Myanmar military, AA prepare for duelling Thingyan parties in Arakan State

By Admin 01 Apr 2023

DMG Newsroom
1 April 2023, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) are making preparations to organise celebrations for the Thingyan water festival in their respective areas of control.

The regime is building a Thingyan pavilion in front of U Ottama Park on the main road in Sittwe, the regime’s seat of power in Arakan State. It will also organise a “splash walk” on Strand Road.

“We don’t know how much money has been spent on the Thingyan party. The size of its Thingyan pavilion is the same as last year. Arakanese singers will also perform there. A splash walk will also be held, like last year,” said an official involved in building the pavilion.

The regime is also organising Thingyan parties in Thandwe, Kyaukphyu, Ann and Maungdaw townships, according to local residents.

Junta-appointed Kyaukphyu Township administrator U Myo Min Tun said: “We will organise an extraordinary Thingyan party. We will start building the Thingyan pavilion on Sunday. The government will fund the pavilion.”

The Arakan Army, which is running a parallel administration and judicial system in Arakan State, is also preparing to organise Thingyan parties in areas under its control, including in Zee Chaung and along the Lemyo River.

The Zee Chaung Thingyan was popular last year as it was organised by the AA. Like last year, the party will be held for three days, from April 14-16. In 2022, the Zee Chaung Thingyan event drew tens of thousands of revellers from northern Arakan State daily. 

“We have made the festival more systematic this year. We hope there will be more visitors this year,” U Tun Thar Sein, a member of the Zee Chaung Thingyan organising committee, told DMG.

The Zee Chaung Thingyan festivities will feature a 200-ft long traditional pavilion, with boat and music shows to be performed by well-known local singers.

“It is interesting as the two sides are organising their own Thingyan parties,” said Sittwe resident Nan Nan Wai. “Last year, I went to the Zee Chaung Thingyan party. It was quite fun. I may also go there this year as it is the event organised by the AA.”

It has been more than four months since the Myanmar military and the AA observed an informal ceasefire in November of last year.