Compound,
No. 55, Baho Road,
Corner of Baho Road
and Ahlone Road, (near
Eugenia Restaurant),
Ahlone Township. tel:
212 409, 221 271. 214708
fax: 524580. email: info@
myanmarbook.com

BEAUTY & MASSAGE


Beauty 49
49 street (middle),
Botataung Tsp. Tel:292650

COLD STORAGE
Car Rental Service
No. 56, Bo Ywe St,
Latha Tsp, Yangon.
Tel : 01-246551, 375283,
09-2132778, 09-31119195.
Gmail:nyanmyintthu1983@
gmail.com,
Moe Car Rental
Than Thu Mar Rd,
Thuwunna, Thingangyun.
Tel: 09-2540-07712, 0949570697, 09-799658370.

YANGON
La Source Beauty Spa
80-A, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp.
Tel: 512380, 511252
Beauty Bar by La Source
Room (1004), Sedona Hotel,
Tel : 666 900 Ext : 7167
MANDALAY
La Source Beauty Spa
13/13, Mya Sandar St,
bet: 26_27, bet: 62_63,
Chanaye Tharzan Tsp.
Tel : 09-4440-24496.
www.lasourcebeautyspa.com

Marina Residence, Yangon


Ph: 650651~4, Ext: 109
Beauty Plan, Corner of
77th St & 31st St, Mandalay
Ph: 02 72506

BUSINESS SERVICE

HOT LINE:
09 - 402 510 003
01-646 330
First Class VIP
Limousine Car Rental.
Professional English
Speaking Drivers.
Full Insurance for
your Safety and
comfortable journey
Call us Now for your
best choice
www.mmels.com

Self Drive Daily Rental


Brand New Left Hand
Drive
Comprehensive Insurance
Daily Rental (24 hours)
Unlimited Kilometres
24/7 Roadside Assistance
www.yomafleet.com
soe@yomafleet.com
+95 9 4500 35280

COFFEE MACHINE
News & Business Ideas
facebook box.com.mm
http://box.com.mm

CAR RENTAL
CENTURION AUTO GROUP
Corporate Car Rental
Transfer | Daily | Monthly| Fleet

English Speaking Driver


On-board Wi-Fi
$1-million Insurance
Concierge & Refreshment
Defensive Driver Training
Tel: 571586, 09 250188232
www.centurionauto.com

www.realfitnessmyanmar.com

Worlds leader in
Kitchen Hoods & Hobs
Same as Ariston Water
Heater. Tel: 251033,
379671, 256622, 647813

GEMS & JEWELLERIES

FLORAL SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION
MYANMAR EXECUTIVE
LIMOUSINE SERVICE

BOOK STORES

150 Dhamazedi Rd.,


Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (01) 536306, 537805.
Email: mbt.marketing.
mgr@gmail.com
15(B), Departure Lounge,
Yangon Intl Airport.
# 87/2, Crn of 26th & 27th
St, 77th St, Chan Aye Thar
Zan Tsp, Mandalay.
Tel: (02) 24880
ELT Showroom:
# 43, 165 St, Tarmwe Tsp,
Yangon.
Tel: (09) 5116687

Est. 1992 in Myanmar


Cold Storage Specialist,
Solar Hot Water Storage
Solutions.
Tel: 01 663656,
09 73164485, 09 252395198
Email: sales@glovermkm.
com.mm

No. 20, Ground Floor, Pearl


Street, Golden Valley Ward,
Bahan Township, Yangon.
Tel : 09-509 7057, 01220881, 549478 (Ext : 103)
Email : realfitnessmyanmar
@gmail.com

illy, Francis Francis, VBM,


Brasilia, Rossi, De Longhi
Nwe Ta Pin Trading Co., Ltd.
Shop C, Building 459 B
New University Avenue
01- 555-879, 09-4210-81705
nwetapintrading@gmail.com

DELIVERY SERVICE

Express Courier & Cargo


One Stop Logistic Solution
Ygn, Hot Line: 011224270

Zamil Steel
No-5, Pyay Road,
7 miles,
Mayangone Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 652502~04.
Fax: (95-1) 650306.
Email: zamilsteel@
zamilsteel.com.mm

CO WORKING SPACE

No. (6), Lane 2


Botahtaung Pagoda St,
Yangon.
01-9010003, 291897.
info@venturaoffice.com,
www.venturaoffice.com

CONSULTING

Floral Service & Gift


Centre 102(A), Dhamazaydi
Rd, Yangon.tel: 500142
Summit Parkview Hotel,
tel: 211888, 211966 ext. 173
fax: 535376.email: sandy@
sandymyanmar.com.mm.

DUTY FREE

sales@manawmaya.com.mm
www.manawmayagems.com

Tel: 549612, Fax : 545770.

Floral Service & Gift Shop


No. 449, New University
Avenue, Bahan Tsp. YGN.
Tel: 541217, 559011,
09-860-2292.
Market Place By City Mart
Tel: 523840~43,
523845~46, Ext: 205.
Junction Nay Pyi Taw
Tel: 067-421617~18
422012~15, Ext: 235.
Res: 067-414813, 09-49209039. Email : eternal@
mptmail.net.mm

FOAM SPRAY
INSULATION

Myanmar Research | Consulting


Capital Markets

Shwe Hinthar B 307, 6 1/2


Miles, Pyay Rd., Yangon.
Tel: +95 (0)1 654 730
info@thuraswiss.com
www.thuraswiss.com

Ruby & Rare Gems


of Myanamar
No. 527, New University
Ave., Bahan Tsp. Yangon.

Foam Spray Insulation


No-410, Ground Fl,Lower
Pazuntaung Rd, Pazun
taung Tsp, Yangon.Telefax
: 01-203743, 09-5007681.
Hot Line-09-730-30825.

GENERATORS
Your Most Reliable Jeweller

The Natural Gems of


Myanmar & Fine Jewellery.
No. 30(A), Pyay Road,
(7 mile), Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-660397, 654398
spgems.myanmar@
gmail.com

No. 589-592, Bo Aung


Kyaw St, Yangon-Pathein
highway Road. Hlaing
Tharyar tsp. Tel: 951645178-182, 685199, Fax:
951-645211, 545278.
e-mail: mkt-mti@
winstrategic.com.mm

FORKLIFT

Duty Free Shops


Yangon International
Airport, Arrival/Departure
Mandalay International
Airport, Departure
Office: 17, 2nd street,
Hlaing Yadanarmon Housing,
Hlaing Township, Yangon.
Tel: 500143, 500144, 500145.

ELECTRICAL

Est. 1992 in Myanmar


Electrical & Mechanical
Contractors, Designers,
Consultants.
Tel: 01 663656,
09 73164485, 09 252395198
Email: sales@glovermkm.
com.mm

ENTERTAINMENT

Learn to dance with


social dancing
94, Bogalay Zay St,
Botataung T/S,
Yangon.
Tel : 01-392526,
01-1221738

FITNESS CENTRE

Life Fitness
Bldg A1, Rm No. 001,
Shwekabar Housing,
Mindhamma Rd,
Mayangone Tsp. Yangon.
Ph: 01-656511,
Fax: 01-656522,
Hot line: 0973194684,
natraysports@gmail.com

Made in Taiwan
Bldg No. F/S (2),
ShweMarlar Housing,
Bayintnaung Rd.,
Kamaryut Tsp., YGN
Tel: +95 9 4302 4615
(English Speaking)
+95 9 502 1312
(Myanmar Speaking)
Email : utsales@
universaltractormyanmar.
com
Your Lifting Solution

Made in Spain
Bldg No. F/S (2),
ShweMarlar Housing,
Bayintnaung Rd.,
Kamaryut Tsp., YGN
Tel: +95 9 4302 4615
(English Speaking)
+95 9 502 1312
(Myanmar Speaking)
Email : utsales@
universaltractormyanmar.
com
Your Power Solution

HEALTH SERVICES

GLASS

International
Construction
Material Co., Ltd.
No. 60, G-Fl, Sint-Oh-Dan St,
Lower Block, Latha Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-245112,
09-730-22820
Email : intconstruction
material@gmail.com

GAS COOKER &


COOKER HOODS

Yangon : A-3, Aung San


Stadium (North East Wing),
Mingalartaungnyunt Tsp.
Tel : 245543, 09-73903736,
09-73037772.
Mandalay : No.(4) 73rd St,
Btw 30th & 31st St, Chan
Aye Thar Zan Tsp. Tel : 096803505, 09-449004631.
Naypyitaw : Level (2),
Capital Hyper Mart,
Yazathingaha Street,
Outarathiri Tsp. Tel : 0933503202, 09-73050337

98(A), Kaba Aye Pagoda


Road, Bahan Township,
Yangon. Tel: 542979,
553783, 09-732-16940.
Fax: 542979
Email: asiapacific.
myanmar@gmail.com.

Japan-Myanmar
Physiotherapy Clinic.
Body Massage - 7000 Ks
Foot Massage - 6000 Ks
Body & Foot Massage 12,000 Ks
No.285, Bo Aung Kyaw Rd,
Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon.
09:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Tel : 09-8615036

24 Hours Laboratory
& X-ray, CT, MRI, USG
Mammogram, Bone DXA
@ Victoria Hospital
No. 68, Tawwin Rd, 9 Mile,
Mayangon Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: (951) 9 666141
Fax: (951) 9 666135

24

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

wEEKEND | QUICK GUIDE

THE MYANMAR TIMES MARCH 20, 2015


HOUSING
24 Hrs International Clinic
Medical and Security
Assistance Service
@ Victoria Hospital
No.68, Tawwin Rd, 9 Mile,
Mayangon Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: +951 651 238
+959 495 85 955
Fax: +959 651 398
www.leomedicare.com

NO.61, 2nd Floor, 101 Street,


Kandawlay, Mingalar
Taung Nyunt Tsp, Yangon,
Myanmar.
Ph: 01-205102, 09 2603
60932, 09 2603 60933,
09 3334 6666

No.(68), Tawwin Street,


9 Mile, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon.
Hunt line: +95 1 9666 141,
Booking Ext : 7080, 7084.
Fax: +95 1 9666 135
Email:
info@witoriya hospital.com
www.victoriahospital
myanmar.com,
Facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/
WitoriyaGeneralHospital

HOME FURNITURE

01 9000 712~3, Ext 330/332,


Email: enquiries.HM@
mmrdrs.com, www.
hermanmillerasia.com
Pun Hlaing Golf Estate
Gated Golf Community
HOUSE RENTAL
APARTMENT RENTALS
SERVICED APARTMENTS
Available Immediately
RENTAL OFFICE
OPEN DAILY 9-5
PHGE Sales & Marketing,
Hlaing Tharyar Tsp, Yangon.
Tel : 951-687 778, 684 013
phgemarketing@
spa-mm.com,
www.punhlainggolfestate.com

MARINE
COMMUNICATION &
NAVIGATION

Franzo Living Mall


15(A/5), Pyay Rd,
A1(9miles),Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon.
Tel : 01-664026, 01-656970,
09-43205018

HOTEL SUPPLY

Intl Quality Uniform &


Promo Gifts
for Corporate, Hotel, F&B
Tel: (959) 972 154 990,
Email: suchada@
stgroupholdings.com

Premium Chef Uniform

No. H-8, May Kha Housing,


May Kha St., Thingangyun
Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 01 855 0105, 09 506
7816, 09 254443366
Email: theworkwear
myanmar@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/
workwearmyanmar

LIGHTING

99 Condo, Ground Floor,


Room (A), Damazedi Rd,
Kamayut Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 09-2504-28700
info@decorum.mm.com

PAINT

SUPPLIER of Quality Paints


DECORATIVE COATINGS
PROTECTIVE COATINGS
MARINE COATINGS
POWDER COATINGS
Jotun Myanmar (Services)
Co. Ltd.
G-7, May Kha Housing,
Lay Doung Kan Road,
Thingangyun Township,
Yangon-Myanmar
Tel: +95 1 566716, 566843
jotun.com

Relocation Specialist
Rm 504, M.M.G Tower,
#44/56, Kannar Rd,
Botahtaung Tsp.
Tel: 250290, 252313.
Mail : info@asiantigersmyanmar.com

Crown Worldwide
Movers Ltd 790, Rm 702,
7th Flr Danathiha Centre,
Bogyoke Aung San Rd,
Lanmadaw. Tel: 223288,
210 670, 227650. ext: 702.
Fax: 229212. email: crown
worldwide@mptmail.net.mm

Worlds No.1 Paints &


Coatings Company
Top Marine Show Room
No-385, Ground Floor,
Lower Pazundaung Road,
Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 01-202782, 09-851-5597

OFFICE FURNITURE

Tel : 01-9000712~13 Ext : 330


09-4200-77039.
direct2u@mmrdrs.com

22, Pyay Rd, 9 mile,


Mayangone Tsp.
tel: 660769, 664363.

99 Condo, Ground Floor,


Room (A), Damazedi Rd,
Kamayut Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 09-2504-28700
info@decorum.mm.com

REMOVALISTS

Bldg-A2, G-Flr, Shwe


Gabar Housing, Mindama
Rd, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon. email: eko-nr@
myanmar.com.mm
Ph: 652391, 09-73108896

Bld-A2, Gr-Fl, Shwe


Gabar Housing, Mindama
Rd, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon. email: eko-nr@
myanmar.com.mm
Ph: 652391, 09-73108896

Room No. 1101, 16th Flr,


Tower B, Maw Tin Tower,
Corner of Anawrahta Rd
& Lanthit St, Lanmadaw
Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : (95-1) 218489. 218490
218491
Fax : (95-1) 218492
Email : marketing @
kaytumadi.com, contact@
kaytumadi.com,
kaytumadi@gmail.com.
web : www.rockworth.com

Sole Distributor
For the Union of
Myanmar Since 1995
Myanmar Golden Rock
International Co.,Ltd.
79-D, Bo Chein St, Pyay Rd,
6 Mile, Hlaing Tsp,
Tel: 654810~654819
654844~654848

TOP MARINE PAINT


No-385, Ground Floor,
Lower Pazundaung Road,
Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 09-851-5202

International
Construction
Material Co., Ltd.
No. 60, G-Fl, Sint-Oh-Dan St,
Lower Block, Latha Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-245112,
09-730-22820
Email : intconstruction
material@gmail.com

Legendary Myanmar Intl


Shipping & Logistics Co.,
Ltd.
No-9, Rm (A-4), 3rd Flr,
Kyaung St, Myaynigone,
Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 516827, 523653,
516795.
Mobile. 09-512-3049.
Email: legandarymyr@
mptmail.net .mm
www.LMSL-shipping.com

REAL ESTATE

World famous Kobe Beef


Near Thuka Kabar
Hospital on Pyay Rd,
Marlar st, Hlaing Tsp.
Tel: +95-1-535072

No. 5, U Tun Nyein


Street, Mayangone T/S,
Yangon.
Tel : 01-660 612, 657928,
01-122 1014, 09 508 9441
Email : lalchimiste.
restaurant@gmail.com

Enchanting and Romantic,


a Bliss on the Lake
62 D, U Tun Nyein Road,
Mayangon Tsp, Yangon
Tel. 01 665 516, 660976
Mob. 09-730-30755
operayangon@gmail.com
www.operayangon.com

22, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd,


Bahan Tsp. tel 541997.
email: leplanteur@
mptmail.net.mm.
http://leplanteur.net

American best practices


Pabaedan Township.
09 253 559 848
info@PathwayMoving.com
www.PathwayMoving.com
Yangons premier mover

Bo Sun Pat Tower, Bldg


608, Rm 6(B), Cor of
Merchant Rd & Bo Sun
Pat St, PBDN Tsp. Tel:
377263, 250582, 250032,
09-511-7876, 09-862-4563.

G-01, City Mart


(Myay Ni Gone Center).
Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 106

Monsoon Restaurant
& Bar 85/87, Thein Byu
Road, Botahtaung Tsp.
Tel: 295224, 09-501 5653.

Delicious Hong Kong Style


Food Restaurant
G-09, City Mart (Myay Ni
Gone Center).
Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 114

Quality Chinese Dishes


with Resonable Price
@Marketplace by City Mart.
Tel: 01-523840 Ext.109

European Quality
& Designs Indoor/
Outdoor Furniture, Hotel
Furniture & All kinds of
woodworks
Office Tel: 01-380382,
09-509-1673, Show Room:
No. 123-124, Shwe Yin Aye
(2) Street, Industrial Zone
5 (Extension), Hlaing Thar
Yar Township, Yangon,
Myanmar. E-mail: contact@
smartdesignstrading.com,
www.royalbotania.com,
www.alexander-rose.co.uk,
Please call for any enquiry.

For House-Seekers

with Expert Services


In all kinds of Estate Fields
yomaestatemm@gmail.com
09-332 87270 (Fees Free)
09-2541 26615 (Thai Language)

Coffee & Snack Bar


Shop: No.150, Dhamazedi
Road, Bahan Township,
Yangon, Myanmar,
09-3621-4523, gustocafe.
yangon@gmail.com

Heaven Pizza
38/40, Bo Yar Nyunt St.
Yaw Min Gyi Quarter,
Dagon Township.
Tel: 09-855-1383

SC STORAGE YANGON
Monthly storage available
Transportation of goods
provided,
Mobile: 09-253 559 848,
Email: YangonStorage@
gmail.com

TRAVEL AGENTS

Yangon International
School (YIS)
Grades, Pre-school Grade 12.
American Curriculum.
117, Thumingalar Housing
Thingangyun Tsp
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 95 1 578171, 573149
Fax : 95 1 578604
Website :
www.yismyanmar.com

SERVICE OFFICE

Executive Serviced Offices

Asian Trails Tour Ltd


73 Pyay Rd, Dagon tsp.
tel: 211212, 223262.
fax: 211670. email: res@
asiantrails.com.mm
Shan Yoma Tours Co.,Ltd
Ph: 01-9010378, 9010382,

www.exploremyanmar.com
www.exploreglobaltravel.
com

WATER HEATERS

The Global leader in


Water Heaters
A/1, Aung San Stadium
East Wing, Upper
Pansodan Road.
Tel: 01-256705, 399464,
394409, 647812.

www.hinthabusinesscentres.com

Tel : 01-4413410

Made in Japan
Same as Rinnai Gas Cooker
and Cooker Hood
Showroom Address
Executive Serviced
Office, Registered
and Virtual Office, Hot
Desking, Meeting Rooms
Tel: +(95) 1 387947
www.officehubservices,com

STEEL STRUCTURE

Design, Fabrication,
Supply & Erection of Steel
Structures
Tel : +95 9 252399569
Email : Sales@WECMyanmar.com
www.WEC-Myanmar.com

Reservation Office (Yangon)


123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd,
Dagon Township
Tel
: 951- 255 819~838
Max Resort (Chaung Tha)
Tel
: 042 42346~9
E-Mail: reservation@
maxhotelsgroup.com

Faucets | Showers |
Sanitarywares | Bathroom
Accessories, Ph: 379671,
256622, 399464, 09 9771
09852. Address: Same
as ARISTON
Grohe
Bath Room Accessories,
79-B3/B3, East Shwe Gone
Dine, Near SSC Womens
Center, Bahan.
Tel : 01-401083,

WATER PROOFING

International
Construction
Material Co., Ltd.
No. 60, G-Fl, Sint-Oh-Dan St,
Lower Block, Latha Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-245112,
09-730-22820
Email : intconstruction
material@gmail.com

WATER TREATMENT

SPORTS

Premium Trophies
From Malaysia/Italy

RESORT

SANITARY WARE

Real Estate Agent


N o Fe e s fo r C l i e n t s ,
Contact Us : 09 2050107,
robin@prontorealtor.com

Horizon Intl School


235, Shukhinthar Myo Pat
Rd, Thaketa Tsp, Yangon,
Ph: 450396~7, 25, Po Sein
Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon,
Ph: 543926, Fax: 543926,
email: contact@
horizonmyanmar.com

Water Heater

RESTAURANTS

Good taste & resonable


price
@Thamada Hotel
Tel: 01-243047, 243639-41
Ext: 32

STORAGE
SC STORAGE YANGON

G-05, Marketplace by
City Mart.
Tel: 01-523840 Ext: 105

PLEASURE CRUISES

Moby Dick Tours Co., Ltd.


Islands Safari in the Mergui
Archipelago
No.89-91, Rm No.2, Gr Fr,
32nd St, Pabedan Tsp, Ygn.
Tel / Fax: 01-380382
E-mail: info@islandsafari
mergui.com. Website: www.
islandsafarimergui.com

SCHOOLS

No. H-8, May Kha Housing,


May Kha St., Thingangyun
Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 01 855
0105, 09 540 8885. Email:
trophystudio@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/
trophystudio.mm

Water & Wastewater


Treatment (Since 1997)
Amd Supply Package
Fiberglass Wastewater
System for Offices,
Condominiums & Hotels
Project. Can Design for
YCDC Permit Application.
39-B, Thazin Lane, Ahlone.
09-5161431, 09-43126571,
01-218437~8

WATER SOLUTION

Aekar

Company Limited

SUPERMARKETS
Capital Hyper Mart
14(E), Min Nandar Road,
Dawbon Tsp. Ph: 553136.
City Mart (Aung San) tel:
253022, 294765.
Junction Square
Pyay Rd, Kamayut,
Ph: 01-527242.
Junction Zawana
Lay Daung Kan St,
Thingangyun, Ph: 573929.
Ocean (North Point)
Pyay Rd, 9 mile,
Ph: 01-652959.
Ocean (East Point)
Mahabandoola Rd,
Ph: 01-397146.
Orange Super Market
103, Thu Damar Rd,
Industrial Zone, North
Okkalar, Ph: 9690246

Water Treatement Solution


Block (A), Room (G-12),
Pearl Condo, Kabar Aye
Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp.
Hot Line : 09-4500-59000

WEB SERVICE

Web Services
All the way from Australia
world-class websites/
web apps for desktop,
smartphone & tablets,
online shopping with
real-time transaction,
news/magazine site,
forum, email campaign
and all essential online
services. Domain
registration & cloud
hosting. Talk to us: (01)
430-897, (0) 942-000-4554.
www.medialane.com.au

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | SOCIALITE

25

Damey, Eddy and Paul


Quatars Yangon team

Ko Thiha Nyunt, Ko Myo Win Zaw

Qatar Airways
Lets fly, lets fly away...
Qatar Airways held an agents appreciation dinner at the
Parkroyal Hotel on March 31. Guests enjoyed live music and
traditional dance performances, and one lucky draw winner
walked away with return business-class flights to any destination
in the world.
Martin and Trazer

Ready, steady, cook!


Four of Yangons top restaurants
went head-to-head on Saturday,
April 4, to be named the winner of
the Yangon Food Fight. The event,
held at the newly opened Port
Autonomy restaurant, saw chefs
Wayne Third from Hummingbird,
Kevin Ching from Port Autonomy,
Kyaw Thet from Rangoon Tea
House and Kumar from Gastro
Escape Bar each serving a
different dish to hungry guests,
who later voted Port Autonomys
Gangnam fried chicken the firstever Food Fight champion.

Chatrium Hotel
say thank you
Theres no better way to
say thank you than with a
big old knees-up, and thats
exactly what the Chatrium
Hotel gave their clients and
partners on April 1.

Htet Yu
Leena, Craig Shim, Daanica Kumara

Soe Htet Lin, Soe SoeThan, May Myat Mon

Myat Min Mg, Naing Tun, Htike Lun

26

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 05 I APRIL 10 - 16, 2015

wEEKEND | WHATSON

Events
FRIDAY 10
MUSIC
Aaron Gallegos Trio. Blending diverse
influences from Flamenco, jazz and world
music. Gekko, 535 Merchant Road 7pm
Acoustic music show. Off The Beaten
Track Cafe, Kandawgyi Park (near
childrens playground), Mingalar Taung
Nyunt 7-9:30pm

76 Phone Gyi Street 10pm


French Love Friday. Electro set by DJ
Davdenam X Fisewook. Institut Francais,
340 Pyay Road, Sanchaung 10pm
The Yangon Vibe. Mojo Bar, 135 Inya
Road, Bahan 10pm
The Fat Ox opening party. Opening of
Yangons first-ever British pub. The Fat Ox
Bar, 50th Street (middle block), Botahtaung
township 7pm

MISC

April 10th Show, featuring Sai Sai Kham


Leng, Snare and Bunny Phyoe. Tickets
K9000. Mhyaw Sin Kyun, Kandawgyi
Park 5pm

Quiz me trivia night at the Gallery Bar.


Quench your thirst for trivia and enjoy
free pass-around snacks and happy-hour
drinks. Sule Shangri-La Hotel, 223 Sule
Pagoda Road 7pm

Live music by The Four Band. Sky


Bistro, 20th floor, Sakura Tower, 339
Bogyoke Aung San Road 7pm

SATURDAY 11

ART
The Past is the Present. Indian
photographer Pablo Bartholomew delves
into personal histories of Myanmar
featuring old family albums, holiday
snaps and private photo collections.
Myanmar Deitta, 49 (3rd floor) 44th Street,
Botahtaung 10am-5pm daily

NIGHTLIFE
False morality prepares for the exodus.
Pre-Thingyan party with False Morality
selecting tunes all evening. Hummingbird,

MUSIC
Live Music. Kokine Bar & Restaurant
(near Kokine swimming club) 6-11pm
Live Jazz. Sky Bistro Bar and Restaurant,
20 floor, Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke
Aung San Road, Kyauktada 7-10pm

NIGHTLIFE
Titan Thingyan welcoming party (see
pick of the week, facing page). Roof
Alchemy Gastropub, Yangon International
Hotel compound, Ahlone Road 6pm

Kids take aim during Thingyan festivities in Yangon. Photo: Staff

MISC
World pillow fight day. Pillow Fight Day
is a global event. All participants are
requested to respect laws and regulations
according to local Myanmar authorities.
Location TBC (check the Facebook page)
10am

SUNDAY 12
NIGHTLIFE

last day K35,000, 2rd or 3rd days K25,000.


Barrack water festival. Kabar Aye
Pagoda Road, Bahan Township. Tickets
K20,000-55,000 9am-6pm
Black Jack water festival pandal.
Kandawgyi, Kan Yeik Tha Road, Mingalar
Taung Nyunt township. Tickets K10,000100,000 9am-6pm
Channel 5 water festival pandal.
IBC, Pyay Road, Mayangone township.
Tickets K22,000-220,000. 9am-7pm

Pre-Thingyan party. The 1st Container


Bar and Grill, 276A Waizayandar Road, 6
Ward, South Okkalapa township 10pm

Chess 2015 Water Festival pandal. Kabar


Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan township.
Tickets K10,000-1,200,000. 9am-6pm

MONDAY 13

G-Shock festival pandal. Corner of Pyay


Road and Dhammar Yone Street, opposite
IBC. Tickets K15,000-50,000

WATER FESTIVAL EVENTS


1st biggest water party in Myanmar.
Peoples Park and Peoples Square, Pyay
Road, Dagon township. Tickets K10,00055,000 9am-6pm
Alliance Water Festival Event. Mandat,
Kandawgyi (in front of Hockey Stadium).
Tickets K15,000-45,000 9am-6pm

Out of Control water festival pandal.


Kandawgyi. Tickets K20,000-50,000.
9am-6pm
Thingyan music festival. Pyay Road (in
front of Kan Baung), Kamaryut township
9am-6pm

MUSIC

Alpine water festival. In front of Inya


Kan Baung Pyay Road. Tickets K25,00055,000 9am-6pm

Iron Cross concert. Kandawgyi Myaw Sin


Island, Nat Mauk Rd (Inside Kandawgyi
Park). Free. 9am-6pm

Apollo Water Festival Event. Kabar Aye


Pagoda Road. Tickets: all days K50,000,

Monday Blues. Mojo Bar, 135 Inya Road,


Bahan 9:30pm

TUESDAY 14
WATER FESTIVAL EVENTS
Getting wet again, as above
Project X water festival pandal. Kabar
Aye Pagoda Road, opposite Fusan
Restaurant. Tickets: All day K58,000, 14th
K20,000, 15th K25,000, 16th K35,000

MUSIC
Live music by The Experience Band.
Sky Bistro, 20th floor, Sakura Tower, 339
Bogyoke Aung San Road 7pm

WEDNESDAY 15
WATER FESTIVAL EVENTS
Done with getting wet? Its not over yet.
As above

NIGHTLIFE
Mojito Night, The Lab, 70A
Shwegonedaing Rd, Bahan, 5:30-10pm

THURSDAY 16
WATER FESTIVAL EVENTS
New Years Eve, and last day of gettng
wet. Enjoy 1376 while you can 1377 is
hot on its heels.

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | WHATSON

WHATS ON PICK OF THE WEEK

Forecast calls for water

CHARLOTTE ROSE

TS that time of year again.


Stock up on edible goods,
hunt down Ruby Marts
biggest supersoaker and wrap
everything you own in plastic,
for Thingyan is fast approaching.
Whether you like it or not, youre
almost guaranteed to get wet, so
as the saying goes, if you cant beat
em you may as well join em. Heres
Weekends rundown of the best
party and nightlife events going on
over the holiday.
Pre-Thingyan events
If you prefer to stay dry while you
party, Hummingbird (76 Phone
Gyi Street) is hosting Prepare for
the exodus night on April 10, with
False Morality selecting tunes all
evening from 10pm. Or if you want
to stay outside, those folks over at the
Institut Francais (340 Pyay Road)
will be holding another French Love
Friday party with an electro set by DJ
Davdenam X Fisewook.
On April 11, Roof Alchemy
Gastropub (Yangon International
Hotel compound, Ahlone Road) is
throwing a wet & wild Thingyan

Photo: Staff

welcoming party, presumably


geared toward those like to get wet
and wild. But even if you dont,
tickets include unlimited beer.

27

Party at a pandal
A pan-what? It might be a new
addition to your lexicon, but if you
like your music loud and your water

pelted at you from a water cannon,


pandals are where the partys at.
The busiest stages will be found
along Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, one

being the Alpine stage where


well-known hip-hop vocalist Sai Sai
Kham Leng performs every year.
Others worth considering
include the Sky Net Pandal on
the corner of Anawrahta and
19th Streets, which will feature a
performance by Psycho Land band
(admit it, the name intrigues),
and the Grand Royal pandal at
Kandawgyi Lake, where you can
rock out with known quantity Iron
Cross.
If you had planned a quiet
escape to the beach this year, you
may be in for a surprise. For the
first time, Chaungtha beach
will be jumping on the party
bandwagon, with Emperor set to
present eight shows over four days,
April 13-16, at Hotel Max. Dozens
of celebrities will join bandleader
Zaw Win Htut onstage. Among the
vocalists confirmed to perform are
Lin Lin, G Latt, Bo Bo (Outsider),
Chit Thu Wai, Su Wut Yi Thaung
and San Thit La.
Staying dry
Cant beat them, still not sure on
joining them? Your only real option
is to stay at home and wait it out. But
wheres the fun in that?

Вам также может понравиться