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Burma: Speaking truth to power(cuts)

By Francis Wade Tue, May 22, 2012 12:37PM UTC View Comments

It’s always been about power in Burma, whether it be the Machiavellian governance of its leaders, or the blackouts that for decades have plagued the energy-rich country. The ties that bind the two are intrinsic – back in 2007, it was dramatic fuel price hikes that prompted tens of thousands of monks and civilians to...

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Burma: New deal to end fighting with Shan rebels

By AP News Sun, May 20, 2012 2:15PM UTC View Comments

KENGTUNG, Burma (AP) — A Burma negotiator says ethnic Shan rebels have agreed in a second round of talks that there will be no more fighting between the guerrillas and government troops. It is the latest reported agreement between Burma’s new reform-minded government and various ethnic rebels. Negotiator Aung Min said that Shan State Army...

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Law: the bane of Burma’s landowners

By Francis Wade Fri, May 18, 2012 3:41PM UTC View Comments

A farmer ploughs field with the use of draught cattle to grow crops in the village of Ohn-chaung, Burma. Pic: AP.

The issue of land rights hangs like a heavy cloud over Burma. More than 60 percent of the country is reliant on agriculture as a primary source of income, yet farmers are not allowed to own the land they work – instead, they effectively rent it from the government, meaning that lucrative arable fields can...

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Can Burma’s President endeavor to start good governance?

By Zin Linn Sat, May 12, 2012 11:59PM UTC View Comments

Burma President Thein Sein, left, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung shake hands at the Government House during Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Pic: AP

President Thein Sein of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Burma) made a speech at the work coordination meeting to carry out the national and regional development tasks held at the President’s Office on Friday, the New Light of Myanmar said today. Vice-President Dr. Sai Mauk Kham, Deputy Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw Nanda Kyaw...

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The curious case of Thailand’s ‘Most Wanted’

By Francis Wade Fri, May 11, 2012 3:45PM UTC View Comments

Thailand’s Deputy PM Chalerm Yubamrung let slip recently that Karen rebel leader Maj Gen Na Kham Mwe, who controls territory along Burma’s border with Thailand, is among the country’s top five most wanted men. Na Kham Mwe heads a faction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), which until mid-2010 had been closely allied with...

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