Thai Army Commander to meet Junta chief in Ngapali ,Thandwe

“Thai army delegation of 30 arrives on January 19 th”

 Narinjara News, January 17, 2023

Shops along Minbar Gyi Road from Thandwe Ma Zin Airport to Gyeiktaw Ward were demolished due to reports of the trip of Military Council leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army.

A local from Thandwe town, who did not want to be named, said that he heard from the staff community that the shops were being demolished due to the visit of Military Council Chairman General Min Aung Hlaing.

“ I heard that the chairman of the Military Council, Min Aung Hlaing, will come to Thandwe. I have heard from the staff community that the shops have been ordered to be destroyed. As usual, when the VIPs are about to come, they have to clean up. Meanwhile, the grassroots workers become hostages. Their livelihood is affected,”  he said.

Locals said shops and restaurants on roadsides were demolished after reports that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the Military Council, would meet with the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army in Ngapali Since the chairman of the Military Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and the commander- in-chief of the Royal Thai Army are to visit Thandwe City in Rakhine State, military vehicles have been deployed at the Aureum Palace Hotel owned by U Tay Za on Ngapali Beach in Thandwe.

In addition, local eyewitnesses said that naval warships have arrived and patrolled with speedboats at Pearl Island in Ngapali Beach, Thandwe.

The Chairman of the Military Council, Min Aung Hlaing, and the delegation of the commander-in- chief of the Royal Thai Army are scheduled to meet in Thandwe Township of Rakhine State in the third week of January.

A resident of Thandwe said that a total of more than 20 shops such as betel shop and snack shop along Minbar Gyi road in Thandwe town were suddenly demolished by the ward administrator, municipal committee and the police on January 10.

These shops are located in Ma Zin Ward, Zee Phyu Gone Ward and Ngapali Ward. It is said that the construction was encroached within the boundaries of the current municipal committee, and after the municipal committee issued a warning on January 6th, they came and destroyed it.

“ The police, municipal and the administrator all participated in the demolition. Shops along the main road were demolished. They said there was also a trip for VIPs. They demolished it under the title of encroaching on the municipal committee area. On the other hand, people living with this business have suffered,”  he said.

In the order, it has been written that since the open season has arrived and the number of pilgrims and leisure travelers to Thandwe town has increased, it is being done for the cleanliness of the town.

On January 19, a delegation of nearly 30 members of the Royal Thai Army will arrive in Thandwe Township in Rakhine State by special aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force. After that, Min Aung Hlaing and his wife will also arrive in Thandwe. (Photo by The Guardian)