Unlike other countries in South East Asia, Myanmar is quite sensitive with cameras. Many a time, foreign visitors are requested not to take photos of sensitive buildings and places. Sometimes, it might even result in occasional inconveniences, as described by one of the visitors to Yangon. “This is a great Edwardian brick pile in a …
Like all other nations in South East Asia, people in Myanmar are also enjoying the internet access to the world. Internet has become part of the daily life of some of the Burmese living in the large cities. However, the speed of the internet in Myanmar is usually quite slow, individual access is also quite …
Myanmar is a country rich in history, culture, custom and tradition. It also has a number of tourist attractions, with many more unknown and yet undiscovered tourist attractions. Many of Myanmar’s popular tourist attractions are famous all over the world. The following is a brief description of some of Myanmar’s popular and famous tourist attractions. …
Myanmar’s Famous and Popular Tourist Attractions Read More »
While the economy is in turmoil, Myanmar astrologers and astrological book publishers are finding it a good time for their business, according to the Democratic Voice of Burma. While rice exports are not earning good price, while sea food industry is in big trouble, while business are finding it difficult to maintain their business activity, …
An account of various thrones used by Myanmar kings King Badon (Bodawphaya, 1782-1819) moved to the new palace on 17 May 1783 and Amarapura (the City of No Death) on 1 June 1783. One of his ministers called Jeyasankhaya (Zayyathinkhaya) compiled An Account on Golden Palace (Shwebon Nidan) and he completed the work on 21 …
Trishaws (or Side-car as it is known in Myanmar) are the easiest and most convenient mode of transportation in Myanmar, especially outside of Yangon. Although buses are the major mode of travel in Yangon, very few buses run the streets of other major cities and towns in Burma. In smaller towns in Myanmar, there is no public bus service. People in these smaller cities and towns have to rely on trishaws as the major mode of public transport.
The first time I traveled to Hakha was in 2004, December. It was cold, dark and wet. The city was constantly under blackout, and there was no internet connection. The next time I went there was in May 2005. The blackout was worse now, with no electricity for the whole city at all for the whole day. Internet was still unheard of for most people.
I traveled back to Hakha again in 2007. This time, things were changed. There was now one internet cafe opened in Hakha. The internet cafe was at Shine Store
Rice prices in Myanmar are falling. However, fall in price is mainly in the price paid to the rice farmers for rice grain. The price of polished rice sold in the domestic market remains high. Current grain price for low grade rice is 250,000 kyat (about US$ 250) per 100 tin (Burmese system for measuring rice and grain, equivalent to 66 sacks), while the price for high grade rice is currently at 450,000 kyat (US$ 450) per 66 sacks. (Rice in Burma is usually sold in sack). This is the price paid to rice farmers by the millers.
Polished rice at the wholesale market is currently at 14,000 to 16,000 kyat (US$ 130 – 150) per sac for low grade rice, while high grade rice is sold at more than 24,000 kyat per sac. Usually, 66 sacks of grain will yield 32 sacks of polished rice after milling. At this rate, 66 sacks of grain (bought at 250,000 kyat would yield more than 500,000 kyat (double the buying price)………
As of 1 April 2012, Central Bank of Myanmar has officially float the kyat in the market. Currently, there is not much difference between the official rate and black market. Official rate now reflects the actual market rate. Be very careful of using unofficial money exchanges. There are several incidents where customers are cheated by these …
Last 20 years saw the establishment of beer culture in Myanmar. Before 1988, beer is a rare commodity in Myanmar. The government produced Mandalay beer was always in short supply. It was available only in a very few hotels and restaurants. Foreign brands like Heineken and Tiger beer were available in black markets at a …