Stories about Myanmar (Burma) from June, 2012
Myanmar: Rohingya Boat Refugees Left Floating by Bangladesh Government
The Rohingyas of Myanmar are fleeing from their homes on boats because of local ethnic rioting in Rakhine province and are seeking refuge in neighboring Bangladesh. But the government of Bangladesh is not letting them in, leaving them floating on the sea with their lives in peril.
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.
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
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
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?
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.
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 neighbors in the region
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 monks and they prayed for the victims of the riot at Shwedagon Pagoda.
Myanmar: Who Started the Tension in Arakan State?
Writing for the New Mandala, Sai Latt analyzes the situation in Arakan State in Myanmar where riots have spread in several villages. The author writes about the racist campaign against the Rohingya people.
Myanmar: Department of Historical Research Website
Myanmar's Department of Historical Research has a new website which provides access to documents and studies about the history of the country
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.
Myanmar: Concern About Inflation
Netizens expressed[my] their concern about inflation with the release of 10000 kyats note after the formal announcement[my] of the Myanmar government.
Myanmar: Revenge Killing After Girl Was Raped
Spring Flowers wrote [my] about the senselessness of revenge when vigilantes killed 9 Muslims during a bus attack in western Rakhine, Myanmar after a Rakhine girl was raped and killed by 3 Muslims.
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