HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION

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DAILY EDITION

ISSUE 28 | FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

NEWS 3

PAGE

PHOTO: ZARNI PHYO

USDP names familiar

line-up for election
Current MPs and government ministers
dominate partys provisional candidate
list, but some older members are
expected to pull out before a final
decision is made in June, official says.
NEWS 3

A contestant
takes part in
the 11th annual
Traditional
Kite Design
and Dueling
Competition
at Yangons
Kyaikkasan
sports ground
on April 22. The
competition,
which runs to
April 26, brought
together more
than 125 flyers,
who attempt
to win duels by
slicing through
their opponents
line with their
own, sending the
vanquished kite
hurtling to the
ground.

Pioneering bus line

hits financial trouble
Forever Green official blasts
government for lack of support,
after bus line is forced to lay off 15
conductors due to mounting losses.

NEWS 7

Independence rings
hollow at medical body
New law grants Myanmar Medical
Council independence from the
government, but majority of positions
will still be held by serving Ministry of
Health officials.
BUSINESS 11

Tax change heats up

real estate market
New Union Tax Law drops rate from
30 percent for purchases below K1.5
billion, provoking renewed interest in a
previously cool market.

Foreign banks herald change

The opening of branches by three foreign banks this week with more set to follow looks set to shake up the
industry, with Sumitomo Mitsui already raising the possibility of acquiring a stake in the local KBZ Bank. BUSINESS 10

2 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES April 24, 2015

Page 2

Kayleigh Long |
kayleighelong@gmail.com

THE INSIDER: Never not sweating

Remembering Mr Blue Shirt
One year on from the death of
journalist, political prisoner and
key NlD figure U Win Tin, its worth
looking back on what was perhaps
one of his greatest quotes.
Following the February
2014 announcement of a new
anticorruption commission
chaired by a former military major
general and largely comprised of
retired Tatmadaw figures, U Win
Tin expressed concern the graft
committee might not have been the
most impartial lot. in an interview
with The irrawaddy, he said,
Speaking colloquially, it would be
like appointing the head prostitute as
the chairman of the commission for
the elimination of prostitution.
Hipsters paradise
Have you heard? Bushwick is over.
its time to move to Yangon. Or so
declared an article on Global post
this week, in what was no doubt one
of those uuuugh, i cant believe the
editor put that title on it moments
for seasoned journalist patrick Winn.
The focus of the article was
the emerging hipster scene, as
evidenced by the success of rangoon
Tea House (known for its K5000
organic mohinga), and the recently
relocated port Autonomy (bizarrely
neglecting to mention the fact that
its probably easier to start laying
the foundations for a hipster foodie
empire when someones billionaire
dad is bankrolling the whole caper).
Both of these venues bring
a fresh take to local cuisine, but
have attracted criticism from some
quarters because of the fact that
mohinga costs K500 on the street,
and to have a meal at the former
incarnation of port Autonomy
necessitated occasional eye contact
with dock workers while guzzling a
drink worth three times their daily
wage. The gross disparity between
Yangons grinding street-level poverty
and the excesses of its wealthy
is nothing new however these
particular businesses seem to throw

it into a certain kind of stark relief

because the food theyre serving isnt
French and the old port Autonomy
wasnt cloistered in Golden Valley.

I think Yangon is
truly kind of hipster.
Its touch and go.
Nothing really
works. Nothings
perfect. We embrace
that
Kevin Ching
port Autonomy

lamin Oo of Tagu Films, a noted

expert on hipsters, voiced concerns
about an out-of-touch bubble
emerging.
if this new generation of
foreigners goes to these places and
thinks [sipping mojitos in rarified air,
quarantined from the daily drama
of poverty and injustice playing
out on the street below] is Yangon,
then thats wrong, he said. That
shouldnt be the only experience
they have: Hey, i went to Burma and
partied at a bar in a colonial building
and it was awesome! No, i dont
think thats fair.
And thats a valid point. Shortly
before Thingyan yours truly overheard
a nauseating conversation between
some particularly terrible expats,
who were trying to decide where to
go to dinner. Shall we go to pA?
(Apparently saying port Autonomy
isnt very hip.) Oh, i havent been to
the new one yet. Have you? Yaaah,
its great. its in a big colonial mansion
so youre not surrounded by, like,
depressing poverty. [resounding
chorus of laughter.]
Yangon is over. its time to move to
Mandalay.

In brief:
Taxi driver reinvigorated after break,
merrily resumes obnoxious honking
after several days of driving quietly in
reduced traffic
Detained student protesters
denied mosquito nets fear
contracting dengue fever, also
known as breakbone disease,
the symptoms of which include
experiencing sensations akin to ones
limbs having been smashed with a
baton, and can leave you confined to
a dark room for extended periods of
time
passengers at rear of queue to
board plane audibly ask what the
hold-up is as monk stows luggage
and female foreigner behind him
refuses to squeeze past for sheer
fear of repercussions

Once was Burma ...

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

Next week:
Multiple exposs on human
trafficking and slave labour in Thai
fishing industry have done little to
curb demand for cut-price tastefree frozen prawns in Western
supermarkets, study finds
Fed up with rude customer,
plumber recalibrates bum gun
pressure to revenge setting before
leaving apartment
Anawratha road remains
largely clear of street vendors, who
are unclear if the great Condom
Crackdown of Thingyan 2015 has
been lifted
Cane juice vendor, suddenly aware
of the hipster revolution afoot, begins
serving his product in mason jars

Announcing:
Page 2 SMS hotline
+659790876311
please note this SiM card is housed
exclusively in a dumbphone, so
theres no point sending lewd
pictures (email those). if attempting
to make phone calls, my receptionist
may answer during daylight hours.

Socialist-era magazine Forward, date unknown. Cover price 25 pya.

www.mmtimes.com

NEWS EDITOR: Thomas Kean | tdkean@gmail.com

News 3

Familiar faces
nominated to
run for USDP
Older MPs and minister may still drop out of race

EI EI TOE LWIN

Passengers board a Forever Green bus at Sule Pagoda yesterday afternoon. Photo: Zarni Phyo

Pioneering bus line forced to

lay off staff as losses mount
AYE NYEIN WIN
ayenyeinwin.mcm@gmail.com
A JOINT attempt by the government
and private sector to solve many of the
problems of Yangons traffic congestion is close to collapse. Forever Green
Road Transport has fired 15 bus conductors, about 30 percent of its total,
citing monthly losses. A spokesperson
for the company blamed the lack of
government support.
The company a joint venture
with the Road Transport Department
was launched amid fanfare last year,
raising the prospect of bringing order
to Yangons chaotic bus service. The
company imported 25 modern, airconditioned buses in the K7.4 billion
scheme. Passengers pay their fares by
electronic card, which was supposed
eventually to eliminate the need for
conductors, while drivers were to
be paid a fixed salary, meaning they
would no longer have to jostle with
rival bus companies for passengers in
order to maximise their pay.
Passenger numbers were also limited to 50 per bus, avoiding the overcrowding seen on rival buses. Fares
ranged from K50 to K300 depending
on distance.
There were even hopes that the
new line, running from North Dagon
to North Okkalapa through Mayangone and Bahan to Sule Pagoda,
would offer services at unsocial hours
shunned as unprofitable by other bus
companies.
But recriminations were being
voiced this week, after the company revealed it had lost K20 mil-

lion a month since services began in

January, despite being popular with
commuters.
We got no support from the government even though this operation
was supposed to be a joint venture
with the Department of Transport.
We wanted to change the face of public transportation, said Forever Green
deputy general manager U Hla Win.
He blamed the governments
policy for setting fares as a major
factor in the lines losses. While existing special bus lines can charge
a set fare regardless of the length of
the trip, the government refused to
allow Forever Green to do the same,
instead requiring it to charge based
on the distance.
Our buses are of international
standard but we were not allowed to
charge a fixed price, unlike other bus
companies, U Hla Win said.
The government has also failed to
provide enough compressed natural

We got no
support from the
government even
though this was
supposed to be a
joint venture.
U Hla Win
Forever Green

gas, he said. The 25 initial buses could

only install 320-litre tanks. The company wanted to import 50 more buses
but was told it could not install CNG,
making them uneconomic.
Mounting losses meant some conductors had to be let go.
The company has paid the dismissed staff K300,000 each the
equivalent of three months wages,
in accordance with the policy of the
Ministry of Labour.
U Tin Win Aung, director of the
Road Transport Department, said it
was working to resolve the issues.
We have already reported it to
the minister. We will find a solution
to continue running the bus line, he
said. We knew we would lose money,
but we wanted to create a model for
upgrading transportation in Yangon
in the hope that other bus companies
would follow suit.
We dont have enough buses to
run a proper schedule. Were losing
more than K10,000 per bus for each
trip and we cant make it back, he
said.
The dismissed staff were philosophical about losing their jobs.
They gave me the three months
wages. Im not complaining, but I
dont understand how they selected
the people they fired, said former
bus conductor Ma Myint Myint Khaing, 28, of South Dagon township.
Another former conductor, Ma
Sandar Lwin, 41, of Mayangone township, said, The bus line was a success,
but the company was losing money. I
feel sympathy for them. I hope they
will succeed in the long term.

YE MON

MOST Union Solidarity and Development Party MPs and government

ministers have been nominated by the
party to stand again in this years election, a senior official said yesterday,
although it appears likely some older
members will step aside.
The partys central committee has
pre-selected 1112 candidates for seats
in national and regional legislatures
at this years election. The list includes
current Union government ministers,
speakers of parliament and ministers
in the former military government.
Because of their reputations and
positive influence, we decided to let
them continue to contest in 2015 elections, said central committee member
U Tint Zaw.
The USDP plans to contest the vast
majority of seats, including 314 in the
Pyithu Hluttaw, 159 in the Amyotha
Hluttaw, and 639 in region parliaments.
This is slightly fewer than in the
2010 general election, when the USDP
contested 1154 seats, winning 883 in
large part due to a National League
for Democracy boycott.
In the 2012 by-elections, however,

the party won only one of 45 seats.

The re-nomination of so many
existing MPs raises questions as to
whether the party will be able to rejuvenate its image with voters, who
appear to favour the NLD in majority
Bamar areas and ethnic parties in minority regions.
But U Tint Zaw said there may be
some changes to the candidate list before the election, leaving open the possibility of injecting fresh blood into the
lineup. Some are getting old and they
want to retire after 2015. We need to
confirm with them whether they want
to contest again, he said.
The party has set up a 43-member election campaign committee led
by Thura U Shwe Mann and plans to
announce its final candidate list in
June.
U Hla Swe, a USDP Amyotha Hluttaw representative from Magwe Region, said he is ready to contest again
if nominated by his party. I think
some older people wont contest again,
but talented members, particularly
young people and women, should run
in the election, he said.
While the odds appear stacked
against the USDP, party chair Thura
U Shwe Mann regularly tells reporters that it learned important lessons
from the 2012 defeat. Now the party
has laid down strategic policies to be
a peoples party, he said. Thats why
we strongly believe well win.

SNLD complains of being

left out of loop on talks
A MAJOR ethnic group has complained of being left out of the six-way
talks on revising the constitution. On
April 22, the Shan Nationalities League
for Democracy (SNLD) issued a statement criticising the representative of
ethnic groups taking part in the talks.
The statement said U Aye Maung,
the chair of the Rakhine National Party, who was designated to represent all
ethnic groups in the talks, had failed
to consult them.
U Aye Maung was quoted in local
media as saying that he had briefed
the ethnic political parties on his participation in the talks and that has
briefing had been approved.
The talks bring together the socalled Big Six to resolve such matters as
proposals to revise the 2008 constitution, on which parliament is currently
deadlocked. They are President U Thein

Sein; the Speakers of the two houses of

parliament, Thura U Shwe Mann and U
Khin Aung Myint; Armed Forces Commander-in-chief General Min Aung
Hlaing; opposition leader Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi; and U Aye Maung, who
was designated as the representative of
all ethnic parties by parliament.
After many unexplained delays, the
six met on April 10 at the presidents
residence in Nay Pyi Taw.
Sai Nyunt Lwin, the secretary of
the SNLD, said yesterday that U Aye
Maung had not briefed his party and
that the SNLD had not agreed with his
presentation. Were not aware of any
agreements, he said.
U Aye Maung could not be reached
for comment yesterday. The SNLD
party registered with the Union Election Commission following the 2012
by-elections. Wa Lone

4 News
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THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 24, 2015

Myanmar under pressure over

human trafficking in Rakhine
LAIGNEE BARRON

WA LONE

A HUMAN rights group lobbied the

United States on April 22 to rank Myanmar among the worst human trafficking offenders in the world for driving
ethnic minorities into the slave trade.
During a panel hearing, Thai-based
NGO Fortify Rights lobbied Congress
to downgrade the nation to tier three
the lowest possible on the US State
Departments forthcoming Trafficking
in Persons Report. It was formerly in
the tier three class for a decade before
being upgraded a notch to the tier two
watch list in 2012.
Myanmar is responsible for setting
the stage for human traffickers to thrive

in the region. Through their ongoing

campaign of persecution against the
Rohingya, Myanmar has forced hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers
into the hands of human traffickers,
said Amy Smith, executive director of
Fortify Rights.
Due out in June, the State Departments annual report assesses 187 countries efforts to battle modern-day slavery. The worst offenders can be subject
to presidential sanctions.
Myanmar officials yesterday denied
Fortify Rights accusations.
We have never heard about any
trafficking in Rakhine State, although
our anti-human trafficking police are
deployed in the area, said Police Lieutenant Colonel Thet Naung.
Pol Lt Col Thet Naung said Myanmar has worked hard to avoid
a downgrade. Most of its efforts,
however, have focused on preventing trafficking brides to China. Not a

single case was uncovered in Rakhine State in 2014, according to official

figures.
Fortify Rights says Myanmar is not
the only country involved in the trafficking trade from Rakhine State, which
it says constitutes a regional crisis. It
urged the US to also rank Bangladesh,
Thailand and Malaysia as tier three offenders and to put in place sanctions.
Countries that are not only failing
to combat but actually contributing to
human trafficking, such as Myanmar
and Thailand, need to be slapped with
sanctions. We have documented the
involvement of Myanmar and Thai officials working hand-in-hand with traffickers, Ms Smith said.
In a 15-page testimony based on witness and survivor accounts delivered to
congress, Fortify Rights documented
the well-worn trading route out of Rakhine State. Myanmar shepherds the
Rohingya into the arms of traffickers

in part through apartheid-like segregation, according to Fortify. Bangladesh

refuses to recognise or assist fleeing
refugees, which pushes them to Thai
brokers who traffic them onto fishing
vessels or into domestic servitude. Malaysia, home to an estimated 140,000
Myanmar refugees, systematically detains and deports the asylum seekers,
according to the account.
The trade, which has generated an estimated US$250 million
since 2012, is lining the pockets of
corrupt officials, according to the
testimony.
Fortify Rights isnt the only group
heaping pressure on Myanmar over the
issue of minority rights.
In a letter addressed to the current
ASEAN leaders before they meet at next
weeks regional summit, former ASEAN heads of state expressed concern
about Myanmars growing intolerance
against religious and ethnic minorities.

Tatmadaw
blocks aid
convoy in
Rakhine
LUN MIN MANG
lunminlm@gmail.com
VOLUNTEERS carrying desperately
needed supplies to villagers driven
from their homes by fighting in northern Rakhine State are still blocked on
the road, awaiting permission from the
army to proceed to the battle zone.
Defying police advice not to go, the
volunteers, who live in Kyauktaw township, Rakhine State, have been held up
at a military checkpoint since April 21,
when they were told to wait for three
days before learning if they would be
allowed to proceed.
The fighting broke out last month
between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan
Army and reportedly reached a peak
on April 18. An estimated 450 villagers
from Aung Lan Chaung, Bin Chaung,
Kalakyah, Pinlone and other nearby
villages have fled the fighting to take
refuge in Sapaseik village.
The township administrative officer said that they would decide whether
to let us go or not by the end of third
day, starting April 21, said Daw Hla
May, chair of Kyauktaw Womens Network and a member of the recently
formed committee to help local residents affected by the fighting.
Weve received calls from local residents who say they are in urgent need
of food and water, she added. The committee collected food from local donors
and set off for the conflict zone.
On April 21, before we left Kyauktaw, I received a call from the local police to tell us not to go. But we started
anyway, Daw Hla May said.
However, 4 miles (6.4 kilometres)
out from Kyauktaw, military personnel
at a checkpoint told them to seek permission from state government before
going further. The military said they
were told to not let us proceed, she
said.
U Zaw Win, one of the volunteers,
said the situation there was worsening
and local residents were short of food
and water. I cant imagine how bad
things can be. Sapaseik is a very poor
village. We hope we will be allowed to
take the food and water there, he said.
The committees request to meet
with the state minister for border affairs was denied. The committee was
due to meet with township officials yesterday to seek permission to go ahead.

Kite runners duel on April 22 as part of Yangons annual competition in Tarmwe township. Zarni Phyo

In Yangon, flight of sporting fancy

MATT ROEBUCK
matt.d.roebuck@gmail.com
YANGONS Kyaikkasan sports ground
a former racecourse is until April
26 playing host to a combat sport
where cutthroat-sharp glass wire is
a key ingredient to success and the
winner is the last kite standing. This
is the world of kite fighting and the
11th annual Traditional Kite Design
and Dueling Competition.
Competition began on April 21 at
the Myanmar Baseball Federations
grounds, which provide a safe haven
for these dueling kites to battle it out
50 metres (165 feet) above the ground.
The 125 flyers in the individual event
range in ages from 18 to the 69-yearold U Maung Maung Tin.
Each competitor is drawn into one
of eight groups. They fight off in bestof-three competitions, controlling

their small, lightweight paper kites

in such a way that their string slices
through that of their opponent, sending the opposition kite hurtling to the
ground. Those who top their groups
will progress to the knockout stages.
Also to be decided on April 26 before the closing ceremony at 5:30pm
will be the winner of the team event.
In this format, five flyers compete in
one-on-one competition against an
opposition team, with the winners
the first to three victories.
The final competition, on April 24
and 25, is more delicate: the Beauty
of the Kite, which rates kites on both
their beauty and the skill of their
handler. The top handlers will then
be invited back for a second flight on
April 26.
The history of kite flying in Myanmar goes back to the ancient kings, U
Thein Tun, the Myanmar Traditional

Sport Federations expert adviser

on kites, told The Myanmar Times
yesterday.
U Thein Tun has been researching the sport with the MTSF since
1981. You can find explanations of
kite flying on the walls of pagodas in
Bagan, he said. Fighting kites have
been in Myanmar for less time, about
60 years.
The Myanmar Traditional Sports
Federation is custodian of 13 other
sports and is working to raise the profile of each one. Some, such as tug-ofwar, are more familiar to foreign observers than others, like toke see htoe,
a tag-based team game reminiscent of
games such as British Bulldogs.
The sport of kite fighting can be
found in many regions of the world
but is particularly popular in Pakistan and other areas on the Indian
sub-continent.

6 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 24, 2015

Govt, KIO teams

to meet after
fighting erupts
EI EI TOE
LWIN
eieitoelwin@gmail.com

AN urgent meeting has been convened

to stop fighting in Kachin State that has
been raging for nearly a week. Representatives of the government and the
Kachin Independence Organisation
will meet in Myitkyina, Kachin State,
within days.
The government team, led by Colonel Than Aung, Kachin States minister
of security and border affairs, and the
Kachin Independence Army team, led
by Colonel Zaw Taung, could meet as
early as tomorrow.
Fighting broke out between government forces and KIA troops in Tanai
and Hpakant on April 18, forcing hundreds of villagers to flee their homes.
We have arranged to meet in order to stop the fighting. Both sides are
ready to meet in Myikyina on [April
26] and will go to the conflict areas
to explore the causes of the outbreak,
said U Lamai Gun Ja, a member of the
Peace-talk Creation Group.
The fighting involves the Tatmadaw
Light Infantry Regiment No 238 and

the KIAs 14th battalion, and is centred

on Kaung Yar village in Tanai township.
We have provided shelter and food
for about 750 villagers who have arrived in town, said U Htay Maung, the
township administrator of Tanai.
Though the situation is calm now,
villagers still fear to return, he said.

750

People displaced by fighting who have

received assistance from the Tanai
township administration office

The government and the KIA

reached agreement last year to set up
technical teams to coordinate the resolution of conflict and to improve communications.
Despite progress toward the signing
of a nationwide ceasefire agreement
following ratification of a draft agreement by ethnic armed group leaders,
fighting is continuing in Shan, Kachin
and Rakhine states.

Delayed regional rollout of

EITI expected in May: activist
KHIN SU WAI
jasminekhin@gmail.com
THE Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) process
is to be expanded to the state and
region level by May, starting with
Mandalay Region, it was announced
yesterday.
The EITI is a global standard to
promote the open and accountable
management of natural resources.
It seeks to strengthen government
and company systems, inform public
debate, and enhance trust. In each
implementing country it is supported by a coalition of governments,
companies and civil society working
together.
The decentralisation plan is already behind schedule, since implementation was initially planned for
last October.
The decision to set up a pilot
project in two states and two regions was made following the sixth
meeting of the Multi-Stakeholder
Group in Nay Pyi Taw on October
3 last year. The MSG is a nationallevel body formed to oversee the
EITI process that comprises six government officials, six private-sector
representatives and nine representatives from civil society.
The pilot project will see MSG
bodies formed in four states and
regions Magwe, Mandalay, Rakhine and Shan ahead of a possible
national roll-out. These pilot bodies
will be set up by May.
The regional MSG in Mandalay

A villager pans water for copper at a mine dump near the Letpadaung project
in Monywa, Sagaing Region. Photo: AFP

will comprise five government officials, five private-sector representatives and five representatives from
civil society, said national MSG
member Ma Moe Moe Tun, the leader of environmental group Sein Lan
Pyin Oo Lwin.
Myanmar signed up to the EITI
on July 2 last year. It was granted

candidate country status and has

until January 2016 to produce its
first EITI report.
The process requires input from
the private sector and civil society,
and also requires the government
to give legal protection to those
participating in EITI and promote
awareness about the initiative.

News 7

www.mmtimes.com

Malaysia
seeks to
shift blame
on workers
NYAN LYNN AUNG
29.nyanlynnaung@gmail.com

A doctor prepares for surgery at a private hospital in Yangon. Photo: Thiri Lu

Independence guarantees for

new medical council in doubt
While nominally independent under new law, medical council will comprise mostly government officials

SHWE
YEE SAW
MYINT
poepwintphyu2011@gmail.com

THE government has repealed the

former Myanmar Medical Council
Law following approval of new legislation that it says will make the council independent on the Ministry of
Health. Observers, however, say that
the body may be only nominally independent, with most of its positions
filled by government officials and the
minister for health to occupy one of
three powerful patron roles.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approved
the Myanmar Medical Council Law
on April 9, and on April 19 state media announced the repeal of a 2000
piece of legislation of the same name.
The council is responsible for
overseeing registered medical practitioners, ensuring nobody practices
without a licence and withdrawing
or cancelling licences in the event of
breaches of its rules.
Such action can be taken for a
variety of reasons, including being
physically or mentally unfit for work,
negligence, failure to act in a moral or
ethical way or holding unrecognised
qualifications.
While the law is mostly the same
as its predecessor, one change is that

those practising without a recognised

degree face up to six months imprisonment and a fine.
Another new feature is a clause
stating the councils independence.
But general practitioner Dr Myint
Oo, a well-known commentator on
medical ethics, said the government
would still be in control of the council, as about two-thirds of its 65 positions would be filled by government
officials.
The minister for health is also one
of three patrons, who are responsible
for appointing the members of the
medical council. The two other patron positions will be filled by retired
health experts, according to the law,
which does not state how they will be
selected.
Dr Myint Oo said he was disappointed that the members would not
be elected by their peers through a
vote.
Director generals from the health
ministry and the heads of region and
state health departments will automatically become medical council
members, he said. It is clear that
the medical council will be under the
thumb of the government I think
this is against democratic practices.
Dr Samuel Kyaw Hla, the current
chair of the Myanmar Medical Council, declined to comment on the law.
But Dr Myint Han, acting director
general of the ministrys Public Health
Department, insisted yesterday that

the government had no desire to control the activities of the council. He

said it was important to have government officials on the council in order
to have good communication with
the ministry.
Another potential issue of concern
is the lack of clarity in the law about
how non-government representatives
on the council will be selected. Under

The medical
council will be
under the thumb
of the government
... I think this is
against democratic
practices.
Dr Myint Oo
Health affairs commentator

the old law, the council was to feature

one doctor from each of Myanmars
14 states and regions. However, as bylaws were never drafted to clarify how
these doctors should be selected, they
were never appointed to the council
ensuring even stronger ministry control over the councils activities.

Dr Nay Lin, a member of the

Pyithu Hluttaw Health Upgrading
Committee, said the existing Myanmar Medical Council is drafting bylaws for the law, and these are likely
to be submitted to the government for
approval within two months.
Member Dr Mya Thein Han said
yesterday the council had not begun
this process. He said he did not think
by-laws would be necessary as the law
was already perfect.
At least some doctors agree with
Dr Myint Oos criticisms. Dr Ba Shwe,
a member of Myanmar Medical Association, said the council needed to
be genuinely independent so it would
protect both medical professionals
and patients.
He suggested that the council be
comprised of MMA members from
states and regions, together with
honourable people from the medical field.
He said he hoped that the new
council would take stronger action
against doctors who practise without
recognised degrees.
Dr Myint Oo said the council
would need to work hard to change
the perception that it is simply interested in collecting registration fees
from doctors.
We want to see Myanmar Medical Council change significantly It
should not simply be the same as the
old council, he said. It should prioritise the health security of the people.

GET your own house in order: That

was Malaysias response to criticisms
of its treatment of migrant workers
aired at the ASEAN Peoples Forum
yesterday.
Datuk Paul Low, a minister in the
Prime Ministers Department, said
during the forums plenary session
that countries sending workers to Malaysia should make sure they enforce
their own labour laws, rather than demand ASEAN resolve the situation.
Labour-sending countries such
as Myanmar, which has hundreds
of thousands of workers in Malaysia
are pushing for a regional agreement on rights for workers. However,
labour-receiving countries, including
Malaysia, are reluctant to commit.
Mr Low said it was not easy to
manage rights for migrant workers,
but added that he would do his best
to try to tackle corruption surrounding their employment through his
corruption-fighting role in the Prime
Ministers Department.
Myanmar and Malaysia agreed
during President U Thein Seins visit
to Kuala Lumpur last month to sign
a memorandum of understanding on
migrant workers. The Myanmar government says it is also planning to
modify laws regulating overseas employment agencies in order to tackle
exploitation of workers.
At the same time, it is pushing for
a regional agreement, the Declaration
on the Protection and Promotion of
the Rights of Migrant Workers.
ASEAN has been discussing the
declaration since 2007, and was scheduled to finalise it by the end of last
year. Despite a strong push from Myanmar, the regional bloc could only
reach agreement on 58 of 68 points in
the declaration.
Daw Htwe Htwe Thein, a director
of the Domestic Worker Department
at the Ministry of Labour, said she did
not think Malaysia would make the
agreement a priority during its time at
the helm of ASEAN.
I dont think the Malaysian government will bring about any solutions to the migrant workers issue as
chair, she said.
Ko Tun, a migrant worker in Malaysia, said that Myanmar could do much
more to help its workers in Malaysia.
Embassy officials in Kuala Lumpur
are reluctant to provide any assistance
to migrants, and some demand money
in exchange for help.
When I tried to extend my stay
permit in Malaysia, the embassy didnt
help me properly. Instead I have to use
a broker and had to pay 5000 ringgit
[about US$1300] to get it, he said.
The Myanmar embassy in Malaysia
did not respond to requests for comment, despite repeated calls over the
past two days.

8 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 24, 2015

Operators
seek India
visa delay fix
Pilgimage market is being stifled by slow approval
of India visas, with waiting periods of up to a month

EI EI THU
91.eieithu@gmail.com

THE number of Buddhists visiting

the holy site of Bodhgaya continued
to rise last year, but operators say
further growth is being stymied by
a shortage of airline seats and the
difficulties of getting visas to enter
India.
The red-tape bottleneck is getting
worse as the popularity of the pilgrimage attracted about 35,000 worshippers in the past year, Bodhgaya
pilgrimage committee vice chair U
Maung Maung Myint said, adding
that the previous years figure was
about 30,000.
Speaking to The Myanmar
Times, U Maung Maung Myint said
the program was a victim of its own
success.
Last season [October to April]
was very successful for pilgrimages.
The Indian embassy says it will expand its visa section if we get 50,000
pilgrims, but were not there yet, he
said.
The Indian embassy did not respond to requests for comment.
More air links to the Indian state
of Bihar are also needed, he said, at
least during the pilgrimage season.
We already have the demand and
the market, so we want to expand
the number of airlines or flights.
Then we can increase the number of
pilgrims.
Air India and Myanmar Airways
International both operate scheduled flights to Bodhgaya, and Golden Myanmar Airlines offers charter
flights between October and April.

We expect the number of pilgrims to increase in the coming year

because this experience is so important for Buddhists. Its not a vacation, he said.
Traditionally, Bodhgaya is venerated as the place where the Guatama
Buddha attained enlightenment.
Pilgrimages are becoming much
more popular in Myanmar, said Daw
Pwint Ngwe Aung, representative of
Golden Myanmar Airlines charter.
This has become such a big issue because everybody knows that
the recent increase in tourism relates not just to incoming but also to
outgoing trips, she said, predicting
yet more increases.
However, she also raised concerns about the process for getting
an Indian visa, saying it was difficult
and time-consuming, with people
kept waiting for about a month.
I often have to cancel people
who have already booked their air
ticket because of visa delays. This
puts people off doing the pilgrimage, she said.
Daw Kyi Kyi Myint, owner of
Shwe Mahar Gaya pilgrimages,
agreed. We would be able to run
more pilgrimages if the visa situation were resolved. But the problem
with delays means were reluctant to
accept too many people. We would
also like to see the opening of a visa
office at Myeik, she said.
Daw Kyi Kyi Myint said the delay
in dealing with the application form
and getting an applicant number
from the embassy contributed to the
weeks-long delay.
She added that over Thingyan,
many would-be pilgrims could not
go because all three airlines were
booked solid. This affected our customers and the customers of many
other agencies.

Kayan Lahtar people wear their traditional dress at Myauk Sa Lone village in Pekon township, Shan State, on April 8.
Photo: Maung Zaw

Kayan Lahtar minority builds a

future through annual festival
MAUNG ZAW
mgzaw.mmtimes@gmail
DUSK is falling, and the smell of the
pines is strong. Everybody in this village in the Shan mountains is gazing
expectantly at the imposing brick-built
monastery. Myauk Sa Lone is about to
observe its annual reaffirmation.
The monastery stands at the highest point of this village, 3000 feet
above sea level. Dressed in their traditional costume featuring red and
white stripes, the villagers start to
move at the sound of the gong. They
form a procession that winds downward through the deepening gloom,
led by the bearer of the Kayan flag,
to the sound of the buffalo horn.
Two women behind the horn player
sprinkle flower petals from the silver
bowls they carry. Then come Buddhist
monks and Christian priests.
The villagers assemble before the
stage just as the sun sinks below the
mountains, and the ceremony begins.
Today, we gather for the festival
of Kayan Lahtar, said U Pan Nyo, the

chair of Kayan Lahtar ethnic group.

The Kayan are divided into four
groups, of which the Lahtar is the
smallest, numbering only some
50,000, according to leaders.
The Lahtar have held the festival
about a dozen times since 2000. It
is held in different villages each year.
The heads of the race in different villages consult about where the festival
is to be held. But we have to ask the
village we choose for permission. If
they refuse, we have to choose another
village. Hosting the festival is a challenge, said U Pan Nyo.
The 11th Kayan Lahtar Festival was
held on April 8 in Myauk Sa Lone village in the Pa-O Self-administered
Zone in southern Shan State, attracting
members of the group from far afield.
We are pleased to have had the
chance to host the festival. We would
like to do it every year, said Ko Chit
Oo of Myauk Sa Lone village.
U Than Soe Naing, chair of Kayan
Literature and Culture, described the
traditional dress. Men wear a shirt
and jacket, but fasten the longyi to

make short pants. Elders say this is to

make fighting easier. Female dress is
intended for wedding ceremonies and
festivals, he said.
Ma Thazin Moe Oo, who came
from Pekon township in Shan State to
take part, said, as young merrymakers
danced beneath the stage, that she and
other revellers were happy to join the
festival.
I think our people will get to know
each other better and will become
stronger as the festival is held every
year, she said.
U Pan Nyo said the festival was
held for the benefit of younger people.
Young people want reform, and to
see their race develop, he said.
Participant U Aung Myint said the
Kayan Lahtar mostly live in Shan and
Kayah states. Some Kayan Lahtar
dont identify themselves as such if
they live elsewhere, in case people
look down on them, he said. I dont
blame them for that, but if we want to
develop our race we will have to acknowledge it.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun

EDITORIAL

Wa meeting a modest
step toward peace
FOLLOWING the in-principle signing
of the nationwide ceasefire agreement
in Yangon last month, attention is now
turning to a planned ethnic leaders
meeting in the United Wa State Army
headquarters, Pangkam, in the first
week of May.
The ceasefire will be a major focus of discussions at the meeting in
northeastern Shan State. The agreement reached by the Nationwide
Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT)
of the armed ethnic groups and the
governments Union Peace-making
Work Committee (UPWC) will come
under close scrutiny.
But not by all armed groups. The
UWSA has only invited nine of 16
members of the NCCT, including the
ethnic Kokang Myanmar National
Democratic Alliance Army. While
some have been left out, there will
be three groups present that are not
part of the NCCT, including the Wa.
It is unclear why the UWSA did not
extend the invitation to all, particularly given the NCCT had requested
it do so.

Another issue is the text of the

draft ceasefire or, rather, what is
not included, as Padoh Naw Zipporah Sein, deputy leader of the Karen
National Union, pointed out in a recent interview.
She told Karen News that the
current document does not contain all the important issues that we
wanted included in it. She cited the
lack of a code of conduct, which was
left out after negotiators agreed to
discuss it later. She also said that the
KNU was concerned that a transition period was not included in the
draft agreement. This may have been
for expediency, so the draft could be
signed, but negotiators can only kick
the can down the road so far.
So, some major issues are missing
from the draft ceasefire, and some
ethnic armed groups will be missing
from the talks.
For these reasons, its not reasonable to expect major progress
in Pangkam next week. At best, the
meeting will be another step toward
the common national goal of peace.

News 9

www.mmtimes.com

Views

Time for new thinking on contraception

FIONA
MACGREGOR
fionamacgregor@hotmail.co.uk

ON the eve of the Thingyan holidays

a period increasingly renowned for
drunken partying in Myanmar it
emerged that authorities had told
stores to stop selling the morningafter pill during the festival. These
strong-arm tactics led to many shops
removing other forms of contraception, including in some cases condoms, from their shelves.
While its easy to dismiss this as
simply another act of bureaucratic
craziness, the consequences of this
ill-considered act could be devastating and potentially life-threatening to
a number of women, who are left to
deal with disease, unwanted pregnancy and the risks of illicit abortion.
The last edition of this column
looked at government attempts to
control womens reproductive rights
through new legislation known as the
population control bill. It could allow
regional authorities to restrict women
to leaving a three-year gap between
each birth.
The lack of clarity, and difficulties
and risks of enforcing such a law,
support claims that the legislation
is about restricting the reproductive
rights of certain groups in society
deemed to threaten Buddhist culture,
and not aimed at genuinely addressing the problems of unwanted
pregnancies.
The contraceptive ban enforced
by police as part of a special project,
which also saw erectile dysfunction
treatments barred was of course
clearly contradictory to effective birth
control. Like the population control bill, it was apparently aimed at
preserving certain cultural ideals in
this case, by attempting to prevent

sexual licentiousness.
Uncomfortable about a perceived
laxity in morals during Thingyan,
authorities responded not with education or support but with sudden restrictions on access to contraception.
This of course did little to dampen
sexual desires, but did leave people at
risk of sexually transmitted infections
and unwanted pregnancies.
Contraception is legal in Myanmar,
and many monks teach that it does
not breach Buddhist beliefs. However, it remains subject to a number
of cultural taboos, particularly for
women. Health professionals have
previously expressed concerns at reports that many women are using the
morning-after pill usually referred
to by medical workers as emergency
contraception as a regular method
of preventing pregnancy.
They point out that the medication, which contains high doses of
hormones, can have significant and
potentially harmful effects on a womans body if misused. It is certainly
not designed to be taken frequently.
Until the recent clampdown, the
pills could be seen for sale in corner
shops as well as pharmacies, often
without instructions or warnings of
health risks. There is also a widespread misbelief that the morning-after pill can prevent the spread of STIs.
This is a situation that health authorities need to tackle in an informed and
effective way.
But in terms of harm reduction,
restricting contraceptives during a
period renowned for drunkenness
and an increased likelihood of casual
or irresponsible sex is the equivalent
of saying, Were expecting a sudden
rise in heroin use so weve ordered
the banning of clean needles.
The removal of condoms from
shop shelves whether that was part
of the official project plan or not is
likely to have resulted in an increase
in STI transmission. This is particularly worrying in a country that has a

Contraceptives and erectile dysfunction treatments were pulled from the shelves
in Yangon prior to water festival. Photo: Thiri Lu

high prevalence of HIV.

The deliberate banning of emergency contraception also means there
will almost certainly be a rise in
unwanted pregnancies. Societal traditions mean many women, single and
married, find it difficult to discuss
contraception use with their partners.
And the fact there is no law against
marital rape means that married
women do not have the legal right to
prevent their husbands from having
unprotected sex with them.
Since abortion is illegal in Myanmar, many women who find themselves pregnant when they do not
want to be are left with two options,
both dreadful: seek abortion from
illicit sources; or go ahead with the
emotional, physical, and financial
demands of having a child they do

not want. In the case of unmarried

women, the latter choice will also
likely mean condemnation and ostracism.
Buddhist culture in Myanmar does
not support a right to abortion but,
as evidence from across the world
shows, when faced with the devastating and life-altering consequence
of an unwanted pregnancy many
women in countries where abortion is
illegal seek a termination anyway.
That often means resorting to
illicit drugs or surgery at the hands
of unqualified practitioners, both of
which can have damaging long-term
health effects or even be fatal.
According to the World Health
Organization, 21.6 million women
experience an unsafe abortion worldwide each year 18.5 million of whom

are in developing countries while

47,000 women die from complications
of such terminations each year.
The organisation also reports
that deaths due to unsafe abortions
account for around 13 percent of all
maternal deaths.
The issue is a highly emotive one,
but whether society and individuals
support the right of women to end
unwanted pregnancies, or strongly
object to it, all must agree that unsafe
abortions are undesirable.
As Myanmar grapples with considerable social change, it is a good time
to consider the benefits of revising
discriminatory attitudes toward single mothers that leave many women
resorting to illegal terminations out
of desperation rather than a genuine
desire not to have a baby.
However, most vitally, in countries
where terminations are illegal but
contraception is legal as is the case
in Myanmar people must be given
informed and easy access to safe and
proper methods of pregnancy prevention. This is the best and simplest
way to save women from resorting to
illicit terminations.
It is important that women are not
left to rely on the morning-after pill
as a regular form of contraception,
and other options made more easily
available.
However, it is equally important
that in situations where it is necessary to access emergency contraception women are able to do so.
Deliberately removing contraceptives and leaving woman at risk of
the mental, emotional and physical
consequences of unplanned pregnancy, particularly in a country where
abortion is illegal, was irresponsible
and unnecessary.
If authorities genuinely want
people to have planned pregnancies
and save them from difficult and
painful moral decisions, they should
be providing better, not worse, access
to effective contraception.

10 THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 24, 2015

Business
First foreign banks
People on banks
in Myanmar herald
possible sector shake-up

As told to Kyaw Phone Kyaw

GUY
DINMORE
guydinmore@gmail.com

THIS weeks arrival of the first three

foreign banks to be allowed to open
branches in Myanmar has already signalled a possible shake-up of the banking sector, with Japans Sumitomo
Mitsui Banking Corporation expressing interest yesterday in eventually acquiring a minority stake in Kanbawza
(KBZ), Myanmars largest lender.
Hiroshi Minoura, vice chair of
SMBC, one of Japans big three banks,
told reporters at the opening ceremony of its downtown Yangon branch
that he saw the attraction of taking
an equity stake of 15 to 20 percent in
KBZ, with which it launched a close
partnership three years ago.
We definitely hope that we can
invest in local banks. We foresee a
huge expansion in local banking. To
fortify our ties with KBZ we need to
have a capital injection, Mr Minoura
said, noting that SMBC had previously
taken minority stakes in local banks in
Vietnam and Indonesia.
But he stressed that this would require a change in regulations by the
Central Bank of Myanmar, and that
SMBC would not want to launch a full
takeover.
We have no interest in taking over

any Myanmar banks, he said. Even if

you [Myanmar] open up your market,
well never occupy or conquer your local banks, Mr Minoura added.
In granting licences last October to
nine foreign banks to open branches
in Myanmar, the Central Bank imposed tight restrictions that analysts
said were intended to ensure that local lenders would not be swept aside
or swallowed up. Foreign lenders may
not engage in retail banking and are
restricted to lending foreign exchange
to foreign companies and to Myanmar
banks. The foreign banks may deal
only in four currencies and have been
barred from hiring staff from local
banks.
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ
opened its branch in Yangon on April
22, with an initial capital investment
of US$100 million, while SMBC, investing $200m, and Singapores Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp chose to
open yesterday, considered an auspicious day in the Myanmar calendar.
Mr Minoura said he looked forward to further deregulation by the
Central Bank and stressed that his
priority, once permitted, would be to
lend to infrastructure projects such as
ports and power plants that required
substantial amounts of capital which
local banks could not raise.
We see this country as full of treasure, he said, referring to Myanmars
rich natural resources and strategic
location, but closed for decades. He
said he hoped that changes in Central

Japans SMBC Bank advertises the opening yesterday of its Yangon office in the
prestigious downtown Strand Square complex developed by KBZ Bank, its local
partner. Photo: Naing Wynn Htoon

Bank regulations would allow SMBC

to take part in project financing with
Myanmar partners in the near future.
U Nyo Myint, senior managing director of KBZ Group an extensive
conglomerate which also includes
insurance, hotels, construction, two
airlines, healthcare and agriculture
projects did not rule out a possible
capital injection from SMBC in return for an equity stake. But he also
stressed that the banks partnership
with SMBC was not exclusive.
This is not an exclusive arrangement. We remain on good terms with
other banks. No bank can stand alone,
he said. But some are closer than others, he added, noting that SMBC had
chosen to base its branch in Yangons
prestigious Strand Square business
complex that KBZ had developed on a
lease from the government.
He pointed out that Central Bank
regulations did not yet permit foreign
banks to acquire interests in Myanmar
banks. We are moving step by step.
We are in a very initial stage, he said.
Both bankers stressed the need for
technology transfer from foreign to
Myanmar lenders.
A Myanmar FinScope survey in
2013 found that only some 5pc of people held a bank account. Mr Minoura
noted that most Myanmar workers
would withdraw their entire salary in
cash each month as they lacked the
means to make payments electronically, although this situation was starting
to change rapidly. Mobile payments
are in their infancy, although KBZ has
already entered this new sector.
U Nyo Myint said KBZ had a market share of about 40pc with over 300
branches, compared to its nearest rival, the Cooperative Bank, with about
200 branches.
Mr Minoura said the rapid development of mobile banking in Myanmar
could shrink the banking history of
the last 40 years in Japan to as little as
five years here. But he predicted that
the expansion of local bank branches
would continue in rural areas for the
next few years.
Our goal is to introduce cell-phone
payments systems in this country so
that people will keep their money in
their current accounts in the bank, he
added.
Japans Mizuho Bank is also expected to open for business in Yangon,
giving Japans top three lenders a foothold in what is regarded as frontier
territory, and representing a success
for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who
has focused on developing Japans financial presence in Southeast Asia.
I do believe that strengthened collaboration among domestic banks in
Myanmar and banks of Japan will cultivate investment promotion and ultimately the economic development of
Myanmar, U Kyaw Kyaw Maung, Central Bank governor, said on April 22.
We saw this as a chance that
comes only every 10 or 20 years, Mr
Minoura said of SMBCs decision to
establish a presence in Myanmar. We
did not want to miss this chance, he
said, expressing confidence that elections later this year however unpredictable the results would not
change the current reformist trend.

Ma Zin Mar Myint

Secretary of
Growth.Myanmar Company
I have an account at the Cooperative
Bank (CB). Its near our office and
convenient for me. I use the mobile
banking service of the bank. I can
easily transfer my money using Mobile Banking to an ATM. ATMs are
everywhere now, so that I can take
my money out easily. The service
staff are helpful. I think the interest rate of my bank is quite low, and
I would like it to be a bit higher. I
opened my account only about six
months ago. I dont have any plans
to borrow money from the bank.

Daw Cho Cho Than

Teashop owner
Ive been saving my money in the
Cooperative Bank for the past nine
years. Im satisfied with the service
and I feel it is safer to keep my money in the bank than in my hand. I
didnt have any particularly strong
reasons for choosing CB other than
that it was conveniently located near
my home. But I think it is more profitable to invest in real estate than
to keep savings in the bank. When
I started saving my money at the
bank, I didnt grasp the trends and
possibilities of real estate. Now I
understand that market better, and
Ive been investing my money in it
for the past three years. Ive taken
two-thirds of my money out of the
bank and invested it in the real-estate market.

U San Lwin, taxi driver

I dont have a bank account, but my
wife has. She keeps an account at
the CB Bank branch near our home.
My wife also has another account
at KBZ Bank. I would not open an
account just for the interest rate.
I only save money if I cant use it.
I started saving just a year ago. I
dont know if I can borrow money
from the bank. I had not really
thought about it until you asked. I
may decide to get an ATM card in
the future. But I would advise banks
to make sure their staff are more
courteous. My wife is not familiar
with the technology they use, and
sometimes they are impatient with
her. Perhaps the foreign banks now
coming into the country will offer
better service in this regard, and be
prepared to explain things to their
customers.

Singapore OCBC opens

SU PHYO WIN
suphyo1990@gmail.com
SINGAPORES Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC), which also opened
a Yangon branch yesterday, sees its
growth coming from collaboration
with several Myanmar partners rather
than relying on one local lender.
We are collaborating with KBZ,
Cooperative Bank and Ayeyarwady
Bank and also with state banks in different services. By operating in many
markets around the region, for the
financial sector to be successful, it is
important to operate with very dominant and strong domestic banks, said
Tan Chor Sen, OCBC head of international global commercial banking.
It is not new to OCBC we have
been collaborating with private and
state banks from many years, he

told reporters.
The new OCBC Yangon branch, located in the Union Financial Centre,
has a registered capital of US$75 million
and a staff of more than 20 employees,
offering cash management, project and
trade financing, as well as treasury and
capital markets advisory and services to
foreign companies and joint ventures,
as well as domestic banks.
The bank intends to invest heavily
in infrastructure and, like its Japanese competitors newly arrived in
Myanmar, it believes deregulation
will allow direct lending to local enterprises.
Myanmar represents new territory for OCBC whose key markets are
Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and
China. It expects interest from Singapore firms in particular in Myanmars
three special economic zones.

11

BUSINESS EDITOR: Guy Dinmore | guydinmore@gmail.com

Construction boom
triggers doubts

China manufacturing
falters

PROPERTY 12

BUSINESS 14

Exchange Rates (April 23 close)

Currency
Euro
Malaysia Ringitt
Singapore Dollar
Thai Baht
US Dollar

Buying
K1140
K297
K784
K33
K1073

Selling
K1166
K315
K802
K35
K1087

New property tax rates can spur

demand for real estate market
MYAT NYEIN AYE

KO KO AUNG

REAL estate agents are extending

a cautious welcome to a change in
the tax laws that could stimulate
the torpid property market. A combination of anxiety over the coming
election and backlash against huge
price surges over the past few years
has had a significant cooling effect
on the property market since at least
the start of the year.
The tax cuts are expected in particular to revive interest in the lowto-middling K100 million to K1.5
billion range, where sales taxes have
been cut by multiple percentage
points. For instance, a K500 million
property whose sale would have been
taxed at 30 percent under the old law
will now be taxed at only 5pc.
Buyers and sellers have been
coming in to ask about the market ever since the government announced the new tax rates. The market is alive again, with lots of people
wanting to buy, said Ko Hein Zan,
marketing manager of Sai Khun
Naung real estate agency.
The Union Tax Law 2015 was
printed in state-owned media on
April 5 following final approval by
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. It came into effect on April 1.
The lowest tax rate of 3pc applies
on deals up to K100 million (about
US$100,000). Up to the K500 million
level the new tax will be 5pc, rising
to 10pc for properties up to K1 billion, 20pc for up to K1.5 billion, and a
ceiling of 30pc for properties valued
at above K1.5 billion. These taxes are
payable by the buyer if they cannot
show the source of their income. Sellers pay a flat 10pc rate. In addition,
property sales are subject to stamp
duty for buyers, set at 5pc of value in
Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw,

A cyclist passes the Bo Min Yaung Housing project in Yangon. Analysts say recent changes to property transaction taxes will reinvigorate the market. Photo: Zarni Phyo

and 3pc in other cities.

Previously, all property transactions incurred a 30pc tax payable by
the buyer if they could not show the
source of the income.
Last year, however, the government introduced once-in-a-lifetime
tax relief for transactions below
K300 million, which set the tax at
3pc for purchases up to K50 million, 5pc on transactions worth up to
K100 million, 10pc for deals worth up
to K150 million and 20pc for up to
K300 million.
U Myo Min Zaw, deputy director
of the Yangon Region Internal Revenue Department, said the one-time

tax relief was removed because of

concerns it was being abused.
Wealthy people who can buy
many properties were able to get this
tax relief over and over, he said. So
the rule has been removed from this
years tax law.
Broker Daw Mya Mya Sein of Galaxy Real Estate Service said the new
rates could well shake up the market.
After Thingyan, the real estate market will come alive. The tax reductions will increase demand for buying and selling houses or land. There
is a potential, to some extent, to gain
momentum again, she said.
But tax officials are not convinced

that the lower rates will encourage

more buyers to pay the tax. The tax is
payable only when the purchaser applies to change the ownership name
on the land registration documents,
and U Myo Min Zaw said those who
want to ensure strong ownership
over their purchase were likely to
pay the tax regardless of the rate.
Speculators who only intend to hold
property for a short period will see
little incentive.
If people dont care about [longterm] ownership, they will not pay
tax even if it is very cheap, he said.
Real estate prices boomed in Yangon after the government of President

U Thein Sein took office in 2011 after

decades of military rule and economic stagnation, and introduced a raft of
political and economic reforms.
Since 2012, real estate values have
skyrocketed all over the country, particularly in Yangon and Mandalay.
At one point, prime office space in
Yangon was priced comparably with
Singapore and Manhattan. Median
prices for properties situated along
Yangons main roads reached unprecedented highs of K700,000 to
K1 million (US$680-970) per square
foot, with Pyay Road and Kabar Aye
Pagoda Road the most lucrative areas in the city.

12 Property

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 24, 2015

Construction booms
but clouds gather
MYAT NYEIN AYE TIN YADANAR HTUN

THE apparent boom in Yangon construction conceals increasing complexity, as stricter regulation combines with
aggressive speculative practices to create a difficult environment for contractors and would-be homeowners alike,
industry sources say.
Unquestionably, the number of
apartments has grown considerably
in the past two years. But U Nay Win,
deputy director of the Department of
Engineering (Building) of Yangon City
Development Committee, predicted
yesterday that both construction and
sales were likely to slow.
We expect demand to fall because
of the number of new apartments
coming onto the market. Most buyers
are not people looking for a place to
live, but speculators who will hold the
apartments empty until they can sell
for a profit, he said, adding that this
practice tended to inflate the price of
apartments.
Contractors wont wait to sell to
would-be homeowners. So by the time
investors have cornered the market, ordinary buyers can no longer afford the
apartments, he said.
Developers operate a pre-sale system
under which buyers pay for incomplete

apartments by instalment. Sometimes

these buyers sell the property on to others before completing payment.
When profit is high, they invest in
buying up more units. Contractors will
continue to build as long as the demand
is there. This increases supply, but reduces the number of would-be buyers,
said U Nay Win.
According to YCDC, more than 100
permits have been issued in the past
year for buildings of 12 storeys and
above.
However, said U Nay Win, prices are
unlikely to fall when the bubble bursts.
Because land in Yangon is so expensive, contractors have to invest not only
in construction, but also in the underlying land. Sometime developers have
to pay landowners when they set up a
joint venture, he said. This makes them
unwilling to sell at a loss.
Real estate experts agree that the
construction market has slowed considerably since the end of last year. U
Aung Min, director of Myat Min Construction, said, The main reason is additional new YCDC regulation. Added
to that, investors have adopted a waitand-see attitude.
The new regulation is a reaction to
the scramble to build that ensued after
the onset of economic and political reforms of 2012, when many developers,
eager to cash in on the boom that accompanied soaring land values, built
without permits.
Before, contractors could apply for
a YCDC permit with a prepaid licence

fee. But now they have to provide evidence of the contractors biography,
education level and previous work.
YCDC will not issue a licence if they
see a weakness in the application. They
have also raised the price of the licence
fee from about K200,000 to K3-4 million, and have established a blacklist.
Contractors can have their licence withdrawn, said U Aung Min.
The threat of licence withdrawal
hangs over not only the individual construction site found to be in violation,
but to all other sites operated by that
contractor and the engineers involved,
he said. These measures have deterred
many contractors and engineers.
U Yan Aung, manager of Asia Builders Construction, said, Speculators
are no longer interested in investing in
apartments, so sales have fallen which
means construction will fall too.
Tighter regulation would have the
same effect, he said. In the past, we
could get a residence permit [to allow
occupation of a newly completed building] once the engineering department
had completed its testing. Now, all six
departments concerned, like the electricity metering, fire, water and the others, have to complete tests before a permit can be issued. This all makes things
very difficult and time-consuming, said
U Yan Aung.
U Aung Min, of Myat Min Construction, said, Regulation is important, but
with so many new rules, contractors
have a great deal more to handle than
they used to.

Residents in Yangon hold a candlelit protest on May 22, 2012, against

persistent power cuts. Photo: Kaung Htet

Electricity demand
soars as cuts hit Yangon
KYAW PHONE KYAW
k.phonekyaw@gmail.com
MYANMARS electricity demand is
constantly increasing and 7.2 million new household electricity connections will be required by 2030,
according to analysts speaking yesterday at the Myanmar Power Utilities Congress 2015 in Yangon.
Chester Toh, head of integrated
regulatory practice at Rajah and
Tann law firm, said demand will
increase by an average of 450,000
new connections a year.
Transmission of electricity is
equally as important as generation and this needs greater foreign
investment in developing efficient

transmissions, he said.
Electricity distribution by the
government is a constant bone of
contention with the public. Latest
data by the Ministry of Electrical Power (MOEP) shows that 29
percent of the population is connected. The MOEP has a 15-year
power development plan to boost
distribution.
Mr Toh said Myanmar should
plan to reduce its reliance on hydropower because it is unstable and
dependent on seasonal elements, as
well as leading to negative environmental and social impacts. Hydropower accounts for about 75 percent of supply, followed by gas with
23 pc, according to MOEP data.

International Business 13

www.mmtimes.com
BEIJING

China
opens up
bank card
clearing
sector
CHINA has announced plans that will
allow giants such as Visa and MasterCard to set up credit card clearing
services in the country, breaking the
monopoly in a multi-trillion-dollar
market foreign firms have been trying
to tap for decades.
In its latest move to further open
up the worlds number-two economy,
the State Council, Chinas cabinet, said
it would take applications from June 1
for a licence to run the business.
The announcement comes after
promises to reform the market in 2012
in response to a US complaint with the
World Trade Organization.
China UnionPay has until now
been the only service provider in the
countrys domestic bank card clearing market since its establishment in
2002. Foreign rivals such as Visa and
MasterCard could only handle Chinese
travellers transactions overseas.
The central Peoples Bank of China
called the move a full scale opening of the sector, noting that foreign
companies can also apply to enter the
sector, which was worth 449.9 trillion
yuan (US$72.6 trillion) last year.
Opening the bank card clearing
market will help improve Chinas bank
card clearing service through market
competition, it said in a statement on
April 22.

TRILLION YUAN

449.9

Total value of Chinas bank card clearing

market

The applicants must, among other

things, be incorporated in China and
have more than 1 billion yuan in registered capital, the State Council said in
a statement.
Also, its main investor must have
no less than 2 billion yuan in total
assets in the year prior to the application and have been operating banking,
payment or clearing business for more
than half a decade with at least three
consecutive years of profit making.
It must also be equipped with remote backup systems able to recover
data and be able to independently
handle bank card clearing, it added.
The Beijing News yesterday quoted
an unnamed source familiar with foreign card issuers as saying that these
infrastructure requirements would
probably be a hard for foreign companies to satisfy because it was unprecedented in other countries and it will
take at least half a year to build the
facilities required.
MasterCard became the first international payment organisation in China when it set up its Beijing office in
1987. Visa entered the country in 1993,
according to the companies.
Clearing firms turn the promise of
payment into the actual transfer of
money from one bank to another and
make profit mainly through charging
commissions.
Currently in China UnionPay gets
10 to 30 percent of the commission for
every card swiping transaction, with
the remaining being taken by banks, according to the Beijing News report.
AFP

IN PICTURES

PHOTO: AFP

Mongolian shamans in fur and feather headdresses protest on February 9 against a

Canadian mining project they claim threatens ancient grave sites in Ulan Bator, capital of
Mongolia. Toronto-based Centerra Gold says the burial sites locations are known and it will
not interfere with them. Beneath Mongolias endless steppes lie an estimated more than
US$1 trillion worth of coal, copper, gold, iron ore and other minerals, wealth that could
transform the lives of its 3 million inhabitants.

14 International Business

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 24, 2015

BEIJING

BEIJING

China manufacturing index

falls to 12-month low in April

MercedesBenz fined
in China

AN index of Chinas manufacturing activity fell to a 12-month low

in April, HSBC said yesterday, indicating further weakness as growth
sputters in the worlds second-largest economy.
The British banks preliminary
purchasing managers index (PMI)
came in at 49.2, it said in a statement, below the 49.6 final reading
in March. The index reached 50.7
in February but has now contracted
in four of the past five months. The
reading was also below the median
estimate of 49.6 in a Bloomberg
News survey.
The index, compiled by information services provider Markit, tracks
activity in Chinas factories and
workshops and is regarded as a barometer of the health of the global
economic giant. A figure above 50
points to growth, but anything below indicates contraction.
Chinas gross domestic product
(GDP) growth slowed to 7.0 percent
in the first quarter from 7.3pc in the
final three months of last year, the
worst result in six years.
That came after GDP expanded
7.4 pc in 2014, the slowest full-year
rate since 1990.
Authorities have stepped up
stimulatory efforts after the first
quarter data and disappointingly
weak industrial production and retails sales data for March.
To boost lending the central Peoples Bank of China (PBoC) cut the
level of funds commercial banks
must hold in reserve by a full percentage point, the second such reduction this year.
The PBoC has also lowered interest rates twice since November.
Markit economist Annabel Fiddes said the manufacturing sector
continued to be plagued by tepid demand, falling prices and a decrease
in employment.
Relatively weak demand conditions were also highlighted by

CHINESE authorities fined MercedesBenz 350 million yuan (US$56 million)

yesterday for violating anti-monopoly
laws and price fixing, investigators
said.
After an investigation, MercedesBenz dealers in Jiangsu province were
found to have implemented a fixed
minimum price for E- and S-class
vehicle parts in violation of the antimonopoly law, said a statement from
the Jiangsu province pricing bureau.
Minimum prices were also set for
entire E- and S-class cars between
January 2013 and July 2014, the statement said.
Three dealerships, in the cities of
Nanjing, Wuxi and Suzhou, were separately fined a total of 7.9 million yuan.
The German automaker said it was
being investigated in August, but refused to provide more details.
Investigators said price-fixing
meetings were organised at some Mercedes dealerships in the eastern province as far back as November 2010.
State media last year said pricing authorities had evidence that
Mercedes-Benz controlled prices of its
spare parts and maintenance services.
At the time the official Xinhua
news agency cited data from the China
Automotive Maintenance and Repair
Trade Association as showing the total cost of all spare parts for some cars
could be 12 times more than a finished
model.
It quoted Zhou Gao, head of anti
monopoly department at the price
bureau, as saying, The Benz case involves typical vertical price-fixing.
The Jiangsu probe was part of a
wider inquiry by Chinas National Development and Reform Commission
(NDRC), one of several government
bodies that probes violations of the
countrys anti-monopoly law.
The case comes against a backdrop
of sweeping investigations into foreign
firms in China in sectors ranging from
pharmaceuticals and baby formula to
autos. AFP

Chinese labourers work on scaffolding at a construction site in Qingdao, Shandong province on April 23. An index
of Chinese manufacturing activity fell to a 12-month low in April, indicating further weakness as growth slows in the
worlds second-largest economy. Photo: AFP

stronger deflationary pressures

in the sector, with both input and
output prices falling at faster rates.
Meanwhile, job shedding across
manufacturing firms was recorded
for the 18th month in a row.
Citing a bright spot, however, Ms
Fiddes said overseas demand improved with export demand rising
for the first time in three months.
HSBC said the final PMI data
will be announced on May 4.
The governments official PMI
earlier this month showed manufacturing activity expanding in March
for the first time in 2015, coming in
at 50.1.
The falling HSBC flash PMI ...

suggests growth momentum may

have remained weak in April,
Nomura economists wrote in a reaction, adding that they expect the
official PMI, scheduled for release
on May 1, to decline to 49.8 in April.
They reiterated their expectation
that the PBoC will implement two
further RRR cuts and three more interest rate reductions this year.
Chinas leaders are overseeing a
managed slowdown in the economy
that is meant to ensure more stable
expansion based on demand from
the countrys increasingly wealthy
and sophisticated consumers.
But they are keen to ensure the
country avoids a so-called hard

landing, in which growth falls

sharply and hampers job creation, a
pillar of social stability in Communist-ruled China.
Julian Evans-Pritchard, China
economist at Capital Economics,
said despite the drop in the preliminary PMI, the outlook for economic
growth was not so dire.
The latest RRR cut will have
come too late to have much impact
on todays reading but should help
shore up activity over the coming
months, he said in a note.
And we also expect policymakers to roll out more support measures to ensure that growth doesnt
slip much further. AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO

Brazils Petrobras loses over $2 billion in corruption scandal

PETROBRAS has lost US$2.1 billion
to the largest corruption scheme in
Brazilian history, the state oil giant
said as it released its first audited
accounts of a scandal that has enveloped the company and badly
wounded the government.
Petrobras, the largest company in
the worlds seventh-biggest economy,
announced losses on April 22 of 21.6
billion reals ($7.2 billion) for 2014.
By finally releasing its long-delayed results, the company is seeking
to turn the page on five tumultuous
months in which its chief executive
and entire board were forced to resign and ratings agencies hit it with
a string of downgrades.
Prosecutors accuse Petrobras executives of colluding with construction companies to massively inflate
contracts and bribe politicians, including members of President Dilma

Petrobrass problem
isnt about oil or
finance. Its about
trust.
Daniel Marques
Analyst

Rousseffs Workers Party (PT) and its

allies.
Ms Rousseff, who is facing calls
to resign and popularity ratings
of 13 percent just months into her
second term, chaired the Petrobras
board during much of the period
under investigation, but is not accused of wrongdoing.
The annual results, which were
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers
(PwC), included losses to the kickbacks scheme from 2004 to 2012.
Petrobras also announced losses
of $1.8 billion for the third quarter
of 2014, and posted an asset devaluation of $14.8 billion, largely because of the slide in international
oil prices and postponed refinery
projects.
Releasing the results is a fundamental step toward fully salvaging
the companys credibility, said the
state-controlled firms new chief executive, Aldemir Bendine.
He told journalists at Petrobras
headquarters in Rio de Janeiro that
the companys second challenge
was to draft a new business plan for
the next five years, which he said
would be released within 30 days.
Analysts said the company still
has work to do to restore the confidence of the market and the country.
This could be an excellent first
step, but it doesnt say much in and

Petrobras president Aldemir Bendine speaks during a press conference at

company headquarters in Rio de Janeiro on April 22. Brazils scandal-hit state
oil giant lost US$7.2 billion last year as it released its first audited account of the
damage from a massive kickbacks scheme. Photo: AFP

of itself, said Daniel Marques, chief

analyst at consulting firm Gradual
Investimentos.
Petrobrass problem isnt about
oil or finance. Its about trust. The
first thing the company needs to do

is recover its credibility, because today the market doesnt believe it.
Petrobras said it had calculated overpayments of 3 percent on
contracts with 27 companies that
formed what investigators call a

cartel that paid bribes to company

directors to win tenders.
It also added in bribes funnelled
through other companies in cases
where investigators said their witnesses had told them about other
incidents of corruption.
Prosecutors are building their
case on testimony from suspects
who have agreed to cooperate with
the investigation in return for lighter sentences.
Analysts say the companys effort
to come clean should help it avoid a
partial default on its massive debt
of nearly $140 billion.
Petrobras had twice delayed releasing its third-quarter results,
initially due in November, because
PwC would not sign off on them
without accounting for losses to
corruption.
The standoff wiped billions off
the companys stock value as the
share price plunged to eight reals.
But shares have been creeping back
in recent weeks, regaining nearly 60
percent, to more than 13 reals.
Those accused in the scandal
include the treasurer of the ruling
PT, Joao Vaccari, who was arrested
last week.
Thirteen senators, 22 congresspeople, two governors and several
former cabinet officials are also being investigated. AFP

JOB WATCH
Job Vacancy
The Embassy of France (Economic Service) is currently seeking an individual
for the position of Assistant to the Head of the Economic Service.
The successful candidates should possess the following qualifications
- University graduate
- Excellent proficiency in Myanmar and English languages with knowledge of
the French language a bonus
- Effective communication skills
- Secretariat skills
- Computer literate
Candidates should send their CV as quickly as possible to
rangoon@dgtresor.gouv.fr

The Asia Foundation in Myanmar is recruiting for four Yangonbased positions:

(1) Senior Program Officer, Governance
(2) Senior Program Officer, Economic Governance
(3) Senior Program Officer, Peace Process Support
(4) Civic Tech Software Development Consultant

NEW VACANCIES APPLY NOW!

Candidates should submit a cover letter and CV to Ms. Wine

Wai Wai Win at wine.win@asiafoundation.org by May 4,
2015. Only short-listed applicants will be notified. Please mark
clearly on your cover letter and application for which position
you are applying.

Business Development manager

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

No. 851/853 (A/B), 3rd Floor, Room (7/8), Bogyoke Aung San
Road, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: (951) 229 437, 09 49 227 773, 09 730 94007
Email: esearch@yangon.net.mm, esearch.myanmar@gmail.com
www.esearchmyanmar.com
www.facebook.com/esearchmyanmar

16 THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 24, 2015

World

WORLD EDITOR: Kayleigh Long

NEW DELHI

PHNOM PENH

New HIV cases present

in Battambang cluster

Indian farmer Gajendra Singh stands on a tree before committing suicide during an Aam Aadmi Party rally in New Delhi on
April 22. Photo: AFP

Farmer hangs himself at land protest

A FARMER hanged himself in front
of hundreds of protesters gathered
in the centre of the Indian capital on
Wednesday to rally against the governments contentious reform of land
purchasing laws.
Television footage of the protest close to the nations parliament
showed the farmer sitting in the
branches of a tree before taking a
scarf and hanging himself, as protesters, police and media crews looked
on.
The farmer, reportedly a father of
three from the desert state of Rajasthan, was rushed to hospital but declared dead on arrival.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
said the nation was deeply shattered
and disappointed over the farmers
death.
At no point must the hardworking farmer think he is alone. We are
all together in creating a better tomorrow for the farmers of India,
Modi said on Twitter.

The Delhi police announced an

investigation into the sequence of
events leading to the farmers death.
Anger was mounting over whether police and rally organisers did
enough to save the man, as a political
row erupted over who was to blame
for the suicide.
The tree was several metres from
the stage where Delhi Chief Minister
Arvind Kejriwal and members of his
party were due to speak against the
national governments land bill.
Local media said a suicide note
had been recovered from the farmers
body, which said he had recently suffered crop losses because of unseasonal rains in Rajasthan.
Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi
(Common Man) Party (AAP) quickly
came under fire from political opponents for continuing the rally even after the farmer was taken down from
the tree.
We want to ask AAP why they
didnt stop their speeches when they

heard that the farmer had died, Sambit Patra, spokesman for the Bharatiya Janata Party which rules at the
national level, told reporters.
But Kejriwal put the blame on
police, saying he climbed the tree in
front of our eyes.
I kept telling the police to save
him but the police are not in our
control, Kejriwal said from the stage
during the rally.
Scores of debt-laden farmers have
suffered recent damage to their winter crops from unseasonal rains, with
media reporting a string of suicides
in recent weeks.
Protests have also been staged in
the capital against Modis push to
overhaul the laws and make it easier
to buy farmland for development projects.
The government argues the bill is
needed to speed up economic growth,
but political opponents say it favours
big business at the expense of struggling farmers. AFP

COLOMBO

Former administration figures label

Sri Lanka graft probe a witch-hunt
TWO brothers of former Sri
Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse
faced questioning by anti-corruption
investigators yesterday as the new
government stepped up its crackdown
against the old regime.
Hours after the former presidents youngest brother Basil was
arrested on his return home from a
trip abroad, another younger sibling,
Gotabhaya, aged 65, was hauled before the countrys main anti-corruption body over claims of kickbacks
that he allegedly received while he
served as defence secretary.
Gotabhaya, widely regarded as
the real power behind 69-year-old
Mahinda Rajapakse during his decadelong rule, angrily denounced the Commission to Investigate Allegations of
Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) as he
arrived at their headquarters yesterday.
They are taking action against
policy decisions we took, he told
reporters in downtown Colombo.
At this rate, they can arrest the
entire [former] cabinet for taking decisions. This is ridiculous.

I have not done anything wrong. I

was an honest government officer.
Hundreds of his supporters
carried photos of him and shouted
anti-government slogans as riot police
stood guard.
The questioning took place behind
closed doors although sources said that
it was a brief session and Gotabhaya
would return for a more lengthy interrogation early next week.
Basil,
who
was
economic
development
minister
under
his brother, was facing his own
interrogation behind bars at a
Colombo prison hospital over allegations that he embezzled hundreds of
thousands of dollars in a controversial
government housing scheme.
The 64-year-old, who has dual
Sri Lankan-American citizenship, had
fled to the United States soon after his
brother lost the January 8 election to
Maithripala Sirisena, a former ally of
Rajapakse before he jumped ship to
challenge his old mentor.
But he was arrested on April
22 shortly after returning home to

Colombo to face charges that are

non-bailable.
Police said they will question him
over the next two weeks, after which
formal charges are expected to be
framed.
As he was driven to the prison hospital on April 22, Basil told reporters
that he was not guilty of any crime.
The
government
has
prejudged the case and carried out this
arrest, he said after a magistrate had
granted his request to be sent to the
prison hospital to continue treatment
for an unspecified medical condition.
In an interview with AFP on April
22, Mahinda Rajapakse slammed the
string of corruption probes against
his relatives as part of a witch-hunt
instigated by his successor.
The new president is expected
to address the nation amid growing
pressure to call parliamentary
elections.
The current legislature remains
packed with Rajapakse loyalists,
complicating the new leaders reform
program. AFP

TWO more people in Battambang

provinces Roka commune have
been diagnosed this week as HIVpositive, following an outbreak of
the virus first reported in the area
in December, health officials said
yesterday.
Dr Ly Penh Sun, director of
the Ministry of Healths National
Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology
and STD Control (NCHADS), said
the two patients, a 6-year-old and
an adult are not newly infected,
[but] they migrated so have only
just had their blood tested.
Penh Sun did not give further
details about the pair, but said their
diagnosis brings the total number
of people carrying the virus in the
area to 250.
He added that the ministry was
expanding services in the area by

constructing a three-storey building next to the communes health

care centre equipped with beds, a
laboratory, and so on, because previously those seriously ill had to be
sent to the provincial hospital.
Bi Beng Sar, an official at Rokas
health care centre, said eight people have died from the virus since
the outbreak was first detected. He
added that special attention was
being paid to elderly HIV/AIDS carriers, who count for the majority of
fatalities.
We are monitoring their health
conditions and it is okay. They are
coming to collect anti-retrovirals
regularly, he said.
An 89-year-old in the commune
died from HIV/AIDS-related complications on Monday.
Phnom Penh Post

PARIS

Jokowi warned
on impending
executions
FRENCH
President
Francois
Hollande warned Indonesia on
Wednesday that the execution of
a Frenchman for drug offences
would damage ties between the
two nations.
Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius also summoned the Indonesian
ambassador in Paris a day after Serge Atlaoui, 51, had an appeal rejected by Indonesias Supreme Court, taking him closer to
execution by firing squad for his
role in a clandestine ecstasy lab
near Jakarta.
Imprisoned in Indonesia for a
decade, the father-of-four denies
the charges, saying he was installing industrial machinery in what
he thought was an acrylics factory.
Atlaouis wife Sabine told AFP
she had been the one to break the
news of the rejected appeal to him.
I spoke to him on the phone
this morning, she said from
Indonesia.
He called me from prison and
... I finally was able to give him the
terrible news.
My husband is strong, he is a
fighter, brave and ready to continue fighting until the end.
His family has issued impassioned appeals in recent days,
begging Hollande and the European Union to save him.
The French leader warned
Wednesday that executing Atlaoui
would be damaging for Indonesia,
damaging for the relations that we
would like to have with it.
If put to death, Atlaoui would
be the first Frenchman to be executed anywhere in nearly 40 years.
He is one of several foreign
drug convicts on death row in Indonesia who recently lost appeals
for presidential clemency.
They are expected to be ex-

ecuted once final legal appeals are

resolved.
Drug laws in Indonesia are
among the worlds toughest.
President Joko Widodo, who
took office in October, has been
a vocal supporter of putting drug
traffickers to death, saying the
country is facing a narcotics emergency.
In January, the country executed six people accused of drug trafficking, including Brazilian and
Dutch nationals.
As such, analysts say Frances
repeated calls for clemency have
little chance of succeeding.
Politically, he [Mr Widodo]
has understood that Indonesians want a firm leader, and he
wants to show that he is a firm
president, compared to his
predecessor [Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono] who was known for
his indecision, said political analyst Yohanes Sulaiman.
Added to this, the death penalty
has considerable support in Indonesia among the elites and wider
population.
According to a poll conducted
by the Indo Barometer agency
among 1200 people last month,
more than 84 per cent of those
questioned were in favour of sentencing drug traffickers to death.
In any case, it is unlikely that
France or other countries whose
nationals are also on death row
such as Australia will impose any
serious sanctions on Indonesia,
Southeast Asias biggest economy.
After the first batch of
executions in January, Brazil and
the Netherlands recalled their
ambassadors in protest, though
the diplomats came back after just
a few weeks.
AFP

17

EU mulls militaristic
response to refugee
crisis

Bangladesh
factory collapse,
two years on

WORLD 18

WORLD 19

BEIJING

NEW DELHI

China
warns on
N Korea
nuclear
capacity
CHINESE nuclear experts believe
North Korea may already have a nuclear arsenal of 20 warheads and the uranium enrichment capacity to double
that figure by next year, the Wall Street
Journal reported yesterday.
The estimate, which the Journal
said was relayed to US nuclear specialists in a closed-door meeting in February, is significantly higher than any
previously known Chinese assessment.
It also exceeds recent estimates by
US experts which put the Norths current arsenal at between 10 and 16 nuclear weapons.
A leading expert on North Koreas
nuclear program, Siegfried Hecker,
who attended the February meeting,
said a sizeable stockpile would only
compound the challenge the international community faces in persuading
Pyongyang to denuclearise.
The more they believe they have
a fully functional nuclear arsenal and
deterrent, the more difficult its going
to be to walk them back from that, Mr
Hecker told the Journal.
The Chinese estimate reflects growing concern in Beijing about the nuclear ambitions of its errant ally, and
is the latest in a series of expert assessments that suggest Pyongyang is moving faster down the nuclear path than
previously thought.

The more they

believe they have
a fully functional
nuclear arsenal and
deterrent, the more
difficult its going
to be to walk them
back from that.
Siegfried Hecker
North Korea analyst

A recent report by US researchers

warned that North Korea appeared
poised to expand its nuclear program
over the next five years and, in a worst
-case scenario, could possess 100 atomic arms by 2020.
North Korea carried out nuclear
tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013, and has
an extremely active ballistic missile development program, although expert
opinion is split on how much progress
it has made.
In 2012, Pyongyang demonstrated
its rocket capabilities by sending a satellite into orbit, but it has yet to conduct
a test that would show it had mastered
the re-entry technology required for an
inter-continental ballistic missile.
The other key question is how close
the North is to being able to miniaturise a nuclear device that could be fitted
on the tip of a missile.
In a January white paper, the South
Korean defence ministry said the
North had already taken its technology
to a significant level. AFP

Reserve boosts tiger numbers

INDIA is planning more tiger reserves
across the country, bolstered by a recent survey that shows the big cats
numbers are growing, an official announced on April 22.
Environment minister Prakash
Javadekar announced in parliament
earlier this week that three more reserves have been approved in central
and eastern India, taking the total
number to 50.
The reserves will be set up in existing national parks in Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh and Orissa states where
villagers will no longer be allowed to
live or work, while buffer zones will
be established around them.
We will be adding three more reserves taking the number to 50, HS
Negi, inspector general of the governments national tiger conservation authority, told AFP.
Reserves have proved to play an
important role in the conservation of
tigers, he said.

India currently has 39,000 square

kilometres (15,000 square miles) under tiger reserves across 18 states.
Another 30,000 square kilometres are
designated as buffer zones, where villagers are allowed to live.
India announced in January that
2226 tigers had been counted across
the country, a 30 percent increase in
the population from 2010, when the
figure was 1,706.
At the beginning of the 20th century, India was home to an estimated
100,000 tigers but widespread hunting reduced the numbers to 1411 in
2006. India faces intense international scrutiny over its conservation efforts because it is home to more than
half of the worlds tiger population.
Authorities across Asia are waging
a major battle against poachers, who
often sell tiger body parts to the lucrative traditional Chinese medicine
market, as well as other man-made
problems such as habitat loss. AFP

A royal bengal tiger pauses in a jungle clearing on December 21, 2014 in

Kaziranga National Park. Photo: AFP

18 World

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 24, 2015

BRUSSELS

EU mulls
response to
trafficking
EU leaders gathering in Brussels today will consider launching a military operation against human traffickers in Libya, in a bold effort to
halt the deadly flow of refugees trying
to reach Europe by sea.
As survivors laid bare the full horror of last weekends catastrophic
shipwreck near Libya, a draft statement for the summit seen by AFP
committed leaders to undertake
systematic efforts to identify, capture
and destroy vessels before they are
used by traffickers.
The EUs top diplomat Federica
Mogherini is invited to immediately
begin preparations for a possible security and defence policy operation
to this effect, in accordance with international law, the draft added.
A diplomatic source said EU
members were preparing to approve
the statement, reflecting the unions
readiness to take more decisive action against people smugglers, who
pack rickety boats to overflying with
people fleeing conflict and hardship
in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo
Renzi on April 20 evoked the possibility of targeted interventions
against the Libya-based smugglers
that would fall short of a full military
intervention.
You cant be serious about this
problem if you dont take Prime
Minister Renzis proposals seriously,
though you have to go through the
legal and operational issues, said a
senior European official on the condition of anonymity.
If approved, the operation would
be the first time EU governments
used military force to fight illegal
migration.
No one is talking about boots

on the ground, a diplomatic source

cautioned, adding that a potential
requirement for UN backing would
depend on the reach of the mission.
This isnt a war.
EU leaders enter todays summit
under huge pressure to both check
the tide of migrants landing on European shores and provide greater succour to those whose boats run into
trouble at sea.
The draft also proposes that member states provide resettlement to
5000 migrants, but this is a small
fraction of the number that arrive on
the shores of southern Europe each
year.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan on April 22 contrasted his
countrys hosting of 2 million refugees from Syria with the EUs approach of letting the boats sink and
leaving them to their deaths.
The vast majority of the Libya
shipwrecks estimated 800 victims
were locked in the hold or the middle deck of the 20-metre (66-foot)
converted fishing boat when it collided with a Portuguese cargo ship
responding to its distress signal.
One of the 28 survivors described
nightmarish conditions on board.
Those who had the least money
were stuffed into the hold at the bottom, and locked inside, a Bangladeshi teenager identified as Abdirizzak told Italys Corriere della Sera
newspaper.
When the first collision happened
in pitch darkness, scenes of pure terror ensued.
Everyone was screaming, pushing, punching, elbowing terrified.
From below we could hear those
who were locked in shouting, Help,
Help!

Body bags lie in the sun on Brighton Beach as part of a demonstration by Amnesty International on April 22, in a bid to
raise awareness on the plight of refugees. Photo: AFP

Prosecutors in the Sicilian city of

Catania said they had asked a judge
to charge the boats Tunisian captain
with illegal confinement as well as
culpable homicide, causing a shipwreck and aiding illegal immigration.
The skipper, Mohammed Ali
Malek, 27, is alleged to have been
drinking and smoking hashish while
steering the boat. A Syrian crew
member Mahmud Bikhit, 25, is also
in custody.
The exact number of victims may
never be known as the wreck sank in
one of the deepest parts of the Mediterranean.
A further 1106 migrants landed on
Italys shores on April 22 after being
picked up at sea by the coastguard,
bringing the total currently housed in
reception centres around the country
to 70,507, according to the interior
ministry.
British Prime Minister David
Cameron is reportedly ready to offer
the services of a Royal Navy warship
which could seek to prevent migrant
boats from leaving Libya.

But experts question whether

such action, modelled on Australias
approach to its migrant crisis, could
be done without UN authorisation.
EU governments have already

Today we know that

the fact that there is
no effective rescue
operation in place
has not reduced but
rather increased the
number of people
who try to cross the
Mediterranean.
Antonio Guterres
UN High Commissioner for
Refugees

agreed to double the resources available to a maritime border patrol

mission, but that has been attacked
as too little, too late by refugee and
rights groups.
Today we know that the fact that
there is no effective rescue operation
in place has not reduced but rather
increased the number of people who
try to cross the Mediterranean, UN
High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said yesterday.
The April 19 disaster was the worst
in a series of migrant shipwrecks that
have claimed more than 1,750 lives
this year 30 times higher than the
same period in 2014 and nearly 5000
since the start of last year.
If current trends continue, there
could be 30,000 deaths at sea this year
and Italy will have to process 200,000
migrants landing on its soil, according
to projections by aid groups.
Italian officials believe there
could be up to one million refugees from Syria, Eritrea and subSaharan Africa already in Libya
hoping to board boats. AFP

SYDNEY

Final resting place: Campaign to bury ANZAC fallen goes on

ITS been a century since William
Boase was killed in World War Is disastrous Gallipoli campaign, but the
Australian soldiers family has never lost hope of giving him a proper
burial.
And now that two Australian
history buffs believe they have pinpointed the site of mass graves containing 143 Australian soldiers at Gallipoli, there are calls for authorities to
investigate.
There is a lot of pressure from
people who think, Theyre at rest,
why would you do anything? Mr
Boases descendant Allan Grant told
AFP from his home in Melbourne.
My answer to that has always
been, the family were never at peace.
The ill-fated Gallipoli campaign
begun on April 25, 1915, ended in defeat for Allied forces, with more than
11,000 Australian and New Zealand
Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers losing
their lives on the battleground, which
is now part of Turkey.
Many were hastily buried where
they died, others were interred by the
Commonwealth War Graves Commission in peace time.
After years of research, and guided by the diaries of two soldiers who
buried dozens of men, John Basarin
from the non-profit group Friends
of Gallipoli and retired Melbourne
school teacher Lambis Englezos believe they know where at least 143
soldiers lie.

Some photographs and personal effects of an ANZAC soldier are displayed in Mr

Grants home in Melbourne. Photo: AFP

I think we have a moral obligation to recover our war dead, says

Mr Englezos, whose research in 2008
helped uncover the graves of more
than 200 soldiers who died on another WWI battleground, Fromelles
in France.
You can ask any of the families
whove had their soldier identified at
Fromelles, he said.

Its very important that there is

closure. I believe that we have that
moral obligation they cant be left
in anonymous ground. If we can find
our war dead we should do it. They
cannot be a logistical or a financial
inconvenience.
Mr Englezos and Mr Basarin say
the diaries indicate that the Australians used the cover of night after the

second battle of Krithia, where Australians were sent to reinforce British

positions in May 1915, to go out and
recover the bodies and bury them in
two mass graves.
They cite Captain Percy Lay, who
wrote: And that night, we tried to
bury some of our dead. A party of us
put 57 in one grave, and Private Herbert Lloyd, whose diary records that
a burial party went out and buried
86 in one grave.
The terrain was very flat and
where there was a dip in the ground,
thats where they probably buried
them, Englezos said, saying this and
other physical clues have helped narrow down the possible grave sites.
Turkish-born Mr Basarin, who
first visited Gallipoli as a 10-year-old
child, said the Australian government
was informed about the possible
grave sites several years ago, but was
not inclined to test their contention
with a ground search.
For Mr Grant, giving Lance Corporal Boase, killed in action at Krithia,
the burial he deserves would honour a promise to his grandmother to
track down her long-lost brother.
My grandmother was seven or
eight when he went away and he was
just 19. And so he was her hero, he
said.
From being a little girl to right
through to when she was an elderly
woman, the biggest issue for her
was that they didnt know what had

happened to him or where he was.

Mr Grant, who has visited Gallipoli twice, tracked down some details
about Krithia, working out that the
men who were killed before they got
past the British trench into no mans
land had to have been gathered and
put somewhere.
And there was just no evidence
that there was a marked grave so
it was something that always intrigued me, he said, adding that he
hoped there would be some kind of
investigation.
The government will say its
too hard, which they thought about
Fromelles as well. The issue is, its
only the size of a tennis court, the
spot it wouldnt take too much to
do a little bit of a dig to see whether
there might be anything in there.
Mr Grant said the Boase family were torn asunder by what happened to them in World War I, the
loss of him, with the soldiers father
trying to enlist in his 50s and ending
up building air raid shelters in London and his older brother signing up
and coming home battle-scarred.
This family, this Boase family that
we talk about, went through some extraordinary things during World War
I and they are just a microcosm of
what happened to so many families,
he said.
But they werent going to forget
it. They were never going to forget
it. AFP

World 19

www.mmtimes.com
DHAKA

Rana Plaza factory collapse, two years on

HOLDING a photograph of her son
in one hand and a bone in another,
Mehera stands silently surrounded by
rubble at the site which once housed
Bangladeshs ill-fated Rana Plaza factory complex.
Her son Babu Mia, 23, was on
shift in one of the complexs five garment factories when it collapsed on
the morning of April 24, 2013, leaving
more than 1100 people dead in one of
the worlds worst industrial disasters.
The collapse triggered international outrage and put pressure on European and US brands who had placed
orders to improve the woeful pay and
conditions at Bangladeshs 4500 garment factories.
Two years on, nearly US$25 million
in compensation has been paid out to
survivors and relatives of the dead.
But Mehera, a widow who uses
only one name, is one of hundreds of
family members who remain in limbo
knowing in her heart that her son
is gone for good, but without a body
to mourn.
Babu, who was the familys sole
breadwinner, is one of around 130
workers who are presumed to have
died when the flimsy building imploded but whose bodies have never been
recovered.
Im convinced these are his bones,
said 55-year-old Mehera as she pointed to remains found amid the tangle
of concrete.
When I touched this fabric and
this bone, my heart told me it was my
sons. He was wearing his favourite
trousers that day, added Mehera as

she cradled a bone fragment embedded with tiny strands of black cloth.
And heres his finger, she said,
picking up another small bone.
Dozens of bones have been found
in the last two years, some of which
lie in piles and others left to poke out
from the rubble, bleached by the sun.
The sporadic discovery of remains
has fuelled the anger of relatives who
say authorities were too quick to send
in the bulldozers to shovel up most of
the debris.
By the time the three-week rescue
operation ended, a total of 1129 bodies
had been recovered.
Around 800 were handed over to
relatives after they were identified,
but 300 were buried en masse as
they were too badly decomposed to
identify.
A medical lab has since identified
some 200 of those buried in unmarked
graves by matching DNA samples with
relatives.
But Anwarul Islam Khandaker, a
government official whose office has
tallied the dead and missing, said 135
workers remain unaccounted for.
But there is no way of finding
them now, he told AFP. All the relatives can do is pray for the salvation of
their souls.
That means people like Mehera
and dozens other who have travelled
to the disaster site from remote villages ahead of the second anniversary
of the tragedy are unlikely to ever
achieve closure.
In the aftermath of the collapse
they spent months searching morgues

A Bangladeshi woman holds a laminated picture of a missing relative and a

bone fragment on the site of the former Rana Plaza garment complex on April 21.
Photo: AFP

on the off-chance that the bodies had

surfaced there.
Meanwhile, as a UN-backed trust
fund wraps up its task of compensating victims families, some relatives
have not received a cent as they have
been unable to prove that their loved
ones did indeed die.
Mojtaba Kazazi, head of the
Rana Plaza Claims Administration,
said relatives of people classified as
missing, presumed dead are among
the 3000 people to have received

compensation.
Relatives of some two dozen missing workers may have not been compensated as they could not back up
their claims with documentation, said
Mr Kazazi.
Weve included the relatives of
missing workers as much as possible
for compensation. But if anyone has
been left out, he or she should come to
us quickly, he added.
With the trust fund due to wind up
in June, time is running out for people

like Jahanara, who lost her 24-yearold daughter Nuri Begum.

Sat under the scorching sun at
Rana Plaza, Jahanara said she had
given up hope of getting any compensation as she cannot locate the right
paperwork, but is still desperate to
learn what happened to Nuri.
I come here every day, she said
as she took an AFP reporter on a tour
of the ruined site, which features a
makeshift memorial and pond.
Theres a fire in my heart that
brings me here. I am sure shes buried somewhere here, said Jahanara,
who like many Bangladeshis uses one
name.
The 50-year-old, who is also a survivor of the collapse, said she now has
to beg as she suffered leg injuries that
have made her too weak to work.
Ayesha Khatun has travelled for the
anniversary from the border district
of Kushtia as a tribute to her missing
daughter Nurjahan Khatun, 18.
All I want is to know the place
where she is sleeping, she said, adding
that she got only 51,000 taka (US$658)
as compensation, although some people received two million taka.
Campaigners say the trust funds
lifespan should be extended so it can
compensate more relatives of the
missing.
It would be a double tragedy if
these poor people dont get anything,
said Kalpona Akter, head of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity.
Its bad enough not to be able to
mourn your loved, without then losing
out on compensation. AFP

22 World

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 24, 2015

RIYADH

Judicial beheading
tally on the rise in 2015

IN PICTURES
Photo: AFP

People watch a high column of ash and lava spewing

from the Calbuco volcano from Puerto Varas, southern
Chile, on April 22. Authorities ordered an evacuation
for a 10-kilometre radius around the volcano.

SAUDI Arabia beheaded two people for murder on April 22, one of
whom was from India, the interior
ministry said.
Sajada Ansari, a shepherd, was
convicted of robbing his Saudi boss
as he slept and beating him to death
with a hammer, the ministry said in
a statement carried by the official
Saudi Press Agency.
The other convict, Saudi Mater
al-Rowaeeli, was condemned for
shooting dead his ex-wife and two
of their children.
Both executions were carried out
in the kingdoms north.
They bring to 65 the number of
beheadings by the sword this year
in Saudi Arabia, a surge that compares with 87 death sentences in all
of 2014, according to AFP tallies.
Drug trafficking, rape, murder,
apostasy and armed robbery are
all punishable by death under the

kingdoms strict version of Islamic

sharia law.
Amnesty Internationals 2014
global report on the death penalty
ranks Saudi Arabia among the top
five executioners in the world.
The interior ministry has cited
deterrence as a reason for carrying
out the punishment and says executing murderers aims to maintain
security and realise justice. AFP

65

The number of people beheaded by

sword in 2015 so far by Saudi Arabia

UNITED NATIONS

PESHAWAR

Stalled talks threaten

nuclear treaty review

Pakistan carries out

strike on Taliban

THE failure of the worlds

nuclear powers to make headway on
disarmament is threatening to unravel a landmark treaty coming
up for review next week, the UNs
disarmament chief warned on April
22.
The 190 countries that have
signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT) are opening a month-long conference on April 27 at the United Nations to take stock amid much gloom
over the lack of progress.
We have a stalling in the path
to a nuclear-free world, said Angela
Kane, the UN high representative for
disarmament affairs.
The nuclear-weapons states are
not living up to their side of the bargain, Ms Kane told a meeting with
the International Peace Institute.
Reached in 1968, the NPT has
been billed as a grand bargain be-

tween the five nuclear powers Britain, China, France, Russia and the
United States and non-nuclear
states which agreed to give up atomic
weapon ambitions in exchange for
disarmament pledges.
But 45 years after the NPT entered
into force, non-nuclear states are
feeling increasingly frustrated about
the outcome.
Right now, the non-nuclear states
need to be given the sense that they
are taken seriously, said Ms Kane.
Delegates to the NPT conference
are working on a document laying out
priorities on the disarmament agenda for the next five years, but some
diplomats have not ruled out that
disagreements could lead to a collapse of the conference.
Ms Kane warned that the next five
years will be crucial to ensure that
the NPT retains credibility.

She suggested that there be a

roadmap with targets that are not
far off in Never-Never-Land to reassure non-nuclear states that they
have signed on to a treaty that is
worthwhile.
Frustration over the slow pace of
disarmament has focussed on the
United States and Russia which have
made little effort on cutting their
nuclear arsenals since 2011.
A proposed nuclear weapons-free
zone for the Middle East has failed
to materialise despite a plan agreed
at the last NPT conference to begin
talks on the proposal in 2012.
Ms Kane welcomed the framework nuclear deal reached for Iran
and said it could give pause to the
nuclear threshold states that have
yet to join the NPT: Israel, Pakistan
and India.
AFP

PAKISTANS
military
yesterday
claimed to have killed at least 47 Taliban fighters in two days of airstrikes
in the restive northwest as part of
anti-insurgent offensives that began
last year.
The latest strikes hit the Datta
Khel area of North Waziristan tribal
district, close to the Afghan border,
considered a stronghold of Taliban
insurgents. The area has been repeatedly targeted by US drones in the past.
Twenty-two terrorists were killed
in precise aerial strikes late last night
in [an] area [close to] Datta Khel in
North Waziristan Agency, the military
said in a statement yesterday.
The military has been stepping
up its response Pakistans Islamist insurgency, which has claimed the lives
of tens of thousands of civilians since
2004 when al-Qaeda and Taliban militants fled from Afghanistan to its tribal
areas.
Yesterdays attacks come the day
after 20 militants were killed in the
Tirah valley of Khyber tribal district,

where the Pakistani Taliban and

Lashkar-e-Islam groups have strongholds.
In precise aerial strikes in Tirah,
Khyber, today, 20 terrorists including
three suicide bombers were killed.
Destroyed hideouts of terrorists including their ammo and ration dumps,
the military said in a statement late on
April 22.
In another incident on April 22, the
military said it had killed five insurgents in a search operation in Shakto
area of South Waziristan tribal district.
Khyber is one of seven autonomous
tribal districts along Pakistans mountainous western border. The military
began its latest offensive in Khyber
in October 2014, four months after a
bloody Taliban attack on Karachi airport ended peace talks and triggered a
similar operation in North Waziristan
district.
Both conflict zones are off-limits to
journalists, making it difficult to verify the number and identity of those
killed. AFP

GENEVA

GENEVA

Ebola virus spread

shows signs of slowing

Vaccine coverage far off track: WHO

MORE than 26,000 people have been

infected with Ebola since the outbreak
began and more than 10,800 have died,
says the World Health Organization.
The UN health body warned on
April 23 that the decline in confirmed
cases appeared to have stagnated, urging increased efforts to stop transmission of the deadly virus.
In all, 26,079 people have contracted the disease over the past 16 months,
and 10,823 of them have died, almost
all of them in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
After tearing through the three
countries like wildfire, the spread of
the virus has slowed to a crawl.
In the week leading to April 19, 33
new confirmed cases were reported,
with 21 in Guinea, 12 in Sierra Leone
and none in Liberia.
That compares to 37 new confirmed
cases the week before, and 30 the week
before that.
The decline in confirmed cases of
Ebola virus disease has halted over the
last three weeks, the WHO said in its

latest report.
To accelerate the decline toward
zero cases will require stronger community engagement, improved contact
tracing and earlier case identification,
it said.
On the bright side, Liberia, once the
hardest-hit country, has reported no
new cases of Ebola since the last confirmed case died on March 27 and was
buried a day later.
If no new cases emerge, Liberia
should be declared Ebola-free on May
9 - 42 days or two incubation periods
after the burial of the last confirmed
victim.
The situation was mixed in Guinea.
The 21 new confirmed cases there
marked a decrease from 28 a week earlier, and only one new confirmed case
was reported in the capital Conakry,
down from six the week before.
Fewer than half of new cases came
off lists of known Ebola contacts in the
week leading to April 12 and last week,
three cases of the disease were only discovered post mortem. AFP

ONE-FIFTH of the worlds children

are still not receiving routine life-saving vaccinations and efforts to ensure
global immunisation coverage remain
far off track, the World Health Organization said on April 22.
Nearly 22 million infants, many living in the worlds poorest countries,
missed out in 2013 on the routine
vaccine against diphtheria, whooping
cough and tetanus (DTP3), WHO said,
citing the latest available data.
And nearly half of them are in
three countries: India, Pakistan and
Nigeria.
This is of grave concern, said JeanMarie Okwo-Bele, head of WHOs vaccine unit, pointing out that there are
still 1.5 million premature deaths due
to vaccine preventable diseases each
year.
Today WHO is calling for the global community to close the immunisation gap and the unnecessary disability and deaths caused by the failure to
vaccinate, he told reporters in Geneva
ahead of World Immunisation Week,
which starts today.
The world has made great
strides in recent decades in raising

immunisation rates from as low as

five percent in some countries in the
mid-1970s to a global average of 84
percent in 2013.
And 129 countries boast immunisation levels above 90 per cent, with
vaccines estimated to save as many as
3 million lives each year.
But Mr Okwo-Bele warned the progress had been plateauing in recent
years, despite a commitment in 2012
by all WHO members to a plan to ensure all children are immunised.
There are a number of reasons for
the lack of progress, including the cost
of vaccines, weak health systems and
lack of access in poorer countries.
Armed conflicts and insecurity also
limit access, as do emergencies like
the west African Ebola outbreak, with
recent, unverified numbers indicating
that immunisation levels in Guinea,
Liberia and Sierra Leone dropped as
much as 30 pc at the height of that crisis, Mr Okwo-Bele said.
Also in developed nations, where
coverage is generally high, there are
pockets where rates are low, as recently emphasised by measles outbreaks in
the United States and other western

countries.
Researchers said last month immunisation rates as low as 50-86 pc had
made the US outbreak possible.
In wealthier countries the low rates
can be due to the fact that many of
the deadly diseases being vaccinated
against rarely appear, and are no
longer feared, allowing complacency
to set in.
The vaccinations are victims of
their own success, said WHO senior
health adviser Philippe Duclos.
A number of parents also refuse to
vaccinate their children against measles, mumps and rubella, claiming it is
responsible for increasing cases of autism a theory repeatedly disproven
by a range of studies.
WHO meanwhile said global immunisation coverage varies greatly
between different kinds of vaccines,
with 84 pc global coverage for DTP3,
polio and measles, but only 14 pc for
rotaviruses, the most common cause
of severe diarrhoeal disease.
Millions of children remain at risk
of illness, disability or death because
they are not getting the immunisation
they need, it warned. AFP

FREE

HOW TO GET A FREE AD

HOW TO GET MORE BUSINESS FROM

AS LITTLE AS K.5,000.

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

BuY SpAce ON THeSe pAGeS

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

General
Education
SAYA Saw Aung (Ex.A.P)
Chemistry Classes for
Int'l School (sec-levels),
IGCSE, Cambridge Int'l
AS & A Level & SAT-2,
Ph: 09-500-5470.
NEEd
A
TUToR?
Homework
help
&
tutoring in English,
Maths,
Physics,
Chemistry. 12 years
experience. Only Ks
150,000 per month. Ph:
39298, 09-732-55281.
cHEMiSTRY Teacher
Saw : Edexcel, Cie & SAT
2 II. Ph: 09-500-5470.
HoME TUTioN & Guide,
For Pre KG, Primary
and Secondary Level,
Special in Maths, Tr. Daw
Khin Swe Win (B.E.H.S
Thuwunna) Rtd. Ph: 09730-99679,
AN
ExpERiENcEd
English Tutor is looking
for private students
or teaching classes
at schools (5 years
experience in teaching,
all ages and levels). I
offer fun and interactive
classes for a reasonable
price. If interested, lease
text or call:09-252394112.
SpEciAl for Math,
Geometry, Algebra &
Calculus. For Int'l school
(ISY, ISM, YIS & ILBC)
Grade V to XII. If you
want to be outstanding
in Math,Please contact :
Tr.Kaung Myat BE(PE).
Ph:09-731-42020, 092533-70400, Email :
kaungmyatoo251@
gmail.com
lcci Level 1 + 2 & 3,
(Home teaching & old
question prepare for
exam) Ph: 09-421134427.
pHYSicS Tutor needed
for year 12 international
school student. Ph: 09502- 2834.
ENgliSH ( home tuition),
speaking,
grammar,
issue. letter, academic
writing. SAT. TOEFL.
IELT.GCE,
IGCSE.
GMAT four skills . local
& international school
English : English for
Japaneses
children
and adult - home tuition
courses are available
now. You can contact to
SayaU Kyi Sin (Mumyint
Thar) Ph:09-4210-67375,
www.kyisinplb.
blogspot.com
STUdY gUidE, Need
help with your studies?
I can ensure that you
have that extra time and
attention you need to
succeed. I am a qualified
tutor, with stright A's in
GCE A levels and four
gears of experience,
tutring students of Grade
5 ~ 12, GCE O and A
levels, Sat and IELTS.
Ph: 01-253543, 09-5190543.
MATHEMATicS
Teaching : Students
(Grade 1 to 9 from
YIS, ISM, ISY, Yangon
Academy,
MIS
&

MISY) who are weak

in Mathsand dont
know how to solve the
problems. Guide : only
Maths for IGCSE O
Level students who will
sit for the exam in 2015.
DawNaingNaingAung,
B.Com (Q), No. (6),
Thuketa St, Baukhtaw,
Yankin. Ph : 544594,
09-500-4993.
gUidE for 2nd M.B.,B.S,
Students, Ph: 09-32121352, 09-517-3808.
pRiMARY - International
school, Private school:
Kg to Primary 4 home
guide. Ph: 09-420033613.
igcSE, GCE, SAT,
PHYSICS. Saya U M
T (since 1984). Ph: 09730- 52859

Expert Services
THiN THiN AUNg,
USA. Certified Public
Accountant, B.S in
Accounting. Have 15
years of accounting
services in various
industries (healthcare,
Insurance,
retail,
trading, etc.) in America.
Expertise in and provide
following
servfices;
Business formation and
setup for the foreign
companies. Business
consultation (i.e, joint
venture and investment
opportunities). Monthly
and yearly closing of the
Company's books and
records in international
Standards)
(IFRS
compliance). Accounting
training for companies
and
individuals.
Financial planning and
forecasting for the setup
companies and already
established companies.
Prepare consolidated
financial statements for
the group of companies
to see bigger picture of
their companies financial
status as a whole. Please
feel free to Contact at
(Tel)-09-97490064.
TiN TiN lATT, Certified
Public
Accountant
Finance Profectional
40 years' expserience
in Government, NGO
& company accountin,
audition & finance,
Audition
(external/
internal),
Financial
management,
NGO
Financial Management
training and on the job
accounting training. Ph:
09-2506-49443, Email :
dorothytintinlatt@gmail.
com. Bldg 221, Rm 2,
Yanshin Rd, Yankin.
wE do SERVE interpret
English-ChineseMyanmar for movies,
project datas & files.
Serving translate English
- C h i n e s e - M y a n m a r.
Teacher Mr. William Lin
(Taiwan) YUNAN DIP,
IDCS, BM, TW CIVIL &
IT Top one (Interpreting,
Translating & Teaching
Language
Class)
Yangon. Ph: 09-421147821, 09-79580-7548
ToUR gUidE Service,

If any prospective
tour operator needs
a licensed guide in
English. Please contact
Mr David, 44 st, 3 Flr,
Natchanug , Tamwe. Ph:
09-30199028.
UNioN
MiSSioN,
Computer Troubleshoot
ing & Repair, Windows
Os Installation, Anti Virus
& Software Installation,
Office & Internet Cafe
Network
Contracts,
Wireless Networking
Setup,
Router
&
CPE
Configuration,
Server Installation &
Configuration, CCTV
System solutions &
Installation service. Ph:
09- 2527-06 016
wElcoME to contact us
for serving & translating
your business cases.
(1)Seminar, (2)Training
(3)Projects. Contact ~
Teacher Mr. William Lin
(Taiwan) 09-4211-47821
Zcl(Y.U.f.l), Translation
Service : Translate from
English to Myanmar,
Myanmar to English. Ph:
09-2506-66325. email
atar1990@gmail.com
TRANSlATiNg
&
Interpreting Service: Part
time service for English to
Burmese to English. For
business Correspond
ing, Emails, Faxs &
letters. Conferences &
business communities
for Local companies and
offices. Service offered
in person, by phone and
fax, mobile and emails.
Phone: 09-2540-43372
MYANMAR
Access
Int'l Co., Ltd provides
the following services.
ISO
Implementation
Programme, HR Develop
ment
Programme,
Hospitality
Manage
ment
Programme,
Project Management
Programme, English
Training Programme.
Ph: 09-731-18749, 09732-40764 or email :
zinminpon@gmail.com,
kaungsanthu1994@
gmail.com

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

For Sale
AiR coMpRESSoR,
Product type: GA 907.5,
Serial number: ARP
881188, Max. final
pressure (e) .. bar 7.5
Interstage pressure (s)
(e) .. bar, Motor power:
kW....... 90 Max. speed:
..... r/min.... 1500, Year of
manufacture: .... 19 90,
Made by Atalas Copco
Airpower n.v. Wilrijk
Belgium. Ph: 09-4217
-44300
REd liNK Yadnapon
internet, Ph:09-421744300.
EMBASSY'S Furniture

Property
(second hand) Please
contact Tel: (01)652344, mobile : 09-5033739 Email: tztztz780@
gmail.com

General
g l o M E d
Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.
www.glomedvn.vn

Language
ENgliSH ( home tuition)
speaking,
grammar,
issue. letter, academic
writing. SAT. TOEFL.
IELT. GCE, IGCSE.
GMAT four skills. local
and international school.
English for Japaneses
children & adult - home
tuition: courses
are
avail e now. you Can
contact to Saya U Kyi Sin
(MUMYIT THAR) Ph:
09-4210-67-375, www.
kyisinplb.blogspot.com
ENgliSH for professional
purpose is the need
of principle of written
English.Writing ought to
be easiest of the four skill
for students of English
as a Second language,
unlike
listening
&
reading, the student is
control with the words.
However writing class
often the opportunity
to see growth. to share
important ideas and
to develop sense of
community. . If you had
tried as much as you
can to follow the lesson
and you will get good
experiences and skill.
Middle school students
can study in a small
class. Spanish is also
inquired. U Thant Zin,
28-3B, Thati Pahtan
St, Tamwe. Ph: 09-5035350, 31021314,.
AN
ExpERiENcEd
Chinese
(Mandarin)
teacher here in Yangon,
Myanmar. I have over
6 years teaching in
Singapore. Please do
not hesitate to contact
me for an evaluation.
Im a professional
teacher who will help you
improve your speaking,
reading and writing
skills. I use Singaporean
text books and Chinese
speaking/conversation
books for teaching
speaking, reading and
writing in Mandarin.
Im available MondaySunday with a flexible
schedule. I also teaching
Myanmar language to
all Foreigner. Elizabeth
Bao Shi :09-516-2988,
also SMS.
A Two MoNTH English
specking
classes,
Parents desiring to hire a
tutor or send their children
to teacher's classes
(Tamwe/Downtown) are
requested to contact
soon. Limited learners
only. Ph: 09-301-99028.
ENgliSH for int'l school
students who want to
practice or improve
their English including
literature and language
art (principle of written
English) for SAT . If you
had tried as much as you

can to follow the lesson

and you will get good
experiences and skill.
This program will help
you capability and fill
your luck of knowledge..
Middle school students
can study in a small
class. U Thant Zin,
28-3B,Thatipa Htan St,
Tamwe. Ph:09- 5035350, 09-310-21314,
09-319-24423
lEARN
fRENcH,
Myanmar, English and
Tamil in a month. Limited
seats. Ph: 09-30199028.
iM an experienced
Chinese
(Mandarin)
teacher here in Yangon,
over 6 years teaching in
Singapore. Please do
not hesitate to contact
me for an evaluation. Im
a professional teacher
who will help you improve
your speaking, reading
& writing skills. I use
Singaporean text books
& Chinese speaking/
conversation
books
for teaching speaking,
reading & writing in
Mandarin.
MondaySunday with a flexible
schedule. I also teaching
Myanmar language to all
Foreigner. Ph : 095-95162988
AN Ex- ENgliSH high
school master is tutoring
in English and Myanmar
languages for individuals
or a small group. For
further details, pls
phone: 09-301-99028.

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

Training
MANdAlAY Computer:
Computer for Kids,
Basic Accounting for Job
I-Office , Advanced Excel
Course, DTP Course
MYOB Software, Peach
Tree Software, Window
Shortcut Course, Email
& Internet Course Mp3,
Mp4, Video Editing,
Multimedia
Course.
Ph:09-4440-11279(MDY)
ART BASic, Perspective,
Interior Design, Exterior
Design & Colour Theory.
Learn Art 5 months to be
a professional architect.
Only 2 months for Special
classes. Home tuition
also available. New
Vision Art Gallery and
Center,No 132 lift no: 4
Bagaya Rd, Sanchaung,
Shann Lann Bus top, Ph:
09-2542-57911

Public Notics
pHYSicS
TUToR
needed for Year 12
International
School
student. Ph: 09- 5022834
coMMUNiTY Partners
International, Yangon
office relocated to the
following address- No.
(12/B), Hnin Si Lane,
Parami Road, Chaw dwin
gone, Yankin Township,
Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: +
95 1 657909

Sell / Rent
KAMAYUT,
Diamond
Condo, Pyay Rd, 1600
sqft, 1MBR, 2BR, 3A/C,
f.f, 4300 Lakhs & 35
lakhs, Call owner: 09518-8320

Housing for Rent

VERY NicE coNdo,
Thiri Avenue, Taw Win
St, 9 Mile, Mayangone.
1350 sqft, 2 MBR, 1
BR, Living room, shrine,
dinning room,kitchen,
Varandah, 4th Flr, Lift
own car park, security
and waste management.
Fully furnished. Only for
foreigners, one year
basic contract. Please
contact : 09-5000621,
01-200581.
MUdiTAR coNdo flat,
Fully furnished 2, bed
room, 2.7,lakhs/month.
First to see will lease.
Ph:09 4236 60602.
Email:vtchit@gmail.com
(1)NAwARAT Condo,
1200 Sqft, 1MBR,
1BR, f.f, $1500. (2)Kan
Yeik Mon Condo, 1500
Sqft, 2MBR, 1BR, f.f,
$1500.
(3)University
Yeik Mon Condo, 1500
Sqft, 1MBR, 1BR, lift,
$1500. (4) Yadanar Htun
Condo, 1360 Sqft, 2BR,
2AC, Ph, lift, $850. (5)
Classic standard Condo,
2000 Sqft, 2MBR, 1BR,
f.f, $2500. Ph: 09-421072150, 09-7963-02109.
7 MilE (Near - Bank
/ Market / Shop)
Bungalow Type, One
Bed Room, Two Beds
Room, Fully furnished,
Car Parking / Laundry
Service / Cleaning
Service are available.
Weekly, Monthly, Yearly
For 1 Month Rental : 900
USD. Enquiry (Office
Hour 9 am to 5 pm)
Contact : 09-4217-43
770.
BAHAN, (1)Shwe gone
daing Rd, new condo,
20'x70', 1MBR, 2SR, ph
line, aircons, good for
both residence & office
USD 1000 per month.
(2)Pent house condo
near Kandawkyi lake.
lake view. 5 bedrooms,
furnished, wooden floor.
aircons. USD7000 Per
month. - 09-9769-05901
KAMAYUT, (1)Pyay Rd,
70'x75', 2 storey building.
3MBR, good for either
office, showroom or
shop, ph line, waircons,
US 10000 per month.
(2)University Rd, new
condo, 2000sqft. 1MBR,
2SR. furnished, hot
water system. generator
line. Security system.
USD 3700 per month. (3)
Inya Rd, 50'x50' 2 storey
new house. 1MBR, 2SR.
furnished. car garage.
US 4000 per month. Ph:
09-9769-05901
MAYANgoNE, 7 Mile,
Pyay Rd. t/sp, 0.7 acre
land, nice lake view, big
lawn. 2 storey nice old
house, 3MBR, ph line,
semi furnished, USD
5000 per month. Ph:099769-05901
(1)7 MilE, single house,
2 RC, 2MBR, 1SR, fully
furniture, USD 4500. (2)
8 Mile, single house, 2
RC, 2MBR, 1SR, fully
furniture USD 7000. (3)
Near Russian Embassy,
2 RC, 2MBR, 1SR , fully
furniture USD 15000. Ph:
09-2527-03331
(1)Bo YAR NYUNT St,
2500 sqft, 1MBR, 2SR,
fully furniture USD 3000.
(2)Near United Living
Mall, 1500sqft, 1MBR,
2SR, USD 1500 (3)
Shwe Ohn Pin housing,
1500 sqft, 1MBR, 2SR,

no furniture. USD 1500.

(4)8 Mile, Prom condo,
2500sqft, 1MBR, 2SR,
fully furniture, USD
4000. (5)Near China
Embassy, Golden rose
condo, 2500 sqft, 2MBR,
1SR, fully furniture USD
4000.(6)Chanthar Gone
Young condo, 2500 sqft,
1MBR, 2SR, USD 2500.
(7)University Avenue Rd,
Takatho Yeikmon Condo,
1250 Sqft, 1MBR, 2SR,
fully furniture, 2500 USD.
Ph: 09-2527-03331.
BoTATAUNg, 46th St,
6 Flr, 25' x 60', 1500
sqft, 3 Bedrooms, 2
toilets, 3 A/C & fully
furnitures. US$ 700 or
kyat 750,000/month. Ph:
09-514-2988.
HlAiNg THAR YAR,
Punhlaing Golf Estate,
Lake view condo(C),
702, 2255 sqft, 2 Bed
Rooms + 1MBR, fully
funished, direct ph line
+ extation line, (2)Lake
view condo(C), 802,
4176 sqft, 3 Bed Rooms
+ 1MBR, fully funished,
direct ph line + extation
line, Negotiable. Ph: 09730-26390 (Nilar Win
Maung) 09-2543-11756
(Aung Lwin).
BAHAN, Near Chatrium
Hotel, Po Sein Rd, 2
RC house, 3 rooms
with toilet, 3 AC, 2
Cable phones, internet
available, wide car
parking. US$ 2300 per
month. Please contact
:09-7944-40510, 09312-87827.
coNdoTEl , Condo with
hotel services: (1)1850
sqft 1MBR, 1SR@
Bahan.
2800US$/
month.
(2)1750sqft
2MBR, 2SR@ Tamwe.
2800US$/
month.
(3)1650 sqft 1MBR,
2SR@
Tamwe.
2800US$/ month. (4)
1650 sqft 1MBR, 2SR
@ Mayangon. 4000US$/
month.
(1)NEAR 50 ST, 1200
sqft, 1MBR, 1SR, fully
furniture. USD 1200. (2)
Near Park Royal Hotel,
1850 sqft , 2MBR, 1SR,
fully furniture USD 3200.
(3)Near Park Royal
Hotel, 1875 sqft, Hall
type ,1 1/2 storey, G flr,
good for open shop, USD
5800. (4)Near United
Living Mall, 1200 sqft,
2MBR, fully furniture
USD 1500. (5)Pearl
Condo, 1800 sqft, 2MBR,
1SR, fully furniture, USD
2500. (6)7 Mile, U Kyaw
Hla St, 3 RC, Hally type,
good for office, USD
4000. (7) New University
Avenue Rd, Ag Da Kong
condo 1200 sqft, 1MBR,
1SR, fully furniture
USD 2500. (8)New
University Avenue St,
1800 sqft, 2MBR, 1SR,
fully furniture USD 2500.
(9) Minda Ma condo,
2200 sqft, 3MBR, fully
furniture, USD 5000. Ph:
09-2527-0 3331.
RETAil Shop Space
Available, 250 sqft.
Heavy
foot
traffic.
Suitable for takeaway,
beauty saloon and
fashion shops. Bahan
Township.Prominent
Center. Ph:09-4303-0
288. Email : slee888@
gmail.com
officE
SpAcE
Downtown,
Modern
office space at an
affordable price. 1,356
sqft, so would be large
enough for staff and to
facilitate a meeting room
and a kitchen. Located
on the 11th floor it has
24 hours security and
a back-up generator.
Price- $3,500. Ph :09314-91678.

BAHAN
Condo:
Conveniently located
in Pearl condo, a 20
minute
drive
from
downtown or from the
airport. There are many
shops and restaurants
in the building and the
property can be used
for both commercial and
residential purposes. It
has 2 master bedrooms,
one single bedroom with
one common bath and
has 1,550 Sqft of living
space with a great view.
Price:$2,600. Ph:09314- 91678
BAHAN,
Affordable
Single family home:
off Sayasan Rd, in
residential area, it is
completely remodeled
recently in western
style. 3MBR, 2SR, 4
bathrooms total with
A/C in every room. It
has a nice lawn with
space large enough for
7-8 car parking. Home
size is about 3500 sqft,
land size is about 7,000
sqft Price- $3,500. Ph :
09 2543 82482.
officE SpAcE To lET
3100 sqm available over
5 floors in a 12-storey
building with car park,
restaurant, multi function
hall and apartments.
Please contact - Ph:
09-2523-59355.
Email : office-mm@
uniteammarine.com,
web: www .facebook.
com/officespaceyangon

Housing for Sale

2 TAUNggYi Plots for Sale
(1)Regularly-shaped plot
of 0.25 acres @ Yay Aye
Kwin Ward for MMK
9,000 Lakhs ; (2) 0.11
acres @ Yay Aye Kwin
Ward with 2-storey house
and good view for MMK
3,000 Lakhs. Interested
buyers
or
brokers
in Taunggyi, please
email to pdecfinance@
gmail.com or call 09262702844.
EAST dAgoN, VIP 11
quarter, 40' x 60', Gayan,
550 Lakhs. Negotiable,
Ph: 01-500064, 094480-03146.
(1)BAHAN, 483, Ayeyeik
thar
Condo
(2-B),
Ayeyeikthar 2nd St, New
University Ave,, 2000
sqft, 2nd flr, 2MBR,
Kitchen Room, Living
room, Fully decorated,
Tile/ Parquet flooring,
Own
meter,
Own
generator/ Motor, Utilities
fully equipped, Own car
parking. Price 4950
lakhs. (2)Sanchaung,
39, Zayyathukha St, 4th
Flr, 625 sqft, Hall type,
Tile/ Parquet flooring,
450 Lakhs. Tel: 09-5135533, 09-510-3053, 092505-74308.
TAUNg gYi, Bayar Phyu
Quarter, 50' x 55', 150
lakhs, Negotiable, Ph:
01-500064, 09-448003146
lUxURY
coNdo,
Between Mahabandoola
Rd & Merchant St,
Nawarat Condo, Big
car parking, Lift 5 no,
security - Satellite TV
System, firesafety, gym,
Spa Room; Function
Room, Libary , Coffee
Lounge, 1450 sqft, Ph
:09-519-7133, 09-5173086

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

FREE

THE MYANMAR TIMES april 24, 2015

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

Ingo Position
thE Int'l Rescue
Committee (IRC) is
seeking
(1)senior
M&E Officer 1 post in
Hpa-an, Kayin State:
University degree in data
management & analysis,
project management,
statics or relevant sector.
3 years experience.
Fluency in English. (2)
Finance Assistant 1
Post in Paletwa Tsp,
Chin State : University
degree in Accounting,
Business Administration,
Commerce or Finance.
2 years of accounting
professional experience.
Experience with various
PC and financial related
software (spreadsheets,
accounting packages).
(3)Health
Training
Officer in Paletwa Tsp,
Chin State : Medical
Doctor
(M.B.,B.S).
1 years' experience
in community based
health care and training
health staff. Good
command of English &
Myanmar. Experience
user
of
Microsoft
Office Package. (4)
Reproductive Health
Project Manager in
Paletwa Tsp, Chin
State : Medical degree
with
public
health
background/ Master of
public health or post
graduate diploma in
public health is an asset.
5 years experience
in managing primary
health care services,
sexual and reproductive
health care services.
Operational
skilled
on Microsoft Office
Package. Fluency in
English/ Chin (Khumee)
written and verbal skill
is fabourable. 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 :
24 April 2015.
(1)
translator
(Chinese)
M/F
3
Posts - Any degree.
Computer skills, good
communication skills,
knowledge at Project
and office environment.
Fluently Speak, read
and write in Mandarian
and
Myanmar.
(2)
Site Engineer/ Draft
man (Project Base)
M/F (5) Posts - B.E
(Civil). English 4 Skills
and Computer (Word,
Excel, Power Point),
Auto CAD 2D, 3D. (3)
Human
Resource
Manager - M/F 2 Posts
: Minimum Bachelor
Degree, preferably in
HRM and MBA would
be advantage. 5 years
and above experienced
in HR specializing field.
Good communication
skills in English. (4)
Sales and Marketing
Manager - M/F 4 Posts
: Any bachelor degree. 3
years experience in sales
and marketing field. (5)
General Manager - M
2 Posts - Any graduate.
MBA Degree, Fluent in
English 4 Skills, 10 years
experience. (6) Driver M 2 Posts. Please submit
applications with detail
and complete CV, recent
photo, copy of NRC card,
certificates of other
qualifications. certificate
of graduations, labor
registration card, copy
of census, credential

of polices station with

expected salary to 2nd
Flr, Bldg (C), Pearl
Condominium, Corner
of Sayar San St & Gabar
Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan,
Yangon,
psn.chrd@
ayswco.com, Closing
date 31-4-2015.
( 1 ) a c c o u n ta n t
(Press) - 1 Post (2)
Store Assistant - 1
Post
(3)Supporting
Officer - 1 Post. Please
send application letter,
CV & related documents
to
Myanmar
Red
Cross Society (Head
Office)
Yazatingaha
Rd,
Dekkhinathiri,
Nay
Pyi
Taw.
Ormrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com
www.
myanmarredcross
society.org
MyAnMAR RED Cross
Society is seeking
Legal Adviser 1 post,
MRCS Head Quarter
Nay Pyi Taw/Yangon :
Bachelor of Laws and/
or an Attorney-at-Law
qualification, involving
a professional degree
related to international
law.
4-5
years
experience. Confirmed
skills in the following
fields:
representing
an institution, public
speaking & presentation
skills, legal drafting,
analysis and synthesis,
negotiation & networking.
Fluent in both Myanmar &
English. Good computer
skills.
Knowledge
& experience of Int'l
Humanitarian Law highly
desirable. Knowledge
of the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent
Movement and of the
latter's organisation,
legal and regulatory
framework and modes of
operation. Please send
application letter, CV,
and related documents
to Myanmar Red Cross
Society Head Office:
Yazathingaha
Rd,
Dekhinathiri, Nay PyiTaw.
Or mrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com
www.
myanmar
redcross
society.org.
communIty Partners
International
(CPI)
is seeking human
Resource and Admini
stration Director in
Yangon : Bachelor's
degree required in
Human
Resources,
Business Administration,
or related field. 10 years
experience in HR and
five as an HR Manager
or Director with an
INgO. Excellent written
and verbal English skills
required.
Burmese
language skills preferred.
Experience
working
in Myanmar strongly
preferred. Interested and
qualified applicants can
submit CV and a cover
letter to via ZipRecruiter
(add ink) or by email to
hr.ygn@cpintl.org by
May 01, 2015.
communIty Partners
International (CPI) is
seeking Health Systems
Strengthening/ Health
Information System
Director in Mae Sot,
Thailand : Master's
degree
in
health,
public health, health
economics, or health
policy. 5 years of proven
experience
directly
related to HSS/ HIS.
Knowledge of Microsoft
Access, STATA, and/
or ArcGIS. Fluency in
written and spoken
English. Interested and
qualified applicants can
submit CV and a cover
letter to via ZipRecruiter
(add link) or by email
to hr.ygn@cpintl.org by
May 01, 2015.
tErrE des hommes
Italia (TDH-It) is seeking
MCn Field Officer
(Based in Yenanchaung
&
Natmauk)
:
Experienced Midwife,
Nurse or Medical Doctor.
3 years of experience in
Maternal and child health
& nutrition programmes.
Good written and spoken
English & Myanmar. Fully
computer literate in MS
Office Package. Please
submit application with
completed information
about current job and

expected salary incl.

CV, photo, references
by email or by postal
service to Terre des
Hommes Italia: TDH-It
Country Office: 48, Shwe
Hinn Thar St, 11 Ward,
Hlaing, Yangon. Tel:
654604. Email: hr.tdhit.
mya@gmail.com

Local Positions
yangon International
School is looking for
candidates for the
following positions (1).
IT network Engineer :
Must have a degree in IT
and be able to manage
the local area network,
server functions and
organizations,
user
systems the installation
of all front-end (user) and
back-end (infrastructure)
school-wide technology
systems, peripherals,
apparatus & software.
3 years experiences. (2).
Admissions' Assistant
: Customer service
experience.
Good
command English and
Myanmar. Familiarity
with international schools
will be an advantage.
Qualified and interested
candidates may send
their CV forms to Mr.
James at james@
yismyanmar.com
or
117, Thumingalar Rd,
Thumingalar housing,
Thingangyun, Yangon,
Myanmar.
Ph:
01
578171, 09420163769.
The position is open
until filled.
DVB Multimedia Group
is seeking human
Resource Officer - M/F
in Yangon : University
Degree preferably in
Management, Public
administration or relevant
combination of academic
qualifications. Preferably
3 years' experience
in administrative and
human
resources
management working
with NGOs or similar
positions in private
sector. Ability to act
independently to identify
and analyze problems
& recommend effective
solutions.
Computer
literate and extensive
experience in working
with Microsoft Excel
& Word. Preferably
spoken and written
English. High level of
social communication
skills/interpersonal skills
and good skills in teamwork. Flexibility and
positive attitude with a
good sense of humour!
DVB has a competitive
compensation package.
Please
submit
an
application
letter
detailing why they
are interested in the
position and an updated
CV including contact
telephone
number,
education qualifications
and contact details to:
Email: admin@dvb.no
sKy
JEt
Multi
Construction Co., Ltd
is seeking (1)Project
Engineer - M/F 2 posts
: BE (Electrical), Auto
cad, M& E dratwin, 5 year
experience in Electrical
power projects, Salary
based on experience (2)
Business Development
Engineer - M/F 1 post :
BE (Electrical) or higher,
5 years experience, M&E
knowledge is essential.
For 1 & 2 : Salary
based on experience.
(3)Site Engineer - M
2 posts : A.GTI/B.
Tech/B.E(Electrical), No
experience require, Must
travel to the project site.
(4)Draft man - M/F 1
post : A.GTI/B.Tech/
B.E(Civil),
Autocad
2D, 3D, M&E drawing,
3 years experience,
Please submit CV,
photo with necessary
documetntst o 153,
G Flr, 50 St, Upper,
Pazundaung. Closing
date : within 2 weeks.
g star hotEl is seeking
(1)Driver - M 2 Posts (2)
Waiter - M 10 Posts (3)
Room Attantant - M/F
3 Posts (4)Bell Boy - M
1 Post (5)Cashier - F
3 Post (6)Public Area
cleaner - M/F 2 Posts (7)
Receptionist - F 3 Post

(8)m&E (Maintainess) - M
1 Post. For new branch
at Thaketa G Star II is
seeking (1)Waiter - M
10 Posts (2)Cashier - F
3 Posts. Please submit
CV with necessary
documents to 20/b, c,
Thukhawati St, West
Yankin, Yankin. Ph:
09-32109590, 09-32109591. Closing Date :
15 .5 .2015.
WE
arE
seeking
Translator : 3 year
experience,
Strong
knowledge of legal
terminology, Positive
working
attitude,
interpersonal
&
communication skills,
Good awareness of
current affairs, cultures
and politics, It is an
advantage to have a
knowledge of and/or
interest in specialist
areas such as law,
politics/government/
public administration,
economics, marketing
and financial affairs.
Interested candidate
please send CV to ppo@
kcyangon.com with Last
drawn, expected salary
& availability period.

curriculum vitae to ppo@

kcyangon.com
WELL ESTABLISHED
Hotel in Bagan is looking
for Sales & Marketing
Manager (Yangon) M/F 1 Post : At least
5 years experience
in similar position,
Efficient in Computer,
Excel & Word, Mature,
assertive & posses
strong managerial &
Leadership skills, Wellorganized,
Flexible.
Should be fluent oral and
written English. Please
send the CV with 1 recent
passport photos, Labour
Registration card and
relevant certificates to
Rm 2H, 1st Flr, Nawarat
Condo, Sa Mon St, 22/24,
Pyay East Qtr, Dagon
Tsp, Yangon. Email.
gm@tharabargate.
com
or
bodsec@
hoteltharabarbagan.
com.mm Closing date :
30 . 4. 2015.
GLOMED PHARMACEu
tIcal Co., INC is
seeking
(1)Sales
Manager - Male 1 post
in Yangon: Excellent
in English. Determines
sales
plans
by

GREAT GOLDEn Glory

Co., Ltd, A Leading
Chemical distribution
company is seeking
for self - motivated and
dedicated staff for the
following positions. (1)
Sales
Coordinator
- M/F 1 post : Any
graduate, Chemistry
or Business related
subjects more preferred,
Age 25 ~ 35 years. (2)
Accouontant - F 1 post
: Graduate in B.Com,
CPA or related subjects,
Age 25 ~ 40 years, (3)
Logistics - M 1 post :
Any graduate, Age 2- ~
35 years, Good driving
skill. (4)Driver - 1 post
: Good communication
& driving skill. All above
positions, except for the
driver, must possess the
following qualifications
: Fluent in written &
spoken English, Good
computer skill, 3 years
experience in related
field. Please submit CV,
photo with necessary
documents to 85 ~ 87, 3
Flr, 32 St, Pabedan. Ph:
387366, 387431. Email
3g@ggglory.com.mm,
3gmyanmar@gmail.
com. Colsing date : 15
May 2015.
KELVIn CHIA Yangon
Ltd is a foreign legal
consultancy firm. We
invite motivated and
committed individuals
to join us as
(1)
Lawyers
who
will
work on a variety of
corporate & commercial
matters & transactions
in Myanmar. If you are
a Myanmar-qualified
lawyer with strong
English language skills,
you are invited to apply
to join our Myanmar
practice group. Myanmar
nationals admitted to intl
bars are also welcome
to apply. Training will be
provided. (2) Corporate
Affairs
Executive
As a corporate affairs
executive, you will
be
involved
with
business development,
networking,
market
research and liaison
work.
Applicants
should be proficient
in English, energetic
& self-motivated. All
nationalities are welcome
(Myanmar, Japanese,
Korean,
Chinese,
Taiwanese, etc). Please
email application and

implementing marketing
strategies; analyzing
trends
&
results.
Establishes
sales
objectives by forecasting
and developing annual
sales quotas for regions
and territories; projecting
expected sales volume
for existing and new
products. Implements
national sales programs
by developing field
sales action plans.
Completes
national
sales
operational
requirements
by
scheduling & assigning
employees; following
up on work results.
Maintains
national
sales staff by recruiting,
selecting,
orienting
employees. Maintains
national sales staff job
results by counseling and
disciplining employees;
planning, monitoring,
and appraising job
results. Willing to go on
business trip in the whole
Myanmar. (2)Medical
Sales Representative
(MSR) : male/female 4
posts in Yangon, 2 posts
in Mandalay, 1 in each
other State in Myanmar:
Approaching and making
good relationship with
customers.
Recom
mending & selling
products to customers in
pharmacies in appointed
area. Collecting market
information and reporting
to Sales Manager. Details
will be discussed in the
interview. Some other
tasks will be given by
the direct manager. (3)
Office Admin - female 1
post in Yangon : English
speaking. Coordinates
administrative activities
and
supports
the
offices daily operations
to ensure efficiently
office admin function.
Contacts with the vendor
to carry out indirect
purchasing
process
such as car rental, the
apartment lease, HOTEL
BOOKING, air tickets.
Coordinates logistics
for the expatriate such
as visa/working permit/
residence
permit/
apartment lease agree
ment. Arranges travel
and logistics for internal
parties. Checks all
expenses relate to
travel report and creates
weekly/travel report in
SAP system. Arranges

appointment/meeting
when necessary. Other
miscellaneous duties as
assigned by Superior.
CVs should be sent
by email to : giang.
glomedvn@gmail.com;
C/c to: Congkhanh.
nguyen@glomedvn.
com
H/P: +95 92
5200 2759 Mr. Giang
(English speaking) +959
261 779 889 Mr. Khanh
(English speaking) Add.:
35th str., 1st floor, middle,
Kyauktada,
Yangon.
www.glomedvn.vn
WE arE seeking (1)
Production Manager
- M 1 post : Need
to hold a degree of
A.G.T.I (Mechanical),
3 years experience in
related field, Age 30
~ 55 years old, Well
knowledge in modern
furniture & furniture
installation & production.
(2)Marketing Manager
- M/F 1 post : Have
to understand project
sales, retail marketing
&
other
marketing
tools and technique.
4 years experience in
Decorative
Materials
and
Construction
materials industry. (3)
Project Coordinator
(Interior)- M/F 1 post
: Able to set
project
timelines & coordinate
different parties. Well
knowledge in modern
furniture & furniture
installation & production.
3 years experience in
interior scope of work. (4)
Project Manager- M/F 1
post : Have to manage
the projects (Interior
Decoration, Renovation,
and Construction) also
timelines, procurement,
materials and labor.
A.G.T.I (Civil) or B.E
(Civil). 5 years experience
in related field. Well
experience in high-rise
construction, at least 6
storey. Well knowledge
in steel structure, precast building & modern
building techniques. Able
to set project timelines
& coordinate different
parties. Familiar with
construction methods
& building codes. (5)
Assistant HR Manager M/F 1 post : Any graduate,
5 year experience, HR
knowledge, Computer
skills & also reporting skill.
Good communication
skills. Self-motivated,
independent thinkers and
willing to work under team
environment.
Please
submit CV, photo with
necessary documents to
HR Department Zware
Group of Companies
(DeArch Co., Ltd, Live
Life Co., Ltd, Builder
Group Co., Ltd, MBIG)
440, Waizayantar Rd (at
the corner of Waizayantar
Rd & Thit Sar Rd), South
Okkala, Yangon. Tel: 951565911, +951-8551294,
+959-73117966 www.
zwaregroup.com
Email:
recruitment@
zwaregroup.com
hogo
is
seeking
Technical Marketing/
Sale Marketing, 3~5
Posts in Yangon : Any
Bachelor's degree or
diploma in any field with
good command in IT.
Candidateshaveexcellent
using experience at iPad,
iPhone, Android Smart
phone and SmartTV will be
an advantage. Minimum
2 years' experience with
sale or marketing in
networking/ CCTV field.
Any interested candidates
should submit not later
than 30th April along with
CV and recent passport
photo to HOGO Yangon
Business Consulting Co.,
Ltd. No.(71), Ground
Floor, (5th) St, (2) Ward,
Lanmadaw,
Yangon.
Email : hogobusiness@
gmail.com
sIngaporEan
Construction Company
in newly, will be starting
project in Myanmar soon
is seeking QS Engineer
1 Post M/F : Minimum
5 years experience in
related fields, Preparing
BoQ, doing bills payment,
Providing local supplier
contacts. Please send
CV to 2014thanda@
gmail.com within two

weeks.
asIa plaza hotEl
is seeking (1)sale &
Marketing Manager M/F 1 Post. (2) Assistant
FO manager - M/F 1 Post.
(3)Sales & Marketing
Executive - M/F 2 Posts.
(4) FO Supervisor - M/F 2
Posts. (5) F&B Manager
M/F 1 Post. (6)Chief
Accountant - M/F 1 Post.
(7) g.s.o (Guest Service
Officer) - M/F 1 Post. (8)
HR Assistant - F 1 Post.
Must be interesting, strive
and in the long term for this
position. Please apply
with CV form, Photo,
Expect salary, Certificate
& other attachement
copy. Asia Plaza Hotel,
Yangon : 277, Corner of
38th & Bogyoke Aung San
Rd, Kyauktada, Yangon.
Ph:391070, 391071.
mytcl is currently
seeking (1)Document
Assistant/Warehouse
Assistant - M/F 3 Posts
:Age 23 ~ 35 years, Any
University graduate, Good
communication skills both
in Myanmar and English.
Fluency in Myanmar
and English language.
Good Computer skills
in particular for Data
processing & analysis, MS
Office, Email & Internet,
etc. Honesty, reliability,
hardworking and be a
good team player. One
year experience. Please
submit the application
letter with full CV detailing
experience, knowledge
& skills, one passport
photo, copy of all relevant
certificates,
labour
registration card, NRC
card & recommendation
letter from police station
to Administration Depart
ment : Myanmar Yang Tse
Copper Limited, Yangon,
70(I) Bo Chein St, Pyay
Rd, Hlaing, Yangon. Tel:
01-514194~7,
Email:
yangtse@yangtse.com.
mm , Note: Employment is
always subject to passing
an MYTCL Medical
Examination. Colsing
date : 24 April 2015.
EnglIsh
tEachEr
in Language School :
Responsible & reliable,
Efficient and resultoriented,At least 3 years in
teaching, Willingness and
capacity to accommodate
when faced with difficult
and frustrating working
conditions,
Able and
willing to travel in Yangon.
Interested applicants are
to send their current C.V
with recent photo and
fixed a day for interview.
Send to jatojamie@gmail.
com or call 09-450050725.
EXO TRAVEL is seeking
(1)Admin
Assistant
(Logistics) : Any degree
holder or equivalent
qualifications, Able to use
Microsoft office programs
comfortably. Relevant
work experiences would
be advantageous. Hard
working and team player.
Able to commit overtime
when necessary. (2)
Travel Consultant :
2 years experience in
tourism related field, Proactive & Team spirit, good
organizational & problem
solving skill, Excellent
interpersonal skills &
communication skills,
Strong sales & customer
service focus, Computer
proficiency : Microsoft
word, Excel, & Outlook,
Good communication in
English/French (Written
& Spoken ). (Only those
with a genuine interest
in joining a professional
travel company for
long-term commitment
need apply.) Interested
candidates are invited to
sendadetailedresumeHR
Manager at memecho@
exotravel.com or mail to
147. Shwegonedaing St,
West Shwegonedaing,
Bahan, Yangon, Tel: + 95
(0) 1 8604933
zWarE group is
seeking (1)Marketing
Manager - M/F 1 post
(2)Project Coordinator
(Interior) - M/F 1 post
(3)Project Coordinator
(Civil Structure) - M/F
2
posts
(4)admin
Assistant - M/F 2 posts
(5)Civil Engineer - M/F 2
posts (6)Office Secretary

- M/F 1 post (7)Assistant

HR Manager - M/F 1 post
(8)Marketing Assistant
- M/F 3 posts (9)Office
Staff - M/F 2 posts
(10)Senior
Quantity
Surveyor (Head of QS)
- M/F 1 post (11)Project
Coordinator - M/F 1 post
(12)Sales Engineer M/F 1 post (13)Driver
- M 1 post (14)general
helper - M 1 post (15)
Store Keeper - M/F 2
posts. Please submit CV,
photo with necessary
documents to 440,
Waizayandar St, Corner
of Thitsar Traffic point,
South Okkalarpa. Ph :
01-565911, 01-8551294.
Email:
recruitment@
zwaregroup.com
Int'l Accounting & Law
firm is seeking (1)Junior
Associates, LL. B or LL.
M - F 3 posts. (2)CPAs - F
2 posts. (3) Accountants,
B Com, Level II, Level III - F
3 posts. (4) Receptionist
& Secretary - F 2 post.
For all posts: Ages 22
~ 35, Fluent in English,
Excellent negotiation &
communication skills,
Computer skills. Please
submit CV to alex.
hwang@polaris.com.mm
myanmar accEss
International Co., Ltd
is seeking Marketing
Executive : 2 year
experience in marketing
field, Age 25 years
and above, Must be
able to speak & write
English, Must be able
to use Ms & Power
point, Well organized &
result-oriented. Contact
us- zinminpon@gmail.
com, sunandar91072@
gmail.com. Ph:09-253062042, 09-732-40764.
constructIon
company is urgently
seeking for Office
staffs - 3 posts : Male
or Female, Age between
25-35, Any Graduate/
Degree Holder, Minium
(2 ~ 3) years working
experience, for the
materials in construction
field, computer skills,
internet, email, Able
to speak Myanmar &
Chinese OR Myanamr &
English. please contact
09 - 4303-1641
WE
arE
seeking
Experience Teacher :
Yanagon English centre
run by ex-pats requires
teachers with skills in
delivering
corporate
training. Contact think
in English @ 09-425026102, for ph interview.
Kh hotEl Yangon is
currently seeking self
motivated, dedicated
and potential candidates
for the following posts;
(1)Sale & Marketing
Manager - M/F 2 posts
: University graduate,
Excellent
English
communication
skill,
written & spoken, 3 years
experience in relate field,
Good personality. (2)
M&E Technicians - M 3
Posts : Must have related
certificates or Diploma
or B.Tech, 2 years
experience in hospitality
industry, Must work shift
duty. Please submit CV
with relevant documents
to KH Hotel : 28, 7 Miles,
Pyay Rd, Mayangone,
Yangon. Ph: 01-652989,
01-653358, 01-653359.
JAPFA
COMFEED
Myanmar Pte Ltd is
seeking
(1)senior
Accountant : B.Com
(or) CPA, Age under
50, Have knowledge
& experience on tax &
regulation of Myanmar,
(2)Accountant : B.Com
(or) LCCI level 3, 3 years
experience, Computer
literate & accounting
knowledge
(3)Chief
Finance : B.Com, 4 years
experience, Knowledge
& experience on cash
& finance, Knowledge
on banking sustem.
(4)Office staff : Any
graduate,
Computer
literate (Microsoft office),
(5)Driver : 3 years
experience in driving, can
drive for ferry / foreigner,
English literate. Contact
01-652536,
652544,
or submit CV to 37,
Kabaaye
Pagoda
Rd, Inya Lake Hotel
Compound, East Wing.

26 Sport

THE MYANMAR TIMES April 24, 2015

FANTASY FOOTBALL

Can you pick a winner?

his saturday sees the relaunched General Aung

san shield get under way
and with it The Myanmar
Timess first football predictions competition.
On April 25, MNL-2s, 2nd-place horizon face 4th-place Mawyawday FC in
a rematch of the bad-tempered affair
that closed out the first half of the regular season competition on March 27.
As that game kicks off at Thu-

1st Round

Round of 16

wunnas Youth Training Centre venue

across town at the Aung san stadium
hantharwady United will face Pong
Gan FC, also at 4pm.
Youll need to predict the winners
of that and 19 other matches to win
our prize to be announced later in
the week and of course more importantly bragging rights over your
friends until the next competition.
sport Editor Matt Roebuck and
reporter Kyaw Zin hlaing will also

Quarter Final

be putting their necks on the line by

atemmpoting to predict the outcome
of this years competition, though of
course they will only be playing for
bragging rights.
The games over the first weekend will be worth two points each
for every correct selection. With six
games that means 12 points are up
for grabs.
Those in the Round of 16 will also
be worth two points but after that

Final

Semi Final

points double, meaning that 16 points

is the top score from the games to be
played between July 11 and 14.
The quarter-final and semi-final
rounds will also be worth 16 points
each, with a correct selection being
worth four and eight points respectively in each round and the correct selection of the final winner on October
25 should one of your teams make
it will bag you 16 points.
You can download a copy of the

Semi Final

Quarter Final

Yadanarbon
Mawyawady

Match 7

Match 1

???

???

Match 8

???
???

???

Match 19

Magwe

???

GFA

Match 10

University

???

Match 13

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

???

???

Yangon Utd

Year

Winner

result

runner-up

2010

Okktha United*

31

Southern Myanmar FC

2011

Yangon United

50

Nay pyi Taw FC

2012

Ayeyawady United

10

KBZ FC

2013
2014

20

Match 5

Best Utd
???

Match 18

Dagon

Cancelled due to SEA Games

Ayeyawady United

southern

???

Nay pyi Taw FC

???

Match 6

Match 14

Rakhine Utd

Nay Pyi Taw

*renamed Hantharwady United

ENTRY FORM

Myanmar Times Fantasy Football

General Aung San Shield 2015

Entrant Name: ...........................................................................................................

Email Address: ..........................................................................................................
Telephone Number: ...................................................................................................
Address: ....................................................................................................................

Instructions

Match 4

Match 12

Manaw Myay

Match 20

???

Match 16

Match 3

???

Match 21

Chin Utd
Myawady

silver stars
???

Ayeyawady Utd

???

KBZ

Match 9

1st Round

Match 11

Match 17

???

hantharwady Utd
Phong Gan

Round of 16

Zeyar shwe Myay

Match 15

???

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

Zwekapin Utd
???

horizon

Match 2

entry form at www.mmtimes.com and

e-mail it to sport@mmtimes.com or
alternatively you can fill out this form
below and deliver it to the Myanmar
Times head office at No 379/383 Bo
Aung Kyaw street, Kyauktada township, Yangon.

1. Complete the form below by inserting the name of the side you believe will win each match (Match 19 and
20 the semi-finals will be played over two legs but counted in our competition as a single fixture.)
2. Write only the name of the side you believe will win. For instance if you believe Mawyawady FC will win
Match 1, write their team name. If you believe they will then go on to beat Yadanarbon FC in Match 7, then
again write Mawyawady FC do not write Winner of Match 1.
3. Points will be awarded as follows: First Round 2 point for each correct selection (12 total points possible)
Round of 16 2 points for each correct selection (16 total points possible)
Quarter Final 4 points for each correct selection (16 total points possible)
Semi-Final over two legs 8 points for each correct selection (16 total points possible)
Final 16 points for each correct selection (16 total points possible)
* Do not fill in the points column this is for administrative purposes only.
4. All predictions must be made at the beginning of the competition, if you incorrectly predict the two finalists
then you will be unable to score any points in Match 21.
5. Deliver your entry to Myanmar Times, No 379/383 Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon by
Friday 24th April, 5pm.
Alternatively download this form from www.mmtimes.com and e-mail the form below to sport@mmtimes.com
by Saturday 25th April, 2pm.

Match

Team 1

Team 2

Mawyawady FC

horizon FC

hanthawady United

Phong Gan FC

Myawady FC

GFA FC

silver stars FC

University

southern Myanmar FC

Best United

Dagon FC

Rakhine United

Yadanarbon FC

Winner of Match 1

Winner of Match 2

KBZ FC

Magwe FC

Chin United

10

Winner of Match 3

Yangon United

11

Zwekapin United

Zeyar shwe Myay FC

12

Winner of Match 4

Ayeyawady United

13

Manaw Myay FC

Winner of Match 5

14

Winner of Match 6

Nay Pyi Taw FC

15

Winner of Match 7

Winner of Match 8

16

Winner of Match 9

Winner of Match 10

17

Winner of Match 11

Winner of Match 12

18

Winner of Match 13

Winner of Match 14

19

Winner of Match 15

Winner of Match 16

20

Winner of Match 17

Winner of Match 18

21

Winner of Match 19

Winner of Match 20

Winner
Prediction

Points*

Sport
28 THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIl 24, 2015

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

Join the fun in our Fantasy

Football competition
SPORT 26

LETHWEI

Washington
to kick back
KyAW ZIn HLAIng
kyawzinhlaing.mcm@gmail.com

merican fighter cyrus

Washington will return
to myanmar in July to
face one-time asian muay
champion maung Too
the 2013 Sea Games muay gold
medallist who now goes by the fight
moniker Too Too.
Washington, 33, most recently
packed out the Thuwunna indoor
Stadium on april 11 for his fifthround defeat to Lethwei champion
Tun Tun min. That fight was the former muay World champions third
under myanmar traditional rules
after having previously beaten Tun
Tun min and dominated a draw with
Saw nga mann.
But the american hopes to return
to the Golden Land twice more this
year, first meeting the 23-year-old Too

Too before returning to potentially

meet Tun Tun min once more in a December grudge match.
after his april defeat, cyrus
told me he wants to fight more bigname myanmar boxers, U Wunna,
spokesperson for fight organisers myanmar media Group told
The Myanmar Times.
i want to show these foreigner
boxers how much talent we have in
this country. This fight with Too Too
will be a great spectacle. He is young
but he is also undefeated.
The December fight with Tun Tun
min is yet to be confirmed, cyrus has
laid down the challenge to the champion and as they have a win each i
think a decider is needed, he added.
Before the July fight, Too Too will
travel to Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, to meet Slovakian fighter igor
Danis in may 15 in a fight held under
Lethwei rules.

Cyrus Washington on the ropes in his Thuwunna Indoor Stadium Thingyan fight against Tun Tun Min. Photo: Zarni Phyo

ATHLETICS

Islamic school bans running over virginity fears

an islamic college in australia is under investigation after claims that its
principal has banned girls from taking
part in running competitions because
they might lose their virginity.
Victoria state education minister James merlino said april 23 that
if true, the claims made by a former
teacher at melbournes al-Taqwa college would be very concerning.
i have asked the schools regulator,
the Victorian registration and Qualifications authority, to investigate, he
said in a statement.
The former teacher wrote to government ministers this week alleging
the principal [Omar Hallak] holds

beliefs that if females run excessively,

they may lose their virginity, The Age
newspaper said.
The principal believes that there
is scientific evidence to indicate that if
girls injure themselves, such as break
their leg while playing soccer, it could
render them infertile.
in a statement made late on april
23, Hallak denied the allegations and
said girls were encouraged to participate in all activities, subject to parental consent.
We do not believe that running
excessively may cause female students
to lose their virginity or that sporting
injuries could render them infertile,

the statement added, according to the

newspaper.
The statement did not directly
address claims that girls from the
colleges primary school had been
blocked from taking part in some district events.
The Age published a letter that appeared to be written by the colleges
cross-country team to Hallak challenging his decision to reportedly stop the
primary schools team from competing
in events in 2013 and 2014.
Just because we are girls doesnt
mean we cant participate in running
events, the letter said, adding that the
decision was really offensive to all the

girls that were going to participate.

it also doesnt say that girls cant
run in the hadith [sayings of the
Prophet mohammed]. as long as us
girls are wearing appropriate clothes
we can run.
al-Taqwa college is believed to be
Victoria states largest islamic school
and had 1701 students enrolled last
year, according to government data.
The co-educational independent
school takes in students up to 18 years
old, and received more than a$15 million (US$11.6 million) in government
funding in 2013.
it is not the first time Hallak has
made headlines.

The principal told The Age last

month that he had instructed students
not to join islamic State as the jihadist group was a plot by israel and the
United States to gain control of middle
eastern oil.
They are trained and equipped by
them: [The] evidence is all the shiny
new equipment, Hallak was quoted as
saying. We dont believe muslims are
creating iS.
He added that killing innocent people was not the islamic way.
Federal education minister christopher Pyne reportedly wrote to the
school seeking an explanation for Hallaks iS comments. AFP

wEEKEND
THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 06 I APRIL 24-30, 2015

Dive into summer

Exploring Myanmars
underwater world
Drying off: Highlights from
this years Thingyan festival

contents

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

summer cooking

t
ho
s
p
To
People fly their kites
to form the shape of
a car in the sky on
the beach in Berck,
northern France, on
April 20, during the
29th Rencontres
Internationales de Cerfs
Volants (International
Kite Meeting) which runs
from April 18 to 26.
Photo: AFP/Philippe
Huguen

6-7

Cooking nam tok

the natural way in
Laos
The recipe for a
perfect summer

FEATURE

10-11

Thingyan highlights
A look back at the
best moments from
this years festival

TRAVEL=

16-17

Myanmars
underwater
safaris
Diving in Ngapali
and the Myeik
Archipelago

Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd.

www.mmtimes.com

arts & entertainment

Summer music festivals become big business

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Your weekly guide to events in Yangon

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wEEKEND | ARTS&entertainment

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 06 I APRIL 24 - 30, 2015

I scream for ice cream

Michael Massaias melted abstract art recontextualises drippy summer spills

and plays tricks on the brain while doing so
BY JONATHAN JONES

RT and food have an ancient

and mysterious relationship.
Artists have been depicting
what they eat since the Ice Age
the bison and mammoths in cave
paintings were food for paleolithic
hunters.
Yet theres more going on here
than meets the eye literally. When
we look at images of food, more than
one sense is involved. The tastebuds
kick in, the tummy reacts. Art can
perform a bizarre mental trick by
depicting food; it can operate on
the part of the brain that perceives
flavours.
Ive just realised this while
looking at pictures by photographer
Michael Massaia of melting icecream lollies. These photographs
make me think about art and food
but not in an appetising way. In
fact, they make me feel physically
sick. The photographs claim to find
the flowing colours of abstract art
in puddles of melted, multicoloured
ice cream. Lets agree for the sake of
argument that they do. But the effect
on me (it may have a different effect
on you) is literally nauseating. I cant
look at these pictures for long.
Theres something base and
revolting about these swirls of
lurid colour. It is the sense of
decomposition. Its like looking at
a sticky, melted ice-cream on the
pavement. Add a few flies and the
image would be complete. Why is
this abstract food so disgusting?
In fact, it reveals why artists have

Photos: Facebook/Michael Massaia

so often depicted food. The collapse of

these treats into a sickly mess reveals
by contrast how the pleasures of
looking at a still life painting depend
on tickling our tastebuds.
In the 17th-century paintings of
Juan Snchez Cotn, for example,
celery, lemons and apples are
organised in crisp, clear, solid
arrangements that have a powerful
three-dimensional substance and
a captivating sense of order. Art
historians find religious allegories
in Cotns arresting works, but
a lot of their power comes from
the simple pleasure of displaying
pristine, unspoiled foodstuffs. That
same sense of completeness food
ready to go makes me want to go
to McDonalds after looking at Tom
Friedmans sculpture Big Big Mac.
Works of art like these make me taste
apples or burgers, and want to go get
some. Photos of melted ice cream,

The collapse of these

treats into a sickly
mess reveals by
contrast how the
pleasures of looking
at a still life painting
depend on tickling
our tastebuds.

meanwhile, make me go green.

Theres obviously a confusion
in our brains between looking and
tasting. Thats why we like food to
be beautifully presented a lot of
running a restaurant is about the
visual presentation of food, and at
home we all want to cook in a world
reminiscent of a still-life painting.
The structured presentation of food
in still life is an ideal image, a perfect
vision of food thats fresh and good.
The chef and artist? Heston
Blumenthal experiments with the
psychological mysteries of flavour,
playing the sound of the sea to diners
who order his fish pie. The pie is
visually crafted to actually look like
the sea foaming on the shore.
With these pictures of melted
ice-cream, all that rich, interrelated
seeing and tasting gets mashed up,
spat out, regurgitated and stamped
into the ground. Honestly I feel
sick.
I need to go and look at a painting
of a glass of water.

The Guardian

SUMMER MOVIES

With Avengers: Age of Ultron leading the way,

this summer could be the biggest ever
ANOUSHA SAKOUI

HE summer box office is

looking especially ripe for
Walt Disney and Universal
Pictures as industry sales for the
season head toward a record US$5
billion.
Disney kicks things off May
1 with Avengers: Age of Ultron, a
sequel that could be the biggest film
of the summer and possibly the
year, and also has Inside Out, its first
Pixar feature since 2013. Universals
Jurassic World opens June 12 and
the animated Minions a month later.
Those four alone could sop up
about 30 percent of ticket sales
this summer, the busiest time
for theatres, based on estimates
by BoxOffice.com. The robust
slates from Disney and Comcasts
Universal mean a tougher slog for
competing films even in a season
that researcher Rentrak says will set
a record, rising as much as 20pc and
beating the $4.75 billion mark set
in 2013.
Universal and Disney clearly
have the best films this summer,
said Eric Wold, an analyst who
follows theater chains for B Riley &
Co. Those are the two leaders and
Fox and Warner Bros have nothing
of the size to compare.
The latest from Disneys Marvel

Studios, Age of Ultron will open with

domestic weekend sales of $217
million, breaking the record set by
its predecessor The Avengers, which
collected $207 million, according
to BoxOffice.com. Chief analyst
Phil Contrino said it could generate
$567 million in US and Canadian
cinemas. Ultron is outselling the
first Avengers in advanced ticket
sales, according to Fandango.
Pixars all-new Inside Out is
forecast to record $60 million
in first-weekend sales and $250
million during its domestic run
in theatres, which would make it
the summers fourth-biggest. The
animated feature, in theatres June
19, tells the story of a girl whose
emotions come to life in her head,
with voices provided by comics Amy
Poehler and Mindy Kaling.
Disneys other summer releases
are Ant-Man, from its Marvel
catalogue, and Tomorrowland, a
George Clooney film named after
one of the companys amusementpark attractions.
Disney and Universal declined to
comment on their summer movies.
Ticket sales for all of 2015 are
widely predicted to set a record,
with domestic revenue possibly
growing as much as 6pc to more
than $11 billion.
Reaching that number hinges on
summer films releases from May 1

to Labor Day weekend that typically

account for 40pc of the annual box
office. In past years, studios have
released big films in April to avoid
cannibalising each others ticket
sales.
The strength of Disney and
Universals film slates combined
implies this summer will be a record
high and could push the year to a
record high, said Laura Martin, a
media analyst at Needham & Co.
This summers sales will benefit
from a mix of sequels and new
pictures that could spawn their
own long-running series, Contrino
said. Some of the best franchises
that exist are hitting right in the
summer.
Universals slate may be led by
Minions, a spinoff based on the
small yellow creatures from the hit
Despicable Me films. According to
BoxOffice.com, the movie will be
the second-biggest of the season,
with $90 million in its first weekend
and $375 million over its full run. It
opens July 10.
Jurassic World, the reawakening
of the Steven Spielbergs Jurassic
Park franchise, will garner $85
million in its debut and $260
million in total in North America,
according to BoxOffice.com. It
stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas
Howard.
Universals advantage is the

breadth of its summer offerings,

including six under its namesake
brand and four from its Focus
Features unit. Among them: sequels
to the lower-budget hit comedies
Ted, with Mark Wahlberg, and
Pitch Perfect. It covers a lot of the
audience, Contrino said.
Disney and Universal wont
have the summer all to themselves.
Paramount Pictures, owned by
Viacom, revives the Terminator
series with Terminator Genisys on
July 1 and follows four weeks later
with Mission: Impossible Rogue
Nation, starring Tom Cruise. The
latters forecast to be the summers
fifth biggest, generating $210
million in US and Canadian ticket
sales, according to BoxOffice.com.
Paramount declined to comment.
Universal and Disney will
probably overtake Time Warners
Warner Bros and 21st Century Foxs
film unit as domestic leaders in the
second half of the year, Martin said.
Warner Bros had its best first
quarter ever with the success of
American Sniper, said Dan Fellman,
president of domestic distribution
for Warner Bros film unit. Unlike
2013, when it led the summer, the
studio this year will be without films
based on DC comics.
Fellman predicted Magic Mike
XXL would be one of the summers
hits. The studio also has a reboot of

the Mad Max series called Mad Max:

Fury Road, with Tom Hardy and
Charlize Theron. It will be released
May 15.
I anticipate well have a strong
summer even without a traditional
franchise film, Fellman said.
The first Magic Mike was a 2012
summer hit, collecting $167.2
million worldwide and costing just
$7 million to make.
Fox, which led the box office in
2014 with X-Men and Planet of the
Apes, has the Marvel-based The
Fantastic Four this summer and the
new comedy, Spy. Our calendar
year likely wont beat last years,
which was the biggest in our history,
but 2015 will still be one of our
top years at the box office, Chris
Aronson, president of domestic
distribution for Foxs film division,
said in an interview.
Sonys major releases this
summer include Pixels, featuring
Adam Sandler and Kevin James.
The studios top film this year is
likely to be the James Bond feature
Spectre, due in November. The
studio declined to comment on its
slate.
Martin said all the studios
could gain from a record summer.
Theatre traffic begets more theatre
traffic, she said. It is not a zero
sum game.

Bloomberg

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | ARTS&entertainment

Summer music festivals become big business

Music fans dance at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2014 in Indio, California.
Photo: AFP/David McNew

HE music industry has faced

more than a decade of financial
woes but in one area business is
soaring festivals.
Music festivals have witnessed
a boom in the past few years, with
new events proliferating that cater
to every taste and region in what has
become a vital source of revenue and
publicity for artists.
Coachella, often considered the
tastemaker of US music events,
opened on April 10 in the southern
California desert at the start of the
busiest season yet for festivals.
I think music festivals are
basically the future of the industry.
Its the only area where you are really
seeing a lot of growth, said Parag
Bhandari, the head of UG Strategies
which recently launched the Uphoric
digital television network dedicated
to covering the global festival circuit.
Its really the last area in the
music industry where there is real
money to be made for artists, he said.
Among the most ambitious
newcomers is Rock in Rio USA, which
will take place over two weekends in
May at the brand-new 13-hectare (33acre) City of Rock grounds on the
Las Vegas Strip.
A spinoff of the major Brazilian
festival, Rock in Rio USA seeks to
tap a niche by offering a lineup of
mainstream giants including pop
superstar Taylor Swift and metal
veterans Metallica.
Coachella and two other
longstanding US festivals Bonnaroo
in Tennessee and Lollapalooza in
Chicago both have their roots in
1990s alternative culture and market
themselves as staging grounds for
emerging stars.
Also for the first time on the
calendar this year are the Festival of
the Desert, a classical event near the
Coachella grounds led by Paris Opera
music director Philippe Jordan; the
Eaux Claires festival in Wisconsin

dedicated to innovative music and

curated by Bon Iver frontman Justin
Vernon; and several new country
music festivals.
Other festivals have sought to
differentiate themselves not by lineup
but by amenities, with San Franciscos
Outside Lands seeking to attract
gourmets through its selection of food
and drink vendors.
While much of the growth has
been in the United States, festivals
have been sprouting up around
the world including in Europe,
where Englands Glastonbury was
considered the pioneer of modern
music festivals.
Lollapalooza this year is
expanding to Europe with a Berlin
edition, after already starting sister
festivals in Argentina, Brazil and
Chile.
Not all festivals have succeeded.
Kanrocksas in the Kansas City area
folded after poor ticket sales and
Lollapalooza called off an expansion
to Israel.
But industry watchers expect
strong growth as festivals sprout up
for uncatered niches and regions.
San Francisco-based company
Eventbrite said it managed tickets
for 50,000 music or other festivals
worldwide in 2014 up 50 percent
from just a year earlier.
We are not seeing signs of slowing
down any time soon, said Martina
Wang, head of music marketing at
Eventbrite.
A key driving factor is the tastes
of the millennial generation, with an
Eventbrite study in 2014 finding that
one-quarter of university students
had attended a music festival in the
previous year.
When it comes to millennials
money, we are finding that buying
experiences trumps buying things,
Wang said.
More than three out of four said
they would buy a desirable experience

(Above and below) The crowds gather at 2013s Glastonbury Music Festival. Photos: Charlotte Rose

over a desirable thing, like the latest

gadget, she said.
Barring major flops, festivals offer
guaranteed audiences and revenue
for musicians, who rarely expect
significant payouts from recordings
in the age of instant music.
Coachella, which quickly sells out
each year, grossed US$78 million in
2014, according to industry monitor

Billboard Box Office.

Some 175,000 people flock to
Glastonbury around the same
number who go each year to Coachella
which, since 2012, has held two
weekends with identical lineups.
By comparison, some 75,000
people attended the World Cup final
last year in Brazil, although far more
watched.

Bhandari, sensing demand

to create the Uphoric network,
saw parallels to the World Cup as
a growing number of fans fly to
multiple festivals around the world
and plan vacations around the dates.
Music festivals are really
becoming on the scale of sporting
events, he said.

The Guardian

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 06 I APRIL 24 - 30, 2015

wEEKEND | FOOD&DRINK
RECIPE

Cooking nam tok the natural way,

next to Kuang Si Waterfall in Laos
Nam tok in Lao and Thai means
water falling. It also refers to larb,
a fresh mincemeat salad enjoyed
throughout Laos and north-eastern
Thailand, where most people are of
Lao descent.
In Lao, nuea ping nam tok refers
to marinated grilled beef that is so
succulent that the juices are literally
falling off the meat like a waterfall.
Vandara fetches a red flower
that is related to wild ginger and
sprinkles the petals over the dish,
taking care to get the softest pieces
near the centre of the bud. Infused
with a subtle hint of sourness and
lime, the crimson petals add a burst
of colour.
We also make a fish larb, a fresh,
light salad tossed with herbs, spices
and that is eaten with sticky rice.
In the hot Southeast Asian climate,
larb is a savoury, revitalising meal
that leaves you feeling satisfied and
unencumbered.

BY RACHNA SACHASINH

UMMER in Luang Prabang,

Laos, can be a searing affair.
Temperatures soar and the
air feels thick and impenetrable.
Fortunately, a 28-kilometre drive
south of the city takes you to Kuang
Si Waterfall and Vanvisa Home, both
of which offer a reprieve from the
heat and an elixir for the soul.
Kuang Si never ceases to awe.
The falls gather momentum at the
top of a ridge before cascading 180
metres down three tiers of limestone
shelves. The cool mountain water
gathers in shallow turquoise pools
ideal for swimming and play.
The stunning Kuang Si Waterfall
is located in Ban Tha Pan, a
traditional Lao village of simple
wooden homes, where residents
farm rice fields and sell hand-woven
textiles and baskets in roadside
stalls.
While most tourists in Luang
Prabang head to Kuang Si for a day
trip, the best way to experience the
falls, the hiking trails and the local
cuisine is to spend a day or two at the
villages only guesthouse, Vanvisa
Home.
Owned and operated by the
charming and energetic Vandara
Amphayphone, Vanvisa is located
slightly north of the main falls,
and offers its own series of
cerulean pools that are far from
the madding crowds, save for a few
village children who come to frolic.
At Vanvisa, the day begins with

Vandaras delicious home-made

breakfast in the riverside gazebo.
Over fruit smoothies and Lao or
western breakfast, you can deliberate
taking a cooking class, trekking to
Hmong or Khmu villages, hiking
the loop around the falls or taking a
weaving class.
Originally from Vientiane,
Vandara was born into a family of
academics and artists. Her father
was a university professor, while her
mother, a master weaver, crafted
sinhs and other textiles for the royal
family. In the 1960s, Vandara studied
biochemistry and learned French

and English.
Instead of focusing on standard
lab experiments, Vandara studied
cooking methods and their impact
on the nutritional value of food.
Before the words organic and
antioxidant entered the mainstream,
Vandaras natural, unprocessed
dishes, with minimal cooking and
fussing, with the right combination
of herbs and spices, not only tasted
good but promoted good health.
Growing up, Vandara watched
her mother prepare traditional
Lao meals using plants, herbs and
mushrooms gathered from the
family garden, the local forest or
even by the roadside. Now, she takes
pleasure in sharing these traditional
methods of cultivating, gathering
and preparing food.
I like things natural, and I like
things wild, she says.
Nature and wilderness are evoked
beautifully and unpretentiously in
and around the property. Tropical
foliage, wild fruit and flowers
and exotic orchids are planted
throughout. Some are potted
in hollow bamboo logs or rustic
earthenware pots, while others
blossom in small gardens near
the guest bungalows, climbing up
trellises and wooden bannisters.
Green fronds spike and drape in
artful layers and delicate blooms
spill from shady verandas.
Vandaras vitality, inquisitiveness
and penchant for discovery are
evident when she invites me to help
prepare a lunch of larb and nam tok
in her kitchen.
Everything I do, I try different
things. I play, she smiles, as she
prepares tea. Tree nuts and fragrant
pea-shoot flowers mix together in the
porcelain teapot for several minutes,
and Vandara pours me a deep purple
brew that is refreshing and light
before we proceed to the garden.
She cuts greens, mushrooms and
flowers, announcing their flavours
and nutritional qualities, all the
while telling stories about her family.
Back in the open-air kitchen, which
overlooks the pools downstream
from the waterfalls, we arrange
our harvest on a stone counter. We
begin by grilling fresh beef and liver,
along with a dozen garlic cloves,
shallots, miniature eggplants,
galangal, lemongrass and chillies
over a traditional terra cotta stove
heated with coals. We dont follow a
prescribed recipe. Instead, Vandara
relies on memory and instinct as
she gauges textures and aromas to
determine the pace and preparation
of the meal.

Getting there:
Tuk-Tuks can be arranged from
Luang Prabang to Kuang Si.You
can visit Vanvisa Home for the
day or stay overnight.Cooking
classes start at US$25 per person,
and accommodation is $40-60 per
night.For more information visit
www.vanvisaguesthouse.com

Nuea yang nam tok

0.5 kilo low fat beef
5-6cloves fresh garlic
1 stalk lemongrass, roasted
cup shallots, thinly sliced
cup fresh lemongrass, thinly
sliced
1/4 cup fresh galangal, thinly
sliced
3 inch piece of galangal, roasted
cup cilantro, coarsely chopped
cup scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons roasted rice,
freshly ground
5 roasted chillies
5 fresh red chillies
5 limes
cup nam padek (fermented
fish sauce) or substitute Thai
fish sauce
3 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
Grill or roast the lemongrass, a
whole piece of galangal, 5 chillies
and the shallots for about 5-7
minutes.
In a small pot, heat the nam
padek or fish sauce with a little
water, fresh garlic and roasted
galangal, lemongrass stalk and
chillies. Simmer for 5-7 minutes
and remove from the stove. Pour
over the beef and marinate for 30
minutes.
Roast the beef over an open
flame for 2-3 minutes on each side,
making sure not to over cook it.
You want the juices and marinade
to remain in the meat.
Slice the beef thinly and
combine with all other herbs and
ingredients.
Garnish with lime juice and
chopped red chillies.

Photos: Rachna Sachasinh

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | FOOD&DRINK

Norwegian company stirs up

controversy with plans to make
ice cubes out of glaciers

FOOD REVIEW

A tiny coastal town is about to see its diminishing glacier

turned into a high-end cocktail cooler. Is there cause for alarm?
BY MARY CATHERINE OCONNOR

Startup company Svaice plans to make

ice-cubes from Norwegian glaciers.

Photo: Thomas Kean

Royal Kalaw Hills Resort

BY THOMAS KEAN

OST people who visit Kalaw,

a smallish town in southern
Shan State about 90 minutes
drive west of Inle Lake, do so for
trekking. The surrounding hills
are home to picturesque village
of Palaung, Danu, Pa-O and
other ethnic minorities. Simply
reaching the villages, weaving along
mountain trails, is a delight.
Then theres the weather: At
1320 metres (4330 feet) above sea
level, you can escape the sweltering
heat of central and lower Myanmar.
During water festival, the mercury
only nudged 30C on a handful of
days.
But a big attraction for me is
the food. With a multi-ethnic
population that includes Bamar,
Shan, Danu and Nepali, theres a
diverse array of options. One of the
best finds during my most recent
trip, for example, was a no-name
Rakhine mon ti shop, which had
been recommended by a friend
from Yangon but would be unlikely
to feature in any guidebook.
Theres not a lot of Western fare,
though and if youre spending
upward of a week in the area, at one
point or other you may just want a
burger or pizza.
Enter Royal Kalaw Hills Resort,
a boutique hotel up a steep road
to the east of the downtown area
that opened just a few months
ago. Centred around an Englishstyle house built in 1898, it boasts
16 rooms, grand gardens and a
stylish restaurant, with decking
that looks out over the town and the
surrounding hills.
Staying at a place some way out of
town, as Royal Kalaw Hills Resort is, is
always risky. If the food is unpalatable,
you face a long walk every time you
get a craving. Happily, this was not a
problem there were even non-guests
driving in from downtown to sample
the fare.
The restaurant itself is in a
new stone building that uses large
doorways and windows to make
the most of the pleasant weather.
The interior is for the most part
tastefully decorated, if a little
kitschy with all the antiques around
the walls. The highlight is the deck
area, which has a handful of tables
and chairs and is perfect for sipping
a sunset beverage. The drinks menu
is serviceable, with a decent range

of cocktails (the Long Island tea

was US$6 well spent) and wine,
particularly given its not Yangon.
The menu is brief starters,
salads, soups, Asian and Western
mains, plus pizza and pasta but is
broad enough to satisfy most tastes.
Prices were reasonable, ranging
from $3-5 for smaller plates to $30
for some imported meats.
After devouring a salad of
prawns on glass noodles ($5) that
was so spicy it had to be eaten with
copious amounts of rice, I ordered
a beef burger ($10), while my wife
chose the fried prawns with black
pepper ($12).
The chef is obviously of the mind
that bigger is better. If I said that the
plate came with two prawns, youd
probably think they were being
stingy. Not so these beasts were
more akin to lobsters, and one even
had rather long claws. They were
also delicious, with thick, creamy
flesh in a simple sauce of cracked
pepper and oil, with a smattering of
fried vegetables.
Continuing the trend, my burger
was so large that it would not have
been out of place on an episode of
Man vs Food I would guess it was
at least two, if not three, times the
size of the largest burger on offer
at Lotteria. Aside from the sheer
logistical problems of fitting such a
burger in ones mouth, it came off
a touch dry and crumbly, although
the generous slab of melted cheese
helped. Im ashamed to say that
what I left behind on my plate would
probably equal the weekly protein
requirement of a small child.
The chef later explained with
a grin that he used to make it
with just 200 grams of beef, but
decided to, well, beef it up to 300
grams because he thought it was
looking a little lean. I would have
probably preferred it as two burgers
I could have taken one back to my
room in a doggy bag but I admired
his enthusiasm and generosity.
Royal Kalaw Hills Resort
No 3/4, East Circular Road, Kalaw
Restaurant Rating:
Food
Beverage
Service
Value
X-factor

8
7
8
7
9

LOMFJORD, Norway, is a
coastal town of 1120 residents
just north of the Arctic
Circle. For decades, it was home
to a chemical plant that produced
ammonia. After it was shuttered in
1993, two Norwegian solar power
entrepreneurs saw an opportunity,
and Renewable Energy Corporation
began making solar panels in the
former ammonia plant in 1997. Sadly,
lower manufacturing costs in Asia
forced REC to move its domestic
production overseas, and it closed its
doors in Glomfjord three years ago.
Now, a startup called Svaice is
occupying that old factory, and aims
to make a very low-tech product
ice cubes from an abundant, yet
diminishing, local resource: glaciers.
Since Svaice, led by local
businessman Geir Olsen, announced
its business plan last year, it has
attracted both interest among local
government officials eager to support
a new local employer, as well as
incredulity among people who cannot
fathom commoditising chunks of a
glacier that is already receding rapidly.
In news stories and on the Svaice
website, Olsen who refused an
interview request has countered
this objection, arguing that the glacial
ice would be far from a commodity.
Svaice plans to market its product
as a luxury item to high-end bars
and restaurants. If a connoisseur
is willing to part with serious cash
for a tumbler of 50-year-old Scotch,
Svaices pitch goes, why wouldnt that

same customer opt for a high-end ice

cube? Because it was formed under
tremendous pressure, it is extremely
dense and melts more slowly than
manufactured ice.
Compared to the environmental
impacts of other extractive industries,
ice mining is, at least on paper, small
potatoes, says Sigurd Enge, who advises
Oslo-based environmental group the
Bellona Foundation on Arctic issues. But
he worries that if the Vestre Svartisen
glacier continues to shrink and you start
[ice mining] operations on top of this, you
could accelerate the melting.
That is hardly likely at the rate of
operations Svaice says it is targeting.
Miriam Jackson, a research scientist
at the Norwegian Water Resources and
Energy Directorate, says that compared
to the amount of ice Svartisen is currently
losing each year due to warming,
harvesting somewhere in the range of
3600 cubic metres of ice (4000m3 of
water) is negligible.
There are other environmental

impacts to Svaices plan, of course.

One would have to account for the
energy put toward shipping the ice to
Dubai, New York or wherever else the
demand for opulent ice exists.
On the other hand, Jason Box,
professor in glaciology at the
Geological Survey of Denmark and
Greenland, says glacial ice cubes
might serve a helpful role by making
consumers think about the purity and
fleeting nature of glaciers.
The proposed venture would
have people cherishing the aesthetic
of ice, Box says. The way even
small pieces of glacier ice floats in a
glass resemble identically the shape
and form of icebergs. That fractal
geometry of nature floating in your
whisky glass is aesthetically far more
pleasing than artificial ice.
But some are simply bothered by
the conceit. This is not a resource
that the world needs in its drinks,
Enge says.
The Guardian

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 06 I APRIL 24 - 30, 2015

wEEKEND | STYLE,HEALTH&beauty

Jenny, 25, clearly got

the memo about this
summers hottest
trend mirrored
sunglasses.

Why pick one summer

trend when you can
work two? Su Naychi
Lwin, 20, gives summer
florals an edge by
teaming her mini with a
black fringed top.

Proving that less is always more

when it comes to showing skin, Ei
Lay, 22, shows off her pins with a
pair of fun wedges.

Sai Lao Kham, 19, swore he isnt

a model. We think he should be.

With temperatures
hotting up, Weekend took
to the streets to find the
summer trends keeping
Yangonites cool.

Sin Shang Pan, 17,

makes us wish we could
pull off the short shorts
look with her vintage
style, high waisted
denims and plain tee.

Aung Hein,, 34, knows

the key to looking cool
in the heat is matching
your umbrella to your
outfit.

Showing plaid skirts

arent just for school
girls, Cherry, 20, gets
the swinging 60s
look spot-on with this
ensemble right down
to her cute fringe and
winged eyeliner.

Skincare essentials to
keep you looking hot

Summer is here, but can your makeup bag take the

heat? Weekends beauty expert Soe San Myint gives us
the lowdown on the latest multi-tasking beauty buys
that can help you fight sun damage and keep those
wrinkles at bay.
T

HOUGH Thingyan may be

over and the rains are on
their way, thats no excuse
for neglecting the damage the sun
can still do to your skin. Lets take
a moment to remember why its
so vital to avoid excess sunlight,
and what the consequences can be
of excess exposure to ultraviolet
radiation (UV).
UV rays damage the skin, age it
prematurely and increase the risk
of skin cancer by damaging cellular

IOPE Air Cushion Sunblock Ex-Cover

(approx $45)

DNA. UVA rays ultraviolet A rays,

or so-called tanning rays are the
most damaging to the skin cells (even
as they give you a great tan that
brown is a sign of damage). This kind
of radiation activates the premature
ageing process and is seen as one
of the main causes of ageing and
wrinkles. On the other hand, UVB
ultraviolet B rays, or so called skinreddening rays can cause sunburn
and tanning. Despite knowing all
these dangers, many of us get lazy

Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion

(approx US$34)

when it comes to protecting our skin,

or cannot resist getting that so-called
healthy summer glow.
If you want to keep wrinkles at
bay, its worth taking some extra
precautions, like shopping for
the right sunscreen. There are
various brands that help protect
our skin against ultraviolet rays. Its
recommended to read the SPF labels
before you buy. Contrary to popular
belief, the SPF number is not the
amount of protection, but rather

Etude House Precious Mineral Any

Cushion (approx $18).

the duration. Multiplying the SPF

number by 10 tells you how many
minutes the screen is effective. It is
usually recommended to use at least
SPF 15, which equates to 150 minutes
of protection. Generally, the fairer
your skin tone, the higher the SPF
should be. Besides SPF, you will also
have identify the PA, where PA + has
the least and PA +++ the highest level
of UVA protection.
For those who cant do without
makeup, there are a range of makeup
products available that contain SPF,
so you can protect your skin and
conceal imperfections at the same
time. BB creams and BB cushions
are a good alternative to heavy
foundations in the summer, as they

provide some coverage as well as

illuminating, moisturising and
whitening, depending on the product.
Some of the most highly rated
products include Laneige Snow BB
Soothing Cushion, IOPE Air Cushion
Sunblock Ex-Cover, and Etude House
Precious Mineral Any Cushion, all
of which use the latest BB cushion
technology to come out of South
Korea. Most of these formulations
offer a sheer finish so they dont
appear cakey, even when reapplied
throughout the day.
As long as your skin is properly
protected, theres really no need to
hide away from the sun all summer.
Monsoon season will soon be upon us,
so grab your sunhat and get out there!

10

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 06 I AprIl 24 - 30, 2015

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

A look back at the Thingyan festivities across the country

wEEKEND Family

wEEKEND HOME&GARDEN

10

11

12
1-4

Si Thu Lwin

5-9

Phyo Wai Kyaw

10-11 Si Thu Lwin

12-14 Phyo Wai Kyaw

13

14

11

12

wEEKEND | travel

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 06 I APRIL 24 - 30, 2015

Myanmars

underwater
safaris
Diving in Myanmar may not be quite as cheap or as polished as diving in other parts
of Southeast Asia, but the underwater worlds of Ngapali and the Myeik Archipelago
offer an authentic experience without the crowds

wEEKEND | travel

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

BY MICHELANGELO PIGNANI

HE boat trip out took longer than planned. The

compressor was being repaired in Yangon, so we
had to make a detour to pick up our air bottles.
There were only three divers that day: my wife, myself
and a local guide. The cool morning had given way to
the heat of the afternoon, and the limpid turquoise
sea looked inviting as we dropped anchor. Bulky and
sweltering in our wetsuits, we clambered into the small
seal-grey dinghy.
The boat effortlessly glided to the spot the guide had
pointed out. Putting on our masks and fins, we rolled
backward into the cool water. Quickly bobbing up to
collect my camera, I signalled to the others to descend.
No matter how often you dive, the first few seconds
in this alien, silent, weightless world never lose their
magic.
Diving in Myanmar may not be quite as cheap or
as polished as diving in other parts of Southeast Asia.
But it does offer an authentic experience and can be
surprisingly accessible. On this dive we were only a
few miles away from the idyllic palm-lined beach of
Ngapali.
Slowly descending to the seabed, I excitedly spot
one of my favourite creatures a nudibranch. These
underwater hermaphrodite slugs are the drag queens of
the ocean: They are toxic, and fluorescently advertise
it. Resplendent in their flamboyant outfits, they can be
surprisingly elusive.
This one was laying eggs, a bright yellow ribbon
unravelling behind it. Slowly spiralling around its own
axis, with all the deliberation of an hour hand, it would
spend most of the day weaving a gossamer Archimedes
spiral. My buddy swims around hunting for any other
critters she can find, while I happily settle down for a
few photos. The visibility today is about 10 metres, and
my wife will try to keep visual contact.
That doesnt leave a lot of terrain for her to explore.
The itch to venture a little further afield will soon take
hold, and after a few minutes I can almost feel her
impatience. So after about 20 shots I leave my newfound friend to her, or his, task, and continue on our
underwater safari.
Within a few seconds, the dive master is banging
his tank to attract my attention, and pointing at a long
stretch of cord-like whip coral. We swim over and peer
at the finger-thick white stem. A minute fish skitters
across the corals surface like an undersea maglev train
on its rail, keeping its belly constantly in contact with
the coral. No bigger than the nail on your little finger,
this tiny goby will spend its whole life swimming up
and down these corals. It has to: A weak swimmer in
open water, it would make a tasty snack for any passing
predator.
The proximity of the camera makes it anxious, and
like some manic elevator it ascends and descends. I
know from experience that if you wait a few moments
their frantic panic will subside, they will settle down
for just enough time for you to take a shot and then the
whole dizzying display repeats itself.
Before long, I hear the muffled clang clang,
tolling the discovery of something else interesting.
This time we have considerably moved up in scale, to
a fearsome-looking moray eel, its fist-sized deathshead hypnotically swaying back and forth, its mouth

slightly ajar, displaying needle-sharp white teeth. Diver

legend holds that they can sever a finger in one bite. I
am suspended in water less than a metre away from its
toothy jaw, hoping that its short-sightedness and shy
disposition will keep it at arms length. This brute is
a honeycomb moray, with a snake-like body probably
more than 3m long, concertinaed away in the crevasse
of the reef behind him. They rarely stay around once the
flash on the camera fires, and this one is no exception.
Later, a couple of quizzical-looking butterfly fish
coyly swim around us, and then the dive master swims
into my field of vision jerking his thumb in the direction
of the surface, indicating the end of the dive.
Perhaps Myanmars best-known dive destination
is the Myeik (formerly Mergui) Archipelago. These
beautiful islands present the best and most diverse
diving in the country. I had the chance to dive here a
few seasons ago at the Andaman Island resort. Its 20plus dive sites are all easily accessible with travel times
from the resort ranging from a few minutes to an hour.
One of my favourite dive sites is Pink Canyon, a small
underwater cleft carpeted in purple and orange soft
corals. While sightings of big fish here are rare, smaller
reef fish and colourful macro creatures are plentiful.
If staying at a hotel and doing near-shore dives isnt
quite enough, you could consider a live-aboard, where
you sleep on the boat that you dive from. They allow
divers to explore remoter destinations, often far beyond
the limits of day trippers. In Myanmar there are several
operators running out of Kawthoung, Tanintharyi
Region. While it might be possible to find a scheduled
dive trip from here, most only offer diving charters.
Another option is to take a live-aboard run by a
Thai-based operator running regular scheduled cruises
in Myanmar waters. Trip duration ranges from three to
eight days, with three to four dives a day for the serious
enthusiast, and the prices generally include food,
accommodation and dives. Just be sure that you know
what you are letting yourself in for before setting sail.
Myanmars diving industry is still in its infancy. But
hopefully, with the gradual development of the tourist
sector, it will grow into a major source of revenue for
the country, and help protect the fragile underwater
ecosystem.

.....................................................................

Dives around Ngapali are offered by the Ngapali Water

Sport Centre (ngapaliwatersport@gmail.com or +95949577070). Prices start from around US$110 for a twotank dive, including lunch and pickup/drop off from
your hotel.
The Myanmar Andaman Resort is closed for
renovation, but should open for the winter season of
2015 (sales@myanmarandamanresort.com or http://
www.myanmarandamanresort.com/). They will have
an attached Padi accredited dive centre with training
facilities.
Two possible live-aboard options running from
Kawthoung are Burma Boating, which offers private
charters for divers (http://www.burmaboating.com).
Prices are about $4800 a day for a party of up to 12.
Mergui Princess Cruise offers semi-scheduled
live-aboard trips (http://www.merguiprincess.com/)
starting from $1150 for five days, four nights.
For Thai-based live-aboards visiting Myanmar, there
are many companies running from Ranong. One such is
The Smiling Seahorse (www.thesmilingseahorse.com).
Prices start from $980 for six days, five nights.

Photos: Michelangelo Pignani

13

the pulse travel

4
wEEKEND | travel schedules
14

THE MYANMAR TIMES

ISSUE 06 I APRIL 24 - 30, 2015
THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 10 - 4, 2015

DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

YANGON TO NAY PYI TAW

NAY PYI TAW TO YANGON

Flight
FMI A1
FMI B1
FMI C1

Flight
FMI A2
FMI B2
FMI C2

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

Dep
7:15
10:45
17:00

Arr
8:15
11:45
18:00

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

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

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

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

Dep
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
11:00
11:15
11:30

Dep
8:35
13:30
18:20

Arr
9:35
14:30
19:20

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arr
14:45
14:45
14:45
14:55
16:55
17:10
19:10
19:40

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dep
11:30
11:45
12:00

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

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

Flight
Y5 326
7Y 532
K7 320
Y5 326

Arr
12:55
12:55
13:50

Flight
W9 309
6T 612
K7 423

Days
1
2,4,6

Dep
7:00
11:45

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

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

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

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

Arr
8:10
12:50

Flight
K7 320
7Y 532

Days
3
4,6
1,7
2,5

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

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

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

Days
1,3,6
Daily
Daily

Dep
13:10
13:15
15:10

Arr
14:55
14:20
16:30

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

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

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

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

Dep
12:25
17:05

Flight
YJ 752
K7 829
K7 829
YJ 752
YH 730

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

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

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

PUTAO TO YANGON
Arr
11:00
11:00
11:00
15:25

Air Bagan (W9)

Tel: 513322, 513422, 504888. Fax: 515102

Air KBZ (K7)

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

Asian Wings (YJ)

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

Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)

Tel: 09400446999, 09400447999
Fax: 8604051

Mann Yadanarpon Airlines (7Y)

Tel: 656969
Fax: 656998, 651020

Flight
YH 836
YH 832
YH 827
W9 252

Days
1,7
4,6
3
2,5

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

Tel: 383100, 383107, 700264

Fax: 652 533

FMI Air Charter

Tel: 240363, 240373, 09421146545

Airline Codes
7Y = Mann Yadanarpon Airlines

W9 = Air Bagan
Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines
YH = Yangon Airways
YJ = Asian Wings
FMI = FMI Air Charter

Arr
13:35
18:10

LASHIO TO YANGON
Arr
12:45
13:00
13:00
14:50

Domestic Airlines

K7 = Air KBZ

DAWEI TO YANGON

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

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

THANDWE TO YANGON

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

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

SITTWE TO YANGON

YANGON TO DAWEI
Flight
K7 319
7Y 531

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

Yangon Airways (YH)

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

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

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

MYEIK TO YANGON

YANGON TO SITTWE
Flight
W9 309
6T 611
K7 413

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

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

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

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | fiction
CHRONICLES OF BEI KA STREET

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arr
8:45
9:40
22:20
11:25
13:50
14:30
17:50
18:50
20:00
21:30

DON MUEANG TO YANGON

Flights
Days
Dep
DD 4230
Daily
6:30
FD 251
Daily
7:15
FD 255
Daily
11:35
FD 253
Daily
16:20
FD 257
Daily
20:15
DD 4238
Daily
19:25

Arr
7:15
8:00
12:20
17:05
20:55
20:15

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

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

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

Air Asia (FD)

Tel: 09254049991~3

Air China (CA)

Tel: 666112, 655882

Air India

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

Bangkok Airways (PG)

Tel: 255122, 255265. Fax: 255119

Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG)

Tel: 371867~68. Fax: 371869

Condor (DE)

Tel: 370836~39 (ext: 303)

Dragonair (KA)

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

Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)

Tel: 09400446999, 09400447999
Fax: 8604051

Malaysia Airlines (MH)

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

Fax: 241124

Myanmar Airways International (8M)

Tel: 255260. Fax: 255305

Nok Airline (DD)

Tel: 255050, 255021. Fax: 255051

Qatar Airways (QR)

Tel: 379845, 379843, 379831. Fax: 379730

Singapore Airlines (SQ) / Silk Air (MI)

Tel: 255287~9. Fax: 255290

Thai Airways (TG)

YANGON TO HO CHI MINH CITY

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

HO CHI MINH CITY TO YANGON

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

Tiger Airline (TR)

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

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

YANGON TO HONG KONG

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

YANGON TO TOKYO
Days
Dep
Daily
22:10

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

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

Arr
22:30
23:40

Arr
05:45
05:55

HONG KONG TO YANGON

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

Arr
00:30
23:30

TOKYO TO YANGON
Days
Dep
Daily
11:45

Arr
17:15
Arr
10:45
18:45

Arr
06:45+1

Flights
NH 913

Tel: 255491~6. Fax: 255223

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

Vietnam Airlines (VN)

Tel: 255066, 255088, 255068. Fax: 255086

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

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

Arr
13:00
21:00

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

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

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

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

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

YANGON TO CHIANG MAI

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

Arr
8:05
12:50
16:20

CHIANG MAI TO YANGON

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

Arr
10:15
14:35
18:10

Arr
8:20
14:10
15:05

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

Arr
12:10
12:30
18:00

Flights
AI 236

YANGON TO DELHI
Days
Dep
2
13:10

Arr
16:30

Flights
AI 235

DELHI TO YANGON
Days
Dep
2
7:00

Arr
12:10

PG = Bangkok Airways

Flights
AI 234
AI 228

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

Arr
17:20
19:45

Flights
AI 227
AI 233

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

Arr
13:20
18:00

SQ = Singapore Airways

Arr
16:40

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

Arr
13:25

TR = Tiger Airline

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

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

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

MANDALAY TO DON MUEANG

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

DON MUEANG TO MANDALAY

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

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

Arr
16:40

NAY PYI TAW TO BANGKOK

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

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

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

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

Arr
12:50

BANGKOK TO NAY PYI TAW

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

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

QR = Qatar Airways

TG = Thai Airways

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

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

A Study in

Saffron
CHAPTER 5

Air Bagan Ltd.(W9)

Tel: 513322, 513422, 504888. Fax: 515102

Arr
18:10

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

Arr
21:25

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

15

4
5
6
7

=
=
=
=

Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

EDITED BY KO NAN DOI

SHA Lok swiftly scribbled

the advertisement on a piece
of paper, inviting the owner
of the lost ring now in our possession
to contact me at Bei Ka Street. Then,
to my surprise, he flung open the
window, stuck his head out and gave
a sharp whistle. Moments later, we
heard the sound of protestations
and remonstrances coming from
below as our landlady, Daw Hat Sun,
apparently endeavoured to stem the
intrusion of a small herd of elephants.
U Sha Lok smiled to himself as we
heard the sound of flip-flops on the
stairs. As the door burst open, half a
dozen small boys, aged between eight
and twelve, poured into the room,
followed by a cross and flustered Daw
Hat Sun. They lined up at attention in
front of my friend, like little soldiers
on parade.
Im so sorry, gentlemen, I did
my best to stop them, she said.
You boys have no business
Thats quite all right, Daw Hat
Sun, smiled U Sha Lok indulgently.
They are here at my bidding.
But you boys! he addressed the
miniature mob sternly. When I
call, I wish only Maung Oo to attend
me. You others wait in the street.
The boys, already red in tooth
from betel-chewing, their faces
smeared with thanaka in the
most outlandish designs, their
bare or sandaled feet muddy and
their longyis tattered, nodded
shamefacedly and went raggletaggle down the stairs, pursued by a
scolding Daw Hat Sun.
Now, Maung Oo, U Sha Lok
turned on the last remaining of
these young reprobates, who stood
to attention with a rigour that would
have pleased a colour sergeant-major.
U Sha Lok handed him the
note. Take this immediately to
the offices of The Myanmar Times
and ask for publication in this
evenings edition. He doled out
a handful of coins. Here is three
kyat; that should suffice to cover
the cost. Here, another ten for your
troops. Wait, here is another two
kyat. Place the advertisement also
in Irrawaddy Journal. That will
ensure it is seen at both ends of the
social scale. And now
U Sha Lok bent forwards and
murmured urgently to the unkempt
boy in tones too rapid and low for
me to follow. After a few moments
the lad nodded, turned, and slipped
soundlessly off on his errand.
Behold the Bei Ka Street
irregulars, said U Sha Lok
sardonically as the boy left. They
move swiftly, are sharp of wit, eye
and ear, and all but invisible. While
the sight of a uniformed policeman
will put a halt to any criminal
activity or discussion, these boys
can approach, linger, or pass
unnoticed by the most suspicious
and hardiest desperadoes. Properly
disciplined, they are the most
invaluable source of information on
what is happening in the highways
and byways of our great city.
Very good. And now? I asked.
Now, we wait, he said,
languidly arranging himself along
the worn settee in our sitting room
and lighting a cheroot.
Towards evening, as the rain beat
once more against the window-pane
and agreeable aromas of kaukswe
wafting up from Daw Hat Suns
kitchen were prompting me to
think of dinner, the doorbell rang.

Aha! cried U Sha Lok, his

listlessness vanishing upon the
instant. I doubt not that this is our
man. Here, take this. He handed
me a gold ring. This is a cheap
substitute, not the one we found this
morning. But I fancy that will make
no difference. Wa Zone, during your
dangerous service on the border did
you chance to have a pistol?
Of course not, U Sha Lok.
I worked for a highly reputable
international civilian humanitarian
organisation.
Get your stiletto, then. It
may come in handy if things get
rough, he said, just as Daw Hat Sun
knocked and entered to inform us
that we had a visitor.
But picture the consternation that
overcame U Sha Loks features as
our caller entered. For, instead of the
bald, English-speaking, nut-eating
desperado that he had evidently
expected, she was a little old lady,
aged and bent, wearing a sun-hat with
a broad and floppy brim that obscured
much of her face.
Good evening, madam. Do I take
it you have come in response to my
advertisement? said U Sha Lok.
Yes, sir, she replied in a
quavering voice. The ring belongs
to my granddaughter Ma Khine. She
lost it when she was on her way to
worship at Shwedagon Pagoda. The
ring is very precious to her, and we
shall be much obliged to you if you
could return it.
Quite so. Well, madam, here it
is. Wa Zone?
I handed the aged person the
ring U Sha Lok had given me, and
she took it without a second look.
Thank you sir, she said, and
turned to go.
One moment! cried U Sha
Lok. May I know your name and
address?
I am Daw Aye Aye Kyaw, sir, of
Oak Pe Street, Mingalardon.
But Anawrahta Street does
not lie between Mingalardon and
Shwedagon.
No, sir. My granddaughter does
not live in Mingalardon. She lives in
Pansodan.
I see. Very well, then. I wish you
a pleasant evening.
No sooner had the sitting room
door closed on the elderly lady
than U Sha Lok smote his palm
with his fist. A trick, it must be a
trick; else, he has an accomplice,
he murmured, as if to himself. Wa
Zone, I must make haste. Dont wait
up for me! And in an instant he was
gone, into the night.
When I found him at breakfast
the next morning, his manner was
a queer mixture of chagrin and
eagerness. She gave me the slip,
Wa Zone! That is to say, he did, for
now I am certain that our visitor of
last evening was no elderly dame,
but our quarry himself who, may I
say, matches myself as a master of
disguise. On gaining the street last
night, I was in time to see our visitor
disappearing round the corner on
a sidecar. I hailed the next one and
set off in hot pursuit. But he must
have been aware of me, for despite
the furious pedalling of my driver, he
gave me the slip in that ill-lit tangle
of alleys behind the British Embassy.
By the time I had caught up with his
sidecar, he had gone, and made off
into the night. We face a slippery
customer, Wa Zone, infinitely
cunning and dangerous. And yet, I
still have one or two irons in the fire.
Next Week: The trap is sprung

16

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 06 I APRIL 24 - 30, 2015

wEEKEND | PUZZLERS

SUDOKU PACIFIC

Universal Crossword
Edited by Timothy E. Parker

METER READER By Henry Quarters

ACROSS
1 Quakers you
5 Beanies
9 Ghanas capital
14 Didnt draw a card
15 Biblical
shepherd
16 Rain Man director
Levinson
17 Desiccated
18 Legal prefix
19 Make feel small
20 Place for a conductor
23 3:00 on a sundial
24 Take unfair
advantage of
25 Like Spocks nerve
pinch
28 Lines man?
30 Certain Nigerians,
formerly
32 Pie-mode
connection
33 Wainscot
again
36 Having a common
ancestor
37 Airport-based
business, often
39 Highlander
41 Most massive
42 Sighs of comfort
43 It wont buy much
44 Bartender on TVs
Pacific Princess
48 Light, custard-filled
cake
50 How do ewe sound?
52 Biochemistry abbr.
53 Virus causes
57 Grab tightly
59 Shoestring
60 Germinated
grain
61 Calvin and Hobbes
girl
62 Puppy Love singer
Paul
63 Zip-___-Doo-Dah
64 Change, as the
Constitution
65 Minority votes,
often
66 Adjusts,
as a clock

4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
21
22

Taro root
Bars for guitars
Decrease
Frasier actress
Gilpin
Sarajevo
resident
Adding device of old
Band of schemers
Seafood dish for
grouches?
Four Monopoly
squares (Abbr.)
Favorable vote
Dye-producing
gastropod
Develop by gradual
changes

26 Cassius Clay, now

27 One of the Bobbsey
twins
29 Face-to-face
exam
30 Dead to the world
31 Arctic Ocean
obstacle
34 Accumulate
35 Slippery-eel link
36 Hamlet has five
37 Precedent
setter
38 Thomas of the
Basketball Hall of
Fame
39 Type of reflex
40 Opposite of huh?

43 Slept under the

stars
45 Amusement
place
46 Short sock
47 Social divisions in
India
49 Biology lab stain
50 A Conner on
Roseanne
51 Code and rug
54 ___ Bator, Mongolia
55 Lake ___ (Blue Nile
source)
56 Latin 101 verb
57 Fed. construction
overseer
58 Coke complement

DOWN
1 Comedians Muse
2 Brave
3 Bring out

DILBERT

BY SCOTT ADAMS

PEANUTS

BY CHARLES SCHULZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

BY BILL WATTERSON

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | PUZZLERS

WEEKLY PREDICTIONS

17

AUNG MYIN KYAW

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

APRIL 24 - 30, 2015

AQUARIUS | Jan 20 Feb 18

GEMINI | May 21 June 20

LIBRA | Sept 23 Oct 22

Take some time out for self-reflection this week.

Achieving success in your professional life is
worthy of celebration, but it can come at a cost.
Focus on reconnecting with those around you.
And please, this doesnt mean another thinly
veiled self-congratulating Facebook status.
Phones down, faces up, real interactions.

No work of art, feat of accomplishment or true

love will come from guilt. If your hard-won social
forays are anything to go by, the guilt comes
later, right? Fear is a great motivator weve all
used it before to achieve great things but its a
stop-gap. Learn to accept yourself. This week be
on the lookout for black-and-white thinking.

Jump back into meditation practice. While youre

at it, keep up some physical activity too. Youre
heading for some good news this week, so you
might be as prepared as possible. But what if
that good news is delayed, and youve done all
that self-improvement for nothing? Youll have
to wait and see.

PISCES | Feb 19 March 20

CANCER | June 21 July 22

SCORPIO | Oct 23 Nov 21

This week, think back to those goals you set

yourself at the beginning of the year. What
were the things you wanted to learn? They say
you cant teach an old dog new tricks and
theyre probably right. But that wont stop you
attempting an embarrassing regression into the
rapidly darkening twilight of your youth, will it?
Skateboarding, anyone?

Mindfulness is about becoming aware of

the questions you are asking. What do I
really want?, Am I doing this for the right
reasons?, or Why have I never before noticed
that incessant, infuriating noise coming from
downstairs? Sure, enlightenment would be
nice, but so would just getting through this week
alive.

Know when to hold em, know when to

fold em Sometimes the strongest test of
character is to know when to walk away (or
when to run). Too bad thats no longer respected
these days. Wed love to lecture you on universal
values, but the fact is youre probably safest
doing what looks the best to other people. This
week: Try something totally new.

ARIES | Mar 21 Apr 19

LEO | July 23 Aug 22

SAGITTARIUS | Nov 22 Dec 21

Everybody wants to be happy. Remember

that when youre faced this week with
irritating obstacles in the shape of bosses,
colleagues, spouses actually, why do they
get the benefit of the doubt while making you
miserable? This week let them know what you
really think. It might not help but itll make
you feel better.

No man is an island. Sure, you like to go it alone,

as any self-respecting (self-aggrandising?) Leo
would have it. Just take care this week not to cut
yourself off from the rest of the world. Despite
the descent into nihilism that is the YouTube
comments section, the world can be quite a nice
place at times. It will provide more support than
you imagine.

No one can bring you peace but you. If that

doesnt work, try margaritas [Editors note:
Dont]. Perhaps you need to look to the
possibilities of what the future can bring.
This week you need to ask questions lots of
questions. Especially if somebody arrives at your
house at 3am holding an umbrella and a 17.5kg
tuna. Dont invite them in it will get awkward.

TAURUS | Apr 20 May 20

VIRGO | Aug 23 Sept 22

CAPRICORN | Dec 22 Jan 19

Try to keep your feet on the ground while

youre dreaming large this week. Remember
that the first step in making your dreams
come true is to wake up. Then again, you have
been working hard lately, and a sleep-in would
be pretty nice. Hit the snooze button, dreams
can wait another week. Watch out for unusual
shapes this week.

Hatred can suck the beauty out of life. At first

you use it like a reflex, responding to injustice
with a healthy sense of self-respect. Then
you begin to stir it up as the feeling subsides,
recycling the anger. Soon the hatred sustains
you, until one day you wake up in a world of grey,
alone, asking how it got to this: Why isnt there
just one more season of The Wire?

Sorry to break this to you, but the theme for your

week is discipline. Taking to the straight-andnarrow isnt all about a river in Egypt (de-nial),
its mostly about appearing to be successful
in front of your ever-gloating peers. Doing
someone a big favour this week may have an
excellent return. If not, you can always invoice
them.

18

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 06 I APRIL 24 - 30, 2015

wEEKEND | QUICK GUIDE

General Listing

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

Indonesia 100, Pyidaungsu

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

Pakistan A-4, diplomatic

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

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

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

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

Yangon Children Hospital tel: 222807, 222808, 222809.

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

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

ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS

AsiA PlAzA Hotel

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

No.1, Wut Kyaung St,

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

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

Excel Treasure Hotel

Yangon

No.520, Kaba Aye Pagoda

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

Excel River View

Hotel

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

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

Clover Hotel City Center

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

No. (356/366), Kyaikkasan

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

M-22, Shwe Htee Housing,

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

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

Excel Palace Hotel

No.(25, D1), New University

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

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

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

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

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

ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS (NAy PyI TAw)

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

186, Lu Nge Thitsar

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

Excel Capital Hotel

Nay Pyi Taw

No.(23/24), Yarza Thingaha

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

Reservation Office (Yangon)

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

ACCOMMODATION
LONG TERM

HAPPY HOMES
REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT

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

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

wEEKEND | QUICK GUIDE

19

THE MYANMAR TIMES MARCH 20 , 2015

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

AGRICULTURAL
TRACTOR

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

17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd,

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

The Worlds Best Selling

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

AIR CONDITION

Sule Shangri-La Hotel

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

ADVERTISING & MEDIA

WE STARTED THE ADVERTISING
INDUSTRY IN MYANMAR SINCE 1991

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

A D V E RT I S I N G

SAIL Marketing &

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

ARCHITECTS &
MODULAR BUILDINGS

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

The First Air conditioning

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

MYANMAR BOOK CENTRE

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

BEAUTY & MASSAGE

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

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

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

Marina Residence, Yangon

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

BUSINESS SERVICE

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

Self Drive Daily Rental

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

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

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

English Speaking Driver

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

www.realfitnessmyanmar.com

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

GEMS & JEWELLERIES

FLORAL SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION
MYANMAR EXECUTIVE
LIMOUSINE SERVICE

BOOK STORES

150 Dhamazedi Rd.,

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

Est. 1992 in Myanmar

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

No. 20, Ground Floor, Pearl

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

illy, Francis Francis, VBM,

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

DELIVERY SERVICE

Express Courier & Cargo

One Stop Logistic Solution
Ygn, Hot Line: 011224270

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

CO WORKING SPACE

No. (6), Lane 2

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

CONSULTING

Floral Service & Gift

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

DUTY FREE

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

Tel: 549612, Fax : 545770.

Floral Service & Gift Shop

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

FOAM SPRAY
INSULATION

Myanmar Research | Consulting

Capital Markets

Shwe Hinthar B 307, 6 1/2

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

Ruby & Rare Gems

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

Foam Spray Insulation

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

GENERATORS
Your Most Reliable Jeweller

The Natural Gems of

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

No. 589-592, Bo Aung

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

FORKLIFT

Duty Free Shops

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

ELECTRICAL

Est. 1992 in Myanmar

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

ENTERTAINMENT

Learn to dance with

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

FITNESS CENTRE

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

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

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

HEALTH SERVICES

GLASS

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

GAS COOKER &

COOKER HOODS

Yangon : A-3, Aung San

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

98(A), Kaba Aye Pagoda

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

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

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

20

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 06 I APRIL 24 - 30, 2015

wEEKEND | QUICK GUIDE

THE MYANMAR TIMES MARCH 20, 2015

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

NO.61, 2nd Floor, 101 Street,

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

No.(68), Tawwin Street,

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

HOME FURNITURE

01 9000 712~3, Ext 330/332,

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

MARINE
COMMUNICATION &
NAVIGATION

Franzo Living Mall

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

HOTEL SUPPLY

Intl Quality Uniform &

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

Premium Chef Uniform

No. H-8, May Kha Housing,

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

LIGHTING

99 Condo, Ground Floor,

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

PAINT

SUPPLIER of Quality Paints

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

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

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

Worlds No.1 Paints &

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

OFFICE FURNITURE

Tel : 01-9000712~13 Ext : 330

09-4200-77039.
direct2u@mmrdrs.com

22, Pyay Rd, 9 mile,

Mayangone Tsp.
tel: 660769, 664363.

99 Condo, Ground Floor,

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

REMOVALISTS

Bldg-A2, G-Flr, Shwe

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

Bld-A2, Gr-Fl, Shwe

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

Room No. 1101, 16th Flr,

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

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

TOP MARINE PAINT

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

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

Legendary Myanmar Intl

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

REAL ESTATE

World famous Kobe Beef

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

No. 5, U Tun Nyein

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

Enchanting and Romantic,

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

22, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd,

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

American best practices

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

Bo Sun Pat Tower, Bldg

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

G-01, City Mart

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

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

Delicious Hong Kong Style

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

Quality Chinese Dishes

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

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

For House-Seekers

with Expert Services

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

Coffee & Snack Bar

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

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

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

TRAVEL AGENTS

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

SERVICE OFFICE

Executive Serviced Offices

Asian Trails Tour Ltd

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

www.exploremyanmar.com
www.exploreglobaltravel.
com

WATER HEATERS

The Global leader in

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

www.hinthabusinesscentres.com

Tel : 01-4413410

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

STEEL STRUCTURE

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

Reservation Office (Yangon)

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

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

WATER PROOFING

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

WATER TREATMENT

SPORTS

Premium Trophies
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wEEKEND | FAMILY

21

Why do we like being by the seaside?

As parents, we seek to recreate the lost idyll of our own early childhood. Taking toddler twins to
a Cornish beach, then, should have been the perfect family holiday
BY PATRICK BARKHAM

Y first memory ofthe seaside

is sitting in a small, varnished
wooden boat in an orange
lifejacket that was far too big for me,
listening to the unfamiliar shrieks of
wading birds and the chink-chinkslap of rigging on masts. The exotic
tang of oilskins, salt and muddy
marsh was overpowered by the bluesmoked stench of the boats engine as
we chugged up a muddy creek toward
a remote island. I was two, although,
in reality, this picture maybe a blend
of memories from four successive
holidays we took in the late 1970s on
Scolt Head Island, a hump of tawny
sand dunes on the Norfolk coast.
So many early childhood and
family memories are formed by the
sea. Over the past two centuries,
the beach has become our favourite
holiday destination; more recently,
it has become the last place in the
country where children can roam
free, the ultimate sand (or shingle)
pit, soft-play zone and water park.
This is odd because the beach can, of
course, be lethal with its hazardous
tides and waves.
The near-universal parental
enthusiasm for the beach also
overlooks the fact that, for many
young children, the coast is an
uncomfortable place. Many of us
have droll photos of ourselves as
toddlers playing on a bleak British
beach with a grey sea beyond, and my
early seaside memories are certainly
not idyllic. Scolt Head Island was
not an obvious choice for a holiday,
except for lovers of bracing solitude,
as my parents were. Ever since it was
bought by the National Trust for 500
in 1923, its population had been one
man awind-bronzed nature reserve
warden who guarded the islands
colonies of terns, the chalk-winged
creatures that nest in their thousands
on Scolts sandbanks.
We stayed in a wooden shack with
no electricity, toilets or running water.
The boat trip scared me. The beach
was a wind-blasted horror, requiring
epic struggles up mountainous dunes,
sand blowing in my eyes, marram
grass whipping my legs. My one
sunny memory is of playing with my
Matchbox cars on the cobbled terrace
outside, mercifully sheltered from the
north wind. But then I lost my orange
VW Kombi in the sand and, despite
lengthy excavations, it was never seen

again.
As parents, we seek to recreate the
lost idyll of early childhood for our own
children, so I should have remembered
these traumas more clearly when
we took our then-18-month-old
twins on their first seaside holiday
to Crackington Haven, Cornwall.
Its sheltered beach was nothing like
desolate Scolt Head Island and I
assumed it would be paradise. Milly
loved climbing and exploring so she
would adore clambering into the rock
pools. At home, Esmes favourite thing
was running wild and eating soil on
the beach, she could scamper free and
scoff as much sand as she desired.
Plenty of their picture books featured
sandcastles and buckets and spades,
sotheir seaside schooling had already
begun. Like many overprotective
modern parents, we also bought them
lurid little wetsuits to help them keep
warm when wet, and plastic jelly shoes
to ease their passage over the rocks.
It was a shock when we plonked
the girls on the wet sand and they
clung to our legs, unimpressed by the
cold water and unforgiving westerlies.
During five days of chilly coastal
indoctrination, Milly eventually
became enthusiastic about finding
rock pool snails, and Esme learned

to shout sea! from the comfort of

our arms. Although she devoured
mouthfuls of sand, this was not nearly
as moreish as soil and mostly she
cried whenever her feet touched this
strange stuff. On our final day, after
Id spent an hour gently lowering
Esme towards various objects of
fascination strutting herring
gulls, slobby pink-and-beige-spotted
anemones and strings of seaweed
pods you could pop finally, she was
off, on her own legs, futilely chasing
gulls like a puppy. But still, there were
no tantrums when we headed home.
She was far happier careering around
the holiday cottage.
So I am not sure that we are born
to love the coast. The beach and the
sea are too big and frightening, too
wet and cold. Conservative adherents
to routine and safety, young children
have instinctively suburban tastes:
They appreciate people, shelter and
small things. But time spent by the
sea as tiny children must eventually
bond us with the coast and we soon
develop a checklist of expectations:
Milly and Esme are far more
enthusiastic for the seaside now they
are three and their checklist includes
ice cream and fish and chips.
When we are big enough, the seas

meeting with the land seems to speak

to us independently of the joy adults
instruct us to find in it.
I imagined that part of an older
childs attraction to the coast was
universal to any holiday: Children
have more fun if their parents are
enjoying themselves. Even the most
restrained parents remember to
relax on holiday and some rediscover
beach play, too (Ienjoy building dams
on beach rivulets rather more than
my children, who at least give me an
excuse to do it).
When I interviewed a group of
10-year-olds, most fundamentally the
beach was a place where they could be
free: where they could make friends,
mess about, or leave their parents
lying boringly still.
If children value free play on
seaside holidays, what are adults
seeking? Rest, obviously but
sometimes solace or reconnecting
with half-buried memories too.
Holidays are time capsules, allowing
us access to childhood experiences
we can precisely place in our
personal histories because everyone
remembers their favourite summer
holiday.
I hoped to find revelatory
memories when, shortly after our

family holiday at Crackington Haven,

I returned to stay on Scolt Head
Island, alone, for the first time in 30
years. Instead of themonumental
black cliffs of north Cornwall and
the vivid rolling Atlantic, I found a
muddy smudge of marsh anda flimsy
sea washed with a muted palette of
olives, duns and pewters. For the first
few hours, I was underwhelmed. This
empty island of flat marsh seemed
bereft of anything alive or arresting.
But north Norfolk has a subtle charm
that seeps into you like the trickle
of the incoming tide, less bombastic
than awesome cliffs but soothing and
strangely uncompromising.
Most things that loom large in
childhood are diminished by the
present, but the wooden shack on
the sand dunes where we stayed
was unexpectedly substantial. I
climbed up the dune steps and on
to the cobbled patio where Ionce
played with my toy cars. The door
opened with a creak and I saw that,
oddly, my memory of its interior was
amirror image, the wrong way round.
Ihad pictured the stone fireplace
on the right, but it was on the left.
Confronting memories with reality
can be disorienting, a reminder we
are all unreliable narrators.
I expected my three days on the
island to unearth forgotten images of
those family holidays by the sea but
none came. Neither did Idig up the VW
Kombi. I felt a profound sense of peace,
although I dont know whether this was
an innate quality of this marvellous,
lonely island or whether it came from
my childhood time here a trip to Scolt
was a comforting homecoming.
Philip Larkins poem This Be the
Verse about parental inheritance
describes how misery is handed on,
deepening like a coastal shelf. The
seaside may be mostly the opposite,
aplace for the accumulation of happy
memories, but there is shade as
well assunshine on our shores, not
least because the coast can show us
how the lost idyll of childhood has
truly slipped from our grasp. But
the dreamy comfort I experienced
on Scolt was a consolation; the fact
that I couldnt recapture the past
emphasised to me the compelling
power of the present, and the natural
world around me. On the beach, it was
possible to return to a childlike state
at least, alone with the sea and sand
and silence, completely absorbed in
the present moment.

The Guardian

10 ways to help your child be a good conversationalist

BY SARAH HAMAKER

ROM the time our children are

born, we have been told how
important it is to talk to and
with them. But sometimes that can
be an exercise in forbearance, what
with the mundane topics and endless
repetitions. But all is not lost! The key
is teaching our children what makes a
good conversationalist.
We need to teach kids of all
ages that conversation is giveand-take, with responsibilities
for both participants, says Betsy
Dill, a creative writing teacher in
Centreville, Virginia.
Basics such as not interrupting,
or saying please and thank you
lay the foundation for softer skills
that help our children turn into
people with whom conversing is a
pleasure. How to have a meaningful,
impactful conversation is so
necessary for any social setting, says
Rebecca Czarniecki, who teachers

manners to children through Tea

With Mrs B in Falls Church, Virginia.
1. Talk to your children. Talk to
your child at every opportunity about
everything and anything, says Judith
Hervay of Reston, Va., a mother of two
girls now 17 and 21. Adults should
always have time to sit down and talk
with their child, to show them by
doing how to hold a conversation.
2. Practice active listening. Active
listening is paying attention to what
the other person is saying without
planning what youre going to say or
thinking about something else, says
Dill. Body language plays a huge part
of active listening, so role play with
your child what being interested looks
like, such as facial expressions and
verbal sounds (sighing, etc).
3. Cut to the chase. You dont have
to give a blow-by-blow description of
the story because that puts people to
sleep, says Dill. Instead, you need

to get to the main point pretty fast or

youll lose the other persons interest.
Ask questions that can help a child
figure out the nugget worth sharing,
including what they liked most about
an event, what their favorite part was,
what struck them as funny or weird.
4. Take a breath. People today use
so many filler words to monopolise
air space, says Czarniecki. We
should instead use real words
and not be afraid of silence. She
recommends repeating the question
or saying Let me think about it,
instead of immediately launching
into a response if you need time to
craft your answer.
5. Learn, learn, learn. You cant
have a conversation if you dont
know anything about anything, says
Hervay. Reading age-appropriate
books, visiting museums and taking
up hobbies are just some ways to
enrich young minds and give them
something to talk about.

6. Develop questions. The basic

foundation to any conversation is
having a subject, says Czarniecki.
And one great way for kids to find
that subject is to ask a question of
their conversation partner. She
suggests writing down questions and
putting them in a bowl to be used at
the table for conversation starters.

about a subject than the other person,

and the temptation to point that out
can be great. Other times, we dont find
the topic exciting or of interest to us.
I always told my girls to not make the
other person feel dumb or ignorant or
inadequate in those situations, says
Hervay. This is really hard for young
kids, but its a great life lesson to learn.

7. Develop empathy. What makes

someone good at conversation?
Putting ones self in the other persons
place, says Hervay. A person, no
matter how incredibly brilliant
they are, will be bored if they dont
have empathy because they wont be
interested in the other person.

10. Practise. For fun, toss a ball or

balloon around a circle and ask a
question, then have the other person
answer and toss it back. That helps
children visually see the art of giving
and receiving in conversation, says
Czarniecki.

8. Value silence. We should help our

children realise that just because they
have something to say doesnt mean
they always have to say it. Silence is a
lost art, but its a necessary part of any
conversation, adds Czarniecki.
9. Be polite. Sometimes we know more

People can be so interesting, and

children need to learn that any
person from 90 to 9 has something
interesting to contribute, says
Hervay. As parents, one of our
jobs is to foster this curiosity and
tell them that every human being
matters.

- Washington Post

22

THE MYANMAR TIMES ISSUE 06 I APRIL 24 - 30, 2015

wEEKEND | WHATSON

FRIDAY 24

projects. Connect Institute, 3A Pansodan

Business Tower, corner of Anawrahta
Road and Pansodan Street 4-5pm

MUSIC
Bamboo trio featuring vocalist Tom
Barton. Gekko, 535 Merchant Road 7pm

THURSDAY 30

Acoustic music show. Off The Beaten

Track Cafe, Kandawgyi Park (near
childrens playground), Mingalar Taung
Nyunt 7-9:30pm

MUSIC
Folk on Fire with LNR band. Mojo Bar,
135 Inya Road, Bahan 9:30pm

Nightly live music. Kokine Bar &

Restaurant (next to Kokine swimming
club) 6-11pm

MISC

Live music by The Four Band.

Thiripyitsaya Sky Bistro, 20th floor, Sakura
Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Road,
Kyauktada 7-10pm

Whisky Tasting Event. Try six selected

whiskies accompanied with snacks
and good conversation. RSVP to
britishclubrangoon@gmail.com. Entry
US$20 per person. British Embassy Club,

NIGHTLIFE

between Alan Pya Pagoda Road and Gyo

Phyu Road, Dagon 7:30-11:45pm

The Yangon Vibe. Mojo Bar, 135 Inya

Road, Bahan 10pm

MISC
St Georges Day. Celebrate with a Britpop
soundtrack, traditional pies and ale. Free
admission. British Embassy Club, between
Alan Pya Pagoda Road and Gyo Phyu
Road, Dagon 4-8pm
NetNight 2. A workshop for smalland medium-sized business owners,
entrepreneurs, project holders, enthusiast
professionals or students to participate
in, discuss and hear from the business
world, SME sector, civil society or the
associative sector. Phayres Gastronomy
Bar, Pansodan Road (next to Panorama
Hotel) 6-9pm. For more information
contact myanmar@buildingmaker.org

SATURDAY 25
NIGHTLIFE
Drunk Love Saturday. Club Rizzoli,
Chatrium Hotel, 40 Natmauk Road,
Tarmwe 7-9pm
Electronic night with Dee.F, DJ group
from Hanoi Rock City, Vietnam. Entry
K7000 per person including one free
drink. Mojo Bar, 135 Inya Road, Bahan
(opposite Savoy Hotel) 10pm

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

MISC
Yangon Hash House Harriers Saturday
run. A mixed, family-style Hash. Runs
usually take about an hour and start
from Yangon University, University
Avenue, Kamaryut. K4000 per person.
2:45-8pm
Business model development talk. A talk
on the business model-centred approach
to help you transform ideas into business
projects. Connect Institute, 3A Pansodan
Business Tower, corner of Anawrahta
Road and Pansodan Street 2-4pm

SUNDAY 26
MISC
Salsa beginners workshop. Club 5,
Parkroyal Hotel, 33 Alan Pya Pagoda

Road, Yan Min Gyi, Dagon 5:30-7pm

Karaoke Nite. Club Rizzoli, Chatrium Hotel
Royal Lake Yangon, 40 Natmauk Road,
Tarmwe 7-9pm
5th Myanmar Cosplay and Otaku Festival.
Tickets available on the door at K5000
per person. MICT Park, Hlaing campus
10am-5pm
Noise Above Yangon. An evening of
experimental sound and improvisation.
Pansodan Scene, 2nd floor, 144 Pansodan
Street 5-8pm

MUSIC
Jap-Hop. Mr.Y will spinning with the best
Japanese hip-hop tunes. Crazy dancers
from the land of the rising sun. Specials
on drinks and Japanese food. Free entry.
Mojo, 135 Inya Road, Bahan 7- 11pm

NIGHTLIFE
Electronic night with Dee.F, DJ group
from Hanoi Rock City, Vietnam. Entry
K7000 per person including one free
drink. Mojo Bar, 135 Inya Road, Bahan
(opposite Savoy Hotel) 11:45pm

MONDAY 27

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

Shae Shaung (1, 2) and Nay Pyi Taw

MUSIC
Monday Blues. Mojo Bar, 135 Inya Road,
Bahan 9:30pm
Piano Live Music by Bonny. Thiripyitsaya
Sky Bistro, 20th floor, Sakura Tower, 339
Bogyoke Aung San Road, Kyauktada 7pm

MISC
Trivia night. Free beer pitcher for round
winners and winning team gets a
K30,000 bar tab. 50th Street Bar, 50th
Street (lower block) 8pm

TUESDAY 28
MUSIC
Live music by The Experience Band.
Thiripyitsaya Sky Bistro, 20th floor, Sakura
Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Road,
Kyauktada 7-10pm

MISC
Tuesday Snippets. Gallery conversation
and drinks. Pansodan Gallery, Pansodan
Street 7-10pm
Wine tasting. All wine bottles sold at half
price. Mojo Bar, 135 Inya Road, Bahan
6-9pm

WEDNESDAY 29
NIGHTLIFE
Mojito Night, The Lab, 70A Shwegonedaing Road, Bahan, 5:30-10pm

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

6:30pm and 9:30pm
Start times at Junction Square and
Juntion 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
Make Me Shudder 3.
Directed by Poj Apirut. Thai horror film.
Cinderella.
Directed by Kenneth Branagh. British
romantic fantasy.
Kungfu Jungle.
Directed by Teddy Chan.
Hong Kong-Chinese action thriller.
Mingalar Cinema 2, Dagon Center 2,
Myaynigone
Fast & Furious 7.
Directed by James Wan.
American action film.
Shae Shaung Cinema, Sule Pagoda Road,
Kyauktada
Fast & Furious 7.
The Eyes Diary.
Directed by Chookiat Sakveerakul.
Thai horror film.
Junction Square Cineplex, Kamaryut
The Lazarus Effect.

Girls night out. Mojo Bar, 135 Inya Road,

Directed by David Gelb.

Bahan 8pm

American science-fiction horror.

From Vegas To Macau 2.

MUSIC
Jazz music and dinner. Rendez-Vous

Chinese comedy-action film.

restaurant and bar, Institut Francais, Pyay

Junction Mawtin, Lanmadaw

Road 7:30-9:30pm

The Lazarus Effect.

MISC
Business model development talk: A talk
on the business model-centred approach

Paul Walker rolls into Yangon for the last time this week with his Fast & Furious crew. Photo: Supplied

Directed by Wong Jing. 3D Hong Kong-

to help you transform ideas into business

Mingalar San Pya Cineplex, Phone Gyi

Street and Anawrahta, Lanmadaw
Make Me Shudder 3.
Fast & Furious 7.