Day: April 12, 2009

State of emergency in Bangkok

On By Burma Myanmar newsIn AseanLeave a comment

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By: BangkokPost.com
Published: 12/04/2009 at 02:51 PM
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced a state of emergency in different areas of Bangkok and nearby provinces on Sunday afternoon, in an attempt to deal with the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters.

The prime minister, appeared on the national television, said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban will be in charge of implementing the decree in Bangkok and in some districts of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Prathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya provinces.

He assured members of the public that the situation would be restored as quickly as possible, and asked them to cooperate with the authorities.

Earlier Sunday, the police arrested UDD core members Arisman Pongruangrong, causing the red-shirt protesters to rally in front of various venues, such as the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek road. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/140347/state-of-emergency-in-bangkok

“Thingyan Festival” – the sad side

On By Burma Myanmar newsIn Cyclon NargisLeave a comment

by Mungpi
Sunday, 12 April 2009 09:43

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Even as Burmese people across the country, swathed in a festive mood, look forward to the Burmese New Year and the rejuvenating water festival, a resident in Laputta town of the Irrawaddy delta said things are grim for him.

“I cannot think of having fun, when I do not even have enough to eat,” he said.

The miseries in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis and the steadily deteriorating economic situation in Burma laced with the global economic meltdown have hit people hard.

The town of Laputta is among the worst-hit in the Irrawaddy Delta, by Cyclone Nargis when it lashed Burma in May, last year.

Despite nearly a year having elapsed, residents in the town, like many others in the cyclone hit areas, continue the struggle to reclaim their lives.

“There is not much festive mood in the town,” said the resident, adding while New Year is a festive time, most of the townsfolk are struggling to re-build their lives.

Normally, he said, people in Laputta town offers donation during the Thingyan festival, as a good deed to bring luck and prosperity for the next year.

“However, this year the number of people offering donation has drastically gone down,” he added. Continue reading ““Thingyan Festival” – the sad side” →