New Mandala

For about half a century, northern Thailand’s Royal Projects have been a frontier institution transforming the agrarian landscape through various “hill tribe” development schemes. This institution has been established not only through development/humanitarian processes, but also through political processes to the extent that popular (and academic) discourses seem to have been limited to representing the [...]

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I read “Lifting the Bamboo Curtain” with some interest since Robert Kaplan has written several books and articles that I thought were quite good, although I have to admit most of the things he has written post 9-11 were difficult to digest given his almost sole focus on the role of the American military as an [...]

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The world says we are wicked when our people grow opium. But when we stop it, the Burmese military government, although it has done nothing to stop in areas under its control, is praised for doing a good job.
- A Wa official from Shan State Special Region - 2 quoted in “Wa farmers demand return [...]

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Prompted by the question from long-time contributor Roger Casas I thought I should put up some pictures of roads in the eastern Shan State.  These shots are all, unfortunately, a bit dated (they were taken between 2002 and 2005) but should give readers a bit more of a feel for road infrastructure in the wedge of Shan territory between Thailand [...]

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The moon princess (2008) by Sao Sanda (ISBN: 9789749863374, River Books). Sao Sanda is the eldest daughter of Sao Shwe Thaike, the Shan Prince of Yawnghwe. This book contains the author’s recollections of her early life and the history of her country during the mid 20th century. Illustrated with fascinating black and white pictures.
[This post is provided by the [...]

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The Shan Herald Agency for News has a great selection of photos of folksy Thai “songs for life” icon, Yuenyong “Ad” Ophakul, celebrating Shan State National Day with troops back in February.  Famous as “Ad Carabao”, he appears to have been accompanied to the Thai-Burma border by a delegation of other Thais.  Unfortunately, I don’t know [...]

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International Conference on Shan Buddhism and Culture and Shan New Year Celebration at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
As I consider the Shan a little bit under-represented here on New Mandala, I would like to take this chance to report on a recent event in London.
On Saturday and Sunday, the 8th and 9th [...]

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The New Light of Myanmar has a 1500-word article on a recent visit by a delegation from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation to the northern Shan State and Mandalay.  The headline is: “Leader of Spokes Authoritative Team of the State Peace and Development Council Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan receives scholars of Friedrich Ebert Foundation FES, scholars tour Shan [...]

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Back in July I briefly mentioned the film “Sacrifice”.  It follows young prostitutes from the Shan State who are working in northern Thailand.  New Mandala readers who were unable to attend the Informal Northern Thai Group’s  recent screening in Chiang Mai will find this new article from Mizzima News provides a useful overview of the film’s content.

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Readers with interests in the Shan peoples of northern Thailand, Burma, and southern China will find a new website on the Mangrais of Kengtung rewards a visit. Its owners describe it as:
a space for all those connected with the Kengtung Mangrais to put forward suggestions for the Chiangmai winter reunion in 2008 and also post their pictures, comments [...]

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