Thursday, March 30, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


State Counselor Pledges to Try Harder to Earn Public’s Support and Trust

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 11:00 AM PDT

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi emphasizes peace and reconciliation in her address on the first anniversary of the NLD govt's administration.

The post State Counselor Pledges to Try Harder to Earn Public's Support and Trust appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Five UNFC Members to Sign the NCA

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 08:50 AM PDT

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi makes the announcement on state-run MRTV.

The post Five UNFC Members to Sign the NCA appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Police: ‘Detainees Underwent Training for Money’

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 06:50 AM PDT

A former village administrator, a religious leader, and a teenager are among 17 persons on trial over alleged illegal military training in Arakan State.

The post Police: 'Detainees Underwent Training for Money' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Military Officer: ‘Rambo IV’ Defames Burma Army

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 05:13 AM PDT

ABSDF central committee member faces defamation charges for appearing in Hollywood blockbuster alongside Sylvester Stallone in 2008.

The post Military Officer: 'Rambo IV' Defames Burma Army appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Researchers: China Ivory Prices Fall on Ban, but Illegal Markets Abroad Thrive

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 05:08 AM PDT

The research, published on Wednesday by conservation group Save the Elephants, comes a day before China closes the last of its legal ivory factories.

The post Researchers: China Ivory Prices Fall on Ban, but Illegal Markets Abroad Thrive appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Days of Discontent

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 05:02 AM PDT

It is time to stop living under the illusion that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her government will match expectations and bring about concrete change.

The post Days of Discontent appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

New Political Order Begins in Burma

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 01:38 AM PDT

As today marks one year since the NLD government assumed office, The Irrawaddy revisits this commentary from the early days of the new administration.

The post New Political Order Begins in Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

More Than 60 From Burma Die in Malaysian Detention Camps in Two Years

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 12:21 AM PDT

Human rights commissioner calls for 'overhaul of the system' after data reveals 118 foreigners died in immigration detention centers from 2015-16.

The post More Than 60 From Burma Die in Malaysian Detention Camps in Two Years appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thai Jungle Cameras Reveal New Breeding Population of Endangered Tigers

Posted: 29 Mar 2017 09:47 PM PDT

Photos confirm the existence of the world's second breeding population of the critically endangered Indochinese tiger.

The post Thai Jungle Cameras Reveal New Breeding Population of Endangered Tigers appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Has the NLD Learned Nothing About Ethnic Concerns?

Posted: 29 Mar 2017 07:34 PM PDT

Matthew J Walton looks at the controversy over a bridge in Mon State.

The post Has the NLD Learned Nothing About Ethnic Concerns? appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

World Bank Financing Arm Under Fire Over Burmese Coal Mine Link

Posted: 29 Mar 2017 07:25 PM PDT

The World Bank's private sector lending arm comes under criticism in a new report over its connection to a controversial coal mining operation.

The post World Bank Financing Arm Under Fire Over Burmese Coal Mine Link appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

National News

National News


Finding recreation at the cool Mann Creek

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 12:15 AM PDT

The Mann Creek, running through the hills, originates from the western mountain ranges. It is clear and cool, always flows and can refresh anyone regardless of age and wealth.

More Japanese visit Myanmar but only on business

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 12:11 AM PDT

Myanmar needs to actively promote its culture, historical heritage, leisure and other features to attract more Japanese tourists as most of the visitors from Japan are business travellers, said U Kyaw Min Htin, executive committee member ofMyanmar Tourism Marketing Committee under the Myanmar Tourism Federation.

Hakha Education College to open in December

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 12:09 AM PDT

The new Hakha Education College in Chin State will be ready in December, according to the Higher Education Department.

6,000 villagers to get first aid, road safety training

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 12:01 AM PDT

Over 6000 people living in villages along the accident-prone Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw highway will be trained in first aid and road safety by the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and Shell Myanmar.

‘Start With Me’ road safety campaign to be launched

Posted: 29 Mar 2017 11:57 PM PDT

A public campaign on road safety involving the participation of every citizen will be launched on April 4 at Mahabandoola Park in Yangon, in an effort to reduce the number of road accidents and fatalities on Yangon roads.

Letpadaung demonstrators’ camps closed

Posted: 29 Mar 2017 11:56 PM PDT

The authorities shut down demonstrators' camps on March 28, following the suspension of quarry activities in Letpadaung mine site by the General Administration Department.

650 factory workers sacked over strike

Posted: 29 Mar 2017 11:51 PM PDT

About 650 workers in a clothing factory in Hlaing Tharyar were fired after holding a strike to demand for a 10-day break to celebrate the Thingyan water festival.

Voters lacking info about candidates: EEOP survey

Posted: 29 Mar 2017 11:49 PM PDT

More than half of the voters have admitted that they don't know the plans and policies of the candidates competing in the by-election on April 1, 2017, according to the Pre-Election Voter Perception Survey done by the Election Education and Observation Partners (EEOP).

Japanese loan to develop agri businesses

Posted: 29 Mar 2017 11:44 PM PDT

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation intends to provide loans to value-added agricultural businesses through a two-step loan scheme with funds from Japan, said the ministry's deputy permanent secretary U Myo Tint Tun.

Rakhine MPs reject municipal bills

Posted: 29 Mar 2017 11:42 PM PDT

Two bills that propose abolishing municipal laws were opposed by the Rakhine Hluttaw as they were submitted without preliminary discussions with state MPs, said State Hluttaw Legislative Committee's chair U Mya Than.

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News


SNLD spokesman urges voters to support ‘local party’

Posted: 30 Mar 2017 06:20 AM PDT

Sai Leik, the spokesperson for the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), today urged voters going to the polls in by-elections on Saturday to support "their local party" in Shan State.


Speaking to Shan Herald on Thursday, the final day for campaigning, Sai Leik said, "From now on, our representative should be a citizen of Shan State and should be a person who is working on behalf of our nationality."

He added that people in Mong Hsu, Mong Nong and Kehsi townships had lost their right to vote during the 2015 general election when polls were cancelled due to security concerns.

"That's why this time they must come out and exercise their right to vote. We do not want our people to lose their rights," he said.


Nicknamed the Tiger Head Party, the SNLD won a total of 40 seats in the 2015 election. For this by-election, it is running candidates to contest all seats in Mong Hsu, Mong Nong, Kehsi and Kengtung townships.


Its ethnic rival, the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), known as the White Tiger Party, will also contest all vacant seats in those same areas.

Apart from the two Shan-based parties, the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which holds a majority of seats in the Shan State Assembly, has also been rallying for its candidates in the final stages of the campaign in Shan State, as have the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) and other ethnic parties such as the Wa National Unity Party (WNUP).

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)