HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION

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Ks.

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DAILY EDITION

ISSUE 53 | FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015

NEWS 4

War freezes Kokang

economic zone
Nearly four months of fighting in
Kokang has dashed government
hopes of building an economic zone
as a model for other ethnic minority
areas to follow.
NEWS 6

Voter list disputed in

Magwe Region
A civil society organisation in Magwe
region claims to have found major
discrepancies between official voters
lists and their own research, but has
been denied more data.
BUSINESS 8

First foreign insurance

licence given out
Sompo Japan Nipponkoa has been
approved to start selling insurance
at Thilawa special economic zone,
marking the first such business by a
foreign firm since the early 1960s.

BUSINESS 10

IN PICTURES

PHOTO: AUNG KHANT

Worshippers pray at Bo Aung Kyaw Mosque in Yangon yesterday. Members of the

citys Muslim minority say they are worried that Buddhist nationalists, who held a
small rally on May 27, will harm inter-communal relations by stirring up tensions
over the crisis facing Rohingya migrants. For related coverage see Page 3.

Western apparel buyers

take markets stock
Big-name Western companies like Gap
and H&M have returned to buying from
Myanmar though it is by no means
an easy sew as changing local business
practices like child labour will take time.

Thousands missing, talks begin

Myanmar reluctantly attends a conference called by Thailand to tackle the migrant boat crisis while rescuers search
for Bangladeshis and Rohingya presumed missing at sea and abandoned by human traffickers. NEWS 3

2 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES May 29, 2015

Page 2

Kayleigh Long |
kayleighelong@gmail.com

THE INSIDER: slow news day

COMMENT: THE PICTURE OF CHaNG CHI FU
[KHUN Sa] aND THE SUa DRaWN By THESE
aRTICLES IS CONSIDERaBLy aT VaRIaNCE WITH
THE MISSIONS KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUa [Shan
United army] aS THE LaRGEST NaRCOTICS
TRaFFICKING ORGaNIZaTION IN THE GOLDEN
TRIaNGLE. THE PICTURE IS HOWEVER CONSISTENT
WITH THE PROPaGaNDa FRIENDS OF THE SUa
DOLE OUT, aTTEMPTING TO SHOW THaT THE SUa
IS NOT RPT [?] NOT aT aLL aN ORGaNIZaTION
DEaLING IN DaNGEROUS DRUGS, BUT MERELy a
COLLECTION OF REBELS DISENCHaNTED WITH
THE GUB [Government of Burma.
Excerpt from newly released US embassy cable, 1978, following Khun Sas
interview with the Bangkok Post and other media outlets. Source: Wikileaks

Who you gonna call?

Oscar-winning actor and UNESCO
ambassador Forest Whitaker has
touched down in Myanmar, meeting with
the Centre for Diversity and National
Harmony a group that was established
following the violence in Rakhine State
in 2012. His visit is intended to draw local
and international attention to peace and
reconciliation efforts.
Mr Whitaker was appointed a
UNESCO Goodwill ambassador for
Peace and Reconciliation in 2011.
Prior to this, he took out the 2006
academy award for his portrayal of
Ugandan dictator Idi amin in The Last
King of Scotland, a fact mentioned in
yesterdays Global New Light of Myanmar.
However, most film buffs will
probably agree that the greatest role
of his career so far was in Ghost Dog:
The Way of the Samurai, in which he
played the titular role of Ghost Dog, an
effectively mute mafia assassin who
used carrier pigeons to communicate
with his clients in a killing career guided
by the ancient and meditative code of the
samurai.
as we all know, internet speeds in
Myanmar leave a lot to be desired, and
theres certainly no shortage of pigeons.
So if anyone can sort this whole mess
out, its probably Ghost Dog. I mean
Forest Whitaker.

Once was Burma ...

Archival material courtesy of
Pansodan Gallery
First floor, 286 Pansodan, upper block, Kyauktada township

Clarification
a few people have pointed out to me
that the offer from President of The
Gambia yahya Jammeh may have been
opportunistic and disingenuous, and that
it probably didnt warrant mentioning in
last weeks column. To be clear, I was
simply pointing out that both he and Tony
abbott share a mutual dislike of anyone
who tries to come in through the back
door and if this is the page you turn to
for serious political commentary, you
should probably read more.
In brief:
Man embarrassed after not realising
Fab Party is an LGBT bar night and not a
contender in the upcoming election

Oh Wei cover from August 1, 1969, featuring the first man on the moon

www.mmtimes.com

NEWS EDITOR: Thomas Kean | tdkean@gmail.com

BANGKOK

Nations meet for migrant talks

LAIGNEE BARRON
AS fragments of human remains continue to be unearthed from smugglers
camps and governments launch increasingly desperate rescue operations
for boats of migrants still adrift at sea,
Thailand has assembled 19 nations for
a one-day summit today to address the
immediate crisis and longer-term, antihuman-trafficking measures.
The region has been in the grips
of a human smuggling epidemic for
years. But after disrupting the clandestine industrys operations with a
series of high-profile crackdowns, it
is now confronting the macabre and
tragic workings of a human slave trade
fuelled by abject poverty in Bangladesh and persecution of a mostly stateless minority in Myanmar.
Unregulated and until recently
inconspicuous, the scale of the movement has tripled since 2012 and the
abuse of the voyagers has grown obscene, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.
But migration experts who have
long assisted those being exploited via
the smuggling routes question whether Thailands emergency conference
will serve as anything more than cosmetic dressings on the regional blight.
Theyve had these meetings in
Thailand since 1999, ASEAN has a
migration agreement and yet the
migrants are facing the same problems day after day, said Andy Hall, a
rights activist.

Rohingya migrants sit in a boat off the coast of Indonesias Aceh province
before being rescued on May 20. Photo: AFP/Januar

The main issue in the region is a

lack of rule of law and a lack of longterm refugee and migration policy
providing proper channels for the
inevitable movements of people. You
can have the best policy in the world,
but if its not enforced, corruption
will undermine it.
William Lacy, director of the IOM,
one of three international organisations invited to attend the meeting,
said the regions willingness to even
hold the conference on the long-ignored issue represented some measure of success.
Myanmar, which initially would

Pressure mounts on Suu Kyi

to speak out on Rohingya
THE Dalai Lama and former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad have added their voices to
growing international pressure on
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to speak out
on the plight of Myanmars persecuted Muslim Rohingya minority amid a
worsening migration crisis.
Despite thousands of Rohingya
fleeing on harrowing boat journeys to
Southeast Asia to escape poverty and
discriminatory treatment by the Buddhist majority, the leader of the opposition National League for Democracy
is yet to comment.
Observers have attributed this to
fears about alienating voters ahead of
elections slated for November. She has
also indicated in the past that by speaking out she could inadvertently fan the
flames of inter-communal tensions.
The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual
leader said his fellow Nobel peace laureate must speak up, adding that he
had already appealed twice to her in
person since 2012 when deadly sectarian violence in Rakhine State pitted
the Rohingya against local Buddhists
to do more on their behalf.
Its very sad. In the Burmese case

I hope Aung San Suu Kyi, as a Nobel

laureate, can do something, he told
The Australian newspaper ahead of a
visit to Australia next week.
I met her two times, first in London and then the Czech Republic. I
mentioned about this problem and
she told me she found some difficulties, that things were not simple but
very complicated. But in spite of that I
feel she can do something.
The Dalai Lama, perhaps the
worlds most famous refugee, added
from his exile in the Indian Himalayas
that it was not enough to ask how to
help the Rohingya.
This is not sufficient. Theres
something wrong with humanitys
way of thinking. Ultimately we are
lacking concern for others lives, others well-being, he said.
In a speech to an Oslo conference
on the Rohingya community held at
the Nobel Institute which awarded
Ms Suu Kyi its peace prize in 1991 for
her stand against Myanmars military
regime Mr Mahathir said she should
realise that oppression by the government was intolerable.
AFP and The Myanmar Times

not commit to attending, has maintained that the plight of the Rohingya Muslims is an internal matter.
Representatives from the government agreed to join the meeting
under the promise that the term
Rohingya was not used, in keeping
with Myanmars policy of identifying them as Bengalis, implying
their roots lie in Bangladesh.
The Myanmar government has
already played a clever tactical game.
By first casting doubt about attending
the summit, then agreeing to, they
are being praised just for turning up.
ASEAN members have now toned

down their criticism of Myanmars

anti-Rohingya policies for fear Myanmar might pull out, said Mark Farmaner, executive director of the UKBurma Partnership.
But in a 10-point action plan submitted to the participating governments, the UN refugee agency, the
UN Office for Drugs and Crime and
the IOM did not so easily let Myanmar off the hook. The plan outlines
two main objectives, including addressing root causes of the outflow.
Countries can help support
reconciliation efforts between communities in Myanmars Rakhine State,
promote development so that all communities can benefit from the same
rights and services, and advocate for
the resolution of citizenship issues for
the Rohingya, said a spokesperson
for the UNHCR.
The IOMs Mr Lacy declined to
comment on what could be done to
press Myanmar into addressing and
preventing the sources of the human
tragedy playing out across two seas
and six nations.
The priority has to be on saving
lives, he said, while also calling on
ASEAN to take a greater role in mitigating the crisis.
We are facing a period of unprecedented human mobility, and also
unprecedented forced migration, he
told a press conference in Bangkok
yesterday. Human mobility must be
seen not as a problem to be solved,
but a reality to be managed.

News 3

AUCKLAND

NZ says
no to extra
Rohingya
refugees
THOMAS KEAN
tdkean@gmail.com
NEW Zealand is deeply concerned
about the boat crisis in the Andaman Sea
but will not accept additional Rohingya
refugees to its current annual intake,
Prime Minister John Key said ahead of a
meeting on the issue in Thailand today.
New Zealand is among 19 nations meeting in Bangkok to discuss the outflow of
migrants from Bangladesh and Rakhine
State in recent months.
Were obviously deeply concerned
about the plight of people who put
themselves at tremendous risk by being on those boats and we understand
that the reason they do that is because
they have no other place to go, Mr Key
told reporters from Southeast Asia at a
function in Auckland to mark the 40th
anniversary of New Zealand-ASEAN relations. Mr Key said New Zealand was
open to taking refugees from those offered shelter in Malaysia and Indonesia
but would not increase its annual intake.
New Zealand takes 750 refugees
each year under the UNHCR program
so its quite possible we can accommodate some of those refugees within
that program. At this point we are not
looking to grow the number that we
take, he said.

BANGKOK

Thousands still unaccounted for

LAIGNEE BARRON
AERIAL and naval searches by at least
four different countries have failed to
locate more than 6000 people who
remain unaccounted for and presumed abandoned on boats by human
traffickers.
The last migrant and refugee-laden
boat to be rescued from the Andaman
Sea made Indonesian shores more
than a week ago, while the Myanmar
Navy raided just two out of five boats
thought to be lingering off the coast of
Rakhine State.
Rights groups have repeatedly
called for the urgent rescue of the
thousands trapped on rickety, overcrowded trawlers before the food and
waterless vessels become floating
coffins.
The Arakan Project, which has
been in touch with many of the
stranded boats, estimated that 7800
passengers made the perilous voyage from the Bay of Bengal in March,
with another 5000 departing in
April.
Of the 12,800 total Bangladeshi and
Rakhine State passengers, less than

3700 are known to have made it to

land in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand
or back in Myanmar.
So where are they? Right now we
dont know, said Joe Lowry, senior
communications officer
cer at the International Organization for Migration
(IOM).
Over the weekend, the US Navy
began searches for the missing boats,
some of which were spotted by media,
including The Myanmar Times two
weeks ago, with emaciated passengers
crying out for water.
US State Department spokesperson
Jeff Rathke said on May 27 there was
no information on whether the flights
had located any potential smuggling
boats.
Part of the problem is that the traffickers typically use converted fishing
vessels to ship their human cargo and
by doing so blend in with other vessels
along the route.
How do you distinguish which is
the fishing boat, of which there are
hundreds on these waters, and which
are the human smuggling boats?
said Rabab Fatima, an IOM regional
coordinator.

A Muslim community leader in

Rakhine State in contact with some
of the smugglers told The Myanmar
Times last week that almost all of the
passengers on boats hovering around
the Bay of Bengal had slipped back
into the country after their families
paid ransom.
Those who returned from the boats
back to their IDP camps and villages
in Sittwe township likewise said that
the initial convoy of five to six boats in
the Bay of Bengal had diminished to
just one, with most passengers taken
to shore.
When the Myanmar Navy raided
two boats on May 22, one was reportedly already emptied, while the other
contained 208 passengers, nearly half
the typical number found on smugglers ships. Reuters news agency reported that according to the mostly
Bangladeshi passengers rescued by
the navy, there had originally been
many more Myanmar Rohingya onboard.
U Zaw Htay, director of the Presidents Office, said this week that he
was not aware of any more boats but
that the navy was still searching.

News 5

www.mmtimes.com

Strong monsoon
revival forecast
for early June
Aye SApAy
phyu
ayephyu2006@gmail.com

THE flagging monsoon will be back

with renewed force next week, meteorologists warn. After reaching the delta
on May 20, the monsoon weakened in
the last week of May, bathing Yangon
in unseasonable sunshine.
But the respite will not last long.
The Department of Meteorology and
Hydrology (DMH) forecast on May 28
that the rains will resume with moderate to strong intensity in the first
10 days of June, while advancing on
central and northern Myanmar during
that period.
U Kyaw Lwin Oo, the director of
the DMH, said that calm conditions in
the Bay of Bengal, the interruption of
the western disturbance a rain-producing system from northwest of the
country and unstable air conditions
in the southern Bay of Bengal had conspired to sap the strength of this years
rainy season so far.
A low-pressure area that formed
in the Bay of Bengal near the Rakhine coast in mid-May never developed

into a storm.
U Kyaw Lwin Oo said a break in
the rains in central Myanmar had resulted in higher daytime temperatures
in central cities than on the previous
weekend. Mandalays high rose from
36-37 Celsius on May 24-25, to 38C on
May 26-27.
He also warned that the cumulonimbus cloud formation in the
countrys midsection presaged storm
activity. Cumulonimbus clouds can
form in the afternoon and evening
where day temperatures are rising,
and in coastal areas under the influence of unstable monsoon intensity,
he said on May 28.
These thunderheads can bring
severe weather conditions such as
strong wind, thunder, lightning, hail
and isolated heavy rain.
The department also predicted the
formation of a low-pressure area in
the Bay of Bengal in June.
Meteorologists are also calculating
the possible impact of an El Nio condition following predictions by meteorologists in the United States that the
phenomenon could recur this year.
El Nio is characterised by a warming of the surface waters of the Pacific
that occurs once every four to seven
years and affects weather across the
globe.

A trishaw driver braves the early monsoon rain in Yangon. Photo: Zarni Phyo

The intensity of the El Nio condition is carefully monitored to predict

its impact on post-monsoon weather

in Myanmar, said U Kyaw Lwin Oo.

There was no El Nio in May, but a
strong El Nio in the next two months

could bring drier-than-normal weather

post-monsoon, through the winter and
into 2016, he said recently.

6 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES May 29, 2015

Villages disappear due to

illegal gold mining
hToo ThAnT
thanhtoo.npt@gmail.com
GOLD-MINING companies are leaving a trail of toxic destruction behind
them as they scour the Chindwin
Rivers banks for treasure, an MP has
warned. Daw Sandar Min, who represents Zabuthiri township, Nay Pyi Taw,
told the lower house yesterday that entire villages and forests in Khamti district, Sagaing Region, had been wiped
off the map.
Daw Sandar Min named five companies she said were illegally mining
for gold: Thabarwa Shwe, Min Htet
Oo, Zabu Lwin, Shwe Sin San Myint
and Aung Moe Hein. She said other
unregistered companies followed the
same practices. She asked the Sagaing
Region government if it was aware of
illegal gold mining along the Chindwin
and, if so, what action they had taken.
The gold rush began in 2011 after
reports that the precious metal had
been found there, attracting both legally registered companies and illegal
operators, she told hluttaw. Some had
permits, others did not. The mining

only stopped this year when both the

resources and the forest ran out, she
told MPs.
Other unregistered companies
working along the Chindwin had extracted all they could and departed,
leaving in their wake a treeless waste
marked with piles of spoil. She said
they had moved further upriver in the
search for new gold.
Deputy minister U Kyaw Kyaw Win
of the Presidents Office responded
that the Ministry of Mining had granted no gold-mining permit for small
or large projects there. The regional
government had no information about
illegal gold mining and a field observation had discovered no evidence of
the disappearance of villages or forests
there, he said. The government would
take action in accordance with the law
in the event that it did discover any illegal mining.
Though she did not challenge the
response, Daw Sandar Min circulated
photographs she said she had taken of
the region showing the results of the
gold-mining operations.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun

Pensions for disabled

soldiers enumerated
PyAe TheT Phyo
pyaethetphyo87@gmail.com
SOLDIERS wounded in combat may
be entitled to four different kinds of
pension, the upper house of parliament heard on May 27. Major-General
Kyaw Nyunt, deputy minister of defence, told the Amyotha Hluttaw that
disabled military officers and men
could be eligible for the benefits if they
retired from the military before completing 10 years service.
Soldiers permitted to resign in accordance with the rules were entitled
to receive a service pension and allowance, a special disability pension, a
compassionate grant and a permanent
attendance allowance, he said.
High-ranking officers received the
equivalent of the pay they would receive after serving 15 years, while those
below the rank of captain receive a
pension calculated on the basis of their
initial salary. Pension for privates was
based on their final salary, plus allowances equivalent to 15 years of service.
Soldiers assessed as being 20
percent or more disabled would receive a monthly pension that would
be the same for all ranks, and would

depend on a medical assessment of

their condition.
Soldiers assessed to be suffering
60pc or more disability were entitled
to a compassionate grant worth three
times their annual salary. A serviceman with 100pc permanent disability
could receive an allowance to hire a
nurse or care worker.
The widow of a high-ranking officer or a private retired on grounds of
disability may receive a special family
pension subject to military regulations, Maj Gen Kyaw Nyut told MPs.
The widow of a serviceman who
died from service-related wounds or
disease within seven years of retirement could receive 70pc of his salary
as a special family pension.
The deputy defence minister was
responding to a question from U Kyun
Khan, representing constituency 1 of
Chin State, concerning an appeal for
a family pension filed by the widow
of a soldier who died of his combat
wounds.
Those who were allowed to resign
due to disability have already received
all benefits due to them, equivalent to
15 years service, he said.
Translation by Zar Zar Soe

In PICTURes

Photo: toe Wai aung

Hero on the tourist trail

The tomb of Bo Cho, hanged alongside his sons for resisting the might
of the British Empire, has never been forgotten or neglected. But now
it draws a growing stream of tourists, attracted not just by his fame
but also by the concrete road that has cut journey times in half. Bo
Cho took up arms against the invaders after King Thibaw was deposed
and expelled in 1885. His exploits were known throughout the Bagan
area, not least because he sold his jewellery to build a pagoda at Mya
Nandar. The British hanged him there, and it is now named after him.
Ever since, people have been trekking to Ngathayouk, 24 kilometres (15
miles) from Nyaung Oo in Mandalay Region. Local residents say the
concrete road built two years ago has enabled more tourists to visit the
site. Toe Wai Aung, translation by Khant Lin Oo

Magwe committee disputes voter list

Khin Su
Wai
jasminekhin@gmail.com

A CIVIL society organisation in Magwe Region claims to have found major discrepancies between the voters
list prepared by the Union Electoral
Commission and their own research.
They said yesterday the UEC had
rejected their request for more detailed data.
The Magwe Civil Society for the
Election committee comprises about
50 members down to the township
level. Spokesperson Ko Aung Kyaw
told The Myanmar Times that discrepancies appeared to have arisen

between the actual number of voters

and the number of voters listed in the
official voters register compiled by the
UEC.
The electoral commission has been
compiling computer-generated voters lists throughout the country and
has begun displaying them in selected
townships, inviting voters to check
their names against the lists and report any omissions or errors. The
UEC has also launched a campaign
to educate political parties, observers
and voters, and has issued a detailed
description of the procedures involved
in casting advance votes.
Though the details have yet to
be confirmed, the apparent discrepancy appears to relate to the number of Magwe Region voters now
working overseas. Under the rules
announced by the UEC earlier this

week, some or all of them may be

entitled to cast advance votes via
the embassy of the country in which
they now reside.
Ko Aung Kyaw said that according
to the UEC, the number of potential
overseas voters was listed as 189. He

Many people who

wanted to vote
[in the 2012 byelection] were not
able to do so.
Ko Aung Kyaw
Magwe Civil Society for the Election

says the real number is far larger. We

estimate that there are about 10,000
people who have gone abroad in
search of a better life, he said.
The Magwe Civil Society for the
Election committee met with the UEC
on May 24 to discuss the election process and voter education.
We not satisfied with the regional
commission. We want a soft copy of
the voters lists in Magwe, but we were
told the commission could not give it
to us at that time. Once we get hold of
the data, we can run all sorts of tests
on it, he said.
Ko Aung Kyaw admits he is mistrustful of the UEC because, he says,
too many of its members are former
military officers. Last March, UEC
chair U Tin Aye was criticised for appearing at the Armed Forces Day parade in military uniform.

I cant speak for the freeness

and fairness of the 2010 election,
because I was in prison at the time.
But my experience in the 2012 byelection was that many people who
wanted to vote were not able to do
so. That happened, for instance, in
the villages of Thitsone Kwin and
Magyikan. I also know that we were
not allowed to observe the counting
of the votes at polling station BEHS
2, he said.
His committee plans to offer electoral training in all the townships of
Magwe Region.
Regional UEC official U Soe Htut
Oo said the Magwe Region voters list
would be on display between June 8
and 21. He said the UEC had met with
civil society organisations in Magwe
Region twice, and hoped to receive
their cooperation.

News 7

www.mmtimes.com

Views

National League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (fourth from left) joins President U Thein Sein, Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann, military Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and
leaders of top political parties and ethnic minority groups for a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on October 31, 2014. Photo: EPA/Lynn Bo Bo

More women in parliament? Not likely

With the revelation this week that retired generals are thinking about running for parliament as representatives of the Union Solidarity and
Development Party, chances are slim that the party will stick by its avowed plan to field more women candidates in the upcoming election

Fiona
Macgregor
fionamacgregor@hotmail.co.uk

WELL, that didnt last long. Claims

by the countrys ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)
that they were keen to include more
women candidates for the November
election appear to have fallen by the
wayside after it emerged that a number of the countrys retired generals
are looking for some way to occupy
their time in their dotage.
USDP central committee member
and former brigadier general U Aung
Thein Linn told The Myanmar Times
this week, It is possible that retired
generals will be in the top leadership
posts of the USDP.
He went on to explain, They are
particularly thinking about becoming
candidates in the election as party representatives.
With 25 percent of seats in both
houses of parliament currently already reserved for the Tatmadaw under the 2008 constitution, the confirmation that more former army leaders
are seeking to stand for the USDP will
fuel the concerns of those who believe
the forthcoming election will do little
to reduce military power.
U Aung Thein Linns comments
also damage hopes for greater female

representation in Myanmars political

scene, another important indicator of
the democratic process.
The armys constitutionally guaranteed claim to one-quarter of the seats
already makes attempts at achieving a
better gender balance in parliament a
huge challenge. The USDP currently
holds about 50pc of parliamentary
seats. According to the Union Election
Commission, only about 2pc of those
are currently held by women.
Last month, USDP central executive committee member U Tint Zaw
told reporters that almost all of the
partys present incumbents would be
seeking re-election. However, he said
that a few members did wish to retire
or leave their posts, and reiterated
previous indications he had given
that women would be among those
given priority in filling the vacant
positions.
If, as U Aung Thein Linns recent
comments imply, these empty posts
are now likely to be filled by former
military men, the limited chance there
was to see an increase in the number
of women in parliament will be further diminished.
Perhaps the USDP is hoping that
enough voters are sufficiently impressed by these candidates former
military records to entrust them with
their countrys future, in what has
been billed as a free and fair election.
But choosing such candidates further excludes women from holding
any real political power within the

USDP and risks alienating a large section of the electorate.

With the main opposition party,
the National League for Democracy,
still to make an official public commitment to taking part in the election, it
remains unclear whether they will be
in a position to boost female parliamentary representation after the November poll.

The USDP currently

holds about 50pc
of parliamentary
seats. According to
the Union Election
Commission, only
about 2pc of those
are currently held by
women.

However, its record so far has been

significantly better in terms of gender
equality than that of its rivals. While
the party boycotted the last election in
2010, it successfully gained 43 parliamentary seats in the 2012 by-elections,
with 12 of those positions being held
by women, including party leader Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi.
Its still got some way to go in
terms of equal representation, but if
the party does take part in the November election and a similar gender
balance is reflected, then anyone who
believes women have an important
and valuable role to play in shaping
the countrys future will have, among
their options, a party that has effectively done as much as possible to
make that difficult, or a party that has
done the opposite.
For those who question the need
for more women in politics, two
pieces of legislation going through
parliament this week make the negative impact of the gender imbalance
in Myanmar politics disturbingly obvious.
The Population Control Bill, which

clearly breaches womens rights in giving politicians the power to restrict

when they have children, was finally
signed into law.
Womens rights groups in Myanmar have consistently and strongly
objected to this, but their voices were
ignored by the male-dominated parliament.
Meanwhile, on May 27 the Interfaith Marriage Bill came closer to
being passed. The bill, which effectively stops women from choosing a
husband of a different faith without
official permission, is a hugely retrograde step for womens rights. Again,
womens rights representatives have
objected to this law, and again they
have been ignored.
While there are unquestionably
women who support both pieces of
legislation, what is so concerning in
democratic terms is that parliament
does not include sufficient representation of the many women who do
object to it.
If the USDP continues on its current course it is unlikely that will
change.

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extensive local knowledge, with world-class talent based in the countries in which we operate. Our clients
include businesses from the private sector and international and government aid agencies such as the
World Bank Group, UN Agency, GIZ and JICA.
As our firm expands, we seek to build a bigger team in the Yangon, Myanmar office. We are now inviting
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offers significant advancement and travel opportunities.
Job Title

Duty Station

Position

Senior Consultant

Yangon

International and Myanmar National

Consultant

Yangon

International and Myanmar National

Analyst

Yangon

International and Myanmar National

Applications
Interested applicants should email curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter as soon as possible, to
mmcareers@emergingmarkets.asia.kh. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. For
further information on job descriptions,
please consult: http://www.emergingmarkets.asia/EMC/Opportunities.html

8 THE MYANMAR TIMES May 29, 2015

Business
Hluttaw approves large loan
for Dala-Yangon bridge build
Htoo
tHant
thanhtoo.npt@gmail.com

THE Pyidaugnsu Hluttaw has given

the go-ahead to a US$138 million
loan from South Korea to build a
bridge between Yangon and Dala
a project that will cost nearly $170
million.
The $137.8 million loan from
South Koreas Economic Development Cooperation Fund, which will
go to Myanmars Ministry of Construction, gained approval on May
28 when four members of parliament seconded the motion and none
moved against it. The terms of the
40-year loan include a 15-year deferment period and an interest rate set
at 0.01 percent, as well as a service

fee at 0.1pc of the loan.

Myanmar will contribute the remaining $30.3 million necessary to
complete the project.
Support for the loan came from
MPs eager to see development in
Dala township and other areas
across the river from downtown Yangon, such as Ayeyarwady Region.
U Khin Shwe from Yangon Regions No 9 constituency said he
backed the loan because it would
help develop Twante, Kawhmu and
Kungyangone townships along with
Dala which, facing water scarcity
issues, could benefit in particular
from the project if it incorporates
water supply piping.
The Ministry of Construction
and South Korea have decided the
projects primary construction duties will be carried out by Korean
technicians, although the work
will also employ Myanmar workers and experts, Deputy Minister

for Construction U Soe Tint said at

the Hluttaw meeting.
However, Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Thein Swe for Ann township in Rakhine State said that the
government needs to reconsider the
plan, suggesting the sole use of Korean workers.
U Thein Swe added that the

MILLION US$

138

Size of the loan from South Korea that

was approved yesterday. The total cost
of the bridge is $170 million

government should negotiate both

the prices for construction materials, and to reduce the projects
timeline, as currently plans indicate a five-year timeframe.
The ministry will try to get construction materials at international-standard prices and to build as
quickly as possible, he said.
We can gain social, economic
and technological benefits from the
project, U Soe Tint said. It is a suspension bridge, so Myanmar can get
more technological knowledge from
[the Korean workers]. We will carry
out it by listening to the peoples
voice.
The bridge whose design plan
has yet to be finalised will be 49
metres (160 feet) high and 251 meter
(823ft) wide. With Myanmars highest clearance, the structure will allow
for vessels carrying 15,000 tonnes to
move freely beneath the bridge.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun

Locals hope that Dala township

will see improved standards of
living once the bridge is in place.
Photo: Yu Yu

Users
react to
telecom
tariffs
aung kyaw nyunt
aungkyawnyunt28@gmail.com
IT is difficult to find a person who does
not support the Pyidaungsu Hluttaws
move to delay the introduction of a 5
percent tax on top-up for another year.
Earlier this month the Ministry
of Communications and Information
Technology said it would end an exemption that allowed telcos to not pay
the tax beginning June 1. The surprise
announcement was widely criticised
by the public, and the Pyidaungsu
Hluttaw decided on May 27 to suspend
it for a year.
This is good news for me, because
it makes internet cheaper for me,
said U Kyaw Win Ko, a Yangon mobile
phone user.
Thank you Pyidaungsu Hluttaw
for confirming no 5pc tax for the year.
The move to delay the tax comes as
the telcos continue cutting prices.
On May 26, Ooredoo introduced its
Phalan Phalan internet plan, which
dropped tariffs to K6 a megabyte
for internet, from its previous K10 a
megabyte. Late the same day, Telenor
dropped the price of its My Internet
plan to K5, from K6.
Pricing per megabyte and packages for cheaper rates is still a relatively new concept. MPT, the incumbent, state-owned operator, previously
charged for internet on a per-minute
basis, though its Swe Thahar plan introduced this year charges based on
volume.
Some mobile phone users say the
change of pricing structure has been
confusing.
I dont understand the way data
fees are collected with the new plans,
said Ko Min Min Oo, a mobile user.
So I keep using old-style MPT, as I
like to pay my internet charges based
on minutes.
Other users say that while they may
be unfamiliar with different internet
pricing structures, they recognise the
prevailing current is changing.
Other countries charge for data
based on usage, said U Lin Lin Soe, a
mobile phone user.

First foreign insurance licence given for Thilawa

shwegu thitsar
khaingsabainyein@gmail.com
htoo thant
thanhtoo.npt@gmail.com
A JAPANESE firm has been granted
the first licence to a foreign company to run insurance in Myanmar.
The temporary licence issue on
May 25 restricts Sompo Japan Nipponkoa insurance to Thilawa special economic zone. Company representatives say it will aim to provide
services appropriate for investors
building up facilities such as factories, warehouses and office buildings on the zone.
Our first product to be delivered
shall be an insurance that covers
construction works, namely Contractors All Risk insurance, said
Keiji Okada, chief representative of
Sompos Yangon Office.

As the construction work is

completed, it will gradually shift to
products such as fire, marine cargo,
liability and accident insurance, he
said.
We are ready to operate. Whenever clients in Thilawa SEZ require
[it], we can serve them.
Last year, the government announced plans to allow foreign
insurance companies to do business in the special economic zones.
It has also said the door will be
opened in the future to foreign insurance in some form across the
country, though no firm plans have
been set.
Deputy finance minister Dr
Maung Maung Thein said Sompo
was chosen first due to its strong
track record. It has had a Myanmar
representative office for two decades and is one of the largest insur-

ance companies in Japan, with a

large total capital.
Sompos Keiji Okada also said
the Yangon was the firms first foreign office not New York or London when it set up outside of Japan in 1942.
Dr Maung Maung Thein said it
important the insurance companies
have regional experience. Another
requirement for insurance companies aiming to receive licences to
work on the SEZs is that they must
already be operating in two other
ASEAN countries.
We are concerned that some inferior-quality companies will try to
do business in Myanmar, he said.
Sompo has submitted US$30,000
for a licence fee to Myanmar Investment and Commercial Bank, and
will have to make $10,000 annual
payments.

One other foreign company has

also submitted the $30,000 licence
fee, though its name has not yet
been publically revealed, he said.
The Ministry of Finance plans to
issue more licences in the future,
and has distributed its criteria to
the foreign representative offices
on how to apply for business licences. One of the stumbling blocks is
the requirement to have had a local representative office for three
years.
Weve sent out our criteria and
let them know that we will issue licences in the future if they meet it,
he said.
Dr Maung Maung Thein said
Japanese companies in particular
are interested in licences to operate on Thilawa, which has strong
Japanese government and corporate backing.

Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire,

Mitsui Sumitomo and Sompo Japan have all applied for a licence.
Among them, Sompo has finished
all the paperwork, submitted the
fee and is in line with the ministrys
criteria. So, it has been granted the
first licence, he said.
Sompos initial licence is for six
months, after which the Ministry
of Finance will consider granting a
permanent licence.
We granted temporary licences
to watch their performance, he
said. We will consider their performance before granting a permanent licence.
There are currently 16 foreign
insurance representative offices
in Myanmar, though one more internatioal-scale player is set to be
added on May 30.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun

BUSINeSS edITOr: Jeremy Mullins | jeremymullins7@gmail.com

Western garment buyers

return to Myanmar, though
challenges remain

Who is the billionaire

flying across the world
with Modi?

Business 10

Business 12

Exchange Rates (May 28 close)

Currency
Euro
Malaysia Ringitt
Singapore Dollar
Thai Baht
US Dollar

Buying
K1180
K299
K801
K32
K1097

Selling
K1200
K309
K814
K35
K1099

Marubeni inks
MoU for countrys
largest gas plant
aung shin
koshumgtha@gmail.com
htoo thant
thanhtoo.npt@gmail.com

Workers pack pharmaceutical products at a Yangon factory. Photo: Staff

State-owned pharma
firm plans for upgrade
SHwe
Yee Saw
MYint
poepwintphyu2011@gmail.com

STATE-OWNED Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory (MPF) is seeking suppliers for five of its business wings, as
it aims to modernise in a changing
marketplace.
The company is grappling to improve its products, looking to meet
the World Health Organisations Good
Manufacturing Practice standards.
While it produces a number of drugs
for the local market, sometimes under
its BPI brand name, it faces increasingly stiff competition from Indian
imports.
MPF in the past has relied on orders from the Ministry of Healths
central medical store. However, the
hospitals tenders have become more
competitive, with importers increasingly taking part, and MPF says it may
be missing out on these orders. The
firm may have to change its focus to
the mass market, given the growing

competition for hospital tenders.

The firm is looking to replace much
of its machinery at the five business
wings, as part of its modernisation
efforts. So far, 20 private companies
have submitted Expressions of Interest and the tender will be closed on
May 29, according to the factorys general manager. Five companies will be
selected in the final step to join MPF
in its businesses.
MPF received K50 billion (US$46
million) of the budget for fiscal year
2016, and will use K32 billion of this
for a new project.
We intend to increase production
to almost double. In this project, we
are also going to build a new warehouse, which will be able to store 10
million individual large-volume parenteral drugs, as well as 5 million antibiotic drugs, 500 million capsules and
20 million units of injected medicine,
said U Win Ko Ko, general manager at
MPF.
We intend to start the project this
year, he said.
Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory
was formerly known as Burma Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI) until 1988.
It is under the administration of the

Ministry of Industry.
The state-owned company supplies
medical products directly to government-owned hospitals, the Ministry
of Defence and the Ministry of Social
Welfare. It also has ambitions to supply the wider pharmaceutical market.
Myanmar spends hundreds of millions on importing medicines and other pharmaceutical products each year,
because of a lack of local manufacturing plants, according to the Myanmar
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment Entrepreneurs Association.
Last year, we spent $200 million
to buy the necessary medicines, but
unofficially we estimate that more like
$400 million is spent, U Zaw Moe Khine, general secretary of the association, told the Myanmar Times earlier
this month in Mumbai.
Six foreign direct investment
proposals to build pharmaceutical
manufacturing factories have been
approved, but only two companies
are in operation AA Medical Products, the largest pharmaceutical distribution company in Myanmar, and
FAME Pharmaceuticals Industry
Company, an herbal medicine distribution company.

JAPANS Marubeni Corporation

will conduct a feasibility study
on a US$1 billion gas-fired power
plant in Thanlyin township, after
signing a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of
Electric Power on May 27.
The firm is part of a consortium also including Global Power
Synergy from Thailand and Myanmars Eden Group. The partners are to spend the next nine
months conducting the study for
the 400-megawatt plant.
The gas-fired plant would be
the largest in Myanmar, distributing electricity to the Thilawa
special economic zone and the
national grid, a press release said.

The current
agreement
is only for a
feasibility study,
but we believe
in the projects
possibility. We
are expecting gas
supplies from M-3
and M-2, which
are new offshore
discoveries.
u Chit khine
eden Group

Gas-fired plants have emerged

as a favourite generation method,
as popular criticism against coal
and hydro makes them difficult
to implement.
Several of the companies involved in the Thanlyin power
plant are involved in other parts
of the energy sector in Myanmar.
Marubeni has experience
constructing hydro and thermal

power plants in the country. The

Japanese company is also conducting a feasibility study for
a coal-fired power plant in the
south of the country. Its planned
coal-fired plant in Tanintharyi Regions Myeik township will have
a capacity of between 1800 and
2000MW. The $2.5 billion project
will be completed by a consortium including Global Power Synergy, EGAT International and Sri
Synergy from Thailand and local
firm Ayeyar Hintha.
Global Power Synergy is the
affiliate company of Thailands
state-owned PTT, which is one of
the final candidates for the Thanlyin refinery joint venture tender. This gas refinery is going to
be supplied from future offshore
fields, according to U Chit Khaing,
managing director of Eden Group.
The current agreement is
only for a feasibility study, but
we believe in the projects possibility, he said.
We are expecting gas supplies
from M-3 and M-2, which are new
offshore discoveries.
PTT is the operator of M-3
and Eden Group has a share of
M-2, which is operated by PetroVietnam. The two blocks could
begin commercial production by
as early as 2018, according to the
Ministry of Energy.
The Ministry of Electric Power
has also been planning another
major gas-fired power plant for
Myingyan, near Mandalay. Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries
won the right to develop and operate the 225MW plant, with a
price tag of $300 million.
The ministry has planned a
number of new projects to meet
the rapidly growing demand for
electricity, which is climbing by
13 to 15pc a year.
Six privately run gas-fired
power plants in the Yangon area
started operation in 2013.
Myanmar currently has 43
running power stations with installed capacity of 4987MW, of
which 29pc comes from gas-fired
plants.
Still, electricity demand is expect to grow significantly as the
country develops.
The Ministry of Electric Power
has estimated there will be a need
to generate 23,594MW for the
whole countrys demand by 2030.

10 Business

THE MYANMAR TIMES May 29, 2015

Big Western brands sew way forward

Jeremy mullins
jeremymullins7@gmail.com
ONLY a thimble-full of American fashion brands now import from Myanmar,
though they were once the largest players in the domestic garments business.
More than 50 percent of Myanmars
garment exports were shipped to the
United States before the introduction of
sanctions in 2003 put a stop to the US
trade. The effect of the sanctions was
crippling nearly overnight, garment
factories were forced to close, or look to
other markets, with buyers from countries like Japan and Korea picking up
some of the slack.
Now, in Yangons Thingangyun
township, more than 1000 people
women, mostly are leaning over their
sewing machines, working for a South
Korean-owned factory to produce
clothing for a giant American retailer
once more.
While the garment industry is returning to health, there is much more
to be done to entice more Western
particularly American brands to return. European companies like Adidas
and H&M are making larger and larger
local orders, and in the case of H&M,
are now working with 14 local factories,
while their American counterparts stay
smaller.
Over the past year, American retailer
Gap has tripled the quantity of clothing it is ordering from its two Myanmar
factories. However, it has no immediate
plans to add more factories, according
to Debbie Mesloh, senior director of
government and public affairs with Gap.
Gap is attempting to make its supply
chain more nimble to take on the likes
of H&M and Zara. Last year, it became
the first major American firm to restart
imports from Myanmar, labelling its
clothing Made in Myanmar (Burma).
The outerwear has been well-received by American consumers, and Ms
Mesloh said she was optimistic about
the markets overall potential as a sourcing destination, calling it explosive.
I think a lot of people are kind of
watching Gap to see how we do and
the challenges that we have, and how
we work on these challenges, she said.
The business environment is different.
We really felt like it was an opportunity to come in and grow the industry
in a good way.
And the domestic garment industry
certainly is growing. Though different
figures exist, one insider said exports
totalled about US$1.5 billion in 2014.
This is 25 percent more than the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Associations number of $1.2 billion in exports
in 2013 and strong growth on 2012s
$900 million in exports.
Yet operating in Myanmar comes
with a host of challenges. The local industry often employs underage workers, for instance, and its factories can
be unsafe.
Gaps current Myanmar factories
are owned by South Koreans, owners it
has worked with in other countries. It
employs a third party to regularly au-

Garment workers in different factories have different lots depending on the companys standard. This is not one of the factories mentioned in this article. Photo: AFP

dit the factory, taking a rigorous look at

a range of issues from child labour to
building safety.
These audits are becoming more
common among international brands,
yet often face opposition. The audits
can be so challenging that local companies have trouble meeting them.
Local factory owners complain that
while European brands are returning
and American firms are eyeing the
market, it is the foreign-owned factories
in Myanmar that benefit, as the audits
preclude them from landing contracts.
U Aung Win, vice chair of the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association and managing director of locally
owned Maple Garment, said the audits
conducted by major Western brands
were too tough for nearly all Myanmarowned factories to comply.
Instead, most of the Western buyers are teaming up with suppliers
they know from other Asian countries like Korea, China and Taiwan,
rather than taking a chance on a
Myanmar-owned factory.

BILLION US$

1.5

Estimated value of Myanmars garment

exports for 2014, a 25 percent increase
year-on-year

U Aung Win said the checklists often require expenditures on improving equipment and buildings that local
players are often not able to make. As a
result, local factories generally miss out
on the huge orders of 100,000 or more
pieces from Western brands, and instead must make do with much smaller
orders of as little as 2000 or 3000 pieces
from regional players.
Local investors are suffering, he
said. The big brands should relax the
rules for four or five years. We are a
poor country.
Yet the kind of rules U Aung Win
would like to see relaxed would likely
prove controversial in the rest of the
world. Many foreign brands will not
allow workers below the age of 18 in
the factories from which they source,
though the practice is common among
Myanmar factories, for instance.
Still, experts hope that over time, local factories might be able to shift their
methods to meet more international
standards.
Eight garment industry players in
Myanmar, including H&M and Gap,
have joined Business for Social Responsibilitys (BSR) Myanmar Responsible
Sourcing initiative. It aims to assist the
local industry to grow in a sustainable
manner.
BSR Asia Pacific vice president Jeremy Prepscius said that is important to
approach the local industry with humility, adding the sourcing is likely to come
anyway and it comes down to a shared
vision of the future.
The question isnt so much whether
the issues are something the employer
does or doesnt want to deal with. The

issues are important to be working

on and addressing over time, he said.
Speaking for BSR, he said Myanmar
was a new market for many brands, and
they were doing their due diligence on
the opportunities and risks. He added
that quality and price mattered, but so
does the sustainability of the industry.
Were not going to solve these problems overnight, he said.
Myanmar factories offer some benefits, such as competitive labour costs,
but they also offer a range of headaches.
Mr Prepscius organisation has initially been focusing on child labour and
land acquisition issues, such as due diligence on land ownership and partners.
Other industry headaches include poor
electricity supply, the lack of a deepwater port and recent labour strife.
In addition, Gap contends with
challenges unique to American buyers.
It must be careful to comply with the
remaining American sanctions.
The US also does not provide duty-free access to Myanmar garment
imports under its Generalised System
of Preferences, though Europe reinstated duty-free access retroactively
for 2012 in its duty-free program.
As a consequence, European buyers
are coming to Myanmar in greater
numbers than their American counterparts. The EU imported 235 euros
(US$256 million) of garments alone
from Myanmar in 2014, a 79pc yearon-year increase, while total US imports of all products from Myanmar
was $93 million in the same year.
H&M now sources from 14 local
factories, and the companys Myanmar
country sustainability manager Julia

Bakutis said the company had also

opened a local source office in Myanmar
this year. Yet while H&M and Gap and
other companies are competitors on an
international scale, they share many of
the same challenges inside the country.
One prominent concern for the industry has been the lack of a minimum
wage. Though Myanmar has passed legislation introducing a minimum wage,
there is so far no dollar figure attached.
The issue has been a catalyst for garment strikes, though the members of
the BSR say they are doing their best to
address the minimum-wage issue in a
responsible manner.
H&M has dealt with the situation by
setting a minimum monthly wage with
recommendations from stakeholders,
until an official minimum is set.
We require from our suppliers that
at least this figure be paid as a base
wage to the textile workers, said Ms
Bakutis. When we met with the Ministry of Labour we also expressed our
expectations about setting minimum
wage levels and annual review mechanisms to ensure that workers receive a
good wage.
We believe that meaningful collective bargaining is very important and
are looking at ways to strengthen it,
she said. Workers ability to organise
and negotiate about their rights is key
to improve working conditions.
International brands may be keen
on some of the advantages to sourcing
from Myanmar, but they are well aware
of the downside of sourcing locally.
How they address these challenges will
be critical in determining the future direction of the local industry.

Arrested garment workers claim unfair bail standard

KyAw Phone KyAw
k.phonekyaw@gmail.com
NINE former garment workers who
protested for a K1000 wage increase for a day in February were
arrested on May 26 and are now in
prison, being unable to meet bail,
according to their lawyer.
The workers were unable to
come up with a paper guarantee
proving they had K1 million to meet
bail before a 4pm deadline for May
26 imposed by the Yankin court
judge, said their lawyer Ko Nay Lin
Aung.
The judge shouldnt do that.
The workers dont know about how

the paperwork works at a court, he

said.
The judge should instead have
discussed the issue on the next
court appearance, as they need
more time.
They only had a few hours to
find the grant. How could they do
that?
The trial was first to take place
at the Insein Township Court.
There, the court decided to send
them to Yankin.
The workers are being charged
by Yangon Region under section 147
of the criminal code, which covers
rioting. A total of 13 workers had
been charged, though the two of

them had not appeared, while another sent a letter of leave and another was sent to juvenile court as
he is not an adult.
The workers are being charged
not only under section 147, but also
under section 18, which covers illegal protesting, in the Shwe Pyi Thar
Township Court.
I think they want to arrest and
jail the workers, so theyve done
this intentionally, said worker Ma
Kyal Sin, a colleague of the charged
workers.
Officials from the Yankin Township Court declined to comment
yesterday despite repeated requests. One staff answering the

phone said the judge was busy.

Please understand us, he is now
handling serious cases, he said.

The judge shouldnt

do that. The workers
dont know about
how the paperwork
works at a court.
Ko nay lin Aung
Lawyer for workers

Ma Kyal Sin said it is possible the case was moved to Yankin

township from Insein to avoid possible protects.
A total of 158 workers have also
appealed to have their jobs reinstated. A local Yangon Region arbitration board initially agreed,
ordering the garment factory they
worked at to rehire the 158 workers. The national-level Arbitration
Council on May 28 reversed the
lower courts decision.
Ma Kyal Sin said the workers
would like to have their jobs back.
The authorities are only seeing
the employers side. What about us?
We really want our jobs back.

Business 11

www.mmtimes.com
Beijing

Safety check
after China fire

in PiCtuRes

People walk past the underground rail construction in

Thessaloniki, Greece, on May 26. The project, which
was started in 2003 by a consortium of Greek and
Italian companies, has been delayed due to numerous
archaeological finds, land appropriations and a lack of
funding. Photo: AFP

Mandalay
project
focused
on trade
si thu lwin
sithulwin.mmtimes@gmail.com
A LARGE development is being
planned for the outskirts of Mandalay city, to cover 77 acres and
including a range of commercial
buildings, according to U Zin Min
Swe, director of Mandalay Garden
City Construction Company.
The Mandalay Industrial Trade
Centre (MITC) is set to be completed in 2018, aiming to become
a commercial hub for the countrys
second-largest city, he said.
Local citizens will receive many
job opportunities. The weekend
market will be there, while 21 affordable condos that are 12 storeys
each will be built, targeting the
middle class, he said.
U Zin Min Swe said the project
had started in September last year,
though the interior road system
will not be finished until the end of
2015 and the buildings will not be
started until 2016.
The new roads will ease traffic
congestion, as 78th Street, the main
entrance road from the south into
the city, is often congested. The site
itself eventually aims to be home to
a number of commercial shops and
outdoor spaces.
U Tin Maung Kyi, former general secretary of the Mandalay Industrial Executive Committee, said
current facilities are not enough
for trade shows and knowledge
sharing.
This project is a great plan that
will lead to enhanced tech sharing, he said. Industrial entrepreneurs currently need to work hard
to make connections, even though
theres lots of interest here. There
will be no improvements unless
there is a place to trade.
Translation by Emoon

CHINA ordered nationwide safety

checks of public buildings after a fire
at a nursing home killed dozens of elderly residents, leaving bodies burned
beyond recognition and wheelchairs
reduced to charred frames.
The blaze left 38 people dead as it
swept through a privately owned old
peoples home in Pingdingshan, in central China, state news agency Xinhua
said. The bodies were so badly burned,
we couldnt tell who was who, Xinhua
quoted one victims relative as saying.
Pictures online captured a thick column of black smoke rising from behind
a petrol station near the facility, while
another showed a burnt-out wheelchair in front of the blackened shell of
a building.
Six people were injured in the blaze,
which broke out on the night of May
25, including two who were in critical
condition in hospital, according to a local government statement.
Xinhua said many of the 51 elderly
residents in the home were too frail to
escape the fire, which was extinguished
in less than an hour.
Only myself and one other roommate managed to get out, survivor
Zhao Yulan, 82, who shared her room

with 11 other people, told Xinhua.

Twelve members of staff have been
taken into custody as part of the investigation into the disaster and police are
searching for another three, although
the cause of the fire remains unknown.
The incident sparked soul-searching
in China, where enforcement of safety
standards is often lax, with some property and business owners paying off corrupt officials to look the other way.
We will severely penalise authorities and individuals responsible for the
fire and try to prevent similar disasters
from happening again, Sun Huashan,
head of a taskforce investigating the
fire, said in quotes carried by Xinhua.
The Ministry of Public Security ordered an immediate check of nursing
homes, kindergartens, child centres
and hospitals across the country, the
news agency reported.
Chinas vast population is ageing
rapidly, with 15.5 percent aged 60 or
above by the end of last year, according
to official statistics.
Nursing homes are becoming more
common, but are often the last choice
in a culture where the elderly have traditionally lived in multi-generational
households. AFP

12 International Business
MaNILa

Philippine
growth
figures
come in low
PHILIPPINE economic growth in the
first quarter slowed to a three-year low
of 5.2 percent, well below forecasts, due
to lethargic government spending and
weak exports, officials said yesterday.
The expansion in the JanuaryMarch period for what has recently
been one of Asias best performing
economies was the worst since the
3.8pc expansion in the last quarter of
2011, according to government data.
It was also lower than the 6.6pc
median forecast of a Bloomberg survey and well off Manilas full-year forecast of 7 to 8pc.
While growth in the private sector remains robust, the slower than
programmed pace of public spending,
particularly the decline in public construction, has slowed down the overall
growth of the economy, said economic
planning secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
Exports were the other source
of the slowdown, he said, blaming
the growth downtrend in China and
some emerging economies for the
weak demand.
The government also revised
growth in the fourth quarter of last
year to 6.6pc, from 6.9pc.
Stocks fell immediately after the
announcement. The Philippine Stock
Exchange Index was down 1.27pc at
7502.19 in mid-morning trade.
Government spending of 504 billion pesos (US$1.2 billion) in the first
quarter was 13pc below target despite
growing by 4pc from the same period
in 2014, according to data from the finance department.
Export growth in March slowed to
2.1pc from 12.1pc during the same period in 2014, according to the national
statistics office.
Mr Balisacan said the Philippines
could meet at least the low end of its 7
to 8pc target as government spending
started to pick up March, with inflation
and interest rates to remain low. AFP

THE MYANMAR TIMES May 29, 2015

NEW DELHI

The Indian billionaire flying

with Narenda Modi
AFTER flying across India on a corporate jet owned by billionaire Gautam
Adani prior to last years election,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is returning the favour.
In New York, Mr Adani sat in
the audience as Mr Modi addressed
the United Nations. In Canberra, he
shared breakfast with Mr Modi and
signed business deals. Mr Adani was
also in Bhutan, Brazil, Japan, France
and earlier this month China.
Mr Adani, 52, has traveled with Mr
Modi in the past year more than any
other billionaire, helping him emerge
as the most prominent face of India
Inc. to the wider world. His wealth has
more than quadrupled since Mr Modi
announced his candidacy in September 2013, the biggest gain among the
countrys elite.
The Adani Group, founded in 1988,
has grown along with Mr Modis political stature. The relationship between
the two men was forged more than a
decade ago in Gujarat, one of Indias
wealthiest states.
On the day Mr Modi became chief
minister of Gujarat in 2001, Adani
Enterprises Ltd then his only listed
unit was a trading company with a
market value 500 times smaller than
Reliance Industries Ltd, which is
headed by Mukesh Ambani, Indias
richest man.
Shares of Adani Enterprises and
his two other listed units Adani
Power Ltd and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones Ltd have more
than tripled on average since Mr Modi
became a candidate, outpacing the
S&P BSE-100 Indexs 46 percent gain.
Their combined market value is now
approaching Reliance Industries.
They may get a few more projects
than if Modi wasnt there, but these
days you have a transparent process,
said Vibhor Singhal, an analyst with
Phillip Securities in Mumbai. Sentimentally the relationship is positive, but at the end of the day, if that

Billionaire Gautam Adani has become a near-constant travelling companion

of Narendra Modi Photo: Bloomberg

support doesnt show up on balance

sheets, then investors wont forgive
Adani just because of his proximity to
Modi.
In the run-up to the election, Mr
Adani said he doesnt receive nor
expect any special treatment from
Mr Modi, and the company said
it received compensation for the
campaign flights. Mr Adani Group
spokesperson Sudeep Purkayastha
didnt answer multiple calls to his
mobile phone seeking comment. Jagdish Thakkar, a spokesperson in Mr
Modis office, didnt answer calls to
his mobile phone.
Adanis listed units are now leading
their sectors. Adani Enterprises is Indias largest coal importer, Adani Ports

is the countrys largest private port operator, and Adani Power is the biggest
private power company. A corporate
restructuring in January provided a
further boost to the share price.
He has also had success where other companies have failed. Adani Ports
is expanding a shipyard on Indias
eastern coastline that proved a burden
for previous operators, including Tata
Steel and Larsen & Toubro.
All of this has boosted Mr Adanis
wealth. His fortune has climbed 26
percent to $8.7 billion since the day
before Mr Modis election win on May
16, 2014, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index equivalent to
about $4 million per day in a nation
where some 700 million people live on

less than $2. Ambanis wealth fell 17pc

to $20.8 billion in that time.
Perception matters when it comes
to getting loans. A company like Adani
with ties to Mr Modi is more likely to
get financing than a similar business
with no political connections, according to two India-based executives who
help arrange corporate debt, including in the past for Adani companies.
They asked not to be named because
they arent authorised to speak with
the media.
While loan growth starts recovering from near a 20-year low, Adanis
listed companies are some of the most
leveraged in India. Adani Power has
the highest debt-equity ratio of any
private company on the BSE 100 index.
Mr Adanis relationship with Mr
Modi can hurt as much as it helps.
Opposition politicians frequently use
Mr Adanis success to attack Mr Modi,
who has sought to attract private investment through reducing hoops of
red tape.
The most controversial overseas
deal came in Australia. With Mr Modi
looking on, Mr Adani signed a $1 billion loan deal with the chair of the
State Bank of India the countrys
biggest lender for a coal project that
he said would bring $22 billion in revenue to the state of Queensland.
Loan talks have stalled after Mr
Modis opponents raised the issue in
parliament and environmentalists
brought a legal challenge in Australia.
State Bank spokesman MK Rekhi declined to comment, saying he isnt authorized to speak on the matter.
Theres no disputing the relationship between Modi and Adani, said
Ghanshyam Shah, a retired professor of political science at Jawaharlal
Nehru University and an author on
Mr Modi and Gujarat. For Modi,
Adani is familiar. They have a history
and know what to expect from one another, so theyll build off that.
Bloomberg

SINgaporE

oSLo

Airplane loses power mid-flight

Norway pension
fund to sell its coal

A SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) Airbus plane carrying 194 people temporarily lost power to both engines
on a recent flight to Shanghai, SIA
confirmed after a flight tracker said
the plane had to descend 13,000 feet
(3.96 kilometres) before normal operation was restored.
The carrier said it was investigating the May 23 incident together
with Airbus and engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce.
We are not able to provide further information but we can confirm
that the same aircraft was used for
the return flight, an airline spokesperson said.
In a statement, SIA said the Airbus A330-300, carrying 182 passengers and 12 crew members, encountered bad weather at 39,000 feet
about three and a half hours after
departure from Singapore.
Both engines experienced a temporary loss of power and the pilots
followed operational procedures to
restore normal operation of the engines, it said.
The flight continued to Shanghai and touched down uneventfully
at 10:56 pm (1456 GMT) local time,
it said.
It added that the engines were
thoroughly inspected and tested
upon arrival in Shanghai with no
anomalies detected.
In a Twitter post late on May 26,

industry portal Flightradar24 said

the flight, codenamed SQ836, lost
power on both engines & 13,000 feet
before power returned.
In a subsequent post, it said the
plane lost both engines during
the cruise while flying through a
huge storm, pinpointing an area
in the South China Sea off Chinas
southern coast where the incident
occurred.

We are not able

to provide further
information but we
can confirm that the
same aircraft was
used for the return
flight.
Singapore airlines spokesperson

Airbus said only that it was

working with the company to understand what happened.
Rolls-Royce said its Trent 700 engine has an exceptional record of
safety and reliability, established over
20 years and has flown 32 million

hours powering the Airbus A330.

The firm is working with the airline to provide support and technical
assistance, a spokesperson said.
SIA has 29 Airbus A330-300s in
its passenger fleet. It also has a fleet
of 19 Airbus A380-800 superjumbos.
The airline, along with its subsidiaries SilkAir, Scoot, and Tiger Airways, flies to 119 destinations across
35 countries.
Last week Airbus warned of a
technical bug potentially affecting
the engines of its A400M military
planes that was discovered during
an internal test after one crashed in
Spain.
Greg Waldron, Asia managing
editor at aviation information firm
Flightglobal, said the incident was
a very unusual occurrence that
highlights the requirements of rigorous pilot training.
Generally these engines are extremely reliable and they work continuously for 13-14 hours a day for
months and years, he said.
He added that as passengers did
not seem to have posted about the
incident on social media after the
weekend, they may have been unaware of the engine problem.
This is speculation, but from the
inside of the aircraft it could have
been that the power loss was not obvious, Mr Waldron said.
AFP

NORWAYS state pension fund, the

worlds biggest sovereign wealth fund,
will have to sell its stakes in companies
with a significant exposure to the global coal sector, a parliamentary committee said late on May 27.
The fund which is valued at 835
billion euros (US$885 billion) and
fuelled by Norways state oil revenues
will be required to divest its holdings
in companies that generate more than
30 percent of their output or revenues
from coal, according to a proposal
unanimously agreed by the finance
committee.
The law still needs to be approved
by parliament with the final vote
scheduled for June 5.
Investing in coal companies poses
both a climate risk and a future economic risk, said finance committee
deputy Svein Flatten.
The minority right-wing government has previously resisted pressure
by opposition parties to require the
fund to divest of all holdings in companies linked to fossil fuels, instead proposing criteria to exclude companies
whose conduct to an unacceptable degree entail greenhouse gas emissions.
But the May 27 announcement was
nonetheless hailed as a victory by the
opposition and environmentalists.
Coal is in a class by itself as the

source with the greatest responsibility

for greenhouse gas emissions, so this
is a great victory in the battle against
climate change, opposition Labour MP
Torstein Tvedt Solberg said.
We won! Norway divested! Politicians throw coal out of the oil fund,
tweeted Greenpeaces Norway branch.
A report by experts published in
December recommended that the fund
act on a case-by-case basis rather than
adopting a blanket ban on fossil fuellinked companies and that it use its
role as a company shareholder to improve corporate practices.
The sovereign wealth fund, which
at the end of December controlled
the equivalent of 1.3pc of world market capitalisation, has in recent years
divested its holdings in several dozen
companies, including coal and cement
producers, whose business models
were deemed no longer tenable because of climate change or environmental costs moves that were made
for strictly financial reasons.
The fund is already bound by strict
ethical regulations that bar it from
investing in particularly inhumane
weapons makers, the tobacco industry
and companies that are found guilty of
violating human rights, causing serious
environmental damage, or corruption.
AFP

Job Watch

Country Officer (Vacancy # 150933)

New VacaNcies aPPLY NOw!

The World Bank office in Myanmar is looking for dynamic, committed and capable individuals to work as Country Officer
(CO) for its Myanmar Program. The positionswill be based in Yangon. This is a locally- recruited position with a 2- year
renewable term appointment with extensive opportunities for career development and advancement within a growing
program.
Summary of Roles and Responsibilities:
The Country Officer will provide a range of support to the Country Manager (CM) and the Country Program, in the area of:

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

Political Economy, Country Knowledge, Civil Society:

Maintain an overview of current political, economic, and social developments, including following analysis produced
by other institutions.
Develop a working understanding of dynamics in different sectors, including civil society, private sector, security,
and government.
Develop concise political economy analyses for various purposes, including briefings for management, to assist
task teams working on specific projects, and briefings for internal and external audiences.
Maintain a strong relationship with operational task teams and other country team members. In particular assist
the task teams in integrating social accountability into as a cross-cutting theme into projects.
Work with CM, Communications team, and project task teams to design a civil society engagement strategy.
Portfolio:
In conjunction with the Bangkok portfolio team and Program Leaders, maintain oversight of the portfolio.
Identify common problems across projects, work with fiduciary, safeguards, and other relevant colleagues to
organize cross-portfolio responses.
Assist task teams with relationship building with client as needed.
Convene monthly operations meeting to provide updates, share lessons, and troubleshoot.
Program and Office Management:
Convene and track regularly scheduled meetings, including: staff meetings, both routine and those dedicated to
specific topics, administration team meetings, and quarterly country team meetings.
Coordinate high level visits, including overseeing production of briefing materials, work of the ACS and administrative
staff on logistical arrangements, and liaison with counterparts.
Back stop CM in management of country office, including overseeing ACS team, troubleshooting administrative
challenges, and maintaining overview of overall office functioning and appearance.
Represent the CM in civil society, private sector, client meetings, and other fora as needed.
Take initiative to anticipate, identify and flag key country issues and opportunities and suggest options for addressing
and pursuing them for consideration of the CM and country team
Perform any additional ad-hoc responsibilities as assigned by the Country Manager
Selection Criteria: Masters degree in relevant field (economics, political science, anthropology, sociology, international
relations) plus ten years relevant experience or PhD in relevant field plus six years relevant experience; Excellent oral
and written communication in both Myanmar and English language; Proven analytical and writing skills; Ability to quickly
compile and verify information and produce concise, well-written documents and correspondence in English; Strong,
comprehensive knowledge of Myanmar country context, including political landscape, history, economy, and social issues;
Knowledge of a wide civil society organizations, dynamics, and positions; Understanding of project design, preparation,
and supervision, including roles of fiduciary and safeguards oversight; Previous experience with a multi-lateral or bilateral
donor a strong asset but not required.
Details (vacancy #150393) are available in the World Bank Careers website :www.worldbank.org/careers. All applications
must be submitted through this website. The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender,
nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. Closing
date is June 8, 2015

Secretary
Passenger service agent ( airline)
Receptionist
Customer service

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

Program Assistant (Vacancy # 150934)

The World Bank office in Myanmar is looking for dynamic, committed and capable individuals to work as Program
Assistants (PA) for its Myanmar Program. The positionswill be based in Yangon (depending on the business need). This is
a locally- recruited position with a 2- year renewable term appointment with extensive opportunities for career development
and advancement within a growing program.
Summary of Roles and Responsibilities:
The PA will provide a wide range of support to the Unit. Her/his duties and accountabilities will include, but not limited to,
the following areas:
Provide primary assistance in the implementation of the units work program, including some specialized support
in specific areas e.g. task management, procurement, database management, information technology, editorial
assistance, etc.
Assists team or work unit by translating/drafting a variety of routine documents, applying effective proofreading
and grammar skills in English and Myanmar language
Identify and resolve diverse issues/problems as they arise, which often requires interpretation of existing procedures
and processes and independently determining the appropriate application
Uses word processing or desktop publishing skills to produce complex text, reports, figures, graphs, etc., according
to standard Bank formats and distribution
Coordinates team schedules, meetings, and appointments, undertake standard logistical preparations for various
events, e.g. meetings, conferences, workshops, negotiations, etc.
Organize mission activities which include preparation/updating of mission itineraries and briefing materials,
coordination of meeting schedule, travel, and security arrangements, etc.
Maintains current distribution lists, phone/address lists of project/product contacts, and distributes documents
for the team
Suggests ways to enhance work organization and effectiveness
Exercise quality enhancement function for project and other documents by ensuring adherence to departmental,
Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) and institutional guidelines
Participate in developing project/product time lines, using appropriate software
Attend meetings, drafts minutes and ensures timely clearance and distribution
Serve as an information resource on status of project/products (e.g. procurement, disbursement, audit, trust
fund/co-financing, and legal issues) and drafts a variety of standard project-related correspondence.
Monitor task budget/trust funds for specific projects on behalf of the team
Monitor communications between task teams in Washington and Myanmar, and facilitate continuous and frequent
flow of information.
Prepare standard system generated and customized reports, memoranda, and other communications
Process documents for signature, ensuring documents adhere to the World Banks standards and guidelines.
Undertake ad hoc inquiries in standard and non-standard databases, retrieves, manipulates and presents data.
Participate in mission field work as required
Selection Criteria: High School Certificate/Diploma with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience or Bachelor degree
with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience; Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to interact
diplomatically with clients and staff at all levels, recognized ability to exercise good judgment in interpersonal dealings at
all levels and in handling confidential information; Excellent organizational, administrative and time management skills;
Effective analytical, research and problem-solving skills; In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and proficiency
of technology or/and systems relevant to functional area; Excellent skill in preparing PowerPoint and other visual presentation;
Prior work experience in an international environment is an advantage; Excellent verbal and writing/editing skills in English
and Myanmar language; Able to coach less experienced staff on relevant technology and systems
Details (vacancy #150394) are available in the World Bank Careers website :www.worldbank.org/careers. All applications
must be submitted through this website. The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender,
nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. Closing
date is June 8, 2015

14 THE MYANMAR TIMES MAY 29, 2015

15

World

WOrld EdItOr: Kayleigh Long

ISIS executes 20
at UNESCO site,
says monitor

Air strikes
continue in
Yemen

World 17

World 16

KUala lUMPUr

Washington

PhnoM PEnh

Rumbles in the South China Sea

US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter
told his Philippine counterpart on May
27 that Washingtons pledge to defend
the Pacific nation remains ironclad
and called for an end to land reclamation in the South China Sea, officials
said.
In talks in Hawaii with Voltaire
Gazmin, Philippine secretary of national defence, the Pentagon chief reaffirmed the strong ties between the
two countries and discussed territorial
disputes in the contested waters of the
South China Sea, where Beijing has
been at loggerheads with the Philippines and other states in the region.
Citing Washingtons mutual defence
treaty with Manila, Mr Carter stressed
that the US commitment to defend the
Philippines is ironclad, the Pentagon
said in a statement.
The meeting came as Mr Carter embarks on a tour of Asia and amid rising
tensions over Beijings massive effort
to build artificial islands in the South

China Sea.
Mr Carter and Mr Gazmin agreed
that all parties involved in the South
China Sea should seek a peaceful resolution of disputes, immediately halt
land reclamation, and stop further
militarization of disputed features, the
statement said.
Manila has said it will keep flying
over disputed areas in the South China
Sea despite Beijings warnings. And
this month, the Philippines took part in
a groundbreaking naval exercise with
Japan, in a move aimed at countering
a rising China.
Beijing has expanded its land reclamation work in the South China Sea at
a dramatic pace in recent months, constructing man-made islands on top of
reefs across a wide area to back up its
territorial claims.
China insists it has a right to control nearly all of the South China Sea,
including waters near the coasts of the
Philippines, Vietnam and other Asian

Australia and Cambodia close in

on finalised refugee settlement deal

neighbours.
The Chinese military last week ordered a US Navy P-8 Poseidon surveillance plane to leave an area above the
disputed Spratly islands in the South
China Sea. But the American aircraft
ignored the demand and said it was
flying in what US officials consider international airspace.
After his stop in Hawaii, Mr Carter
is due to visit Singapore, Vietnam and
India in his second tour of the region
since taking over at the Pentagon in
February.
Over the next 10 days, Carter
will reaffirm the US rebalance to the
Asia-Pacific, Pentagon spokesperson
Colonel Steven Warren said.
Washington has deployed more
ships and aircraft to the Asia-Pacific
region in the past two years and tried
to strengthen its ties to partners in the
area as part of its rebalance to Asia,
which comes as a response to Chinas
growing military might. AFP

BangKoK

Yellow Shirts receive sentence

A THAI court handed six Yellow Shirt
leaders two-year jail terms yesterday
for a 2008 protest which saw the prime
ministers office stormed and occupied
by demonstrators.
The ruling is the latest in a series of
court cases targeting leaders on both
sides of Thailands febrile political divide, which has seen nearly a decade of
disruptive and often deadly protests in
Bangkok.
The Yellow Shirts officially known
as Peoples Alliance for Democracy
(the PAD) were a potent political
force throughout much of the last decade with their 2006 protests helping
to spur a military coup that toppled
the elected government of Thaksin
Shinawatra.
The most prominent of the six
sentenced for storming Government
House was controversial media moghul and Yellow Shirt founder Sondhi
Limthongkul.
All received bail pending an appeal but were banned from travelling

in PiCtUrEs
Photo: AFP

overseas.
In 2008 the Yellow Shirts brought
much of Bangkok to a standstill when
protesters blockaded key government
offices and the citys airports in an
eventually successful bid to remove
a Thaksin ally, Somchai Wongsuwat,
from the office of prime minister.
Protesters scaled the fence at Government House, cut chains and pushed
back the iron barrier and occupied the
grounds, the verdict said, adding the
six on trial led the move.
The court said it had dismissed the
defences argument that protesters
were unarmed and added, The storming of Goverment House affected the
rights of others.
Mr Sondhi and dozens of other Yellow Shirts also face terrorism charges
over the occupation of Bangkoks main
airports in 2008, which stranded thousands of tourists.
The charismatic tycoon has faced
a slew of convictions and other legal
challenges, many connected to his

prominent role in Thailands spin-dryer politics.

The success of the yellows and their
royalist supporters among the establishment, prompted the emergence
of the rival Red Shirt street movement supporting Thaksin who has
remained at the heart of Thai politics
despite going into self-exile in 2008.
Both Yellow Shirt leaders and their
opponents in the Shinawatra camp
have faced a slew of lengthy court
proceedings both before and after the
junta took over last May.
The influence of the Yellow Shirts
waned dramatically after 2008 although their movement was ideologically aligned with the recent antiShinawatra rallies, which again saw
Government House occupied.
Those protests resulted in Mr Thaksins sister, Yingluck, being booted from
office by a court and a military coup a
few weeks later.
Leaders of the latest protests are yet
to face legal action. AFP

A man peeks out from a metal fence during the demolition of an

informal settlers community in Manila on May 26 to redevelop the
area into a business district in a joint venture with a private firm.
Some 500 families were affected by the demolition.

A Malaysian search and rescue helicopter flies near an operations camp set up near where a mass grave was recently discovered in the jungle near the MalaysiaThailand border in Wang Kelian on May 28. Photo: AFP

139 bodies found in jungle camp

graves, say Malaysian authorities
MALAYSIA said yesterday it believes
139 people are buried in marked
graves at remote detention camps
used by people-smugglers on the
Thai border, with each wrapped in
white cloth in Muslim tradition.
The abandoned sites were discovered on the weekend, escalating a crisis that erupted earlier this
month when a Thai crackdown on
trafficking networks left thousands
of desperate people stranded at sea
on rickety boats.
Thai authorities acted after discovering some 33 bodies in mass
graves in camps in the countrys
south, exposing a deadly trade in
Muslim Rohingya who are fleeing
persecution in Myanmar, as well as
Bangladeshis seeking better opportunities abroad.
The camps on Malaysias side of
the border, which could have been
capable of housing hundreds of people, drew allegations that authorities
had turned a blind eye to the lucrative business.
Based on the size of the graves,
and after the area was cleared ... we
have a clearer indication single
grave, single person, Deputy Home
Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
said in the border town of Wang
Kelian.
Malaysia has previously said
it had discovered 139 grave sites.
When asked by AFP if he now believed there were 139 bodies in total,
Mr Wan Junaidi said, Yes.

Initial investigations showed the

bodies were wrapped in shrouds
and their resting places marked
with wooden sticks.
It seems like proper burial. The
bodies were wrapped in white cloth.
It is like the Muslim burial ... Some
are shallow graves, not all, he told
reporters.
Malaysian officials had repeatedly denied that such grisly sites
existed on their soil, despite activists saying the area was a key transit
point for traffickers.
Mr Wan Junaidi defended the
failure to detect the camps until
now, saying security forces had not

It seems like a
proper burial:
The bodies were
wrapped in white
cloth. It is like the
Muslim burial ...
Some are shallow
graves [but]
not all.
Wan Junaidi
deputy home affairs minister

been patrolling the jungle-covered

area because it was thought to be
inaccessible. Malaysian police commandos began surveying the area
after the discovery of the graves in
Thailand, he said.
Our patrols dont normally go
on top of the hills. We go by the side
because normally people dont live
on top of the hills, the minister said.
Because the site is so rugged,
and reachable only by a long trek
through thick jungle, the bodies will
likely be recovered from the Thai
side, he added.
Since Thailands crackdown
threw the smuggling routes into disarray, more than 3500 starving migrants have arrived on Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian soil in recent
weeks, and an unknown number of
others are feared still trapped at sea.
Relatively prosperous Malaysia
has long been a favoured destination for Rohingya seeking to escape
discriminatory treatment. Migrants
often travelled to Thailand by boat,
then overland to northern Malaysia.
The latest development in the
crisis came as the Dalai Lama urged
fellow Nobel peace laureate Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi to do more to
help the Rohingya.
Despite the wretched conditions
they live in, and the crisis that their
flight has created, the Myanmar opposition leader is yet to comment.
Observers say she is anxious not to
alienate voters among Myanmars

Buddhist majority ahead of elections slated for November.

The Dalai Lama said she must
speak up, and that he had already
appealed twice to her in person
since 2012, when deadly sectarian violence in Myanmars Rakhine
state pitted the Rohingya against local Buddhists.
A Bangladeshi official said on
May 27 that the nation plans to relocate thousands of Rohingya who
have spent years in refugee camps
near the Myanmar border to a
southern island.
A Rohingya leader urged the government to rethink, saying the plan
would only make life worse for the
refugees, who survive in appalling
conditions in Bangladesh, living on
the margins and running the gauntlet of the countrys authorities.
The discovery of the graves has
shone a spotlight on how the mass
trafficking could have gone on under the noses of authorities and residents on both sides of the rugged
and porous Thai-Malaysia border.
Mr Wan Junaidi yesterday confirmed media reports that Malaysian police are investigating 12 of
their own officers over suspicion of
involvement.
The United States on May 27
backed the investigation, calling
for a transparent, credible and expeditious effort and urging Malaysian authorities to prosecute those
responsible. AFP

THE senior Australian military official

in charge of coordinating the refugee
resettlement deal with Cambodia visited Phnom Penh late last week to finalise arrangements for the transfer of
four refugees to the Kingdom, he told
a Senate committee this week.
Major General Andrew Bottrell,
commander of the Joint Agency Task
Force for Operation Sovereign Borders
and the tactical and operational liaison with the government of Cambodia, told Australias legal and constitutional affairs committee that a final
date for their arrival had not yet been
set.
I cannot give you a final date, because we have not finalised that with
the government of Cambodia, he said,
according to an official record of the
proceedings.
I returned from Cambodia at the
end of last week. We continue to work
very closely with the government of
Cambodia to finalise the arrangements
for the final movement of those four.
Four refugees an ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar and three Iranians were secretly flown from the
Pacific island of Nauru to Darwin in
Australias Northern Territory in early
May and have been housed in an immigration facility near the airport ever
since, awaiting approval for a flight to
Cambodia.
Since the resettlement scheme,
signed in September, was first raised
in a closed-door meeting between
Australian Foreign Minister Julie
Bishop and Prime Minister Hun Sen
in February last year, it has been
shrouded in secrecy. Consistent
with the established protocols for
information relating to international
engagements, the detail of official
bilateral dialogue or communication
between operational agencies relating to Operation Sovereign Borders

will not be disclosed, Mr Bottrell

said.
Australia agreed to provide an additional A$40 million (about US$31
million) in aid to Cambodia as part of
the arrangement, and earlier this week
announced it would spend an estimated A$15.5 million more to fund resettlement services.
Mr Bottrell told the committee that
the countrys militarised offshore refugee policy had allowed him to focus
various agencies resources on the deal.
Mike Pezzulo, secretary of Australias Immigration and Border Affairs
Department, told the same committee on May 26 that the secrecy was
because Canberra does not want [the
refugees] to become zoo exhibits.
They are being managed sensitively and empathetically. People have
been with them caring for them and
engaging with them whilst they have

They are being

managed sensitively
and empathetically
... whilst they have
been in transit, and
we look forward to
helping them to get
on their way and
settle in Cambodia
in the not-toodistant future.

Mike Pezzulo
Immigration and Border Affairs

been in transit, and we look forward

to helping them to get on their way
and settle in Cambodia in the not-toodistant future.
The International Organization for
Migration (IOM), which is providing
initial accommodation for the refugees
and some services, yesterday suggested that media access to the refugees
would not be forthcoming.
Media exposure could potentially jeopardise protection needs of
refugees and carries high level of risk
to their families at home, an IOM
spokesperson said.
The group said last week that it
had villa-style accommodation in
Phnom Penh readied for the arrival
of the four.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Koy
Kuong said Mr Bottrell would have met
directly with senior Interior Ministry
officials during his visit, as the Foreign Ministry had not been informed.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Khieu
Sopheak could not be reached.
Mr Pezzulo said Australia hoped
that Cambodia would take, on a voluntary basis, as many [refugees] as
possible as many as the Cambodians
are willing to take, as many who seek
to settle there and as many as can be
processed accordingly.
David Manne, executive director of
the Australia-based Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre, said secrecy
had plagued the agreement since day
one.
This secrecy is also deeply
troubling given that under this
cynical, short-term political fix,
Australia is aiding, abetting and
funding the diversion of refugees in its
care to a country Cambodia which
is a deeply impoverished country engulfed in a human rights crisis a
completely untenable place to resettle
refugees. Phnom Penh Post

16 World

THE MYANMAR TIMES May 29, 2015

WASHINGTON

US anthrax fumble
leads to exposure
AS many as 22 people in South Korea and four US lab workers may
have been exposed to anthrax after
the American military accidentally
shipped out at least one live sample,
officials said.
The four lab employees were
undergoing medical treatment as
a precaution after the military sent
the sample inside the country to a
commercial lab in Maryland, US officials said on May 27.
As many as 22 personnel may
have been exposed to anthrax during a laboratory training exercise at
the US Osan Air Force Base in South
Korea using samples shipped from
the same batch, a military statement said yesterday.
In addition to the military base
in South Korea, more than a dozen
other government and commercial
labs in nine US states had received
samples from the accidental shipment, officials said.
All of the samples had been irradiated in March last year at a military lab in Utah and were supposed
to be dead.
But last week, a private firm in
Maryland notified authorities that
its sample was still active, setting
off an urgent review of all material
sent out to other labs, defence officials said.
Four people at three differ-

Twenty-two
personnel may have
been exposed during
the training event.
US Defence Department

ent companies that had worked

with the live anthrax were receiving post-exposure treatment as a
precaution.
The Pentagon and health officials
said the incident posed no threat to
public health.
There is no known risk to the
general public, and there are no
suspected or confirmed cases of
anthrax infection in potentially
exposed lab workers, Pentagon
spokesperson Colonel Steven Warren said in a statement.
The Osan Air Force Base also
stressed that there was no risk to
the public.
It said an alarm had been sounded after it was discovered that the
bacteria being used in a laboratory
training exercise might not have
been an inert sample.
Twenty-two personnel may have
been exposed during the training
event, the statement said, while
adding that none had shown any
exposure symptoms.
The sample was being used in a
self-contained laboratory environment on the base.
Hazardous material teams immediately cordoned off the facility,
decontaminated it ... And destroyed
the agent, it said.
The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), backed up by
the Defence Department, is investigating the mishap.
The CDC said in a statement the
investigation is examining if other
labs had received live samples and
conducting a safety review.
However precise information
about what had gone wrong and
how many labs might be affected
remained unclear.
The Defence Department lab in
Utah, Dugway Proving Grounds,

routinely transfers dead anthrax

samples for scientific research.
The lab was working on a project
to detect biological threats in the
field, Mr Warren said.
As a precaution, the Defence Department stopped such shipments
pending the investigation, he said.
After the Utah lab irradiated the
batch of anthrax, the material was
divided into nine samples that were
then sent out to labs over the course
of several months.
One sample was shipped to an
army facility in Maryland, the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center.
That material was then shipped
to different private labs, including
the firm in Maryland that reported
finding the live sample, officials told
AFP.
The other labs in the United
States receiving samples from the
original batch were located in California, Delaware, Maryland, New
Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Texas,
Wisconsin and Virginia.
The lethal anthrax disease is
spread by spores and previously
was used for bioweapons programs
in the United States and elsewhere.
Washington scrapped its bioweapons effort as part of an international treaty, which the United States
ratified in 1975.
The May 27 announcement
comes less than a year since health
officials faced severe criticism over
a spate of safety lapses at CDC labs
handling deadly pathogens, including anthrax.
As a result of those lapses, health
officials suspended the shipment
of potentially dangerous pathogens
from government labs in Atlanta and
the CDC shut down two of its laboratories, including one implicated in
the mishandling of anthrax samples.

South Korea
As many as 22 personnel possibly
exposed to anthrax during a
laboratory training exercise, says
military statement Thursday

NORTH KOREA

SEOUL
Osan
Air Force Base
(US military base)

SOUTH
KOREA

80 km

Investigators from the Agriculture Department last year found anthrax was stored in unlocked refrigerators in an unrestricted corridor,

and that dangerous materials were

transferred using resealable plastic
bags.
AFP

SANAA

Coalition airstrikes continue as peace talks face delays

SAUDI-LED coalition warplanes
killed 43 soldiers on May 27 when
they targeted a rebel troop headquarters in the Yemeni capital as the
United Nations tried to reschedule
postponed peace talks.
The coalition campaign of air
strikes against Iran-backed Shiite
Huthi rebels and allied forces loyal
to former leader Ali Abdullah Saleh
began on March 26 in an effort to restore UN-backed President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to power.
On May 27, warplanes launched
a raid on the command headquarters of special forces loyal to Saleh
in southern Sanaa, as well as on an
arms depot in the Fajj Attan neighbourhood overlooking the city, residents said.
An official from the rebel-held
health ministry told AFP that 43
soldiers and officers were killed
and many others were wounded in
the raids, raising an earlier toll of 36
dead.
Other air raids on May 27 badly
damaged a rebel-controlled naval
base in the province of Hodeida on
the Red Sea coast, residents said.
Strikes also hit the northern rebel
stronghold province of Hajja near the
border with Saudi Arabia, witnesses
said, reporting casualties in seven
raids on arms depots at Abs military
base.
In the southern province of Daleh,
the coalition launched an early morning attack on a rebel-held military
camp north of the provincial capital.
Anti-rebel militiamen have been

Yemenis gather next to a pool of blood after a mortar shell hit the area in the strategic southern city of Taez on May 27.
Photo: AFP

trying to retake the camp, and clashes there have killed more than 60
fighters on both sides over the past
48 hours, a local government official
said.
Pro-Hadi forces said on May 26
they had regained control of the

provincial capital itself, also named

Daleh.
The coalition also raided other
rebel positions in the central city of
Dhammar and in Taez province, as
well as in oil-rich Marib in the east,
residents said.

The United Nations is trying to reschedule peace talks for Yemen that
had originally been due to begin in
Geneva yesterday.
It says almost 2000 people have
been killed and more than half-amillion displaced in the conflict since

the fighting escalated in March with

the air campaign.
World Health Organization chief
Margaret Chan said on May 27 that
the toll includes hundreds of women
and children, adding that almost 7.5
million people are in urgent need of
medical help.
Hospitals around the country are
closing down their emergency operations rooms and intensive care units
due to shortages in staff and fuel for
generators, Ms Chan said.
The health and lives of millions
of people are at risk.
She urged all parties to respect
their obligations under international
humanitarian law to protect civilians,
health facilities and health staff during conflict and to permit the supply
of vital humanitarian aid.
Relief agency Oxfam warned on
May 26 that at least 16 million Yemenis, or two-thirds of the population,
had no access to clean drinking water
because of the conflict.
UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon has instructed his special envoy to step up efforts with all factions
in Yemen and countries in the region
to agree on a ceasefire and a new
date for talks, his spokesperson said
on May 26.
This weeks Geneva talks were
scrapped after Mr Hadi demanded
that the rebels withdraw from territory they have seized before the negotiations begin.
The United Nations had called
for the talks to be held without
preconditions. AFP

World 17

www.mmtimes.com
BAGHDAD

IS executes 20 at Palmyra site: monitor

THE Islamic State group executed
20 men in front of a crowd in the UNESCO-listed Roman theatre of Syrias
ancient city of Palmyra on May 27, a
monitor said.
Across the border the jihadists
claimed to have abolished when they
proclaimed their caliphate last year,
thousands of Iraqi security forces and
paramilitaries deployed across Anbar
province.
Nearly a week after seizing strategic Palmyra, IS gathered 20 men they
accused of fighting for the regime in
the ruins of the theatre and shot them
dead, Rami Abdel Rahman, head of
the Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights, told AFP.
IS gathered a lot of people there
on purpose, to show their force on the
ground, he said.
Syrias antiquities director said he
feared the killings were a harbinger
of the much-dreaded destruction of
the ancient site, considered one of the
worlds greatest heritage jewels.
The jihadist group has damaged
priceless historical sites across the
region but mainly used its sledgehammers and dynamite on statues
and places of worship it considers
idolatrous.
IS seized Palmyra on May 21, a
move analysts warned positioned
the group to launch more ambitious
attacks on Damascus and third city

SYDNEY

Gunman
may have
had chronic
psychiatric
illness
THE gunman who carried out a deadly siege in a Sydney cafe last year may
have suffered from chronic schizophrenia, a psychiatrist who had treated him told an inquest on May 27.
Iranian-born Man Haron Monis
took more than a dozen customers
and staff hostage at the upmarket
Lindt cafe in the citys financial heart
on December 15, an incident which
shocked the nation.
An inquest into his death and
the deaths of two hostages at the
end of the 16-hour siege, is probing
Mr Moniss motivations including
whether he was a lone wolf prosecuting an IS-inspired terrorist act or
a deranged individual.
It was told May 27 that Mr Monis
had mental health issues and at times
believed he was under constant surveillance by security agencies in Australia and Iran.
Mr Monis was referred to a psychiatrist in May 2010 after he ended up in
hospital complaining of dizziness.
He was very evasive in his answers
he felt that he was being watched all
the time, even in his bathroom, psychiatrist Kristen Barrett, who first saw
Mr Monis that May, told the court.
My impression was that he had
chronic schizophrenia and my treatment plan was to start anti-psychotic
medication.
Dr Barrett said she had prescribed
medication for Mr Monis and he
seemed to improve, but by early 2011
he stopped taking the drugs and a few
months later ended their sessions.
In his opening address on May 25,
counsel assisting the coroner Jeremy
Gormly said Mr Moniss mental health
issues would not provide the full answer to what caused his actions.
AFP

Homs.
According to the Observatory, it
has over the past week executed at
least 217 people, including 67 civilians,
in and around the city.
In neighbouring Iraq, the governments efforts to pressure IS in its
Anbar stronghold gathered pace, with
thousands of fighters deployed across
the province from different directions.
Their immediate goal was to cut off
the jihadist groups supply lines, but
some forces inched towards provincial
capital Ramadi which IS captured on
May 17.
The fall of the city, 100 kilometres (60 miles) west of Baghdad, was
a huge blow to the government and
its policy of building up a local Sunni
force to expel IS from its bastions.
Nonetheless, 1000 members of a
newly formed Sunni unit graduated
and received weapons at an event in
Anbars Habbaniyah base that had
been delayed by the fall of Ramadi.
Iraqi forces moved into Ramadis
Taesh and Humeyrah districts and
also entered the neighbouring Anbar
university compound, an army colonel
on the ground told AFP.
Iraqi security and Hashed forces
took control of both neighbourhoods.
They also managed to enter the university but have yet to liberate it, he
said.
Hashed al-Shaabi is an umbrella

group for mostly Shiite militias and

volunteers that the government called
in after Ramadi fell to IS.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi
originally opposed sending them to
Anbar, but the performance of the regular forces in the Ramadi debacle two
weeks ago left him with few options.
It was feared that the mass deployment of groups with a record of
abuses against Sunnis risked raising
sectarian tensions.
In what some saw as a provocation
that justified those fears, the Hashed
on May 26 named an operation aimed
at isolating IS in Anbar after one of
Shiite Islams most revered imams.
The operation was dubbed Labaik,
ya Hussein, which roughly translates
as We are at your service, Hussein.
The Pentagon criticised the choice
of codename as unhelpful, and even
one of Iraqs most influential Shiite
clerics argued the name was poorly
chosen.
This name is going to be misunderstood, theres no doubt, Moqtada
Mr Sadr said.
Hussein is a national symbol
and a prince of jihad ... but we dont
want him to be used by the other side
to claim this is a sectarian war, said
Sadr, himself a militia leader.
After a string of setbacks in Iraq,
ISs twin offensives in Ramadi and
Palmyra suggested that some had

A file picture taken on April 12, 2006, from the Fakhr-al-Din al-Maani Castle or
Palmyra citadel on top of a hill shows the ancient city of Palmyra. Photo: AFP

written off the jihadist group too soon.

Washington has insisted that the
momentum had not swung, however,
and that its daily air strikes were paying off.
In
northeastern
Syria,
the
Observatorys Abdel Rahman said
Kurdish forces retook Assyrian
Christian villages the jihadists had
seized earlier this year.

Following a 10-day offensive, Kurdish fighters took control early this week
of 14 Assyrian villages that IS had controlled since February, he said.
An Assyrian rights activist
said the counteroffensive in the
northeastern province of Hasakeh
was made possible by an intensive
campaign of air strikes by the US-led
coalition. AFP

World 19

www.mmtimes.com
DRESDEN

Greece is the word at G7 Dresden meet

FINANCE ministers and central
bank governors of the Group of Seven wealthiest nations gathered in
Dresden yesterday to discuss the
global economy and tax evasion, but
the Greek crisis was also high on
everyones minds.
German
Finance
Minister
Wolfgang Schaeuble and his counterparts from Britain, Canada, France,
Italy, Japan and the United States
began the three-day meeting with a
short ceremony on May 27 evening in
Dresdens rebuilt Frauenkirche church,
before they were scheduled to get down
to the nitty-gritty of talks yesterday.
The Frauenkirche was almost
totally destroyed in the bombing of
Dresden by the British and US allies
during World War II and the remaining ruins were left as a war memorial
for more than 50 years.
But it was painstakingly rebuilt
following German unification and
finally reconsecrated in 2005.
Germany currently holds the
rotating G7 presidency and has been
at pains to stress that the Greek crisis
is not officially on the agenda. Berlin
insists that the G7 is not the correct
forum for the Greek dossier, not least
because Athens is not represented.
But with all of the other key
actors present notably International Monetary Fund chief Christine
Lagarde, Eurogroup president Jeroen
Dijsselbloem, European Central Bank
chief Mario Draghi and EU monetary
affairs commissioner Pierre Moscovici
it would be hard to believe that the
subject will not be broached.
Furthermore, Athens said on May
27 it was close to a loan deal with its
creditors that would unlock badly
needed bailout funds for its struggling
economy.
Nevertheless, G7 host Mr Schaeuble
denied there had been any new signifi-

Balloons featuring, from left, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela
Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are lifted during a protest by the
international campaigning and advocacy organization One in front of the Church of our Lady before the start of a G7 meeting on May 27 in Dresden. AFP

cant breakthroughs.
Discussions have not really progressed much further, he told ARD
German public television on the evening of May 27th, adding that he was
also a bit surprised that Athens is always saying that a deal is imminent.
But it is not just the Europeans who
insist that Greeces fate in the eurozone
is a matter of urgency.
IMF chief Ms Lagarde, interviewed
by German television yesterday, said
there was still a lot of work to do and
no substantial result had yet been
achieved.
She also rejected Athenss recent accusation that the IMF was making the
negotiations more complicated, insisting that her organisation worked in a
balanced and respectful way.

Everyone has to double down, and

treat the next deadline as if its the last
deadline and get this resolved, said US
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew.
The risk of going from deadline to
deadline only increases the risk of an
accident, Mr Lew said in London before heading to Dresden.
His Canadian counterpart Joe Oliver also said the Greek fiscal crisis is
as yet unresolved.
And geopolitical strife in
Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere is
exacerbating downside risks to
economic recovery, Mr Oliver said.
On global economic matters, Berlin
has said it is hoping for an in-depth
exchange of views.
For the first time at a G7 finance
meeting, a number of the worlds

GENEVA

leading economists and monetary

policy experts are among those invited.
Economists such as Nouriel
Roubini, Kenneth Rogoff and former
US treasury secretary Larry Summers,
will all take part in a symposium organised for yesterday morning.
The French government said it
expects the United States to come
to Dresden asking the Europeans
to do more to get the global economy moving again and redress trade
imbalances, such as the high surpluses
of countries like Germany.
The G7 ministers will also examine the current high level of volatility
on the financial markets and discuss
issues such as financial regulation,
tax evasion and the battle to cut off
financing to terror groups like the

Islamic State.
A French source said that the possible emergence of financial bubbles was
also a matter of concern.
The Chinese currency, the yuan
or renminbi, could also feature in
discussions, as Beijing continues to
push for it to play a greater role in the
world financial system, such as being
included in the basket that makes up
the IMFs own special drawing rights
reserve currency.
Washington has long claimed that
the yuan was manipulated, but the
IMF said on May 26 that the currency
is no longer undervalued.
Contrary to past practice, the
German government does not plan to
issue a final communique when the
meeting wraps up today. AFP

HOTAN

Saudi surpasses 2014 execution tally Bride and prejudice:

A SURGE in executions by Saudi
Arabia is very disturbing and
bucks the global trend, a UN special rapporteur told AFP on May 27.
He spoke as the number of beheadings in the kingdom this year
hit 89, compared with 87 during all
of 2014.
It is certainly very disturbing
that there is such a fast pace of executions at the moment, Christof
Heyns, whose mandate includes
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions, said in a telephone interview from South Africa.
If it continues at this pace we
will have double the number of executions, or more than double the
number of executions, that we had
last year.
Mr Heyns, who submits annual
reports to the UN Human Rights
Council and General Assembly, said
Riyadhs use of the death penalty is
just so way out of line with global
trends where the number of executions and states which apply the
death penalty is decreasing.
So this is going in the opposite
direction. Its going against the
stream, said Mr Heyns, a professor
of human rights law at the University of Pretoria.
Statistics indicate that Saudi
Arabia last year had the worlds
third-highest number of executions
after China and Iran, he said, adding there are a number of concerns
about the kingdoms use of the
death penalty.
Under international law, if capital punishment is imposed at all it
should only be for murder, he said.
But in Saudi Arabia more
than half the executions are for

non-lethal crimes.
Under the Gulf nations strict
version of Islamic sharia law, drug
trafficking, rape, murder, apostasy
and armed robbery are all punishable by death, as are other offences
including espionage.
In a country of about 29 million,
a very high number of people for
the population are sentenced to
death and executed, the special rapporteur said.
It seems that many of these trials are in secrecy and that lawyers
are not available and they do not
comply with the standards of fair
trial.
The kingdom has, however,
pledged to increase the transparency of legal proceedings related to
death sentences, Mr Heyns said.
Saudi Arabias interior ministry
has cited deterrence as a reason
for implementing capital punishment. Executions are carried out in
public, mostly by beheading with a
sword.
In the latest case, Fahd bin Hussein Daghriri, a Saudi, was executed
on May 27 in the southern region
of Jazan.
He had been found guilty and
sentenced to death for his role in

89

The number of people executed in

Saudi Arabia so far in 2015.

the murder of a fellow Saudi citizen, the interior ministry said in

a statement carried by the official
Saudi Press Agency.
Mr Heyns said it is hard to explain the kingdoms surge in executions, around half of which involve
foreigners.
An increase began towards the
end of the reign of King Abdullah,
who died on January 23.
It accelerated this year under his
successor King Salman, in what the
watchdog Amnesty International
has called an unprecedented macabre spike.
Mr Salman has adopted a more
assertive foreign policy, and in
April promoted his powerful Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef
to be crown prince and heir to the
throne.
Mr Heyns said specific reasons
for the surge are hard to pinpoint.
Those beheaded this year include Siti Zainab, an Indonesian domestic worker convicted of murder
despite concerns about her mental
health, according to the Indonesian
newspaper Kompas.
Jakarta summoned Riyadhs
ambassador over her case, a rare
diplomatic incident linked to Saudi
Arabias executions.
Mr Heyns said governments
should make an issue of their citizens facing death sentences.
International scrutiny makes
it unsustainable for states to continue with capital punishment, he
said, calling it a practice increasingly viewed as something which really doesnt belong in the 21st century.
AFP

Interfaith marriage in China

IT was not until late on her wedding
day that Aygul told her parents she
was even in a relationship. And they
were furious.
A year later, her Uighur father was
still so angry she had chosen a Han
husband he beat her up in a Beijing
train station, stamping on her throat
as he hurled insults.
They hounded me and demanded
I choose: my mother and father or my
husband, said the 26-year-old website
editor. They told me I had to leave
him.
Against a backdrop of prejudice
and violence, inter-ethnic marriages
between Uighurs, a mostly Muslim
minority who speak a Turkic language,
and Chinas ethnic majority Han are
extremely rare.
Uighurs in their home region
of Xinjiang have long chafed under Beijings yoke and say they face
restrictions on religion, language
and culture, with some yearning for
independence.
China counters it has brought development and raised living standards, blaming sporadic but intensifying violence that killed more than 200
last year on Islamist separatists with
overseas connections.
Official media have laboured to
showcase Han-Uighur marriages
with couples singing the praises of the
government and Communist Party
as a symbol of ethnic unity.
The phrase is common on propaganda posters throughout Xinjiang,
but such messages have to contend
with centuries of division.
Since I was 12, my mother always
told me, Concentrate on your stud-

ies and dont find a Han boyfriend,

said Aygul. But I was educated in a
Chinese-language school and most of
my classmates and friends were Han.
Her husband Xiaohe, a 30-year-old
translator, had already given up pork,
prohibited by Islam, and tried to make
a good impression on her parents with
a three-page handwritten letter in Uighur, without success.
Uighur-Han marriages are largely
confined to wealthier, more educated
Uighurs, who often attend Mandarinlanguage schools and go to university outside Xinjiang, or the very poor,
mainly from tight-knit farming communities where Han residents speak
Uighur and share customs.
Both sides often cite cultural or
religious differences for the divide,
but Newcastle University professor
Joanne Smith Finley, a Uighur culture
expert, said the true but unspoken issue is politics.
The number one reason for the
taboo on inter-ethnic courtship and
intermarriage is inter-ethnic conflict,
she said, adding that Uighur women
married to Han men face the harshest ostracism due to the patriarchal
nature of Islamic societies.
A Han Chinese man taking a Uighur woman as his wife is seen as symbolic invasion, she explained.
Just as China is taking the oil,
natural gas, gold and jade, and has
reduced the people to a marginalised,
impoverished and disenfranchised
section of society in Xinjiang, when a
Chinese man takes a Uighur wife, Uighurs view that as the physical embodiment of what China the state is doing
to the Uighur homeland. AFP

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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:094211-34427.
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: 01253543, 09-519-0543.
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
inviSiBle
STudio,
Specializing in Advertising
graphics design and
all prints job, company
Logo and business card
design, and stylized
portrait photo shooting
indoor and outdoor. No.
47, Mahar Myintmo St,
Tarmwe, Yangon. Email:
invisiblestudio.info@
gmail.com Ph: 09-451242154
MaKing & maintaining
your Furniture, House
and Apartment as you
like! We are goodmaking and maintaining
your Furniture,House and
Apartment as you need
and like. Contact us-092525-87830
We ServiCe translation
& interpreting chinesemyanmar or englishmyanmar
for
your
job, factory, office and
company. Local and
abroad services are
available. Top One Group,
Mr. William Lin 09-421147821, 09-7958-07548
if you need House
condo or apartment.
Please contact me. No
need to pay any fees.
Ph: 09-256-036644, 09799-839080.
d plaCe Consultancy
Services : Translation
of documents/ Inter
pretation (simultaneous/
consecutive) in meetings
& conferences (English Myanmar) Tel: 09-250535322 email: info@
thedplace.com
www.

thedplace.com Add: 682|

Thitsar Rd| Ward No.
6 (Ponnami Bus Stop)
South Okkalapa, Yangon,
Myanmar. (Upper Floor
of Sakura Dental Clinic)
w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m /
thedplace
Thin Thin aung,
USA. Certified Public
Accountant, B.S in
Accounting. Have 15
years of accounting
services in various
industries (healthcare,
Insurance,
retail,
trading, etc.) in America.
Expertise in and provide
following
servfices;
Business formation and
setup for the foreign
companies. Business
consultation (i.e, joint
venture and investment
opportunities). Monthly
& yearly closing of the
Company's books and
records in international
Standards)
(IFRS
compliance). Accounting
training for companies
& individuals. Financial
planning and forecasting
for the setup companies
and already established
companies.
Prepare
consolidated financial
statements for the group
of companies to see
bigger picture of their
companies
financial
status as a whole. Ph:099749-0064.
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: 09-4211-47821, 0979580-7548

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:

Property

..... r/min.... 1500, Year of

manufacture: .... 19 90,
Made by Atalas Copco
Airpower n.v. Wilrijk
Belgium. Ph:09-4217
-44300

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

Language
WiThin 24 hours can
make you confidient
in Myanmar language
speaking and scripts.
Teacher Phyu Phyu
Khin, Ph: 09-4930-8926,
email : phyuporcupine@
gmail.com, Add : 56 I, Thiri
Marlar Lane, 7.5 mile,
Pyay Rd, Yangon.
MyanMar Language,
Who want to learn
Myanmar speaking for
free and have fun staying
in Myanmar? Ph: 09-364444-08
TeaChing
Myanmar
language for adults
Yangon area Tel: 094200-30782
TeaChing English for
adults (for foreigners and
for locals) Yangon area
09-4200-30782
u Mya han, French,
English & Myanmar
classes. Ph: 09-73174940
aTTend & feel the
difference, FLAMINGO
American
English
Speaking Class (IELTS
Intensive
Speaking
class, Interview course,
Special Package for
Hotel , Showroom, Bank
& Trading Company) Ph:
09-510-4826, 01 383811
Email:johnflamingo7@
gmail.com
for
foreignerS,
Mr. William Lin (Taiwan,
Yunan, UK) is teaching
Myanmar language 4
skills now. Please contact
: 09421147821. Come
with
advertisement
paper 10% discount
available.
engliSh (home tuition)
speaking,
grammar,
issue. letter, academic
writing. SAT. TOEFL.
IELT. GCE, IGCSE.
GMAT four skills. local
and international school.
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: 09-5035350, 09-3102-1314,.
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.
learn
frenCh,
Myanmar, English and
Tamil in a month. Limited
seats. Ph: 09-30199028.

Travel
SMile
panoraMa
Travels & Tours Co., Ltd,
Car rental services. Ph:
09-505-3004, 09-250605665.
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, 09-252030997. Email : jpm.
sales3@gmail.com, jpm.
rsvn@gmail.com

Training
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 & Internet
Course Mp3, 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:
09-2542-57911

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
Thingangyun,
Khayaymyaing
Rd,
4800sqft, 2 storey, 3
rooms, for rent 18 lakhs,
for sale 13000 lakhs,
negotiable. Ph: 09-260332121.
KaMayuT, Pyay Rd,
Diamond condo, 1650
sqft, unfurn or f f, nice
& newly apt. US$ 2500
pr IS$ 3000. Sale 4200
Lakhs. Call Maureen :
09-518-8320.
Thingangyun,
Thuwunna.
60'x80'
land. 2 storey house,
corner garden. 3 rooms
with bathroom attached.
4 aircons. 20 Lakhs per
month for rent/13.000
Lakh for sale. Negotiable.
Ph:09-2603-321212
KaMayuT,
Diamond
Condo, Pyay Rd, 1600
sqft, 1MBR, 2BR, 3A/C,
f.f, 4300 Lakhs & 35
lakhs, Call owner: 09518-8320

Housing for Rent

Bahan (1)Thanlwin Rd,
Windermere part, 0.5
acre, single storey, 4
master rooms, ph line,
big lawn, 6500USD per
month, negotiable, (2)
Inya Rd, 0.3 acre land,
single storey, 3 MBR, ph
line, nice garden, semi
furnished US 6000 per
month, negotiable, Ph:
09-2603-32121
(1)availaBle from the
start of July - a lovely
three bedroom second
floor, flat one minutes
walk from Aung San
Stadium City Mart. 2
double bedrooms & 1
single, with large sitting
room, 2 bathroom (1
with hot water). 3AC & 2
balconies. Parquet floors
throughout and off street
parking. Unfurnished
1200 USD per month. No
agent's fee. (2)Recently
available, on Botataung
Pagoda Rd, one minute's
walk from Yuri Miko
Shopping Centre. It has
one double bedroom &
1 single, fully furnished
and parquet floor. 700
USD per month. Pls call
Kyi May, 09-518-5794,
09-254- 043094
CondoMiniuM
for
Rent, Chan Thar Gone
Yaung Condo at Upper
Pazuntaung
Street,
Tamwe Township. 2
nd floor, Gym, 24-hour
Lift, Security, Car Park,
Generator, Swimming
Pool, 1 Master and 2
Single Bed Rooms, 4
Aircons, 1650 Sq.Feet,
23 Lakhs (negotiable).
Contact : 09-9751-25218
KaMayuT, Pyi Yeik
Thar St, Apartment
15' x 60', 1MBR, Fully
Furnished, Changing
Room, washer & Drier,
Cool and Hot water, dry
kitchen and equipment.
3rd Floor / 4th Floor, USD
3000 each.Ph:09-450037300, 09-788-408340
ChinaToWn, 1800sqft,
High floor two big master
bedroom with 3 toilets,
Veranda
270degree
with pagoda view. Fully
furnished, wooden floor,
aircons, lift, security,
move in condition,
US$2500per
month,
email : aspac@live.com
Or Ph (65) 96791331
Bahan, Pearl Condo, (1)
11 Flr, 1775 sqft,1MBR,
2SR, 2 htater, 4 A/C,
ADSL internet, US$
3000 (2)16 Flr, 1775
sqft,1MBR, 2SR, 2 htater,
4 A/C, ADSL internet,
US$ 3200. Negotialble,
Ph: 09-2500-7712
aparTMenT
hostel

dorm avail. Behind

Sakura Tower. Tel: 092500-76812
Baha, Pearl condo
(1)Penthouse,
fully
furnished with bills
included.
5MBR.
US$5000 per month (2)
Apartment, 3 bedrooms,
fullyfurnished with fully
equippted kitchen with
bills included. US$3000
per
month.
Email:
J.meifang@gmail.com.
Ph: 09-732-50365, 09520-0654.
(1)lanMadaW
St,
refurbished apartments,
fully furnished bills
included, 1 bedroom
US$1500. 2bedroom
US$1800. 3bedroom
US$ 2000. (2) Botataung,
Bo Myat Tun Rd, fully
furnished 2bedroom,
US$2000.
Email:
J.meifang@gmail.com.
Ph: 09-732-50365, 09520-0654.
Bahan, New University
Avenue Rd, walk up apt,
2 F, 1200 sqft, furn or
unfurn, US$ 1500. Call
Maureen : 09-518-8320.
ClaSSiC Strand Condo
suitable for office, 2280
sqft (2,500sqft with
mezzanine), 3rd floor,
wide open space, 14 ft
ceilings, face river. New
building with gym, car
park, cafe, facilities. Prime
downtown location, close
to strand hotel/union bar.
5,800 USD per month.
porntipawong@gmail.
com. 09420004585
ClaSSiC Strand Condo,
1,500 sqft, 8th floor, 3
bedroom corner unit with
excellent view of river.
New building with gym, car
park, cafe, facilities. Prime
downtown location, close
to strand hotel/union bar.
3,600 USD per month.
porntipawong@gmail.
com. Tel: 09-4200-04585
very niCe Condo,
Thiri Avenue,Taw Win
St, 9 mile. Mayangone.
1350-sqft, 2MBR, 1BR,
Living room, shrine,
dinning room, kitchen,
Varandah 4th Floor,
Lift,own car park, security
and waste management.
Fully Furnished. only for
Foreigners. one year
basic contract. Ph:095000621, 01-200581.
(1)Bo yar nyunT
St, 2500Sqft, 1MBR,
2SR, fully furniture USD
3000. (2)Near UNDP
office,1500 Sqft, 1MBR,
2SR, USD 1500 (3)Near
Sedona Hotel, Shwe Ohn
Pin apartment, 1500 sqft,
1MBR, 2SR, USD 1500.
(4)8 Mile, Prom condo,
2500 Sqft, 1MBR, 2SR,
fully furniture, USD 4000.
(5)Near China Embassy,
Golden rose condo, 2500
Sqft, 2MBR, 1SR, fully
furniture USD 4000.(6)
Chanthargone Young
condo, 2500 Sqft, 1MBR,
2 SR, USD 2500. (7)
University Avenue Rd,
Thakatho Yeikmon condo,
1250 Sqft, 1MBR, 2 SR,
fully furniture, 2500 USD.
Ph : 09-2527-0 3331
(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:
09-2527-0 3331
Blazon apt - (corner
unit), 3 bed room, 1900
+ sq.ft, Contact owner:
09-520-3220, 557453.
Bahan, Near Holiday
hotel, Po Sein Rd, 2 RC,
3 Room with toilet, 3 AC,
car parking, 2000US$
per month. Ph: 09-250026350, 09-31287827

dagon Tsp, Condo,

near park royal hotel,
1250 sqft, window
side, 1MBR, 1SR,with
balcony, 3AC, Lift, car
parking, T200USD per
month. Ph: 09-250026350, 09-312-87827
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

STar CiTy (Thanlyin
Tsp), is relatively matured
condominium sitting on a
vasst piece of land with full
condominium facilities.
The unit is about (905)
square feet big. Will be
completed rougly within
next three months.
Please contact the owner
for futhur informations.
Ph:09-7999-77699
ShWe pyi Tha, 21
quarter, Lein Kone
north side of the river
Boaungkyaw St, 40x60
ft, 28 lands (one big
blog together). Want to
sell. Contact number09-517-9645, 09-421043939, 09-4201-81730.
Bago, Myo Shout Rd, 3
acre land , 30 year grant,
with iron fence around,
three way Rd, for sale
15000 lakh, negotiable,
Ph:09-2603-32121
SouTh oKKalarpa,
(1)Innwa Rd, 40'x60',
land, 60 year grant, 1
RC, new, 3 rooms, 5000
lakhs, (2)Innwa Rd,
20'x60', land only, 2200
lakh, negotiable, Ph: 092603-32121
pWin oo lWin, Land 40'
x 70', 320 Lakhs. Ph: 09518-8320.
ClaSSiC Strand Condo
suitable for office, 2280
sqft (2,500 sqft with
mezzanine), 3rd floor,
wide open space, 14 ft
ceilings, face river. New
building with gym, car
park, cafe, facilities. Prime
downtown location, close
to strand hotel/union bar.
porntipawong@gmail.
com. Tel: 09-4200-04585
Taunggyi Plots (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 09-262702844.

Want to Hire
WanTed Factory building
for rent Dimension:
Length: 140 meters
x Width: 45 meters x
Height: 8 9 meters
Use: Immediate / Heavy
Industry With Electricity
Power of 500 Kva (11Kv)
minimum & water supply
Area: Yangon / Bago area
Preferable from direct
owner. Please contact :
mtrajahkl@gmail.com,
tinhlaing2167@gmail.
com, chohlaingnyein@
gmail.com Tel: 09 -421135261, 09-507-8834, 094250-15876
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 MAY 29, 2015

Employment
UN Positins
The UniTed Nations
World Food Programme,
is seeking Programme
Assistant GS-5, Hakha
(Re-advertise) (COB 5
June 2015) 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.

Ingo Position
danChurchAid (DCA)
is an international
development
and
h u m a n i t a r i a n
organization working in
more than 20 countries.
Currently
DCA
Myanmar is seeking to
recruit humanitarian
Programme Officer
based in Yangon with
extensive travel to
field. This position will
steer
preparedness,
risk reduction and
humanitarian response
work.
Myanmar
National with a minimum
of5years experience in
humanitarian
within
an NGO/ INGO, UN,
embassies arepreferred
for the position. A
detailed Job Description
is available on request
from Ms. Hlaing Phyu
Min, hpmi@dca.dk.The
applicants
should
submit application with
a motivation letter (why
are you qualified for this
position),CV and contact
details of two referees
to HR Unit by email
to hpmi@dca.dk and
mkum@dca.dknot later
than 29th May 2015.
Please quote reference:
DCA
Humanitarian
Programme
Officer

application.
(Please note that only
shortlisted candidates
will be contacted for
interviews.)
The inT'l Rescue
Committee (IRC) is
seeking
(1)Admin
Assistant 1 post in
Yangon : Bachelor
Degree. 3 ~ 5 years
Administrative
support professional
experience.
Strong
computer know ledge &
skills. Good in English.
(2)Project
Officer
Agriculture 1 post in
Myebon, Rakhine State
: Bachelor's degree.
2 years experience.
Skilled in Excel, Word
software. Very good
command of English &
Myanmar. Please submit
a Cover letter & CV to the
HR Department by email
at:
WaiMar.Naing@
rescue.org or by delivery
to the IRC office: 33/A,
Natmauk Lane Thwe
(1), Bocho (2) Quarter,
Bahan, Yangon. Closing
date : 29 May 2015.
The inT'l Rescue
Committee (IRC) is
seeking (1)Community
Mobilization Officer
2
posts,
Loikaw,
Kayah State : 3 years
of
experience
as
Community Mobilization
Officer. Fluency in
Myanmar, ability to
speak Kayah is an asset.
Fluency in English an
advantage.
(2)WeB
Training Translator 1
post in Sittwe, Rakhine
State : Demonstrated
commitment
to
women's empowerment
& protection through
volunteer work or other
relevant experience.
Understanding
of
principles
of
confidentiality, respect
& consent. Fluency
in Myanmar & Local
dialects
preferred.
Please submit a Cover
letter & CV to the HR
Department, by email
a t : W a i M a r. N a i n g @
rescue.org or by delivery
to the IRC office : 33/A,
Natmauk Lane Thwe
(1), Bocho (2) Quarter,
Bahan, Yangon. Closing
date : 15 June 2015.
inT'l
ResCUe
Committee is seeking
(1)WeP
Prevention
Officer - Training &
Capacity Building in

Sittwe, Rakhine State

: Diploma in Social
Science, Public Health,
Humanities or other
related field. 2 years of
professional experience
in NGOs. Fluency in local
languages.
(2)WeB
Training Translator 1
post in Sittwe, Rakhine
State : Demonstrated
commitment
to
women's empowerment
& protection through
volunteer work or other
relevant experience.
Understanding
of
principles
of
confidentiality, respect
& consent. Fluency
in Myanmar & Local
dialects
preferred.
Please submit a Cover
letter & CV to the HR
Department by email
at:
WaiMar.Naing@
rescue.org or by delivery
to the IRC office : 33/A,
Natmauk Lane Thwe
(1), Bocho (2) Quarter,
Bahan, Yangon. Closing
date : 10 June 2015.
inT'l
ResCUe
Committee is seeking
(1)Field Manager 1
post in Paletwa, Chin
State
:
University
degree in Management,
Community Develop
ment or equivalent
field. Fluently in English/
Myanmar & excellent
report writing skills.
Computer skills. (2)
Senior Health Officer
2 posts (one for Mese
& one for Hpasaung
: MBBS, BCoomH,
BNSc or other related
professional of health
developmental science.
3 years' experience.
Good skill on Microsoft
office package. Good
command of English
& Myanmar. (3)senior
Health Officer 1 post
Hprusoe/ Bawlakhae Kayah State : MBBS,
BComH, BNSc or other
related professional of
health developmental
science.
3
years'
experience.
Good
skill
on
Microsoft
office package. Good
command of English
and Myanmar. Please
send a Cover letter, CV
& all relevant documents
to the HR Department
by email at WaiMar.
Naing@rescue.org or
by delivery to the IRC
Office:33/A, Natmauk
Lane Thwe (1), Bocho
(2) Quarter, Bahan,
Yangon. Closingdate :
2, June, 2015.
inT'l
ResCUe
Committee
is
seeking(1) Monitoring
& evaluation Manager
in Yangon : M.B.B.S,
MD, B.C.Sc with post
graduate degree in Public
Health or a related field.
3-5 years experience
in M&E of complex
health programs in
a humanitarian UN/
INGOs/ LNGO context.
Good computer literacy
and have good skills and
experience of applying
database,
statistical
soft-wares and research
designs.
Excellent
command of MS-Office
software applications.
(2)senior Monitoring
& Evaluation Officer
in Yangon : M.B.B.S,
MD, B.C.Sc. 2 years
experience in M & E of
complex health programs
in a humanitarian UN/
INGOs/ LNGO context.
Excellent
command
of MS-Office software
applications. Plese send
a Cover letter, CV & all
relevant documents to
the HR Department
by email at WaiMar.
Naing@rescue.org or
by delivery to the IRC
Office : 33/A, Natmauk
Lane Thwe (1), Bocho
(2) Quarter, Bahan,
Yangon. Closing date :
5 June 2015.
(1)CsR Field Officer 2
posts (2)Branch WAsh
Officer 1 Post (3)hR
Assistant 1 Post (4)
Field Officer 2 Posts
(5) Field supervisor
2 Posts (6) Field
Assistant 4 Posts.
Please send application
letter, CV & related
documents to Myanmar
Red Cross Society (Head

Office)
Yazatingaha
Rd,
Dekkhinathiri,
NayPyi Taw. Ormrcshr
recruitment@gmail.
com
www.myanmar
redcrosssociety.org
(1) Field sUPeRvisOR
1 Post : Demoso (Kayah
State) Please send
application letter, CV
and related documents
to
Myanmar
Red
Cross Society (Head
Office)
Yazatingaha
Rd,
Dekkhinathiri,
NayPyi
Taw.
Ormrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com
www.
myanmar
redcross
society.org.
The inT'l Rescue
Committee (IRC) is
seeking Senior Officer
1 post in Kayin State:
Bachelor of Arts or
Science in Social, Public
Health, Humanities or
other related field. 3
years of professional
experience in manage
ment in NGOs. 2
years of GBV, social
work, counseling, or
psychosocial experience
in. Computer literate,
including
Microsoft
Word & Excel. Fluency in
English. Please submit a
Cover letter & CV to the
HR Department by email
at:
WaiMar.Naing@
rescue.org or by delivery
to IRC office Int'l Rescue
Committee (IRC) 33/A,
Natmauk Lane Thwe
(1), Bocho (2) Quarter,
Bahan, Yangon.

graduate,
UpperIntermediate English,
Computer literate. (2)
Customer
service
Officer 4 Posts :
University graduate,
Computer
literate,
Intermediate English.
To apply for the
position please click
here:
https://goo.gl/
naEWrN (or) careers@
edulinkaustralia.com
BUsy
ReAdyMix
operation near Thanlyin
require - Concrete
supervisors, Concrete
Mixer
drivers,
Concrete Batch Plant
operators, Concrete
Q.s
supervisors,
loading
shovel
Operators, Cleaners,
General Workers /
helpers, Batch plant
Electricians, Batch plant
Mechanics, Secretary,
Good rates of pay 8 Hour
shifts, Accommodation
if required. Please sent
CV or letter stating
which you are applying
for & expected salary
to Human Resources
Lafarge /Star Cement
No.16A, Thukhawadi St,
Yangkin, Yangon, Email :
mary.han@lafarge.com

supply market including

temporary
power
rental is seeking (1)
Project Manager :
Bachelors degree in
Electrical Engineering,
Fluent
in
English,
Chinese language will
be preferred, 5 years
project management
experience,
Strong
leadership skills, Good
communication skills to
train and interact with staff
at all levels (2)Project
electrical / Mechanical
engineer (Coordinator)
: Bachelors degree
or above in Electrical
or
Mechanical
Engineering,
Fluent
in English, Chinese
language
will
be
preferred, 3 years
relevant experience,
Practical
knowledge
& skills in repairing &
installingelectrical or
mechanical
system
at a work site, Less
experience will be
considered as Project
Coordinator position.
We provide an attractive
remuneration package
to the right candidates.
Please send application
with full details stating

sTUdy
ABROAd
Counsellor 4 post:
Selection
Criteria,
Any graduate, UpperIntermediate English,
Has initiative, Well
organised and able to
manager time effectively.
Excellent interpersonal
&
communication
skills. Able to use Ms
Work,Excel and Internet.
Able to use Gmail and
Google Calendar (or to
learn to use them). If
you believe that you are
suitably qualified for this
position please apply
using this link: http://goo.
gl/EHstKS
CUsTOMeR seRviCe
Officer
4 posts :
University
graduate,
Basic
computer
skills
(MS
office,
Gmail),
Intermediate
English, Professional
presentation. To apply
for the position please
click here: http://goo.
gl/725l3h
COOl CiTy Zone Co.,
Ltd is seeking (1)sales
& Marketing Manager M/F 1 Post (2)sales and
Marketing Assistant
Manager -M/F 1 Post,
For 1 & 2: Any graduate/
Civil
Engineering,
Additional qualifications
in Marketing or Business
Management would be
advantageous. 5 years
experience. (3)sales
supervisor - M/F 1
Post (4)sales Promoter
- M/F 1 Post. For 3 & 4:
Any
graduate/AGTICivil. 2 years of relevant
experience. (5)Auto Cat
2D, 3D - M/F 1 Post :
Any graduate prefer
with Civil/Mechanical
Engineering (6)Junior
Accountant - M/F 1
Post : Degree or Diploma
in Accounting and
Finance or equivalent.
For 5 & 6: one year of
relevant
experience.
Please submit CV (with
attached a recent photo),
with relevant documents
to 552, Lower Kyeemyin
Daing Rd, Kyeemyin
Daing, Yangon, Ph:
01-215033, Email: ccz.
myanmar@gmail.com
within 2 weeks.
vPOWeR
is
an
independent
power
producer,
one
of
the leading solution
providers in the short
to mid-term power

Current & Expected

Salary to vpower2013@
ymail.com.
The
Company may also refer
suitable applicants to
other vacancies within
the Group. All personal
datawill be used for
recruitment purposes
only and information
will be destroyed after
the selection process.
CenTURiOn Auto Group
Transportation services
is seeking driver : Must
have valid license. May
have to expert high way
in Myanmar and down
town area in Yangon.
Can drive all type of cars
(automic and manual).
No tobacco, acohol
and betel nut. Basic
Command in Spoken
English. At least three or
five year experience in
driving cars. Knowledge
of mechanical skills is
preferable. If you interest
this position please
contact to 157/41,
Yeik Thar 2nd St, Thin
Gyan Gyun. Email
:
sawthuunandar@
gmail.com. Ph: 09-250188232.
We
ARe
currently
seeking two new dynamic
teachers to work at
"Kings
International
School". We follow the
Early years foundation
Stage Curriculum of
England, but are happy
to offer training for a
good candidate. We
teach both Myanmar
and Chinese language
alongside our curriculum
with specialist teachers.
Candidates
should
show : Graduate level
qualifications
and
teaching certificate. A
sound knowledge of
good practice, curriculum
and philosophy. Have a
fun, inspiring manner
with the children. Have
high expectations for
their children in relation
to achievement and
behavior. Be keen to work
hard and become part
of strong team. Please
submit application or CV
(with attached photo) in
person to The Manager,
Kings Int'l School : 695,
Mahabandoola Rd, Bet:
19th St & Sint Oh Dan St,
Latha. Ph : 01-382213,
395816, or by email
to: zawmyogreenboy@
gmail.com

Local Positions
iCBC is the biggest
bank in China and top
large listed bank in
the world in terms of
market capitalization,
customer deposits, and
profitability, possessing
an excellent customer
base. ICBC Yangon
Branch is now looking
for 16 talented and
competent
local
employees to work as
its bank clerks in different
units including Financial
institution management,
Finance and Accounting
management,
Risk
management,
IT,
Banking
operation
and Executive office.
Requirements: Grade
10 degree or above,
major of Accounting,
Finance,
Law,
IT,
Economics is preferred.
Good reading, writing
and
communication
skills in English or
Chinese.
Strong
sense of responsibility,
willingness of learning
and cooperation. Basic
computer skills, able
to use MS Word and
Excel. Candidates who
want to do IT work
should be familiar with
fundamental network
knowledge. Under 30
years old, beyond is
possible for excellent
candidates.
Please
send a detailed CV
to jy_xgs@126.com,
ycxu@mm.icbc.com.
cn and lixiaoming@
mm.icbc.com.cn ICBC
Yangon Representative
Office : (601)A, 6th
Flr, Sakura Tower,
Bogyoke Aung San Rd,
Kyauktada,Yangon. Ph:
01-255045
BlUe
BiRd
Hotel
is seeking (1)F & B
supervisor - M 1 post :
Proficiency in English in
English, 2 years of hotel
experience, Need to be a
good communicatior, (2)
FO supervisor - M 1 post
: Proficiency in English
four skills, 2 years of
hotel experience, (3)
FO Manager - M 1 post
: Profieiency in Enlgish
foru skills, 2 year of
hotels
experience,
(4)Assistant
hotel
Manager - F 1 post :
Proficiency in English,
Minimum experience
of straight 5 years
experence in the hotels
desiGneR - F : Age 20
~ 30, Photoshop, Adobe,
Adjust salary, 9 am to 6
pm. Contact ph : 01566044, 566045
edUlink
Australia
is seeking (1)study
Abroad Counsellor
4 Posts : University

dvB Multimedia Group

is seeking senior
Accountant : B.Com
or Certified Accountant,
5 years experience in
a similar position/field,
Prior experience with
international accounting
standards,
Familiar
with
computerized
accounting, Preferably
familiar with QuickBook
accounting software,
Good Computer skill
(office application), Good
analytical skill, Excellent
communication
&
networking
(interper
sonal) skills, Preferably
familiar with QuickBook
accounting software,
Preferably
good
command of spoken &
written English. Rm 4,
Bldg 18, Hninn Si Rd,
Tamwe. www.dvb.no
ClDeadline Application:
Until
Candidate
Identified
yAnGOn International
School is looking for (1).
iT network engineer :
Must have a degree in IT
and be able to manage
the local area network,
server functions and
organizations,
user
systems the installation
of all front-end (user) and
back-end (infrastructure)
school-wide technology
systems, peripherals,
apparatus & software. 3
years experiences. (2).
Admissions' Assistant
: Customer service
experience.
Good
command English and
Myanmar. Familiarity
with
international
schools will be an
advantage. Qualified and
interested candidates
may send their CV
forms to Mr. James at
james@yismyanmar.
com or 117, Thumingalar
Rd,
Thumingalar
housing, Thingangyun,
Yangon, Ph: 01 578171,
09420163769.
The
position is open until
filled.
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
We
ARe
seeking
Translator : 3 year
experience,
Strong
knowledge of legal
terminology, Positive
working
attitude,
interpersonal
&
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.
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 & 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
GlOMed PhARMACeU
TiCAl Co., Inc is seeking
(1)sales Manager M 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 & new
products. (2)Medical
sales Representative
(MSR) : M/F 4 posts
in Yangon, 2 posts in
Mandalay, 1 in each
other State in Myanmar:
Approaching and making
good relationship with
customers. (3)Office
Admin - F1 post in
Yangon
:
English
speaking. Coordinates
administrative activities
& 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
agreement. 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)
35th St, 1st flr, middle,
Kyauktada, Yangon.
www.glomedvn.vn
We ARe seeking (1)
Production Manager
- M 1 post : A.G.T.I
(Mechanical), 3 years
experience,
Age 30
~ 55, 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 & 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. (4)
Project Manager- M/F
1 post : A.G.T.I (Civil)
or B.E (Civil). 5 years
experience.
Well
experience in highrise construction. Well
knowledge in steel
structure,
pre-cast
building & modern
building
techniques.
(5)Assistant
hR
Manager - M/F 1 post
: Any graduate, 5
year experience, HR
knowledge, Computer
skills & also reporting skill.
Good communication
skills. 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,
www.zwaregroup.com
Email: recruitment@
zwaregroup.com

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 & in
the long term for this
position. Please apply
with CV, Photo, Expect
salary, Certificate &
other
attachement
copy. Asia Plaza Hotel,
Yangon : 277, Corner
of 38th & Bogyoke Aung
San Rd, Kyauktada,
Yangon. Ph:391070,
391071.
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.
Able to commit overtime
when necessary. (2)
Travel Consultant : 2
years
experience in
tourism related field,
Pro-active & Team spirit,
good organizational &
problem solving skill,
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 longterm commitment need
apply.) Plesase 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 : 01565911, 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 22
~ 35, Fluent in English,
Excellent negotiation &
communication skills,
Computer skills. Please
submit CV to alex.
hwang@polaris.com.
mm

22 Sport

THE MYANMAR TIMES May 29, 2015

FooTball

U20 World Cup to

open under FIFA
graft cloud
Myanmar U20s train in Whangerai,
New Zealand, ahead of their opening game.
Photos: Facebook/MFF

HE corruption scandal engulfing FIFA will not overshadow the Under-20 World
Cup when it kicks off this
weekend in New Zealand,
organisers said May 28.
The tournaments organising committee chairm, FIFA vice president
Jeffrey Webb, was among seven people arrested in raids on a Zurich hotel
May 27.
FIFA subsequently suspended
Webb from all football-related activity as it grapples with a crisis that has
rocked the sports governing body.
New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin acknowledged the
situation facing FIFA was very serious but denied it would detract from
an event that has been four years in
the planning.
[We] remain focused on delivering
a great FIFA U20 World Cup, starting

on Saturday, he said in a statement.

We do not anticipate that these
events will impact on the tournament.
Myanmar will kick off their challenge in Whangerai against the United
States on May 30 at 10:30am (MMT),
three hours after the show starts
in Auckland with the hosts facing
Ukraine.
The event venues, staff and volunteers have been working hard and
are ready to stage the biggest football
event this country has ever seen, added Martin.
The 24-nation youth tournament,
played every two years, is the footballing worlds chance to unearth the
games next global superstar.
It has previously served as a career
launching pad for legends such as
Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Marco van Basten.
The most fun I had on a football

pitch is how Maradona described his

time at the 1979 tournament to FIFAs
wesbite this week, while Brazils Oscar
said his experience in 2011 made him
a better footballer.
Although its an Under-20 tournament, the tension involved is similar
to, or even greater than, what you get
in many professional matches, the
Chelsea midfielder said.
My good performances there provided me with a gateway to the senior
side ... I learned a lot.
Argentina have won a record six
times and are favourites to lift the
trophy again after breezing through
South American qualifiers undefeated.
La Albicelestes are adept at developing new talent at the tournament,
including Maradona, Javier Saviola,
Messi, Sergio Aguero and Pablo Aimar.
This edition is no exception, with
Angel Correa and Giovanni Simeone

son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego

among those tipped to make an i
mpact.
Arch-rivals Brazil have won five
championships and are keen to equal
Argentinas record but face a tough
first-up match against Nigeria, the top
African qualifier.
Bookies also rate two-time champions Portugal, 1981 victors Germany
and Uruguay, twice runners-up, as
contenders to win the final on June 20.
There are six groups of four teams,
with pool matches played in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Dunedin,
New Plymouth, Christchurch and
Whangarei.
The top two in each group qualify
for the last 16, along with the four best
third-placed teams.
Asias number one qualifier Qatar
is keen to make an impression as the
country prepares to host the 2022

World Cup.
They have been drawn in arguably
the toughest group alongside Portugal,
Columbia and Senegal, but are full of
belief under coach Felix Sanchez after winning the Asian Under-19s title
last October, a tournament hosted by
Myanmar.
Organisers have set themselves the
target of selling 500,000 tickets an
ambitious goal in a country of just
4.5 million where rugby union is the
dominant sport.
But organising committee chief
executive Dave Beeche was confident
New Zealanders would embrace the
tournament once they saw the exciting football on offer.
The key for us is nailing the first
game in each venue, he told the New
Zealand Herald. Then people will
rave about it and momentum builds.
AFP

FooTball

Ayeyawady fail to progress through AFC Cup knockout stages

MaTT Roebuck
AYEYAWADY United added their
name to the list of Myanmar sides that
have failed to advance beyond the AFC
Cup Round of 16 on May 27 when they
collapsed 5-0 at the hands of Malaysias Johor Darul Tazim.
Since Myanmar first qualified for
Asias second-tier continental competition in 2012, the 2015 Ayeyawady
squad was the fourth to escape from

the group stage, and the fourth to fall

at the next hurdle.
They also became the fourth team
to concede five goals in those knockout defeats.
In 2014, Yangon United and Nay
Pyi Taw both qualified for the knockout stage, only to succumb to heavy
defeats. Yangon travelled to Indonesias Persipura Jayapura for a 9-2 collapse, while the White Elephants lost
5-0 to Vietnams Hanoi T&T. In 2013,

Yangon lost 5-1 to Indias East Bengal.

Previously undefeated this season,
Ayeyarwady travelled to play in front
of a packed Larkin Stadium in Johor
Baru as they, like their predecessors,
qualified as runners-up from their
group.
The Delta Boys were immediately on
the back foot when the Malaysians captain Safiq Rahim rounded Ayeyawady
goalkeeper Vanlal Hruai to finish into an
empty net in only the 2nd minute.

Ayeyarwady held the line for

the remainder of the first but again
came out of the gates slowly after
half-time.
Only two minutes after the restart,
the Tigers Argentinan duo combined
as Jorge Pereyra Diaz ran in from the
left, leaving two defenders in his wake
before laying the ball off for compatriot Luciano Figueroa to finish from
close range.
We werent lucky tonight as we

allowed two early goals, one in each

half, said Marjan Sekulovski, the
Ayeyawady coach.
With defeat staring down on them
United, in a death-or-glory tie, were put
to the sword as the Malaysians forwardline trio ransacked their defence.
After setting up two, Diaz put himself on the scoreboard with a brace in
the 61st and 74th minutes before Figueroa added insult to injury time with his
second.

Sport
24 THE MYANMAR TIMES May 29, 2015

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

More on the FIFA

U20 World Cup
SPORT 22

U20 FOOTBALL WORLD CUP

Myanmars first World Cup kick

MATT ROeBUCk
matt.d.roebuck@gmail.com

N May 30 at 4pm local

time in Whangerai, New
Zealand, Nanda Kyaw,
18, will have the honour
of leading his side out to
face the United States as the captain
of the first team from Myanmar to
play at a football World Cup in any
age group.
The crowds may not be large, but
on Myanmars footballing path to redevelopment, this is a major step.
Between 1961 and 1970, Myanmar
won the AFC Youth Championship
the tournament that evolved into
the AFC U19 Championship seven
times, but never contested the global
equivalent.
It was those wins that paved the
way toward capturing two gold medals in football at the 1966 and 1970
Asian Games, coming second at the
1968 AFC Asian Cup and appearing at
the 1972 Olympic Games.
A semi-final berth at the U19
Championship hosted by Myanmar
last October was enough to get them
on the plane to New Zealand. In that
semi-final they lost a thrilling 3-2 after
extra time encounter with Qatar, the
eventual champions.
Im very proud of the achievements of this Myanmar team in qualifying for the World Cup. It was not an
easy task, but our players have shown
dedication and with the support of
the home fans and a bit of luck, we
found our way, Gerd Zeise, the teams
coach told FIFA in a pre-tournament
interview.
Under the tutelage of the German
coach, Myanmar will attempt to climb
their way out of a group with the
United States, Ukraine and the hosts
to reach the Round of 16.
People ask why we are so strong
and it is because we spend every day
together. We train every day together
like a club team like a family. After
two years we are like family, Zeise told
The Myanmar Times in an interview
before his side went on their pre-tournament tour of Europe.

Everything is
possible in football.
We have prepared
well and hope to
provide results to
match

Gerd Ziese
Myanmar U20 coach

Photo: Facebook/MFF

Coming a strong third in Group A

is Zeises first aim and he has spoken
of the importance that a draw against
the United States. The US squad includes 13 players who play for teams
beyond their borders, including Cameron Carter-Vickers of Tottenham Hotspur and Joel Sonara of Argentinas
Boca Juniors.
A strong third would be enough
to see Myanmar reach the knockout
phase. With 24 teams contesting these
finals, the four best third-placed teams
will reach the Round of 16, along with
the first- and second-place finishers.
Those final four teams will be determined first by points, then goal difference, and finally goals scored from the

group stage. If a tie ensues, lots will be

drawn to determine who will advance.
Get them mentally fit, and then
many things are possible, said Zeise.
Everything is possible in football. We have prepared well and
hope to provide results to match. We
know we are preparing to deliver an
upset, but lets see what we can do
on the day.
Our squad is comparatively smaller in stature and physicality than
the teams we will face, but we know
that and we have trained with that in
mind. Our tour in Europe saw us challenge many teams that were physically
stronger than us to friendly matches.
When they first played against

European sides they were worried by

their size, but they learned how to use
their skills and passing to play around
their opponents.
The US team may not have bonded
together over two years, but they are
no strangers to each other or the challenges of international football.
Only three members of the United
States side have attended an age-level
World Cup before, but a much larger
number have come close. In 2013,
their U-17 side missed out on reaching
the world stage when they were upset
by Honduras at the North and Central
American Championship.
Obviously that was a tough moment, not only for me but for the rest

of the team, said Shaq Moore, who

was captain of the 2013 U-17 World
Cup qualifying team, told US Soccers
media team.
We were crushed, said his teammate Sonora. So were excited that
weve now given ourselves another
chance to show what we can do and
what this group of players and this
team is about in New Zealand.
It was in 2013 that a US team first
failed to qualify for a U-17 World Cup,
and so it is that motivation that the
United States will take to the field in
Whangarei when they face the first
Myanmar side to represent their nation on the world stage. Additional
reporting by Kyaw Zin Hlaing

wEEKEND
THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

It might as well rain

until September

Weve got everything you need

to escape the monsoon

A man shelters from the rain under an umbrella in downtown Yangon. Photo: Zarni Phyo

contents

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FEATURE

ot
h
ps
To

Dancers perform on
stage during the closing
ceremony of the 68th
Cannes Film Festival in
Cannes, southeastern
France, on May 24.
Photo: AFP/AnneChristine Poujoulat

12-13

Come rain or shine

Monsoon festivals
around Asia

FEATURE

14-15

Happy when it rains:

The joys of monsoon
Wet season doesnt
have to be gloomy

TRAVEL

16-17

Monsoon magic in
northern Laos
The rainy season may
be the perfect time to
visit

5
6
8
9
10
11
18
20
21
25
26

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arts & entertainment

Three films that rock the narrative boat
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wEEKEND | ARTS&entertainment

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

Your Instagram
photos arent really
yours: Someone
else can sell them
BY JESSICA CONTRERA

HE internet is the place

where nothing goes to die.
Those embarrassing
photos of your high school dance?
The drunk Instagram posts? If you
use social media, youve probably
heard a warning akin to dont post
anything you wouldnt want your
employer to see.
We agree, and are adding this
caveat: Dont post anything you
wouldnt want hanging in an art
gallery.

The image Doe Deere posted on her

Instagram account was later appropriated
by artist Richard Prince. Photo: Doe Deere

This month, painter and

photographer Richard Prince
reminded us that what you post is
public, and given the flexibility of
copyright laws, can be shared and
sold for anyone to see. As a part
of the Frieze Art Fair in New York,
Prince displayed giant screenshots
of other peoples Instagram photos
without warning or permission.
The collection, New Portraits,
is primarily made up of pictures of
women, many in sexually charged
poses. They are not paintings, but
screenshots that have been enlarged
to 6-foot-tall inkjet prints. Nearly

every piece sold for US$90,000

each.
How is this OK?
Richard Prince has been rephotographing since the 1970s.
He takes pictures of photos in
magazines, advertisements, books
or actors headshots, then alters
them to varying degrees. Often,
they look nearly identical to the
originals. This has, of course, led to
legal trouble.
In 2008, French photographer
Patrick Cariou sued Prince after he
re-photographed Carious images of
Jamaicas Rastafarian community.
Although Cariou won at first, on
appeal the court ruled that Prince
had not committed copyright
infringement because his works
were transformative.
In other words, Prince could
make slight adjustments to the
photos and call them his own.
This is what he did with the
Instagram photos. Although he
did not alter the usernames or the
photos themselves, he removed
captions. He then added odd
comments on each photo, such as
DVD workshops. Button down. I fit
in one leg now. Will it work? Leap of
faith from the Instagram account
richardprince1234. The account
currently has 10,200 followers but
not a single picture perhaps so you
cant steal his images in return?
New Portraits first debuted
last year at Gagosian Gallery on
Madison Avenue, the same location
where the artist displayed the
Rastafarian images he was sued for.
Knowing that more legal action
is unlikely, Prince appears to be
enjoying the attention. He has been
re-tweeting and re-posting his many
critics.
As for the photographers whose
images were used by Prince, one of
them, Doe Deere, posted a photo of
herself displayed in the exhibition
with the comment, Yes, my
portrait is currently displayed at the
Frieze Gallery in NYC. Yes, its just a
screenshot of my original post. No, I
did not give my permission and yes,
Richard Prince put it up anyway. Its
already sold for $90,000 Ive been
told and nope, I have no idea who
ended up with it!

Washington Post

Photo: Washington Post/Michael DiBari

The new Scrabble

dictionary is freaking
out traditionalists
BY SARAH KAPLAN

WN (8 points, to dominate
an opponent). Thanx (15
points, thanks). Bezzy (18
points, several meanings, not all of
which are printable).
Do these words sound ridic (8
points, ridiculous)? Collins, which
publishes the official dictionary
for the World English-Language
Scrabble Players Association,
doesnt think so. All four terms,
along with about 6500 others,
are included in its updated list of
Official Scrabble Words released
on May 21.
Some of the additions are
new because the concepts
they describe are fairly new
themselves, like Facetime
(15 points, to speak with
someone over video
chat using the Facetime
application on a phone).
Others, like bezzy and
thanx, are straight up
slang. You probably wouldnt
find them in a high school
English essay, let alone the
Oxford English Dictionary.
But the Collins list includes
them anyway, because people use
them. And thats actually kind of
radical.
By bestowing official Scrabble
legitimacy on shizzle and
tweep, Collins waded into
languages longest running debate:
Should language rules dictate how
we speak or reflect it?
On the one side are the
prescriptivists, who believe that
grammar books and dictionaries
determine the right way to speak,
and everyone should follow suit. A
word thats not in the dictionary
isnt missing it just shouldnt
be used. Prescriptivists would
shudder at shizzle (28 points,
sure) and turn up their noses at
tweep (10 points, someone who
follows you on Twitter).
Opposing them are people
who believe that language rules
should be descriptive, that they
ought to reflect the way people
speak and write. This camp
argues that prescriptive language
rules stigmatise those who speak
differently for example, people

who use African-American

Vernacular English. Its a means of
gatekeeping deciding whos in
and whos out.
Noah Webster, the 19th-century
creator and namesake of the tome
that haunted you at school, would
have none of it, according to
linguist Rosemarie Ostler.
Individuals who dictate to a
nation the rules of speaking [have]
the same imperiousness as a tyrant
gives laws to his vassals, Webster
declared in 1789. He believed that
fledgling democracy needed a
democratic dictionary, one that
reflected how people actually

spoke.
But nearly two centuries later,
that idea remained radical. In 1961,
the publishers of Websters Third,
the grandchild of his original
dictionary, were excoriated for
including casual terms like aint
and beatnik.
They have untuned the string,
made a sop of the solid structure
of English and encouraged the
language to eat up himself, one
New Yorker critic lamented.
Doesnt sound too different
from todays Scrabble dictionary
critics, only now the prescriptivists
voice their outrage on Twitter.
Helen Newstead, head of
language content at Collins,
explained to the BBC that their
word list is based on printed
evidence of word use. If you can
find it written in enough places,
theyll include it. So grr (4 points,
expressing anger or annoyance),
which people type all the time,
is in. Meese (7 points, plural of
moose), which I just made up,
is not.
People use slang in social
media posts, tweets, blogs,

comments, text messages you

name it so theres a host of
evidence for informal varieties of
English that simply didnt exist
before, Newstead said.
Not only is that argument
essentially descriptivist, it also
lends legitimacy to the sources
of the new Scrabble words:
Twitter, text messages, etc. It says
that communicating through
technology isnt some degraded,
lesser form of interaction and
that the internet is as important
a reservoir of language as
handwritten letters.
Of course, the new additions to
the Collins dictionary
arent all acronyms
and text slang. There
are also technical
terms like geocache
(16 points, to
search for hidden
containers using
GPS as a recreational
activity) and words
from other cultures
like quinzhee (29
points, a shelter made
from a hollowed-out mound of
snow). In terms of linguistic
clout, the Collins dictionary is no
Oxford English Dictionary (and
for the record, some of the new
Scrabble terms are already in the
OED, including quinzhee and
LOLZ). But adding them to the
list of recognised words means
that people who geocache or camp
in a quinzhee have been allowed
in. Its a symbolic opening of the
cultural gates.
At least one person is ready
to throw a welcome party: Craig
Beevers, reigning Scrabble
world champion, thinks the new
words are obvs LOLZ (9 points,
obviously, and 13 points, plural of
LOL).
Words reflect culture,
particularly modern culture (Ive
honestly never heard of most of
the latest additions), he wrote in
an opinion piece for the Guardian.
There will always be words
people dont like, but all you can
ask of a dictionary is consistency.
Language continues to evolve and
so Scrabble and its word bible must
keep up too.

Washington Post

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

FILM REVIEW

wEEKEND | ARTS&entertainment

Three films that rock the narrative boat

BY DOUGLAS LONG

Captain Phillips (2013)

His work on a couple of Jason Bourne films

aside, British director Paul Greengrass is
noted for creating harrowingly realistic
films based on true stories, including Bloody
Sunday (2002) and United 93 (2006). These
movies are characterised by a distinctive
documentary style complete with queasy
camerawork and unscripted dialogue that
induces the feeling that were witnessing
actual events unfold.
Greengrass takes this approach in Captain
Phillips, which tells the tale of the 2009
hijacking by Somali pirates of the Maersk
Alabama cargo freighter as it sailed through
the Indian Ocean under the command of
American seaman Richard Phillips.
The film offers no shortage of drama,
which in typical Greengrass style is steadily
ramped up as the minutes tick by until the
tension is almost unbearable. But the story is
no mere thriller; it also delves into questions
about American hegemony and the effects
of exclusion from an increasingly integrated
global economy.
Like many films based on a true story, Captain
Phillips was criticised for failing to adhere to
the facts. Among the detractors were several
Maersk Alabama crewmembers who contended
that Phillips, contrary to his onscreen portrayal,
was less hero and more irresponsible egomaniac
when it came to dealing with piracy.
These concerns are of questionable relevance.
As Chariots of Fire (1981) and The Killing
Fields (1984) producer David Putnam once
said, Whats important is the truth [the
filmmakers] are trying to get to with the

Noah (2014)

If Life of Pi is concerned with storytelling,

Darren Aronofskys Noah is about
interpretation.
Background: Adam and Eve get the boot
from the Garden of Eden, their son Cain
kills brother Abel, and their third son, Seth,
headlines a branch of the family tree that
eventually leads to Noah, by which time
most of mankind, in its depravity, has been
blacklisted by The Creator, who decides
to drown everyone except Noah and his
family. They are tasked with building a boat
on which they and a bunch of animals will
survive the flood.
Skip ahead seven millennia, and along
comes Aronofsky, who decides to make
a film that delves into the question of
how mere mortals might understand, or

Life of Pi (2012)

movie the big truth, not the little truth. And

sometimes in order to enhance the big truth,
you may have to change things.
Captain Phillips is, after all, a dramatic film
and not a documentary. Exceptional directors
like Greengrass understand that they are
obligated to plunge into the authentic heart of
the story, even if it does mean straying from
reality.

While Captain Phillips uses cinematic

interpretation to portray real-world events,
Ang Lees visually lush Life of Pie makes
questions of fact versus fiction integral to the
story itself.
Protagonist Pi Patel, an Indian living
in Canada, has a tale to tell that is so
extraordinary it can make those who hear it
believe in God. He is the sole human survivor
of a mid-Pacific ship sinking, and he winds
up on a lifeboat with a menagerie of animals
that die off one by one until only he and a tiger
named Rickard Parker are left alive.
Their journey of survival has a
hallucinatory quality, including nights drifting
though luminous waters and an encounter
with a carnivorous island. During the ordeal
Pi writes in his journal, Everything is mixed
up and fragmented. Cant tell daydreams,
night dreams from reality anymore. At the
same time he comments that words are all I
have left to hang on to, hinting that narrating
the fragmented dreams has become more
important than reality itself.
After making landfall, Pi is questioned
about the ships sinking by Japanese insurance
investigators. They are unsatisfied with his
account and demand a simple story for our
report a story we can all believe in other
words, journalism.
Pi obliges with a story without things
youve never seen before, without surprises in
which the lifeboat is occupied not by animals
but by a cannibal cook who kills a sailor and
then stabs Pis mother to death. In retaliation,
Pi murders the cook.

misunderstand, the miraculous. It begins

when Noah dreams of an ocean filled with
the corpses of men. He thinks The Creator
has revealed plans to destroy the world, and
a subsequent vision of animals swimming up
to a huge ark provides Noah with an action
plan.
Thus the ark-building begins. Everything
goes swimmingly until Noah ventures into
a nearby camp to find wives for his sons.
There he witnesses the wickedness of the
descendants of Cain and meets his own
doppelganger, who reveals the sin dwelling
deep within Noah.
He reads this apparition as a message
from The Creator that mankind must
end Creation will be left alone, safe and
beautiful. This prompts him to plot the
murder of human twins born on the ark, a

step into madness he is reluctant to take.

Tell me I dont need to do this, Noah
beseeches the sky. The silent clouds merely
reflect his own propensity for obedience
back at him: The Creators lack of response
means the children must die. Even so, he
cant bring himself to plunge the knife, and
the twins live.
Have the ark-builders failed to carry out
The Creators edict? At first Noah believes
so, but Ila, the mother of the twins, thinks
the choice about whether to save humanity
was put into Noahs hands because
[The Creator] put it there. Noahs test,
according to her interpretation, was learning
to how to balance justice with mercy. Thus
saved, humanity has been gifted a second
chance to redeem itself or to fail The
Creator all over again.

Neither tale explains what caused the ship

to sink, and no one can prove which one is
true. While the straightforward account with
the cook seems more real, the one with the
tiger makes for a better, deeper, more thoughtprovoking narrative.
And what about God? Simple reportage
might be useful for showing whats out there
in the real world, but it is trumped by intricate
literary storytelling in teaching about what
dwells in the heart, which is home to faith in the
unseen and to those peculiar dreams that infuse
the world with a sense of enchantment.

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

wEEKEND | FOOD&DRINK
RESTAURANT REVIEW

Yangon Bakehouse
BY CHARLOTTE ROSE

Celebrity chef David Chang says the internet has made all ramen taste the same.
Photo: Shutterstock

How the internet made the

worlds food taste the same
BY ALEX HERN

HERE are many things the

internet can be blamed for,
from revenge porn to time
wasted watching Grumpy Cat videos,
but celebrity chef David Chang has
added a new item to the list.
Everything tastes the same, he
says, and its the internets fault.
Chang, whose culinary empire
has grown over a decade from one
noodle bar, Momofuku, to a group
including more than 10 restaurants,
a cookbook, and a quarterly
magazine, Lucky Peach, argues that
the much-vaunted democratisation
of information has had a pernicious
affect on variation in food.
It was in his magazine that he
first explored the argument, with
particular emphasis on the foodstuff
which his own restaurants focus
on: ramen. Before the internet, he
wrote, apprentices would learn
from a chef, then work their way
from taking orders to washing dishes
and finally to working in the kitchen.
Once they were good enough, the
master would tell them to move on to
another shop somewhere else.
If you wanted to learn how to
cook, youd order ramen books from
Japan and wait weeks for them to
arrive, so you could pore over the
photos from across the planet.
Now, he wrote, ramen is
everywhere, and a lot of it is the
same. I dont want to go to every city
and taste the same f**king thing.
Everyones serving tonkotsu ramen,
everyones serving pork. You could
do a blind taste test and not have any
idea where the f**k youre eating.
Speaking at the SXSW festival
in Austin, Texas, Chang argues that
restaurant cuisine is hurt in more
ways than one by the frictionless
way the internet enables chefs to get
information all around the world.
There are probably 10 websites
about the best places to find ramen
throughout the world Thats
fantastic, but it hurts the important
demographic of the cooks. Theres

no struggle, and I think its very

important in any creative process
that you endorse some sort of
struggle, he said.
At the other end of the scale, he
argues, the rapid growth in food blogs
and online conversation around
eating out means that its harder than
ever for a young chef to make a mark
doing something thats interestingly
different, because the pressure to get
it right the first time is enormous.
One thing the internet prevents
is trial and error. Everybody wants
something instantly. Thats fantastic,
but what it sacrifices is the process
of making mistakes. Im sorry, but
nobody is born a chef genius, its
whoever makes the best mistakes.
And right now the internet puts
people in the position where they
have to get it right immediately.
In Noodle Bar we got it wrong
for nine months straight. Being
told youre going out of business is
great, because it means you dont
care. We thought, if were going out
of business lets f**king go out of
business, he said, adding that thats
when his business took off.
The only way you f**k up is if
you dont f**k up.
Changs latest restaurant
venture, Fuku, announced this week
that it will focus exclusively on spicy
fried chicken sandwiches. Its going
to basically be a regular restaurant
where you can get a fried chicken
sandwich. Just that right now. And
a healthy option. Youre either
eating fat person food, or you want a
healthy lunch.
Despite being down on the
internet, Chang is by no means
relentlessly anti-tech although
he expects more than the industry
currently provides the restaurant
sector. The existing stuff thats
there, its great but its not awesome.
I dont think anyones like, Man, I
love OpenTable. You use it by default.
We use it. But its not something you
rave about.
Thats what were missing:
Nothings amazing.

The Guardian

VERY time I squeeze myself

into the only remaining seat
at the Yangon Bakehouse
in Pearl Condo, I find myself
wondering why they dont open
another branch. It seems Im not the
only enterprising genius in Yangon
to spot this unbridled market
potential, as the zippy-minds behind
this marvellous social enterprise
have recently opened a new branch
on Inya Road.
Pastry enthusiasts in search of
a place to hide from a downpour
could do a lot worse than this new
opening its serene location at
the end of a quiet lane, shrouded
in living green walls, makes it
the perfect place to watch the rain
from the comfort of a cozy sofa
with a cup of excellent coffee and a
cinnamon bun.
In addition to the original
Bakehouse favourites, the new
branch is offering breakfasts
(K4000-7500) including an
American breakfast and an
Annies natural yogurt granola
sundae. Yangon expats of the preBakehouse era had few options
when it came to bread unless
they were Pucci fans. These
days, finding a great sandwich
is no longer a holy-grail-like

undertaking, and the Yangon

Bakehouses selection (K40006000), all prepared on fresh
home-baked bread, is among the
best in the city.
My favourite choice for lunch is
the freshly baked quiche (K3500):
The crumbly pastry and creamy
fillings are homey, wholesome and
delicious. They even managed to
make greens exciting I was halfway
through my nicoise salad before I
realised the small, purple things I
was eating were pickled quails eggs.
Nothing turns me on more than

a home-made espresso cheesecake

(K4500), but if youre a better person
than I am youll be glad to know that
the Yangon Bakehouse is about more
than just great cakes and pastry: It
is also a social enterprise dedicated
to working with disadvantaged
women, providing them with
skills to earn a livelihood. The caf
doubles as a training centre for
female apprentices, and the friendly
atmosphere will leave you with a
warm, fuzzy feeling as if youve just
been hugged.
And on gloomy, grey day, what
could possibly be better than a warm
hug and a slice of cake?
Yangon Bakehouse
30 Inya Road (same lane as Inya
Hotel), Kamaryut, Yangon
yangonbakehouse.com
Restaurant Rating:

9
8
Service
9
Value
8
Rainy-day X-factor 10
Food

Beverage

3 more great places to stay dry and watch the rain...

The Press Office 31-4 Bo Yar Nyunt Road, Dagon
This new opening near Nawaday
Street serves some of the best coffee
in the city, and the friendly manager,
Ellise, does all of the baking herself.
It shows: What the slick, modern
interior lacks in coziness, it makes
up for with excellent cakes: The
coffee crunch (K2800) was moist
and delicate and youll be hardpressed to find a better chocolate

brownie (K2000) anywhere else in

Yangon. Settle into one of the tall
stools in front of the large upstairs
window and watch the rain fall while
you sip your latte (K2400).
Cakes 8
Coffee 10
Rainy-day X-Factor 9

Windermere Hill Caf 63 Chindwin Road, Kamaryut

On a gloomy, wet day, theres nothing
better than settling down with a coffee
and good book. Windermere Hill is
the ideal place to do just that: The
glass walled caf, overlooking a lush,
green garden, has a snug, sanctuarylike feel that is difficult to leave. The
sandwiches (K4500-6000) arent
up to much, and cake lovers will be
disappointed to see only waffles on the
menu, but the coffee (K3000-35000) is

Pansodan Scene 2nd Floor, 144 Pansodan Street

This charming, ramshackle cafcum-art gallery, housed on the
second floor of a creaking colonial
building, has become something of
an institution for both locals and
expats alike since its opening in
2013. Very much a no-frills affair,
only brewed coffee and fresh juices
are served here the ginger soda
(K800) is our favourite but the

seats next to the window offer

a great view, making Pansodan
Scene a pleasing refuge from a
sudden downpour.
Food n/a
Drinks 6
Rainy-day X-factor 8

good and the juices give new meaning

to the word fresh (the mango juice
is made from mangos grown in the
garden). When the rain stops, grab a
seat in the garden and enjoy the peace
and quiet worth the visit alone.
Food 5
Coffee 7
Rainy-day X-Factor 10

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | FOOD&DRINK

RECIPE

Myanmar curried rice with squid

A

WARD-WINNING chef
Htun Htun Naing is
Weekends guest chef
this week. Born and raised in
Myanmar, Htun Htun Naing
has recently returned from
working for an international
hotel chain in Dubai, and has
since joined Novotel Yangon
Max as the senior sous-chef at
The Square Restaurant.
With the hospitality
industry in Myanmar
booming, Htun Htun Naing
says he wanted to return to
his country to contribute to

its development and share

his passion for food. For this
recipe, he has chosen a dish
that is easy to prepare using
100 percent local ingredients.
For a tasty twist on plain
rice, the staple is cooked with
lemon grass, tomato, fresh chili
and curry paste. Squid and
green peas bring texture and
richness to this traditional dish.
Prepared in under an hour, it is
perfect as an appetiser or main
course, as well as being a great
buffet dish.

Myanmar curried rice with

squid
6 servings
500g basmati rice
500g squid
200g tomatoes
100g onions
30g lemongrass
2 garlic cloves
100g green peas
15g fresh chilli
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon turmeric
powder
750ml vegetable stock

Photo: Naing Wynn Htoon

100ml cooking oil

Salt and pepper to taste
Add the cooking oil to a pan
and saut the onion, garlic
and lemongrass until golden
in colour. Add the turmeric
powder and cook for a few
minutes. Add the tomato,
fresh chilli and green peas
and cook until the tomatoes
are soft. Next, pour over the
vegetable stock and bring to
the boil. When the stock is
boiling, add the pre-washed
basmati rice to the pan and
cover. Be careful not to stir
too frequently to ensure the
rice does not break. When
the rice is 75 percent cooked,
reduce the heat and continue
cooking over a low heat until
the rice is cooked.
While the rice is cooking,
wash the squid and cut into
pieces. Combine some salt,
pepper and lemon juice in
a bowl and add the squid to
marinate. When the rice is
almost cooked, cook the squid
on a grill or in a pre-heated
pan with a little bit of garlic
and lemon juice.
Put the tomato and curry
rice on a plate and arrange
the grilled squid on top.
Garnish with julienne-cut
vegetables.

Photo: Supplied

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

wEEKEND | HEALTH&beauty

Monsoon therapies fit for a maharaja and you

Escape the floods and head to
Kerala where a traditional Ayurvedic
treatment will get you feeling right
as rain
BY RACHNA SACHASINH

HEN the monsoon makes its

first landfall in the southern
state of Kerala, everyone
from Maharajas to ordinary folk
heads south to receive Ayurvedic
treatments.
Ayurveda is a traditional healing
practice that addresses the body,

mind and emotions simultaneously.

The monsoon season is ideal for
correcting imbalances or specific
ailments. The air is fresh, cool and
clear of dust and pollution. The
rains themselves are soothing and
restorative, inspiring reflection
and introspection. Moreover, the
heavy downpours effectively restrict
the movement of people to and fro,
making the season an ideal time to
undertake such treatments.
For many Indian families, the
treatments are an annual ritual.
Deepa Krishnan, a Kerala native
whose family subscribes to the
regime, helps travellers identify
the right program for their needs.
Ayurveda is not an easy fix or onetime detox, explains Krishnan.
This type of treatment is a
ritualistic, traditional, seasonal
approach to health, and we dont
really think of it or label it as a
detox. Calling it detox is a modernday invention. It does detox the
body. That is the very essence of
Ayurvedic treatments, to restore the
balance and the bodys own ability to
heal. At its core, Ayurveda is a way
of life, she said.
Ayurvedic practitioners
administer a range of therapies
based on the needs of the individual.
Some last a day, although for
optimal results a minimum of three
to seven days is recommended. The
therapies address chronic or severe
issues, although there are also
specific remedies for the trials and
tribulations of modern living such
as stress reduction and weight loss.
One popular and time-honoured
treatment is called pizhichil.
During this treatment, clean
pieces of cloth are dipped into
bowls of heated oil and squeezed
over the body (pizhichil is literally
translated as to squeeze). The hot

Top picks
oil is massaged onto the body by two
practitioners simultaneously for 60
to 90 minutes. The treatment begins
and ends with the patient sitting
and changing position seven times.
For best results, pizhichil must be
performed once a day for seven to
21 days, based on the specific needs
of the individual. Benefits include
improved blood circulation, release
of toxins and strengthened bones.
Pancha Karma is another highly
regarded regimen, particularly
when administered during the
monsoon season. Pancha Karma
addresses everything from achy
tissues and chronic pain to a
sluggish digestive tract. The series
of therapies are comprised of
detoxification massages and hot
oil treatments that are customised
for each individual. A hot steam
promotes further cleansing. Most
Pancha Karma treatments last

three to seven days, although

longer periods are encouraged.
A successful therapy results in
a stronger immune system and
balanced physical and emotional
health.
Monsoon treatments are
followed up with nutrition and
exercise regimens known as
Rasayana. Sanskrit for the
essence, Rasayana are customised
prescriptions of herbs, spices and
foods designed to maintain vigour
and longevity.
The southern Indian states of
Kerala and Tamil Nadu are home
to some of the countrys premier
treatment centres and resorts.
Many are basic and focus on
treatments. For those who want
both a holiday and a treatment,
there are plenty of resorts that
balance the Ayurvedas utilitarian
philosophy with a little luxury.

Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort

Trivandrum, Kerala
A long-standing favourite and
well-respected
Malabar Escapes
Cochin, Kerala
A collection of boutique resorts
and treatment options along the
Malabar Coast
Athreya Ayurvedic Resort
Kottayam, Kerala
Short on luxury, but affordable
and experienced
Deepa Krishnan
Travel specialist at Cochin Magic
deepa@cochinmagin.com
For personalised travel planning,
Deepa will help you select the
right treatment centre to fit your
ailment and your budget

Aspartame: Is it really as harmful you think?

Ever since it was declared safe in 1974, there have been concerns about the sweetener.
So whats the truth about aspartames alleged harmful effects?
BY SUZI GAGE

S aspartame bad for you? The artificial

sweetener, used in a huge variety of diet
products from soft drinks to yoghurts,
chewing gum to frozen desserts, is being dropped
by Diet Pepsi in the US. Aspartame is the
number one reason consumers are dropping diet
soda, says Seth Kaufman, vice president of Pepsi,
whose sales of diet soda dropped 5 percent in the
US last year. But why?
Aspartame is made up of two amino acids,
phenylalanine and aspartic acid, and methanol,
and is 200 times sweeter than sugar. Because
tiny amounts are needed for a sweet flavour,
it adds only a trace of calorific content to a
product, so is ideal for the diet industry. But its
use has been controversial since the US Food
and Drug Administration approved it in 1974,
with accusations of conflicts of interest and
inadequate research. There have been largescale randomised trials and cohort studies
investigating it, including those undertaken
by the US National Cancer Institute and the
European Food Safety Authority all of which
concluded aspartame is safe in moderate doses.

Yet it has been linked to multiple

sclerosis, lupus, brain tumours, blindness,
seizures, mental health problems and birth
defects probably because its components
can, in high enough doses, be harmful. But
aspartame doesnt contain high quantities
of aspartic acid (also found in avocados and
asparagus), or methanol (found in beer, wine
and tomatoes). Phenylalanine is harmful, but
only to the unlucky few with phenylketonuria,
a rare genetic disorder. For everyone else,
aspartame is safe. The daily recommended dose
is 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
For perspective, you would have to drink 12
cans of Diet Pepsi to hit that.
For Pepsi, the decision is a canny marketing
move to allay the fears of US consumers, rather
than one based on science; aspartame will still be
used in Diet Pepsi for the rest of the world. What,
then, of sucralose, which is taking its place?
The recommended daily intake is lower than
that of aspartame, at 15mg per kg body weight.
It hasnt had the same bad press and although
it has been linked to migraines, a 2000 review
by the European Scientific Committee on Food
concluded it is safe. But then, so is aspartame.

The Guardian

Artificial sweetener aspartame, found in diet products like soft drinks and frozen yogurt, is being dropped
by Diet Pepsi in the US. Photo: Zarni Phyo

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | STYLE

Under
my
umbrella

The weather may be grey

but that doesnt mean you
have to be. Stay dry and
brighten up gloomy days
with our pick of the best
brollys to see you through
the monsoon season.

Polka-dot umbrella Giordano (K15,000)

Colour pop umbrella
Yellow (Taw Win Centre,
2nd Floor) (K7000)

Shoot supervisor: Than Htike Oo

Models: Hein Htet Zaw and Mai Mai
Make-up and hair: Phone Lay (Internet Min Min)
Photographer: Phone Myint (Ngwe Taung Tan)

Asahi bicycle-motif umbrella

Sein Gay Har (K5000)

Red detail umbrella

Super One (K3900)

Animal-print umbrella
MANGO (K19,900)

Multi-colour umbrella
Yellow (Taw Win Centre, 2nd Floor) (K7000)

10

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

wEEKEND | Family

Left out in the

rain
BY NYEIN EI EI HTWE

HAY Thay looks fresh and tranquil as she puts on her

make-up, ignoring the children running around and
shouting. She seems unconcerned, and quite at home.
Home for Thay Thay is a platform at Yangon Railway
Station, where she has lived with her family for the past seven
years.
The 16-year-old, whose real name is Myat Thazin, does keep
a wary eye open for the chief of the railway police, but her real
concern is the weather.
It doesnt look like rain. Maybe tonight Ill get some sleep,
she says.
She applies thanaka in preparation for going to work, which
entails boarding the train now standing a few feet away from her
bedroom, bound for Nay Pyi Taw, on which she hopes to sell some
bottles of water before it departs at 8.30pm.
Thay Thay is the youngest of seven children. Her parents
still live with her at the station, but four older brothers and
sisters have left, either to get married, or because the station
environment did not meet their aspirations.
All are victims of Cyclone Nargis which, in addition to killing
hundreds of thousands of people and dumping billions of tonnes
of saltwater on their fields in 2008, also destroyed their modest
home in Pazundaung township. They have had no chance to
rebuild. The railway beckoned.
Like the other 10 families who live on the platform, they get all
the water they need from train bathrooms for washing, drinking
and cooking.
Water? We get it from the bathrooms of the trains when they
stop. If we can dodge the guards, who shout at us, said Thay Thay
with a smile.
The rainy season is the worst, she says. The roof is full of holes
and the surface is always wet.

Photo: Thiri Lu

The days are not so bad because were on the trains selling
things. The nights are hateful, she said. We dont know who
touches us while were asleep. My mother and father try to stay
awake on guard.
Her dream is to move back into a house, which her mother
says the family can do if Thay Thays grandfather sells his house.
Still, her father has two wives to take care of. Maybe there will be
enough left over to rent a small room.
The chief of railway police always shouts at us and threatens
us with jail. But nobody has actually ever been jailed, said Thay
Thay, forbearing to add that jail would mean a roof without holes.
Ko Nay Min was also a platform resident for some months
after arriving in Yangon with his family three years ago, but the
rain forced him out.
He was from a poor family in Kayin State and moved to
Yangon because there was no work back home.
The platform was a bad place to stay in the rainy season,
many flies, many ants, always wet and bad for the children, Ko
Nay Min said.
He found work on a construction side and persuaded the
foreman to let his family stay there.
But then he discovered a gift for art, scaring up enough money
to buy materials and selling his work by the side of the road near
Bogyoke Market.
Now we live in a place in Thanlyin township for K15,000 a
month, he said, shielding his paintings from the raindrops, his
wife and children beside him.
At Thanlyin, there is a monk who welcomes homeless people,
finding them cheap rooms.
Ko Nay Mins 8-by-15-foot room is safer than the platform,
but not much drier. The rain that comes through the roof means
they have to sit up all night sometimes. A larger place would be
nice, but better still would be one that did not let in quite so much
water.
It takes us hours to get home by bus, theres a lot of stress, the

room is tiny and we have to protect our paintings, he said.

Another homeless man, Kyaw Soe, can sleep in his trishaw
in the dry season, but now is trying to find a small hostel for the
next few rainy months. I cant be getting soaked every night.
But I have to think about security for my trishaw, he said. He
spends his days in Hlaing township. He used to keep his few spare
clothes and little money in a compartment in his trishaw before
it was stolen.
Kyaw Soe, 28, came to Yangon alone from Natmauk township,
Magwe Region, with only his NRC card and a fistful of kyat,
because he couldnt stand living with his stepfather.
I hate the rainy season. Nobody goes out, and I have to find a
hostel that will take my trishaw as well as me, he said.
He earns about K5000 a day, sending some home to his
mother, but he did buy a cheap handset when the K1500 SIM
cards became available.
But Ma Thida does not hate or fear the rain. Despite being
homeless, she has a job, collecting entrance fees before a public
lavatory downtown for YCDC, K100 a pop.
She lives with her husband and two children and spends her
days at the entrance of her place of employment in Bogyoke
Street. She is proud, collecting the fees and keeping her
establishment clean.
When the rain comes, there are many people who have
worse problems than us. I dont mind staying here with
my family, she said. Here is the lavatory pump room, an
imposing 8-by-10-foot space, but her children looked clean and
happy.
Weve been here eight years. Were used to it. We dont
worry much and if we ever had to leave we would just return to
my mothers house and look for a place to rent, said Ma Thida,
whiling away the time playing games on her smartphone.
Dark clouds gathered and it started to rain. Passers-by
scattered, seeking shelter. Ma Thida retreated to her sanctuary,
ready to collect her fees.

A homeless family sit in their makeshift home near the Yangon Railway Station. Photos: Naing Wynn Htoon

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | HOME&GARDEN

11

Furniture
designer cant
see the wood for
the trees
D

EEP in the English

countryside, there is a bizarre
sight: rows of trees being
grown into upside-down chairs,
slowly taking shape over years of
careful nurturing.
Around 150 armchairs, 100

A prototype chair, grown and shaped

by artist and furniture maker Gavin
Munro at his Full Grown plantation in
England. Photos: AFP/Oli Scarff

lampshades and other items

including mirror frames are being
grown out of the ground in a highly
unusual adventure in furniture
design.
The brainchild of Gavin Munro,
his Full Grown company has
produced some early prototypes, with
each item one solid, joinless piece of
wood.
Its a bit like a vineyard. Youve
got a few years to get everything up
and growing, he said.
And it is not simply a case of
planting the trees and leaving them
to it. Theres plenty of give and take
between Munro and his plantation.
They dont grow into chairs on
their own. At the same time, you cant
force them to do anything they dont
want to do otherwise they die back,
he said.
The 2.5-acre (1-hectare) plot of
rented farmland is situated in the
rolling grassy fields outside the
market town of Wirksworth in rural
Derbyshire, central England.
On a farm also containing a microbrewery, a smokery, flower cultivation
and plenty of sheep, the rows of trees
are growing around blue corrugated

Artist and furniture maker Gavin Munro trains and prunes a tree over a frame to grow a complete table.

Alice Munro trains and prunes tree branches as they grow on specially constructed inverted frames to produce chairs.

plastic frames.
Munro, 40, nurtures them and
coaxes them into shape, through
years of pruning, coppicing and
grafting.
Willow can take four to five years
to grow into a chair, whereas oak can
take up to nine years.
Munro also works with ash, hazel,
crab apple and sycamore.
A lot of the stuff we do is Stone
Age. Since we were cavemen, we were
cutting trees down at various heights,
he said.
Its an extension of the natural
rhythm. Everything we do is based
on what happens anyway and making
the subtlest twist to that. Early on I
was torturing them and ultimately it
doesnt work.
Early experiments with chemical
weedkiller caused more harm than
good, so organic methods are used.
Powdery mildew is kept down with
milk, while caterpillars are picked off.
The daily duties involve
groundkeeping and going round the
furniture with secateurs.
At any given point, theres a
branch thats in the right moment to
do something and youve got to find
it, said Munro.
For every 100 pieces, there are
1000 shoots and branches that you
want, and 10,000 that you dont. Its
not necessarily obvious which one is
which.
Early experiences got Munros
mind racing about what he could do
with trees.
His mother had an overgrown
bonsai which looked like a throne,

while a bad back as a youngster meant

his spine was broken and reset in
hospital.
That got me thinking about
grafting and how things stick
together.
He graduated in furniture
design in Leeds, northern England,
and ended up making items from
driftwood in California.
I was stitching together bigger
lumps and I had a Eureka! moment:
If we grow the things we want directly
into the shape, theres no waste, he
said.
In 2005 I came back to the UK
and got the chance to plant a few trees
and see.
Nearly a decade on, the fruits of
his labours are still up to two years
away.
The first chairs will be harvested
at the end of 2016 in the depths of
winter, planed and finished, then sold

the following year.

Im not going to see the
consequence of this mornings work
for five years at the earliest, he said.
Its a real exercise in faith to keep
doing it. Im sure its going to get
easier when we get in the black.
Fortunately an investor is on board
while the furniture matures.
Chairs go for 2500 (US$3950);
lampshades start at 900 and
hexagon-shaped mirrors at 450.
Pre-sales have largely gone to
customers in France and the United
States, but the telephone is also
buzzing with orders from London,
Hong Kong, Germany and Spain.
For the first eight years, word of
the project did not stretch beyond the
local area and hill walkers that got
lost, said Munro.
In the town, a few people really
like it, a few think youre nuts.

AFP

TRADEMARK CAUTION NOTICE

PT. WINGS SURYA, a company organized under the laws of
The Republic of Indonesia carrying business as manufacturer and
distributor, and having its principal office at JL. KALISOSOK
KIDUL NO.2, SURABAYA, INDONESIA, is the owner and
proprietor of the following Trademarks-

Reg. No. IV/18617/2014 (26th November 2014)

Reg. No. IV/18618/2014 (26th November 2014)

Reg. No. IV/18619/2014 (26th November 2014)

in respect of:- Class 30: Coffee, tea, cocoa and artificial coffee;
rice; tapioca and sago; flour and preparations made from cereals;
bread, pastry and confectionery; ices; sugar, honey, treacle; yeast,
baking-powder; salt; mustard; vinegar, sauces (condiments);
spices; ice.
Any unauthorized use, imitation, infringements or fraudulent
intentions of the above marks will be dealt with according to law.
Thida Wint, Higher Grade Pleader, LL.B, D.B.L, D.M.L, D.I.L
For PT. WINGS SURYA, INDONESIA
c/o Interactive Co., Ltd.
No. 148/B, Dhamma Zedi Road, Bahan Township,
Yangon, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Phone:09 - 43135922
Dated: 29th May, 2015

12

wEEKEND | FEATURE

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

Come rain or shine:

Monsoon festivals around Asia

BY RACHNA SACHASINH

HAT do cat processions, donkey nuptials and

meteorological forecasters have in common? All
feature in the weeks leading up to the onset of the
monsoon. And all produce predictions that are as unreliable
and precarious as the monsoon itself.
The annual coming of the monsoon to pummel the
countries of South and Southeast Asia is an age-old event. Yet,
as predictable as the monsoon can be, the precise date of onset
and its impact varies greatly from year to year. Too little or too
much rain can be the difference between life and death, wealth
and ruin. Monsoons are feared and revered. They can be kind,
capricious, gracious, fickle, regenerative and destructive, all at
once and in equal measure.
Nearly half the worlds population lives in Asia and depends
on farming. The monsoon is a primary source of water supply
for their communities. However, there is no normalcy or
consistency when it comes to monsoons. Normal levels of
rain are based on a statistical average. What is normal in some
areas can be beneficial; in others, entire villages can be wiped
out. Normal rainfall can even mean drought.
The word monsoon is derived from mawsin, the Arabic
word for season. Monsoons are wind patterns that propel
vast volumes of moisture from the Indian Ocean across the
subcontinent, bringing with them an extended period of
precipitation: the rainy season. Similar wind patterns convene
over the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, transferring
rain to Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. In Kerala,
Indias southernmost state, the monsoon makes landfall in

early June and travels up to Delhi and Northeastern India by

July and August. In Thailand, the arrival of the monsoon hits
the Isthamus of Kras western shores as early as May and soaks
the eastern shores by August. Throughout the region, the rains
linger through September and early October.
In 1686, the English astronomer and mathematician
Edmund Halley offered the first scientific explanation of the
monsoon as a variance in atmospheric pressure between land
and sea. This theory was further developed by 19th-century
scientist Gilbert Walker, whose models for predicting the
onset and pace of monsoons led to the establishment of the
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). Each spring,
beginning in late March and April, meteorologists scramble
to give the region a precise itinerary for the monsoon. But the
forecasts and predictions offered by the IMD are unreliable.
For the past 21 years, the IMD has accurately predicted
the onset and potency of the monsoon only six times. For
some, cultural rituals and festivals, which lack any scientific
reasoning, offer better odds.
For thousands of years, it was believed that the monsoon
was an act of God. This led to the enactment of elaborate
rituals designed to entreat and appease the Almighty. Of the
hundreds of rituals and festivals associated with the monsoon,
some are rational while others are completely irrational.
Yet the stakes are so high that no one is willing to leave it to
pure chance, much less to science. Beseeching and saluting
the rain gods is a serious business. Saddhus, monks, priests,
imams and even farm animals have been conscripted into the
process. Below are some remarkable demonstrations of faith
time-honoured rain rituals that attempt to implore the gods
and ease the anxieties of a restive population.

Cat Procession: In central Thailand, praying for rain involves

parading a female cat around the village. An ancient legend
holds that the cries of a cat can trigger rainfall. To this end, a
female cat is placed in a woven bamboo basket and escorted
through the village by farmers dressed in colourful garb
and finery. Upon hearing the procession approaching, each
household prepares a small bowl of water to douse the feline. It
is believed that failure to sprinkle water during the procession
angers the cat and prolongs the drought.
Rocket Festival: In Thailands Yasathon Province, the plea
for rainfall involves impressive homemade rockets and plenty
of fanfare. During Ngua Bun Bangfai, rockets handcrafted
from bamboo and decorated with elaborate gold emblems are
launched in a spectacular display. Villagers spend months
crafting the elaborate rockets and calibrating the right
mixture of charcoal and gunpowder for the fiery send-off.
Competitions, a lively parade, beauty contests and folk
dances are part of the festivities, which last for three days.
According to legend, the powerful deity Phaya Thaen waged
war on the countryside by withholding the rains. To appease
Phaya Thaen, Phaya Khankhak, an incarnation of the Buddha,
brokered an accord. The villagers agreed to honour Phaya
Thaen each year by launching rockets and fireworks during
the sixth lunar month, roughly corresponding to May.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony: Part Buddhist and part Hindu in
origin, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony is another ceremonial
petition for rain. Held in Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia
in mid-May, the event is centuries old and marked by plenty of

wEEKEND | FEATURE

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

13

The annual monsoon

that soaks the
countries of South and
Southeast Asia inspires
hundreds of rain rituals
and festivals, from
the reverent to the
downright bizarre
Queens of the Plowing Ceremony carry gold and silver baskets at the Royal Plowing Ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand.

An ancient rocket is paraded through the streets in Yasothon, Thailand, during the annual Rocket festival a celebration of plentiful rains during the rice-planting season. Photos: Shutterstock

pomp and circumstance. The ritual involves sacred white oxen

adorned in finery and hitched to a traditional wooden plough.
Monarchs and esteemed ministers lead the oxen in ploughing
rows of rice inside palace grounds or on public fields. Court
priests follow and plant rice seeds, chanting prayers for
adequate rainfall and a fortuitous harvest. Following the
fieldwork, plates of food, water and whiskey are placed in front
of the oxen, and astrologers predict the onset and might of the
monsoon based on what the oxen consume. Not exactly hard
science, but the ceremony has been performed at least since
500 CE.

northern India. The denizens of Chamba in Himachal

Pradesh embark on seven days of revelry called Minjar Mela.
The festival takes it name from the minjar, or maize flower,
which is wrapped in a red cloth, and along with a single rupee,
fruit and coconuts is offered at temples and home altars.
Colourful costumes, folk dances and heaping platters of local
confectionery guarantee a bountiful harvest. The mela, or
fair in Hindi, concludes with an impressive procession,
where 200 deities are enshrined in palanquins and submerged
in the River Ravi.

A Donkey Wedding: Desperate measures take many forms

in rural India, where the monsoon can predicate fortune or
fiasco. In years of extreme drought and late onset, villagers in
southern India marry a pair of donkeys in a Hindu ceremony.
Pandering to the mulish couple is believed to hasten the tardy
monsoon. The mules are dressed up in traditional wedding
garb and prayers and feasts ensue. Apparently Lord Varuna,
for whom this spectacle is staged, responds with a prompt
downpour.

Adi perruku: A unique festival of Tamil Nadu, Adi perruku

refers to the midpoint of the monsoon, when the water level in
local rivers, ponds and wells begin to rise. Typically held in the
first week of August, Adi perruku is famous for its kolams
exquisite designs drawn with rice flour and coloured chalk
powder by women in front of their homes. Fanciful rice dishes
flavoured with local jaggery are presented to the Goddess
Parvati. Villagers take dips in nearby bodies of water and offer
prayers of gratitude. By night, there are riverside picnics and
elaborate baskets of fruit and flowers are sent down the river.

Minjar Mela: By August, the monsoon is in full swing in

Hilsha Feast: Bangladesh is typically waterlogged during

the monsoon. Yet, even in the midst of loss and turmoil,

Bangladeshis take time to express gratitude, particularly
for the Hilsha fish, the national fish of the land. Throughout
the rainy season, the fragrant preparation of Hilsha,
steamed or fried in a rich mustard sauce, pervades town and
countryside.
Loi Krathong: The monsoon coincides with Buddhist
Lent, and among the southwestern Tai people, including
communities in eastern Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, the
finals days of lent and monsoon are celebrated simultaneously.
The festival takes place in the twelfth lunar month of the
Buddhist calendar, which falls any time between October and
November in the Western calendar. Krathong means floating
crown or floating boat. During the festivities, flowers and
candles are placed inside the palm-sized floats and sent
down-river at sunset. The candle lights the way to Nirvana,
and setting the krathong afloat is symbolic of releasing anger
and contempt. The end of Buddhist lent and the end of the
monsoon both mark a period of renewal and new beginnings,
and Loi Krathong, framed by a starlight night and flickering
points of light drifting in the water, is a vision that is stirring
and breathtaking.

14

wEEKEND | FEATURE

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

Happy when it rains:

The joys of monsoon

Photo: Douglas Long

Myanmars seemingly endless monsoon season got you down?

Time to embrace the rain and all the natural bounty it brings
BY DOUGLAS LONG

HEN theres nothing better to talk about, people the

world over commonly resort to complaining about the
weather.
In Myanmar, such grumbling reaches fever pitch in early
May, when daytime temperatures in Yangon hover around,
and even above, 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).
The heat can be even worse in Mandalay and other towns in
central Myanmar. Its the tail-end of the summer season, and
aside from a few days of relief brought about by the splashing
of water during the Thingyan Water Festival in mid-April,
by early May people have been dealing with intense heat for
about two months. Theyre ready for a change.
Fortunately, relief is on the way, and it comes in the
form of monsoon season. The precise starting time of the
southwestern monsoon varies from year to year, but it
generally begins around mid-May in southernmost Myanmar,
and advances northward to Yangon and the Ayeyarwady Delta
the following week. In another week it will have covered the
central regions, including Mandalay, and by early to mid-June
the entire country is under the sway of the rainy season.
The earliest rains are usually brief and have little effect
on the scorching temperatures, but day by day the strength
of the monsoon intensifies. Increasing cloud cover reduces
the power of the sun, and the intermittent precipitation is
accompanied by cooling and refreshing winds blowing from
the southwest.

As the month of May progresses, the rain ramps up and

the daily high temperatures in Yangon trend downward
toward more tolerable levels. In her book Flowers and Festivals
Round the Myanmar Year, author Khin Myo Chit writes that
this is a time of lyrical dreams inspired by showers that fall
like multi-coloured bead strings through the sun beams and
fragrant vapours rising out of the sun-scorched earth, as
gentle drops fall like mercy from heaven.
These lyrical dreams dont last long. The full moon of
the lunar month of Nayon occurs in June, and by this time
monsoon is in full swing. Now everything is wet just WET
through and through. Dark skies, torrential rains and storms,
writes Khin Myo Chit. She describes how the booming of
thunder evokes legends about Thagyamin, the king of the
celestials, rallying his troops for war by playing a drum made
from the shell of a giant crab, and using the crabs claws as
drumsticks. The flashing of the weapons during the battle is
perceived by normal, earth-bound humans as lightning that
fills the sky.
One month after Nayon comes the full moon of the lunar
month of Waso, and this marks the beginning of the threemonth Vassa period, also known as Buddhist Lent or the
Rains Retreat. During this time, monks are not allowed to
travel overnight from their monasteries, and therefore they
dedicate these months to intensive meditation and the study
of scripture. Many laypeople also adhere more closely to the
Buddhist precepts by giving up meat or alcohol. Weddings
are not allowed during this period, and music concerts and
other public performances are frowned upon. As Khin Myo

Chit writes, It is a time for sobriety, self-denial and religious

contemplation.
Speaking of religious contemplation, while it might not
seem immediately obvious, monsoon is a very pleasant time to
visit pagodas in Myanmar. The air is fresh and breezy, and the
stone tiles of the pagoda compound which can be scorchinghot at other times of the year feel cool and invigorating on
the feet. Walking barefoot on a rainy day can even invoke
those carefree days of youth when it was okay to run out into
the rain and splash around in the puddles. The crowds of
pilgrims are also thinner during monsoon, lending a peaceful,
contemplative air to the sacred surroundings. Often, the
only sounds are the soft patter of precipitation and the gentle
chiming of small temple bells in the wind.
Its especially nice to visit rural pagodas set on high ground,
or those designed with upper walkways that offer views of
the surrounding landscape, which at this time of year will
be practically glowing with flowers and bright green plantlife. This is a great time to visit the ancient city of Bagan in
central Myanmar, where the emerald vibrancy of the monsoon
vegetation harmonises with the huge number of red-brick
pagodas that dot the plains. Shwesandaw and many smaller
pagodas in Bagan have stairways that can be climbed to reach
upper terraces from which amazing vistas can be seen.
In fact, one of the keys to enjoying monsoon is to get out of
the city as much as possible. In urban areas like Yangon, heavy
rain brings all sorts of problems. Streets flood with water that
is slick with oil and clogged with trash and other debris. Traffic
jams get worse, and taxi fares skyrocket as demand increases.

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

Photo: Thandar Khine

Most people think only of dashing from one shelter to the next,
and of keeping their hair as dry as possible while doing so.
Out in the countryside the scene is quite different. In the
Ayeyarwady Delta, for example, waterlogged, wind-rippled
paddy fields stretch to the horizon, and farmers, seemingly
oblivious to the weather, can be observed planting the rice that
will be harvested during the coming dry season. In places like
Kengtong and Kyaukme in Shan State, the hills are carved into
utilitarian yet scenic terraces to maximise the land area on
which crops can be grown. During monsoon, these terraces
exhibit an amazing green hue as rice sprouts in abundance
across the mountainsides.
The great beauty of the monsoon landscape has even
prompted some guides in Kengtong to insist that the rainy
season is the best time for trekking in eastern Shan State.
This might seem counterintuitive: There is just no way to
avoid getting damp if you spend a day walking through the
forest, even if you carry an umbrella. But once youre wet,
you wont even notice the precipitation. Indeed, it can be
quite enjoyable to be out in nature, feeling the warm drops

Photo: Douglas Long

wEEKEND | FEATURE

15

Photo: Zarni Phyo

The booming of thunder evokes

legends about Thagyamin, the king
of the celestials, rallying his troops for
war by playing a drum made from
the shell of a giant crab
on your skin, listening to rain drumming on the leaves and
gazing at sublime, panoramic visions of mist-shrouded
mountains.
Monsoon starts loosening its grip during the lunar
month of Tawthalin (September). The rain still falls, but

sunshine increasingly finds its way through the cloudcover. The rivers are brimming with water, and in some
places the Ayeyarwady appears more like a lake than a
flowing waterway. Inle Lake in Shan State is now at its
highest level, and Tawthalin is the time for the lakes
famous Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival. The three-week
event features boat races with teams from different villages
around the lake, who propel their vessels across the water
using the strange leg-rowing technique used by local
fishermen.
The gradual change in weather during this time marks
the buildup to Thadingyut (October), a magical festival of
lights during which Buddhists set out candles to help guide
the Buddha back to earth from the celestial realm, where
he has spent the three-month Rains Retreat. The arrival of
Thadingyut marks the end of Buddhist Lent, and with the
skies now clear, it is the season of pagoda festivals, music
concerts and weddings, with cool winter weather just around
the corner. With a few rare and fleeting exceptions, the rain
wont be seen again for at least six months.

16

wEEKEND | TRAVEL

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

Monsoon magic in

northern Laos
Luang Prabang, the UNESCO World Heritage city in northern Laos, is often
named one of the best cities in the world to visit. Most visitors flock here to
explore the towns cultural and natural wonders from November to March,
avoiding the monsoon season altogether. But with a light poncho and the
local bor pen yang attitude, the rainy season may be the perfect time to visit.
BY RACHNA SACHASINH

RS Nois noodle stand is bustling. A mix of locals and

tourists crowd around a single long table, patiently
waiting for her to dish up her famous khao soi a hearty
minced-pork and rice-noodle soup. Overhead, dark clouds
swirl about: Rain is imminent, but nobody seems bothered,
and I reluctantly slide into an empty seat. I order my bowl,
asking for a vegetarian version. Mrs Noi arches an eyebrow.
She clearly disapproves but indulges me anyway.
In front of me are assorted plates of fresh herbs, greens,
limes, sauces and a pot of jeow, a thick roasted chilli paste. I
add each one to my bowl, eliciting delightful chuckles from
the locals seated next to me. I take my first bite, inhaling the
fragrance and the savouring the taste of what is arguably the
best bowl of noodle soup I have ever eaten.
A fat raindrop hits the table, and all eyes turn up, briefly
acknowledging the swath of charcoal grey sky overhead.
Several more drops follow, and soon it is drizzling. Mrs Noi
and her cohorts grab paraphernalia tucked under the table
and with great alacrity assemble a canopy over our table. Bor
pen yang! she exclaims Lao for no worries. The rain falls
heavily now, but we are dry. Friends continue their animated
conversations, strangers exchange greetings, and Mrs Noi
dunks another batch of noodles into the steaming stock pot.
This is Luang Prabang during wet season: unhampered by
showers, carrying on with an easy-going spirit and charm that

is the hallmark of this enchanting town.

Travellers are often deterred by monsoon travel, avoiding
what they believe will be torrential rains and impassable
roads. No one wants to lug around umbrellas and get soaking
wet shuffling from one historic site to another. When I first
arrived in Luang Prabang, in late May at the beginning
of the monsoon, I was nervous. I braced myself for the
inconveniences that accompany rainfall, the discomfort of
being so hot and so wet that I would never fully know if I was
drenched in my own sweat or in a surprise downpour.
I was pleasantly surprised. Rain, like Mrs Nois steaming
bowls of khao soi, is a part of life here. The monsoon season
typically arrives in late May, giving the air and streets a good
cleaning. Rainfall usually occurs in the late afternoon or at
night, leaving the days full of bright sunshine, with plenty of
opportunities to explore.
Humidity and heat can spike precipitously during this
period, making the showers all the more refreshing. To buffer
the dispiriting aspects of the season, the town offers plenty
of activities that fete the monsoon and provide shelter from
the elements. Once I embraced Luang Prabangs bor pen yang
attitude, I began to discover the joys of exploring the city in
low season, in extreme sunshine and rain.
The rivers
Luang Prabang occupies a narrow peninsula that points north.
The grand Mekong River flanks the western shores, and the
enchanting Nam Khan River flows up the eastern side. The Nam

Khan runs into the Mekong at the very tip of the peninsula,
where a shady park is a perfect place to sit and watch river life.
Small skiffs shuttle fishermen in and out of the mouth of the
Nam Khan and along the Mekong larger long-tail boats ferry
villagers, produce and bags of rice from north to south. The rains
cause the rivers to swell, making transit swift.
Meanwhile, local boatmen wait by their launches, ready to
whisk visitors upstream to see the famous Pak Ou Caves. Most
boats are equipped with a sturdy canopy to shelter passengers
from the sun and rain. And, when it does rain on the river, you
are surrounded by water on all sides. It is an exotic experience,
at once exhilarating, romantic and sublime.
High water levels also mean better conditions for water
sports. The Nam Ou, slightly north of town, cuts through karst
ravines and makes the most picturesque and thrilling venue
for kayaking and rafting.
The temples
Luang Prabang is dotted with exquisite temples or wats, which
serve as places of daily worship and as monasteries. The white
temple walls and their gilded rooftops cast a handsome silhouette
against the shadowy monsoon sky. Intricately painted frescos
and murals grace the exterior and interior walls and ceiling.
During the hot midday sun or a surprise downpour, find refuge
in a temple compound, where the hours slip by comfortably in
cool cloisters and tranquil, shade-filled gardens. One of the great
pleasures of Luang Prabang is visiting as many as you can, and
deciding which is your favourite.

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

The festivals
Luang Prabangs effusive and, at times,
raucous rituals and festivals edify the towns
legacy as Laos spiritual and cultural capital.
During rainy season, several noteworthy
religious observances and celebrations take
place, giving visitors rare insight into local
traditions. For starters, the beginning of the
monsoon coincides with beginning of Khao
Pansa Buddhist Lent. Throngs of locals
visit their neighbourhood temple and offer
handmade candles, a practice that harkens
to olden days. For the next three lunar
months, monks do not leave the monastery,
a custom dating back to the time of Lord
Buddha. Wat Manoram, Wat Mai and Wat
That Luang, some of the oldest temples in
the city, have the most elaborate and wellattended ceremonies.
In mid-August, the entire country
celebrates Boun Sanag Heua, or the Boat
Racing Festival. This is a high-pitched event
in the otherwise calm and reflective period
of lent. The first race of the season is held
in Luang Prabang. Rain or shine, the long,
hand-carved boats, each with 50 rowers,
engage in friendly and fierce competition
on the Nam Khan River. An animated street
market offers with plenty of local fare,
refreshments and, of course, Beer Lao.
In October, Luang Prabang stages a
spectacular Boun Awk Phansa or Festival of
Lights, signalling the end of monsoon and
lent. Leading up to the festival, each wat
constructs a wooden boat, adorned with
lights and flowers. The wats themselves
are lit with thousands of small candles,
some arranged in artful mandalas. It is
worth wandering the entire length of the
peninsula to look at as many temples as you
can. The festival culminates with an evening
procession of all the wooden boats down
Sakkharin Road, the main thoroughfare
in old town. The boats are then launched
into the Mekong at Wat Xieng Thong. The
townsfolk cast small banana leaf floats on
the river and light lanterns that float up to
the sky. The display is magical and thrilling.
The massages
When the rain and humidity take it out of
you, duck into one of Luang Prabangs many
massage and sauna spots. Traditional Lao

wEEKEND | TRAVEL

massage is a bit more strenuous than those

found in neighbouring Thailand, though
you can request the level of pressure you
like. Herbal poultices are places over coals
in the wooden saunas, emitting scents that
relax and rejuvenate. With plenty of options
for a massage and sauna, its hard to choose
where to go. Locals go for a massage and
sauna, possibly more than visitors! The
Peninsula, LHibiscus, Lemongrass and Lao
Red Cross are all affordable and excellent.
Souvanh Massage, run by a school for the
blind, is a worthwhile stop.
Flora, fauna and falls
Drive out of town in any direction and see
terraced paddies and hillsides in varying
shades of green. Or, climb over 300 steps to
the top of Mount Phousy in the middle of
town and get an aerial view of the verdant
landscape.
The monsoon is a boon for butterflies
and moths. Many stunning species can be
spotted along river banks or in one of the
towns lush garden. To get an upclose look,
drive 30 minutes south of town is the Kuang
Si Butterfly Park. Here, an inspiring Dutch
couple have created an ecological zone to
harbour butterflies and study native species.
Nearby Kuang Si and Tad Sae waterfalls,
south and east of town respectively, also
spring to life during the rainy season. The
multi-level falls of Kuang Si are one of the
natural wonders of Lao and, during the
rains, the volume of water is breathtaking.
It is a great place to spend the day hiking on
trails shaded by jungle canopy. Or simply
lounge in the aquamarine pools. Tad Sae,
which barely has water in the dry season, is
lush and alive during the wet season. From
here, you can kayak back into town on the
Nam Khan.
The sunsets
The mood and temperament of extreme
heat and rain paint the horizon in
brilliant colours, some resplendent, others
melancholy, but all with a beauty of their
own. Take a front row seat at The Big Tree
Cafe or any one of the waterfront cafes along
the Mekong for a dramatic show.
And, if it starts to rain, just remember,
bor pen yang!

Mrs Noi dishes up khao soi at her noodle stand in Luang Prabang, Laos. Photo: Supplied

17

18

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

wEEKEND | travel schedules

DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES

YANGON TO MANDALAY

MANDALAY TO YANGON

YANGON TO HEHO

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Y5 775

Daily

6:00

7:10

Y5 233

Daily

7:50

9:00

W9 515

6:00

7:25

W9 201

Daily

8:40

10:35

YH 917

Daily

6:10

8:30

YJ 761

8:40

10:35

YJ 891

7:00

8:25

7Y 132

2,4,6,7

8:50

10:45

7Y 131

2,4,6,7

6:30

8:35

K7 223

1,3,5

8:55

11:00

K7 222

1,3,5

6:30

8:40

YH 918

Daily

9:15

10:25

6T 805

2,4,6

6:30

7:40

6T 806

2,4,6

10:30

11:40

YJ 201

1,2,4

7:00

8:55

YJ 202

11:30

12:55

YJ 201

7:00

8:25

YJ 202

1,2,4

12:00

13:25

W9 201

Daily

7:00

8:25

YJ 761

1,2,4

13:10

17:00

W9201

7:00

8:25

YJ 212

15:00

16:55

8M 6603

9:00

10:10

YJ 212

15:00

16:25

YJ 601

11:00

12:25

YJ 602

15:40

17:35

YJ 761

1,2,4

11:00

12:55

7Y 242

1,3,5

16:40

18:45

YJ 211

5,7

11:00

12:25

YJ 234

16:50

YH 729

2,4,6

11:00

14:00

K7 225

2,4,6,7

16:50

Flight
YH 917
YJ 891
7Y 131
K7 222
7Y 131
YJ 891
Y5 649
YJ 751
YJ 761
YJ 233
K7 224
7Y 241
W9 129

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

Dep
6:10
6:20
6:30
6:30
7:15
7:00
10:30
11:00
11:00
11:00
14:30
14:30
15:30

HEHO TO YANGON
Arr
9:15
10:35
9:20
9:30
10:05
9:10
12:45
12:10
12:10
12:10
15:45
15:40
16:40

Flight
YJ 891
YH 918
W9 201
7Y 132
K7 223
YJ 762
7Y 242
K7 225
YJ 602
W9 129

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

Dep
9:25
9:15
9:25
9:35
9:45
15:50
15:55
16:00
16:25
16:55

Arr
10:35
10:25
10:35
10:45
11:00
17:00
18:45
19:00
17:35
19:10

YANGON TO MYEIK

MYEIK TO YANGON

18:15

Dep

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

19:00

Y5 325

1,5

6:45

8:15

6T 706

1,3,5

8:25

9:35

YH 737

3,5

11:00

13:10

YH 728

17:00

18:25

K7 319

1,3,5,7

7:00

9:05

Y5 326

1,5

8:35

10:05

YH 727

11:30

13:40

W9 152/W97152

17:05

18:30

YH 737

11:30

13:40

Y5 776

Daily

17:10

18:20

6T 705

1,3,5

7:00

8:10

7Y 532

2,4,6

15:35

17:40

7Y 531

2,4,6

11:15

13:20

K7 320

1,3,5,7

11:30

13:35

Y5 325

15:30

17:00

Y5 326

17:15

18:45

SO 201

Daily

8:20

10:40

SO 202

Daily

13:20

15:40

2,5

11:30

12:55

W9 211

17:10

19:15

13:00

16:45

YH 738

3,5

17:10

18:35

7Y 241

1,3,5

14:30

16:25

8M 6604

17:20

18:30

K7 224

2,4,6,7

14:30

16:35

8M 903

1,2,4,5,7

17:20

18:30

Y5 234

Daily

15:20

16:30

YH 738

17:40

19:05

W9 211

15:30

16:55

YH 730

2,4,6

17:45

19:10

W9 252

2,5

18:15

19:40

YANGON TO SITTWE

SITTWE TO YANGON

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

K7 422

2,4,6

8:00

9:55

K7 423

2,4,6

10:10

11:30

YANGON TO NAY PYI TAW

NAY PYI TAW TO YANGON

7Y 413

1,3,5,7

10:30

12:20

7Y 414

1,3,5,7

12:35

13:55

W9 309

1,3,6

11:30

12:55

W9 309

1,3,6

13:10

14:55

Flight
YJ 201
YJ 201
ND 910
ND 105
ND 107
ND 109
ND 9109
ND 111
SO 102

Flight
SO 101
YJ 201
ND 9102
ND 104
ND 106
YJ 202
ND 108
YJ 212
ND 110
ND 9110

6T 611

Daily

11:45

12:55

6T 612

Daily

13:15

14:20

Arr

Flight

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

Dep
7:00
7:00
7:15
10:45
11:25
14:55
17:00
18:25
18:00

Arr
7:55
10:20
8:15
11:40
12:20
15:40
18:00
19:20
19:00

YANGON TO NYAUNG U
Flight
YH 917
YJ 891
K7 222
7Y 131
K7 224
7Y 241
W9 129
W9 211
W9 129

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

Dep
6:10
6:20
6:30
6:30
14:30
14:30
15:30
15:30
15:30

Days
2,4,6
1,3.5
3
1,2,4
6
2,5

Dep
6:30
7:00
7:00
7:00
11:00
11:30

Dep
7:00
8:10
8:35
9:20
10:00
10:35
13:30
16:00
17:00
18:20

Arr
8:00
13:25
9:35
10:15
10:55
13:25
14:25
16:55
17:55
19:20

Arr
7:45
7:40
7:50
7:50
17:25
17:10
17:35
17:40
17:35

Arr
8:55
9:40
9:50
10:20
15:10
14:25

Flight
YH 918
YJ 891
7Y 132
K7 223
K7 225
W9 129
7Y 242

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

Dep
7:45
7:55
8:05
8:05
17:40
17:50
17:25

Arr
10:25
10:35
10:45
11:00
19:00
19:10
18:45

MYITKYINA TO YANGON
Flight
6T 806
YJ 202
YJ 202
YH 827
YJ 234
W9 252

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

Dep
9:10
10:05
10:35
11:30
15:25
16:45

YANGON TO THANDWE
Flight

Days

Dep

THANDWE TO YANGON

Arr
11:40
12:55
13:25
13:55
18:15
19:40

Days

Dep

Arr

K7 422

2,4,6

8:00

8:55

K7 422

2,4,6

9:10

11:30

7Y 413

1,3,5

10:30

11:20

7Y 413

1,3,5

11:35

13:55

W9 309

1,3,6

11:30

13:50

7Y 413

12:05

14:20

7Y 413

11:00

11:50

W9 309

1,3,6

14:05

14:55

Y5 421

1,3,4,6

15:45

16:40

Y5 422

1,3,4,6

16:55

17:50

YANGON TO DAWEI

NYAUNG U TO YANGON

YANGON TO MYITKYINA
Flight
6T 805
YH 826
YJ 201
YJ 201
YJ 233
W9 251

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

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

Tel: 09400446999, 09400447999

Fax: 8604051

Days

W9 251

Air Bagan (W9)

Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)

Flight

YJ 151/W9 7151

Domestic Airlines

Mann Yadanarpon Airlines (7Y)

Tel: 656969
Fax: 656998, 651020

Yangon Airways (YH)

Tel: 383100, 383107, 700264
Fax: 652 533

FMI Air Charter

Tel: 240363, 240373, 09421146545

APEX Airlines (SO)

Tel:95(1) 533300 ~ 311
Fax : 95 (1) 533312

Air Mandalay (6T)

Tel: (+95-1) 501520, 525488,
Fax: (+95-1) 532275

Airline Codes
SO = APEX Airlines
7Y = Mann Yadanarpon Airlines
K7 = Air KBZ
W9 = Air Bagan
Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines

DAWEI TO YANGON

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

YH = Yangon Airways

K7 319

1,3,5,7

7:00

8:10

YH 634

2,4,6

12:15

13:25

YJ = Asian Wings
6T = AirMandalay

YH 633

2,4,6

7:00

8:25

K7 320

1,3,5,7

12:25

13:35

SO 201

Daily

8:20

9:40

6T 708

3,5,7

14:15

15:15

6T 707

3,5,7

10:30

11:30

SO 202

Daily

14:20

15:40

7Y 531

2,4,6

11:15

12:20

7Y 532

2,4,6

16:35

17:40

Flight

YANGON TO LASHIO

LASHIO TO YANGON

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Dep

Arr

YH 729

2,4,6

11:00

13:00

YJ 752

3,5,7

16:10

17:55

YJ 751

3,5,7

11:00

13:15

YH 730

2,4,6

16:45

19:10

YANGON TO PUTAO

Days

PUTAO TO YANGON

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

YH 826

1,3,5

7:00

10:35

YH 634

10:35

13:55

YH 633

7:00

10:35

YH 827

1,3,5

10:35

13:55

W9 251

2,5

11:30

15:25

W9 252

2,5

15:45

19:40

FMI = FMI Air Charter

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
Flights
Days
Dep
PG 706
Daily
6:15
8M 335
Daily
7:40
TG 304
Daily
9:50
PG 702
Daily
10:30
TG 302
Daily
15:00
PG 708
Daily
15:15
8M 331
Daily
16:30
PG 704
Daily
18:20
Y5 237
Daily
19:00
TG 306
Daily
19:45
YANGON TO DON MUEANG
Flights
Days
Dep
DD 4231
Daily
8:00
FD 252
Daily
8:30
FD 254
Daily
17:30
DD 4239
Daily
21:00
YANGON TO SINGAPORE
Flights
Days
Dep
8M 231
Daily
8:25
Y5 2233
Daily
9:45
TR 2823
Daily
9:45
SQ 997
Daily
10:35
3K 582
Daily
11:15
MI 533
2,4,6
13:45
MI 519
Daily
17:30
3K 584
2,3,5
19:15
YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR
Flights
Days
Dep
8M 501
1,2,3,5,6
7:50
AK 505
Daily
8:30
MH 741
Daily
12:15
8M 9506
Daily
12:15
8M 9508
Daily
15:45
MH 743
Daily
15:45
AK 503
Daily
19:30

Arr
8:30
9:25
11:45
12:25
16:55
17:10
18:15
20:15
20:50
21:40
Arr
9:50
10:15
19:05
22:45
Arr
12:50
14:15
14:25
15:10
15:45
20:50
22:05
23:45
Arr
11:50
12:50
16:30
16:30
20:05
20:05
23:45

YANGON TO BEIJING
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
CA 906
3,5,7
23:50 05:50+1
YANGON TO GUANGZHOU
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
8M 711
2,4,7
8:40
13:15
CZ 3056
3,6
11:25
16:15
CZ 3056
1,5
17:30
22:15
YANGON TO TAIPEI
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
CI 7916
1,2,3,5,6
10:50
16:15
YANGON TO KUNMING
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
CA 416
Daily
12:15
15:55
MU 2012
3
12:40
18:45
MU 2032
1,2,4,5,6,7 15:20
18:40
YANGON TO HANOI
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
VN 956
1,3,5,6,7
19:10
21:30
YANGON TO HO CHI MINH CITY
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
VN 942
2,4,7
14:25
17:15
YANGON TO DOHA
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
AI 701
1,5
14:05
19:50
QR 919
1,4,6
8:00
11:10
YANGON TO SEOUL
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
0Z 770
4,7
0:35
9:10
KE 472
Daily
23:30 07:50+1
YANGON TO HONG KONG
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
KA 251
5
1:30
5:55
KA 251
1,2,3,4,6,7
1:10
5:45

BANGKOK TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
TG 303
Daily
7:55
8:50
PG 701
Daily
8:50
9:40
Y5 238
Daily
21:30
22:20
8M 336
Daily
10:40
11:25
TG 301
Daily
13:05
14:00
PG 707
Daily
13:40
14:30
PG 703
Daily
16:45
17:35
TG 305
Daily
17:50
18:45
8M 332
Daily
19:15
20:00
PG 705
Daily
20:15
21:30
DON MUEANG TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
DD 4230
Daily
6:20
7:05
FD 251
Daily
7:15
8:00
FD 253
Daily
16:20
17:00
DD 4238
Daily
19:30
20:15
SINGAPORE TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
TR 2822
Daily
7:20
8:45
Y5 2234
Daily
7:20
8:50
SQ 998
Daily
7:55
9:20
3K 581
Daily
8:55
10:25
MI 533
2,4,6
11:35
15:00
8M 232
Daily
13:50
15:15
MI 518
Daily
15:15
16:40
3K 583
2,3,5
17:05
18:35
KUALA LUMPUR TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
AK 504
Daily
6:55
8:00
8M 9505
Daily
10:05
11:15
MH 740
Daily
10:05
11:15
8M 502
1,2,3,5,6
12:50
13:50
8M 9507
Daily
13:40
14:50
MH 742
Daily
13:40
14:50
AK 502
Daily
17:50
19:00
AI 227
1
10:35
13:20
BEIJING TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
CA 905
3,5,7
19:30
22:50
GUANGZHOU TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
CZ 3055
3,6
8:40
10:25
CZ 3055
1,5
14:40
16:30
8M 712
2,4,7
14:15
15:50
TAIPEI TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
CI 7915
1,2,3,5,6
7:00
9:55
KUNMING TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
MU 2011
3
8:25
11:50
CA 415
Daily
10:45
11:15
MU 2031
1,2,4,5,6,7 13:55
14:30
HANOI TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
VN 957
1,3,5,6,7
16:50
18:10
HO CHI MINH CITY TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
VN 943
2,4,7
11:50
13:25
DOHA TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
AI 401
1,5
7:00
13:20
QR 918
3,5,7
20:40 06:25+1
SEOUL TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
KE 471
Daily
18:45
22:25
0Z 769
3,6
19:50
23:25
HONG KONG TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
KA 252
4
22:50 00:30+1
KA 250
1,2,3,5,6,7 21:45
23:30

Flights
NH 814

YANGON TO TOKYO
Days
Dep
Daily
21:45

Arr
06:50+1

Flights
NH 813

TOKYO TO YANGON
Days
Dep
Daily
11:00

Arr
15:40

Flights
BG 061
BG 061

YANGON TO DHAKA
Days
Dep
1,6
15:35
4
13:45

Arr
17:00
15:10

Flights
BG 060
BG 060

DHAKA TO YANGON
Days
Dep
1,6
12:30
4
10:40

Arr
14:55
13:05

INCHEON TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
KE 471
Daily
18:45
8M 7701
Daily
18:45
8M 7501
3,6
19:50
W9 608
4,7
17:20
PG 723
1,3,5,6
11:05

Arr
22:25
22:25
23:25
18:10
12:00

CHIANG MAI TO YANGON

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

Arr
10:15
14:35

YANGON TO INCHEON
Days
Dep
Arr
Daily
23:30 07:50+1
Daily
23:30 07:50+1
4,7
00:35
09:10
4,7
14:20
16:10
1,3,5,6
13:10
15:05
YANGON TO CHIANG MAI
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
Y5 251
2,4,6
6:15
8:05
7Y 305
1,5
11:00
12:50

Flights
KE 472
8M 7702
8M 7502
W9 607
PG 724

Flights
8M 601
AI 236

YANGON TO GAYA
Days
Dep
3,5,6
7:00
2
13:10
YANGON TO DELHI
Days
Dep
2
13:10
1,5
14:05

Arr
8:20
15:05

Flights
AI 235
8M 602

Arr
16:30
19:50

Flights
AI 235
AI 401

YANGON TO KOLKATA
Flights
Days
Dep
AI 228
1,5
14:05
YANGON TO MUMBAI
Days
Dep
1,5
14:05

Flights
AI 236
AI 701

Flights
AI 773

MANDALAY TO BANGKOK
Flights
Days
Dep
PG 710
Daily
14:05

GAYA TO YANGON
Days
Dep
2
9:20
3,5,6
9:20
DELHI TO YANGON
Days
Dep
2
9:20
1,5
7:00

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

Air India

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

Bangkok Airways (PG)

Tel: 255122, 255265. Fax: 255119

Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG)

Tel: 371867~68. Fax: 371869

Condor (DE)

Tel: 370836~39 (ext: 303)

Dragonair (KA)

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

Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)

Tel: 09400446999, 09400447999
Fax: 8604051

Arr
12:0
12:30

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)

Tel: 255491~6. Fax: 255223

Tiger Airline (TR)

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

Vietnam Airlines (VN)

Tel: 255066, 255088, 255068. Fax: 255086

Airline Codes
3K = Jet Star
8M = Myanmar Airways International

BG = Biman Bangladesh Airlines

CA = Air China
CI = China Airlines
CZ = China Southern
DD = Nok Airline
FD = Air Asia
KA = Dragonair
KE = Korea Airlines
MH = Malaysia Airlines
MI = Silk Air

Arr
12:20
13:20

MU = China Eastern Airlines

Arr
15:05

KOLKATA TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
AI 227
1,5
10:35

Arr
13:20

PG = Bangkok Airways

Arr
22:35

Flights
AI 675

MUMBAI TO YANGON
Days
Dep
1,5
6:10

Arr
13:20

Arr
16:30

BANGKOK TO MANDALAY
Flights
Days
Dep
PG 709
Daily
12:00

SINGAPORE TO MANDALAY
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
Y5 2234
Daily
7:20
16:30
MI 533
2,6
11:35
15:00

MANDALAY TO DON MUEANG

Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
FD 245
Daily
12:45
15:00

DON MUEANG TO MANDALAY

Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
FD 244
Daily
10:50
12:15

Arr
16:40

NAY PYI TAW TO BANGKOK

Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
PG 722
3
20:15
23:15
PG 722
1,2,3,4,5
19:30
22:30
PG 722
1,2,3,4,5
20:15
23:15

KUNMING TO MANDALAY
Flights
Days
Dep
MU 2029
Daily
13:00

NH = All Nippon Airways

QR = Qatar Airways

Arr
13:20

Arr
12:50

BANGKOK TO NAY PYI TAW

Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
PG 721
1,2,3,4,5
17:00
19:00
PG 721
3
18:25
19:35
PG 721
1,2,3,4,5
17:45
19:45

SQ = Singapore Airways
TG = Thai Airways
TR = Tiger Airline
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

=
=
=
=

Rainy day
getaways worth
getting wet for

Photo: Thiri Lu

BY CHIT SU

Malaysia Airlines (MH)

AK = Air Asia

MANDALAY TO SINGAPORE
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
MI 533
2,6
15:55
20:50
Y5 2233
1,2,4,5,6
7:50
14:15

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

International Airlines

Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

ATURE has provided the

perfect antidote to the
crowds and high prices that
have accompanied the sharp rise
in tourist numbers in Myanmar
over the past few years. Its called
rain.
To be sure, the long monsoon
season offers empty beaches and
cheaper hotel rooms for good
reason. Travel within the country,
never easy, is more arduous, flights
are fewer and services in the
off-season more lightly staffed.
The downpours can be relentless,
intense, prolonged and repeated.
But for those who can laugh off
a spot or two of rain, there is still a
great deal of fun to be had. These
locations make great getaways
even during rainy season.
Ngapali and Chaungtha
With its pristine white sands
contrasting with the clear blue
waters of the Bay of Bengal,
Ngapali is famed as the most
beautiful beach in Myanmar.
The number of visitors falls
dramatically in the low season.
During the monsoon, flights are
available only once a week and
most hotels either shut up shop or
keep open only a handful of rooms.
They will be very glad to see you.
Ngapali is transformed between
June and October. This year, for
the first time, more than half of
the resorts 23 hotels will stay open
during the off-season, making 198
of 841 rooms available. Myanmar
National Airlines will fly daily to
Thandwe, and the government has
guaranteed the electricity supply.
The rooms directly facing the
beach will be closed because of
the strong winds, said Phyo Wai
Yar Zar, the chair of the Myanmar
Tourism Marketing Committee
said. But for lovers of wind-blown
spray and the romantic appeal
of thunderclouds looming over
crashing waves, this is the place.
If you fancy a beach getaway a
bit closer to home, Chaungtha lies
within easy reach from Yangon
even between June and October
and discounts of at least one-third
and as much as 50 percent are
common.
Bagan and Popa
Bagan lies in the middle of the
dry zone, between Shwebo in
the north and Pyay in the south,
sheltered from the rain by the
Rakhine Yoma mountain range
in the west. Average rainfall in
Bagan is just 131mm, compared
to a soggy 25000mm elsewhere in
Lower Myanmar.

Bagan is at its best during the

monsoon. Weve been arranging
tours there for 20 years. Its cool,
green and makes for beautiful
pictures, said Sabei Aung of
Nature Dream Travels.
Despite the number of tourists
remaining high, Khaung Khaung
of Tango Travel and Tours says
there are still bargains to be found
during monsoon.
There are still plenty of
visitors during the wet season,
because it rains less in Bagan than
in other regions. But some places
still offer discounts, she said.
Nearby Mount Popa is best
known as a pilgrimage site, with
numerous nat temples and holy
sites atop the mountain. Visitors
who go to Bagan can easily take
in Mount Popa as well, and the
covered staircase leading to the
top of the mountain provides
shelter from the downpours.
Inle Lake
Inle Lake, the second-largest lake
in Myanmar, is located in Shan
State 900 metres above sea level.
Visitors can enjoy sailing boats
and shopping on the water. This is
where you can see that distinctive
local rowing style, where
fishermen stand at the stern on
one leg and wrap the other around
the oar.
During the monsoon, too, the
falling water levels that have
plagued the lake in recent years
are not apparent.
Most hotels are on the water
and visitors have to arrive by boat
during the monsoon. If the boat
has no shelter, it might be a bit
uncomfortable in the rain. Other
than that, there are no difficulties,
said Lynn Zaw Wai Mang of UA
Travel and Tours.
Hpa-an, Kayin State
Beautiful Hpa-an is the capital
of Kayin State, reachable by car
from Yangon in about seven hours.
Tourists need no longer fear the
unrest of several years ago, and
can view Mt Zwegabin, Kawgun
Cave, Kyaung Kalap and Sadan
Cave. Getting around is easy
thanks to a plethora of tuk-tuks
ready to transport tourists around
the town . Walking through the
caves is an amazing experience,
enlivened by attractions like the
worlds smallest mammal bats
clustered on the ceilings.
Another attraction, Sadan
Lake, offers the chance of
waterborne cave exploration,
passing through green weeds
beneath the rocky ceiling.
Kayin is at its greenest during
this season, said Lynn Zaw Wai
Mang of UA Travel and Tours.

20

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

wEEKEND | PUZZLERS

SUDOKU PACIFIC

Universal Crossword
Edited by Timothy E. Parker

OUT FROM UNDER By Jill Pepper

ACROSS
1 This puzzles
theme word
5 Some mantel
pieces
10 Crows-nest cry
14 Snowman prop
15 Dark
16 Dalai ___
17 National Velvet
author Bagnold
18 Late British
princess
19 River to the
Caspian
20 Areas ruling
power
23 Encumbrances
24 Taj Mahal
country
25 Least busy
28 18-wheeler
30 Bleacher feature
31 Manhattan Project
goal, briefly
33 Summer cooler
36 Polemically
40 The 168 in a wk.
41 Sharp mountain
ridge
42 Hilo welcome gifts
43 Slant or prejudice
44 Make a
meaningful
connection
46 Assumed name
49 Parts of
boilermakers
51 Certain orchestral
composition
57 Whatve you
been ___?
58 Relating to the ear
59 Stratfords river
60 High-school pupil
61 Slyly disparaging
62 Enjoy a novel
63 Blows it
64 Walked back and
forth
65 Without

6 Confederacys
counterpart
7 Bulgars and
Croats
8 Food sticker
9 Headliner
10 Seniors, years
later
11 Ran quickly
12 Certain Arab
13 Big Three
meeting site
of 1945
21 Fleur-de-___
22 Rain clouds
25 Rash reaction?
26 Last name in
fashion

27 Camera
component
28 Achy
29 Dash lengths
31 Blvd. relatives
32 Wanna ___?
33 Bug on a dog
34 Came down, as
on a perch
35 The Big Board,
on Wall St.
37 Workers
demand
38 Are you a man
___ mouse?
39 Best-of-the-best
players
43 Francis and

Kevin
44 Reacted to a
punch
45 Behave humanly,
in a saying
46 Like severe pain
47 One running
easily
48 Prefix with act or
play
49 Acid type
50 Dodge artfully
52 Hoarse around?
53 Bluefin or bonito
54 Part of the
eyeball
55 Equine tone
56 Peters out

DOWN
1 European auto
2 Trattoria order
3 Kind of
proportions
4 Grave warning
5 Financial plan
component

DILBERT

BY SCOTT ADAMS

PEANUTS

BY CHARLES SCHULZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

BY BILL WATTERSON

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | fiction

WEEKLY PREDICTIONS

CHRONICLES OF BEI KA STREET

AUNG MYIN KYAW

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

A Scent of

MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

21

Scandal

CHAPTER 2: A MYSTERIOUS CLIENT

AQUARIUS
Jan 20 Feb 18
In life, if you want a rainbow, you
gotta put up with the rain. Right
now, youre probably thinking youd
happily do without the rainbow,
especially as you wont even see
it for another five months. But the
best things in life are worth waiting
for, and success doesnt happen
overnight. Keep the goal in sight and
stock up on DVDs.

PISCES
Feb 19 March 20
You may be feeling envious of the
success of someone close to you,
but take care not to rain on their
parade. Be wary of false predictions
this week especially those that
predict sunshine. Take up an
invitation to a social event and you
will be richly rewarded, but do not
neglect an important professional
commitment.

ARIES
Mar 21 Apr 19
While you wade knee-deep in sewage
water this week, remember that life
itself is like a sewer: What you get out
of it depends on what you put into it.
Choose a worthwhile issue on which
to make your stand, and challenge
yourself to move beyond your own
point of view. Show compassion for
those less fortunate than you and lend
an umbrella when you can.

TAURUS
Apr 20 May 20
Things may not be going to plan this week,
but when life gives you lemons there is
only one thing you can do: Grab the salt
and tequila. Dont let deep wounds from
the past cloud your current relationship:
Your fear of getting hurt will only cause
you more hurt in the long run. Be careful
where you step. Life is full of uncovered
drains just waiting for you to fall in.

GEMINI
May 21 June 20
It is said that only fools make the
same mistake twice, and you have
already lost two umbrellas this
week. Take some time to reflect on
lessons learned while you dry off.
Things will improve toward the end
of the week, when a big opportunity
will come your way. It may not be
part of your long-term plan, but go
with it.

CANCER
June 21 July 22
You have been lacking gusto
recently, but take care not to let
apathy set in. There is no elevator to
success, so youll have to take the
stairs one step at a time. Try not to
make mistakes, but if you do, make
sure you dont make them in public.
You might think that see-through
dress with the cut-out bits will make
you look like Beyonce it wont.

LEO
July 23 Aug 22
You have been struggling to
communicate your feelings
recently, but its time to make like
an umbrella and open up. At work,
use your creative ability to find
new answers, new solutions and
new ideas. The rains will bring
with them a new relationship, but
proceed with caution, for there are
dark clouds ahead.

VIRGO
Aug 23 Sept 22
Life, like shopping for brollies, is
laden with compromise: A sturdy
frame will cost you in the shortrun, but you will be glad of your
investment when the rains come.
But try not to agonise over your
choices especially as youre only
going to leave it in a taxi anyway. You
will receive some good fortune later
in the week.

LIBRA
Sept 23 Oct 22
If you really want something in life, you
have to work for it. But at the same
time, it cant hurt to buy a lottery ticket,
and this week is sure to be a lucky one
for you. Take care not to celebrate too
hard, however, for after the sunshine
will come the rain. But dont indulge
yourself in gloom: If you have learned
anything from your past mistakes, it is
that the rainy days will pass.

SCORPIO
Oct 23 Nov 21
Quarrels, anxiety, litigation and
bankruptcy: There are dark clouds
on the horizon for Scorpios this
week. Your relationship is also
looking stormy, and an argument
may end your love affair. Take cover,
and know that life is full of floods
in the road, but your future will be
nothing short of exciting.

SAGITTARIUS
Nov 22 Dec 21
Good manners will be important
this week, as will how you choose
to dress. Be courteous in battle,
unless the battle is for the one dry
seat at the teashop in which case,
fight to the death. Look at a problem
facing you as a challenge and an
opportunity to prove your mettle.
Wait for the right time to respond
and aim for the sky.

CAPRICORN
Dec 22 Jan 19
The rains have arrived, but
with them they bring a flood of
opportunity. Be prepared to face
whatever comes your way with
courage. Your best defence should
be the armor of indifference, though
a pair of wellies will also go a long
way. Do not place limits on what you
can achieve, for you are better than
you imagine.

EDITED BY KO NAN DOI

TOOK the envelope which

U Sha Lok had handed to
me, mutely accepting his
invitation to apply to it such skills of
observation and deduction as I had
learned from him. The envelope is
of very good quality, I began slowly,
turning it in my hands. Bearing
no stamp, it was evidently handdelivered. I take it you did not see
the messenger?
It came this morning while I
was out. Daw Hat Sun heard it plop
through the letterbox, but saw no
one, he said, referring to his, once
our, landlady.
Hmm. Well, in itself that means
nothing. I extracted the letter
from the envelope and continued
my examination. The paper is
likewise of good quality. Paper of this
kind, even if it could be had here in
Yangon, would cost K50 a box. So
the writer is a person of means. But,
speaking of the sender, you said he.
U Sha Lok laughed. Well
spotted, Wa Zone, indeed I did.
But you need draw no conclusions
from my conventional use of the
male pronoun to denote both
genders merely because I lack the
inclination to employ the socially
approved but ponderous locution
he or she every time I am ignorant
of a persons identity.
I nodded thoughtfully several
times as I construed his sentence.
Oh. Righty-ho.
Pray proceed with your
analysis.
I unfolded the single sheet
of paper I had taken from the
envelope. It bore only a brief text,
written in the hand that had penned
the envelope and, like it, in black
ink. I read the letter aloud:
Having on careful inquiry
received excellent reports of your
abilities and your discretion, one
has decided to employ you for a
small but highly delicate task. One
envisages no physical danger, and
will pay handsomely. Be good enough
to expect one at your lodgings at six
pm today. Do not take it amiss if your
visitor wear a disguise.
There was no signature or date.

With U Sha Loks eyes upon me,

I tried not to look blank. The
writing style is distinctive, I began
cautiously. Be good enough to
expect one. One what?
I think we will find that the
style is that which is customarily
employed by a royal personage, said
U Sha Lok. He or she refers to
him or her self with the use of
the neutral pronoun one, having
been trained from an early age not
to overemphasise before humbler
interlocutors their overweening
wealth and power by overusing the
first-person singular pronoun I,
and still less by using the royal we
to which they are entitled, but must
eschew if they wish to be taken
at all seriously. It is therefore an
expression of faux humility. But you
are doing very well, Wa Zone. Please
continue.
But if the sender is royalty,
of what country? Evidently not
our own dear republican Union.
A foreigner, then, which would
explain the careful formation of
our characters, and the incorrect
and stilted use of the verb in the
last sentence, I said, doing my best
to emulate my friends stunning
forensic powers.
Incorrect?
Surely the verb wear should
have been wears. Shouldnt it?
Aha. You mean the writer
should have used the conditional
form of the verb, which is identical
to the indicative. A good point. But
I believe the writer is employing
the subjunctive mood, no doubt
under the influence of the negative
imperative in which the conditional
clause is embedded. That would
require the form of the verb cognate
to the infinitive.
Oh.
Not that youre wrong. The
correct use of the subjunctive in
our degenerate times almost always
signals that the writer is a foreigner.
But I interrupted you. Do please go
on.
Indeed, I said. Our client is
a foreigner from a land that still
has kings and queens and, er,
subjunctives, but where people are
aware of your abilities and close
enough for them to come here and

seek your assistance.

Not necessarily, said my friend
airily. You note the reference to
careful inquiry. Our correspondent
has no doubt asked around among
her, or his, royal pals in the various
countries that still maintain such
luxuries. They are so relatively
few that, in my experience, these
people tend to know one another, to
attend the same exclusive schools, to
perform the same wearisome social
functions and to adorn the boards
of the same companies in their
decorative but lucrative fashion. This
person could be from more than a
dozen countries. But, he said, sitting
up, It is close on six, and I fancy
that is a motor car that I hear in the
street. Our visitor is punctual.
As he spoke there came a
knocking at the street door,
answered by Daw Hat Sun. Moments
later, our visitor entered the room.
He, for it was indeed a he,
presented a remarkable sight, and I
took great pains not to stare. He was
fully as tall as U Sha Lok, but held
himself straighter, and was slender
and athletic in build. He wore a highcollared, brass-buttoned militarystyle uniform of spotless white from
head to foot, with black patentleather shoes buffed to a brilliant
sheen and a high-peaked military
officers cap, also in gleaming
white, with a gold crest above the
peak. On his chest gleamed a dozen
medals, winking in the lamplight
of our modest room, each bearing
a multicoloured scrap of ribbon.
Deploying the powers of close
observation that U Sha Lok had tried
to instil in me, I noticed that he was
also wearing a plastic Donald Duck
mask. Behind it, I could see brown
eyes looking from one to another of
us in some uncertainty.
Welcome, sir, said my friend,
with his customary suavity. I am
Sha Lok, and this is my friend
Dr Wa Zone. He assists me in all
my cases and you may rely on his
discretion as far as the grave, as you
may my own. Please take a seat on
the settee, and I think now that you
are here, perhaps the mask is no
longer necessary
Next week: Scandal in high places

22

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 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.

ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS

Excel Treasure Hotel

Yangon

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.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,

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

Novotel Yangon Max

459, Pyay Rd, Kamayut
Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel.: +95(1) 2305858
Email: bqsales1
novotelyangon@gmail.com
Parkroyal Yangon,
Myanmar
33, Alan Pya Pagoda Rd,
Dagon tsp.
tel: 250388. fax: 252478.
Savoy Hotel
129, Damazedi Rd,
Kamayut tsp.
tel: 526289, 526298,
Sedona Hotel
Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd,
Yankin. tel: 666900.
Strand Hotel
92 Strand Rd. tel: 243377.
fax: 289880.
Summit Parkview Hotel
350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon
Tsp. tel: 211888, 211966.

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.
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
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

153/159,Bogyoke Ag San Rd,

Botataung Tsp.Yangon,
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

Winner Inn
42, Than Lwin Rd, Bahan
Tsp. Tel: 503734, 524387.
email: reservation@winner
innmyanmar.com

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
Yuzana Garden Hotel
Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Dagon
Tsp. Tel: 503734, 524387.

ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS (NAy PyI TAw)

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

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

No.1, Wut Kyaung St,

Yay Kyaw, Pazundaung Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Ph: 01-8610640, 01-202187,
www.mkhotelyangon.com
Panda Hotel
Min Ye Kyaw Swa Road,
Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 212850 ~ 3,
229358 ~ 61,
Inya Lake Resort Hotel
37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd.
tel: 662866. fax: 665537.

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

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | QUICK GUIDE

23

THE MYANMAR TIMES MARCH 20 , 2015

ACCOMMODATION
LONG TERM

ARCHITECTS &
MODULAR BUILDINGS

HAPPY HOMES
REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT

Tel: 09-7349-4483,
09-4200-56994.
E-mail: aahappyhomes@
gmail.com, http://www.
happyhomesyangon.com
Hotel Yangon
91/93, 8th Mile Junction,
Tel : 01-667708, 667688.

BEAUTY & MASSAGE

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

AIR CONDITION

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

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
General Aircon
83-91, Ground Flr, Bo Aung
Kyaw St, Kyauktada.
Ph: 01-706223, 373462.
Hitachi Aircon
SA 7, Aung Zaya Housing,
Ahlone Strand Rd, Corner
of Ahlone Rd & Strand Rd.
Ahlone tsp.Tel: 01-2301267, 09-431-53423.

BOOK STORES

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

Beauty 49
49 street (middle),
Botataung Tsp.
Tel:292650
California Skin Spa
NO 32.B, Inya Myaing Road,
Yangon. (Off University
Road) Tel : 01-535097,
01-501295. Open Daily :
(10 AM - 8 PM)

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

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

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

YANGON
La Source Beauty Spa
12-E, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp.
Tel: 512380, 526653
Beauty Bar by La Source
Shop (1004), Sedona Hotel,
Tel : 860 5377 Ext : 7167
MANDALAY
La Source Beauty Spa
13/13, Mya Sandar St,
bet: 26 x 27, bet: 62 x 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
Yves Rocher
147, Shwe Gone Taing Rd,
West Yay Tar Shay Ward,
Bahan, Ph: 01-8604930~31

BUSINESS SERVICE

CAR RENTAL

CLEANING SERVICES

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

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.
MYANMAR EXECUTIVE
LIMOUSINE 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

Commercial Cleaning
Services and Products
Carpet, Windows,
Upholsteries, Floor,
Buildings...We Clean It All!
For FREE estimates,
Contact: 09 730 35336,
09 7321 2220 or
ppcscleaning@gmail.com

COFFEE MACHINE

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

COLD STORAGE

Express Courier & Cargo

One Stop Logistic Solution
Ygn, Hot Line: 011224270

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

GEMS & JEWELLERIES

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

No. 20, Ground Floor, Pearl

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

Kham Le
22, Thukha Waddy St,
Suneyan Park, Yankin, Ph:
01-8605223, 8605224.

Ruby & Rare Gems

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

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

Tel: 549612, Fax : 545770.

Your Most Reliable Jeweller

FLORAL SERVICES
Est. 1992 in Myanmar
Cold Storage Specialist,
Solar Hot Water Storage
Solutions.
Tel: 01 663656,
09 73164485, 09 252395198
Email: sales@glovermkm.
com.mm

CONSTRUCTION

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

DELIVERY SERVICE

News & Business Ideas

facebook box.com.mm
http://box.com.mm

FITNESS CENTRE
Balance Fitnesss
University Avenue Rd,
Bahan Tsp. Yangon.
01-656916, 09 8631392
Email - info@
balancefitnessyangon.com

No. (6), Lane 2

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

CONSULTING

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

DUTY FREE

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

Floral Service & Gift Shop

No. 449, New University
Avenue, Bahan Tsp. YGN.
Tel: 559011, 541217,
09-730-55660
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,
09-492-09039. Email :
eternalflowers99@gmail.
com

The Natural Gems of

Myanmar & Fine Jewellery.
No. 30(A), Pyay Road,
(7 mile), Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-660397, 666052,
666053,Fax:(95)-1-664574
spgems.myanmar@
gmail.com, www.facebook.
com/pages/SP-Gems
The Lady Gems
7, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-2305800,
09-8315555

GENERATORS
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.

FOAM SPRAY
INSULATION

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

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

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.
Dent Myanmar
Condo (C), Room (001),
Tatkatho Yeikmon Housing,
New University Avenue Rd,
Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 09 8615162, 09 8615163,
542 375, (Ext 1155)

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 11 I MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2015

wEEKEND | QUICK GUIDE

THE MYANMAR TIMES MARCH 20, 2015

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

MARINE
COMMUNICATION &
NAVIGATION

Top Marine Show Room

No-385, Ground Floor,
Lower Pazundaung Road,
Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 01-202782, 09-851-5597

OFFICE FURNITURE
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

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

Tel : 01-9000712~13 Ext : 330

09-4200-77039.
direct2u@mmrdrs.com

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

Worlds No.1 Paints &

Coatings Company

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

PLEASURE CRUISES

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

01 9000 712~3, Ext 330/332,

Email: enquiries.HM@
mmrdrs.com, www.
hermanmillerasia.com

HOUSING

PAINT

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

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

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

SCHOOLS
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

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

REAL ESTATE

Commercial leasing
Contact : 09 301 66 888
sales777Lux@gmail.com

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.

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

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

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

Real Estate Agent

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

For House-Seekers

with Expert Services

In all kinds of Estate Fields
yomaestatemm@gmail.com
09-332 87270 (Fees Free)
09-2541 26615, 09254392553

Aye Yeik Mon

New University Avenue
Rd, Bahan Tsp.
Ph: 095188320

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

SANITARY WARE
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

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

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

Executive Serviced Offices

Contact : 09 301 66 888
sales777Lux@gmail.com
Quality Chinese Dishes
with Resonable Price
@Marketplace by City Mart.
Tel: 01-523840 Ext.109

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

HOTEL SUPPLY
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.

REMOVALISTS

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
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Hot Line : 09-4500-59000

WEB SERVICE

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world-class websites/
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WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | SOCIALITE

Ma Khaing, Kaing Hnin Wai, Daw Kyin Po and Pa Pa Win Khin

Ko Than Win Aung, Ko Htun Naing and Ko Zaw Aung

San San and Yadanar

Ko Chan Nyein Soe and Ko Thi Ha

Thi Thi and Michell

Fancy that
The opening
of Agnes Lims
Fancy Shop on
May 24 saw
guests donning
their best bling
for a launch
party at Novotel
Yangon Max.

Portico Restaurant launch

Richard and Sharr Htut Eaindra
Daw Tu Tu Myint Thein and May Thu Myo Nyunt

Speedy internet makes a grand entrance

Guests celebrated Oredoos 3G internet launch at the Sule Shangi-La
Hotel on May 26.

Ma Pwint Oo Swe

Cyril Ng and Rachel Goh

Khin Ohnmar Tun, Zar Phyu Tint Lwin and Daw Moe Thuzar

Ma Su Hnin Phway

Guests gathered for the opening ceremony of the Portico Bar and Restaurant at the
Rose Garden Hotel on May 16.

25

TRADEMARK CAUTION

26

wEEKEND | WHATSON

This notice is hereby given that LINE Corporation, a company

incorporated in Japan and having its registered office at 2-21-1,
Shibuya, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, 150-8510, Japan is the owner and
sole proprietor of the following trademarks:-

Reg.No. IV/3973/2015
Reg.No. IV/3963/2015
In respect of: Game programs for arcade video game machines;
Portable telephones; Monitoring apparatus, electric; Facsimile
machines; Facsimile transmission equipment; Television receivers
[TV sets]; Radios; Video telephones; Walkie-talkies; Navigation
apparatus for vehicles [on-board computers]; Satellite navigational
apparatus; Global Positioning System [GPS] apparatus; Portable audio
players; Compact disc players; Tape recorders; Record players; Sound
recording carriers; DVD players; DVD recorders; Digital cameras;
Digital photo frames; Video cameras [camcorders]; Videodisc
players; Portable media players; Mobile phone straps; Mobile phone
battery chargers; Mobile phone covers (adapted); Mobile phone cases
(adapted); Screen cleaner (apparatus) for mobile phones; Hands free
kits for mobile phones; Headphones; Loudspeakers; Microphones
[for telecommunication apparatus]; Personal stereos, other
telecommunication machines and apparatus; Optical recording media;
Modems; Computers; Laptop computers; Sleeves for laptops; Tablet
computers; Cases especially made for tablet computers; Monitors
[computer hardware]; Touch panels for computers; Electronic pens
[visual display units]; Computer keyboards; Printers for use with
computers; Computer peripheral devices; Computer programmes
[programs], recorded; Programs (Computer -) [downloadable
software]; Computer game programmes; Downloadable programs for
mobile phones; Encoded magnetic cards; USB flash drives; Mouse
[data processing equipment]; Mouse pads; Optical character readers;
Scanners [data processing equipment]; Electronic dictionaries; Bar
code readers; Agendas (Electronic); Electronic dictionaries; Pocket
calculators; Electronic pocket translators; Integrated circuit cards
[smart cards]; Chips [integrated circuits]; Electronic tags for goods;
Semi-conductors; Electron microscopes, other electronic machines
and apparatus; Contact lenses; Containers for contact lenses;
Sunglasses; Goggles for sports; Spectacles [eyeglasses and goggles];
Spectacle cases; Eyeglass cords; Eyeglass cases; Spectacle frames;
Swimming goggles; Video game cartridges; Computer game software;
Downloadable music files; Phonograph records; Downloadable ring
tones for mobile phones; Exposed cinematographic films; Exposed
slide films; Slide film mounts; Animated cartoons; Downloadable
image files; Compact discs [audio-video]; Electronic publications,
downloadable. Transmission of text messages and moving pictures
via applications for smart phones and tablet PCs; Providing Internet
Voice Telephony via applications for smart phones and tablet PCs;
Providing Internet Video Telephony via applications for smart phones
and tablet PCs; Communication by computer terminals; Providing
e-mail; Providing telecommunication access for users downloading
ring back tones; Electronic bulletin board services that allow people to
ask/answer questions regarding various subjects via Internet; Internet
broadcasting. Providing images via online; Providing electronic
books; Providing online games; Providing information relating to
on-line games; Providing music and audio via online; Providing
video via online; Planning, managing and hosting seminars; News
reporters services; Real-time translations via applications for smart
phones and tablet PCs; Providing on-line electronic publications, not
downloadable; Entertainment information; Distribution of animated
cartoons; Real-time translations via applications (software) for
mobile apparatus; Film information; Education information; Issuing
of electronic lottery; providing of training; sporting and cultural
activities; providing digital stickers via online. Nice Classification
Eight Edition: Class 9, 38 and 41.
Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademarks
or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law.
For LINE Corporation.
San San Myint Wai (6762/99)
Attorney-at-Law, LS Horizon (Myanmar) Limited
No. 94, Union Business Centre (UBC), Suite No.05-01, 5th Floor,
Nat Mauk Road, Bo Cho Quarter, Bahan Township, Yangon
11201, Myanmar. Tel/Fax: (+95) 1-860-3436, Tel: (+95) 1-8603435 Ext. 6001
Email: information@lshorizon.com
Dated: 29th May, 2015

EVENTS

SUNDAY 31

FRIDAY 29

NIGHTLIFE

MUSIC
Ayeyarwaddy Delta Daredevils
performance. Fundraiser concert for
victims of the Nepal earthquake. Tickets
K5000. British Embassy Club (between
Alan Pya Pagoda Road and Gyo Phyu
Road), Dagon 7:30-8:30pm
Live music by the Aaron Gallegos Trio,
featuring vocalist Tom Barton. Gekko, 535
Merchant Road 7pm
Nightly live music. Kokine Bar and
Restaurant (next to Kokine Swimming
Club) 6-11pm
Accoustic music show by Slay band.
Off the Beaten Track, Kandawgyi Nature
Park (Karaweik Hmawzinkyun entrance)
7-10pm

ART
Memory International Heritage Film
Festival. The 3rd edition of Memory Film
Festival the sole international festival
dedicated to film heritage in Asia and
one of the largest cultural events in
Myanmar in 2015. Free entry. Nay Pyi
Taw Cinema, Sule Pagoda Road 10-6pm
(see pick of the week, page 27)

MISC
Inle lunch special menu. Special lunch
menu with 50 percent discount. Inle
Valley Garden Bar and Grill, 9 Inle
Yeithar Street, 7 1/2 mile (off Pyay Road),
Mayangone 12-3pm
Asian Buffet. US$20 each. Orchid
Restaurant, Inya Lake hotel, 37 Kabar Aye
Pagoda Road 6:30-8:30pm

NIGHTLIFE
United DJ mixing school Myanmar
presents: Class of 2015 Graduation Night.
Support the upcoming DJs of Myanmar,
featuring DJ Nora Su, DJ Kash and more.
Park Royal (Basement One), Yaw Min Gyi
Street, Dagon 7pm-late

SATURDAY 30
NIGHTLIFE
Fahrenheit Bar launch. Enjoy fantastic
drinks and free finger-foods all night with
music by Mr Y and DJ Bay Tar at FAB.
Fahrenheit Bar, 38 Bogyoke Aung San
Road 6-10pm
FAB party. J-One Club, Bo Cho Road, near
Kandawgyi 10pm

MISC
My Neighbor Totoro screening for kids.
Part of the Memory Film Festival. Nay Pyi
Taw Cinema, Sule Pagoda Road 9am
Yangon Pythons hockey open day.
Myanmar National Team hockey coach
Ikhaq will be on hand to run through
a few skills and drills, before playing a
friendly match. Thein Phyu sports ground,
Thein Phyu Road 9:30am
Myanmar Lethwei Golden Belt
Championship 2015. Quarter-final match
led by the Myanmar Traditional Boxing
Federation. Entry K15,000. Thein Phyu
sports ground, Thein Phyu Road 2-5pm
Weekly run. All levels of runner can join.
Balance Fitness, 103 University Avenue
(corner of Thanlwin Street), Bahan
7:15am

Jap Hop. Mr. Y is spinning the best

Japanese hip hop tunes. Specials on
drinks and Japanese food. Free entry.
MOJO Bar, 135 Inya Road, Bahan 7-11pm

MISC
Michelle Yeoh at Memory Film Festival.
Actress Michelle Yeoh will introduce
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, directed
by Ang Lee. Free admission. Nay Pyi Taw
Cinema, Sule Pagoda Road 7.30pm
RTH movie night. Screenings of short
animated films. Rangoon Tea House, 77
Pansodan Road, Kyauktada 8-9:30pm
Myanmar Lethwei Golden Belt
Championship 2015. Quarter final match
led by the Myanmar Traditional Boxing
Federation. Entry K15,000. Thein Phyu
sports ground, Thein Phyu Road 2-5pm
Yoga Class. Stretch your limbs in the
outdoor covered studio on the lake, with
a beautiful view and gentle breezes.
One-and-a-half hours for K7000. LOpera
Italian Restaurant, 62D U Htun Nyein
Street, Mayangone 9am

MONDAY 1
MUSIC
Live piano music by Bonny. Thiripyitsaya
Sky Bistro, 20th floor, Sakura Tower, 339
Bogyoke Aung San Road, Kyauktada 7pm

NIGHTLIFE
Great Stories. Cigar smoke, single
malt and blends. Union Bar and Grill, 42
Strand Road, Botahtaung 7-11:45pm
90s music classics with DJ Bay Tar.
Gekko, 535 Merchant Road, Seik Kan Thar
7-11:45pm

Institut Francais, 340 Pyay Road 7:30

pm-9:30pm

NIGHTLIFE
Girls night out. Sip a complimentary
cocktail while enjoying the grooving
tunes of resident DJ Mr. Y. MOJO, 135 Inya
Road, Bahan 8pm
Ladys Night, Exceptionally Red. One
free cocktail or glass of red wine for
ladies in red. B2O Bar and Bistro, 96 20th
Street (upper block), Latha 8-11:45pm
Salsa at Salud. K5000 entry includes free
Mojito, beer or cocktail of your choice.
Salud Salsa Club, 7C Wingabar Road
(next to Clover Hotel), Bahan 8pm

MISC
Book club meeting. This weeks book
is The Trouser People: Burma in the
Shadows of the Empire, by Andrew
Marshall. British Embassy Club (between
Alan Pya Pagoda Road and Gyo Phyu
Road), Dagon 7:30pm

THURSDAY 4
NIGHTLIFE
80s music night. Union Bar & Grill
presents great gastro pub food and 80s
music night with DJ Bay Tar. 42 Strand
Road, Botahtaung 7pm

MISC
Weekly run. All levels of runner can join.
Balance Fitness, 103 University Avenue
(corner of Thanlwin Street), Bahan
6:15am
Yoga Class. Stretch your limbs in the
outdoor covered studio on the lake, with
a beautiful view and gentle breezes.
One-and-a-half hours for K7000. LOpera
Italian Restaurant, 62D U Htun Nyein
Street, Mayangone 4:45pm

The Fat Ox pool tournament. K5000 entry,

winner takes all! The Fat Ox, 50th Street
(middle block), Botahtaung 7-10pm

Connect Public Speaking Club. Join this

club to learn how to speak confidently
without fear. Connect Institute, 3A
Pansodan Business Tower, corner of
Anawrahta Road and Pansodan Street
2:30pm-4pm

Salsa night. Learn some funky Latin

moves at Club 5, Park Royal Hotel, 33
Alan Pya Paya Road, Dagon 711pm

FILM

MISC

Trivia Night. Free beer pitcher for round

winners and winning team gets a
K30,000 bar tab. 50th Street Bar, 50th
Street (lower block) 8-11pm

TUESDAY 2
MUSIC
Orchestra for Myanmar concert. The
orchestra will be accompanied by a
special guest choir, and conducted by
an eminent guest conductor from the
UK, who has conducted orchestras such
as the BBC Symphony, the Malaysia
Philharmonic and the Melbourne
Symphony. The Yangon Gallery, Peoples
Park (Ahlone Road entrance) 4-7:30pm

MISC

Start times at Mingalar (1,2), Top Royal,

Shae Saung (1,2) and Nay Pyi Taw
cinemas are 10am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm,
6:30pm and 9:30pm
Start times at Junction Square and
Juntion Mawtin are 9:30am, 12:30pm,
3:30pm and 6:30pm daily and 9:30am,
12:30pm, 3:30pm, 6:30pm and 9:30pm
on Friday and Saturday.
Start times at Mingalar San Pya are
10am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 6:30pm and
9:30pm
Nay Pyi Taw Cinema, near Sule Pagoda
Memory Film Festival (see pick of the
week, page 27).
Shae Saung Cinema, Sule Pagoda Road,
Kyauktada
Mad Max: Fury Road (3D). Directed by
George Miller. Action film.
Fast & Furious 7. Directed by James Wan.
American action film.

Tuesday Movies at the Connect Institute.

Free popcorn, chips and soft drinks. Fun
games and quizzes, thought-provoking
discussions, and more. Connect Institue,
3A Pansodan Business Tower (corner of
Anawrahta Road and Pansodan Street)
2:30pm-4pm

Mingalar San Pya Cineplex, Phone Gyi

Street and Anawrahta, Lanmadaw
Avengers: Age of Ultron (3D). Directed by
Joss Whedon. American superhero film
Mad Max: Fury Road (3D).

Tuesday Snippets. Gallery Conversation

and drinks. Pansodan Gallery, Pansodan
Street 7-10 pm

Mingalar Cinema 2, Dagon Center 2,

Myaynigone
Mad Max: Fury Road (3D).

WEDNESDAY 3
MUSIC
Jazz music and dinner. Enjoy jazz music
and a great dinner in a friendly musical
atmosphere. Rendez-Vous Restaurant,

Junction Mawtin, corner of Anawrahta

Road and Lan Thit Street, Lanmadaw
Doraemon (3D). Directed by Tony
Oliver, Ryuichi Yagi, Takashi Yamazaki.
Japanese animation.
Junction Square, Kyun Taw road, near
Hanthawaddy Circle
Doraemon (3D).

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | WHATSON

27

WHATS ON PICKS OF THE WEEK

FAB is back
BY NYEIN CHAN MAY

The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) by Jacques Demy will open the festival on May 29.

Memories of the
silver screen
BY ZON PANN PWINT

ILMGOERS will have the

chance to re-discover some
of the best classic movies
from around the world this week
at the third Memory International
Film Heritage Festival being held
at Nay Pyi Taw Cinema from May
29 to June 7.
The theme of this years festival
is Women, and the 10-day event
will feature 54 classic films that
highlight the rich history of cinema
worldwide. The earliest film, The
Consequences of Feminism (being
screened on June 6) is a French
film directed by Alice Guy that
dates back to 1906.
Actresses Catherine Deneuve,
Michelle Yeoh, Cheng Pei Pei,
Marrie Lee and Myanmar movie
stars Swe Zin Htike, Khin Thidar
Tun, Nwe Nwe San and female
filmmaker Thin Thin Yu will attend
the festival. On May 31 Michelle
Yeoh will introduce Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon, directed by

Aug Lee.
The first Memory film festival
event was held in Cambodia, and
the second was hosted in Yangon in
November of last year.
Memory took place for the
first time in Myanmar last year.
It was a smaller festival as we
were testing how people would
respond to heritage cinema. It was
a groundbreaking event for the
country, Charles Bonhomme, head
of cooperation at the Embassy of
France, said.
We were surprised at the huge
success of last years festival.
People both young and old were
very interested and they loved the
classic films. Thats why we decided
to hold the festival again this year
and we hope to hold an annual
event, he said.
Four Myanmar films will be
screened during the festival: Ta
Kha Ka Ta Bawa (Life, Once Upon
A Time), Nay Kyauk Khe (Mr Sun
Stone), Pho Pyone Cho (Mr Sweet
Smiley) and Ta Kyawt Hna Kyawt
Tae Ko Thi (Poem for Babies).

Actress Michelle Yeoh will introduce the screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
(2000) by Ang Lee on May 31 at Nay Pyi Taw Cinema. Photos: Supplied

Other films being featured are

Breakfast at Tiffanys, The Passion
of Joan of Arc, Imitation of Life,
All About Eve, Black Narcissus,
The Adventure of Prince Achemd,
Insiang and others.
Admission is free.

AB is back, and its time to

have fun. OK, there are plenty
of bars and nightclubs in
Yangon these days if you dont mind
being surrounded by straights, I
mean, no offence. But if youre a gay,
bisexual, lesbian or transgender
person who really wants to let his/
her/your hair down, you need
somewhere a little more exclusive.
FAB is it.
Its organised by the community
group YG. You remember them,
the two Dutch, a Myanmar and a
Frenchman who organised the first
FAB party place back when. Theyve
been doing it every month since
February 2013, because somebody
needed to do it and nobody else was
doing it. Organising a proper party
for gays and lesbians in Yangon, Im
talking about.
Well now the first FAB party of
2015 will be this Saturday, May 30,
at the new venue, J-One music club
on Bo Cho Road, behind the UBC
Business Centre and close to the
Japanese embassy on Kandawgyi.
Dont come before 10. DJ Bay Tar
and Mr You will be there.
Well throw a party every last
Saturday of the month. Weve used

different nightclubs as our home

over the years, but this Saturday will
be our first party at our new home
at J-One, said Jeewee, one of the
founders of YG.
YG also organises other parties
every now and then, but FAB
is obviously their main party.
Therefore, YG is best known for
FAB.
FABs always a fun night and the
party attracts a great mix of locals,
expats and visitors, with LGBTs
and their friends. Were open to
everyone and we organise the party
so theres space for LGBTs to dance
and meet, and to make the LGBT
community more visible in Yangon.
he said.
The LGBT, or lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender
community, often faces
discrimination in Myanmar, which
tends to restrict places that want
to offer them the chance to get
together and have some fun. At FAB,
they can.
YG has started a bar and
restaurant as well, also this
Saturday, when they are launching
Fahrenheit, on Bogyoke Road
between 52nd Street and Pazundaung
Park, which will serve Mexican/
Asian fusion cuisine and craft
drinks.