Transport service providers to suspend operations during Thingyan

By Admin 06 Apr 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 April 2023, Sittwe

Intra-Arakan State ferry boat lines and long-distance bus lines running between Arakan State and other parts of the country will suspend operations for a week during the Thingyan holidays, according to transportation service providers.

There are 17 long-distance bus lines plying between the Arakan State capital Sittwe and other cities outside Arakan State including Yangon and Mandalay. The majority of bus lines will suspend operations between April 12 and 20, according to the manager of Shwepyithit bus line, which operates between Sittwe and Yangon.

“Many buses have been chartered for trips to Ngapali, Chaungtha and other destinations. In some bus lines, drivers go back home, and those bus lines have already suspended operations,” he said.

Despite suspension of services, travellers can contact bus lines for emergency travel during Thingyan, said bus line managers.

Ferry boat services operating between Sittwe and outlying destinations including Mrauk-U, Pauktaw and Pyaukphyu will suspend operation from April 13 to 18.

Manager U San Maw Thein of Shwe Pyi Tan express boat line said: “We operated during Thingyan in previous years. But there were no travellers. So, we decided not to operate this year.”

Among the airlines, only Air KBZ will operate according to its regular timetable, and Myanmar National Airlines and Mann Yadanarpon Airlines will operate alternately during Thingyan.

Myanmar National Airlines will suspend from April 13-14, and Mann Yadanarpon Airlines will suspend from April 14-16, according to Ma Saw Khin Aye of “Khaing Htoo” air ticket agency in Sittwe.

“Myanmar National Airlines and Mann Yadanarpon Airlines will operate alternately for the convenience of travellers during Thingyan,” she said. 

According to ticket agents, most of the flights between April 6 and April 13 have been booked.

Myanmar’s military regime and the Arakan Army are both preparing to organise their own Thingyan parties in Arakan State.