A cyclone slammed into Chaung Thar Beach on April 29, damaging all hotels' properties located on the beach front. At present, cleanups and repairments are being done for re-opening for the damaged hotel. Although Cyclone Mala hit the beach, visitors still arrived from Yangon and Mandalay the next day, staying at lesser damaged hotels and village inns. U Hla Sein, the owner of Thiri Chaung Thar Hotel, said that the seaweed water flood damaged the properties more than the giant waves demolishing breakwalls and roofs being ripped off the bungalows.
[Source: The Voice News Journal, 8-5-06]

Ark Amara boat cruise, owned by Prime Cruise Co., Ltd., will begin to run between Mandalay and Bagan providing with high facilities targeting foreigners. The boat is made entirely of teak and has the capicity of 24 passengers. The cruise will include breakfast, lunch and dinner free of charge, Thai traditional massage and an overnight stay at a resort in Yanapo Village. It will start running in July.
[Source: Weekly Elevens News Journal, 26-4-06]

Myanmar Aqua Organic Group was formed by Myanmar Shrimp Association on March 15 in the Myanmar Fishery Association headquartrs in Yangon. Organic products gets 15 to 40 percent higher prices on the international market and the group will help in gaining higher prices for the products.
[Source: Ngwe Pin Lae Journal, 21-3-06]

The fifth annual Myanmar ICT Exhibition will be held at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall in Dagon Township, Yangon from 29 April to 1 May. During this exhibition, 60 companies will be participating in 150 exhibition halls. ICT workshops and seminars, products and service launching and programming contests and web development contest will be held at the Myanmar Info-Tech Building in Hlaing Township.
[Source: Weekly Elevens News Journal, 26-4-06]

The government announced last week that bird flu outbreak in Myanmar is under control since there haven't been any outbreako of poultry deaths, destorying and HN51 virus in Mandalay and Sagaing division townships.

Suspected bird flu cases were discovered first in Shwe Bo and Kanbalu townships in Sagaing Division in early February. The virus was detected in Mandalay Division in early March after some tests on dead chicken showed the HN51 virus.

According to the released note from the government, about 9200 chickens and 9200 quails died while 3.2 millions chickens and 77000 quails were destoryed.
[Source: Weekly Eleven News Journal, 26-04-06]

Myanmar post office enhanced its international mail service (EMS) up to 32 countries starting from 3rd April. The service covers three zone; America, Europe and Asia. A maximum of 20 kilograms of documents or other goods can be mailed or received with door to door service. Charges per kilograms ranges 20 to 33 FEC depends on the country destination.
[Source: Yangon Times Journal, 6-4-06]

Yan Aung Myin village, northeast from Le Way city in Mandalay Division, used to be a place where ancient Pyu tribes lived. During an excavation, some Pyu beads were found. At some places of the village, old fences and moats were also excavated. During an excavation in the area, blackened soil ashes mixed with clusters of fragmented bones and shattered pots were found. Underneath the ashes, a stone-age weapon was found.On pot fragments, there were many designs where some are similar to the pot designs found in ancient city of Sri Khitaya in Pyay.
[Source : Weekly Eleven News Journal, 22-3-06]

Among the historical records kept at the National Archives Department, records of the British colonial era (1835-1947) will be open to researchers and students for research purposes. Scholars from abroad are to apply for permission via the Myanmar Embassy at respective countries. At the Research Hall, research can be conducted not only on paper documents but also on micro films and ads. The Research Hall will be open during office hours from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The researchers would have to pay an annual registration fee of US$30.

The third cruise liner to have visited Myanmar this year docked at the Thilawa deep water port south of Yangon.The Seven Seas Voyager, carrying 613 passengers including 447 Americans, docked at the port on March 13 and left on March 15.The passengers visited Yangon, Bago, Mandalay and Bagan during their stay.
[Source: Weekly Eleven News Journal, 29-3-06]

Establishment of a 30 year plan for natural reserve in Tanintharyi Division is carried out in a join project with Myanmar Timber Industry, Mottama Gas Transporation Company and Tanintharyi Pipeline Company. The reserve is located between Dawei River to Thai-Myanmar border area which is more than 400 thousands acres. This reserve will include not only the forest area but also the wildlife and birds.
[Source: Weekly Eleven News Journal, 29-3-06]