Shan Herald Agency for News |
- No water, no country
- Wa donates land for Thai king’s memorial
- 'Burma in the Spotlight' -- only 5 days 'til the big event!
- Two Shan parties organizing donations for refugees
| Posted: 28 May 2013 03:51 AM PDT Environmental groups meanwhile also organized their own forum on alternative water management. According to reports that came out, concerns expressed at the Chiangmai gatherings were more about deteriorating environment and economies caused by flood and drought.  The second Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS) (Photo: The Nation) SHAN on the other hand would like to discuss about water being a life-and-death security issue for nations like Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam that exist downstream of the Salween and the Mekong rivers, whose headquarters are in China. Which means that unless these countries can be rest assured of their giant neighbor's eternal friendship and goodwill, placing excessive dependence on these rivers may prove to be an invitation to disaster – a catastrophic one. They will find themselves, all of a sudden, at the mercy of China, doing its biddings against their own interests. After all, what's a country without water. (unless you have oil instead)? Which brings to mind movies that we have watched and books that we have read about the 19th century American West when we were young: big ranchers being licked by smart farmers, who held the water rights (and who also happened to be good with guns of course). "Who controls the water controls the range, for without water the range is useless," wrote the late Louis L'amour. One might add: so is a country. So what's the alternative? For a country like Burma, it should-for dear life-see to it that the Irrawaddy and its tributaries are all in the supreme state of preservation. It must never hesitate to say "no" to megadams and the likes. Our hope therefore is that the Myitsone dam project remains closed forever. For the Shan State and especially Shans, it is time to realize the meaning of songs like "As long as the Namkhong (Salween) flows, Shan State will last" by Sai Hsaimao go deeper than they used to fathom. It means that, whether they like it or not, they cannot allow themselves to become subservient to the idea that their future ties in with the Salween. Or they will find themselves being given their most coveted prize, Independence, without having to fight, because our Burmese rulers, let alone ourselves, do not want to be kings in a waterless country anymore. Maybe it's time they start to compose songs like, "As long as the Pang (or Teng, Pawn, Hsim, Khuen, Tu and other small rivers) flows, Shan State will last." They would be more realistic and more reassuring. |
| Wa donates land for Thai king’s memorial Posted: 27 May 2013 11:38 PM PDT The United Wa State Army (UWSA) has donated a 5-acre (12.5 rai) plot of land for the renovation of a stupa believed to have been built in the early 17th century in today's Mongton township, opposite Chiangmai, according to sources.  Wei Xueyun (Photo: UWSA) Although details are still sketchy, both sources, one a respected elder in Mongton, the other a long-time border security officer, have confirmed the fact. "The abbot of Loi Kawng Mu (a mountain temple 2 miles east of Pongpakhem — See map) had asked only for the plot that used to contain the now defunct stupa," said the Mongton source. "Wei Xueyun (also written Wei Hsuehying) however gave him 5 acres instead." Wei Xueyun, also known by his Thai name Sophol Jandee, is the younger brother of the more well-known Wei Xuegang (also written Wei Hsuehkang), Commander of the Thai-border based 171st Military Region. He is wanted both in the United States and Thailand on drug charges. The King Naresuan stupa, located 25 miles (40 km) from the border, was demolished and bulldozed by the Burma Army around 1960, following widespread reports of the spirit of the king watching over fighters of the Noom Seuk Harn, the first Shan armed resistance movement. Remnants of its bricks were carried by Shan fighters under the command of Gen Gawnzerng (1926-1991) in 1969 to Muang Ngai, a Thai border town opposite Mongton. A new stupa was then constructed under the auspices of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Thai security official added that two Thai monks visited the site two months ago with historic documents to conduct a survey there. According to Shan history, King Naresuan (1555-1605) had died while on the way to relieve Prince Kham Khai Noi of Hsenwi, who was under attack by both Burmese and Chinese forces. |
| 'Burma in the Spotlight' -- only 5 days 'til the big event! Posted: 27 May 2013 11:37 PM PDT Our gala fundraising benefit evening, Burma in the Spotlight, is now only five days away! All of our staff and volunteers are working madly in these final few days to ensure all of the wonderful pieces are in place. We are confident that this will be an amazing evening to remember, all in support of a great cause: The Best Friend Library in Chiang Mai, our new library and Green Training Program in Shan State, and our 'Compassionate Care' projects supporting the medical needs of refugees and migrants from Burma who have experienced extraordinary difficulties, including Chaa Nay Choo and Sai Khong Naitun. An event of this magnitude (the most ambitious event we've yet attempted) has so many details. We'd like to share some of them with you now to increase anticipation for those of you already confirmed to attend, and to convince those of you who haven't yet purchased your tickets that this is an event you do not want to miss. Before we begin with the exciting details, we'd like to mention that ticket sales have been going quite well. There will be 350 seats total for the event, to be held at Chiang Mai's Imperial Mae Ping Hotel this Saturday 1 June from 5:30–11 p.m., and we are nearly 80% sold out! Tickets are 850 baht, and we still have some tickets remaining, including reserved tables of 10 that we are offering at a special price for our library members. However, we can't guarantee that there will be any tickets for sale on the evening of the event. To avoid disappointment, we suggest that you stop by The Best Friend Library or email chiangmai@thebestfriend.org to reserve your seats as soon as possible! KEYNOTE SPEAKER We are very pleased to announce that our Keynote Speaker for 'Burma in the Spotlight' will be Tin Tin Nyo, General Secretary of Women's League of Burma! Tin Tin Nyo has had a lengthy and distinguished career advocating for the rights of women and sustainable peace and stability in Burma. She served as Burmese Women's Union's joint general secretary from 2005-2007, and was elected as General Secretary of BWU in 2007, serving until 2011. Later that year, she was elected to serve as the General Secretary of WLB and was re-elected at the most recent session of the WLB Congress in 2013. At our event on 1 June, Tin Tin Nyo will provide a brief overview of WLB and an outline of its projects. She will also discuss current pressing issues affecting Burma. The Best Friend is very honored to be able to welcome Tin Tin Nyo and other friends from Women's League of Burma to 'Burma in the Spotlight'! PERFORMANCES and PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS In addition to our main featured performer Dang Fantastic, one of Thailand's best-loved musicians, we will be very fortunate to have the opportunity to enjoy some traditional cultural performances arranged by several Burma-related organizations. These include:
In addition, we will also have a special area in the foyer of the hotel dedicated for sharing exposure with some of our partner organizations. Here is the complete list of organizations that will be represented with their own information/fundraising tables: Free Burma Rangers, Documentary Arts Asia, Chimmuwa Karen Women's Co-operative (Mae Sot), Borderline Collective (Mae Sot), Kids Ark Foundation, KWAT, SWAN, Women's League of Burma, Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia (BABSEA), Thai Freedom House, and Partners Relief & Development. We are so happy to have the support of all the above organizations as part of our strong network! Make sure you visit the table of each organization to get more information, speak with the staff, and support their important work. BURMESE BUFFET DINNER The Executive Chef of the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel and his staff are really going above-and-beyond the call of duty to provide all event guests with a wonderful buffet of Burmese delights! The menu will include no fewer than eight different salads and starters (including favorites like Pickled Ginger Salad, Prawn Salad, and Burmese Samosas), ten curries and warm dishes (don't miss the Mohinga, Neua Lung (Shan meatballs), Pork Curry, or Mutton Masala), and six dessert offerings (highlights are Shwe Gyi Mont (Burmese Semolina Cake) and Mango Cake). 'No one will go home hungry' is an understatement. What are you most excited to try? LUCKY DRAW PRIZES We understand that an 850 baht ticket price is not insignificant to anyone, so we decided that we will not ask event attendees to purchase additional lucky draw tickets. Your event ticket will already have your lucky draw number, and there will be no additional tickets to purchase. Everyone will have an equal chance to win one of the great prizes we have been so fortunate to have donated by local businesses. We have generous meal vouchers from some of Chiang Mai's top restaurants (including Le Coq d'Or, The Duke's, Beccofino, Casa Antonio, and many others), some lovely framed photographs and artworks, free nights at top hotels and resorts (Chiang Dao Nest, Chai Lai Orchid Nature Bungalows, and more), vouchers for both Flight of the Gibbon and Segway Gibbon, and much more. Perhaps the grandest prize of all is roundtrip airfare from Chiang Mai to Bangkok for two on Bangkok Airways, with two nights on the Executive Floor of the Amari Bangkok Watergate Hotel! With so many prizes to give away, every attendee has an excellent chance of going home with something special. SILENT ART AUCTION From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. we will be conducting a silent art auction, with all proceeds benefitting The Best Friend's projects in Chiang Mai and Shan State. Jacquelyn Suter, a longtime collector of art from Burma, has kindly donated several stunning watercolors and acrylics by Burmese artists (see attached for a few preview images). We also have two stunning pieces from talented Arakanese artist Myat Thein Zaw, and two amazing photographic prints from Ryan Libre. In addition, the auction is where you can pick up some very valuable deluxe hotel and resort stays for a bargain price! Opening bids will be a fraction of the actual value of the items on offer, so make sure to arrive early to get your bids in! --- In addition to all of the above, you can trust that we have many surprises in store for you. You'll just have to attend 'Burma in the Spotlight' yourself to discover everything we have planned to delight you! Check out the Facebook Event page to share in the excitement, as well as the excellent article, A Spotlight on Burma? Here's Why! published by CityNews reporter Anna Brooks last week. For those of you unable to attend the event but still wishing to support The Best Friend at this time, we'd like to suggest that you check out our current online Indiegogo Campaign. There are 35 days remaining for this campaign, and many great "perks" that you can get by donating. Please help to build momentum and spread the word by sharing the campaign link: www.indiegogo.com/projects/burma-library. Thank you all for your generous support, and hope to see everyone at Burma in the Spotlight this Saturday!! P.S. In case you are concerned that with all of the preparations for our gala fundraising event, The Best Friend has shifted its focus from our regular Burma-related community events, you'll be pleased to know that we have several other events coming up in Chiang Mai. "Borderline: Expression from the Thai-Burma Border" is the title of a group exhibition of artwork by Burmese artists in exile that will be co-presented by The Best Friend Library and Borderline Collective. The exhibit will run from 14–27 June at Chiang Mai's Sangdee Gallery. In addition, we are also planning a forum on cyber security in Burma to be held in late June at Chiang Mai University. Stay tuned for more details! -- Garrett Kostin The Best Friend Library – Chiang Mai www.thebestfriend.org • www.facebook.com/BurmaLibrary |
| Two Shan parties organizing donations for refugees Posted: 27 May 2013 11:35 PM PDT It has been reported that Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) and Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), the two Shan leading political parties have been raising funds to support the refugees who have fled due to the fight between Burma army and Shan State Army (SSA) in Namkham township on the Sino-Burmese border. "Three days ago, the SNLD and SNDP have been raising funds and collecting some other household utilities door-to-door to support the refugees who have fled from the war zone. People are generously offering donations in town. With a group of 200 people we delivered the collected utilities and donations to the refugees on 24 May," a woman who is a member of SNLD told SHAN.  The villages to which they have distributed donations and utensils include 127 households from Nawng Ma Tar, 132 from Nawng Kham, 45 from Mangkun, 12 Pey (28.8 liters) of rice and 30,000 Kyat ($32) in cash to each family. A 100,000 Kyat ($ 120) was also donated to Man Sawn village fund. Sky Net media network also has donated a cable line TV to each monastery and donors from Mandalay also have offered bags of rice. Donors from Mandalay include Thein Than Co., Ltd., and Shwe Chan Tha Co., Ltd.; each of which has donated 100 bags of rice. Ko Sein Win and Brothers Mechanic Trading donated 24 bags of rice. People from Namkham donated 10.66 million Kyat ($12,000), said a member of SNDP. On 9 May, the Burma Army with 400-strong troops attacked the Shan State Army Task Force 701, which sent thousands people from Nawng Ma Tar and other villages around the area to flee for their safety. |
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