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DAILY EDITION

ISSUE 63 | FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

NEWS 4

PAGE

PHOTO: AFP

Chinese President
Xi Jinping and Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi
shake hands as
they meet at the
Great Hall of the
People in Beijing
yesterday. The
National League for
Democracy leaders
first visit to China
comes as Beijing
positions itself
ahead of elections
in Myanmar
that could lead
to a change of
government.
China is keen to
restart suspended
infrastructure
projects and see
an end to fighting
between the
Tatmadaw and
ethnic Chinese
fighters on its
border.

MPs welcome constitution

amendment bill changes
Members of parliament say they
welcome changes in a constitutional
amendment bill submitted yesterday,
but question whether the draft changes
can get the necessary military backing
to pass the house.
NEWS 10

Insiders meet to discuss

currency intervention
Government officials, bankers and
experts are to converge at the Central
Bank today to discuss stemming
currency volatility. The decline of the
kyat gained pace this month before
recovering some ground yesterday.

BUSINESS 10

Pizza Hut coming to town

American fast-food restaurant Pizza Hut
is working on its first Yangon location,
sources say, making it the second Yum
brand to look to open a restaurant in
Myanmar.
BUSINESS 12

When is mobile data not

really your own?
The three major telcos have received
requests to hand over information to
the government in specific cases. The
rules are not yet finalised, and the
telcos have taken stop-gap measures to
balance this with rights to privacy.

Kokang rebels call ceasefire

Ethnic Chinese faction declares unilateral ceasefire in the Kokang border region after four months of intense conflict,
but government remains sceptical and peace talks with coalition of armed ethnic groups appear to be stalling. NEWS 3

2 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 12, 2015

Page 2

Kayleigh Long |
kayleighelong@gmail.com

THE INSIDER: Never not sweating

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing: In
his own words
The English-language version of an
interview conducted by Japanese outlet
Mainichi Shimbun with Senior General
Min Aung Hlaing came out yesterday,
and covered some interesting territory.
Mainichi made the decision to release
the transcript of the interview in
what would appear to be its entirety,
including the beginning where Senior
General Min Aung Hlaing apologised
for having had to reschedule the
interview several times.
Ive cherry-picked some choice
quotes below, but the interview is on
the Mainichi Shimbun website for
anyone interested in reading it. There
are some fairly detailed and interesting
comments on the peace process,
constitutional amendment, and the
democratic transition, as well as some
other bits and pieces about British
colonial legacy, combating Communist
insurgencies, etc. In no particular
order:
On the 2009 offensive which saw the
Tatmadaw take control of Laukkai:
In northeast Laukkai region, there
are administrative powers given to the
Kokangs. But, they did not do things
legally. Weve seen that they violated
some of the laws. In 2008/2009, we got
reports that there were illegal drugs
and arms production. At that time, I
was a person in charge of controlling
them. I told them not to do these
things in that region. But, they didnt
listen.
On whether or not he believes
there is any credibility to reports of
Chinese support of Kokang rebels:
Although one would think that way
just by looking at the food, arms and
ammunition, and the administrative
assistance that they get, or their
difficulties being solved and their
injured being treated, there is no clear
evidence to prove that.
On whether or not hes seen Than
Shwe recently:
He is a good father to our defense
services. As he is a parent to our
defense services, on occasions such
as Thadingyut (Lighting Festival) we
have a tradition of paying our respects.
This is Myanmar tradition. We pay
obeisance to elders at Thadingyut and
on (Myanmar) New Years. We do meet

sometimes. When we do, he would give

us necessary guidance. This guidance
is like elders giving to juniors or like
parents giving to children. Mainly he
would say things that would benefit
the country. He would say things to us
for the good of ourselves, the armed
forces, and the country. He would not
say specifically about politics. Senior
General Than Shwe also did his part,
as much as he could, to transform
the defense services into a modern
one by leading the armed forces for
many years. To tell the truth, the
armed forces became modern due to
his endeavors. He also put Myanmar
on the path to democracy. We cannot
forget his thankful deeds. He also did
his best.

On whether or not its the right time

to amend Section 436?
I have to say that this is not a suitable
time yet for that. I want you not to
misunderstand your first question
regarding the constitution. About 436.
We dont have something like, we are
not going to amend at all. It depends
on the situation. The military has
submitted to the Parliament things
that should be amended. We have
submitted to the government too.
We have submitted what we want to
amend. I cannot say that we are not
going to totally amend it. I just wanted
to clearly bring to you the sense that
it is best to have a law that is strong
enough. I am explaining to you so that
you would not misunderstand.

On Daw Aung San Suu Kyi:

It would be hard for me to give my
personal view on Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is known
by many, as she is the daughter of our
national leader General Aung San. As
a Myanmar citizen, she has her rights
granted according to the law. I see
her as acting upon matters that she
can do for the country based on her
experience. She has the rights to work
as a citizen. It will be beneficial for
the country, if she works according to
the rights granted to her as a citizen.
I want to say that since she has these
rights, she would be able in part to
benefit Myanmar.

On war and peace:

Some ethnic groups seem to be held
back in forfeiting their gained powers
and administrative rights. So they are
making demands as much as they can.
If they are demanding their ill-gotten
rights, we can never give in to them.
I want to say that this issue has to be
handled. If you want peace, you must
really desire peace. As we are moving
on a multi-party democratic system,
no armed conflict could be created
in any way. I want to say that we have
to peacefully pursue a legal path.
Furthermore, the government can
never excuse unlawful acts in their
territory. They have to abide by the law.
I want to say that they have to follow
laws by the union government or by the
respective region.

On rumours he might be considering

going into politics:
I am shouldering a very big
responsibility as the Commander-inChief. For example, I have to do this
reform part. At this point, the people
need to have trust on our armed
forces regarding what they have to do.
Secondly, the defense services must
have a full-strength condition for the
countrys defense; thirdly, the armed
forces must become modern and up
to standard like other countries. These
three are my priority responsibilities.
We have to view the countrys situation
depending on these responsibilities.
We have to give much consideration
since internal armed conflicts have not
ceased at this time. If I enter politics,
I would become less responsible
for those responsibilities that I just
mentioned. During this period of
responsibility, I wish to finish my
responsibilities.

On a fairly shoddy article which ran

recently on the Newsweek Europe
website, in which academic experts
on regional security were prompted
to weigh in on whether or not ISIS
or any other extremist outfits was
likely to be trying to recruit Rohingya.
Here, he answers a question about
how seriously Myanmar is taking the
possibility of militant Islam developing
domestically:
I can say that we are cautiously
working on this issue. In Myanmar,
there are Islam worshippers. We cant
say that they cant be instigated. We
get some reports, but they are not at a
dangerous level up to now. But, I can
say that the situation is something
that we have to be cautious about
A possible threat We havent seen
any unusual things. But, one thing

Once was Burma ...

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

70s swag personified graces the cover of Sandar magazine.

is that we might not have received

[information]. But we will do whatever
we can.
In brief:
Human Rights Human Dignity film
festival schedule really convenient,
says unemployed man
World media misconstrues
President Xi Jinpings intentions,
assuming use of the term attempting
to woo Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had

been meant in a strictly political sense

President U Thein Sein uses several
public addresses to caution citizens
against unrest in the lead-up to the
elections; Sittwe township police grant
permission for June 14 anti-boat
people protest
Next week:
Once-cute neighbourhood puppy
becoming aggressive and seems to be
avoiding puddles

www.mmtimes.com

NEWS EDITOR: Thomas Kean | tdkean@gmail.com

Kokang declare unilateral

ceasefire as peace talks stall
Government sceptical of rebels truce offer while U Aung Min snubs informal meet in Chiang Mai

Yangon MPs
to debate
stalled new
city project
YE MON
yeemontun2013@gmail.com

GUY DINMORE
LUN MIN MANG
WA LONE
newsroom@mmtimes.com
ETHNIC Chinese rebels in Shan
States Kokang region yesterday declared a unilateral ceasefire after
four months of intense fighting with
the Tatmadaw and said they had begun to pull back from positions close
to the border with China.
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) said
the decision followed intense requests from the Chinese government
for stability in the border area and
calls by the Myanmar people to be
able to hold democratic elections in
the area later this year.
The Kokang conflict, which has
led to heavy casualties on both sides
and displaced tens of thousands of
civilians, has threatened to derail
long-running negotiations between
the government and armed ethnic
groups on a nationwide ceasefire
agreement.
Minister of Information U Ye
Htut told Reuters news agency the
government was aware of the announcement from the MNDAA but
remained sceptical. We are monitoring their actual activity on the
ground, he was quoted as saying.
The MNDAA said it had withdrawn from positions north of the
113 boundary marker and from some
positions west of the 111 marker.
It was not clear whether they had
sought sanctuary in China, which is
holding a second week of unprecedented live-fire military exercises
along the Kokang border.
Recent offensives by the Tatmadaw, using artillery and air power,
had pushed the Kokang fighters into
a narrow strip of land running along
the border with Chinas Yunnan
province.
The rebels said yesterday they
would defend themselves if attacked.
But a source close to the government
told The Myanmar Times that he expected the Tatmadaw to ignore the
ceasefire declaration and continue
operations with the goal of securing
the entire region.
Kokang has been under martial
law since mid-February but the Tatmadaw would try to stabilise the
area enough for elections to take
place in November when the country
goes to the polls, the source said. If
a vote was not possible then military
rule would continue, he added.
A source close to the MNDAA
said the ceasefire declaration had
not been imposed by the Chinese
government. He made no mention of
rebel casualties, who are reportedly
being treated in a Chinese hospital,

News 3

Karen National Union soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint in Law Khee Lar, Kayin State. Photo: Naing Wynn Htoon

but said the group was worried about

lives and security in Kokang and
wanted elections to take place in the
region.
He said the MNDAA had made
its ceasefire statement after informing its two allies, the Taang National Liberation Army and the Arakan
Army.
Tun Myat Naing, commander-inchief of the Arakan Army, said it had
no intention of following the example of the MNDAA. He said the MNDAA ceasefire statement reflected
the groups political and military
ambitions. He declined to elaborate.
A Chinese diplomat in Yangon
welcomed the declaration by the
MNDAA and said he hoped it would
lead to negotiations with the government. China has denied allegations

We are monitoring
[the Kokang
rebels] actual
activity on the
ground.
U Ye Htut
Presidents spokesperson

by Myanmar that the Kokang rebels

have received support from Chinese
authorities.
China has repeatedly warned Myanmar to stop the conflict from spilling over the border and is increasingly vocal in calling for a nationwide
ceasefire agreement.
But that process appears close
to deadlock even though hopes of
ending six decades of civil war were
raised when protracted negotiations
led to the signing of a draft ceasefire
pact in Yangon on March 31. President U Thein Sein said he hoped the
final agreement would be signed last
month, in time to initiate political
dialogue before the November parliamentary elections.
U Hla Maung Shwe, senior adviser to the Myanmar Peace Center
(MPC), which is facilitating the
ceasefire talks for the government,
told The Myanmar Times yesterday
that decisions reached by armed ethnic leaders meeting in Law Khee Lar
last week had set back the process.
Eight days of talks on the border
of Kayin State and Thailand ended
with ethnic leaders deciding to set
up a new negotiating team. They
also proposed amendments to the
ceasefire text, and rejected demands
by the government to exclude the
Kokang rebels and two allied factions from the eventual nationwide

ceasefire pact.
U Hla Maung Shwe said the government negotiating side led by U
Aung Min had difficulties in meeting the new team of 15 ethnic negotiators, even informally. The new
group has an unclear mandate, he
said.
U Aung Min had been expected
to join talks in Chiang Mai yesterday with the MPC and the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team
(NCCT) that had represented 16 ethnic groups prior to last weeks shakeup. But as a result of that change of
team, only informal discussions were
held between five MPC members and
three ethnic representatives.
Saw Kwe Htoo Win, secretary of
the Karen National Union, said from
Chiang Mai that he did not know
when the government and the new
negotiating group would meet. He
said the MPC would convey the decisions taken in Law Khee Lar back to
the government. He reiterated that
the new team of negotiators had a
stronger mandate to take decisions
than its predecessor.
U Than Soe Naing, a political analyst, said the government should react
positively and hold further talks with
the ethnic armed groups. This new
group is stronger than the NCCT, because the groups involved are most of
the decision-makers, he said.

THE Yangon Region Hluttaw will

discuss the controversial new city
project suspended by the regional
government last year on June 15, according to MPs.
U Myint Lwin, a representative for
Kyeemyindaing township, submitted a
proposal yesterday to implement the
project immediately, and the hluttaw
agreed to discuss his motion.
With an estimated price tag of
US$8 billion, the stalled project covers
30,000 acres between the Pan Hlaing
and Hlaing rivers and Twante Canal.
It was suspended in September last
year due to concerns over transparency, after the regional government had
hand-picked a previously unknown
firm, Myanma Saytannar Myothit Public Company, to implement it.
But U Myint Lwin said the public was behind the plan. The people
want this project to implement. The
government should do it, he said.
His proposal received the support
of fellow Kyeemyindaing MP Daw Kyi
Kyi Mar, who said she looked forward
to debating the project next week.
People [in my constituency] want
the new city to be built because it would
help to develop their township. The parliament should allow this project after
the June 15 discussion, she said.
In announcing the suspension on
September 26, 2014, Yangon Mayor
U Hla Myint told a special session of
the Yangon Region Hluttaw that the
regional government had decided it
needed more time to study the plan
and whether it was viable.
Daw Nyo Nyo Thin, a representative for Bahan who has been the most
outspoken critic of the plan, said such
a large project should not be approved
just before the end of the governments tenure.
If we allow the projects at this
time, the next government will face
difficulties in implementation. So we
shouldnt allow any projects at this
time, especially big projects, she said.
U Nay Myo Aung, the Union Solidarity and Development Party representative for Seikkan township, said
transparency is paramount regardless
of the benefits a project brings.
If [it is] not [transparent], the people will not accept it, he said yesterday.
Some MPs have criticised the proposal to discuss the new city project
because it is similar to the South West
Yangon development outlined in the
Greater Yangon Strategic Plan 2040,
which was released to parliament by
Yangon Mayor U Hla Myint on June 10.
I dont think we should discuss the
Yangon new city project. We should
discuss the agenda of the Greater Yangon Strategic Plan 2040. The proposal
should be suspended, one MP said.

4 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 12, 2015

BEIJING
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Chinese President Xi Jinping receives Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. Photo: AFP

NLD leader meets Chinese president on first visit

DAW Aung San Suu Kyi met Chinese
President Xi Jinping in Beijing yesterday, state media said, during her
closely watched first visit that China
hopes will establish a line of communication with the influential opposition leader.
The National League for Democracy chief met Mr Xi at Beijings Great
Hall of the People, according to the
official Xinhua news agency, which
did not immediately provide details
on what was discussed.
Beijing was a key backer of Myanmars military government while it was
under Western sanctions most of
which have been lifted since 2011 and
a much-needed international ally for
a brutal regime that crushed dissent
and kept Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under
house arrest for more than 15 years.

But China-Myanmar relations

have cooled as the country has introduced democratic reforms and
opened up economically to the West,
while in recent months an ethnic
insurgency in the Kokang region of
Myanmar has spilled over the border
into China.
The visit comes as the NLD is expected to perform strongly in elections later this year and China looks
to develop a rapport with the 1991
Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in
Beijing on June 10 with an NLD delegation and met later in the evening
with a senior Communist Party official Wang Jiarui, Xinhua reported.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyis meeting
with Mr Wang, who is in charge of foreign relations for the party, highlights

her non-governmental status and the

fact that she is in China at the invitation of the party, not the government.
It is rare for China to invite an opposition leader to visit, given its policy of avoiding involvement in what
it calls the internal affairs of other
countries.
Still, Daw Aung San Suu Kyis welcome has all the hallmarks of an official visit the imposing Great Hall
of the People is where Mr Xi regularly
welcomes visiting heads of state.
However, the 69-year-old NLD
leader is ineligible for the presidency
because her sons are foreign citizens.
While she has lobbied to change the
constitution to make her eligible, a
draft amendment bill submitted to
parliament on June 10 did not propose removing the prohibition.

There is also considerable irony

in China welcoming a noted democracy advocate and Nobel Prize winner while Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese Nobel Peace Prize winner, languishes
in prison after being sentenced to 11
years in 2009 for circulating a petition calling for democratic reforms.
Chinas foreign ministry said on
June 10 that China hopes the visit
will bolster mutual understanding
and trust.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will also
travel to Shanghai and the southwestern province of Yunnan, Chinas
Beijing Youth Daily newspaper reported yesterday. The report did not
say where in Yunnan she would go,
but part of the province borders Myanmar where the ethnic fighting has
occurred. AFP

MPs welcome amendment bill

but doubtful of military support
EI EI TOE
LWIN
eieitoelwin@gmail.com

MEMBERS of parliament said yesterday they were mostly pleased with proposed constitutional changes outlined
in an amendment bill tabled in parliament on June 10, but were not optimistic that the changes would get the
necessary support from military MPs.
Under Myanmars constitution,
proposed amendments require the
support of at least 75 percent of MPs
and in some cases approval at a national referendum. The military holds
25pc of seats, giving it a veto over constitutional reform.
U Win Htein, the National League
for Democracy representative for
Meiktila, said he welcomed most of
the changes, including a clause that
would require the president to be
selected from among elected MPs,
and greater sharing of power and
revenues with the states and regions.
However, he said he was disappointed that section 59(f ) would not
be amended to enable Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi to become president.

She is ineligible because her sons

are foreign citizens; the bill proposes loosening the restrictions only
slightly, so that those with children
who are Myanmar but are married to foreign citizens are no longer
ineligible.
This change is likely to favour
former military generals. When U Tin
Aung Myint Oo resigned as vice president, U Myint Swe was nominated to
replace him but he could not be vice
president because his son married a
foreigner, said U Win Htein, referring
to the current chief minister of Yangon
Region.
He said the party will continue to

I think it is
impossible for
the military to
accept even the
amendments
proposed.
U Win Htein
National League for Democracy MP

push for additional changes to 59(f)

and other sections when the bill is debated in parliament.
But I think it is impossible for the
military to accept even the amendments proposed [in the bill], he said.
One of the most contentious changes is to section 436, which sets the
threshold of MP support for constitutional change.
The bill proposes reducing it to
70pc, which would be just enough to
remove the military veto.
U Ye Htun, the representative for
Hsipaw in Shan State from the Shan
Nationalities Democratic Party, said
he did not believe the military would
agree to any reductions, as this would
potentially cut them out of future
changes.
The proposed amendments would
broadly reduce the militarys role in
national politics by ensuring the president and vice presidents are civilian.
However, it does not seek to reduce
the militarys parliamentary bloc.
Military MP Lieutenant Colonel
Ngwe Soe declined to comment on the
bill when contacted by The Myanmar
Times yesterday.
The bill was only submitted yesterday so we are still studying the
proposed changes to each section,
he said. We [military MPs] cannot

comment individually on the bill.

Please listen when the bill is discussed
in parliament.
U Thein Nyunt, the MP for Thingangyun from the New National Democracy Party, said his experiences
over the past four-and-a-half years
in parliament made him think the
military would accept most of the proposed changes.
The bill proposes that the [presidential nominees] must be from the
elected MPs. But this doesnt mean the
military will lose the right to nominate
one of the vice presidents, he said. So
I think they are likely to accept the
proposed changes because it will not
seriously harm their role.
He said he welcomed the proposed
changes, even though they do not
meet what he described as the democratic criteria.
I can accept most points and I
plan to discuss another one when the
bill is in parliament, but I dont want
to say what it is right now, U Thein
Nyunt said.
After the bill was tabled on June 10,
Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann transferred it to the Joint Bill Committee.
He did not set a date for the committee to submit its report on the bill to
parliament. After the report is submitted, MPs will debate the bill.

6 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 12, 2015

Fears dengue
cases may hit
2013 levels
More than 5000 cases have already been reported
ahead of the peak June-August infection period

SHWE YEE
SAW MYINT

MYINT KAY
THI

HEALTH experts have warned

that 2015 is shaping up to be another high-risk year for dengue
fever, with thousands of cases already reported and fatalities on
the rise.
In the first five months of this
year, 988 patients suffered dengue hemorrhagic fever and four
patients died in Yangon, according to figures from the Ministry of
Health. More than 1120 Mon State
residents fell ill with dengue over
the same period, and one person
died, while over 5000 cases have
been reported so far.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito

transmits the four strains of the
dengue virus. Photo: Staff

Last year, dengue cases dipped

after a region-wide spike in 2013
that saw at least 20,200 people
contract the mosquito-borne virus. Myanmar recorded 89 deaths
due to the dengue that year.
Dr Than Naing Soe, assistant
director of the Department of
Public Health, said there is concern that dengue numbers will
continue to rise sharply.

Although the rate of dengue

fever is not currently at the same
level as 2013, it is still a worrying
situation, he said.
He added that he suspects the
current uptick may be connected to a paucity of rain last year,
which prompted people to store
water in unhygienic conditions.
Last summer, locals faced a
scarcity of water. Therefore, they
stored water in jars, but if they
forgot to cover it insects can stay
and breed in the jar. The insects
are then eaten by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector for dengue
hemorrhagic fever.
The viral infection, which is
also known as break-bone fever,
cannot be spread person-to-person. It affects both adult and children, though children are thought
to be especially susceptible.
Symptoms are typically flulike, according to the health ministry, and can include joint and
muscle pain, headaches, vomiting
and abdominal pain, as well as a
high fever.
The four strains of the disease
occur more often in monsoon
season, particularly from June
through August, leading to fears
that more infections are to come.
Though there is no cure, health
workers encourage sufferers to
seek early treatment at hospital.
Some patients lose their life
as they cant reach the hospital.
Dengue fever mostly affects children five to nine years old, said
Dr Than Naing Soe.
In order to keep track of the
disease, Daw Thandar Lwin, director of the Public Health Department, said that all child specialists have been instructed to
refer suspected dengue cases to
public hospitals.
To reduce the chances of infection, the Ministry of Health recommends cleaning areas where
mosquitoes can breed and protecting against mosquito bites by
taking measures such as sleeping
under a bed net.

Special publications editor U Myo Lwin (left) accepts the award in Hong Kong on June 10. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing

Myanmar Times recognised

again at regional press awards
MYO LWIN
myolwin286@gmail.com
FOR the fourth year running, The
Myanmar Times has received recognition for the quality of its journalism at Asias most prestigious media
awards.
The English-language paper beat
some of the best publications in the
region to receive an Honourable Mention in the Human Rights Reporting
category at the Society of Publishers
in Asias annual awards night, held in
Hong Kong on June 10.
The story, titled Medical gap
threatens lives in Rakhine by Fiona
MacGregor and Shwe Yee Saw Myint,
described the difficulties in IDP camps
in the Rakhine State capital Sittwe following the governments decision to
expel Mdecins sans Frontires from
Rakhine State.
Also shortlisted were Aung Htay
Hlaings photographs of the Magwe
Region oil fields, which were selected
in the Excellence in Feature Photography category.
The award presentation ceremony
at the Hong Kong Convention and

Exhibition Centre was attended by

about 300 people from media organisations throughout Asia. The
announcement of the 97 awards was
made during a gala dinner.
The Myanmar Times was competing in the category for English-language publications distributed in one
or two countries, alongside newspapers like South China Morning Post,
The Straits Times and the Jakarta
Globe. The category also included
magazines with a circulation under
50,000 and independent websites.
In 2014, The Myanmar Times received an honourable mention for
news photography, while in previous
years it has won the news photography, editorial cartooning and opinion
writing categories.
The chair of SOPA, Raymond Warhola, congratulated The Myanmar
Times personally on the sidelines of
the ceremony.
The publisher and CEO of The
Phnom Penh Post, Chris Dawe, said
the SOPA awards were recognised
throughout the region.
The award is good for emerging countries like Myanmar and

Cambodia. It gives international exposure, he said.

Once a sister publication with The
Myanmar Times, The Phnom Penh
Post received four awards at the ceremony.
Monique Hou, senior deputy managing editor of the Taiwan-based CommonWealth magazine, said her group
of publications had received SOPA
prizes for the eighth straight year.
Its like a Pulitzer award in Asia.
Its the most important award in Asia.
Because of the awards, weve become
reputable in both the domestic and
Asian markets, she said.
People know more about us and
we are the only one in Taiwan to win
so many awards, she added.
The Hong Kong bureau chief of the
weekly English edition of the prizewinning Nikkei Asian Review, Yasuo
Awai, said his publication had entered
the awards competition for the first
time, winning one category and gaining two honourable mentions. He said
the weekly was popular in Japan. But
we also want to promote our weekly
magazine outside Japan, he said prior
the ceremony.

News 7

www.mmtimes.com

Rights group calls for truth commission

NYAN LYNN AUNG
29.nyanlynnaung@gmail.com
A HUMAN rights group is urging
the government to come clean about
its role in past violations, including
extrajudicial killings, torture, forced
labour and land-grabs. The Network
for Human Rights Documentation
Burma (ND-Burma) yesterday released a new report, To Recognize
and Repair: Unofficial Truth Projects
and the Need for Justice in Burma,
calling for acknowledgement and
reparation for the crimes of the present and of the past.
The report focuses on the experience of victims of human rights violations and the need for justice and
redress. It says that despite the governments transition to quasi-civilian
status in 2011, many members of the
former military regime are still in positions of power, and abuses of civilians human rights are continuing.
The report says that to make the
transition meaningful and to win the
trust of the people, the government
should publicly acknowledge past
violations and recognise its responsibility to make amends for the suffering caused.
We collected the data under
17 headings, including war crimes,
probable killing, torture, forced labour and other abuses since 2004.
We hope this will pave the way toward justice, said ND-Burma program officer Ma Lway Poe Ngeal.
She said the report was part
of the Unofficial Truth Project, so
called because it receives no government backing. ND-Burma hopes
the government will see the benefit
of acknowledging the truth of past

Rights group ND-Burma yesteday called for the government to come clean on past abuses. Photo: Naing Wynn Htoon

atrocities, through something like a

truth commission. However, ND-Burma is not waiting for that to happen.
Ma Sentral, a Kachin member of
the Human Right Group and of NDBurma, said transitional justice was
an attempt to address the impact of
past human rights violations to create a more peaceful, democratic and
inclusive future. There needs to
be implementation of measures intended to provide accountability and
transparency during the transition,

provide redress for victims of past

human rights abuses, and promote
stable and sustainable peace and democracy, she said.
We consider that some cases of
killing or abuse in ethnic areas were
committed by the authorities, especially the army. But the government
has taken no serious action about
those abuses, she said.
For example, the Ko Par Gyi and
Daw Khin Win cases are still stalled
and the judiciary is not transparent,

she added, referring to the journalist

and the protester, both killed under
suspicious circumstances involving
security forces.
Ko Han Gyi, ND-Burma coordinator, said, In the interests of a future
united and free country, the government needs to acknowledge human
rights abuses, both in the past and
those that are still ongoing. This report discusses international standards regarding the right to remedies
and reparations.

Thai navy
wavers on
rescue effort
THOUGH the US said it has identified
possible trafficking vessels carrying
abandoned migrants and rights group
continue to believe many are still adrift
at sea, Thailand wavered on its search
mission this week, initially cancelling
the effort and then reversing a recall.
On May 29, during a regional crisis meeting in Bangkok, the Thai navy
launched a heavily mediatised mission
to assist thousands of Bangladeshis and
Rohingya asylum seekers stranded on
the Andaman Sea. Thailand maintained
that any undocumented migrants found
on its soil would be processed for immigration crimes, but deployed a flotilla to
serve as a rescue platform.
After just 14 days, the assistance was
called off, with boats set to come back
on May 10, a Thai navy spokesperson
told the Bangkok Post. The same official
was then quoted backtracking, claiming
that the mission would continue until
ordered otherwise while Thailand reflects on its role in the crisis.
The US, which has been conducting
aerial surveillance, said its efforts over
Thai airspace concluded on May 11,
though flights continue in other areas,
according to the embassy in Bangkok.
Our regional efforts have located
possible migrant vessels. We have
shared information about these vessels
of interest, said Melissa McSweeny, a
spokesperson at the embassy.
The UN said last week that it estimates at least 2000 people may remain
adrift on both the Andaman Sea and
the Bay of Bengal.
Laignee Barron

Police seek compensation for fishermen

With over 500 fishermen who had been subjected to forced labour in farflung Indonesian islands now returned home, officials said they are
preparing for a lengthy legal battle to obtain unpaid salaries and pin down traffickers, but the fishermen so far noted a lack of progress

NYAN LYNN
AUNG
29.nyanlynnaung@gmail.com

FOLLOWING the return of more

than 500 exploited fishermen from
Indonesia over the past two months,
anti-human trafficking police said
yesterday they plan to continue the
process by hunting down traffickers
and securing compensation.
We are interrogating [the rescued
fishermen] about how they were trafficked right now, said Police Major
Min Naing from the anti-human trafficking unit.
Following an Associated Press investigation that revealed the extent
of abuse and torture endured by
enslaved fishermen, who were then
abandoned on remote Indonesian
Islands, a number of countries be-

gan conducting high-profile rescue

missions.
In April, Myanmars delegation
identified over 500 citizens who had
been left on Indonesias far-flung
Benjina island and surrounding areas. The exploited fishermen were
brought home in small groups starting on May 9.
Many of the rescued fishermen
said they had been trafficked, beaten
and enslaved for up to 10 years with
little or no pay.
Another 100 Myanmar citizens
wanting to return home have recently been identified by Indonesian
authorities.
Anti-human trafficking police said
they plan to remedy the situation
with compensation, though admitted
it will be a lengthy process, and that
no trafficking suspects have yet been
arrested.
We are just planning right now.
It will take a long time, at least six
months, to properly open the case,

said Police Brigadier General Win

Naing Tun.
According to Police Major Ye Win
Aung, commander of Yangons antihuman trafficking task force, cases
will be filed in each state or region
where the returned fishermen live.
Adding to the mounting number
of planned prosecutions, the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta said it is
cooperating with Indonesian police

We are just
planning right now.
It will take a long
time ... to properly
open the case.
U Win Naing Tun
Police

who want to sue companies in Indonesia and Thailand that provided

fake IDs to the forced labourers.
Returned fishermen said they
have already informed police about
their ordeal and are concerned at the
lack of arrests.
I worked [on an Indonesian Island] for about three years, but I received just one months salary. I gave
information about the trafficker to
police after I returned. However, the
situation is not different yet, said Ko
Maung Soe, who was repatriated to
Yangon on May 9.
While police continue to stitch
together a case for returned Myanmar fishermen, immigration officials
quietly returned 55 imprisoned Indonesian fishermen in what officials
admitted was a swap of citizens.
The Indonesians were arrested in
February 2014 and convicted of illegal
fishing off Rakhine State, according
to U Sein Oo, a director general in the
foreign ministry.

Indonesia requested that we exchange detained people ... However,

we denied the request at first because
our Myanmar people were trafficked
and the Indonesian people were illegally fishing, said U Sein Oo.
Nonetheless, the Indonesian government has been very supportive of
the Myanmar fishermens repatriation process and we got a lot of help
from them. Therefore we agreed to
release the 55 Indonesian sailors to
build closer relations between our
countries, he said.
Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno
LP Marsudi explained the situation
differently, saying at press conference in Jakarta that her ministry had
proved the sailors were victims of
human trafficking, according to the
Jakarta Post.
The Indonesian embassy in Yangon confirmed that the 55 Indonesian fishermen had been released,
and said they were repatriated to
Indonesia last week.

8 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 12, 2015

Daw Suus hospitality

training school seeks
new youth applicants
AUNG KYAW MIN
aungkyawmin.mcm@gmail.com
A TRAINING academy linked to National League for Democracy leader
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is inviting
young people from all over the country to apply to learn about the hotel
business. The Hospitality and Catering Training Academy (HCTA), run
by the Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, is
based in Kawhmu, Yangon Region.

80

Students at the Hospitality and Catering

Training Academy, of whom about half
are from Kawhmu township

We want students to benefit from

our knowledge-sharing program and
increase their chances of getting a
job, program director U Zwe Nanda
said yesterday.
HCTA has 80 students, of whom
half come from Kawhmu, with the
rest from elsewhere in Myanmar. It

is open to applicants who have completed higher education.

The academy teaches hotel operations and culinary arts in an eightmonth course, including six months
of training and two months of internship.
Interns serve at upscale Yangon
hotels like Sedona, Sule Shangri-La
and Novotel. Training is provided by
local and foreign experts serving on
a voluntary basis.
The HCTA is a non-profit institution seeking both to create job opportunities and support the needs of
the hotel and tourism industry.
It is funded entirely by the foundation set up in the name of Daw
Khin Kyi, mother of Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi. The NLD leader heads the
foundation, while the hospitality
school is in her Pyithu Hluttaw constituency of Kawhmu. Daw Khin Kyi
was the wife of General Aung San
and served as Myanmars ambassador to India in the 1960s.
HCTA has better teaching and
support than many training schools
that are run for profit. We want to
attract students from every state and
region, said U Zwe Nanda.
Applicants selected following the
June 19 deadline will face tests in
English and general knowledge, as
well as a medical check-up.

Two rescued
migrants
escape camp

Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh speaks to students at the Hospitality and

Catering Training academy in Yangons Kawhmu township on May 30. Photo: Aung
Myin Ye Zaw

TWO migrants recently rescued from

human trafficking vessels by the Myanmar navy have escaped from temporary shelters near the Bangladeshi
border, according to officials.
Nearly 1000 people were rescued
from smuggling boats off the Ayeyarwady Region coast last month. They
were abandoned by traffickers after a
crackdown in Thailand disrupted regional trafficking routes.
Myanmar has been housing those
rescued in temporary accommodation around Taung Pyo in Maungdaw
township.
In the morning on June 9, one of
the migrants staying at the shelter ran
away, according to a Rakhine State official, who added that there have been
no search efforts. Another runaway
was recorded on June 5.
Already under scrutiny from the
international community which
cites the persecution of the Rohingya
in Rakhine State as fuelling the crisis
as well as from hard-line nationalists groups resenting the government
harbouring perceived intruders, Myanmar authorities said the runaway
situation may undermine their efforts
and elicit unmerited criticism.
Were providing for their needs.
International organisations are also
providing assistance. But that action
[running away] makes us subject to
misunderstandings, said U Tun Aye, an
immigration official. Mratt Kyaw Thu

MPs vote no
on river water
transfer plan
Proposal would see water diverted from the Thanlwin
River to semi-arid areas of central Myanmar

PYAE THET
PHYO
pyaethetphyo87@gmail.com

A PROPOSAL to divert water from the

Thanlwin River to drought-hit areas of
central Myanmar was rejected by parliamentarians yesterday, a day after
a Shan State MP spoke out forcefully
against the plan.
The Thanlwin, also known as the
Salween, stretches over 2800 kilometres from its headwaters in Tibet to the
Andaman Sea, slicing through Shan
State and supporting more than 10
million people along its course. Presently the longest undammed river in
Southeast Asia, China and Myanmar
are planning a series of up to 20 dams,
with proposals also to divert water
into Thailand and parts of Myanmar.
On May 5, U Myo Myint, an MP
for Mandalay, submitted a formal proposal to divert water from the river to
alleviate drought in the arid stretches
of his region and the south during the
hot season, and to reduce flooding
during the rainy season.
But U Sai Thant Zin of the Shan
Nationalities Democratic Party strongly objected to the proposal, saying the
Shan people could not accept it. The
project would damage national reconciliation, the peace-making process
and reforms supported by the government, he said.
The Thanlwin River is the heart
of Shan State. This is the main reason

to object to the proposal. Currently,

locals are oppressed by social troubles, displaced by civil war conflict.
We must take into consideration their
current situation. Moreover, they dont
want their river to be taken, he told
The Myanmar Times.
Moreover, he said, the project
lacked transparency and there had not
been enough reliable research into the
possible environmental impacts.
He urged parliament to drop the
proposal, noting also that it required
immense investments for questionable benefits.
Major Aung Phyo Kyaw, a military
MP, also objected to the project. He
said systematic environmental and social impact analyses were needed, as
well as studies of the cost, availability
of capital, reaction of local people, and
negotiations with neighbouring countries.
The motion was defeated 117 to 17,
with 13 abstenstations, when put to a
vote yesterday.
The parliamentary hearing comes
as activists in Shan State increased
their opposition to construction of the
giant Mong Tom dam on the Thanlwin
by Chinese, Thai and Myanmar statebacked corporations.
Sixteen local groups issued a statement this week condemning the project and warning that work on the
dam was being stepped up. It noted
that the proposed dam was in an area
contested by several ethnic armed
groups and that the Tatmadaw had
sharply increased its presence to protect the site.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun

News 9

www.mmtimes.com

Views
Impunity and
policies fuel
sexual violence
FIONA
MACGREGOR
fionamacgregor@hotmail.co.uk

HIS month marks the

one-year anniversary of
Myanmars signing up to
the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual
Violence in Conflict. It is also the
four-year anniversary of the renewal of conflict in Kachin State.
In a statement this week
marking the latter anniversary,
the Kachin Womens Association
Thailand (KWAT) highlighted a
well-reported and disturbing case
that illustrates just how far the Myanmar government has to go before
it comes anywhere close to meeting
its commitment.
Despite strong evidence that
Burmese troops of Light Infantry
Battalion 503 were guilty of the
rape and murder of two Kachin
volunteer teachers in Muse district
on January 19, 2015, the police
have wound up their investigation
without charging any suspects.
The military authorities not only
obstructed investigations into the
case, but threatened legal action
against anyone alleging their troops
were to blame, the KWAT statement said.
Unlike some of those reporting
on the Kachin rapes and killings
who have declared Myanmar
military personnel guilty despite the
lack of a court case, KWAT in this
statement avoided appointing itself
judge without trial.
Instead, by pointing to the
failure of the police to bring charges
and deliberate attempts by Myanmar military leaders to suppress
a thorough investigation, KWAT
has helped illustrate a dangerous
approach by the authorities that
extends beyond any individual case,
however tragic.
In its statement, KWAT says
it has documented the rape of
more than 70 women and girls by
Myanmar troops since the conflict
restarted in 2011. Given the large
number of rapes under any circumstances that go unreported for
reasons including fear and social
stigma, it is likely many other cases
involving members of the armed
forces have gone uncounted.
In his March 23 report on
conflict-related sexual violence, UN
Secretary General Ban Ki Moon
noted that despite Myanmar having
signed up to the declaration, During
2014 there continued to be a high
level of impunity for conflict-related
sexual violence perpetrated by state
actors [in Myanmar] and a lack of
transparency in military courts.
Although Mr Ban pointed as
promising first steps to the two
cases in which members of the military were prosecuted and sentenced
to imprisonment for rape last year,
he also highlighted the need for a
systematic culture of redress.
And he pointed out that successive UN special rapporteurs
to Myanmar have called for the
amendment of its constitution to
ensure that the security forces are

subject to the rule of law and

civilian oversight.
This is crucial. Myanmar might
have signed up to the Declaration
of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, but the countrys
constitution one which currently
cannot be changed without military
approval ensures that servicemen
can be protected from standing trial
for rape.
As long as such impunity
remains enshrined in Myanmars
political system, the signing of the
declaration remains little more than
window-dressing.
But those supporting an end
to sexual violence in conflict must
also look beyond direct assaults on
women and girls by members of the
national armed forces. Hundreds
of thousands of people have been
displaced by conflicts in Kachin,
Rakhine and elsewhere in Myanmar
since President U Thein Seins
government came to office.
The grim reality of IDP camps
anywhere strangers forced to live
in cramped conditions, many family members separated from each
other, trauma and often widespread
substance abuse creates circumstances in which people are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence.
But in Myanmar, particularly
in Rakhine and areas of Kachin,
specific government policies have
deliberately made it difficult and at
times impossible for relief organisations to access and provide the support that could help address some
of those risks.
There are widespread reports
of sexual violence inflicted on the
Rohingya population of Rakhine
State by members of the military,
though lack of proper investigation
means many of those have not been
independently verified.
The Myanmar government must
also take responsibility for having
created the situation through a
policy of repression, rights abuses
and denial of citizenship that
has driven thousands of Rohingya
victims of conflict into the hands of
people traffickers, where many have
suffered extreme violence, including
sexual violence.
In light of the systematic failure
of the government to properly
address state actors direct and
indirect responsibility for sexual
violence in conflict, it is hard to see
how Myanmar is going to meet its
commitment to ending such abuses.
Civil society and individuals,
whatever their political, religious
or ethnic affiliation, must push the
government for greater action. And
it should not be left to womens
groups alone to lead on this.
And at ground level, individuals and communities can do their
part to help support those affected
by conflict-related sexual violence,
and sexual violence in general by
ensuring victim-shaming does not
prevent abuses coming to light.
The government must do its part
to end sexual violence in conflict.
But all in society must work together to end the social stigma that too
often surrounds rape victims and
develop a culture in which sexual
violence, under any circumstances,
is recognised as unacceptable, and
the perpetrators punished.

In Nepal, transgender people

turn adversity into opportunity
MANISHA DHAKAL
JOE WONG
newsroom@mmtimes.com

HIS year began with such

hope for transgender people
in Nepal, as the government
announced citizens could
identify their gender as
other on their passports. We were
getting ready to celebrate the issuing
of the first of these passports when
disaster struck the country. Among the
thousands of people who were killed by
the earthquake which hit the Kathmandu area almost two months ago, some
were lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
intersexual and questioning (LGBTIQ).
Ciatala died when a house collapsed. Her body was dug out of the
rubble and brought to a teaching
hospital. The Blue Diamond Society,
dedicated to improving the sexual
health, well-being and human rights
of sexual minorities in Nepal, had the
sad job of arranging a proper funeral
for her. The society has about 218,000
members throughout the country and
we continue to get reports of community members who are still missing.
The quake cast many transgender
people out into the streets, as their
homes crumbled. At last count 65
homes of LGBTIQ and their families
were fully destroyed. When relief
camps were quickly set up, people
without families were segregated into
male and female camps. Where did
that leave the third gender? Once again
they felt excluded in a country that is
viewed as one of the most progressive
on gender-identity in the world.
We could not accept this. The Blue
Diamond Society sprang into action a
few days after the quake and organised a camp specifically for sexual and
gender minorities. In communal tents,
transgenders both transgender males
and females felt safer. The community may have lost their homes but they
discovered a new resolve and strength
as they shared food, comfort and shelter, and rebuilt their lives together.
Since the quake, Blue Diamonds
care and support centre has been preparing food for community members
on a daily basis. While the societys
three-storey building is still standing,
there are cracks on the walls and the
structure needs to be repaired. This

An aerial view taken from a Nepal army helicopter shows a relief camp for
earthquake survivors in Kathmandu on May 28. Photo: AFP

means that transgender people and

other sexual minorities living with
HIV who received care in the Blue
Diamond Society centre had to leave.
Most of them have moved to the Terai
districts, adjacent to India, and some
even to India.
Not only in Nepal, but also in many
other countries, transgender people
are often at higher risk of HIV. This
is because they rarely have identity
papers that affirm their gender. Without such legal recognition they are
excluded from education and employment opportunities. They face exclusion, discrimination, violence and lack
of access to appropriate healthcare. A
UNAIDS report finds that globally, the
chance of acquiring HIV is 49 times
higher for a transgender woman than
other adults of reproductive age.
In Kathmandu, 300 transgender
women were making a living selling
sex before the earthquake. Now, not
only do the women find it hard to find
customers, but their landlords have
increased their rent, forcing some of
these women to leave their homes.
This is a clear case of discrimination
and rights violation at a time of extreme vulnerability. Without permanent shelter and steady income, these
transgender womens living conditions
are difficult. However, international
relief agencies have provided tents,
blankets and water purification tablets
to help them get through the initial
emergency period.
Gender-considerate disaster risk
reduction is essential. Transgender people need to be included in preparation
planning. Their voices must be heard

and their issues must be addressed in

the current post-disaster risk assessment. The lack of government identification papers that reflect their gender
identity often leads to their exclusion
from relief centres or government
handouts. Also, basic facilities such as
toilets and bathrooms in emergency
shelters are often divided into male
and female venues. In the best of times,
forcing transgender individuals to
choose between male and female toilets can lead to embarrassing encounters and in the worst of times it can
spell danger: Having to share toilets,
particularly at night, puts transgender
persons at risk of violence and rape.
While many transgender people in
Nepal still face an uncertain future,
the community is proud to have come
this far. Few past disaster relief plans
have taken into account the needs of
sexual minorities. It is rare for evacuation centres to provide private space
for transgender people and other
sexual minorities.
While the road ahead is difficult,
we are confident that transgender
people in Nepal can continue to be a
beacon of hope for their peers across
Asia and the Pacific. The transgender
community is using the same courage,
resilience and tenacity that won them
legal recognition to shape relief efforts
in Nepal. We hope their experience can
set an example for future emergencies
around the world.
Manisha Dhakal is executive director of
the Blue Diamond Society in Kathmandu,
Nepal. Joe Wong is program manager of
the Asia Pacific Transgender Network.

10 THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 12, 2015

BUSINESS EDITOR: Jeremy Mullins | jeremymullins7@gmail.com

Business

Exchange Rates (June 11 close)

Currency
Euro
Malaysia Ringitt
Singapore Dollar
Thai Baht
US Dollar

Buying

Selling

K1240
K296
K811
K32.8
K1112

K1260
K310
K825
K36
K1114

Insiders to meet
to discuss action
on the kyat
JEREMY
MULLINS
jeremymullins7@gmail.com

THE Central Bank of Myanmar has

called a meeting for today with public
and private sector experts to discuss
taming exchange rate volatility, according to several sources.
The kyat has steadily declined this
year against the dollar, though the
drop had been especially swift this
month. It traded around K1137 on
informal markets on June 1, but had
reached near K1267 per dollar on June
10 around 1:30pm, before strengthening back to K1237 to close the day. Yesterday, the kyat continued to strengthen as of deadline, it had appreciated
past K1200.
The Central Bank is working to intervene in the market to prevent volatile swings.
The discussion regarding the intervention has been going on, said one
Central Bank of Myanmar official. It is
being implemented and the momentum will pick up next week.
The Central Bank has called a meeting scheduled for today of ministries,
economists and bankers to discuss the
situation at its Nay Pyi Taw head office.
A number of proposals are to be considered to stem the rapid swings in the
local currency.
There have already been separate
discussions in the capital. Speaker
Thura U Shwe Mann, related parliamentary committees and government
officials met on June 10 to discuss the
currency swings.
U Win Myint, secretary of parliaments Banks and Monetary Affairs
Development Committee, said the different groups discussed their individual areas of responsibility, such as the
Ministry of Commerce discussing car
imports and the Ministry of Finance
discussing budget spending.
These discussions will not have
an immediate effect, though we saw
the exchange rate drop from K1280 to
K1230 within the day [of June 10]. The
government is focusing on this issue,
and that threatens speculators, he said.
U Win Myint also said the Central Bank should be more transparent when taking action. The Central
Banks activities seem very confidential
sometimes, he said.
The meeting scheduled for today is
expected to generate action to tackle
volatility in the kyat.
Yangon Foreign Exchange Market
Committee chair U Mya Than said on
June 12 the Central Bank will discuss
the industry and provide direction for
its players.
Not only will the Central Bank be
giving instructions to us, but they will
also be listening to our proposals and
setting policies that are based on reality, he said.
The Central Bank also met with
bankers and money changers last
month to encourage them to follow
exchange-rate rules and adhere to the
daily reference rate. The Central Bank
sets a reference rate each day, and it

AYE
THIDAR
KYAW
ayethidarkyaw@gmail.com

is illegal to exchange currencies outside of plus or minus 0.8pc of this rate.

However, the rate has not kept up with
the market rate, meaning there has
been a large difference between the official and market rates at some points
this year.
While the kyat may have been overvalued somewhat, its swift depreciation in June is tough to explain.
The Central Bank has also moved
to strengthen use of the kyat in response to fears the dollar is taking
too great a hold on the economy. At
the end of May, it issued a notice that
domestic business and government
are encouraged to use the local currency. It also formed a rule that no
more than US$5000 can be withdrawn from a bank account, twice a
week, and announced new K10,000
notes.
A different Central Bank official
said the kyat has depreciated on the
international strength of the US dollar,
obvious trade and budget deficit problems, and a lack of alternate investment
opportunities leading to speculation.
Our instructions at the end of May
were intended to reduce dollarisation.
Theyve been planned for six months,
but people just blamed us for having
ineffective policies, he said.
The official also claimed these
instructions targeting dollarisation
did not directly lead to immediate
depreciation.
He added that the Central Banks
role is to stabilise the market. It has
limited control over exchange rates as
it does not print US dollars. The bank
is looking at ways to intervene in the
market to lessen the gap between the
official and unofficial exchange rates
and to provide banks with dollars to
meet demand, though the initiatives
cannot immediately go ahead.
We will have to intervene if there is
too much fluctuation in rates or if it is
causing inflation, he said.
The rapid changes in exchange
rates have caused trouble for exchange counters. If they follow the
Central Bank of Myanmars official
reference rate, as they are legally
supposed to, they have often been
selling dollars far below their market value. Those that followed the
legal route often severely limited the
amount of dollars they would sell,
often turning away currency buyers.
The alternative has been to sell at
the market rate and try to hide out
from authorities.
U Mya Than, who is also the chair of
Myanmar Oriental Bank, said exporters and importers have been finding
ways to clear their accounts informally,
as banks have been unable to offer attractive rates. This has weakened the
formal exchange market.
There are many importers as our
long-term customers, but we have had
difficulty supplying them with currency, he said.

Customers sip beverages at a Pizza Hut in China. Photo: EPA

Yum! Brands and Jardines

bring Pizza Hut to Myanmar
CLARE
HAMMOND
clarehammo@gmail.com

FAST-FOOD lovers can rejoice

again, as Yum! Brands Inc leads
the charge against Myanmars
long-standing resistance to American food and beverage franchises.
Last year the US listed company announced plans to open a
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in
Myanmar. Now it has set its sights
on introducing American restaurant chain Pizza Hut to Yangons
Golden Valley.
Yum! will partner with Jardine
Restaurant Group, a subsidiary of
Hong Kong headquartered conglomerate Jardine Matheson, and
local retail company City Mart
Holding to open its first Pizza Hut
outlet in Myanmar.
The restaurant will be located
in a standalone building beside
City Marts Marketplace supermarket on Dhammazedi Road. The site
is currently being renovated, and

is scheduled to open in November

this year.
Jardine Pacific operates over
600 Yum! franchises in Hong
Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and
southern China. Elsewhere, it
also represents KFC, but failed
to secure the franchise in Myanmar. KFC instead partnered with
Serge Pun-chaired Yoma Strategic
Holdings.
Yum! used to operate as a single franchise through a single office, which has recently been split
into KFC and Pizza Hut. They
want to distinguish one from the
other, which means that proposals to represent both are no longer optimal, said a person with
knowledge of the matter.
The news of Pizza Huts imminent arrival will come as a blow
to those who revel in Myanmars
freedom from global F&B franchises. Giants such as McDonalds and Starbucks have not yet
entered the country: The only
international food and beverage
franchises in operation are South
Koreas Lotteria and Malaysias
Marrybrown, both of which entered the market in 2013.

Yum! Brands also owns the

Taco Bell franchise, but has not
yet announced plans to establish
it in Myanmar. Yum! is headquartered in Kentucky and has more
than 41,000 restaurants in more
than 125 countries and territories.
It was formed as a spin-off of PepsiCo in 1997 and now has revenues
of more than US$13 billion.
Jardine Matheson was founded
as a trading company in China in
1832. It has had a presence in Myanmar for several years. In 2013,
elevator and escalator focused
joint venture Jardine Schindler
opened an office in Yangon. In the
same year, Jardine Cycle & Carriage became Daimlers Myanmar
distributer for Mercedes-Benz and
Mitsubishi Fuso vehicles.
Jardine Engineering Corporation also has a presence in Myanmar, and insurance broking arm
Jardine Lloyd Thompson has a
licence to open a representative
office for insurance and reinsurance services, according to a company spokesperson. Hongkong
Land, the groups real estate division, is also reportedly looking for
opportunities.

MoE to strengthen Thailand ties

AUNG SHIN
koshumgtha@gmail.com
THE Ministry of Energy will sign
a memorandum of understanding with its Thai counterpart to
strengthen energy cooperation,
officials said at a Nay Pyi Taw
press conference yesterday.
The agreement will be signed
on June 15 in Nay Pyi Taw, aiming to further cooperation on exchange of information, technology and knowledge of oil and gas
exploration and production, said
a Ministry of Energy official. The
two sides will also have a meeting
of their joint working committee
on energy cooperation the day of
the memorandum signing.

It will help develop Myanmars energy sector, provide updated technology, more employment opportunities and domestic
energy security, an official said.
This is the Ministry of Energys first general memorandum
of understanding with Thailand,
though officials say the two countries have already been cooperating in energy.
Thai state-owned enterprise
PTT has had a Myanmar presence for more than 25 years, with
rights as the operator in seven onand offshore oil and gas blocks. It
is also the operator of Zawtika,
one of the countrys four offshore
gas production platforms.
The official said there will also

be a scholarship program for students whose parents serve with

government ministries.
A total of 20 students will be
dispatched to Thailand in July,
he said.
Since 2003, the ministry has
dispatched 32 staff members on
various overseas scholarship programs, studying areas such as
geology and engineering, while
another 70 staff members have
travelled abroad to improve vocational skills.
The Ministry of Energy previously signed memorandums of
understanding on general cooperation in the energy sector with
Vietnam in 2012 and with China
in 2014.

11

12 Business

THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 11, 2015

When is mobile data not your own?

CATHERINE
TRAUTWEIN
newsroom@mmtimes.com

TELCOS can find out who users talk

to, as well as where and when and
right now, in certain situations, a Posts
and Telecommunications Department
(PTD) request could lead operators to
share that information with police.
Despite a new telecoms law that
empowers the Union government to
pursue confidential user information under certain circumstances, a
framework around its implementation has yet to be hammered out. Industry players have established stopgap measures that balance consumer
rights and compliance.
Section 75 of Myanmars 2013 telecoms law says the Union government
may direct organisations to help it
obtain information or telecommunications damaging to national security
and the prevalence of law, so long as
doing so does not impact fundamental
rights of citizens.
And section 77 says the Ministry
of Communications and Information
Technology (MCIT) has the right in
emergency situations to direct a licensee to intercept or not to operate particular forms of communication, and
to obtain necessary information and
communications.
At a sustainability briefing last
month for Telenor Myanmar, the
firms CEO Petter Furberg called the
telecoms law balanced and said his
company acknowledged that, around
the world, governments have the right
to access confidential information to
assist in their efforts of preventing
and prosecuting serious crimes.
While Myanmars government
claims a similar prerogative over its
own telcos, the legal framework is not
yet fully in place and questions remain
especially around what body would
authorise requests for information.
For example, Mr Furberg said his
firm sees the legislation as necessitating a court order for information to be
released, but that the law lacks clarity
as to which court. Posts and Telecommunications Department director U
Than Htun Aung said that by default
the competent authority is the Supreme Court but that a mechanism
hasnt been established.
Ambiguity in the legislation has
driven telcos and the government to
use interim protocols around requests
for information addressing the laws
dual directives of compliance and customer protection.
For now, Telenor as well as its
competitors, Ooredoo and MPT requires involvement from the PTD to
give out information, and has supplemented that with an internal review
process.
As an interim arrangement, we are
requesting that the police to the extent they want access to the historical
customer information are sending a
request to the PTD for their consent to
release the information and for their
consent to release Telenor from our
obligations under the law, Mr Furberg
said last month. At the same time we
are requesting the right to, on an individual basis, review all cases before
we release this customer information.
U Than Htun Aung said that information is sought from operators in the
event of criminal investigations.
Today, when this framework is
missing, we discuss with operators
when the police can prove they are
[conducting] criminal investigations
in the case of murder or narcotics, he
said, adding major issues also include
terrorist activity like bomb threats
and human trafficking.
Myanmars telcom companies say
they have begun receiving requests
from authorities.
Telenor Myanmar has received 15

A woman listens to a phone call yesterday. According to the law, in very specific circumstances the government can listen in as well. Photo: Zarni Phyo

official requests for information on

its customers, and in three cases has
provided the police with historical
data around missing persons and drug
investigations, Mr Furberg said at the
briefing.
Meanwhile, Ooredoo Myanmar
senior manager of community and
public relations Ma Thiri Kyar Nyo
said just a few requests two to
three have been made of the telco, and in all cases information has
been provided.
As and when there are [cases of ]
human trafficking, drugs and homicide, they will come and contact us
through the PTD, she said. The company also has an internal authorisation process.
MPT declined to provide details on
how many requests have been made
of the telco for information, but said
the firm has been sticking to rules laid
out by the PTD and the MCIT. The
request has to come to MPT from
PTD, wrote deputy general manager
of legal and corporate affairs Daw San
San Lwin in an email. Only with a
PTD request will MPT process further.
MPTs managing director and general
manager of HR and corporate affairs
and legal are the only people who can
authorise [the telco] to proceed further with the request.
Ma Thiri Kyar Nyo said requests
have been around caller and receiver
location and call records. Telenor has
affirmed appeals have been for historical information.
If the police have a number and
they want to understand who has
this number, that is the subscriber
information, that is one thing, the
ministrys U Than Htun Aung said.
And then sometimes the location of
that number, and number three, call
records ... who that person is making
calls to.
So far, requests have stuck to communications data although U Than
Htun Aung said the telecoms law,
which he describes as broad, covers
content as well.
However, he said that only extreme circumstances would lead to
authorities requesting this particular
information.
We will be very reluctant to authorise operators to release the content unless it is very serious ... [and]

very important to help the criminal

investigation, he said.
Telenor stated in its London sustainability briefing last month that it
had the system set up for lawful intercept but that so far it has not been
used. Ma Thiri Kyar Nyo confirmed
that in extreme cases, such as terror threats or national crises, Ooredoo would cooperate on requests for
content.
These interim processes help protect the telcos, as Mr Furberg notes
giving out confidential user information could earn him one year in jail.
I try to avoid that, he said drily.
Meanwhile, the Myanmar administration has begun work to forge a
framework around external access
to customer information, seeking international input in the process. Mr
Furberg said the Council of Europe
through the EU has begun working
with MCIT.
The assistance appears to be
focussed on helping Myanmar understand the Council of Europes Budapest Convention on Cybercrime,
said Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB) director Vicky
Bowman.
The Budapest Convention, also
called the Convention on Cybercrime,
has informed cybercrime laws in more
than 45 states and has been ratified or
acceded in 46.
We definitely would want to have
a [wider] framework on lawful interception, said MCRB sector-wide impact assessment manager Ma Thi Thi
Thein. We would like to see something thats wider in terms of policy
than just specifically on cybercrime.
Myanmars policy on lawful intercept could come as part of an
overarching cybercrime law or as a
standalone policy, according to an industry insider.
MPTs Daw San San Lwin noted
the development process on a framework around cyber crime led by the
PTD and supported by the EU was
ongoing and that a Cyber Crime forum
and workshop had been held in Nay
Pyi Taw in May. Though an industry
insider said the administration had
previously set July as its target date
for a public consultation, Daw San
San Lwin said it is early days for the
framework and the organisation could

not pinpoint when it would come out.

An assessment report and suggestions for the framework are due to the
MCIT later this month. There has also
been discussion of a public consultation process, with the government earlier pledging a public airing.
Ms Bowman said The Ministry
has a good track record of running online consultations on draft legislation,
and it is established practice for both
the EU and Council of Europe, consistent with their commitment to democracy and human rights.
The Department of Home Affairs,
which sent representatives to a recent
fact-finding mission, were identified
as the point ministry to draft legislation on cybercrime in the past, an industry insider said.

We will be very
reluctant to
authorise operators
to release the
content unless it is
very serious ... [and]
very important to
help the criminal
investigation.
U Than Htun Aung
Posts and Telecoms official

For these new regulatory issues,

one thing thats a little bit concerning is just the low level of visibility I
think in the ICT community or in the
stakeholder community, said MCRB
information and communication
technologies research leader Kamran
Emad. I think CSOs want to participate and want to have a seat at the
table, but if they dont know theres
a table and theyre not invited, thats
tricky.
The MCRB, Myanmar ICT for Development Organisation (MIDO) and
downtown innovation lab Phandeeyar
will host a workshop featuring ICT
project manager for the Institute for

Human Rights and Business (IHRB)

Lucy Purdon later this month to educate the public on lawful intercept. Ms
Purdon will also address the question
When can the government access my
data? in a talk at the tech hub.
Ms Purdon said that prerequisites
for rules that respected human rights
in Myanmar included targeted rather than mass surveillance, an authorisation process, oversight, transparency and periodic reviews. It would be
great if individuals could be notified
[afterward] so that the possibility for
them to seek a remedy is open and
also a remedy if people have been under surveillance that they believe to be
illegal, she said.
It would be a step back if Myanmar took advantage of the developments in telecommunications in
Myanmar to implement a repressive
surveillance regime similar to before
the reforms, she wrote in an email.
A 2013 report from Human Rights
Watch on reforming Myanmars telecoms industry said that the countrys previous military government
had enacted draconian measures
such as restricted access to technology, severe punishments for internet
expression and even an online blackout in 2007.
Fear of surveillance, online and
offline, has historically been pervasive
in Burmese society, the report said.
The report also said that Myanmars 2004 Electronic Transactions
Law had previously been wielded as
a weapon against journalists and activists. However, U Than Htun Aung
from the ministry told The Myanmar
Times the legislation would only affect
electronic commerce in the future.
Yet memories from a previous era
of surveillance still linger.
In Myanmar, where scrutiny under the military government is finished, it remains fuzzy how adept the
governments surveillance capabilities might be.
When the internet arrived in Myanmar around 2000, 2001, it seems
the Government was very quick to
take advantage of surveillance capabilities, Ms Purdon said.
[We dont know] what technology was borrowed or bought and its
really hard to tell if they still have
those capabilities.

Business 13

www.mmtimes.com

Trade-in scheme runs into problems

AYE
NYEIN
WIN
ayenyeinwin.mcm@gmail.com

ANGRY drivers are blaming paperwork confusion for a snarl-up in their

efforts to trade in their old vehicles for
permission to import new ones. Some
have been told they will have to wait
two years or more to offload vehicles
they thought they would soon see the
back of.
Locally made vehicles older than
10 years can be traded in for a slip,
which allows for the import of another
vehicle. These slips are valuable, with
a price on the secondary market of
around K10 million.
While the program is an attempt
to get old vehicles off the road, it has
proven contentious. Determining
how to judge what vehicles qualify
as 10 years old is at the centre of the
debate.
Owners of some cars produced in
Myanmars industrial zones often did
not register their vehicles for some
time after they were made. The Road
Transport Administration Department
(RTAD), which is administering the
program, say they will determine the
age of the car according to the date it
was registered with them.

Coal power
opponents
send letter
SU PHYO WIN
suphyo1990@gmail.com
CITIZENS of Kyaukpyu township in Rakhine State have sent a letter with 440
signatures protesting a planned coalfired generating plant, said a representative from Kyaukpyu Social Network.
Daewoo International, MCM Company and the Ministry of Electric Power in May announced plans to build
a US$2.5 billion, 1320-megawatt coal
power plant locally, though Rakhine
State Chief Minister U Maung Maung
Ohn said they must ensure they receive the support of local people.
Officials both for and against the
project are now canvassing local villagers to win them over to their respective sides.
We heard MCM Company met with
villagers, after we held a public meeting at a monastery in Ma-U-Pyein village, said U Tun Lwin, a coordinator of
Kyaukpyu Social Network. They got a
few people to agree, but the result was
objected to by the majority, he claimed.
The organisation plans to send
translated letters to Daewoo and MCM,
while four members of parliament representing Rakhine State will receive
original copies of the letters. Although
the letters are now in the mail, company officials say they will continue
their effort to persuade local people
that the project will be beneficial.
The objections of 400 people is not
significant, said U Tin Soe, project director from MCM Energy. There are
thousands of people in Rakhine State.
U Tin Soe said that about half of
local people now want the coal power
project, as it will help lighten their villagers with electricity. While some people still object, MCM Energy is working
to explain to them why coal power is
needed in Kyaukpyu.
Locals want the project as they
continue to develop their area, he
said. Only groups of people with relatives in the [Kyaukpyu Social] Network are refusing. We will meet with
them. We are trying to provide electricity, and I think it is a good cause.

Cars produced in the industrial

zones do not always bear a model
year. Also, there is a gap between the
production date and the registration
date. RTAD goes by the date at which
the owners registered the vehicle with
us, said department director U Kyaw
Aye Lwin. Earlier this year, the government adjusted the program by which it
invited the owners of 10-year-old cars
to hand them in. But when they did
so, some owners found that their cars
were not old enough.
There were cars RTAD wouldnt
accept. Though the chassis number
was 2005, the registration date with
RTAD was 2007. The owner has to wait
two more years, said Ko Ayay Kyo, a
car dealer from Mandalay.
Clarifications had to be introduced
into the program last year when it was
found that some car owners were resorting to trickery to get rid of their vehicles,
claiming they were made locally and
therefore eligible for the program, when
they were not. As a result, the RTAD suspended the program in February.
It started at Thilawa port. Some
people told RTAD their cars were
from the industrial zones, but they
werent. Complaints were made, and
RTAD stopped accepting cars from
the zones. At that time you could get
a lot of money for a slip from RTAD
certifying that your car was 20 years
old, said Ko Ayay Kyo.
The stricter policy introduced

Old cars can be traded in for

permission to import a new vehicle.
Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing

by RTAD last month did not please

drivers.
We lost money because government policy raised car prices very high.
This policy is totally wrong. RTAD
should be more transparent, said Ko
Ayay Kyo.
In 2011, the government initially

invited drivers to trade in cars that

were 20 years old. They also ceased
production of cars in the Zone for
safety reasons.
RTAD should make it clear as
soon as possible what they are prepared to accept. Otherwise, the
market in slip prices becomes very

unstable and unpredictable, said U

Aye Tun, managing director of Aung
Thein Than Company. The industrial
zone have produced about 100,000 cars.
Of these, more than 23,000 have been
traded in, and an estimated 60,000
could yet be handed in. The remainder
have probably been written off.

14 International Business

THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 12, 2015

WASHINGTON

Ratings agency
confirms US AA+ rating

IN PICTURES

Photo: AFP

Japanese robot giant Yaskawa Electrics industrial

robot Motoman performs a cooking demonstration
at the International Food Machinery and Technology
Exhibition in Tokyo.

WASHINGTON

Emerging
economies face
a rocky road
THE World Bank warned emerging
economies around the world late on
June 10 of a rocky road ahead as the
US moves toward tightening monetary policy and the dollar strengthens.
But the development lenders chief
economist also urged the US Federal
Reserve to put off any rate hikes until
next year so as to give more breathing room to the slow-growing global
economy.
In an update of the prospects
for world growth, the World Bank
trimmed its forecast for 2015 to 2.8
percent, compared to the 3.0pc expansion predicted in January.
It also estimated GDP growth
of 8.5pc for Myanmar this year and
8.2pc in 2016, the highest in the Asia
Pacific region except for Papua New
Guinea.
That downgrade was due mainly
to the US contraction in the first
quarter, slow turnarounds in Europe
and Japan, and Chinas deceleration.
But it has increased the challenges
for emerging and poor economies,
many hit by low commodity prices
and capital outflows.
And though the plunge in oil prices has lowered costs for net energy
importers, because of the stronger
dollar the benefits of cheaper oil have
not registered deeply on their economies, according to the World Bank
report.
These challenges could become
tougher as the US economy rebounds
and the Fed mulls raising interest
rates, it said.
As that happens, there will be
more volatility in global markets and
weaker economies will suffer, the report said.
Those economies will pay more
to borrow and incoming investment
will be harder to attract, effectively
adding more downward pressure on

currencies that have already fallen

significantly against the dollar over
the past year.
We are advising nations, especially emerging economies, to fasten seat
belts, said Kaushik Basu, the World
Bank economist.
Mr Basu took the view of his counterparts at the International Monetary Fund that the US and global
economy would be better off if the
Fed holds its benchmark federal
funds rate at the zero level until early
next year.
If I were advising the US Fed, I
would recommend that this happens
next year instead of late this year, he
said.
The Bank was relatively optimistic
beyond 2015, sticking to its forecast
for 3.3pc world growth in 2016.
For this year, it cut its forecast for
the United States by a half-percentage point to 2.0pc, raised its outlook
for the euro to 1.5pc, trimmed Japan
to 1.1pc and held its China view stable
at 7.1pc.
The South Asia region got a 1.0
percentage point upgrade to 7.1pc,
but for developing countries as a
whole, the outlook was cut by 0.4pc
of a point to 4.4pc.
The prospect of greater market
volatility and higher financing costs
requires vulnerable countries to
strengthen their finances, diversify
from dependence on commodities and
build their competitiveness and efficiency through reforms, the Bank said.
Unless emerging markets have
taken the prudent policy steps to be
fiscally and externally resilient, they
may face significant challenges dealing with the turbulence and other
fallout that could be associated with a
Fed tightening, said Ayhan Kose, the
World Bank director of development
prospects. AFP

STANDARD & Poors confirmed the

US credit rating at AA+ late on June
10, saying debt levels remained high
and policy-making weak, four years
after it cut the countrys top-level triple-A rating.
S&P recognized the return to
strength of the US economy and efforts to bring down debt levels that
shot up in the 2008 financial crisis.
But it said net general government
debt remains at a high 80 percent of
GDP, a level that will hold through
2018 but then begin to rise again.
And it cited a looming new political battle over the countrys debt ceiling as creating uncertainty for economic policy.
Political gridlock over raising the
debt ceiling necessary to fund government was the issue that forced
the August 5, 2011, downgrade which
lost Washington its AAA rating for the
first time in history.
The same issue led to a short shutdown of the government in October
2013 that raised further questions
about the economy and governance.
S&P cited both as reasons for not
restoring a top rating to the US on
June 10.
A high level of general government debt as well as a lack of political

US elected officials
are less able to
react swiftly and
effectively to public
finance pressures.
Standard & Poors statement

cohesion among the main parties in

Congress resulting in comparatively
short-term-oriented policymaking
constrain the ratings, S&P said.
The AA+ rating already factors in
our view that US elected officials are
less able to react swiftly and effectively to public finance pressures than
are officials of some more highly rated
sovereigns.
It includes the prospect that debates over raising the debt ceiling
could be protracted and difficult.
While the agency said it expects, as
before, that the ceiling gets raised so
the government can fund its chronic
budget gap, it has been our long-held
view that debate poses a risk to the
economy.
AFP

BANGKOK

M-150 manufacturer steps up push

THAI consumer product conglomerate Osotspa Co is stepping up its
energy drink business in Myanmar
by joining forces with a local partner
for more aggressive expansion in the
neighbouring country.
This move is part of its plan to
drive M-150 to become the leading energy drink brand in the region
over the next five years.
Managing director Thammasak Jittimaporn said Osotspa had
formed a joint venture with Loi Hein
Group, a large domestic beverage
producer, for three months to boost
sales of all energy drink brands under Osotspa including M-150, Shark,
Lipo and .357.
Osotspa has exported its energy
drinks to Myanmar for several years,
with Loi Hein serving as distributor
for M-150.
Loi Hein has already changed its
status from a distributor to become a
business partner with Osotspa.
We want to build the brand
awareness of M-150 in Myanmar to
be as high as in the Thai market, Mr
Thammasak said.
M-150 has a strong brand, and
about 98 percent of all grocery stores
nationwide sell it.
Mr Thammasak said Osotspa

Osotspa managing director

Thammasak Jittimaporn. Photo: AFP

saw huge potential to expand in

Myanmar.
A large portion of Myanmar workers in Thailand drink
M-150. More than 10 million baht
(US$296,000) will be allocated
for distribution and marketing to

promote M-150 in Myanmar this

year. The energy drink market in
Myanmar is forecast to be worth
about 1.5 billion baht this year and
will double to 3 billion over the next
three years, Mr Thammasak said.
After the joint venture in Myanmar, Osotspa expects sales from all
energy drink brands in Myanmar will
reach 1 billion baht.
M-150 leads the energy drink market in Thailand, Myanmar and Laos,
and the company plans to boost its
sales in other ASEAN members.
Myanmar will be the business
platform for our energy drinks in expanding into other ASEAN members,
starting from distributing products,
finding business partners and setting
up production facilities in such markets, Mr Thammasak said.
M-150 product sales in the first
five months of this year increased by
more than the countrys GDP growth.
The economic slowdown has
hurt consumer spending on energy
drinks, but the sector should recover
quickly, Mr Thammasak said.
Purchasing power has risen since
April, particularly in the Northeast
and the East, and we hope the increasing momentum will continue in
the second half, he added. AFP

MUMBAI

Nestle fights back for India noodles

NESTLE said yesterday it is challenging a ban imposed by India on
its hugely popular Maggi instant
noodles brand after tests showed
they contained excessive levels of
lead.
Nestle said it had approached
the high court in the city of Mumbai seeking a judicial review of a
June 5 order from the governments
food safety regulator banning the
product.
Nestle India Limited has today
approached the Honble Bombay
High Court raising issues of interpretation of the Food Safety and

Standards Act 2011, said a statement posted on the companys

website.
It said it was also challenging a
separate order from the state government of Maharashtra, of which
Mumbai is the capital.
Nestle, which says the noodles
are safe to eat, had already announced it was pulling the product
from sale when the ban was imposed.
Yesterday it said it would keep
the product off store shelves despite
the court action.
The Food Safety and Standards

Authority of India said last week

it was banning the company from
producing and selling the noodles
after tests by some states found
lead levels above statutory limits.
The safety scare is a huge blow
to the company, which has been
selling its Maggi brand for over
three decades in India, and has
80 percent of the countrys instant
noodle market.
Shares in Nestle India, a subsidiary of the Swiss-based giant,
fell more than 9.0pc on the Bombay
Stock Exchange last week as the
controversy escalated. AFP

JOB WATCH
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) in Myanmar is seeking for qualified applicants to fill the
following position:
1)National Legal Contractor (Individual Contractor),
Duty Station Yangon with travel to Nay Pyi Taw and other locations
Closing date: 19 June 2015
The detailed Terms of Reference for these positions are available
on request from UNHCR offices in Yangon, Maungdaw, Buthidaung,
Sittwe, Myitkyina, Bhamo, Mawlamyine, Hpa-An, Loikaw, Dawei and
Taungoo.
www.unhcr.org

UNFPA because everyone counts.

The United Nations Population Fund: Delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and
every young persons potential is fulfilled.
Interested in being part of a multi-cultural team delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth
is safe; every young person's potential is fulfilled in Myanmar? Come and join us, because at UNFPA, everyone
counts. We are seeking a creative, dynamic and highly motivated individual to join our growing communications
effort to drive forward to the next level of UNFPA country programme on population and development, gender
equality and reproductive health and rights for the people in Myanmar. If youre looking for an opportunity to
make a difference, thrive in a challenging yet rewarding teamwork environment, we wish to hear from you.
Position
National Humanitarian Response Coordinator

Type of Contract
Service Contract

Grade
SC-9

Duty Station
Yangon

Applications should be addressed to UNFPA Representative. Attention: International Operations Manager, Room A-07,
UNFPA, No.6, Natmauk Road, Yangon.
Job Title: Director of Studies

URGENTLY REQUIRED

We, the Australian Endeavour Company, are seeking an experienced Director

of Studies for a new English Language School which will operate in Yangon,
Myanmar. The Director of Studies offers academic leadership in the area
of Quality Management and best practice in English language education.
The Director of Studies is responsible for managing teaching staff and their
performance, and the overview and administration of all aspects of the
Academic English program, including the resourcing of classes.
REQUIRED
Bachelor's degree plus post-graduate qualification in TESOL (e.g. MA in
App. Ling)
CELTA or equivalent TESOL certificate level qualification
Minimum five years' ELT teaching experience at adult level in
international settings, preferably in EAP
Level of expertise as follows:
- experience in managing a diverse workforce
- experience leading successful change
- strong information systems knowledge
- proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Demonstrable cross-cultural awareness
Leadership capability, including coaching and developing others
Demonstrable commitment to the principles of equal opportunity and
diversity
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to
effectively communicate with multiple stakeholders
Negotiation and influencing skills
Strong attention to detail
A mindset of enhancing effectiveness and efficiency through continuous
improvement
DESIRED
DELTA or equivalent TESOL diploma level qualification
IELTS Examiner certification
Teacher training experience

NEW VACANCIES APPLY NOW!

Please submit your application to AECMyanmar@hotmail.com before 30 June

2015 with
1. resume with recent photo
2. scan of your photo page of passport (or) NRC
3. Expected Salary
4. scans of degrees and official transcripts, CELTA/TESOL certificate,
DELTA/TESOL diploma
5. updated criminal record check (may be submitted later)

Business Development manager

Chief Accountant

Marketing manager

Accountant

Sales and distribution manager

HR Manager

Brand manager

HR Executive

Logistic officer

Legal executive

Medical doctor

Secretary

Project manager

Passenger service agent ( airline)

Sales engineer

Receptionist

Site engineer

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

Email: myanmar.office@unfpa.org
Closing date of Application: 26 June 2015 (5:00pm)
For further details, please see the vacancy announcement posted at UN billboard. No.6, Natmauk Road, Yangon and also
at UNFPA website (http://myanmar.unfpa.org)
Applications will be considered only when meeting all requirements set in detailed vacancy announcement.

16 THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 12, 2015

World

17

WORLD EDITOR: Kayleigh Long

BEIJING

Putin pleads case

against sanctions
in Rome

Major bombing
attack foiled, say
Egyptian police

WORLD 20

WORLD 18

BANGKOK

SEOUL

Xi meets with Panchen Lama

MERS outbreak hits S Korea economy

A MAN Beijing has named as

one of the most senior figures in
Tibetan Buddhism met with Chinese
President Xi Jinping, state media said
yesterday, as Communist authorities
seek to win support for their policies
in the region.
Gyaincain Norbu, who China appointed as its choice of 11th Panchen
Lama, was asked by Mr Xi to carry
on the patriotic tradition of Tibetan Buddhism during the June 10
meeting, the China Daily reported.
Many Tibetans do not recognise
Norbu as the Panchen Lama the second most revered figure in the Gelug
school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Tibetan spiritual leader the
Dalai Lamas choice for Panchen
Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima, was
detained by Chinese authorities in
1995 at the age of six and has not been
seen since.
Chinas Panchen Lama has been labelled by Tibetan groups as a symbol
of Beijings efforts to exert control over
local religious practices.
Panchen Lama promised ... to
unswervingly safeguard national unity
and ethnic harmony, the China Daily
said.
He also said he would bear in mind
President Xis advice, to learn hard and
work vigorously to make his contribution to Tibetan Buddhism and socialist
construction, the report added.
China often uses terms such as patriotic to mean allegiance to political
authorities.
The Dalai Lama is still widely
revered by Tibetans in China and the
meeting came just a month before his
80th birthday.
The spiritual leader fled to India in
1959 after an aborted uprising against
Chinese rule and is accused by Beijing
of seeking independence for Tibet.
Mr Xi said he expected the

SOUTH Koreas outbreak of the potentially deadly MERS virus yesterday

forced the central bank to cut its key interest rate to ward off greater economic
damage, as retailers report a slump in
business.
In what has become the largest
outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outside Saudi
Arabia, Seoul reported 14 new cases, including the first infection of a pregnant
woman.
The new diagnoses brought to 122
the total number of confirmed cases in
South Korea, the health ministry said,
while the number of fatalities remained
at nine, with no further deaths reported in the past 24 hours.
Businesses including shopping
malls, restaurants and cinemas have
reported a sharp drop in sales as people
shun public venues with large crowds.
Bank of Korea governor Lee Ju-Yeol
said slowing exports and threats to
business from MERS were central to
the decision to cut its benchmark rate
by a quarter percentage point, to a record low of 1.5 percent.
It was the first cut since March,
when the central bank made a surprise
cut of 25 basis points.
The full impact of the outbreak
still remains uncertain but we thought
it was desirable to act pre-emptively to
curb its negative impact on ... the economy, the BoK chief told reporters.
In a statement, the BoK added, In
particular, we are concerned that economic and consumer sentiment, which
had been improving, will worsen rapidly because of the MERS crisis.
The BoK has slashed its forecast for
this years growth twice already, from
3.9pc to 3.4pc in January and again to
3.1pc in April.
More than 54,000 foreign travellers
have also cancelled planned trips to the
country so far this month, according to
the Korea Tourism Board.

Exiled from China, the Dalai Lama recently made a visit to Australia. Photo: AFP

Panchen Lama to grow into a Tibetan

Buddhist leader with great religious
acumen, deeply loved by the monks
and secular followers, the report said.
Chinas Panchen Lama who is
thought to be in his mid-20s has
made numerous tightly scripted public appearances since he turned 18,

and he made his first trip outside of

the Chinese mainland with a visit to
Hong Kong in 2012.
The 10th Panchen Lama died
in 1989 after a tumultuous
relationship with Chinas communist
leaders which saw him lauded and
later imprisoned. AFP

IN BRIEF
Kathmandu
Landslides kill 15 in Nepal

At least 15 people were killed and more

than a dozen reported missing after
heavy rains triggered landslides in
northeastern Nepal, a local government official said yesterday.
Surendra Kumar Bhattarai said the
landslides, which hit just weeks after
twin quakes that killed 8700 people in
the Himalayan nation, swept away a
dozen houses in mountainous Taplejung district.
We have found the bodies of 15
people, and around 15 others have
been reported missing. They were said
to be inside the destroyed houses,
said Mr Bhattarai, assistant district
chief.
Ten people suffered injuries and
police are on the ground helping the
wounded, he told AFP.
Scores of people die every year from
flooding and landslides during the
monsoon season in Nepal.
Taplejung escaped serious damage
in the April 25 and May 12 earthquakes, which triggered landslides and
destroyed half a million homes, leaving
thousands without shelter just weeks
ahead of monsoon rains.

Manila
Chinese fishermen freed

The Philippines has freed nine Chinese

fishermen convicted of poaching
endangered sea turtles after they
completed one-year jail terms, officials
said yesterday.

Hong Kong has issued a red alert

warning against non-essential travel to
South Korea for health reasons. Seoul
says World Health Organization guidelines do not warrant such action.
Taiwan raised its travel advisory
level for South Korea but stopped short
of warning its people against going at
all. Other governments in Asia are urging caution but none has gone as far
as Hong Kong in warning against nonessential travel.
Residents of Hong Kong are particularly sensitive after an outbreak of
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) killed 299 people in the city in
2003 and sparked global panic.
On June 10, the area around a
health clinic inside a metro station in
Hong Kong was cordoned off and officials donned protective gear after a
woman returning from South Korea
showed flu-like symptoms.

Women wearing face masks walk past

a sign advertising a sale in a shopping
district in Seoul on June 11. Photo: AFP

Surgical masks reportedly sold out

in shops around the station, but Hong
Kong officials confirmed yesterday that
the woman had tested negative for
MERS.
Growing public alarm over the outbreak this week forced South Korean
President Park Geun-Hye to cancel a
planned June 14-18 trip to the United
States.
Finance Minister Choi Kyung-Hwan
has warned repeatedly that the impact
of the outbreak could seriously hurt
Asias fourth-largest economy.
But he urged the public not to overreact and to continue normal daily
life, stressing infections so far had been
limited to hospitals.
Of the 14 new cases, eight were infected at Samsung Medical Centre in
Seoul, a major hospital where 55 people are confirmed to have contracted
the virus. That is the largest cluster in
the outbreak.
A 39-year-old woman in her final
trimester of pregnancy was among
those confirmed yesterday to have acquired the virus at the hospital.
Of the 122 confirmed cases, this
is the first case involving a pregnant
woman, the health ministry said, adding she was in a stable condition.
Another victim contracted the virus
at a hospital in Hwaseong City, 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Seoul, and
five others are under investigation to
discover how they were infected.
More than 3800 people who came
into close contact with those infected
are under quarantine, either at their
homes or at health care facilities.
The first patient was diagnosed on
May 20 after a trip to Saudi Arabia.
The 68-year-old man visited four
medical facilities, infecting other patients and medics, before he was finally diagnosed, sparking criticism
that authorities had bungled the initial
response. AFP

SYDNEY
The nine, arrested in disputed waters in May last year, were jailed after
they failed to pay fines of US$100,000
each for poaching and an additional
$2662 each for catching an endangered
species.
The shoal they were caught on is
located 111 kilometres (60 nautical
miles) west of Palawan island, which
Philippine authorities said was within
the countrys 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
The incident put further strain on
ties between the two nations who have
been wrangling over islands and reefs
in waters that are believed to hold vast
oil and gas deposits.
Chinas claim to almost the entire
South China Sea conflicts with those of
the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and
Taiwan.
The Philippines has sought to
raise alarm globally over what it
describes as massive reclamation
works by China on disputed reefs in
the Spratlys.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino has sought arbitration of the Philippines territorial row with China before
a United Nations-backed tribunal and
sought stronger military alliances with
the United States and Japan.

New York
Concerns over alleged data hack

Chinese hackers accused of attacking US federal databases may have

snared the names of Chinese with links
to American officials, putting them

in danger, The New York Times said

yesterday.
Last week, the US government admitted hackers accessed the personal
data of at least four million current and
former federal employees, in a vast cyberattack suspected to have originated
in China.
Investigators say that the hackers
who breached the databases of the
Office of Personnel Management could
have obtained the names of Chinese
relatives, friends and associates of
American diplomats and other government officials, the Times said.
Beijing which labeled claims of
Chinese involvement in the huge hack
irresponsible could use that information for blackmail or retaliation, the
newspaper said.
Federal employees involved with
national security information are
required to list some or all of their
foreign contacts to receive high-level
clearance, the report said.
According to the Times, intelligence
officials have in recent days described
in classified briefings to members
of Congress what appears to be a
systematic Chinese effort to build databases that explain the inner workings
of the US government, the newspaper
said.
The breach at the Office of Personnel Management was just the latest
in a series of major incursions that
have shown the vulnerability of the US
federal government.
AFP

Summit looks to tackle extremism

Montri Sotangkul (centre), 53, who was a member of the household staff of Princess Srirasmi, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorns former wife, as he is examined by a
doctor during his arrest at the police headquarters in Bangkok yesterday. Photo: AFP

Thai palace purge continues

A SENIOR Thai palace aide who
served the now disgraced ex-wife
of the crown prince was formally
arrested under the countrys controversial lese majeste law, part of
an ongoing probe that has decimated the former princesss family.
A senior Thai palace aide who
served the now disgraced ex-wife
of the crown prince was arrested
yesterday under the countrys controversial lese majeste law, part of
an ongoing probe that has decimated the former princesss family.
Montri Sotangkul, 53, was a
member of the household staff of
Princess Srirasmi, Crown Prince
Maha Vajiralongkorns former
wife.
He is accused of defaming Thailands monarchy by improperly
using his royal connections for financial gain.

He is the latest ally of the disgraced princess to be arrested in

a rare public airing of palace intrigue that has seen at least eight
of Srirasmis direct relatives jailed
including her elderly parents.
Mr Montri, who continued to
work at the palace after Srirasmis
downfall in December, arrived at
Thailands police headquarters
yesterday morning handcuffed and
dressed in civilian clothes, an AFP
photographer on the scene said,
after palace officials handed him
over to the police.
Police
investigators
have
informed him of the allegations
in the arrest warrant and he
signed his name to acknowledge
the charges, national police chief
Somyot Poompanmoung told
reporters.
Police would oppose bail

because Mr Montri was considered

a flight risk, he added.
It is highly unusual for palace
officials to face police investigations, let alone on lese majeste
charges.
Thailands monarchy is protected by a highly controversial
lese majeste law, one of the worlds
strictest.
Anyone convicted of insulting
the king, queen, heir or regent
faces up to 15 years in prison on
each count.
Reporting royal defamation
cases is fraught with difficulty.
Even repeating details of the
charges could mean breaking the
law.
Critics of the law say it is frequently used to pursue political
opponents of the royalist elite and
their military allies.

Ms Srirasmi has not been arrested, but she has not been seen
in public since December, shortly
before it was announced that she
had relinquished her royal title
and that Prince Vajiralongkorn
had divorced her.
Prince Vajiralongkorn is the
only son of 87-year-old King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, the worlds
longest-serving monarch, and heir
to the throne.
While his father is widely
adored by Thais, many of whom
see him as a semi-divine figure,
Prince Vajiralongkorn has yet to
attain such popularity.
Thailand has been beset by a
near-decade of political turbulence
partly fuelled, analysts say, by
unease over the countrys future
as King Bhumibols reign enters its
twilight years. AFP

THE Islamic State group has global

ambitions and more must be done
to tackle its use of social media for recruitment, representatives of governments and technology giants heard in
Australia yesterday.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott told the regional extremism conference it was vital to find ways to stymie the ideology of extremists who are
drawing thousands of foreign fighters
to Iraq and Syria.
You cant negotiate with an entity
like this. You can only fight it, he said
of Islamic State, to an audience including officials from 30 nations, as well as
Facebook, Twitter and Google.
This is not terrorism for a local
grievance. This is terrorism with global
ambitions, Mr Abbott said.
We need idealistic young people to
appreciate that joining this death cult
[IS] is an utterly misguided and wrongheaded way to express their desire to
sacrifice. How this is best done is, of
course, the work of this conference.
The two-day meeting comes as US
President Barack Obama approved
the deployment of 450 more military
trainers to Iraq, joining an already
3100-strong mission in the nation, in a
cautious bid to reverse gains by IS.
The Sydney gathering follows a
similar meeting in Washington in February where Mr Obama said nations

had to tackle the root causes driving

recruitment to such groups.
But the three days of talks did not
lead to any concrete plans of measures
to be taken.
Topics being discussed in Australia
include working with social media,
industry and civil society groups, combatting terrorist propaganda and the
involvement of women and families in
any measures.
Terrorists have exploited social
media to develop a brand and to flood
their target audience with propaganda
that casts local conflicts to global audiences, drawing in foreign fighters from
every corner of the globe, Australian
Attorney General George Brandis said
in opening remarks.
He earlier told Channel Nine television that Google, Facebook and Twitters attendance showed their commitment in addressing online recruitment.
You are quite right when you
say that online recruitment is one of
the most rapidly emerging and most
dangerous aspects of terrorist recruitment. No doubt at all it is aimed at the
young, he said.
This has been to a large extent an
ungoverned space in the past. Increasingly less so, by the way.
I want to stress that Google, Facebook, and Twitter have been very cooperative with governments trying to

protect their populations from the use

of online and social media as a recruitment tool.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie
Bishop said families and friends of
those who become radicalised had to
be empowered to help counter the extremists propaganda tactics.
Daesh [IS] adopts many of the
same tactics as online sexual predators,
grooming their young targets to not
reveal their discussions or their changing beliefs to parents or friends, she
said. Someone from the same background, faith or socioeconomic situation listening to them is best placed
to understand their motivations and to
explain where theyre being misled or
manipulated.
Australia, which raised its threat
level to high last September and carried out a series of counter-terrorism
raids, has introduced a set of national
security measures including criminalising travel to terror hotspots. It has also
boosted funding to police and security
agencies and plans to table laws that
will strip dual nationals linked to terrorism of their citizenship.
More than 100 Australians are believed to have joined jihadists in the
Middle East and at least 30 have been
killed. Many others have been recruited
from across the Asia-Pacific.
AFP

18 World

THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 12, 2015

VIENNA

After G7, Bilderberg conference begins

ITS in the Alps and it involves powerful people hobnobbing. But this is
not the G7 or Davos, its the highly
exclusive Bilderberg meeting, an altogether more discreet affair that
started yesterday.
Held in an Austrian luxury hotel
cordoned off by armed police and
with military choppers overhead, this
four-day powwow brings together
around 140 movers and shakers from
politics, high finance, business and
academia.
They include several prime ministers, a host of bankers, technology
gurus, former US secretary of state
Henry Kissinger, the head of NATO
and top executives like Eric Schmidt
of Google and Ryanair boss Michael
OLeary.
Critics deplore the fact that unlike
last weekends Group of Seven meeting in nearby Bavaria, no press are
allowed, giving rise to accusations of
secrecy and suspicions of dishonest
goings-on.
But organisers say that since the
gathering in Telfs-Buchen last year
it was in Denmark is away from
prying eyes it allows those attending

Austrian police officers check cars near the town of Telfs, Austria, on June 2
ahead of the G7 summit, which is followed by a higher-security Bilderberg
meeting from June 10 to 14 in Buchen. Photo: EPA

to talk freely about the hot-button issues of the day.

The event, founded in 1954 and
aimed at fostering dialogue between
Europe and North America, is held

according to the so-called Chatham

House Rule, according to the Bilderberg website.
This means that participants are
free to use the information received,

but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s) nor of any
other participant may be revealed.
Thanks to the private nature of
the conference, the participants are
not bound by the conventions of their
office or by pre-agreed positions. As
such, they can take time to listen, reflect and gather insights, it says.
And anybody expecting a closing
press conference or statement will be
disappointed: There is no detailed
agenda, no resolutions are proposed,
no votes are taken, and no policy
statements are issued, the website
says.
Those present include British
Finance Minister George Osborne,
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte,
senior figures from the media and
even royalty in the form of Princess
Beatrix of the Netherlands.
Other attendees include former
CIA head David Petraeus, fellow
top soldier John Allen, who is now
US presidential envoy to the coalition against Islamic State militants,
economist Martin Feldstein and eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem.
According to the official agenda,

the topics include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, chemical weapons, Greece, Iran, the Middle East,
NATO, Russia, the United Kingdom
and something called threats.
Absent though, unlike at the G7
ahead of Decembers crunch UN talks
in Paris aimed at securing a global
agreement on global warming, is the
burning issue of climate change.
Nor is there any specific mention
of world hunger or inequality. The
large majority of attendees are male.
Security around the venue in western Austria is ultra-tight, with police
stopping anyone not invited getting
anywhere near the venue on pain of
a 500 euro (US$565) fine.
Some 2100 extra police will be on
duty over the coming days, with protesters planning to stage a demonstration tomorrow, and the only road
leading to the hotel is blocked.
And for good measure, the Kronen-Zeitung tabloid cited the military
as saying a special low-altitude radar
is in position and Kiowa helicopters
armed with machine guns are carrying out patrols.
AFP

CAIRO

Egyptian police foil

suicide bombing attack
POLICE said they averted a massacre
after foiling a suicide bombing and gun
attack on June 10 on one of Egypts
most popular ancient attractions, in a
rare assault on the countrys vital tourism sector.
Egypt has been shaken by several
attacks claimed by jihadists since the
army toppled the democratically-elected government two years ago, but the
incident in the southern city of Luxor
was an assault targeting holidaymakers
in a country which depends on tourism
for more than one-tenth of GDP.
Police said two attackers died and
another was seriously wounded near
the Karnak temple in Luxor, a popular site close to the famed Valley of the
Kings.
No tourists were hurt in the midmorning incident and visitors were
kept inside Karnaks ruins, an antiquities ministry official said.
The incident unfolded after a taxi
carrying two passengers attempted to
enter the parking lot and was stopped

by a police officer, Tourism Minister

Khaled Ramy said in a statement.
Police asked to search the trunk,
where they found two large bags that
made them suspicious, a Luxor police
general told AFP.
When asked to open the bags, one
of the men jumped out of the car, ran
away and detonated his explosivesrigged vest.
In the ensuing confusion, the other
passenger emerged from the car and,
joined by an accomplice who had come
in on foot, pulled assault rifles from the
bags and started shooting.
The police responded, killing one
and seriously wounding the other.
Health ministry official Nahed
Mohamed told AFP two civilians and
two policemen were wounded in the
shootout, but not seriously.
Police said the taxi driver was not a
suspect.
If they had managed to enter the
temple, it would have been a massacre, said the police general, as 19 fully

Human remains lie on the ground after being covered by Egyptian security forces at the scene where assailants attempted
to carry out a suicide bomb attack on June 10, in the Karnak temple in Luxor, a town 700 kilometres (435 miles) south of
Cairo. Photo: AFP

loaded rifle magazines were found in

the bags and there were 604 tourists in
the temple at the time of the incident.
We have enhanced security measures in place at all our sites and we continue to take every possible measure to
ensure that no harm comes to anyone
visiting Egypt, Mr Ramy said.
No group had yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mathieu Guidere, professor of Arab

geopolitics at Frances University of

Toulouse, said the incident indicated a
change in strategy in jihadists choosing
targets.
The aim is to weaken the Egyptian
economy by destroying the tourism industry and to have the maximum media impact as attacks on local targets
were not drawing international attention, he said.
Last week, gunmen killed two po-

lice officers who worked as guards at

the world-famous Giza pyramids in
Cairo, in a dawn attack in a deserted
area a number of kilometres from the
centre of the site.
Luxor itself took several years to
recover from a 1997 massacre when
Islamist gunmen opened fire on
tourists, killing 58 foreigners and their
four Egyptian guards.
AFP

20 World

THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 12, 2015

WASHINGTON

Putins Italy
visit wraps up
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin
used a trip to Italy yesterday to press
his case against international sanctions
and was urged by Pope Francis to make
a sincere effort for peace in Ukraine.
After telling Italian premier Matteo
Renzi that Western sanctions imposed
over Russias actions in Ukraine would
cost Italian companies 1 billion euros
(US$1.126 billion), Mr Putin spent 50
minutes with the pope at the Vatican.
A Vatican statement said the pontiff had urged the Russian leader, and
other parties to the Ukraine conflict, to
make a sincere effort for peace.
The holy father stressed that there
has to be an important and sincere effort to achieve peace [in Ukraine], the
statement said.
There was agreement on the importance of rebuilding an atmosphere
of dialogue and that all the parties
commit to applying the Minsk [ceasefire] accords.
Speaking two days after the G7
threatened tougher measures, Mr Putin told a press conference in Milan
that many contracts signed by Italian
firms had been stalled by sanctions and
may have to be torn up.
Italian companies missed out on
a billion euros, he said. They could
have given their enterprises work, created jobs. That didnt happen because
of the sanctions.
Mr Putin also said he was convinced

sanctions would not be sustained indefinitely. I count on the fact that...

sooner or later, we will get away from
the restrictions that we are encountering today.
He took a swipe at the G7 group of
leading industrial nations made up
of Britain, Canada, France, Germany,
Italy, Japan and the United States describing it as not an organisation, just
a club.
Mr Renzi struck a markedly conciliatory tone by stressing that the world
wanted Russia back on board to help
resolve problems in places such as Iraq,
Syria and Libya.
Active Russian support for efforts
to promote peace in Ukraine would allow us to push the one element of divergence between us off the table, Mr
Renzi said in comments that contrasted sharply with US President Barack
Obamas description this week of Mr
Putin as trying to relive the glories of
the Soviet empire.
Mr Renzi said Mr Putin had agreed
that the Minsk agreement governing
a shaky ceasefire in Ukraine had to
be the guiding star, the compass, the
reference point for resolving the crisis.
The tough line adopted by the G7 reflected concern about a recent flare-up
in fighting in eastern Ukraine, where
the West accuses Russia of providing
game-changing military support to
pro-Moscow rebels who control parts

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Pope Francis during a private audience in the Vatican on June 10. Photo: AFP

of two Russian-speaking regions.

Ukraine this week said Russian aid
had allowed separatist forces in the
east to establish a 42,500-strong force.
Mr Putin says any Russians fighting
alongside the rebels are volunteers answering a call of the heart.
Italy has long had an important economic relationship with Russia and political ties were sufficiently close prior
to the eruption of the Ukraine crisis for
Russias Baltic neighbours to object to
an Italian, Federica Mogherini, being
named the EUs foreign policy chief last
year amid claims she would be too soft
on Moscow.

Italy is Russias third-biggest trading partner after China and Germany

with deals between the two countries
worth just over 30 billion euros ($33.9
billion) last year.
Analysts say Mr Putins meetings
with Mr Renzi, recently elected president Sergio Mattarella and the pope
will play well to his domestic audience,
giving the impression he remains a
player on the global stage.
The Vatican has been criticised,
notably by the Rome-aligned Greek
Catholic minority in Ukraine, for failing to overtly criticise Moscows actions
in Ukraine.

The crisis has stalled a historic rapprochement between the Vatican and
the Russian Orthodox church, dashing
hopes the Argentinian pontiff could
become the first pope to visit Moscow
since the 11th-century schism between
Eastern and Western Christianity.
Mr Putins visit finished at Romes
main airport, where he met briefly with
long-standing friend Silvio Berlusconi,
the media tycoon and disgraced former
prime minister. Mr Berlusconi pledged
that his Forza Italia party would introduce a motion calling for Italy to lift
sanctions against Russia, according to
media reports. AFP

LOS ANGELES

Tourist hotspot Yosemite in the grips of California drought

IT IS one of Americas most popular
natural wonders. But even Yosemite
National Park cannot escape the
drought ravaging California, now in
its fourth year and fuelling growing
concern.
At first glance, the spectacular
beauty of the park with its soaring
cliffs and picture-postcard valley floor
remains unblemished, still enchanting
the millions of tourists who flock the
landmark every year.
But on closer inspection, the
droughts effects are clearly visible.
The towering 8840-foot (2695-metre) Half Dome rock monolith, photographed by millions every year, is
normally reflected in the surface of
Mirror Lake below.
But the water is now well below
its normal level, exposing sandbanks
on which tourists lounge around sunbathing, while children splash about
in large puddles.
Yosemite Falls, the easiest to access
of the various waterfalls at the park, is
more of a dribble than a gush reflecting the minimal winter snowfall that
has left a seriously diminished snowpack on the nearby Sierra Nevada.
There has been less snowmelt,
park spokesperson Scott Gediman
told AFP.
The Merced River, one of Californias biggest water courses running
through the park, is currently barely
3 feet deep, compared to easily 7 feet
this time of year.
This is the true indicator for me,
said Mr Gediman, pointing at a gauge
that shows the depth.
Seeing that the water level ... is
just over 3 feet and here we are its not
even summer yet, and were looking
at warmer temperatures, a record-low
snowpack, just tells me how much of a
drought we are really in.
Facing the growing threat of climate change, negotiators are gathered
in Bonn, Germany, this week trying to
reach a global pre-agreement before
this falls Paris conference on global

A Japanese tourist poses on June 7 in

front of the Yosemite ranges, where the
droughts effects are visible. Photo: AFP

warming.
In California, the situation is particularly critical.
The western US states governor,
Jerry Brown, announced sweeping
statewide water restrictions for the
first time in history in April to cut water consumption by 25 percent.
Yosemite is not subject to the cuts
because it is managed by the federal
government. But the park is nonetheless appealing to visitors not to waste
any of the precious resource.
The drought has not dented Yosemites popularity. Since it started in
2011, the park has registered an average of 4 million visitors.
Youre just mindful of your water
use like when you are doing dishes

and everything, said Teri Smail, a

camper from Northern California in
the park having breakfast with her
family.
Everybody is very conservative. If
we have leftover water bottles, we are
not throwing them away, we are using
them for coffee in the morning. These
are just little things that you can do
to conserve. You just have to be very
conscious.
Water-dependent tourist activities
are also affected.
Rafting usually opens Memorial
Day weekend, which is the last weekend of May, and we usually go until
early August, sometimes September,
depending on the weather, said Robert Crane of rafting rental company

Delaware North.
This year, we started a little bit
early and we will be closing early as
well.
He added, When the water gets
down to about 1.5 feet, thats when
there is just not enough flow ... and
the rocks are starting to protrude out.
You have to get out and pull the raft a
couple of times.
The lack of rain and high temperatures in the last few years have left the
park vulnerable to wildfires.
In 2013, the Rim Fire became
Californias third-biggest blaze ever,
burning more than 400 square miles
(1040 square km) of land despite the
efforts of 5000 firefighters with 20
helicopters.

Last year, another fire ravaged

nearly 6 square miles, threatening
some of the giant Sequoia trees for
which the park is also known.
With little moisture, trees are vulnerable, particularly to beetles that
feast on their roots and can kill them
eventually.
But despite the drought, the park
remains one of the most spectacular
destinations in America.
People come to Yosemite from all
over the world, said Mr Gediman.
Even in the fall, the driest time
of the year, with the huge granite formations and the beautiful meadows,
its beautiful year-round.It is one
of Americas most popular natural
wonders. AFP

FREE

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Housing for Rent

MyinT Mou Thida
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Available Units @ Chan
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(a)1650sqft, 1 MBR, 2SR
(3 Units) (b)1750 sqft,
2MBR, 2SR (2 Units).
G.M.P Condo, Kabaraye
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1MBR, 2SR (2 Units)
(b)3500sqft,
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heriTage
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(including mezzanine and
balcony) on the first floor.
High ceilings, kitchen
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tasteful office space with
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month - 5 year contract
and monthly payment
possible.
Available
immediately. Contact:
edwinbriels@gmail.com
or 09-7319 9668
(1)MindaMa condo,
2000sqft, 2MBR, 1SR,
fully furniture, USD 4000.
(2)Thein Phyu Rd, new
condo, 1500sqft, inside
2 stories, 2MBR, 1SR,
semi furniture USD 3500.
(3) Po Sein condo, 1500
sqft, fully furniture, 1MBR,
2SR, USD 3000.(4)
Shine condo, near Aung
San Stadium, 1500sqft,
1MBR, 2SR, USD 2500.
(5)Beside Dagon center ,
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semi furniture , USD 3000.
(6)San chaung, 1200
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1500 USD. (7) Near Aung
San stadium, G flr, 1000
Sqft, 3SR, 1 MBR, 1500
USD.
(8)Universtity
Avenue Rd, 1650sqft,
1MBR, 2SR, USD 3500.
(9) Yankin center , 1500
sqft, 1MBR, 2SR, semi
furniture , USD 3500.
Ph:09-2527-0 3331.
8th Mile, Kaba Aye Villa,
3 bed/3 bath flat in quiet,
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rent unfurnished for long
term. Except furniture, the
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kitchen unit, hot water
system, curtains and four
a/c. 30 lakhs per month
(negotiable). Available
from 1 July 2015. No
brokers. Ph 09-503-1380.
Mayangone (1)0.8 acre

land, Built on the lake,

deck with lake view, Single
storey nice house with big
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USD 10000 per month.
(3)7 Mile, Pyay Rd. 0.7
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2 storey renovated house.
3 MBR, generator. USD
5000 per month. (4)
Parami Rd, 0.4 acre, 2
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10000 per month, Nego:
Ph: 09-97018-1144
Bahan (1)Golden valley,
Single storey nice house
with 2 bedrooms, fully
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3000 per month. (2)Near
Kandawgyi Rd, 0.3 acre
land. 2 storey, 3MBR,
2SR, ph, furnished,
Generator, nice beautiful
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Ph:09-9701-81144
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, 3MBR, 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, Chan
Thar Gone Yaung Condo
at Upper Pazuntaung St,
Tamwe. 2nd flr, Gym,
24-hour Lift, Security,
Car Park, Generator,
Swimming Pool, 1MBR,
2SR, 4 Aircons, 1650sqft,
23 Lakhs (negotiable). Ph:
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 Flr / 4th
Flr, USD 3000 each.
Ph:09-4500-37300, 09788-408340
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: 092500-7712
aparTMenT hostel dorm
avail. Behind Sakura
Tower. Tel: 09-250076812
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,
1bedroom
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

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 number- 09-5179645, 09-4210-43939,
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.

Want to Hire
WanTed Factory building,
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 june 12, 2015

Employment
Ingo Position
AgenceFranaise
de
Dveloppement (AFD)
is seeking Project
Officer. The principal
duties & responsibilities
include: Support to AFD
operational activities in
Myanmar within AFD and
with local stakeholders
and authorities at every
phase of AFD decision
process for a financing
(identification, evaluation,
approval) as well as
during project negotiation,
formalization,
imple
mentation & portfolio
management: contribu
tion to due diligence,
internal
reviews
&
reporting, organization &
participation to missions
from experts from AFD
headquarters, meetings
with local stakeholders,
support. Relations with
Myanmar interlocutors,
especially central & local
government authorities,
public companiesand
civil society organizations
in relation with the
identification, evaluation,
approval process and
implementation of AFD
projects in Myanmar.
Relations with other
donors based in Myanmar
and participation to aid
coordination meetings
on topics covered by
AFD. Contribute to the
elaboration of background
or strategic notes about
AFD activities in Myanmar,
Contribute to the commu
nication plan of AFD in
Myanmar. Qualifications
&
requirements:
Advanced
university
degree in business,
finance or engineering,
Financial and credit skills,
Project preparation and
management, Notion in
procurement, 5 years
relevant
professional
experience, Ability to
work in multi-cultural
organization & to interact &
negotiate with colleagues,
clients & public bodies,
Strong
commitment
to
development
&
environmental
goals,
Fluent in Myanmar
language and English,
French notions would be
aplus. Expected start: as
soon as possible. Contact:
Ms Julia de Pierrepont,
depierrepontj@afd.fr Ph:
95 01 2302167
Acted
is
seeking
cashier post in Yangon:
University degree in any
area and/with preferably
finance and accounting
knowledge. 1 year
experience in cashiering.
Strong computer skills
especially on Microsoft
windows 2000, MS
Word, Excel and Access.
Good written and oral
knowledge of Myanmar
and English. Applications
in the English language,
including a resume of
not more than 3 pages;
a cover letter expressing
the motivation to work with
an NGO & addressing
each of the required
qualifications with vivid
examples; Copy of
the university degree
& Contact details of 3
references should be
submitted by email to
yangon.adminfin@acted.
org.
int'lRescueCommittee
is seeking (National Only)
(1)Senior Health Officer
2 posts in Kanpetlet, Chin
State (Travel inside the
township) : Degree on
Development Studies,
Social Science or other
related profession of
health
development
science. 2 years' experien
ce in community health
development
project.
Good skill on Microsoft
office package. Good
command of English
and Myanmar. (2)senior
Manager - Safety &
Security in Yangon with
regular travel to Project
Sites: Bachelor's Degree
in a related field or t 3-5
years comparable related
experience plus 3 years'
experience
working
with INGOs. 2 years
security management
experience in int'l humani
tarian or embassy. Pls
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 : 16 June 2015.
MyAnMAR Red Cross
Society
is
seeking
WAsH
consultant
1 post in Ralam &
Matupi (Chin), Mogok:
Myanmar Nationality.
University Degree in Civil
Engineering, Geology,
Hydrology, or related
fields. 2 years experience
in
community-based
programmes. Effective
computer knowledges &
English language skill.
Knowledge of AutoCAD
(2D). Please submit
consultancy proposals.
Proposals should include
consultant profile/ CV
with
description
of
experience relevant to
this consultancy and
outline consultancy fees
(per day and total) and
availability of consultant
for indicated timeframe.
Please note that costs
for travel to field sites
including transportation
& accommodation will
be covered by MRCS
based on actual costs.
Electronic
proposals
should be submitted to
mrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com
PRogRAM oFFiceR
- 1 Post. Please send
application letter, CV
and related documents
to
Myanmar
Red
Cross Society (Head
Office)
Yazatingaha
Rd, Dekkhinathiri, Nay
Pyi Taw. Ormrcshr
recruitment@gmail.com,
www. myanmar redcross
society.org.
nAtionAl Mine Risk
education coordinator
- 1 Post. Please send
application letter, CV &
related documents to
Myanmar Red Cross
Society (Head Office)
Yazatingaha
Rd,
Dekkhinathiri,NayPyiTaw.
Ormrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com
please
visit to www.myanmar
redcrosssociety.org
MyAnMAR Red Cross
Society is seeking (1)
Field Assistant 1 post
in Pekon (Shan South):
minimum high school
level. 1 year previous
experience.
Having
excellent
knowledge
of local language such
as Shan, Pa Oh is
highly desirable. Good
knowledge of English.
(2)PMER Officer 1 post
in Yangon/ Nay Pyi Taw
: 3 years experience
Effective both Myanmar
& English language skills.
Very good computer
literacy
&
proven
experience with Microsoft
Office Excel package.
(3)Field
supervisor
- 1 post in Maikai Tsp
(Southern Shan State) :
Unversity degree holder.
2 years' experience. Good
knowledge of Microsoft
word, excel, power point
& English. (4)Monitoring
& Evalutation Officer 1
post in Nay Pyi Taw :
Bachelor's or equivalent
degree. 2 years experien
ce & proven skills.
Effective computer skills
& good knowledge of
information
systems
& statistical software.
Effective
English
language skill. Red cross
volunteers are preferable.
Please send application
letter, CV & related
documents to Myanmar
Red Cross Society Head
Office Yazathingaha Rd,
Dekkhinathiri,NayPyiTaw.
Or mrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com, Closing date:
12.6.2015.
tHe
int'l
Rescue
Committee (IRC) is
seeking (1)community
Mobilization Officer 2
posts,Loikaw,KayahState
: 3 years of experience
as Community Mobili
zation Officer. Fluency in
Myanmar, ability to speak
Kayah is an asset. Fluency
in English. (2)WeB
training translator 1
post in Sittwe, Rakhine
State : Demonstrated

commitment to women's
empowerment
&
protection
through
volunteer work or other
relevant experience. Un
derstanding 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 : 15 June 2015.

Local Positions
lolc
Myanmar
Microfinance Co Ltd
(LMM) is seeking it
Officer in Yangon: Degree
in IT or equal qualification.
Strong
Knowledge
in Operating System
platforms/ SQL Server/
Software & Hardware.
exposure to Networking/
PABX & troubleshooting
is advantageous. Pls
submit a Cover letter &
CV to Email at: Carrers@
lolcmyanmar.com or by
delivery to the LOLC office
: 163, Shwe Hnin Si Kan
St, (5) ward, Mayangone,
Yangon.
We ARe seeking Admini
strative
Assistant,
Location : Singapore :
Any graduate, English
& (Chinese preferable)
Microsoft excel, word,
basic knowledge of
internet & email. Basic
Salary : S$ 1300 (5 days/
week) (Spass) Interested
applicants please direct
call to 09-2510-04766
uRgently ReQuiRed
for sales Promoter:
Microsoft
Office
Essential,
Email
&
Internet
knowledge,
Smart per sonality, honest
& willing to hard working.
Any graduate. Good
commend of English &
able to write in English.
Please send CVs to
jobs@myanmars.net,
admin@myanmars.net
or Contact to Myanmars
NET 3/1, Myanmar ICT
Park, 11052, Yangon. Ph:
652250, 652323,
tHe
MAinicHi
Newspapers
(Japan)
Hiring! Paid Internship
for a Part-Time Local
Correspondent,
local
journalists,
university students or
young graduates are
encouraged to apply.
Priority will be given to
those affiliated with or
interested in media and
journalism. Having basic
English-language and
computer skills would be
advantageous. Training
to commence first week
of July. Interested,
please send a one-page
CV by June 21, 2015 to
Takayuki KASUGA, Asia
General Bureau Chief at:
kasuga-t@mainichi.co.jp
sHAngRi-lA
Spa
is
seeking
(1)spa
Manager 1 Post : 3 years
experience in managerial
position, International
experience in related
industry is preferred, Able
to train and lead team
members to providehigh
standard of treatment and
service, Highly motivated
to achieve team sales,
Speaks
English
&
Myanmar
language,
Strong communication
& leadership skills (2)
Receptionist - 2 Posts : 2
years related experience,
Speaks
English
&
Myanmar
language,
Demonstrate a passion

for delivering exceptional

customer service, Highly
motivat ed to achieve
team sales, Effective
in communication with
customers & therapists,
(3)Facial/Beauty
therapist 5 Post : 1 year
experience, Willing to
learn & to provide high
standard of treatment &
service in facial/massage/
nails/waxing/hair, Upsell
services & products, Able
to work in a team. Please
submit CV, photo with
necessary documents
to 45, Pyay Rd, level 3,
Unit 4022/4023, Taw
Win Center, Dagon Tsp,
Ph : 09-2532-42440,
Email : hr@paragonglobalgroup.com within
1.6.15 to 15.6.15

experience, educational
certificate,
expected
retainer fee and recent
photo to chadarat@
rouse.com. www.rouse.
com Ph : 01 1222352, 01
371385
cHAtRiuM
Hotel
Royal Lake Yangon
Leading Five Star Hotel in
Yangon, Myanmar with its
headquarter in Bangkok,
is now seeking highly
energetic & motivated
candidates for (1).duty
Manager - M/F 1 Post
(2).chief steward - M
1 Post (3).Receptionist
- M/F 1 Post. Interested
candidates should apply
with full CV/Resume
indicating position of
interest, qualifications,
educational background,

c H Ry s A n t H e M u M
WeAltH is seeking (1)
Production Assistant
Manager - M 1 post (2)
Machining supervisor M 1 post (3)Maintenance
& safety engineer - M 1
post (4)lath Machine
operator - M 2 posts (5)
Machanic - M 6 posts (6)
components Washing &
sand Blasting - M 2 posts
(7)Machanic Helper - M 1
post (8)Welder - M 1 post
(9)Painter - M 1 post (10)
Helper - M 2 posts (11)
traning Manager - M 1
post (12)trainer - M 2
posts (13)QA Machanic
- M 4 posts (14)QAAdmin
- F 1 post (15)salesman M 2 posts (16)inventory
Assistant - M 1 post (17)
Warehouse Assistant M 1 post (18)driver - M
1 post (19)tools Keeper
- M 1 post. Please submit
CV, photo with necessary
documents to 898,
Thudamar 4/6,Anawrahta
Industrail Zone, Yangon
Pathein Highway Rd,
near Tamargone bus stop.
Ph: 09-799-502621, 01645410. Emai : raman-hrrec@winstrategic.com.
mm, reman-admhd@
winstrategic.com.mm
lAWyeR : Bachelors
degree in law (or Masters
degree in law is a plus),
1-3 years experience
in related filed, Good
command of both written
& spoken English, Able
to work independently
and as part of a team.
Responsibilities
:
Conducting trade mark
search & advising client
on registrability of trade
marks, Preparing & filing
trade mark application
up to grant, Advising
clients on examiners
office actions, Advising
clients on contentious
matters
including
filing
cancellation
action, sending cease
and desist letter and
negotiating in relation
to conflict, etc. Advising
clients on registration of
trade marks in foreign
countries. Please send
full resume with all
details of qualifications &

employment records and

recent photo not later
than 20.6.2015. Only
short-listed candidates
will be notified by phone
for interview. Email
:
hr.chry@chatrium.
com Ph: 01-544500,
01-544500 HR Dept.
Chatrium Hotel Royal
Lake Yangon, No.40,
Natmauk Rd, Tamwe.
Yangon
Aung cHAn tHAR
Trading Co., Ltd is seeking
(1)sales executive - M
5 posts: Any graduate,
Preferable BE or B
Tech(Mechanical) 3 year
experience, Age 20 ~ 30,
(2)sales executive - M
5 posts : Any graduate,
Preferable BE or B Tech
(Mechanical) Age 20 ~
30, (3)sales engineer M 10 posts : Any graduate,
Preferable AGTI or B
Tech, Age 20 ~ 25, (4)
engineer trainee - M
15 posts : Any graduate,
BE, More preferable AGTI
or B Tech, Age 20 ~ 25,
(5)senior engineer - M
10 posts: Any graduate,
Preferable BE or B
Tech(Mechanical), 3 year
experience, Age 25 ~ 35,
(6)PssR - M 5 posts : Any
graduate, Preferable BE
or B Tech (Mechanical)
Age 25 ~ 30, (7)local
Purchaser - M 3 posts :
Any graduate, Perferable
BE or BTech(Mechanical),
3 years experience, Age
25 ~ 30. (8)Machanic
Helper/tool
Roomstore - M 5 posts : Age
25 ~ 30, (9)cashier/
Accountant - F 3 posts :
Any graduate, Preferable
B Com or LCCI level
3, 3 years experience,
Age 25 ~ 30, (10)Office
driver - M 5 posts : 5
years experience, Kha
valid driving license, Age
30 ~ 40. Please submit
CV, phot with necessary
documents
to
HR
Manager : 54 A, Kabaaye
Pagoda Re, Mayangone.
Ph: 657066, 657067.
tHe Hotel@Tharabar
Gate, Old Bagan is
seeking (1)Food &
Beverage
Manager
- M/F 1 post: Hotel

Management graduate
with 3 years experience.
(2)sous chef - M/F 1 post
: 3 years experience, will
be responsible to oversea
the culinary production
and stewarding, Have
practical
creativity,
knowledge of current
trends to best serve
clients. Both positions
are based in Bagan,
Please send application
form with
1 recent
photo, labor registration
card, relevant certificates
and testimonies to Rm
2H, No 22/24, Sa Mon
St, Natwartat Condo,
Dagon tsp. or email
to gm@tharabargate.
com
or
bodsec@
hoteltharabarbagan.
com.mm
sKylARK Co., Ltd
is seeking Business
development execu
tive - M/F 3 to 5 posts:
Any graduate (Good IT
knowledge), Age 23 to 28,
English communication,
Public
Relation,
Presentation skill, SelfManagement, team work,
Problem solving skill, Able
to work under pressure,
Market
knowledge,
Competitor analysis .
2 years experience in
IT & Business related
experience. Pay Range:
300 USD to 700 USD
(Will negotiate upon
skill & experience).
Please submit CV,
photo with necessary
documents to email:hr@
skylarkmyanmar.com,
www.skylarkmyanmar.
com
Ph:01-652947,
652948
uRgently ReQuiRed
(1)it
engineer
(Networking) - M/F
2 Posts : B.C.Sc
(Computer) & related
network
certificates,
Age 25 ~ 35, 3 years
& above experience,
Good command of
English. Salary range:
250,000~300,000 (2)
senior Programmer
- M/F 2 Posts : Age 25
~ 35, 3 years & above
experience,
B.C.Sc
(Computer) & related
network
certificates,
B.A.Sc.
(computer),
Related Certification,
3 ~ 5 years, 250000
& 300000. Encodes
project
requirements
by converting work
flow. Written programs
by entering coded.
Confirms
programs
operation by conducting
tests. (3)Programmer
: General programming
skills, Analyzing project,
Problem
solving,
Software performance
tuning. More should
familiar with VB, VB Net,
MS SQL, Oracle platform.
Salary range: 250,000 ~
300,000 Contact to : U
John @ U Kyaw Win Sein
: 09-2500-88750.
HinA Shipping (Myanmar)
Co., Ltd, is seeking (1).
Admin/H.R. Manager M/F 1 post : A degree from
a recognized university.
Must possess a degree/
certificate in the related
fields.(Admin/HR), 3 years
of experience. Fluency
in English. Computer
literate. (2).equipment
control executive. - M/F
1 post : A degree from a
recognized university. 2
years of experience in
the shipping, depot and

terminal etc. Fluency

in English, Computer
literate. (3)cashier.- M/F
1 post: A degree from a
recognized university.
1 year experience. Fair
knowledge of writing,
reading and speaking
English. Able to use
the computer. LCCI
Levels I and II or hold
relevant certificates. (4).
operation staff - M/F
1 post : A degree from
a recognized university.
Certificate
regarding
shipping matters will
be an advantage. Fair
knowledge of English.
Able to use Email, internet,
Able to use computer
(4)customer service
executive - M/F 1 post:
A recognized university.
2 years experience
in shipping line. Fair
knowledge of English.
Able to use Email, internet
& computer. For the
above mentioned posts
priority will be given to
the candidate fluent in
the Chinese language
Applications together with
CV photo with necessary
documents & references
will be accepted to 501,
Rm(B 1001/1002), 10th
Flr, Myawaddy Condo,
Corner of Bogyoke Rd &
Wartan St, Lanmadaw,
Yangon. Tel: 01- 2300157,
2300158,
Closing
date:30.6.2015.
We ARe seeking (1)
Architect - M/F 2 posts
: B.Arch degree holder,
5 years experience or
M.Arch Degree holder,
3 years experience
in the architectural
environment, Proficiency
in using Auto CAD,
Sketch Up and also have
rendering skill, Excellent
sense of design and solid
technical abilities, (2)
senior Architectural
drafter - M/F 1 Post:
B.Arch or B.E (Civil)
degree holder, 3 years
experience, Able to use
Auto CAD, Sketch Up
and photo shop software.
(3)senior
interior
designer - M 1 post :
Bachelor or Diploma in
Interior Architecture or
Interior Design, 2 years
experience, Proficiency
in using Auto CAD,
Sketch Up and also
have rendering skill, (4)
Marketing Manager
- M/F 1 post : Have
to understand project
sales, retail marketing
& other marketing tools
& technique. 4 years
experience. (5)Project
coordinator (Interior
Decoration) - M/F 1
post : Able to set project
timelines & coordinate
different parties. Well
knowledge in modern
furniture & furniture
installation & production.
3 years experience. (6)
Project Manager - M/F
1 post : Need to hold a
degree of B.E (Civil). 5
years experience. Well
experience in highrise construction, (7)
safety engineer - M 1
Post : A.G.T.I (Civil). 2
years experience. (8)
site engineer - M/F
1 Post : B.E (Civil), 2
year experience, Well
experience in highrise construction, (9)
Assistant HR Manager
- M /F 1 post : MBA, Any
graduate Diploma holder

(or) any diploma related in

HR Management. 5 year
experience. Computer
skills. (10)cashier - M/F
1 post: Any graduate (or)
Distance Student, 1 year
experience, (12)driver
- M 1 post : Age over
40, 4 years experience.
(13)store Keeper - M /F
2 posts : Age under 40,
Warehouse (or) Store
experience 1 year (14)
general Helper M 1
post. Please submit with
CV, photo with necessary
documents to Zware
Group (De Arch, Live
Life & Builder Group) :
440, Waizayandar Rd &
Thitsar Rd, S Okkalr. Ph:
01-565911, 01-8551294.
Email:recruitment@
zwaregroup.com
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
& 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
& Executive office.
Requirements: Grade 10
degree or above, major
of Accounting, Finance,
Law, IT, Economics is
preferred. Good reading,
writing & communication
skills in English or
Chinese.
Strong
sense of responsibility,
willingness of learning
& cooperation. Basic
computer skills, able
to use MS word &
Excel. Candidates who
want to do IT work
should be familiar with
fundamental network
knowledge. Age under
30, 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.
Please submit CV,
photo with necessary
documents to 256/266,
RmD,10Flr,SeikkanThar
St, Upper Kyauktada.
designeR - F : Age 20
~ 30, Photoshop, Adobe,
Adjust salary, 9 am to 6
pm. Contact ph : 01566044, 566045

24 Sport

THE MYANMAR TIMES June 12, 2015

football

Myanmar escapes Laos with tie

matt roebucK
matt.d.roebuck@gmail.com

yaw Zayar win salvaged

a point for Myanmar in a
2-2 draw with Laos after
they nearly threw away
all three points in the
opening game of their FIFa world
Cup qualifying campaign for the
Russia 2018 competition last night.
Myanmars Southeast asian neighbours, the only team ranked lower
than Myanmar in their aFC Preliminary Second Round Group G, are managed by former Myanmar coach David
Booth of England, and nearly delivered an upset as the game reached its
last 10 minutes.
Myanmar went ahead before halftime with a Zaw Min Tun finish in the
41st minute and the game stayed at
1-0 until Khampheng Sayavutthi drew
the hosts level with a penalty conceded in the 81st minute. Khampheng
then struck from open play only two
minutes later. But with the prospect
of going away empty-handed arising,
Myanmar woke back to life and guaranteed a single point through Kyaw
Zayar win in the 85th.
The white angels will now travel
to Bangkok to prepare for their first
home match, to be played on June
16 against Group G top seeds South
Korea.
This result makes it all the more

Brazil
1E

Myanmars national team huddles up before the match. Photo: MMF/Facebook

likely that the match-up against South

Korea who have qualified for every
world Cup since Mexico 86 will
most likely be the final time we see
this particular national line-up.
In March, both the Serbian and
U20s coach Gerd expressed to The
Myanmar Times their expectation
that at least half a dozen of the players who returned to a crowd of adoring fans wait after their exploits in

the FIFa U20 world Cup, despite not

registering a point at the tournament
will join the senior side for the visit
to Kuwait to be played in the next international window on September 3.
Its made it difficult as there are
some good players that I want to select
for the qualifiers to give us a good start
but they have gone to New Zealand for
the Under-20 world Cup, avramovic
had told media before the game.

Myanmars current crop of senior

players may well have more competition than they thought after the recent performance of the U23s side at
the Singapore-hosted 28th Southeast
asian Games. widely considered the
poor relation to their younger and
elder brothers the team appears to
have pulled together and flourished
with their underdog status. They won
Group a undefeated, only conceding
a draw against Cambodia in what for
them was already a dead rubber. They
will now face a Vietnam side that was
highly fancied coming into the tournament but came undone against Thailand and finished second in Group B. a
semi-final victory on June 13, securing
a finals berth for June 15, might well
press the case of several individuals to
receive full international honours.
The white angels have only competed in qualification for the FIFa
world Cup twice before, after having
withdrawn from or not entered every
competition until the campaign for
2010. On that occasion Myanmar lost
11-0 on aggregate to China and chose
to play their home game in October
2007 at a neutral venue in Malaysia.
The asian Football Confederations
second stage of qualifying for the
2018 world Cup also acts as part of
the qualification process for the 2019
asian Cup to be held in the United
arab Emirates.
while the winners of the Groups

will qualify for the 2019 asian Cup,

the top two finishers will automatically qualify for Round Three of the FIFa
competition. The five of the 10 secondplace sides with the best records will
also make the asian Cup, while the
other five will need to go through a
third round of qualifying for the continents top compeition that will be run
separately to the third-round world
Cup qualifiers.
Third-place finishers will be eliminated from the FIFa competition but
will qualify for the asian Cup Round
Three. The top five fourth-place sides
will also be guaranteed in that stage
of the competition but the bottom five
will be required to go through a play-off
round alongside those sides that finish
fifth in the group.
Myanmars second qualifier will
be held at the Rajamangala Stadium,
Bangkok, a result of the crowd violence that marred Myanmars 2014
world Cup qualifier with Oman at
yangons Thuwunna Stadium in July
2011.
Myanmar were initially banned
from FIFa 2018 qualification but were
later reinstated under the proviso that
qualification games would be played at
a neutral venue. Rajamangala will also
host Myanmars game with Kuwait on
November 15 while the same citys Suphachalasai Stadium will play venue
for their October 8 and 13 clashes with
Lebanon and Laos respectively.

FIFA U20 WORLD CUP

The Myanmar Times wallchart for New Zealand 2015

USA
2A

V
2D

Uruguay

Portugal

2C

QUARTER-FINAL

QUARTER-FINAL

june 14, 1pm, hamilton

june 14, 4:30pm, auckland

1C

Colombia

Serbia
1D

V
3

New Zealand

june 17, 7:30pm,

auckland

june 17, 4pm,

chRiStchuRch

Austria
2B

Hungary

SEMI-FINAL

SEMI-FINAL

Ghana
1B

june 20, 5pm, auckland

2F

Uzbekistan

QUARTER-FINAL

QUARTER-FINAL

Mali

june 14, 4:30pm, wellington

june 14, 1pm, chRiStchuRch

Ukraine
1A

Germany
1F

V
3

Senegal

Thursday June 11
Match Results
Austria
Germany
Potugal
Brazil

0-2
1-0
2-1
0-0
(Pen 5 - 4)

Uzbekistan
Nigeria
New Zealand
Uruguay

2E

Nigeria

Sport 25

www.mmtimes.com

Seeing the 28th SEA Games

1. The race was on at the Womens 1500m final on June 11. Though Vietnam
took the two top spots, Phyu War Thet of Myanmar secured a bronze with
a time of 4:33.25 followed by fellow countrywoman Swe Li Myint four
seconds later. Photo: AFP
2. Htin Linn of Myanmar cleared the pole with flying colours in the Mens
High Jump final on June 11. Photo: EPA/Lynn Bo Bo
3. Filipino cyclist Marella Vania Salamat pushes the pedals to the limit in
the Womens Individual Time Trial, which she won on June 11. Photo:
Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee/Action Images via Reuters
4. Mark Jerwin Valdez (top) of the Philippines plays against Muhamad Hamid
Firdaus (white cap) of Indonesia during their water polo mens round-robin
match on June 11. Photo: AFP
5. Singapores Ashly Lau takes flight during the womens beam routine final
on June 10. Photo: AFP
6. Competitors took to the links June 11 on a course that overlooked
Singapores skyline. Photo: Timothy Tan/Sport Singapore
7. Myanmars Aung Ko Min (left) stands at attention at the podium, honoured
for his second-place win in the Mens Single Sculls 500m final on June
11. Photo: Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee/Action Images via
Reuters
8. Though Myanmar went flat out, Malaysia took the June 10 hockey match
2-0 June 10. Photo: Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee/Action
Images via Reuters
9. Maria Londa leapt for Indonesia, getting some air in the triple jump event
on June 11 and eventually gaining gold. Photo: AFP
10. Birthday girl Shun Lei Maw Oo finished last in her 100m Butterfly heat
June 11, but she has time to practice as shes 11. Photo: EPA/Lynn Bo Bo

10

26 Sport

THE MYANMAR TIMES June 12, 2015

sea games

Rowing

It was a mixed day for Myanmar

in the opening day of the rowers
meet at Marina Channel. Events will
continue at the venue until June
14 but all of Myanmars published
medal ambitions were listed on Day
1. Those targets listed three medal
expectations and while five came the
way of the Golden Land, all were the
wrong colour. Gold was the target
for Aung Ko Min in the Mens Single
Sculls (500m) but silver was his
result as he finished 1.69 seconds
down on Memo Memo of Indonesia
(1.31.50). Nilar Win and Shwe Zin
Latt also could only manage the
second step of the podium when
they finished 3.77 seconds behind
the Vietnamese pair (1.37.35) in the
Womens Lightweight Sculls (500m).
For Myanmars final gold ambition
it was yet another step down as the
Mens Pair (500m) finished behind
both Indonesia and the winners,
Vietnam.
It was very much the same
story for the rowers as had been
experienced earlier in these Games
by the canoeists and dragon boaters,
both disciplines that also fall under
the auspices of the Myanmar Rowing
Federation.
We hope to achieve our gold
targets but we could only manage
silver. Our athletes have tried their
hardest but this year our opponents
are much stronger, rowing team
manager Khin Moe Moe told The
Myanmar Times.
There were some consolation
prizes however, as the Womens Pair
(500m) of Aye Thuzar and Yi Yi Win
also finished behind Vietnam and
Indonesia to bring home a bronze
as did the Mens Lightweight Four
(500m).
Todays eight events were
dominated by Vietnam and
Indonesia, as the teams won six
medals including four gold and eight
medals with three gold, respectively.
The only other national anthem to
be heard was that of Thailand for the
Mens Lightweight Doubles (500m).

The two divers from the Philippines dive in better times. Photo: AFP

Philippines probe as
Splash Brothers go viral
A PAIR of Filipinos have created a
splash in more ways than one after
footage of their botched dives at the
SEA Games caused such a stir that authorities demanded answers.
Footage of John Elmerson Fabriga
and John David Pahoyo has gone viral after both athletes, on their fourth
dive in the mens 3m springboard,
landed nearly horizontal, scoring zero
points.
Reaction has been mixed to the
duo dubbed the Splash Brothers,
with some internet users poking fun
and others calling for restraint.
But their performance has made
waves with Philippine Sport Commission chair Richie Garcia, who is reportedly seeking an explanation from
aquatics chief Mark Joseph.

I will give the opportunity for the

Philippine Swimming Inc president to
explain because he fought for these divers to come here and compete, Garcia said, according to Inquirer.net.
I saw these boys train at Rizal
Memorial and they are good. Garcia also wondered whether the dives
were intentionally bad, according to
the report.
Fabriga and Pahoyo, who finished
about 100 points adrift of their competitors, are not the only divers to
underwhelm at the Southeast Asian
Games in Singapore.
Some competitors in the womens
10m platform chose to dive from 7.5m
or even 5m, and many also landed
awkwardly, drawing murmurs from
the Aquatics Centre crowd.

Athletics

Phyu War Thet became a multiple

medallist at these Games when she
added 1500m bronze to her 5000m
bronze from earlier in the meet. Swe
Li Myint came fourth for Myanmar
in the event. But a seasons best for
Maung Chet in the mens equivalent
was only enough for fifth, seeing
him well off the pace in the tight

battle for bronze that saw Ridwan

of Indonesia edged out by Yothin
Yaprajan.
Thailands two spearmen
Peerachet Jantra and Hussadin
Rodmanee dwarfed the competition
with their season-best results of 75.18
and 70.96 metres, respectively. Best
of the rest in the field was Myanmars
Kyaw Nyi Nyi Htwe, who delivered
an unpredicted bronze medal for the
Golden Land with a throw of 56.84m.
The Mens 4x400m relay was the
showcase event of the evening and
ended in a thrilling photo-finish with
both Kunanon Sukkaew of Thailand
and the Philippines Christian Bagsit
claiming victory. When the result
was announced there was just 0.03
seconds separating them and it
was declared that the Thai runner
had, around the shoulder of his rival
on the last bend, edged ahead in the
final steps of the race.

Shooting

Ye Tun Naung shot ahead of his

rivals, moving on to the next
round with a score of 561-09x and
qualifying him in first place for the
afternoon final. But he failed to live
up to the pressure of an Olympicstyle final and left the competition
after being eliminated after six of
the standard eight rounds. That left
him in fifth in the individual contest
but his performance in qualifying
elevated the scores of Kyaw Swar Win
and Nay Htet Aung, who finished 12th
and 15th respectively in a field of 15 to
a bronze medal position for the team
event.

Archery

Only one of the 1/8 Elimination

Round Archery matches involving
Myanmar was a close-run thing this
morning, and that was the Mens
Individual Recurve contest involving
Aung Myo Thu and Nay Myo Aung,
both of Myanmar, facing off. The
contest went 6-5 the way of the
former but his reign was short-lived
as he lost 7-3 to Witthaya Thamwong
of Thailand in the quarter-final. In
the womens matches Zar Khyi Win
lost 6-2 to a bow from Indonesia and
San Yu Htwe fell 6-2 to her Filipino
opponent.
Things improved in the afternoon
if only for the Mens team when
they beat Thailand 6-2 in their
quarter-final before succumbing to
Indonesia 6-0. The result qualifies
them for a bronze-medal shoot-off
against Singapore this morning. The
Womens and Mixed teams failed to
advance from their quarter-finals.

Myanmar Medallists
Rowing:

Bronze
Mens Single Sculls (500m) - Aung
Ko Min
Womens Lightweight Double
(500m)

Athletics:
Rowing
Shooting

Mens Javelin Throw - Kyaw Nyi

Nyi Htwe
Womens 1500m - Phyu War Thet
Mens Lightweight Four (500m)
Mens Pair (500m)
Womens Pair (500m)
Mens 50m Pistol Team

WEEKEND TARGETS: THE MINISTRY OF SPORT

4

3-4

Sailing

Myanmars medals hopes in the

regatta look to be fading quickly.
Bronze medals were hoped for in
both the mens and womens 420
youth categories but the men have
only made it to third once in five
races and the women have finished
fourth of four in every match race.
The one event where Myanmar
targeted a gold was the womens
Windsurfing RSX which finished
with the medal race yesterday.
July Htwe had fought herself into
bronze-medal position going into the
race that counts for double points.
The medal race saw Hoiriyah of
Indonesia finish third and that was
enough to push July Htwe down to
fourth not only on the day but also
in the overall standings.

Medal Table

Results Day 6
Silver

Golf

After two rounds in the Womens

tournament Yin May Myo at
6-over-par is Myanmars leading
golfer with May Oo Khine and Phu
Pwint Khaing well off the pace at
11-over and 15-over respectively.
But it will take an extraordinary
final round to take Yin May Myo
from 12th-overall up to the medal
positions. Sock Hwee Koh currently
leads for Singapore at 3-under-par.
Bronze stands at 1-under. As a team
they stand seventh-of-seven in the
rankings, 15 shots off Singapore in
bronze medal position. Indonesia
and Thailand go into the final day
level in pole position.
In the Mens competition Pone
Pyae Chan Han, Maung Maung
Oo, Sithu Ye Yint and Hein Sithus
ambitions of bringing back a medal
from the team event was already
effectively in tatters from Round 2.
Things were only marginally better
after steady rounds of between
2-over and 4-over par gave Myanmar
sixth place on the day narrowly
above Laos. But Myanmar still trial
Laos in the overall scores. The only
team that props Myanmar from
languishing at the bottom of the
table are the Cambodians, who have
posted scores that would not allow
them on some of the worlds more
exclusive courses. After three rounds
Myanmar as a team sat 30 shots
off bronze-medal pace. As expected
Thailand will take a healthy lead
into the final round. They are trailed
by Singapore on their home course
and the Philippines and Indonesia in
joint third.

7-8

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Total

SINGAPORE

66

58

69

193

VIETNAM

57

31

50

138

THAILAND

55

62

49

166

MALAYSIA

32

33

43

108

INDONESIA

29

34

46

109

PHILIPPINES

22

27

41

90

MYANMAR

11

21

25

57

CAMBODIA

10

LAOS

13

16

BRUNEI

TIMOR LESTE

Sport
28 THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 12, 2015

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

SEA Games updates

on location in Singapore
SPORT 26

SEA GAMES

Track legend runs out

of time and shoes
MATT ROEBUCK
matt.d.roebuck@gmail.com
KYAW ZIN HLAING
kyawzinhlaing.mcm@gmail.com

ESTERDAY evening, Myanmars veteran distance

runner said goodbye to
the track but had no running spikes to hang up.
Pa Pa, 35, the barefoot runner, has
worn the national vest for 22 years,
since 1993, the last time the Southeast Asian Games were held in Singapore.
[Running barefoot] gives me a
feeling of freedom I think, Pa Pa told
The Myanmar Times. I have always
run barefoot, since I started my life
as an international athlete.
I know well the benefits of running with shoes, but I prefer to run
barefoot. I think it suits me better.
Singapore 2015 was one last opportunity for Pa Pa to reach the top
step of the podium, having won silver and bronze medals in the 5000
metres, 10,000m and Marathon
events.
But she struggled to replicate past
form, finishing sixth in both the 5000
and 10,000 metres with times significantly off her best.
I have never won a gold, only silver and bronze. This is a disappointment for me and so I came here to
win. But age has caught up with me.
These Games will be the last in
my life as an athlete. It is time to retire. I cant run with the young athletes anymore, she said.
Pa Pa trains at the cinder track
of Aung San Stadium, Yangon, but
saves her barefoot running for the
track and competition time.
I train in shoes, but go barefoot
for competition. When I first started
it hurt a little, but Im so used to this
style now.

Pa Pa of Myanmar (centre) was not the only barefoot runner in the 10,000m final on June 11. Photos: EPA/Lynn Bo Bo

Unlike the legendary Abebe

Bikila, who won the Rome Olympic
Marathon in 1960 running barefoot,
Pa Pa also put on a pair of trainers
when she took to the road.
She only shuns the spikes of the
track.
Now she will wear those same

trainers by the side of the track as

she prepares for a future as a coach
of a whole new generation of Myanmar athletes.
After a rest I plan to join the
Myanmar Athletics Federation as a
coach to encourage and develop athletes for the future of our sport.

SEA GAMES

Indonesian
hot-foots it to
distance double
TINY Indonesian Triyaningsih showed
a clean pair of heels yesterday as she
completed a Southeast Asian (SEA)
Games distance double and left her
barefoot competitors trailing.
The 147cm (4-foot-9-inch) runner
won the 10,000m in 33min 44.53sec,
77 seconds ahead of Vietnams Pham
Thi Hue who eschewed shoes at Singapores National Stadium.
Pham was not the only shoeless runner. Teammate Hoang Thi Thanh and
Myanmars Pa Pa also left their trainers
in the locker.
Triyaningsih, 28, won the 5000m
on June 9. She said two days recovery
was not enough to improve her personal
best of 32:49.47 over the longer distance.
I wanted to break my own record
... but following my recovery not too
long ago, today for 10,000m my time
is good, she said.
Triyaningsih was one of the athletes
to interrupt a run of Thai successes as
they scooped five golds including the
mens 4x400m relay and the mens and
womens sprint hurdles.
Malaysias Muhammad Irfan Shamsuddin, who was accused of knocking
a teammate unconscious in January,
defended his gold medal in the discus.
Nonsense, he said, when asked
whether the training incident nearly
derailed his career.
Actually that incident didnt have
any effect on me, so keep training,
keep focus and results will come, said
Shamsuddin, who won with a distance
of 56.62m.
Indonesias Maria Londa added triple jump gold to her long jump title
when she leapt 13.75m to win by 2cm
from Vietnams Tran Hue Hoa.
Thailands Jamras Rittidet won
the mens 110m hurdles in a new SEA
Games record of 13.69, while Wallapa Punsoongneun took the womens
100m hurdles in 3.56.
Thailand, who also won the mens
javelin and womens pole vault, edged
the Philippines in a photo finish to win a
thrilling 4x100m mens relay in 3:06.81.
Duong Van Thai and Do Thi Thao
added mens and womens 1500m titles
to their 800m crowns as Vietnam annexed the middle distance titles. AFP

wEEKEND
THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

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FEATURE

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THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

wEEKEND | ARTS&entertainment

Im the DJ, hes

the teacher
Aspiring turntablists take a spin
in the spotlight
BY CHARLOTTE ROSE

HE classroom falls silent as the

teacher passes around a pile of
revision notes. With the exam
only two days away, the students are
nervous. Around them sits top-ofthe-range equipment, which, to the
uninitiated, all seems nothing more
than a puzzling array of knobs, dials
and switches. But to these students
it is their opportunity to become
Myanmars or perhaps even the
worlds next big thing.
For this is no ordinary school. At
United DJ Mixing school, wannabe
DJs learn the art of mixing under
the expert hand of award-winning
DJ Kieran Way or DJ KC as he
is known in the music world. And
as the students huddle round the
turntables for a lesson in scratching,
it becomes evident that there is more
to DJing than just flicking a few
switches.
For their exam, the students
have to perform a 20-minute set in a
Yangon nightclub, and with nightclub
managers on the lookout for fresh
talent, there will be no room for
mistakes. In addition to tricks like

Learning DJing is just

like learning any other
musical instrument.
The techniques can
be taught but its up to
the students creativity
and musicality to take
it to the next level
DJ Kieran Way

scratching and beat juggling, Way

explains using a mix of English and
Myanmar that they will be judged
on important skills like beat mixing,
loops and effects, and pitch control.
Way whose DJ career spans
more than 20 years and who has
played alongside icons like Jam
Master Jay of Run DMC was born
in Myanmar but later migrated to
Australia. He decided to bring his
mixing classes to Myanmar after
visiting the country in 2007.
The country was cut off from
the rest of the world for so long, and
missed out on a big chunk of the
dance music culture and its evolution
of sounds, Way said. I felt I could
share my experience of 25 years
DJing so the next generation might
learn the roots of the genres of music
they like, and the techniques used by
todays new generation of DJs.
The first of its kind in Myanmar,
the six-week course teaches students
everything they need to know to
scratch their way to superstardom.
At the end of the course, Way will also
sponsor one student to DJ at events
in Australia a rare opportunity for
those coming from a country not
exactly known for exporting DJs
internationally.
DJing is a very competitive
industry, and to get ahead and play
alongside the worlds top DJs you
need to be original and create new
sounds and mixes. My idea was
to teach DJ classes for beginner
enthusiasts to get them out of the
country playing at international
competitions. Hopefully Myanmar
will eventually start exporting DJs
instead of importing them, Way said.
Despite the evolution of softwarebased music technology, Way says
DJing is about much more than
typing on a keyboard.
Learning DJing is just like
learning any other musical
instrument. The techniques can be
taught but its up to the students
creativity and musicality to take it to

Photo: Zarni Phyo

Photo: Aung Khant

the next level, he said, adding that

teaching in Myanmar is no different
from teaching in Australia. Music
is a universal language with no
boundaries or borders.
For student Su Su who goes by
the DJ name Nora Su it was the
prospect of achieving fame that
prompted her to take the course.
I always wanted to be a catwalk
model, but then I decided I want to be
a DJ because there are no Myanmar
DJ girls. I want to be the first famous
Myanmar DJ girl, said Su Su, who
paid US$600 for the classes. A tiny
girl in a pretty floral dress, Su Su
doesnt seem like your average DJ.

Has she ever been to a nightclub?

Only one time, she said.
The students clearly have a
passion for music. Swann Htetz, 22,
says it was his love of hip-hop that got
him interested in DJing.
This is the first time we have had
the chance to learn something like
this in Myanmar. Its exciting because
we have the chance to become one of
Myanmars top DJs, and even one of
the best DJs internationally, he said.
Its my dream to become a worldfamous DJ so Im going to try my
best, he added.
On the night of the competition
the students are visibly nervous.
For most of them, this is their first
experience DJing outside of the
classroom and, as Way reminds them,
You cant just turn off the music and
start again.

Among the crowd at Parkroyals

Basement One nightclub on May 29 is
the manager of the Yangon nightclub
DJ Bar, who has promised jobs for
two of the students. Way is joined on
the judging panel by well-known disc
jockeys DJ Jay and Xeno, who also
performed at the event.
There are a few false starts, and
not all of the students have taken to
scratching as well as others, but some
of the young DJs are remarkably
confident behind the decks. A few
trembling cries of everybody put
your hands in the air aside, its an
impressive show of talent.
When the dust settles, DJ Tyrah
T takes home the first prize of $1000
and a pair of Pioneer headphones,
while second-place winner DJ Kash
is awarded $500. Swann Htetz is
awarded the third prize of $250 not
quite his dream of international
superstardom, but its a start.
Su Su, disappointed not to have
won, says the experience was more
difficult than she expected.
Mixing the songs together was
hard, and no one was dancing, she
says, her face partially hidden by her
baby-blue rapper hat, worn especially
for the event. I still want to be a DJ,
but Im going to DJ at parties, not at
nightclubs.
What do the pros think of the
students performance? Way says
he was surprised by how well the
students performed. When the
lights go on up on stage, some can be
comfortable and some cant. But I was
really happy with 80 percent of the
students, he says.
They were good, agrees
rapper G Tone, who performed
at the competition. But I prefer
Grandmaster Flash.

Uwe Boll: Hollywoods elite

should be wiped out
BY BENJAMIN LEE

IRECTOR Uwe Boll, known

for his critically reviled films
Alone in the Dark, Postal
and BloodRayne, has delivered
an expletive-ridden rant on the
state of Hollywood after his recent
Kickstarter campaign failed to
reach its goal.
The German filmmaker, who won
a worst career achievement award
at the 2009 Razzies, was hoping
to make Rampage 3: No Mercy,
following on from his two previous
Rampage films, with assistance from
the crowd-funding platform. But his
aim to make US$55,000 in a month
failed with just $24,500 raised.
Boll used his YouTube channel
to record two rants against the
film industry and also his fans.
Basically, my message is go fuck
yourself, he begins. That is so
fucking absurd. What retarded
amateur idiots collecting money on

that absurd website. He goes on to

brag that he has enough money to
play golf until hes dead.
He also criticises a host of
Hollywood stars and properties,
including Matt Damon, George
Clooney and Marvels cinematic
universe. Iron Man does not exist.
Captain America does not exist, he
said. Wake the fuck up!
Most disturbingly, he also
expresses his wish that the
Hollywood elite would get wiped
out and quotes a line from his film
Rampage: We have to fucking kill
the rich.
Bolls films have attracted a
curious mix of stars, including Ben
Kingsley, Tara Reid, Jason Statham
and Christian Slater, but have
received toxic reviews from critics.
The New York Times called
Alone in the Dark inept on every
level while Entertainment Weekly
referred to him as the Ed Wood of
this new movie century.

The Guardian

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | ARTS&entertainment

Trading freedom for money

BY SONNY BUNCH

HAT are American artists to

do about China? Thats the
implicit question in a pair
of recent stories about Chinese
censorship in our increasingly
globalised community.
The New York Times last month
highlighted efforts by the book
publishing industry to increase
sales in China. Publishers were
quick to praise the Communist
nations appetite for their
product: The president of Phoenix
International Publishing Group is
quoted as saying, Chinese people
are very curious about culture in
other countries.
But they more or less ducked
the question of censorship. No
comment, the executive replied
when asked whether certain topics
were off limits for writers and if
his publishing house adhered to
government guidelines.
Similarly, the film industry
has bent over backward to make
its products acceptable to Chinas
rulers, as NPR noted in a recent
story on the type of content that gets
censored in China. Of special note
is the seemingly innocuous sort
of stuff that causes the censors to
unsheath their scissors.
Consider Mission: Impossible
III, which was partially shot in
Shanghai. The films establishing
shot of Shanghai shows Tom Cruise
walking past the winking lights
of the modern cityscape and then
past underwear hanging from a
clothesline, NPRs Frank Langfitt

reports.
The censors felt that it did not
portray Shanghai in a positive light,
so that scene was removed from the
movie, said TJ Green, CEO of Apex
Entertainment. They didnt want
to see something that portrayed it ...
[as] a developing country.
Similar affronts to Chinas sense
of honour have been cut from other
films.
As Ive noted elsewhere, what
was fascinating about the Mission:
Impossible III anecdote is that the
Chinese censors werent always
worried about heterodox ideas a
plea for freedom of speech or gay
rights, say but simply looking bad
or losing face. The treatment of
art as nothing more than a means
of transforming the perception of
China has a long and storied history
under the Communist regime.

To write only of
brightness generally
meant writing what
is false
Merle Goldman
Author

During the Cultural Revolution,

Chiang Ching decreed, for
example, that only positive
characters could be emphasised

in films (none of which produced

before 1966 could be shown) and no
heroes were allowed to die, notes
Paul Hollander in his book Political
Pilgrims.
He goes on to highlight the
dictums handed down by the
regime: All novels, essays, articles,
works of art ... must 1) exalt with
deep and warm proletarian feelings
the great Chairman Mao; exalt
the great, glorious and infallible
Chinese Communist Party; exalt
the great victory of the proletarian
revolutionary line of Chairman
Mao; 2) following the examples of
Revolutionary Model operas, strive
with zeal to create peasant and
worker heroes.
Such strictures have a stifling
effect on artists. Though the rules
above were promulgated during the

notorious and disastrous Cultural

Revolution, even loyal Communist
authors were chafing from similar
restrictions in prior years. Merle
Goldman in his 1967 book Literary
Dissent in China highlighted the
vicious attacks on the poet and
literary theorist Hu Feng mounted
in 1955. Likewise, [Hu] opposed
the partys dictum that bright
things be emphasised and elements
of backwardness and darkness be
de-emphasised, Goldman writes.
Such restrictions inhibited the
writer, Hu asserted, because to write
only of brightness generally meant
writing what is false.
Hus reasons for rejecting such
propaganda were not only artistic
but also ideological: If everybody
wrote of the bright side, then the
struggle for further improvement

of life would become impossible,

Goldman quotes Hu as writing in a
piece of literary criticism.
Eventually, Hu would adopt a
policy of silence induced by the
constant rebuffs that his various
efforts had met. We see similar
issues at work today, the New York
Times reported: In 2011, [Murong
Xuecun, whose eight books had
sold 2 million copies] decided to
stop publishing. He was afraid of
running afoul of Chinese censors,
and was even more concerned about
the self-censorship that had crept
into his work.
Its not surprising that studios
and publishing houses want to do
business with a nation of almost
1.4 billion people. Sadly, no one
expects multinational corporations
even those whose business is
art to place an abstract desire for
freedom above a concrete desire for
money.
We expect a bit more from those
who make their living producing
works that inspire the soul,
however. Given the long and storied
history of artistic repression in
China, its only fair to ask whether
American artists and writers feel
comfortable letting their work be
hacked apart by Chinese censors in
order to help the communist regime
maintain that nations brand.
When I look back on [my books],
I feel ashamed of myself, Murong
told the Times. Will American artists
who allow their work to be tampered
with or who consciously avoid
some subjects altogether one day
feel the same?

The Washington Post

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

wEEKEND | FOOD&DRINK
RESTAURANT REVIEW

Gourmet chimps
show
how we
came to
cook

Shabu Boy

OCATED above Adamas

Seafood Restaurant on
Kanbawza Road, Shabu Boy
offers an inexpensive alternative to
the well-heeled bars and restaurants
surrounding it which may explain
why all of the tables were full
when we visited. My guest, having
experienced me as hungry-zilla
before and not in a hurry to do so
again, pleaded desperately with the
manager until he found us a table,
but if you plan on visiting and dont
want to see a birthday girl and her
boyfriend ousted from their seats
(my sincerest apologies to you both)
booking ahead is advised.
By way of food, Shabu Boy isnt
a groundbreaking addition to the
local restaurant scene similar
Thai style hot-pot buffets exist all
over the city. What sets it apart from
many of these is the price: K9900
per person for the all-you-can-eat
buffet, which includes free-flow

coffee and fruit juices. Beer and

other soft drinks will incur an
additional charge. Visit before July
16, and a table of four will pay for
only three.
I am of the firm belief that there
are few better places to enjoy a
meal with a group of friends than a
hot-pot restaurant. At Shabu Boy,
like most others, each table has
its own hot-pot with two choices
of broth spicey Thai style and
chicken as well as a separate grill
for frying. Diners can choose from
a selection of meat, seafood and
vegetable plates and everyone can
cook their food to their own liking,
making it a great one-pot-fits-all
solution to the where do you want
to eat? dilemma. The variety of
hot-pot ingredients on offer at
Shabu Boy isnt as large as other,
more established, restaurants
the huge refrigerators are largely
empty and the place has a kind of
temporary, pop-up feel to it but
the fresh seafood, thinly sliced steak
and variety of mushrooms should be
enough to satisfy most.
The buffet includes fried noodles,
rice and Thai papaya salad, as well
as fruit and shaved ice for dessert,
but the selection is small you
certainly wont get that euphoric
holy moly, look at all this food!
feeling one would generally expect
at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Despite
the best efforts of the staff many
of the buffet trays were almost
always empty, as if they were never
expecting so many guests though
perhaps thats partially thanks to
the clowns who turn up without
a reservation. On the plus side,
the small, buzzing restaurant

BY RICHARD INGHAM

has a family-dining-room-like
atmosphere and, despite so many
gas burners in such close proximity,
it isnt the sweaty, human-oven
experience you will find at most hotpot eateries.
As the aforementioned birthday
girl discovered, Shabu Boy probably
isnt the setting for a special
occasion or marriage proposal
(in case you saw the name and
immediately thought romantic
dinner for two), but is worth a visit
if youre in Golden Valley and not
wearing your fancy pants.
Shabu Boy
14 Kanbawza Road, Golden Valley,
Bahan
Restaurant Rating:
Food
Beverage
Value
Service
X-factor

6
5
8
6
5

HIMPANZEES and
humans share some of the
basic brain skills needed
for cooking, a finding that may
explain a turning point in the story
of mankind, according to a study
published on June 2.
Experiments at a chimp
sanctuary suggest a common
ancestor imparted these cognitive
abilities to apes and humans alike,
it said.
If so, it sheds light on how
we came to cook an activity so
banal that we have lost sight of its
importance.
Using heat to break down
tough fibres and starch, making
meat and tubers easier to digest,
broadened the diet of our hominid
ancestors.
It provided the calorie boost
that in turn led to the evolution of
bigger, energy-hungry brains.
But when and how did humans
acquire this skill?
A pair of scientists from
Harvard and Yale believe the
clue lies in Pan troglodytes
chimpanzees, our closest living
relative since our common ancestor
split into ape and hominid lineages
some 13 million years ago.
Many capacities for cooking
are thought to be uniquely
human, said Alexandra Rosati,
a Yale psychologist. Thats
why we wanted to study this in
chimpanzees.
Rosati and Felix Warneken of
Harvard reported on experiments
with two dozen wild-born chimps
at the Tchimpounga Sanctuary in
the Republic of Congo.
Their work appears in the
journal Proceedings B of the Royal
Society, Britains de-facto academy
of sciences.
In the first test, scientists
placed a slice of sweet potato in a
hot pan, without butter or oil, and
offered it to the chimps alongside a
raw sample.
The chimps vastly preferred
cooked potato, they established.
The next step was to probe
whether the animals understood
how the food transformation
worked.
For this, the team used a
fake cooking device a plastic
container with a false bottom
concealing a piece of cooked
potato.
A slice of raw potato was placed
in the top, the lid replaced and the
container shaken in front of the
chimps before a cooked piece was
removed from the secret chamber
and offered to them.
There were also other, clearly

distinguishable containers that

did not transform the food when
shaken.
After the demonstration, the
chimps could choose between
the two types of containers, not
knowing their contents and
opted for the cooking device
more often than not.
The next experiment was even
more telling.
Given a piece of raw potato
on one end of an enclosure, the
chimps could choose to eat it right
away or carry it to the opposite
side, 4 metres (15 feet) away, to
have it cooked in one of the
devices.
The first time one of the
chimps did this, I was just amazed.
I really had not anticipated it,
Rosati said in a statement.
When one of them did it, we
thought maybe this one chimp is
just a genius, but eventually about
half of them did it.
To further test the chimps,
the team gave them raw carrot.
Without having been shown the
cooking process with carrot,
the chimps nevertheless opted to
place them in the devices.
But when given a raw potato
and a piece of wood, they only
placed the food in the container,
clearly demonstrating they knew
what the cooker was all about,
said the team.
Chimpanzees do not, of course,
cook.
The animals have not mastered
fire, their diet is different from
ours and as a rule they do not
share their food, whereas humans
prepare meals for friends, families
and others.
What chimps do have, though,
is the same basic cognitive toolkit
for cooking, according to the
researchers.
Evidence that a common apelike ancestor gave us these skills
may provide insight into another
significant event: when humans
mastered fire.
A common theory is that
hominins the primate group
that includes the forerunners of
modern humans learned how to
control fire for defence or warmth,
later using it for cooking.
In fact, cooking may have been
a motivation to master fire, not a
consequence of it, said the team.
The evidence from our
cognitive studies suggests that,
even before controlling fire, early
hominins understood its benefits
and could reason about the
outcomes of putting food on fire,
said Rosati.

AFP

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | FOOD&DRINK

RECIPE

Port Autonomys
Gochujang carnitas tacos
H

AWAIIAN-BORN chef Kevin

Ching the man behind
popular Yangon restaurants
Port Autonomy and La Carovana
is back as our guest chef again this
week. Known for giving a unique
twist to everyday comfort foods,
Chings recipes showcase the
freshest local produce inexciting
combinations, with influences
ranging from Mexican to Korean to
Burmese.
This Korean-inspired recipe is

one of Port Autonomys bestselling

tacos and is easy to prepare. You
need a few hours to let the carnitas
cook, so its a great for weekend
afternoons or for entertaining
friends, said Ching. Just add
tequila and you have a party!
Gochujang carnitas tacos
Makes 4-6 tacos
Fresh corn tortillas (available at
Sharkys)
Cooking oil
Photos: Zarni Phyo

For the carnitas

1kg pork shoulder
1 yellow onion
4 garlic cloves, chopped
250g gochujang (a Korean chilisoybean paste, available at City
Mart)
2 litres beer
For the pineapple salsa
2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
1 cup tomatoes, diced
1 cup shallots, diced
1 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup green chilli, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a
sturdy, heavy-bottomed pot. Trim
away any skin from the pork
shoulder but keep the fat. Cut the
pork into large pieces and season
with salt and pepper before searing
it in the hot oil on all sides until it
is dark brown in colour. Set aside
in a bowl.
In the same pot, saute the onions
and garlic until soft using their
moisture to deglaze the bottom of
the pan.
Add the gochujang and beer
to the pot, stirring to dissolve the
gochujang, and bring to the boil.
Add the seared pork back into the
pot and season with a small amount

of salt and pepper. Make sure the

pork is completely submerged in the
beer stock. Simmer for 2-3 hours or
until the pork is completely tender
and breaks apart easily.
When the pork is completely
tender, remove it from the pot
and place in a bowl along with
any remaining cooking liquids. If
the remaining cooking liquid is
very watery, boil it down until it
reaches a syrup consistency before

combining with the pork. Shred the

pork using two forks, set aside and
keep warm.
To make the pineapple salsa,
combine all of the ingredients in
a bowl and season with salt and
pepper.
Warm the corn tortillas in a
hot, dry pan for a few seconds on
each side.Build the tacos with the
carnitas and salsa, and garnish with
more cilantro and a wedge of lime.

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

wEEKEND | HEALTH&beauty

Cities with active residents more

productive and healthier
Increasing the amount of urban green space and promoting activities like walking, cycling
and use of public transport has significant economic benefits, study concludes
BY PETER WALKER

ITIES in which residents

are physically active have
a big advantage over their
more sedentary rivals, with better
economic productivity, higher
property values and improved
school performance, as well as a
healthier population.
In an increasingly globalised,
competitive and mobile world, cities
have an economic imperative to
promote walking, cycling and public
transport, as well as to increase the
amount of green space and to curb
car use, according to a report from
the University of California.
The research examined more
than 500 existing studies from 17
countries to seek an overall picture
of the effect of increased physical
activity on a city. It found in
particular that schemes to promote
walking and cycling had a massive
impact, with one UK study finding
local trade can be boosted by up to
40 percent in an area where more
people walk.
Overall, the academics
concluded, walking and cycling
projects return an average of 13
(US$20) in economic benefit for
every 1 ($1.50) invested.
The boost comes from a variety
of means, including more trade for
local shops, less traffic congestion
and reduced pollution. More active
employees take on average a week
less off work a year, with huge, wider
benefits for overall public health.
A University of Cambridge study
on the health impact of sedentary
living, published this year, estimated

A citys ability to
compete depends on
an active population.
The research is clear
on this it shows how
an active city can be a
low-cost, high-return
investment
Chad Spoon
University of California

Yangon suffers from a lack of space for walking, cycling and other outdoor activities. Photo: Staff

that almost 700,000 people could be

dying a year in Europe owing to lack
of exercise. One paper considered
by the University of California team
estimated that investment in cycling
schemes in the US city of Portland
could save almost $12 billion by 2040
in better public health.

The 80-page paper aggregating

the research, which also offers city
leaders ideas on how to make their
populations more active, is being
released before a conference on the
subject in Bristol. The English city
has heavily promoted active travel
in recent years, and is among nine

places examined in the report as

models for others.
Chad Spoon, from the University
of Californias Active Living
research unit, said the hope was
the report would open the eyes of
government leaders to the many
important benefits of designing

cities to support active living. He

added, A citys ability to compete
depends on an active population.
The research is clear on this it
shows how an active city can be a
low-cost, high-return investment.
The paper also lists a series
of other benefits of a move to
active living, including research
suggesting that streets not lined by
parked cars have significantly less
crime, that active students tend to
perform better at school, and that
more physical activity boosts overall
mental health and wellbeing.
It suggests a series of ways city
leaders can help in this process, with
examples such as providing more
parks and open spaces; providing
bike lanes and public bike schemes;
and helping ensure children live
closer to their schools.

The Guardian

Quiz reveals your odds of living another five years

BY ABBY PHILLIP

HAT is your risk of dying in

the next five years? A pair
of Swedish researchers have
created a short questionnaire that

may provide an answer.

To understand how this works,
its important to first consider a few
caveats.
Correlation and causation are
not the same. In this case, the
researchers have highlighted

correlations between risk of death

and factors such as smoking and
chronic health conditions. They
arent foretelling anyones death.
Then theres the question of who
can use this tool to get an accurate
result. If you are between the ages
of 40 and 70 and you live in the
United Kingdom, you are good to
go. Others may find the detailed
study from which the quiz was
derived more useful than the quiz
itself, which can be found at ubble.
co.uk.
There are several interesting
findings that could help doctors,
public health officials and regular
people ask questions that may
be relevant to ones health and
longevity, at least for the next five
years.
For example, the researchers
found that walking pace was a
particularly strong predictor of
death risk stronger, they said,
than smoking habits and other
lifestyle measurements. The
researchers found that men aged
40 to 52 who reported that their
walking pace was slow were 3.7
times as likely to die within five
years as those who reported a
steady average pace.
The study was authored by
Andrea Ganna, a biostatistician
at the Karolinska Institute in
Stockholm, and Erik Ingelsson,
a professor at Swedens Uppsala

University.
Their findings suggest that a
short questionnaire might be a
good supplement to, or potentially
a replacement for, a standard
physical examination for doctors
and other health professionals to
use in identifying people with high
mortality risk.
The survey asks 13 questions of
men and 11 of women. A 59-yearold man, for instance, is asked how
many people live in his household
and whether they are related; a
59-year-old woman is asked how
many children she has had; the man
is asked about how many cars are
in his household, the woman isnt;
the man is asked about strokes, high
blood pressure and heart attacks;
the woman about nerves, anxiety,
tension and depression.
Questions for both sexes cover
such topics as overall health,
smoking habits, walking pace and
whether a person has experienced
illness, injury, financial difficulty,
marital issues or the loss of
someone close.
Some factors, such as
psychological and socioeconomic
variables, were strong predictors
of death causes unrelated to
physical health, including suicide or
accidental fall.
Among people who didnt have
major diseases, smoking habits
were the strongest predictor of risk

of death within five years. For men,

the most common cause of death
was lung cancer; for women, it was
breast cancer.
Overall, the results are
reasonably good predictors
of death within five years, the
researchers said.
To create the survey, the
researchers used the UK Biobank,
which collected hundreds of data
points from nearly 500,000 Britons
between 40 and 70. The researchers
said they are the first to look at such
a wide range of variables in such a
large group.
To assess an individuals risk of
dying within five years, the online
quiz results are compared with
nationwide data and the person is
given an Ubble age. For example,
if you are a 50-year-old man and the
results of the survey give you an age
of 56, that means your risk of dying
is similar to that of a 56-year-old
man in the United Kingdom. It then
tells you what that five-year risk of
dying is.
The findings have been
published in the journal Lancet. But
this project is remarkable for how
interactive and open it is. Anyone
can use the tool to see how lifestyle
and health factors affect risk of
death. People can also look at the
association between certain risk
factors and age.

The Washington Post

wEEKEND | STYLE

NEW YORK

New York exhibition plots

rise of global fashion
P

ARIS, Milan, New York and

London may reign in world
fashion, but Asian and South
American cities are ones to watch,
according to an exhibition at one of
the worlds best design schools.
Dubbed Around the World in 80
Items by Style.com, the museum
at New Yorks Fashion Institute
of Technology is charting a new
generation of fashion-forward cities
eyeing global prominence.
The exhibition displays dozens of
outfits and accessories ranging from
a 1890 couture cape by the thentoast of Paris, Charles Frederick
Worth, to a 2015 beaded dress by
Nigerias Lisa Folawiyo.
It showcases the likes of Chanel,
Prada, Alexander McQueen and
Ralph Lauren with emerging talent
from as far afield as Antwerp,
Istanbul, Kiev, Johannesburg,
Mexico, Mumbai, Sao Paulo,
Shanghai and Tokyo.
The exhibition calls itself Global
Fashion Capitals and identifies
19 emerging cities, showcasing the
work of many designers not well
known or who have never shown
before in the United States.
In the past 10 years there has
been an explosion in hundreds of
fashion weeks where designers
display their latest collections to
attract buyers and the media in a
multi-billion-dollar industry.
But if the four most important
fashion destinations are Paris,

New York, Milan and London, who

comes next?
There are a lot of people vying
for that fifth and sixth place,
exhibition co-curator Ariele Elia
said.
Her picks are Sao Paulo, Seoul
and Shanghai, with a special
mention for newbie Istanbul, which
started a fashion week in 2009.
Interest in couture in Brazils
business capital dates back to
the 1950s. The city also has very
strong clothing and manufacturing
industries, and has been creating its
own designs since the 1980s.
The exhibitions flag bearer for
Brazil is Alexandre Herchcovitch,
whose 2007 jumpsuit fuses tribalstyle beadwork and Brazilian
colours into what the exhibition
calls a contemporary silhouette.
Sao Paulo Fashion Week the
largest fashion show in Latin
America was where Brazils Gisele
Bundchen, the worlds top-earning
model, made her debut and where
she retired from the catwalk in
April.
Seoul, with its vibrant street
style, and Shanghai, as the
commercial capital of China, are
both attracting increased interest.
But Shannon Bell Price, assistant
dean at Pratt Institute another of
New Yorks leading design schools
who has not seen the exhibition,
singled out Tokyo and Antwerp.
Globalisation has made

manufacturing less important as

a locale, but the creative class and
financial resources are essential,
she said.
Antwerp and Tokyos emergence
in the 1990s were spurred by
creativity and specific designers
gaining global recognition, she
added, naming Rae Kawakubo and
Issey Miyake, and the Antwerp Six.
Emerging designers can make
it without basing their businesses
in Paris, Milan, New York or
London, but Price says, It is harder
as the financing is in these places.
Among those on show at the
exhibition, Shanghais Masha Ma also
has offices in Paris. Indias Manish
Arora presents his collections in Paris
and Nigerias Folawiyo has shown her
work in Milan.
Russian designer Alexey Sorokin,
whose dresses are also featured, also
visited New York to meet buyers. He
said his inclusion was a very good
promotion.
Slightly surprisingly, the
curators also included Kiev, despite
the Ukranian revolution, with a
special nod to Daria Shapovalova,
who has worked tirelessly to put her
city on the fashion map.
They still have a very strong
fashion industry despite the
revolution and fabric shortages,
Elia said. Despite a lot of political
or economic difficulties, fashion can
still exist.

People look at a display during the press preview for the Global Fashion Capitals exhibition at the museum of the Fashion Institute of
Technology in New York on June 2. Photo: AFP/Jewel Samad

AFP

10

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

wEEKEND | Family

Busy as a bee
Shan State is a hive of new business
opportunities following an initiative
to introduce modern beekeeping
methods, writes the LIFT Funds
Rupin Mahiyaria
S

HAN State is abuzz after

Plan Bee, an initiative to
introduce modern beekeeping
technologies in Myanmar, began last
year. With funding from the multidonor Livelihoods and Food Security
Trust Fund (LIFT), the project is now
looking beyond honey production
into such areas as training in
candle-making, cosmetics-making,
beehive construction and pollination
services.
And its not just the beekeepers
who benefit. Having bee pollination
nearby means yields for existing
crops around the project sites are
noticeably higher. This has led to
the project offering pollination
services, where hives are placed in
farmer fields for a fee. It is a winwin situation, and farmers are keen
to get involved.
Community-based
organizations set up by the
project have identified pollination
as an income-diversification
opportunity, says Michal Goren,
head of operations with Tag
International Development, which
is implementing the project. So Tag
is conducting intensive pollinationawareness training. It has led to
better protection and appreciation
for the bees among farmers.
One of the nearby farmers told
me he got more mustard and canola
than in previous years, says Thar
Ngee, 22, one of the early trainees.
They want our beehives at mango

and orange farms, and have offered

us transportation.
Beekeeping had never originally
figured in Thar Ngees scheme of
things. His large family had only 2
acres of land, which did not provide
sufficient income, so he would travel
seasonally to find casual farm work.
Things changed when Plan
Bee organised an awarenessraising event in his home village.
After a three-week training
course, followed by a two-month
mentoring program, Thar Ngee
and his fellow trainees became part
of a community-based enterprise
(CBE), the collective of new

Photo: LIFT/Tag

have also been trained in the highly

specialised process of queen-bee
rearing.
In their first honey-flow season,
the bees supplied two honey
extractions a week, resulting in
5-gallon containers of pure Shan
honey, and an income of US$900 for
the 10 CBE members. Pollination

Each beehive has 60,000 to 80,000 working

bees during the honey flow season
beekeepers set up by Plan Bee in
each village.
They received a first batch of 35
beehives kits in August last year.
Each beehive has 60,000 to 80,000
working bees during the honey
flow season, which in Shan State is
between October and December.
The CBE members carry out
different roles, ranging from
bookkeeping to making candles, and

services can see that income

increase further.
Beekeeping is a viable form of
work for rural women, as it is not
time-consuming and allows them
to stay at home rather than forcing
them to work outside.
Beekeeping doesnt take all
day. My mother takes care of my
daughter while I go to the apiary.
Because we share responsibilities in

the CBE, it only takes half a day per

week of my time, says Zarzar, 35.
Training is free, making
beekeeping possible for those like
Zarzar who could not have afforded
to pay.
Beekeeping technology will
benefit us, she says. It is not
something I could learn in school or
at university.
My dream is to become a private
beekeeper, says Zarzar, who had
previously worked as a beautician
and was trained to manage
accounts. I would like to own a
beauty salon and do beekeeping
simultaneously.
Plan Bee will soon offer training
on how to make cosmetics such as
lip balm from honey and other beerelated products.
Tag is engaging a wide range
of partners to deliver training and
to provide additional support for
income-generating activities from
a Japanese organic cosmeticsmaking company to a Myanmar
winery and an international NGO,
says Goren.
The bees are all locally sourced
colonies from commercial

beekeepers, in partnership with

the Department of Agriculture, he
says. Moreover, Tag is working
to integrate commercial and new
beekeepers into the regional value
chains, and as a part of that the
head of the Vietnam Beekeepers
Association will also provide
training.
Tag is currently developing a
Beekeeping Centre in Pindaya, Shan
State, set to open next month.
LIFT is a multi-donor trust fund set
up in 2009 to improve the lives and
prospects of poor and vulnerable
people in rural Myanmar. It is
funded by the governments of
Australia, Denmark, the European
Union, France, Ireland, Italy,
the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Sweden, Switzerland, the United
Kingdom, and the United States
of America, and from the private
sector, the Mitsubishi Corporation.
The Fund is managed by the United
Nations Office for Project Services
(UNOPS). For more information,
please visit www.lift-fund.org

Top 10 fantastical pets in childrens literature

From Harry Potters Hedwig to The Gruffalos mouse, childrens fiction is packed with fantastical
pets. Author Martyn Ford picks his favourite friendly creatures
Y debut novel, The
Imagination Box, features a
talking finger monkey called
Phil. So far, he appears to be a
crowd pleaser and is by far the most
remarked-upon aspect of the book.
Animal companions do have a
real knack of stealing the limelight.
From noble horses to dire wolves,
from great lions to honey-addict
bears, readers of all ages love a
friendly critter. So, in no particular
order, here are 10 fantastical pets in
childrens literature.

The Fish, from The Cat in the Hat by

Dr Seuss
In this rhyming classic, a couple
of kids are just chilling out on a
rainy day when this sociopathic cat
arrives at their house and trashes
the place. Their sensible pet fish
susses, early on, that this eccentric,
borderline sinister intruder
is probably bad news. Turns
out though, despite old Fishys
scepticism, the cat is all right
and cleans everything up. Moral:
Forgive burglars?

Cheshire Cat, from Alices

Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis
Carroll
In her extraordinarily influential
journey down the rabbit hole,
Alice encounters all sorts of
anthropomorphic animal madness.
However, its the Cheshire
Cat which she first meets in
the Duchesss kitchen amid an
unsettling, dreamy scene involving
a pig-baby hybrid that fits most
neatly into the list. Getting a
straight answer out of anyone in
Wonderland isnt easy, but this
elusive feline acts particularly
abstruse, donning the smuggest
grin imaginable the whole time so
smug that it actually sticks around
even when the rest of its body has
turned invisible.

Toothless, from How to Train Your

Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Imagine having a pet dragon. Go on.
Itd be carnage. Unless, of course,
it was a more amiable flavour of
dragon which was, as the name
suggests, susceptible to training.
Slender Berk resident Hiccup
is tasked with capturing one of
these beasts as part of a dangerous
tradition and, after a bit of work,
manages to save the village from
less friendly forces. The books
have been popularised in recent
years by a dramatically altered, yet
successful, DreamWorks film of the
same name.

Alfie, from Esio Trot by Roald Dahl

Theres both deception and
shelled reptiles in this story.

Alfies a little tortoise who wont

grow and, inadvertently, becomes
somewhat of a matchmaker. Elderly
neighbour-cum-charlatan Mr
Hoppy takes quite a fancy to Alfies
owner, Mrs Silver, so logically he
steals the tortoise and replaces it
with incrementally larger ones
to make it seem as though he is
growing, as part of a complex scam
to win her affection. This is one of
Dahls more charming, grounded
tales with typically fun subversion
of basic morality. Lying is fine, as
long as its extremely elaborate.
Pretty sure thats the moral here.
Hedwig, from the Harry Potter
series by JK Rowling
This one is a classic fantastical
pet. Ticks every box. Harrys owl,
along with all the other Hogwarts
lore, has cemented itself in human
consciousness probably forever. As
well as being a loyal companion,
Hedwig also provides Harry with
a competent mailing service. A bit
like Amazon Prime, only with less
magic.
Prince Amir of Kinjan, from the
What-a-Mess series by Frank Muir
This grotty Afghan puppy is
colloquially known as What-aMess because hes just disgusting.
Also, he has a little duck on his head

the whole time. Ive added this to

the list because the image of him is
oddly welded into my subconscious,
having read it on repeat when I was
a small child.
Nana, from Peter Pan by JM Barrie
Peter Pan has a pretty good set-up:
eternal youth, the ability to fly and
some proper cool Lost Boy mates.
Pet dog Nana might not have the
calibre of magic Peters grown
accustomed to, but she more than
makes up for it with raw domestic
aptitude.
Snowy, from The Adventures of
Tintin by Herg
Dont let his simple, gormless face
fool you: This little fox terrier
knows whats what. Best buddy to
Tintin, Snowy is often the voice of
reason as hes submitted to a frankly
cruel series of outlandish exploits.
However, like a good companion
should, hes usually well placed to
offer a helping hand, or paw, when
its needed.
The Mouse, from The Gruffalo by
Julia Donaldson
With no obvious owner, it could be
argued that the mouse isnt a pet
per se. But people keep mice as pets
so, given the right circumstances,
this tiny guy could meet the criteria.

Hes made the list because, as

someone with young relatives, I can
testify that The Gruffalo is special,
even beyond its prevalence. In a
nutshell, as an underdog, the mouse
has to invent a monster to avoid
getting eaten. It turns out though,
despite his resounding comments
on the contrary, there actually is
such a thing as a Gruffalo. Did you
know its based on the far more
synoptically titled Chinese fable,
The Fox Borrows the Tigers Terror?
You do now.
Richard Parker, from Life of Pi by
Yann Martel
Maybe Booker-winning Life of
Pi isnt a childrens book. But
I like it and see no reason why a
child couldnt read it so it is, de
facto, a childrens book. Take that,
categories. After the ship containing
all the animals from his familys
zoo sinks, our hero Pi ends up in a
serious pickle. Hes stuck at sea on
a cramped life boat with, among
other creatures, a massive Bengal
tiger called Richard Parker. While
far from an ideal scenario, Pi and
Parker somehow make it work and
eventually get to dry land. Or maybe
none of that happens. Maybe the
tiger is, in fact, pure fantasy
The Guardian

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | HOME&GARDEN

Pet shop buys: Finding a furry friend

BY NYEIN EI EI HTWE

OW much is that doggie in the

window or, in this case, the
cage? The pet-shop owners
trading at Bogyoke Market know by
now that a piteous silent appeal from
a puppy behind bars is worth any
amount of sales patter.
At Bogyoke Market, Yuzana Plaza
and elsewhere, pet-shop owners are
doing a roaring trade.
They could make even more
money, but many are in the business
because they love animals, and often
refuse to sell their own favourites to
would-be customers. Others, though,
are in the business to make money
through breeding. Others still just
like to win prizes in competition.
U Khin Maung Aye, owner of
Pluto Pet Shop (1 Kyun Taw Street,
Sanchaung township), said dogs kept
in small cages in the hot sun sell out
the fastest. In past, people used to set
the dogs and cats out on newspaper,
but they found customers were more
likely to buy if they felt pity, he said.
U Khin Maung Aye started selling
pets in 1999 because of his love of
animals.
Pet-shop owners have to take
care of their animals in all seasons,
especially when the weather becomes
extreme. In April they need fans and
air-conditioning. In August you have
to make sure they are dry, and in
December they might need warming
up a bit.
I give them something to protect
their lungs in wet weather, and take
special care in the cold and the heat,
he said.

A caged kitten tries to elicit sympathy from potential buyers at Pluto Pet Shop in Yangon. Photo: Naing Wynn Htoon

Sometimes the owners just cant

bear to part with their dogs and cats
for any money.
I divide my pets into those that
are for sale and those I want to keep.
I will refuse a customer who wants
a pet that Ive reserved for myself.
But then you have to be aware that
a customer who loves a pet will take
good care of it, so I dont have to
worry about them, U Khin Maung
Aye said.
A good customer will come back
to discuss a pets health, habits, likes
and dislikes. Some want to look after

the animal, others want to breed it.

Some people who are not so rich
and not so poor buy pets for business
purposes. But there are also a lot of
pet-crazy people in Yangon. And
some are after very expensive pets
that will show people how wealthy
their owners are, he said.
Space-starved Yangon customers,
in particular, are in the market for
smaller dogs that dont need a yard to
run around in.
Most Yangon pet-shops import the
animals from Thailand, and the food
and accessories from China.

Golden Dream Kennel (15 59th

Street, Hlaing township) owner Ko
Ye Lin Htut started breeding dogs in
2005 and now has more than 100 of
many different breeds. These days,
people who buy big dogs want them to
guard construction sites, he said.
I dont sell my favourites
whatever the customers offer,
because I like to enter them into
competitions, he said, adding that
he has won many prizes in Thailand
since 2010. Mostly, I won for
breeding standards. Last year in the
Philippines, one of my rottweiler dogs

11

took first prize.

Weekend is bath time. If they
arent clean, you get smells, bacteria
and itches, and finally they go off
their food, he said.
Fish, at least, dont require
washing. U Tin Tun, a retired army
colonel and owner of Aung Myay
Pet Shop (3/A Bo Aung Kyaw Street,
Hlaing Tharyar township), doesnt
care for four-legged pets, preferring
to concentrate on the finny and scaly
variety.
He keeps more than 20 species of
fish, including popular breeds like
flower horns, fighters and lion heads.
I love fish, and so does my son. When
I retired, my family started to breed
and sell fish.
Together with his son, he opened
his shop in 2003.
At K100 for the cheapest and K1
million for the most exotic, there is a
fish for everyone, from small children
to busy bond traders.
We can keep our prices low
because were far from downtown,
and because we breed our own, said
U Tin Tun.
Even if the fish dont need bathing,
the water still has to be kept clean,
and U Tin Tun and his son recycle it
every two days.
We also protect them from cold
in the winter because they can die if
the temperature drops. We got fish
heaters for them, he said. The fish
feed on dried food from Thailand or
China, as well as home-grown worms.
We built a pond to breed the
worms because sometimes there is a
shortage, U Tin Tun said. The fish
love them. I never tire of watching
them.

12
BY NANDAR AUNG

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

wEEKEND | FEATURE

NY cultured person of good breeding will be

familiar with the story, but Ill repeat it anyway, for
those of you who may not have come across it, if
youre sitting comfortably.
Once upon a time there lived the Princess Shin Mway
Loon and the Prince Min Nandar. Star-crossed lovers you
might call them. And like those other two kids of a much
later date, Romeo and Juliet, they were caught up in a
tragic tale of love and early demise which, in this case,
happened to transpire along a riverbank.
The story involves, naturally enough, a giant crocodile
who went by the name of Ngamoeyeik and who had the
knack of turning himself into a human being a man, in
fact, thus capable of falling in love with a human woman.
As our story opens, he was acting as matchmaker-cumtaxi-driver for our royal couple.
According to legend, Ngamoeyeik was born of the father
Indra, King of Heaven, and a lady crocodile who gave birth
after drinking spirit waters spilled out into the ocean,
which Indra had intended for his love Mae Lamu, who was
born from a mangrove fruit, Lamu. Later Mae Lamu gave
birth to King Okkalapa after drinking those same waters.
But I digress.
Our story begins as the two lovers met with the help
of the giant Ngamoeyeik who helped the prince cross
the river to the princesss castle. One day this romantic
commute was interrupted when another crocodile, the
fearsome female Ma Lat To, also capable of assuming
human form, attacked our Ngamoeyeik. As these titanic
reptiles grappled, Prince Min Nandar sought safety in
Ngamoeyeiks mouth.
Bad idea. Being crocodiles, they could fight underwater,
and their submersible struggle went on so long that by
the time Ngamoeyeik emerged victorious, poor Min
Nandar had expired of asphyxia. On hearing the sad news,
Princess Shin Mway Loon pined away. The bodies of the
late betrothed were burned in a great pyre by the river,
the flames coming together in a suggestive way such that
people said that the couple were re-united in the sky.
There we have the nuts and bolts of the tale. In
interpreting its deeper meaning, some blame the crocodile
for proposing an inappropriate place of refuge, while some
hold it was all the fault of the princess who had at one time
rashly fallen asleep on the princes right arm, something
rightly frowned upon in those days.
But when he died, our giant was memorialised at the
Ngamoeyeik Pagoda at 9 Mile on Pyay Road, which was
founded by the giants human wife Ma Shwe Pwint.
Not only that, King Okalappa also built a statue of
Ngamoeyeik in front of Shwedagon Pagoda to inspire
those of us who find in the image of the giant crocodile a
touching reminder of the tenderness and devotion our two
tragic royal lovers felt for one another.
In case you were wondering where all this was leading,
Ngamoeyeik really does live on not just in those brickand-stone testimonials, but also in the scaly flesh.
I refer to the Thaketa Crocodile Farm. It is located at

the Mya Kwar Nyo Street, near Pazundaung Creek also,

not at all by coincidence, known upstream as Ngamoeyeik
Creek, which drains into the Yangon River in Thaketa
township, about 20 minutes drive from downtown.
Go by car if you can because, lacking a giant legendary
amphibian creature to carry you there, public transport
is thin on the ground. It took me 10 minutes in a trishaw
from Thaketa proper.
The farm was originally established to breed crocodiles
for their leather, but it now also serves the purpose of
maintaining a population of saltwater crocs that are
increasingly rare in the wild.
Some crocodile farms, or so one is informed, run
to fancy modern equipment like coolers, freezers,
hatcheries and roomy storage spaces enough for housing
and incubation for the eggs, and soundly constructed
concrete, wooden and metal structures with adequate
insulation. Thaketa doesnt have any of this. What it
lacks in technology it makes up for in people-friendly
and presumably crocodile-friendly care, involving lots of
nurturing straw and reliance on natural methods.
Visitors can interact, exercising due diligence, with
crocodiles of various sizes in three types of nursing rooms.
The first is for baby croquettes from 1 to 3 feet long,
graduating to the next room, where the toddlers range
from 4 to 6 feet in length. Once they get bigger than that,
the animals are transferred to the nearby lake.
That is where you can explore the behaviour of the king
under the water in its natural habitat, its mixture of speed
and stealth, its slinky deadliness. They dont seem to move
very fast. They dont have to. You can even feed them,
and have your picture taken with them, smiling in the
background. They eat raw fish, if they cant get anything
meatier.
The salt water of the lake used to ebb and flow with the
tide on Pazundaung Creek, but last year the Department of
Fisheries provided a pump to keep the level constant.
Under the care of 13 careful staff, more than 500
crocodiles of all sizes, the biggest measuring more than 10
feet in length, live in the farm. They welcome sure-footed
visitors.
Mating season is February, and the females lay their
eggs between April and July. So now would be a good time
to see the staff recover the eggs from the lake and place
them, gingerly, in the incubator room. Temperatures must
be carefully monitored, because the eggs must hatch very
close to 30 Celsius.
Though Myanmar boasts four types of crocodiles
including Ngamoeyeik (Crocodylus porosus, also called the
saltwater crocodile, the largest kind), Crocodylus palustris
(broad-snouted crocodile), Garvialis gangeticus (fisheating crocodile) and Crocodylus siamensis (freshwater
crocodile) Thaketa accommodates only the saltwater
variety.

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | FEATURE

Where

crocodilian
legends
come to life

Thaketa Crocodile Farm is located in Mya Kwar Nyo

Street, Industrial ward, near Pazundaung Creek, Thaketa
township. Open daily from 6am to 6pm. Entrance fees are
K500 for adults, K1000 for foreigners and free for children
under 10.

They dont seem to move very fast. They dont have to. You
can even feed them, and have your picture taken with
them, smiling in the background
Photos: Douglas Long and Nandar Aung

13

14

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

wEEKEND | FEATURE

Animal house
BY ZON PANN PWINT

ERE the great apes once roamed, along with orangutans, chimpanzees, wolves,
an Indian rhino, tigers, leopards and a hyena nobody had ever seen before. The
Yangon Zoological Garden has been home to them all in its 109-year history.
U Myint Thein, a volunteer veterinarian, said some articles published in the 1970s
claimed that the Yangon Zoo was one of the best in the world for the variety of animals
inhabiting its 69.25 acres.
Some of our tigers were nearly 14 feet [4 metres] long, said keeper-manager U Aye
Hlaing.
The citys growth has now reduced the zoos extent to 58.16 acres, and the range of
animals is restricted, largely for their own protection from ill-treatment at the hands
of visitors and the risk of smugglers. Animal collection was very strong in the 1930s
because there was no smuggling route. Today, animals like tigers and leopards suffer
for their scarcity, he said.
One of the longest-serving employees, U Myint Thein shared his nostalgic
memories. Our path was not paved with flowers. In particular, World War II was a
very low point. Animals were killed for their skin, horn and flesh, he said.
The zoo was established in Kan Road, Mingalar Taung Nyunt township, in 1906
with K240,000 in funding contributed by the public. When World War II erupted the
Japanese bombed Yangon, bringing chaos and conflagration to the city.
Residents abandoned their homes, but zoo staff showed selfless service to the
animals, U Myint Thein said.
The keepers transported lions, tigers, the hyena, Himalayan bears and others to
the compound of U Ba Thein, who had founded a small zoo in Hinthada, Ayeyarwady
Region, as a hobby. The elephants found a home in a village west of the Hlaing River
amid bomb blasts; the deer were freed.
Inevitably, though, some animals died, including orangutans, chimpanzees and
an irreplaceable rare Indian rhinoceros which was captured and slaughtered by the
public for food and saleable parts. But the zoo was able to reopen, with all the surviving
animals back, in 1943.
In the post-independence years, the progress of the Yangon Zoo was slow. During
the rule of the Socialist Party, the area of the zoo was expanded, some sections inside
were set aside for public recreational use, outstanding keepers were sent abroad to
study, lakes were expanded and new enclosures were built. In 1978, the Natural History
Museum was founded, featuring stuffed animals which had died in the zoo.
In bygone days, the enclosure for the tigers was very cramped. The authorities
thought more about displaying them than they did about the animals freedom. It got
better later, said U Myint Thein.
One of the zoos proudest achievements is its inmates longevity. Mo Mo, the female
elephant, who has been a resident since 1961, will turn 62 this October. The zoo has
also succeeded in breeding some rare species in captivity.
The zoo was formerly run by the states Forestry Department but the Htoo Group of
Companies took over operations in 2011.
Whether animals are more at risk now than they were during the World War II is an
open question. U Aung Myo Chit, an independent wildlife biologist and adviser to the
zoo, said the global population of tigers is now below 3000. We dont know exactly how
many live in Myanmar, he said, but they are all under threat from smuggling.

The Yangon Zoological Garden

has had its ups and downs,
but the darkest days occurred
during World War II

World War II was a very low point. Animals

were killed for their skin, horn and flesh
U Myint Thein
Long-serving zoo employee
Photos: Yu Yu and Aung Htay Hlaing

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

15

wEEKEND | FEATURE

Rescue dogs motivated

by love of dangerous game

Pryse, a rescue dog with Fairfax County

Urban Search and Rescue in Virginia,
shows her agility at the teams training
facility in Lorton, Virginia, US. Photos:
Washington Post/Linda Davidson

VERY muscle tense, every nerve on alert, the wiry

yellow Labrador shot from her leash and bounded
nimbly up a tortuous vertical maze of concrete slabs,
rusted beams and chunks of rubble. Every few metres she
stopped and sniffed the wind, then darted through another
opening.
Within three minutes, Pryse, a member of Virginias
Fairfax County urban search and rescue team, had homed
in on her target: a woman trapped inside a section of cement
pipe. After a few extra sniffs to confirm the scent, the sixyear-old lab began barking furiously, her tail wagging with
excitement.
Whoo-whoo! Good girl! came the muffled voice of the
victim from inside the pipe, its entrance camouflaged with
a wooden pallet. Then a hand pushed a colourful cloth tube
out through the pallet, and Pryse began shaking it in a frenzy
of delight. It was her favourite tugging toy, hidden with the
victim to reward the dog for her success.
To her, its all a game of hide-and-seek, said Ron Sanders,
54, Pryses handler and best friend, who was waiting nearby
with pats and praise. That toy means more to her than
anything in the world, even food. We use the toys to create
loyalty to the victim, and we train the dogs to navigate the
rubble. So when they go in there, its like Disney World with a
prize at the end.
Pryse and Sanders, a retired firefighter who lives in
Lynchburg, Virginia, US, returned last week from Nepal,
where the Fairfax rescue team, sponsored by the Fairfax
County, Virginia, Fire and Rescue Department, was deployed
by the US government to search for survivors trapped in the
massive, 7.8-magnitude earthquake on April 25 that killed
more than 8000 people.
Both were on the scene during the dramatic rescue of a
teenage Nepali boy who had been trapped under a collapsed
hotel in Kathmandu for five days. After the boy was safely
extracted, Sanders sent Pryse racing straight up and into the
precarious ruins to search for any other survivors, but she
detected no live human scent.
Back home, they took a few days to get over jet lag, while
Pryse was reunited with her canine housemates Tomo, a

12-year-old German shepherd who retired after deploying

with Sanders to half a dozen disasters, and Roxy, a six-year-old
Belgian Malinois who was too high-strung to become a reliable
sniffer dog but became so attached to Sanders that he didnt
have the heart to part with her.
Then it was back to the pile, as Sanders and his
teammates call their permanent training site, a tower of
rubble built on the grounds of an abandoned prison complex
in Lorton, Virginia. The team trains two weekends a month, to
keep the dogs ready for both disaster deployment and periodic
recertification by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency.
All morning, Sanders took turns with nine other handlers
sending their dogs to sniff out volunteers hidden in pockets
under the debris. Several got distracted by the scent of a
woodchuck or fox, but others went straight to the human scent
and were rewarded with extra-effusive whoops. Pryse was one
of the quickest, and Sanders beamed with pride each time she
located the scents source and began barking.
Shes fast, shes agile and shes doing what she was made
to do, he said. We want them to rely solely on their noses,
but it takes lot of training and discipline, too. You have to set
boundaries, get rid of distractions and develop a strong personal
bond so the dog is always focused on you and the job.
Pryses responsiveness to Sanders was especially evident
when he took her through an obstacle course at the Lorton site,
designed to help dogs handle daunting and unstable terrain. On
his commands, Pryse dove into plastic tunnels, scrambled up a
ladder, stepped carefully across a series of posts, inched up a seesaw until it tilted and then inched down the other side. That feat
earned her an extra pat and a snack from his pocket.
Sanders, a gentle, soft-voiced man, uses simple one-word
commands such as Find, Through, and Drop. When Pryse or
another dog disobeys or makes a mistake, he uses an escalating
scale of disapproving words and tones: Uh-huh, No, Phooey,
and Nein! If it still happens, I might give them a swat on the
nose, but that is very rare, he said. The key is to repeat and
reward, repeat and reward.
Like all rescue dog handlers, Sanders knows that the fun
training is also intended to send an animal he loves, and who
would do anything for him, into harms way. Injuries on the job
are uncommon but not unheard of: Dogs inside a collapsed or
burning building can fall into crevices or get caught on sharp

Charlotte Grove sends her dog Etta, on a search mission in the rubble pile.

Pryse scales a metal staircase to enter the rubble pile used for training.

BY PAMELA CONSTABLE

metal. Accidents also occur in training: Two of the Fairfax

teams dogs are currently recovering from broken legs.
Some people object to what we do with these dogs and say
its inhumane. But they are doing what they love, and they are
doing it better than we can, Sanders said. They are taking
huge risks for the potential of saving a life. I have to go into
a dangerous situation and make a decision whether to send
them in or not. And no one loves them more.
Pryse is the third rescue dog Sanders has trained and
deployed with over the past two decades. He stumbled into
the field by chance, when a friend asked him to take care of
a police sniffer dog, but it soon became a vocation and then a
passion.
He and his dogs were sent to help find survivors after
hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, an earthquake in Haiti, and a
quake and tsunami in Japan.
Sanders is clearly close to all three dogs who share his
home. Roxy, too nervous and aggressive for other people to
handle, finally calmed down under his quiet command. Tomo
shared the worst experience of his career, the devastating 2010
earthquake in Haiti that killed at least 100,000 people. The
Fairfax rescue team, working round-the-clock, managed to
find and save only 16.
Sanders has never had a dog that was seriously injured
or killed in the line of duty, but last winter he lost Ondo, a
handsome older shepherd who was his first rescue partner.
After retiring from years of service, Ondo accidentally
swallowed a sock and died. As Sanders told that story, he
choked back tears. Ondos stained-glass portrait hangs in the
family kitchen, and his collar has been passed on to Pryse.
Now that Sanders, too, has retired, and his son Eric and
daughter June are grown, he spends much of his free time
with his canine companions, doing informal home training
between the regular sessions in Lorton and the occasional
emergency deployments.
They, in turn, are clearly devoted to him.
You really have to enjoy doing this because it takes so
much time and patience, Sanders said, sitting in the kitchen
as Pryse kept trying to climb into his lap for an ear rub and
Tomo kept dropping a rubber ball at his feet, hoping for a game
of catch. It becomes a way of life, and they become part of
your family.

The Washington Post

Angus sniffs for a missing person during a training exercise.

16

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

wEEKEND | TRAVEL

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

Exploring

KualaLumpurswild side
BY MICHELANGELO PIGNANI

On a city vacation and suddenly

have one of those exotic animal
cravings? If you find yourself in
KL, youre in luck: The city has
everything you need to get your fix
of fur and feathers

Photos: Michelangelo Pignani

VERY major city has a zoo, and Kuala Lumpur is no exception.

Zoo Negara was known as the zoo in the jungle when it
opened in 1963 in what was then a sparsely populated part
of the Gombak district. It now finds itself sitting in the midst of a
popular residential area, as years of economic development have led
to the inevitable spread of the capital.
Now the zoos 110 leafy acres make it a soothing respite from
the hustle and bustle of the surrounding concrete jungle. The zoo
comprises mostly modern bright open enclosures, but there are still a
few older cages that are gradually being replaced.
The enclosures are grouped together into 19 or so sections, making
a selective visit easy. For children, there are two animal shows a day
as well as some special exhibits.
One area that will appeal to everyone is the Butterfly Garden.
Here, nectar-sipping butterflies of kaleidoscopic hue flit restlessly
from flower to flower. Situated at the rear of the garden are fruitfeeding stations for frugivorous species, which are more sedentary
than their flower-feeding cousins, offering a good chance for closer
observation or an un-missable photo opportunity.
A recent addition to the zoo is a pair of giant pandas housed in a
purpose-built enclosure. However, if you want to visit these blackand-white bears, you need to buy a special combined ticket, which
will add an extra 60 percent to the price of admission.
The zoos roughly circular layout means that it is difficult to get
lost. Its open from 9am to 5pm, with the last entry at 4pm. To get
there, take Metro Bus 16 from the Central Market, or the LRT to
Wansa Maju Station, and then hop into a taxi.
If you dont have the time to visit the zoo, or if you prefer to stay
close to the city centre, the KL Bird Park is the place to go. Located
along with the Butterfly Park and the Orchid and Hibiscus Gardens
in the 140-acre Lake Gardens, this is an ideal place to get up close and
personal with our feathered friends.
The park itself is said to be home to about 200 species of bird,
though I didnt have the time to verify this. While walking through
these huge, lushly planted aviaries, with birds flying overhead, it can
be difficult to imagine that you are in middle of a major metropolis.

Younger visitors will enjoy the two daily bird shows at 12:30pm and
3pm.
To get there, take the KTM Komuter line to the Railway Station
stop and walk from there. For those holding a hop-on-hop-off pass,
use the stop located opposite the park entrance. Opening times are
9am to 6pm daily.
For an even more natural experience, downtown KL boasts its own
nature reserve, albeit a small one. Bukit Nanas is a patch of primary
rainforest located in the heart of the capital, where trees several
hundred years old and free-roaming monkeys mingle with the few
visitors who pass through.
Gazetted in 1906 as a forest reserve, it covers about 20 acres
and is located at the base of Menara Tower. Numerous marked
trails lead up the hill to the tower, some of which are currently
undergoing renovation. Get there via the KL monorails Bukit
Nanas stop and then walk to the main gate of Jalan Puncak. Its
open from 7am to 7pm, and admission is free; just dont forget the
mosquito repellent.
For a family outing including thrills, spills and animals, another
option is the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park. Alongside the extensive
water and adventure attractions, there is a wildlife park built with
children in mind. As the admission price includes all the attractions,
it can make a marvellous, if expensive, day out, offering something
for everyone.
A few tips for newbies to KL: Unlike Yangon the weather can be
unpredictable, so expect rain most days. The public transport system
can take some time to master. KLs urban rail system is efficient and
useful, though changing lines can be complicated. City centre and
heritage zones aside, walking can be quite challenging, with distances
large and pavements few.
The easiest way to get around, but not always the cheapest, is the
ubiquitous KL taxi. Blue taxis charge a small premium, are more
luxurious and use meters. Other taxis have meters but dont always
put them on, especially during rush hour or in the city centre.
Its best to ask the driver to use the meter before starting your
journey. During peak times it can be much faster to combine
transport methods, using for example a taxi for quieter regions and
then transferring to the LRT or other train lines to travel into or out
of the congested centre.

wEEKEND | TRAVEL

17

18

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

wEEKEND | travel schedules

DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES

YANGON TO MANDALAY

MANDALAY TO YANGON

YANGON TO HEHO

HEHO TO YANGON

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Y5 775

Daily

6:00

7:10

Y5 233

Daily

7:50

9:00

YH 917

Daily

6:10

9:15

YH 918

Daily

9:15

10:25

W9 515

6:00

7:25

W9 201

Daily

8:40

10:35

7Y 131

2,4,6,7

6:30

9:20

W9 201

Daily

9:25

10:35

YJ 211

5, 7

6:00

8:05

YJ 891

1,2

8:40

10:35

K7 222

1,3,5

6:30

9:30

7Y 132

2,4,6,7

9:35

10:45

YH 917

Daily

6:10

8:30

7Y 132

2,4,6,7

8:50

10:45

7Y 131

Daily

7:15

10:05

K7 223

1,3,5

9:45

11:00

YJ 891

1,2

6:20

8:25

K7 223

1,3,5

8:55

11:00

Y5 649

Daily

10:30

12:45

YJ 761

Daily

12:25

17:00

7Y 131

2,4,6,7

6:30

8:35

YH 918

Daily

8:30

10:25

YJ 751

1,3,4,5,6,7

11:00

12:10

7Y 242

1,3,5

15:55

18:45

K7 222

1,3,5

6:30

8:40

6T 806

2,4,6

10:30

11:40

YH 737

3,5,7

11:00

12:25

K7 225

2,4,6,7

16:00

19:00

6T 805

2,4,6

6:30

7:40

YJ 212

5,7

10:40

12:35

YH 727

11:30

12:55

YH 728

16:15

18:25

YJ 201

1,2,3,4

7:00

8:55

YJ 202

1,2,3,4

12:00

13:25

K7 224

2,4,6,7

14:30

15:45

YH 738

3,5,7

16:25

18:35

W9 201

Daily

7:00

8:25

YJ 761

1,2,4

13:10

17:00

7Y 241

1,3,5

14:30

15:40

W9 129

1,3,6

16:55

19:10

W9201

7:00

8:25

YJ 602

15:40

17:35

W9 129

1,3,6

15:30

16:40

8M 6603

9:00

10:10

7Y 242

1,3,5

16:40

18:45

YJ 601

11:00

12:25

K7 225

2,4,6,7

16:50

19:00

YJ 761

1,2,4

11:00

12:55

YH 728

17:00

18:25

YH 729

2,4,6

11:00

14:00

W9 152/W97152

17:05

18:30

YH 737

3,5,7

11:00

13:10

Y5 776

Daily

17:10

18:20

YH 727

11:30

13:40

W9 211

17:10

19:15

W9 251

2,5

11:30

12:55

YH 738

3,5,7

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 730

2,4,6

17:45

19:10

W9 211

15:30

16:55

W9 252

2,5

18:15

19:40

YANGON TO NAY PYI TAW

Flight

Days

Dep

NAY PYI TAW TO YANGON

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

YANGON TO MYEIK
Flight

Days

Dep

MYEIK TO YANGON
Arr

Flight

Days

Arr

Y5 325

1,5

6:45

8:15

Y5 326

1,5

8:35

10:05

1,3,5,7

7:00

9:05

6T 706

2,4,6

8:55

10:05

6T 705

2,4,6

7:30

8:40

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

Flight

Days

Dep

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

K7 422

2,4,6

8:00

9:55

K7 423

2,4,6

10:10

11:30

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

6T 611

Daily

11:45

12:55

6T 612

Daily

13:15

14:20

YJ 201

1,2,3,4

7:00

7:55

SO 101

Daily

7:00

8:00

ND 910

1,2,3,4,5

7:15

8:15

YJ 201

1,2,3,4

8:10

13:25

ND 105

1,2,3,4,5

10:45

11:40

ND 9102

1,2,3,4,5

8:35

9:35

ND 107

11:25

12:20

ND 104

1,2,3,4,5

9:20

10:15

Flight

ND 109

1,2,3,4,5

14:55

15:40

ND 106

10:00

10:55

K7 422

2,4,6
1,3,5

YANGON TO THANDWE
Days

Dep

THANDWE TO YANGON
Arr

Flight

Days

8:00

8:55

K7 422

2,4,6

10:30

11:20

7Y 413

1,3,5

ND 108

1,2,3,4,5

13:30

14:25

ND 110

17:00

17:55

W9 309

1,3,6

11:30

13:50

7Y 413

12:05

14:20

SO 102

Daily

18:00

19:00

ND 9110

1,2,3,4,5

18:20

19:20

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 MYITKYINA

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

YANGON TO DAWEI

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

6T 805

2,4,6

6:30

8:55

6T 806

2,4,6

9:10

11:40

YH 826

1,3.5.7

7:00

9:40

YJ 202

1,2,3,4

10:35

13:25

YJ 201

1,2,3,4

7:00

10:20

YH 827

1,3,5,7

11:30

13:55

YJ 233

11:00

15:10

YJ 234

15:25

18:15

W9 251

2,5

11:30

14:25

W9 252

2,5

16:45

19:40

Tel: 383100, 383107, 700264

Fax: 652 533

FMI Air Charter (ND)

Tel: 240363, 240373, 09421146545

Tel:95(1) 533300 ~ 311

Fax : 95 (1) 533312

Air Mandalay (6T)

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

Airline Codes

W9 = Air Bagan
Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines
YH = Yangon Airways

DAWEI TO YANGON

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

YJ = Asian Wings

K7 319

1,3,5,7

7:00

8:10

YH 634

2,4,6

12:15

13:25

6T = AirMandalay
FMI (ND) = FMI Air Charter

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

YANGON TO LASHIO
MYITKYINA TO YANGON

Yangon Airways (YH)

K7 = Air KBZ

18:00
19:20

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

Tel: 656969
Fax: 656998, 651020

7Y = Mann Yadanarpon Airlines

17:00

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

Tel: 09400446999, 09400447999

Fax: 8604051

11:30

18:25

Arr
7:20
7:45
7:40
7:50
7:50
17:25
17:10
17:35
17:40
17:35

Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)

13:55

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

Tel: 515261~264, 512140, 512473, 512640

Fax: 532333, 516654

9:10

1,2,3,4,5

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

Asian Wings (YJ)

11:35

ND 111

Flight
YJ 211
YH 917
YJ 891
K7 222
7Y 131
K7 224
7Y 241
W9 129
W9 211
W9 129

Tel: 372977~80, 533030~39 (airport), 373766

(hotline). Fax: 372983

SO = APEX Airlines

ND 9109

NYAUNG U TO YANGON

Air KBZ (K7)

Arr

Dep

7Y 413

YANGON TO NYAUNG U

Tel: 513322, 513422, 504888. Fax: 515102

APEX Airlines (SO)

SITTWE TO YANGON
Arr

Air Bagan (W9)

Mann Yadanarpon Airlines (7Y)

Dep

K7 319

YANGON TO SITTWE

Domestic Airlines

LASHIO TO YANGON

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

YH 729

2,4,6

11:00

13:00

YJ 752

YJ 751

3,5,7

11:00

13:15

YH 730

YANGON TO PUTAO

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

3,5,7

16:10

17:55

2,4,6

16:45

19:10

PUTAO TO YANGON

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

Flight

Days

Dep

Arr

YH 826

1,3,5,7

7:00

10:35

YH 827

1,3,5,7

10:35

13:55

W9 251

2,5

11:30

15:25

W9 252

2,5

15:45

19:40

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

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | TRAVEL

19

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULES

YANGON TO BANGKOK
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
PG 706
Daily
6:15
8:30
8M 335
Daily
7:40
9:25
TG 304
Daily
9:50
11:45
PG 702
Daily
10:30
12:25
TG 302
Daily
15:00
16:55
PG 708
Daily
15:15
17:10
8M 331
Daily
16:30
18:15
PG 704
Daily
18:20
20:15
Y5 237
Daily
19:00
20:50
TG 306
Daily
19:45
21:40
YANGON TO DON MUEANG
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
DD 4231
Daily
8:00
9:50
FD 252
Daily
8:30
10:15
FD 254
Daily
17:30
19:05
DD 4239
Daily
21:00
22:45
YANGON TO SINGAPORE
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
8M 231
Daily
8:25
12:50
Y5 2233
Daily
9:45
14:15
TR 2823
Daily
9:45
14:25
SQ 997
Daily
10:35
15:10
3K 582
Daily
11:15
15:45
MI 533
2,6
13:45
20:50
MI 519
Daily
17:30
22:05
3K 584
2,3,5
19:15
23:45
YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR
Flights
Days
Dep
Arr
8M 501
1,2,3,5,6
7:50
11:50
AK 505
Daily
8:30
12:50
MH 741
Daily
12:15
16:30
MH 743
Daily
15:45
20:05
AK 503
Daily
19:30
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
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
Flights
NH 814

YANGON TO TOKYO
Days
Dep
Daily
21:45

YANGON TO DHAKA
Flights
Days
Dep
BG 061
1,6
15:35
BG 061
4
13:45
YANGON TO INCHEON
Days
Dep
4,7
14:20
1,3,5,6
13:10
YANGON TO CHIANG MAI
Flights
Days
Dep
Y5 251
2,4,6
6:15
7Y 305
1,5
11:00

Flights
W9 607
PG 724

YANGON TO GAYA
Flights
Days
Dep
8M 601
3,5,6
7:00
AI 236
2
13:10
YANGON TO DELHI
Flights
Days
Dep
AI 236
2
13:10
AI 701
1,5
14:05
YANGON TO KOLKATA
Flights
Days
Dep
AI 228
1,5
14:05
YANGON TO MUMBAI
Flights
Days
Dep
AI 773
1,5
14:05
MANDALAY TO BANGKOK
Flights
Days
Dep
PG 710
Daily
14:05

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
2,6
11:35
12:55
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
MH 740
Daily
10:05
11:15
8M 502
1,2,3,5,6
12:50
13:50
MH 742
Daily
13:40
14:50
AK 502
Daily
17:50
19:00
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
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
TOKYO TO YANGON
Days
Dep
Daily
11:00

Arr
15:40

Arr
17:00
15:10

DHAKA TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
BG 060
1,6
12:30
BG 060
4
10:40

Arr
14:55
13:05

Arr
16:10
15:05

Flights
W9 608
PG 723

Arr
06:50+1

Arr
8:05
12:50

Flights
NH 813

INCHEON TO YANGON
Days
Dep
4,7
17:20
1,3,5,6
11:05
CHIANG MAI TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
Y5 252
2,4,6
9:25
7Y 306
1,5
13:45

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: 370836~39 (ext: 303)

Securing the future

of Indawgyi Lake

Dragonair (KA)

BY YUKO MASKAY

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: 255323 (ext: 107), 09-401539206

Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)

Tel: 09400446999, 09400447999
Fax: 8604051

Malaysia Airlines (MH)

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

Fax: 241124

Myanmar Airways International (8M)

Tel: 255260. Fax: 255305

Nok Airline (DD)

Tel: 255050, 255021. Fax: 255051

Qatar Airways (QR)

Tel: 379845, 379843, 379831. Fax: 379730

Singapore Airlines (SQ) / Silk Air (MI)

Tel: 255287~9. Fax: 255290

Thai Airways (TG)

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
AK = Air Asia
BG = Biman Bangladesh Airlines
CA = Air China
CI = China Airlines
CZ = China Southern

Arr
18:10
12:00
Arr
10:15
14:35

DD = Nok Airline
FD = Air Asia
KA = Dragonair
KE = Korea Airlines

Arr
16:30
19:50

GAYA TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
AI 235
2
9:20
8M 602
3,5,6
9:20
DELHI TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
AI 235
2
9:20
AI 401
1,5
7:00

Arr
15:05

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

Arr
13:20

Arr
22:35

MUMBAI TO YANGON
Flights
Days
Dep
AI 675
1,5
6:10

Arr
13:20

SQ = Singapore Airways

Arr
16:30

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

Arr
13:20

TR = Tiger Airline

Arr
8:20
15:05

Arr
12:0
12:30

MH = Malaysia Airlines

Arr
12:20
13:20

MU = China Eastern Airlines

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

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

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

International Airlines

Arr
16:40

NAY PYI TAW TO BANGKOK

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

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

Arr
12:50

BANGKOK TO NAY PYI TAW

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

MI = Silk Air

NH = All Nippon Airways

PG = Bangkok Airways

N a remote part of Kachin

State lies Indawgyi Lake,
the biggest lake in Myanmar
and one of the largest in Southeast
Asia. Every year, from January
to March, 20,000 migratory
birds from as far away as Siberia
take refuge here for feeding
and nesting, making this a top
destination for bird watching.
Designated as a wildlife
sanctuary by the government
in 1996, Indawgyi Lake houses
more than birds. Its also home
to a variety of fish such as the
seahorse-shaped Microphis
dunkeri, so rare that they have
been found only here.
But many fishermen dependent
on the lake for their livelihood fear
that migrants relocating from Inle
Lake the downgraded cousin of
Indawgyi where fish stocks have
been severely depleted might
have a negative impact on the
Kachin lake.
If stocks decline, income
declines and families suffer, says
Zau Lunn, the marine coordinator
for Myanmar-based Fauna and
Flora International (FFI), adding
that many fishermen could resort
to crime if they cannot sustain
their livelihoods.
The migrants tend to fish
year-round, while the locals farm
rice during the paddy season.
Locals accuse migrant fishermen
of coming to the lake at night with
weapons and electric shockers.
Other threats to Indawgyi include
gold-mining operations that cause
serious sedimentation and pollution
in the southern part of the lake.
In December 2013, Zau Lunn,
along with a fish taxonomist
from Switzerland, surveyed fish
in Indawygyi Lake, finding 80
species, 10 more than had been
thought. Last year, there were 95
species, suggesting good prospects
for further growth.
Zau Lunn says that based on
the survey, they will establish
more fish conservation zones,

adding that his organisation

would partner with Friends of
Wildlife and local conservation
organisations, which have been
promoting sustainable fishing in
Indawgyi Lake since 2008.
However, he realises that no
matter how hard they enforce the
zoning areas, some fishermen may
enter the zone if there are no other
options for survival.
Now, along with the Ministry
of Hotels and Tourism, FFI has
launched a community-based
tourism initiative to provide
alternative income. There are
also initiatives under way for
Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
to be designated as a Biosphere
Reserve under UNESCOs Man
and Biosphere Program.
Finding new species is very
important for science. If we can
continue to develop ecotourism,
new livelihood opportunities will
grow and fishing pressure will be
reduced. Local communities will
be proud of finding new species in
their area and they will be more
interested in conservation, says
Zau Lunn.
The biggest challenge, however,
is how to bridge the gap between
preserving the ecosystem and
building better livelihoods.
We continue to educate the
local farmers in sustainable
management, says Zau Lunn.

If we can continue to
develop ecotourism,
new livelihood
opportunities will
grow and fishing
pressure will be
reduced
Zau Lunn
Fauna and Flora International

QR = Qatar Airways

TG = Thai Airways

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

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

4
5
6
7

=
=
=
=

Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Photos: Fauna and Flora International

20

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

wEEKEND | PUZZLERS

SUDOKU PACIFIC

Universal Crossword
Edited by Timothy E. Parker

U R HERE By Alex Cole

ACROSS
1 Bartenders
supply
6 Disconcert
11 Nancy, in Nancy
14 Flooded
15 Go (along)
16 ___-Wan Kenobi
17 Desperately
hungry
19 Affirmative action
20 Clamorous
21 Gets up in the
morning
23 Trigonometric
ratios
26 Part of a biblical
plague
27 Final transport
28 Inadequate
30 Blows it
31 Bequeath
32 African
antelope
35 Womens or
ad follower
36 Turn harsh
38 Lithium-___
battery
39 Romanian
currency
40 Circle
41 Boat with an
open hold
42 Least cooked
44 Fuel gas
46 City near San
Francisco
48 Smashed
49 Indian policemans
club
50 Acres acres?
52 Big deal
53 Meeting of
minds
58 Madams mate
59 Provide, as with
some quality
60 ___ manual
61 Belonging to
a man
62 Train-schedule
listings
63 Basin for holy
water

4 Lines on weather
maps
5 Makes buttermilk
6 Awry
7 Big cheese
8 Far from ruddy
9 Get it?
10 Element in water
11 Type of
procedure
12 Orchestra group
13 Central position
18 Miles per hour,
e.g.
22 Rocks in a glass
23 Beach souvenir
24 Like ghost
stories

25 Parts of 69
Mustangs
26 Cleanse
28 Raise
criterion
29 ___ of Eden
31 Research
rooms
33 Not you, I
or them
34 Like a spinster
36 Some wall
moldings
37 DoubleStuf, e.g.
41 Hardest, as
bread
43 Baseball bat
wood

44 Big pig
45 Starter
home?
46 Jiffy
47 Pie cuts,
essentially
48 Aligns
50 ___-European
51 Atlantic fish
54 Can. province
55 Classic
introduction?
56 Fine-wineproducing
vineyard
57 I know what
youre thinking
claim

DOWN
1 St. Anthonys cross
2 Hold title to
3 Bobbsey girl

DILBERT

BY SCOTT ADAMS

PEANUTS

BY CHARLES SCHULZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

BY BILL WATTERSON

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

WEEKLY PREDICTIONS

JUNE 12 - JUNE 18, 2015

AUNG MYIN KYAW

4th Floor, 113, Thamain Bayan Road, Tarmwe township, Yangon.
Tel: 09-731-35632, Email: williameaste@gmail.com
AQUARIUS
Jan 20 Feb 18
Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
You take your responsibilities seriously
and this is a good thing. However, just for
this week, be the court jester instead of
the king. Forgetting your troubles may,
ironically, help you find the strength
to overcome them. A little lightheartedness will do wonders for your
relationships, too.
PISCES
Feb 19 March 20
This week, try not to over think social
situations. Stay your course and dont
assume you can read others minds
youll only end up second-guessing
yourself. Remember what Eleanor
Roosevelt said: You wouldnt worry so
much about what others think of you if
you realised how seldom they do.
ARIES
Mar 21 Apr 19
Now were not saying youre the
bragging type (we already heard you
telling someone else), but dont make a
habit of exaggeration. Finding a balance
between dreaming and doing is the
secret of life just dont bore everyone
to death in the process. Pay special
attention to the things you hold dear.
TAURUS
Apr 20 May 20
There are some red flags popping up for
you this week in travel, communication
and financial management. Dont panic!
Get back to basics: focus on putting one
foot in front of the other. Be optimistic!
Your warning signs may well translate to
a slow taxi, a flat mobile phone battery
and one too many cocktails on the
weekend. Not so bad, eh?
GEMINI
May 21 June 20
Making peace is not about placating
others. Peace comes from within. If you
dont speak your mind, you may start
to believe that your own values arent
important. Trust yourself, and take each
opportunity to express your thoughts
and feelings. Except, perhaps, when you
are angry. Or hungry. Or, heaven forbid,
hangry.
CANCER
June 21 July 22
The earth will keep turning whether we
are here or not. This knowledge can be
both a source of comfort and unease.
Focus on your relationships this week
and youll see them grow richer and
stronger. If this means you have to crank
your partying dial to 11, so be it. You have
permission from the stars.

21

wEEKEND | fiction

LEO
July 23 Aug 22
Lifes details are hidden in the grey,
not written in black and white. Sure,
its clich to say and, actually, its a
perfect example of why you should be
suspicious of cute one-liners like this.
We all find ways to understand our vast,
complex world. Just stay mindful and
recognise when these stories begin to
limit it.
VIRGO
Aug 23 Sept 22
Legendary Sinatra songwriter Sammy
Cahn was often asked which came first,
the lyrics or the music. The phone call,
was his dry reply. Its very easy to float
along soaking up the sun, when really
you should be throwing yourself into
the deep end. This week, start that new
challenge youve been dreaming of.
LIBRA
Sept 23 Oct 22
Do an experiment the next time youre
with your friends. Watch yourself while
interacting with them. Are you being
kind? Distracted? Do you connect
with what youre saying and do people
connect with you? If you see something
you dont like, great. This means youve
found a way to be a better friend.
SCORPIO
Oct 23 Nov 21
What gets harder the more you think
about it? Mathematics problems. And
life problems sometimes, too. Often
finding the answer isnt the trick its
being able to tell when the question is
valid. Understanding your thinking is
the key to gaining control of your career,
goals and aspirations. And, as an added
bonus, how does being happier sound?
SAGITTARIUS
Nov 22 Dec 21
Genius is 1 percent inspiration and
97-or-so percent perspiration. The
remainder is largely sneezing and
looking for your keys. Try to stay
connected with colleagues. Sure, if you
could replace them with robots youd
jump at it (artificial intelligence is better
than authentic incompetence), but you
cant, and maybe thats for the best.
CAPRICORN
Dec 22 Jan 19
Your third-grade teacher with the
uncombed hair and faint eau de scotch
was wrong: You can be anything you
want. Every skill we have is learned.
Every skill we want to learn can be
developed. Dont worry about others
opinions. Be proud of who you are now,
and who you can be if you so choose.

CHRONICLES OF BEI KA STREET

A Scent of

Scandal

CHAPTER 4: A REMARKABLE WOMAN

EDITED BY KO NAN DOI

UR client leaned forward

earnestly as he appealed to U
Sha Lok. Can you do this thing
for me?
Where does the lady live?
She has a mansion in Bo Aung
Kyaw Street. Opposite the cathedral.
An illustrious address.
She made a fortune from her
career in entertainment, and is a
wealthy woman in her own right.
These days she rarely sings or acts,
but supports worthy local childrens
charities. She hardly goes about in
society, but keeps to her home, save for
an afternoon drive of one hour or so.
This highly compromising
pamphlet that you wrote, of which
she has the only copy. Can the thing
not be bought?
She has no need of money.
Besides, she craves possession of it
for the power it gives her over me
and, through me, our House and our
country, which she does not love.
Has she made any direct threats?
She has conveyed to me that she
is prepared to make the pamphlet
public in the event of my engagement
to the lady of my choice. Her intent
would be to create embarrassment
and shame. She would find it
amusing. Though she made her name
in the classics, some of her most
celebrated roles were in comedies.
Perhaps you have seen one or two.
She was particularly good in Sleepless
in Sagaing, and she had the lead role
in Theres Something About Ma Yii.
The prince sat forward, his face
suddenly animated. But my all-time
favourite has to be When Ko Hari
Met Ma Salli. Its got that scene in
it everyone remembers, you know
the one, when theyre in the teashop
discussing how men and women
deceive each other, especially in
romantic matters. When he doesnt
believe her, she starts pretending to
have an
I do not frequent the moving
picture-houses, interposed U Sha
Lok, a shade curtly, I thought, before
adding in a softer tone, Perhaps
I should. In my own profession, a
little acting skill can accomplish
much, and it never hurts to know
what the lower classes are watching.
What other efforts have you made to
recover the pamphlet?
As soon as she issued her threat, I

hastened over here at once, travelling

incognito.
That must have been quite a feat,
murmured U Sha Lok, eyeing the
resplendent uniform.
We receive special training. I am
staying with a trusted associate, and
am confident that nobody else knows
of my presence here, let alone my
object in coming.
He reached a hand inside his
crisply ironed uniform jacket and,
withdrawing a thick envelope,
handed it to U Sha Lok.
Here is one thousand kyat, he
said impressive gravity. Spend it
as lavishly as you wish. Should you
need me, there is a number you can
call written on the envelope. I will be
impatient for your news.
Your Royal Highness need have
no fear. I shall take the matter in
hand immediately. When will you be
returning to Th
Dont say it!
to your country? asked U Sha
Lok.
I must return at the latest on
Wednesday. I trust you will have good
news for me by then.
You may depend upon it, said U
Sha Lok, rising. We saw our visitor
down as far as the street door, noting
that he carefully put his mask back
on before stepping into the street,
murmuring as he did so, I must
avoid drawing attention to myself.
Then he climbed aboard the long,
low black motor car, topped with a
modestly inconspicuous royal crest,
that had conveyed him to Bei Ka
Street, and was gone.
How do you mean to set about
this? I asked him as we climbed
the stairs back to our familiar sitting
room. And where do I come in?
My first task must be to find out
more about our quarry her nature
and her habits. I shall then devise a
plan and, you may rest assured, old
friend, I shall certainly call upon
you to play a part. In the meantime,
I would like you to come back here
at about three oclock tomorrow
afternoon, if you can get away.
Try to stop me! I said.
Yet, when I arrived at Bei Ka Street
punctually the following day, there
was no sign of my friend. After a wait
of some 20 minutes I was beginning to
feel some concern, when I heard steps
on the stairs and the door of the sitting
room was flung open to reveal a lean,
haggard-looking, ill-dressed man with

betel-stained teeth and carrying a toolbox. I was about to remonstrate with

this stranger when he laughed and
said in a familiar voice, Sorry to keep
you waiting, old fellow! Let me just
change back into my normal clothes
and I will tell you of my adventures.
Within a few moments, this
apparition had indeed transformed
himself into my old friend. He
seemed remarkably pleased with
himself.
The lady is a phenomenon, he
told me, shaking his head in what
looked like admiration. Ive spent
the day as one Ko Toe Lone, a jobbing
carpenter. There is always work for
such as them, and a cursory glance I
took at the ladys mansion after you
left last night revealed that some
minor work is being done to the
exterior. Indeed, I have spent my day
smoothing down teak window-sills
with emery paper. Luckily, I keep my
hands rough with plenty of manual
work, or they would be a mass of
blisters now. Anyway, nobody gossips
about the lady of the house more than
local traders and craftsmen, and a
mine of information they proved to
be. As our guest of last night said, the
lady leaves her house very seldom, but
never misses her appointment with
the local film and drama study group
attached to the orphanage in Thein
Byu Street, of which it seems she is a
patron. Not only has she contributed
heavily to its establishment, she also
generously gives of her time and
skills, coaching the children in drama,
singing her hit songs of yesteryear
and even acting out some of her more
famous performances to inspire them.
Presumably not the role of Ma Salli.
It seems she is also most gracious
and condescending to her household
staff and to the workmen engaged in
extending her conservatory, paying
them above the going rate, buying
them extra food to mark national
holidays, and insisting they take at
least one day off with pay each month.
When one of the carpenters suffered
an accident, cutting three of his
fingers very badly, she bound up his
hand herself before taking him to the
hospital and paying for his treatment.
It is his place I am filling, incidentally.
Her character therefore seems as
outstanding as her talent; and, for that
matter, her beauty. He broke off for a
moment, as if deep in thought.
Next Week: Into action

22

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 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

CAR RENTAL

CLEANING SERVICES

FASHION & TAILOR

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

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

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

Sein Shwe Tailor, 797

(003-A), Bogyoke Aung
San Rd, MAC Tower 2,
Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon,
Ph: 01-225310, 212943~4
Ext: 146, 147, E-mail:
uthetlwin@gmail.com

FITNESS CENTRE

Yves Rocher
147, Shwe Gone Taing Rd,
West Yay Tar Shay Ward,
Bahan, Ph: 01-8604930~31

BUSINESS SERVICE

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

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

Express Courier & Cargo

One Stop Logistic Solution
Ygn, Hot Line: 011224270

No. (6), Lane 2

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

CONSULTING

Myanmar Research | Consulting

Capital Markets

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

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

GLASS

DUTY FREE

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

ELECTRICAL

Est. 1992 in Myanmar

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

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

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

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
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.

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 Shops

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

GEMS & JEWELLERIES

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

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

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

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 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

wEEKEND | QUICK GUIDE

THE MYANMAR TIMES MARCH 20, 2015

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

NO.61, 2nd Floor, 101 Street,

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

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
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

99 Condo, Ground Floor,

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

HOTEL SUPPLY

Intl Quality Uniform &

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

Premium Chef Uniform

No. H-8, May Kha Housing,

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

HOUSING

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

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

01 9000 712~3, Ext 330/332,

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

PERFECT SOLUTIONS FOR

YOUR OFFICE SPACE!
Taw Win Center, 3rd Flr,
Rm 4031/4033, Pyay Rd,
Dagon Tsp, Yangon.
Email: bd1@bristol.com.mm
web: www.bristol.com.my
Ph: 09-2540 14097,
09-2525 75752

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

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.

PAINT

SUPPLIER of Quality Paints

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

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

Real Estate Agent

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

Legendary Myanmar Intl

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

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.

62 D, U Htun Nyein Road

Mayangone Tsp, Yangon
Tel 01 665 516, 01 660 975
Reserv. 09 7703 0755
(facebook) operayangon
operayangon@gmail.com
www.operayangon.com

NAY PYI TAW BRANCH

Nirvana Hotel & Resort
No. MH-3,
4, Yar Za Thin Gaha Road
Datkhina Thiri Township
Hotel Zone 1, Nay Pyi Taw
Reserv. 09 795 915 540
Tel 067 422253, 067 422256

22, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd,

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

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

Executive Serviced
Office, Registered
and Virtual Office, Hot
Desking, Meeting Rooms
Tel: +(95) 1 387947
www.officehubservices,com

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

From Malaysia/Italy

RESORT

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

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

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

The Taj
Ph 09 972662518/09
252451353 Aung San
Stadium East Wing

www.exploremyanmar.com
www.exploreglobaltravel.
com

Made in Japan
Same as Rinnai Gas Cooker
and Cooker Hood
Showroom Address

SUPERMARKETS

World famous Kobe Beef

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

Ph: 01-9010378, 9010382,

Water Heater

G-01, City Mart

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

Delicious Hong Kong Style

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

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

Shan Yoma Tours Co.,Ltd

Tel : 01-4413410

STEEL STRUCTURE

Quality Chinese Dishes

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

REMOVALISTS

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

SERVICE OFFICE

Asian Trails Tour Ltd

73 Pyay Rd, Dagon tsp.
tel: 211212, 223262.
fax: 211670. email: res@
asiantrails.com.mm

www.hinthabusinesscentres.com

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

Coffee & Snack Bar

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

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

Executive Serviced Offices

For House-Seekers

with Expert Services

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

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

Enchanting and Romantic,

a Bliss on the Lake

Good taste & resonable

price
@Thamada Hotel
Tel: 01-243047, 243639-41
Ext: 32
Executive Serviced Offices
Contact : 09 301 66 888
sales777Lux@gmail.com

Horizon Intl School

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

TRAVEL AGENTS

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

STORAGE
SC STORAGE YANGON

RESTAURANTS

Aye Yeik Mon

New University Avenue
Rd, Bahan Tsp.
Ph: 095188320
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

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

PLEASURE CRUISES

HOME FURNITURE

22, Pyay Rd, 9 mile,

Mayangone Tsp.
tel: 660769, 664363.

SCHOOLS

Worlds No.1 Paints &

Coatings Company

Faucets | Showers |
Sanitarywares | Bathroom
Accessories, Ph: 379671,
256622, 399464, 09 9771
09852. Address: Same
as ARISTON

Capital Hyper Mart

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

Water Treatement Solution

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

WEB SERVICE

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

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | SOCIALITE
Mother
of sci-fi
movies
reborn in
Yangon

Momo, Su Sandy Aung, Kraipich

Angel May

Jolly Pocky sticks

Guests celebrated the
launch of Japanese brand
Glicos Pocky sticks at the
Sule Shangri-La Hotel on
May 25.

Film-lovers
flocked to
Yangons
National
Theatre
in their
thousands for
a screening
of Fritz Langs
monumental
Metropolis on
June 6. The
1927 sciencefiction classic,
presented
as part of
the Memory
International
Film Heritage
Festival, was
accompanied
by live piano
music by
Pierre Oser
and Katharina
Brandl from
Germany.

Lucia, Martin

Pan Ei

Cally

Ma May Ko Naing

Jim, Juanma

Bay Bay

Ko Kyaw Zin Min

We scream for
ice cream
Ice-cream fans gathered
for a free gelato
masterclass by the MEC3
International School of
Gelato at Myanmar Event
Park on June 3.

Tommy Teh

Mya Thet Lwin

Yin Yin Nwe

Thwe Thwe Aung

25

26

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 13 I JUNE 12 - 18, 2015

wEEKEND | WHATSON

Compiled by Nyein Chan May

EVENTS
FRIDAY 12
MUSIC

SATURDAY 13

WEDNESDAY 17

MUSIC

NIGHTLIFE

Voice of the Youth Music Festival. A

Jazz music. The Rendez-Vous Bar, 340

potent mix of Myanmar, Danish and

Pyay Road 7:30pm-9:30pm

Myanmar Music Festival 2015. Panel

French musicians will give voice to

discussion on Achieving Inclusive

the dreams and wishes of the young

and Sustainable Development through

generation in Myanmar. Free entrance.

the Arts. In association with UNESCO.

Institut Francais, 340 Pyay Road 4pm-

Monument Books and Toys, 150

11:45pm

Dhamazedi Road, Bahan 6pm

Mojito Night. Try a selection of mojitos

(strawberry, passion fruit, creole and
of course the classic). Buy one get one
free on our selection of refreshing and
flavorful mojitos. The Lab Bar, 70A
Shwegonedine Road, Bahan 5:30pm-

Myanmar Music Festival 2015. Education

10pm

Concert. Khayay International School, 10

MISC

Nichols Avenue, Parami Road 6pm

Cosmo Beaut Myanmar 2015. A

dedicated beauty exhibition featuring
The Art of Makeup live show and nail
demonstrations. Myanmar Convention

THURSDAY 18

ART

MISC

Should We Play or Should We Rest?

Group exhibition featuring the works of

Connect Public Speaking Club. Are you

five progressive Myanmar women artists:

scared of speaking in public? DONT BE!!!

May Moe Thu, Ma Ei, Zun Ei Phyu, Zoncy

This club is there to help you stand and

Yangon Echoes: Inside Heritage Homes.

and Nwe. Gallery 65, 65 Yaw Min Gyi

talk confidently without any fear. Connect

Virginia Henderson and Tim Webster talk

Road (behind Parkroyal Hotel), Dagon.

Institute, 3A Pansodan Business Tower,

about the making of the book Yangon

Daily (until June 19) 9-5pm

corner of Anawrahta Road and Pansodan

Centre, Mindhamma Road, Mayangone

9-6pm

Echoes and the value and challenges of

generating oral histories. Goethe-Villa, 8
Ko Min Ko Chin Road, Bahan 6pm
Monsoon Umbrella Latin Spirit. Dance

Street 2:30 pm-4 pm

Early Rain. Exhibition featuring various

artists. Golden Valley Art Centre, 54D

Folk on Fire. Jean-Franois Rancourt will

Golden Valley Road. Daily [until June 20]

once again set the stage on fire with his

9-6pm

witty folk songs, in English and French.

Free entry. Mojo Bar, 135 Inya Road

the night away with Latin dance expert

Ghizzy and Latin tunes by DJ Bay Tar.
Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon, 40
Natmauk Road, Tarmwe 7pm
Whiskey Tasting Evening. James Erskine
guides guests through six carefully
selected whiskeys, accompanied with
snacks and good conversation. US$20 a
person. British Embassy Club, between
Alan Pya Pagoda Road and Gyo Phyu
Road, Dagon 7:30pm

9:30p-11:30pm

NIGHTLIFE

FILM

Salsa Night. Together with Riccardo live

from Latinos Bangkok. Union Bar & Grill,

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

42 Strand Road, Botahtaung 9pm

SUNDAY 14
MUSIC
Myanmar Music Festival Celebration
Concert. If you love music, you wont

Shae Saung (1,2) and Nay Pyi Taw

want to miss any of these performances.
Free entrance. National Theatre, Myoma
Kyaung Street 6:30pm

MISC
Human Rights Human Dignity
International Film Festival. Dedicated

TRADEMARK CAUTION
HM Publishers Holdings Limited, a company incorporated
in United Kingdom and having its registered office at Brunel
Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG 21 6XS, United
Kingdom is the owner and proprietor of the following Trademark:

BIGTREE

TUESDAY 16
MUSIC
2015 K-Pop Concert. Celebrating of the
40th anniversary of Korea-Myanmar

to Aung San Suu Kyi, who played an

diplomatic relations. K-pop performers

integral role in promoting human rights

include Ailee, BTS, N-Sonic, Halo and

issues in Myanmar. In her honour,

A.Kor. Tickets cost K30,000, K100,000 and

the film festival awards ceremony is

scheduled on her birthday, June 19.
Free entrance. Waziya and Nay Pyi Taw

K200,000 and are available at Lotteria,

YKKO and Bulgogi Brothers Korean BBQ

cinemas are 10am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm,

6:30pm and 9:30pm
Start times at Junction Square and
Junction Maw Tin 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
Tomorrowland. Directed by Brad Bird.

Cinemas, near Sule Pagoda [until June

restaurant. Myanmar Event Park, Shin

American science fiction film.

19] 10-6pm

Saw Pu Street, Sanchaung 6:30pm

Avengers: Age of Ultron [3D]. Directed by

Reg. No. 4/7136/2014 (6.6.2014)

Burmese language Club. Students get

In respect of Apparatus for recording, transmission or

reproduction of sound or images; Magnetic data carriers,
recording discs; Compact discs, DVDs and other digital recording
media; computer software; computer hardware; media content;
downloadable electronic publications; downloadable educational
materials in Class 9;
Printed matter; instructional and teaching material (except
apparatus); printed publications in Class 16; and
Education; publishing; online publishing; providing electronic
publications; internet platforms and portals for education purposes
in Class 41.
Fraudulent or unauthorised use or actual or colourable imitation
of the Mark shall be dealt with according to law.
Daw Khin Phu Ngone Win, LL.B, LL.M, H.G.P
For HM Publishers Holdings Limited,
C/o Kelvin ChiaY angonL td.,
Level 8A, Union Financial Centre (UFC), Corner of Mahabandoola
Road & Thein Phyu Road, Botahtaung Township, Yangon,
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar
kpnw@kcyangon.com
Dated: 12th June 2015

together to ask each other questions,

practise what they have been learning,

Joss Whedon. American superhero film.

MISC

Shae Saung Cinema,

Sule Pagoda Road, Kyauktada

and share knowledge and resources.

International Awakening Conference

Mad Max: Fury Road [3D]. Directed by

Pansodan Gallery, Pansodan Street 4pm

Myanmar. Worship leaders are Kim Pau,

George Miller. Action film.

Thang Tawng, Haukhek, Ciin Kham, ICC,

MONDAY 15

Charis. Free admission and transport.

Gandamar Wholesale, Kabar Aye Pagoda

MISC
New conversation English classes. Two
classes a week are offered for four
weeks. Testing is available daily after
2pm. Masters Cup Coffee House, Diamond
Condo G-9, Pyay Road 6:30pm-8pm
Japanese Food and 90s music classics.

Road, Yay Gu Station, Mayangone [until

Moeithaisong .Thai horror film.

Mingalar San Pya Cineplex, Phone Gyi
Street and Anawrahta Road, Lanmadaw
Tomorrowland.

June 19] 8:30am-8pm

Ghost Coins.

Yoga class. The outdoor covered studio is

Mingalar Cinema 2, Dagon Center 2,

right on the lake, with a beautiful view

and sometimes a sunset, gentle breezes
(or electric fans), blooming water lilies

Music by DJ Bay. Gekko, 535 Merchant

and sometimes lotuses. All levels can

Road, Seikkanthar 7pm-11:45pm

join. One-and-a-half hours for K7000.

Cocktail Night. Unlimited cocktails offered

LOpera Italian Restaurant & Bar, 62D U

for just K8000. B2O Bar and Bistro, 98

Htun Nyein Street, Mayangone 4:45pm

20th Street, Latha 8pm-11:45pm

Ghost Coins. Directed by Tiwa

Myaynigone
Mad Max: Fury Road [3D].
Junction Square, Kyun Taw Road, near
Hanthawaddy Circle
San Andreas [3D]. Directed by Brad
Peyton. American disaster film.
Junction Maw Tin, Corner of Anawrahta
Road and Lan Thit Street, Lanmadaw
San Andreas [3D].

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | WHATSON

27

WHATS ON PICK OF THE WEEK

Music festival sets the stage for young talent

BY ZON PANN PWINT

PERHAPS without meaning to,

it was Heros father who inspired
her to be a rock star. The way he
smashed her guitar to pieces, in
probably unconscious imitation of a
1970s-era British rock icon, helped
her see the light that has guided her
ever since.
The small village where she grew
up in Pakokku township, Magwe
Region, was not otherwise the ideal
cradle for a rock talent, though
no more unpromising than Bruce
Springsteens Long Branch, New
Jersey, or John Lennons Woolton,
Liverpool. So, to paraphrase Rod
Stewart, she got out.
Now shes back. Not in Pakokku,
but as a member of a music class
organised by Turning Tables
Myanmar, which travels around the
country jamming with young people
from different ethnic and religious
backgrounds.
They are now getting together
to perform at Voice of the Youth, a
free festival to be held on June 13
and 14 at Institut Francais, Pyay
Road, Yangon, starting at 4pm. The
French band My Name Is Nobody
and the Danish rock band Dune
invited by the Danish embassy
to help mark the 60th anniversary
of Danish-Myanmar diplomatic
relations will also perform,
together with more than 30 local
bands. These include Side Effect,
Cyclone, Nightmare, Suicide Plan
and Darkest Tears from My Heart.
The aim of the festival is to
provide a platform for young people
to express their dreams for their
nation through music.

Young musicians perform at the Voice of the Youth press conference held on June 8 at Institut Francais. Photo: Marie Torres

While working in Singapore,

I wrote a lot of songs about
unhappiness at being away from
home. In the class, I learned how to
express my feelings and thoughts,
said Hero, whose real name is Thin
Thin Swe.
I love rock music where
everything is louder than
everything else. My family and
neighbours disagreed. I had to

stop, she said. But I held on to my

passion.
She joined Turning Tables just
four days after arriving back in
Myanmar.
Turning Tables, a Danish nonprofit organisation, was established
in 2009 to give voice to sidelined
youth worldwide through music
and film production. TT helps
youngsters channel their thoughts

and feelings into DJing, rap and

musical creativity. The Voice of
Youth music festival is one of their
projects.
The music festival is the last
part of an ongoing music project
that has we have been working on
for the past eight months, said
Martin Fernando Jacobson, an
organiser withTurning Tables.
We invited bands to submit

songs related to the subject of

human rights and social issues.
Forty songs were submitted in total,
and some of these will be included
in the soon-to-be-released Voice of
the Youth album.
He said the bands were chosen
based on the fact that they are
progressive and include social
content in their songs.
Its to support the underground
scene. You wont find any of the big
pop stars at our festival, he said.
Darko, vocalist and guitarist of
Side Effect and manager of Turning
Tables Myanmar, said they travelled
to Loikaw, Pakokku, Myitkyina,
Pathein and Meiktila looking for
young talent eager to sing, play and
write lyrics, but with little hope of
finding an outlet.
Theyre buried there in the
boondocks. They dont have money
or instruments and theres no
recording studio. If they have the
talent, we will help it bloom, he
said.
There are many music classes
in Yangon that help people develop
their talents, even if they have
no money or their parents dont
approve.
Pyae Sone, who entered the class
from Meiktila, Mandalay Region,
said most of the top musicians are
from Yangon, or have to come here
to make it big.
Musical talent needs a platform.
Meiktila is not it, he said.
Nor did the good people of
Loikaw, Kayah State, like it much
when Sai Lin Lin Oo Oo used to
sing the songs he had composed.
Parents should nurture their
childrens talent wherever it lies, he
said. Otherwise its wasted.