Myanmar Beer and Andaman Gold Beer, two of the best-selling beers in Myanmar, have reportedly been banned from sale at a traditional water festival (Thingyan) in Arakan State.

A small clash broke out between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) at a location between Wet Khaung and Dagon villages in Arakan State’s Myebon Township at around noon on Wednesday, according to locals. 

The ancient city of Mrauk-U’s drainage system will be overhauled, according to the deputy director-general of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum, U Nyo Myint Tun.

Border traders are facing difficulties after the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) earlier this month imposed strict monetary controls requiring that US dollars and other foreign currency be converted into kyats within one day of being received. 

Officials from the Department of Archaeology and National Museum have said illegal settlements in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U will be removed within six months, ahead of the expected visit of experts evaluating the ancient city’s bid for UNESCO World Heritage status. 

Myanmar’s military regime has detained two Muslim 100-household heads from Nga Pun village in Aung Dine village-tract, part of Arakan State’s Sittwe Township, on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army (AA). 

The Arakan Army (AA) on Sunday released three prisoners of war captured during its 2018-2020 conflict with the Myanmar military, reportedly to mark the ethnic armed group’s 13th anniversary. 

More than 30 homes and at least one school were damaged by Myanmar military airstrikes in Lay Kay Kaw new town, Myawaddy Township, early on Monday morning, according to local sources. 

Young local residents in the village of Rue, Ann Township, launched an online campaign on Sunday intended to raise road safety awareness during the Buddhist New Year. 

The Minbya Township municipality has threatened to cut off water supply in the town after nearly 90 percent of town residents failed to pay their water bills, some for more than three months. 

A home in Taw Kan village, Sittwe Township, was raided by four policemen and about 20 junta soldiers at around 11 p.m. on April 9, leaving local residents in a state of panic. 

The parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic armed organisations were among those sending messages of felicitation to mark the 13th anniversary of the founding of the Arakan Army (AA) on Sunday. 

Writers not only from Arakan State but also hailing from mainland Myanmar competed over the weekend in the Tankhoe Saya Tun Literary Awards, which aim to promote Arakanese literature and culture.

Traffic jams have been reported along Myanmar’s roads since the morning of April 9 due to the large number of people returning from Yangon and other population centres to various other places during the Thingyan holiday.

Local residents in Arakan State’s Minbya have complained about the township General Administration Department’s plan to turn Min Lake, a landmark of the town, into a public recreation space, citing their concerns over a risk of water pollution in the lake.

Two locals from Ai Tin village in Ponnagyun Township who were arrested on suspicion of having links with the Arakan Army (AA) in March 2020 have been detained for more than two years, on trial and awaiting a long-delayed court ruling. 

Arakan State residents have said they want to be able to freely visit hilltop pagodas and temples during Myanmar’s imminent New Year festival, Thingyan, to practice religious activities at those sites, near some of which the military has maintained deployments, in some cases for years.

Water from a dam near Pyin Kauk village in Arakan State’s Manaung Township has a bad smell, locals say, making it difficult for residents to use water from certain sources.

Hundreds of people who have taken refuge in Sittwe after being displaced by 2018-20 fighting between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army (AA) are cash-strapped and facing hardship, with even basic food purchases out of reach for some.