NORMALCY AMID UNCERTAINTY
Myanmar’s military government has sought to project a sense of normalcy, even as the country continues to face political and economic challenges.
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, who was sworn in as president last week following widely criticised elections late last year, has recently signalled interest in normalising relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Myanmar is a member of the regional bloc, but has largely been sidelined since the military takeover.
In previous years, many people stayed off the streets during Thingyan as a form of protest against the military junta.
But after enduring overlapping crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the coup, the Mar 28 earthquake last year and now fuel shortages, some said they simply wanted a chance to celebrate.
“It has been such a long time that we could be happy,” said one reveller. “Everyone is just celebrating freely.”
Despite the return of public festivities, uncertainty remains about Myanmar’s future. Many remain sceptical that the recent political developments will bring meaningful change.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/myanmar-thingyan-new-year-festival-military-junta-coup-earthquake-fuel-shortage-6060576
