· June, 2012

Stories about Myanmar (Burma) from June, 2012

China: Space Missions or Social Development?

On June 16, China successfully launched its Shenzhou-9 capsule into space. Some netizens have criticized the government's excessive spending on a space mission whilst basic social needs are still lacking in many parts of the country.

22 June 2012

Myanmar: Burmese Proverbs

Fifty Viss created a Tumblr account called Zagabon, to collect and publish Burmese proverbs and sayings, along with English translations and context if necessary

21 June 2012

Myanmar: Netizens Celebrate Aung San Suu Kyi's Birthday

Myanmar netizens sent online birthday greetings to opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi who is in Europe for her first foreign trip after two decades. Netizens are wondering why state media networks didn't report the Nobel Peace Prize lecture which Suu Kyi recently delivered

19 June 2012

Understanding the Violence in Western Myanmar

Dozens dead, more than two thousand houses burned down, and thirty thousand residents have been displaced by the communal violence in Rakhine State, west of Myanmar. Who are responsible for these deaths? How was the internet used to spread hate and racism? What are the views of ordinary citizens on this very complicated issue?

16 June 2012

Bangladesh: Keep Border Open For Rohingya Refugees

After a recent sectarian violence between Rohingya and Rakhine in Western Myanmar, Bangladesh has restricted the influx of Rohingya refugees crossing borders. Bangladeshi netizens questions the decision of the government on humane grounds, though admitting as well that the country is incapable of hosting more refugees.

14 June 2012

Development Model for Myanmar

Myat Thu Pan discusses the possible development model for Myanmar by studying the development histories of Singapore and Thailand. The author advises Myanmar to learn from the mistakes of its...

14 June 2012

Myanmar: Protest Against Riot Attacks

CJ Myanmar reported[my] that Rakhine people in Yangon, Myanmar protested against riot attacks which already spread in nearby towns of the Rakhine state. The protestors include Rakhine ethnics and Buddhist...

13 June 2012

Myanmar: Rakhine Villages Attacked

Tensions are running high in the Rakhine area of Myanmar after a series of violent incidents. Netizens have criticized 'inaccurate' Western media reporting, which highlighted the continuing tension among ethnic groups in the country.

10 June 2012

Aung San Suu Kyi Visits Thailand

Ronald Reagan was still president of the United States the last time Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi left Myanmar. That was 24 years ago. This week she travelled to Thailand where she delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum in Bangkok. Thousands of people in the streets greeted Suu Kyi during her visit

1 June 2012