Visa numbers ‘encouraging’: government
ALMOST 4500 foreign visitors have received a visa on arrival in the two months since a simplified version of the system was introduced at Yangon and Mandalay international airports, an immigration official said last week. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Only 182 buildings to go in Strand Rd upgrade: YCDC
FURTHER details have emerged about the planned redevelopment of Strand Road, with Yangon City Development Committee announcing the upgrade would also see a dual-track railway line constructed. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Megaprojects not the way forward for developing Asia
HONG KONG – It was intriguing to spot Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the recent G20 summit in Toronto. The unilingual Dung stood with his headphones on, beaming like a garden gnome and clearly chuffed to be in a group that included the presidents of China, Russia and the United States. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Comic book artist Maung Nyein Chan passes away
ARTIST Maung Nyein Chan, best known for a comic book series featuring a character named Sai Baydar, died suddenly of a heart attack on June 29 at North Okkalapa Hospital, aged 62. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 26, No. 523)
Japan embassy funds school projects in Yangon Division
A NEW school building and a gymnasium, funded by the Japanese embassy in Yangon, have been completed and made available for use. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Leading parties eye poll alliance
PROMINENT independent political parties aiming to contest this year’s election are likely to “cooperate” to improve their chances of success, party leaders have told The Myanmar Times. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
No more betel shops near schools
BETEL nut shops within spitting distance of schools will be moved in a bid to keep children off narcotic substances, police and health officials say. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 26, No. 523)
Big names help Democratic Party gain support
HAVING the daughters of senior government ministers from the post-World War II parliamentary democracy era has given the Democratic Party (Myanmar) a significant advantage over its opponents, chairman U Thu Wai told The Myanmar Times last week. (July 12 - 18, 2010Volume 27, No. 531)
Ministry warns of rat-related health risks
THE Ministry of Health late last month began warning of the potential health risks posed by rats and the infectious diseases they carry, after swarms of vermin were found crossing the Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw Highway. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Democratic Force recruits candidates in 50 towns
A SENIOR member of the National Democratic Force said last week the party had organised candidates in about 50 towns across the country and was optimistic that it would attract more when the party was officially registered. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Prominent writers launch journal
A GROUP of prominent writers last week launched a new weekly journal, titled Pyi Thu Khit – The People’s Age – aimed at the “intellectual” end of the market. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Countries to draft tiger rescue plan
JAKARTA – Representatives from 13 “tiger-range countries” including Myanmar will draft a global recovery plan at a meeting in Indonesia this week in a bid to rescue the big cats from extinction, officials said on July 6. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Oil crop project expanded
A SCHEME to encourage farmers to grow more oil crops is being expanded. In order to increase domestic production and reduce imports, the government is giving farmers sesame, groundnut, sunflower and soybean seeds. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Legend of lost bell lures Australian filmmaker
A NEW attempt is to be made to salvage the Dhammazedi Bell from the Bago River, where it has rested for almost four centuries. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
The Dhammazedi Bell: an inauspicious tale
According to legend, the Dhammazedi Bell might never have been cast if it weren’t for over-eager census-takers. The story goes that King Dhammazedi, ninth of the Mon kings, ordered a count of all households around the year 1480. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Department of Meteorology to promote disaster awareness in local media
REDUCING the toll of natural disasters – that is the aim of a public education campaign the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology plans to launch in local media in the coming month. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Orchid expert to judge at Singapore show
AN ORCHID expert from the Myanmar Floriculturist Association (MFA) has been invited to be an international judge at the Singapore Orchid Show. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
‘Openings’ for independents in 2010
THE conditions surrounding the coming election are likely to present significant opportunities for independent candidates, political analysts and politicians have told The Myanmar Times. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Pauk residents adopt tiny novice as ‘favourite son’
KO Yin Kontala arrives home from his monastery and sees his younger brothers playing under the hot sun. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)
Passport applications on rise at Ranong
THE shift of a temporary passport-issuing office from Kawthoung to Ranong has sparked a significant increase in applications for identification documents from migrant workers in Thailand, a spokesperson from Special Branch said last week. (July 12 - 18, 2010 Volume 27, No. 531)