Apr 10, 2013 (English Version)

Calls Grow for Inquiry into Sales of Gas Stations

An Upper House lawmaker says he will push the government to investigate the former junta’s sale of gas stations to cronies at below market prices. Read More

Yamethin Gold Miners Facing Trial Again

Three gold miners jailed for protesting are facing legal action again, just as they near completion of their six-month prison terms. Read More

Shan Farmers Claim Govt Siphoned Off Shwe Gas Pipeline Compensation

At least one township involved denies misusing the funds, claiming the farmers received the full amount they were promised. Read More

Amid Mass Tax Evasion, Burmese Public Demands Reform

At a public hearing with lawmakers Shwe Mann and Aung San Suu Kyi, hundreds of businesspeople urge the government to clean up its revenue system. Read More

Govt to Step Up Pace of Arakan Reconstruction

President Thein Sein vows to complete efforts to rebuild areas of Arakan State hit by last year’s violence before the start of the rainy season. Read More

Reforms, Foreign Investment to Raise GDP Growth to 6.5 Percent

Government reforms are boosting Burma’s economy, which is projected to grow 6.5 percent in 2013, while foreign investment is surging, the Asian Development Bank says. Read More

The Road Past Mangshi

With more leverage in the West, Burma looks at China in a new light. Read More

The Dangers of Decency

Foreign journalists often misread Burma precisely because they are too decent to understand the deviousness of the country’s rulers and certain other elements in society. Read More

High-Rollers from China Make Singapore Casinos See Red

High-rollers get hefty credit lines at Singapore’s two casinos, but here, many skip town without paying their debt, a matter of increasing concern for investors. Read More

Luck of the Draw for Thai Army Recruits

Thousands of Thai men take part in April’s army recruitment lottery. Others unwilling to chance fate volunteer for a shorter stint. Read More

South Korea Increases Surveillance as North Moves Missile

South Korea says it has raised its surveillance after the North moved at least one long-range missile in readiness for a possible launch. Read More

Kachin Rebels Say China Not to Blame for Peace Talk Delays

China is not responsible for a delay in peace talks between Kachin rebels and Burma’s government, Kachin rebels say, according to a report by the Democratic Voice of Burma on Tuesday. The talks were supposed to occur before Wednesday but were pushed back because both sides needed more time to prepare, a spokesperson for the [...] Read More

UN Development Program Gives $150 Million to Burma

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has pledged $150 million in development assistance to Burma, the New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported on Tuesday. The UNDP, which offers advice, training and grant support to developing countries, is giving the aid as part of its Burma program from 2013 to 2015, after the former pariah state [...] Read More

Nightly Curfews Cut in Central Burma as Post-Riot Tensions Ease

Police have decided to reduce curfew hours in five townships of Pegu Division, central Burma, as the situation becomes more stable following anti-Muslim riots last month, Eleven Myanmar reported on Tuesday. The curfews will be cut in half, from 12 hours to six hours, and will be reduced further as tensions continue to ease, Col. [...] Read More

New Flights Connect Moulmein, Mandalay to Southeast Asia Region

Nok Air, the budget carrier of Thai Airways, is resuming international flights with planned services from the northwest Thai town of Mae Sot to the Mon State capital of Moulmein, the Bangkok Post reported on Wednesday. The service will offer two flights daily. Meanwhile, Golden Myanmar Airlines is set to begin daily flights from Mandalay [...] Read More