Month: April 2009

3 Monks fled to border after DKBA, Karen Guerrilla Group forced them to become Vegetarians

3 Monks fled to border after DKBA, Karen Guerrilla Group forced them to become Vegetarians

Saw Thein Myint (KIC)

April 23, 2009

3 Burmese monks fled to Thai-Burma border after Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, stationed in Pai Kyon Township of Karen State, called for Buddhist Monks to become vegetarians.

According to Residence Sayadaw, U Kovida, Bo Pa Nwee, a commander of troop no. 999 of DKBA, issued an order before Thingyan Festival that all monks staying in Pai Kyone Township must eat vegetables.

“They forced us to go veggie. If we could not follow, we have to leave. That is why we left our place” said U Kovida.

Burmese attending Thingyan Pwe in LA signing petition for Political Prisoners in Burma

Burmese attending Thingyan Pwe in LA signing petition for Political Prisoners in Burma MoeMaKa Reporter 002 April 23, 2009     The annual event hold by Burmese residence living in LA area of California to celebrate Burmese New Year –…

Burmese in North Carolina collecting signatures to free Burmese political prisoners

Burmese in North Carolina collecting signatures to free Burmese political prisoners

MoeMaKa Reporter 002

April 23, 2009

On 22nd April, to support the ongoing international campaign initiated by Burmese activists at the Thai-Burma border to collect signatures demanding the Burmese junta to release all Burmese political prisoners, Burmese in North Carolina hold event to raise the awareness and asked for signatures from the local residences. It was said that 800 signatures were collected. To highlight the Burmese political struggle to the international community, 3 Burmese, Ko Kaung Htike, Ko Zaw Thein and Ko Zaw Win Tint did a performance show dressing themselves as Burmese political prisoners with shackles and chains. One monk, Ashin Egga Dhamma who was imprisoned for Monks-Boycott protest in 1990 was also present there to support the event. (Photo – Oway 8888)

Burmese Brands Banned in Mae La Refugee Camp at Thai-Burma Border

Burmese Brands Banned in Mae La Refugee Camp at Thai-Burma Border

Saw Thein Myint, KIC

April 21, 2009

 

(Photo – Entrance to Mae La Refugee Camp)

            The authority from Mae La Refugee Camp at Thai-Burma border issued an advisory not to trade or use some Burmese brands and products starting from yesterday.

            Among the banned products, some of them were kitten appliances, Burmese traditional medicines, food-coloring powders, dried tea leaf and tea leave salad. It was announced over loud speakers that if not followed, they would be prosecuted.

Letters from Reader – Forced Labor Yay Kyi Township

Letters from Reader – Forced Labor Yay Kyi Township

Dated – April 21st 2009

            It was announced that there would be Donation Ceremony for 100 Monks at Yay Kyi Township in Delta Region on 23rd April 2009. The donor was to be U Zaw Zaw from Myanmar Soccer Association.

            However, U Maung Maung Tin (General Secretary of local Pyi Khai Phyoe aka Kyant Phont, a Burmese military regime’s instrument organization), U Htay Naing (local official from Township’s municipal office) and other local authorities issued an order to all the local residences in the area which encompassed of 99 villages to setup tents and stages in the designated football field.

The Light of Kyee Myint Saw

 The Light of Kyee Myint Saw MoeMaKa Photo News April 20, 2009 Burmese contemporary artist, Kyee Myit Saw was to hold his art exhibition marking his 70th birthday with the name – “Light” in Thailand. It would be at Chiang…

Ma Hninn May Aung, a University Student in Monywa Prison

Ma Hninn May Aung, a University Student in Monywa Prison

MoeMaKa Interview

April 19, 2009

On this first week of April, the city of Villa Santa from Italy awarded honorary citizen to one woman political prisoner from Burma. She was Ma Hnin May Aung from Monywa prison. MoeMaKa contacted Ma Lei Lei Nwe, close friend of her to learn about Ma Hninn May Aung a.k.a. Nobel Aye who was a student from Dagon University and now currently imprisoned in Monywa by the Burmese military regime.

Rangoonians marked their Burmese New Year

Rangoonians marked their Burmese New Year

MoeMaKa Photo News

April 18, 2009

 

(At Shwedagon Pagoda)

Burmese people in Rangoon on 1st day of Burmese New Year, 17th April of 2009 went to Parks and Pagodas for recreation and making religious charities. (photo – Getty Images)

U Pain Bridge in Mandalay from Upper Burma crowded with Thingyan Goers

U Pain Bridge in Mandalay from Upper Burma crowded with Thingyan Goers

MoeMaKa Reporter 001

April 18, 2009

 

(On 4th day of Thingyan morning, a view at U Pain Bridge, a historic timber bridge of over 100 years old, Photo – Mr. Aung)

U Pain Bridge, one of the favorite spot of Mandalay’s Thingyan festival goers, was found jammed packed with visitors all over during the holidays of Thingyan Water Festival. Especially under bridge, visitors found themselves enjoying food at make-shift temporary “floating” restaurants. The stall were selling coconut juice, Beer-like Palm liquor, Beers, all kind of hard liquors and variety of Burmese traditional snacks and salads.

Burma now freed from Bijli Storm

Burma now freed from Bijli Storm Internet Weather News April 18, 2009           Burmese authority announced that Bijli monsoon storm heading towards west coast of Burma had already retreated and they had withdrawn all the emergency measure previously placed. It…

NLD Headquarter holds Burmese New Year Celebration, Paying Respects to Elders

 

NLD Headquarter holds Burmese New Year Celebration, Paying Respects to Elders

MoeMaKa Photo News

April 17, 2009

On 17th April, 2009, Burmese New Year day according to traditional Burmese calendar, one and only leading opposition political party, NLD hold New Year Celebration by paying respects to the elderly politicians.

Bijli, A Monsoon Storm approaching “Sitwe”, west cost of Burma

 

Monsoon Storm approaching “Sitwe”, west cost of Burma

Some locals turn into praying

MoeMaKa Reporter 005

April 17, 2009

Around this time in past last year 2008, there was news of storm approaching “Sittwe”, a small city in west coast of Burma before Nargis storm hit lower Burma in May 2008. Again right now, a monsoon storm named “Bijli”, brewed in India Ocean, crossing Bay of Bengal and approaching towards Sittwe town in Rakhine coastal region, west cost of Burma. According to one weather website, it was said that it would be reaching inland with 60 to 80 mph wind speed causing high tide at the coast line on April 17th and 18th.

Thingyan in Rangoon – 2nd Day in Photos with Cans of Beers & Sodas, Drinking Water Bottles

 

Thingyan in Rangoon – 2nd Day in Photos with Cans of Beers & Sodas, Drinking Water Bottles

MoeMaKa Reporter (Rangoon)

April 14, 2009

          In Rangoon, especially around Inya Lake and private lanes, it was where most packed with festive-goers and also where there’s crowds, there’s garbage-collectors to make their day from recyclable cans and bottles.