Southeast Asian Studies at MUIC

20/03/2023

We're raising money for education for Myanmar's young people. Enter our competition to win a painting which belonged to Aung San Suu Kyi. Find out more and purchase tickets at: https://uk.givergy.com/ProspectBurma/

05/02/2023

29/01/2023

🇰🇭| A troupe of Khmer dancers stand in front of Angkor Watt temple - the largest religious monument in the world. There's quite a lot of fascinating information about the temple, however for now i'll focus on the traditional khmer dancers.

For several centuries, Khmer classical dancing had played an important part of life in the royal court and is considered an ancient art form. Recitals would be carried out in royal ceremonies, coronations, marriages or funerals and the dancers would wear highly ornate costumes (heavily embroided with sequin or special gems), while telling mythical tales or historical events. The stories are narrated through slow, intricate movements to the accompaniment of a musical pinpeat orchestra. The most famous classical khmer dance is the apsara dance, which is based on the movements of the 'Apsara', or celestial nymphs who are believed to inhabit the temples.

There are four main types of roles in these classical dances - a woman, man, giant and a monkey.
Can you guess which dancers represent those roles in this photo?
~Written by

This image is, believed to have been taken during the reign of King Sisowath of Cambodia (1840-1927). And is very likely published over 70 years ago through AF Decoly.


Repost

01/01/2023

01/01/2023

Here comes 2023. Another year has passed, but the same struggle continues for the people of Myanmar. Since the country fell under the hands of the military, nothing good has ever happened. Pro-democracy activists are continued to get arrested, and young fighters in the battlefields are still giving their lives. Yet, the people remain hopeful, and the revolution spirit is still burning. Read this week’s summary here.

Internal Politics
-The NUG President said 2023 is a crucial year for the revolution
-ASSK and President U Win Myint received seven years of jail time for remaining charges
-Junta chief meeting families of former military dictators and leaders
-Detained cabinet members of Ayeyarwaddy Region were released

International Affairs
-China’s new envoy to Myanmar met with northern EAOs
-185 Rohingyas landed in Indonesia

Business Matters
-170 billion Myanmar Kyats (MMK) approved for MSME businesses
-Over 300 companies wanted to strike off their company statuses in 2022 under the regime control
-Myanmar Citizen Bank (MCB) shut down five of its bank branches

Protests & Fundraising
-Protest against junta’s election led by Myanmar Citizens in Malaysia
-Door mats with the junta chief’s face for fundraising

Attacks on the Junta’s Lackeys & Properties
-Police station in Dawei SEZ targeted in Tanintharyi Region
-Regime soldiers became nightclubs’ guards in Yangon
-Village ward administrator shot and killed in Bilin tsp, Mon State
-Ward administrator who led arbitrary arrests shot dead in Hlaingthayar tsp, Yangon

Arbitrary Arrests, Killings & Violence
-CDM medical professor detained in Mandalay
-Youths & activists received hefty prison terms in Yangon
-Lawyer Ywet Nu Aung jailed for 15 years in Mandalay
-Seven villagers killed and dumped roadside in Nganzon tsp, Mandalay Region
-Teashop owner couple murdered by Pyu Saw Htee members in Tamu tsp, Sagaing Region

Armed Resistance
-SAC forces ambushed PDF station, many rangers died in Shwebo tsp, Sagaing Region
-Major clash broke out in Kawlin tsp, Sagaing Region
-KNLA captured SAC soldiers in Laykaykaw Battle in Karen State
-KIO Chair urged the people to unite against SAC

Others
-Night curfew cancelled for New Year Celebrations
-Nearly 40,000 people leave Myanmar every month since October, IOM reports
-Patients facing difficulties after five private hospitals were forcibly closed

Full report: https://mohingamatters.com/2023/01/01/weekly-update-046/
Follow this link to keep track: https://mohingamatters.com/weekly-updates/

31/12/2022

During the U.S.’s Operation Linebacker II in December 1972, around 500,000 people had to evacuate from Hanoi and to take shelter from 10,000 tons of bombs.

14/12/2022

We are pleased to announce that Pasuk Phongpaichit will deliver the Keynote Address on Thursday, March 16. Join us in Boston for "Asia in a Fragile World." Many thanks to Harvard-Yenching Institute for making this event possible!

14/12/2022

Folks, we are back with yet another weekly update. This week was eventful both inside and outside of Myanmar. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was visited by a couple of NLD members regarding the resumption of the NLD, to which the lady said no. This week has also been unfortunate for the Rohingya community as they faced devastating fate during their journey to freedom. On the international stage, the US House passed the BURMA Act which is designed to support the resistance groups with non-lethal aid.

Internal Politics
-Two NLD members requested DASSK’s permission to enter in 2023 election
-Junta to sue former KBC leader
-Obo prison limits package delivery for Dr Zaw Myint Maung
-Rohingyas in the Andaman Sea were rescued and handed over to the junta
-13 dead bodies of Rohingya men found in Yangon outskirt

International Affairs
-NUG Minister delivered a speech at the EU parliament
-US House passed BURMA Act; the Senate’s vote is expected within weeks
-Three military entities were listed in the latest UK sanctions
-Switzerland invited the junta’s representatives to the development summit and faced criticisms

Business Matters
-Real estate agents must apply for registration certificates, SAC ordered
-SAC further co-operated economic activities together with Russia
-Sacked garment workers from Adidas shoe factory will resolve their issue in Naypyitaw
-More than 1,000 migrant workers in Laukkai return home

Attacks on the Junta’s Lackeys & Properties
-Regime soldiers met with explosion on their way to seal off PDF’s house in Kalay tsp, Sagaing Region
-Blasts reported in Yangon
-Military-owned telecom Mytel tower targeted in Paukkaung tsp, Bago Region
-SAC’s lapdogs attacked in Mandalay and Tanintharyi regions

Arbitrary Arrests, Killings & Violence
-NLD party member brutally murdered in Pwint Phyu tsp, Magway Region
-Youth killed within 36 hours interrogation center in Lewe tsp, Naypyitaw
-Myanmar’s famous traditional dance performer detained in interrogation center
-Political prisoner beaten up by guards and feared for life in Insein Prison, Yangon
-Four female detainees required urgent medical treatment in Kalay Prison
-Eighteen Myanmar Nationals detained in Mae Sot, Thailand

Armed Resistance
-Pyu Saw Htee village ambushed by PDF in Monywa tsp, Sagaing Region
-Regime soldiers guarding the regional minister’s convoy attacked in Dawei tsp, Tanintharyi Region
-SAC abducted 11 civilians during clash with KIA in Hpakant, Kachin State
-Three military stations of SAC attacked in Pulaw tsp, Tanintharyi Region
-Police station in front of Chinese copper project came under fire in Sarlingyi tsp, Sagaing Region

Protests & Fundraising
-Continuing protests across the country
-Protests against the coup’s death sentencing to seven students
-Myanmar people in Thailand’s monthly support for the revolution
-Fundraising activity for Spring Revolution in Bangkok raised 4,900 baht in a day

Full report: https://mohingamatters.com/2022/12/11/weekly-update-043/
Follow this link to keep track: https://mohingamatters.com/weekly-updates/

11/12/2022

The Hotel Continental Saigon, one of the oldest hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, is one of 31 relics that will be renovated under a government-invested program to save historical sites.

09/12/2022

Pet care has driven a surge in new businesses and jobs, and is expected to grow into a US$1.2 billion sector by 2025.