MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
CONTENTS 3 Hummingbird – Yangon's seductive new establishment
TEAM MANAGING DIRECTOR Andreas Sigurdsson andreas@myanmore.com
22
business
16 travel
24
bistronomy
18
27
infocus
Social enterprise SoyAi helps underprivileged youth build their future
EDITOR Bob Percival editor@myanmore.com
CONTRIBUTORS
San Lin Tun Tet Ka Tho Soe Moe Naing Mimi Wu Bob Percival Yuko Maskay Borbala Kalman Chit Chan Cho Jessica Mudditt Win Lei Lei Tun Georgia Graham Matthieu Baudey Carole Oudot
6
streets of yangon
94th Street – 80s architectural style, Hindu temples and tea
COVER PHOTO Gerhard Joren www.gerhardjoren.com
PHOTOGRAPHY & ARTWORK Gerhard Joren Bob Percival Hong Sar Salai Suanpi
ART & PRODUCTION Kyaw Kyaw Tun
PUBLISHER U Myo Aung (Permanent No.00315) InDepth MYANMORE Magazine 1st Floor, Annex Building, Strand Hotel, 92 Strand Road, Yangon
PRINTER Shwe Naing Ngan Press Permit No: 05745 No.90(C), Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd., Bahan Tsp., Yangon.
SALES sales@myanmore.com 01 375 680 Contact us on indepth@myanmore.com
ABOUT MYANMORE
8 art
After sixty years of conflict, the wonders of Kayah State are opened up to the intrepid traveler
translation
San Shar, the Burmese Sherlock Holes, continues with A Strange Murder Case
FMI Air stands out from the pack in the airline service industry
19 through the
The launching of Sakura Residence II, geared towards Yangon's single expats
looking glass
The Motion Picture Museum of Yangon, KZL Art Studio and the art of Htein Lin
11
music
12
design
Italian Spaghetti Kitchen, Kokant Kou Fu Hot Pot and coffee at The Press Office
Chit Chane Cho looks at Beauty Counter Terrors
21
business
The minds behind
30
horoscope
Our very own astrologer on the fortunes that lay ahead in July 2015
The passionate DJing world of DJKC
SPiNE Architects – contemporary architectual design in Myanmar
14 cover story The power and passion of transgender make-up artist Ma Htet
MYANMORE is a registered brand under Lychee Ventures (Myanmar) Limited that manage the leading lifestyle and entertainment website www.myanmore.com. On top of InDepth, MYANMORE also provides city maps, a privilege card, a weekly guide and two guides - EnjoyIt and KnowIt. The mission is to give visitors and residents of Yangon more to enjoy and explore.
DISTRIBUTION
InDepth can be found in hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, business centres and embassies etc in Yangon. It is also distributed locally inside International New York Times, Nikkei, Bangkok Post, Nation, Straits Times, Business Times and Zaobao. Subscribe to any of these and get InDepth delivered every month. For more info contact indepth@myanmore.com
DISCLAIMER
No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the Managing Director. All details are deemed correct at the time of print, the editor, employees and contributors can not be held responsible for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions that might occur.
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
4 WHAT’S ON 11TH JULY Dragonets Pub Golf Fundraiser | Activities The Yangon Dragons Women’s Rugby Touch Team – The Dragonets, will be hosting a fundraiser to support the development of Myanmar players in the club. Join us for 6 holes (bars!) of Pub Golf. Tickets are 75,000 Ks which will include lunch, a round of special concocted drinks at each bar, ridiculously discounted drinks to follow on the course, a scorecard, transportation and prizes. Email yangondragonsrugby@ gmail.com to secure your place. 50th Street Bar - 9/13 50th St, Botahtaung Tsp (off Merchant Rd) | FROM 1:30 PM
events 1ST - 31ST JULY “Monsoon Art Break 2015″ Exhibition | Art Gallery 65 presents a month long art exhibition “MONSOON ART BREAK 2015” featuring more than a 40+ paintings and illustrations across different mediums (oil, acrylics and water colours). The paintings are from a private art collection and feature works by well known artists. Gallery 65 - 65 Yaw Min Gyi Street (Behind Parkroyal Hotel) | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
9TH - 11TH JULY Myanmar Phar-Med Expo 2015 | Business The MYANMAR PHAR-MED EXPO 2015 is organised to meet the needs of enterprises who want to catch the opportunities of emerging Myanmar market, with a population of about 60 million, in Medical and Pharmaceutical industry from the earlies stage. The exhibition promises great chances for business cooperation, networking, potential market entry, as well as for exchanging useful information and innovative ideas. Myanmar Convention Center - Mindhamma Road, Mayangone Tsp 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Reload EDM | Nightlife
Dice Entertainment has once again organised an awesome Reload EDM music event on coming July 11th. The DJs are Databass, Terror Bass, ET, DJ Kabar, Illskool, Tyrah-T, N3ONZ and DJ Kesh. The entrance fees is 7,000 Ks per ticket and pre-ticket at 5,999.9 Ks per ticket. Tickets available at 1876, Dice Entertainment 09796466787. J-One Music Bar - Bo Choke Street (Near Union Business Centre), Bahan Tsp | FROM 5:00 PM
Salsa Night | Activities
Salsa Night at Union Bar & Grill will take place the second Saturday of every month. Mark your calendar for the next SALSA /LATIN Night. Join them at their famous Salsa night together with Riccardo live from Latino’s Bangkok. Dance the night away. Union Bar - 42 Strand Rd (Same building as Red Cross by Strand Road) | FROM 9:00 PM
Yangon’s First Darkwave and Gothic Night | Nightlife Operation Dracula is proud to celebrate Myanmar’s first darkwave and gothic dance party in one of Yangon’s finest cultural event venues, Pansodan Scene. Yangon’s distinguished DJ Bay Tar will serve an entrée of early post-punk and wave followed by a main course of rare
darkwave and gothic dance classics. Dress code: Black Only! Pansodan Scene - 144 Pansodan, second floor ( across from the Ganesh Temple) FROM 7:00 PM
11TH - 12TH JULY Yangon 1st Intensive Weekend Kizomba Workshop | Activities
18TH JULY Gekko is ONE (Birthday Party) | Nightlife Celebrate with Gekko at their 1st birthday! 18th July at Gekko! Gekko is ONE. Free flow on selected drinks from 18.30 till 19.30! Featuring DJ Bay Tar. Gekko - 535, Merchant St, Kyauktada Tsp (same building with Lokanat Galleries) | FROM 6:30 PM
Rifaye Sahib is trying to arrange weekend super intensive kizomba workshop on july 11 &12. Mod MinistryofDance “JoJo” will fly down all the way from pattaya to teach. This is a beginner class starting with basics. The course fee will be US$50 / Person. Place will be notified later. RSVP via https://www.facebook.com/events/468880463262091/ 7th Joint Bar & Grill - Corner of 48th st & Mahabandoola St, Botahtaung Tsp | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
16TH JULY Rainbow Night | Nightlife
Flow with the amazing beats of DJ Lwin Zin at the Rainbow Night. The admission is also free and many more fun promotion programs await you there. The promotion program includes: Get 15% Discount on any drink + snack from the Cave. As a special program of the Rainbow Theme, if you come by a group which includes 7 person, you can get free drink for 7 shots. The Cave - No.14, Kanbawza St, Golden Valley | FROM 9:00 PM
Art Show (3rd Edition) | Art They will show you Myanmar Maritime University students’ art works; main contents are cartoons, paints, photographs and other artworks (installation, hand-made craft,..). And also SOS (Soul of Seas) will perform Acoustic Show as a special guest. More details at 09-795438245. Myanmar Maritime University Students' Union - Thanlyin Township | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
22ND - 25TH JULY Auto Expo Myanmar 2015 | Business 1 Stop Opens 3 Great Growth Solutions! Myanmar’s way forward is opening with three great trade shows that will match growth needs with the best tech offered by 130 exhibitors from 13 countries. These shows inspire and enable start-ups with a 3-in-1 sourcing platform that help entrepreneurs spot their ideal equipment to spur their business. All three events let visitors network with the policy makers and industry leaders at the “Opening Ceremony”. Myanmar Event Park - Shin Saw Pu Rd, Sanchaung Tsp (near Myay Ni Gone City Mart) | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
24TH JULY Htein Lin: The Storyteller | Art The Storyteller is a solo exhibition featuring the works of the artist, activist and former political prisoner Htein
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
Lin. The show is being curated by Nathalie Johnston and organised by the Goethe-Institut Myanmar.
WHAT’S ON 5
ship, Yangon, Myanmar 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
promotions
Goethe-Villa - No 8, Ko Min Ko Chin Road, Bahan Tsp | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
BUYS 10 GIFT BOXES GET 1 GIFT BOX FREE (Free Delivery for above 30 boxes)
26TH JULY Business Info Talk | Educational You are invited to Business Info Talk under the title: Stock Market and Market Efficiency by speaker Dr Daw Tin Hla (Senior Lecturer), Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business, University Malaysia Sarawak. Contact +959 2301380-1 . Myanmar Metropolitan College MMC City Campus.47/48, Bahosi Building, Lanmadaw Tsp | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Saigon Baguette & Café
In Vietnamese, ‘baguette’ is called Bánh Mì, or literally translated as ‘cake of wheat’ or bread in English. Menu available in Saigon Baguette and Cafe included: Baguette with Pork BBQ (Best Seller), Chicken, Meatball, Pork ham and Stick Baguette with Chicken Liver Pate and Mayonnaise, Egg Baguette and Vegetarian Baguette. For drink, a must have Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Condense Milk. 11a Nawaday Street, Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
new openings Cha Thai
Thailand’s largest and most popular Thai Milk Tea chain is here in Myanmar! Apart from sweetening with condensed milk, Cha Tra Mue’s topped off their milk tea with evaporated milk to enhance the tea aroma and creaminess.
KFC Myanmar
Brands together with Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd. has brought KFC’s first restaurant to Myanmar. KFC will be among the first handful of quick service restaurants to enter Myanmar. It also has unbelievable prices! No. 375, Bo Gyoke Aung San Road, Pabedan Township, Yangon, Myanmar 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sein Gay Har Super Centre, Pyay Road, Yangon, Myanmar 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tintin Mexican Restaurant
A new pop-up restaurant on Bogalazay Street by the 57below team (Union Bar, Gekko and Parami). It will begin life as a Mexican street food restaurant and Tequila Bar. 116-118 Bogalazay Street (middle block), Botahtaung Township, Yangon
Oven Fresh Myanmar
This new Oven Fresh store carries with it a whole new range of international breads such as Farmer’s Bread and Dark Sour Rye among others while retaining some of their signature favorites like Chicken Steam Bun and Puffs. No.42, Corner of Yaw Min Gyi Street and Bo Yar Nyunt Street, Dagon Town-
For Mooncake orders, delivery or more information, please call 95 1 544500 ext 6221, 6287 (or) fb.chry@chatrium.com
Mooncake, A Perfect Gift for Mid-Autumn Festival “EARLY BIRD 20% SAVING – FROM NOW UNTIL THE 31ST OF JULY FOR THE MINIMUM OF 20 BOXES” Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon offers 11 flavours of Mooncake in an exquisitely designed gift box, a perfect gift for your business partners, friends, family and loved ones. This year our Chinese Chef Chichtichoch Boonsab will deliver his new creation of mooncake in various tastes - Durian, Lotus, Red Bean, Green Tea, Taro and Black Sesame to your favourite baked or snow skin. Available from 16 July to 30 September 2015 PRICE US$24.00 Net per box (4 pcs) / US$6.00 Net per piece
Lobster Madness at the Summer Palace (Level 2) This month, lobster connoisseurs will be in heaven! Summer Palace has prepared a wide selection of scrumptious dishes prepared by our very own Executive Chinese Chef for the whole month of July! For inquiries and reservations, call the Food & Beverage Team at (01) 242828, Ext. 6401, 6402 Or email to fbsecretary.ssyn@shangri-la.com
18TH JULY ONE: Kingdom of Warriors | Sport
Asia’s largest and most exciting mixed martial arts organisation, ONE Championship™ (ONE) will take place in Yangon, Myanmar. Fight fans will be treated to a night of world-class mixed martial arts action as ONE: KINGDOM OF WARRIORS will be headlined by a battle between current ONE Bantamweight World Champion. Tickets available at 1876 hotline at prices 10,000/25,000/50,000/200,000 Ks. Special discount of 40% to MYANMORE readers
For more up-to-date happenings, check out the MYANMORE Weekly Guide that comes out every Friday and can be found all over Yangon. For daily updates and complete listings go to www.myanmore.com
Book your ticket directly via Viber: +6581123641 quoting MyanmoreXONE or email to J.TAN@ONEFC.COM with the subject title MyanmoreXONE, stating your name and ticket category and number of tickets you would like to purchase. Thuwunna Indoor Stadium - Wai Za Yan Tar Street | FROM 6:00 PM
6 STREETS OF YANGON
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
  Photos by pt@images & Bob Percival
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
STREETS OF YANGON 7
94 Street th
S
ometimes when you are walking the city it is good just to let go and let the streets take you in their own direction. If you head up towards upper 50th Street you can wander north over the railway tracks and end up in the 98th and 99th Streets area. If you then wander further east one street, you will enter 94th Street. 94th is only two blocks long but like all Yangon streets it holds its treasures and a diversity that always surprises. In the upper block most of the old buildings have been pulled down to accommodate the 1990s multi-story flats that have little grace but provide good and cheap accommodation. Cradled amongst these towers is the Shri Swami Shiv Narayan Santh Samaj Hindu Temple whose principle worship is Vishnu, the Supreme God of Vaishnavism. On Sunday afternoons around 4.00pm you will find devotees playing beautiful traditional music here with songs, tablas and harmoniums. The musicians occasionally take rests, with Indian sweet teas and snacks taht are shared with others present. The building was constructed in 1947 and is very simple but full of love and colour. Another gem in this street is a row of five two-storey terraces [No. 191] built from brick, with wooden veranda railings and time-worn teak wood steps leading to the upper storey. Architectural elements like these place the age of the building somewhere in the 1920s – definitely the oldest residential building in the street. To the left of the street is a unique 1957 two-storey house, painted a beautiful purple colour, a rare example of Burmese-style Streamline Moderne architectural design (a late type of Art Deco architecture) that emerged oversea in the 1930s, and arrived in Burma in the late 1950s and 1960s, elements of which are still seen in 1980s buildings in this street. The arrowhead design in some of the metal railings of the houses is a locally adapted art deco detail. In the lower block you will find an old two-storied wooden house, which is under a threat of demolition (that dreaded red sign) plus some rare examples of richly coloured concrete and brick houses built in the late 1980s, when there was not so much pressure on housing and two-story buildings were deemed adequate. The purple, green and blue of these buildings create a beautiful rhythm along the streetscape. At the end of the block you will find the impressive Sri Mariamman Devasthanam Hindu Temple (1903), newly painted and incredibly rich in colour and design. All the Hindu figures here are carved in wet concrete by master workmen brought over especially from the Indian mainland. A special ceremony is held every Friday at 4.00pm. Keep on walking, and discover the wonders of the streets of Yangon.   g
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
8 ART
THE NEED FOR A COLLECTIVE VOICE TIME TRAVEL INSIDE THE FILM MUSEUM Borbála Kálmán joins one of the most famous actresses of the Myanmar movie industry for an unforgettable tour in the Motion Picture Museum of Yangon. Well-known as an activist focusing on health education, award-winning Grace Swe Zin Htaik opens the doors of a magical place: the story of a unique and amazing collection about the once golden ages of Burmese cinema unfolds.
I
t happened on 13th October 1920. The Royal Cinema, a ‘unique theatre’ in Yangon, presented Love & Liquor: the ‘most costly exclusive Burmese photoplay ... the first successful attempt at filmmaking by the Burmans under the directorship of Maung Ohn Maung .. which took months in the making’ – states a sad photocopy of the original document, pinned on the wall of the Myanmar Motion Picture Museum (MMPM) at Wingaba Road, north of Kandawgyi Lake. An Incomplete Inventory The old wooden villa hides a remarkable collection of Burmese-related film relics: movie posters, flyers, hand-painted photographs, cameras, post-production machines, costumes, accessories; a category is missing though, the reels themselves. “The socialist regime founded a film council which in 1988 offered its office building for museum purposes; we accepted it as it was, with zero budget. Later, we drafted a constitution to form an organisation. I still believe in the need for a collective voice in the film community,” says Grace Swe Zin Htaik, the only woman among the twenty founders. “Back then, there were no productions for two 0r twenty years – we had no job. Hence we tried to switch from film to video format, which went through a boom in 1990: this is when we requested material from all around – people were in a good mood to collaborate.” This was the making of today’s independent association’s collection. “The problem is that in Myanmar there is a lack of technical expertise,” continues Grace, “and the sad part of the film industry is that old films are not valued, so they disappear. The Revolutionary Council nationalised the film industry in 1968 – they kept the duplicates of all the films. But due to the lack of constant electric power and the knowledge to control humidity, the preservation and storage of these films did not succeed. The main cause of their disappearance however was a fire that destroyed the archives in the early 80s, the same happened in Mandalay earlier. We used to produce up 70 or 80 movies a year – most of them are gone, negatives and positives as well. It’s just really sad and it’s almost impossible to have ac-
cess to the limited content that is left,” she adds. Although the younger film-loving generation of Myanmar has heard of Grace, almost nobody has seen her films. The older generation says the same about the Fifties cinema stars. The once cherished actors and actresses still smile back from shabby magazine-covers sold in the streets, but they have become ghosts. Even the old cinema theatres, those colonial structures that are slowly and tragically being swept away by the newly built, non-aesthetically pleasing condos, screen the latest releases. The old ‘photoplays’ and classics are nowhere today, and with time it becomes even more challenging and expensive to restore the ones that are still ‘alive’. Albeit, the Memory Film Festival
Yangon organised for the third time recently in 2015, has made some attempts to save some over half-century old material – all need restoration, if accessible. The Golden Reels of the Industry Grace started her career as an actress in 1971 and acted in more than 200 films. In 1991 she stopped, to work in the backstage of the film industry. She knows its history by heart without reading the captions on the Museum walls (sadly only in Burmese today). “In earlier times, when no one had television, movies were the only entertainment. During the first golden age, a decorated car used to go through towns distributing flyers and promoting the stories of the new releases with megaphones, before even the picture was screened. In these days, five studios worked in Myanmar, as well as 108 film production companies; in the early 1960s, every state and division had theatres, over 200 around the country.” As for statistics, in 1955 for instance, from the 61 produced films, 39 were silent, 19 talkies, and 3 musicals. Silent films then slowly disappeared to give way to talkies, and soon, colour pictures, the first around 1960. “I made my first colour movie in 1986,” says Daw Grace who sometimes worked in productions that were specifically adapted around her, like the film inspired by Chaplin’s The Kid, a picture she highly admires. “From the various characters I played, I preferred to perform strong female characters who have self-confidence, who dare to point out problems,” she remarks with a laugh, convinced that the local film industry never really accepted “smart ladies with a sense of leadership.” Grace works today as an international relations advisor for the Myanmar film industry. She tries to encourage the younger generation to experiment with animation film, reviving the tradition of Burmese cartoons: the first was created in 1927 – the last was made in 1982, 33 years ago. She also mentions the project of two Myanmar technicians being stationed at Technicolor in Paris that she contributed to: the aim is to bring back some knowledge in film-restoration. “I try to travel the globe and learn about museum practices.”
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
Self-Preservation if Nothing Else The Motion Picture Museum of Yangon has truly become the example of ‘self-preservation’ and hence it is a rare pearl. Far away from the world’s latest scenographic and curatorial trends, a slice of Burmese museum customs and practices has been safeguarded there since the late 80s. On the second floor, tiny men gesticulate to a fellow hanging from a flying balloon, while cameras catch the moment; a cameraman swings in a chairlift from a dusty rope, between two hills, capturing the love of a traditionally dressed couple. These charming didactic displays recount the technical process of film shooting through plaster figurines, how directors had to work out some puzzling situations (not being allowed or technically not prepared to go out on locations), or how they had to fight nature when on location. Within the studios, “there was a tight collaboration between painters and filmmakers, especially with directors and cameramen as they had to work out major visual issues to get the right scenes done. Everything was handmade,” says Grace, surrounded by a delightful and perfect model-world. The Motion Picture Museum of Yangon, albeit the seductiveness of its ‘vintage’ exhibition halls, could certainly tolerate a little more care and less dust without having to give up its distinctive character. It is more important to conserve the remaining facets of the Myanmar movie industry as long as the last rays of
ART 9
this once golden world enlighten the present. The theatres that have been built with the purpose to screen movie films should be part of the country’s heritage without having to fear disappearance. The Southeast Asia Movie Theatre Project, led by Philip Jablon, is visible by means of a blog that shares the results of his research on the stand-alone movie theatres, highlight-
ing venues of Asian cultural hubs, including Yangon. The blog’s photos, taken a only a few years ago, capture cinema facades that today have vanished or are close going. It’s sad that the Myanmar Motion Picture Museum cannot welcome these buildings into its valuable and enchanting spaces. But there is still a place to travel back in time: direction ... Wingaba Road! g
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
10 ART
A Better World for the Arts KZL Art Studio & Gallery By Borbála Kálmán
W
hereas Yangon counts several millions of residents, when it comes to collecting art it remains obvious that most of the buyers are foreigners, and the process of popularising modern and contemporary art towards Myanmar collectors and the local scene is evolving only slowly. This is how Khin Zaw Latt, a young artist and owner of the renowned gallery KZL Art Studio & Gallery would summarise the present situation. Having started his career as a painter around 2000, he decided to open a space in 2012 to be able to show freely his own works, together with the artist friends he was tightly connected to from the university years. He is one of those lucky ones who not only had the opportunity to travel around the region but also to reach places as far away as the Art Basel Miami event in 2015. He works hard to improve his gallery from this experience, and to open its doors to the international scene. KZL Art Studio & Gallery is located in one of those sinous streets of Golden Valley, a few steps away from New Treasure Art Gallery. Khin Zaw Latt runs the space with his artist wife Ohmmar. Their aim is to professionally reflect the currents of the Myanmar art scene. The newly built structure that hosts KZL Gallery differs from the surrounding houses through its elegant minimalism, the big windows allow natural light to constantly fill the space. Their carefully managed website gives a list of almost twenty artists who are regularly represented through exhibitions. On the second floor of the gallery, a permanent solo
exhibition of Khin Zaw Latt’s works, having been exhibited several times abroad, awaits the visitor. An ingenious mobile wall-system presents some central pieces, being sold at relatively high prices. Out of work time, Khin Zaw Latt fights for an even better cause. He reinvests a part of his income into his Bamboo Art School that he started three years ago outside of Yangon. He aims to help the disadvantaged children in the area who would never have the chance to study drawing, and gives them a chance to engage with art
g
KZL Art Studio & Gallery No.184/84(A), Golden Hill Avenue, ThanLwin Rd, Golden Valley (2), Bahan Tsp, Yangon www.kzlartgallerymyanmar.com teller as experienced, wise, and entertaining, and we often live long enough to become the teller of stories ourselves.
Htein Lin:
What Htein Lin shares through his multimedia, multidisciplinary artwork is every aspect of the story: where it begins, what happens next, and what we can learn from it. He brings events to life through performances and video, photography and sculpture.
The Storyteller By Borbála Kálmán
Htein Lin Pon San Tain Acrylic and Dye on Cotton 1998-2004
This marks the first exhibition in which Htein Lin shares with the public of Myanmar the paintings from his years in prison, created using old uniforms and contraband paint and brushes. It tells the story of life in prison through objects – the standard-issued bars of soap and the hand-written magazines with contributions of other prisoners. It pushes the story further with reference to memories, where the artist places himself within events where he was not present, as well as into stories yet to be written – the stories of healing, truth, and reconciliation.
When we are young, we are told stories to educate, or pass down lessons of morality. We view the story-
Friday 24th July / Goethe Villa - No 8, Ko Min Ko Chin Road, Bahan Township / From 6:00 PM
T
he Storyteller is a solo exhibition featuring the works of the artist, activist and former political prisoner Htein Lin. The show is curated by Nathalie Johnston and organised by the Goethe-Institut Myanmar. Htein Lin was first a young performer and actor, then a revolutionary soldier, later a political prisoner in his own country, and finally an artist, who reflects on his past while providing a lens through which to view a recent history of Myanmar – its many trials, but perhaps most importantly, its healing process.
from a very young age; the first steps perhaps towards the evolvement of a new generation of art lovers and practitioners. The project will take time, but Khin Zaw Latt has assured the start of a better future for the appreciation of contemporary art in Myanmar.
g
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
MUSIC 11
Discovering the art of djing DJ KC talks to Yuko Maskay about his passion for music and love of teaching.
Photo by Hong Sar
K
eiran Christopher Way, also known as DJ KC or his Burmese name, Nay Myo, is a Myanmar-Australian DJ who in April of this year opened the United Mixing DJ School, a non-profit in Yangon that donates all its profits to the NLD National Health Network.
Born in Yangon in 1969 to a Burmese father and a partly Burmese mother, he spent most of his childhood in Australia and returned to Myanmar in 2007 when his family were able to visit the country again (after 30 years). At 47, with 20-plus years of experience under his belt, DJ KC is a 3-time winner of the Australian National DMC DJ Competition and placed 5th in the World DMC DJ Championships in 1989. What was your upbringing like in Australia? We had a very strict upbringing with my father being a doctor and grandmother being a school head teacher. I was a bit of a black sheep of the family and was obsessed with the new hip-hop culture as it reached Australian shores in the late 70s. What inspired you to start your DJ school? The art and extreme style of DJing was relatively new at the time I started and whenever I did showcases, people would ask me to teach them. That’s when I approached DMC Australia to form a school together.. I trained many students at the DMC Shop (part of DMC Australia) and invited many top renowned DJs
to teach with me. After a couple years of relying on DMC Shop to run the school, I finally moved on and formed United DJ Mixing. How is your school run? We teach 10 students per semester but have over 1,000 applicants so we are now interviewing people and finding the passionate and creative ones to join our school. The group classes and lectures are held twice a week and one-on-one training/ practice times with our equipment for the rest of the week. Courses runs for 6 weeks and covers everything you need to know about DJing. We teach total beginners and within 6 weeks they are ready to work in any clubs or parties. Cost at the moment is US$390 but will vary, so keep an eye on our Facebook page or web site for this info. The school is a non-profit organisation and all profits are donated to NLD National Health Network. What makes your school unique? The school opened in Myanmar in April 2015. We are the only school in the world with numerous World DMC DJ champions and pioneering DJs that started the whole DJ culture who teach at the school. The school is known around the world as the most innovative as we constantly evolve, always creating new teaching methods and invite many famous and technically skilled DJs to teach our students. Our past students are currently working all over Europe, US, Asia and some have also won their National DMC DJ Championships.
I heard that your grandmother was influential in your music career? My grandmother “Winnie” (R.I.P) was an amazing woman. She was very multi-talented, very strong, disciplined and always got things done. She was a famous Myanmar singer and actress before migrating to Australia. When we reunited in Australia we moved in together in a large house in Perth. Being a singer, she had a huge record collection and numerous reel to reel players and tapes. So we always had music playing at home 24/7 and every time she would have a party or family gathering, music was always a big part of it. I just remember seeing how happy everyone was because of the music and I naturally developed my own passion for it. I still have some of her record collection and will treasure it for life. Can you tell me about DMC DJ Competition? After the course, all students are required to perform in a night club, so I will pick the most talented out of the batch to invite to Australia to play gigs and train for the DMC Championships. I think this time next year we will have our first Myanmar DMC DJ Champion at the World Championships in London. g
United DJ Mixing School is located at Level 2, 30 Yawmingyi St at Dagon Township in Yangon. More information here: www.facebook.com/djschoolmyanmar.
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
12 DESIGN
By Mimi Wu Meet SPiNE Architects founding duo Amelie Chai and Stephen Zawmoe Shwe.
C
ontemporary architectural design in Myanmar emerged in 2003 with SPiNE Architects. Behind it all: Amelie Chai and Zawmoe Shwe, a wife and husband team. Over the last 12 years, their full service architectural firm has outgrown its initial three-member team and 18-square foot office to now employ roughly 60 staff in Yangon and Mandalay. With over 360 design proj-
ects under their belt – each unique and, knowing the two, meticulously planned and executed – SPiNE has done it all, from beachfront hotels to oft-frequented restaurants, from restored historical buildings to new residences. “The experience of a space is the most important aspect, and should be the number one consideration,” says Amelie. At the heart of it, their projects marry open architectural and interior design with current technology and natural and sustainable materials. Notably, they have designed the FMI Centre/Parkson Department Store retail renovation, City Mart head
offices, the Korean Embassy renovation, and Max Myanmar offices. And if you’ve ever had a drink at Gekko Bar & Grill or any other 57Below restaurant, it was SPiNE that conceived the transportable atmosphere. Naturally, the duo have also designed their own home-cum-office, where they live with their two children Kiran and Lotus. SPiNE was conceptualized in New York City where the couple met while students. “We actually came up with the name when we were in school,” says Amelie, speaking of Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture. “It reflects the reason we were drawn
to architecture in the first place. Architecture is a multidisciplinary practice that integrates art, science,
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
DESIGN 13 “Zawmoe ran the company, if you can call it that, in the early days,” explains Amelie, who remained in New York City to work for another year and a half before moving to Yangon. “We were struggling to find enough work to keep ourselves (and our tiny staff) busy, as well as keep paying off our student loan payments.” “Introducing contemporary architecture was not an easy task,” remembers Zawmoe Shwe. “When I first arrived in 2003, the popular choice of style in Myanmar was neo-classical and typical developer homes found throughout Southeast Asia. It took us a few years to prove that contemporary homes and buildings are spacious in plan, generous in lighting and ventilation, and provide a better connection between indoor and outdoor; important here, where there is so much greenery and a year-round warm climate.” A decade later, SPiNE has built a reputation among local companies for delivering unique, progressive design that has influenced other local architects, some of whom are former staff. Recognizably, SPiNE integrates natural materials, such as local woods and stones, with contemporary design to break up the mostly concrete landscape. On a smaller scale, though perhaps even more importantly, SPiNE’s rejection of blindingly white fluorescent bulbs in favour of warm lighting is thankfully becoming widely embraced. SPiNE keeps busy with a long list of in-progress projects. To manage it all, the two “generally work on different projects; I deal more with foreign clients, while Zawmoe Shwe works with more local clients. However, we do run ideas off each other and are always discussing both design and business aspects with each other.” This bit of separation is important when working with your spouse, which can be understandably challenging at times. Yet, Zawmoe Shwe also finds it a boon with “two brains to run SPiNE, we always have one another to help out.” The ability to direct their professional lives together should make it easier to raise their twins, who are turning eight and require a rapt audience for their numerous knock-knock jokes.
technology, and psychology. Because of this, we saw architecture as the spine from which all of these areas connect and grow.” After graduating, the two worked at established firms in New York for several years until SPiNE was awarded their first commission from Myanmar in 2003. They had an elephantine task of designing the Amata Resort & Spa on a beachfront property in Ngapali. Zawmoe Shwe enthusiastically took on the project despite a marked income reduction compared to his New York salary. “Since the time I was in architecture school, I always wanted to come back to Myanmar to bring quality design back to my homeland with the knowledge and skills I gained from the US.”
Success has fortunately not altered their company culture. “We have a fairly big practice, but I would prefer to keep the office less corporate, more informal, with a studio atmosphere rather than very hierarchical,” said Amelie. She continued, “I think we are quite democratic when it comes to design and ideas. I always tell everyone, from the most junior architect upwards, that his or her ideas are welcome” but must be logically reasoned. This autonomy to explore and create, coupled with Amelie and Zawmoe Shwe’s high work standards and adherence to international building codes, are why international clients hire SPiNE. While Amelie is intimately involved in every detail of the project from start to end, Zawmoe Shwe doesn’t “sit down and draft the details or get involved in all the coordination meetings with engineers. Neverthe-
Amelie Chai and Stephen Zawmoe Shwe, founders of SPiNE Architects
less, I do control the most important parts of a project. The first part is the conceptual design; the soul of any project. I work with my design team until the conceptual design meets my standard and is approved by the client. Then, one team will carry on with the project until the skeleton structure is built. I then go back at that point to make final decisions on selection of, for example, material, colour, fixtures, and furniture.” SPiNE’s principals have matured over the years, “becoming more interested in materials and design that will last in the long term; nothing that is too flashy and trendy,” said Amelie. “I am also interested in bringing more sustainability into our design practice, and this can be seen in some of the technological advancements over the last few years, such as low VOA paints, very low energy consumption LED lights, and inverter type air conditioning.” “As the country develops, there will be bigger and larger projects,” said Zawmoe Shwe. Despite that, “we are still interested in smaller, innovative projects that can be realized in a shorter time under 100% of our design management. We will still be designing those small residential projects with fresher design approaches to create new Myanmar homes.” Constantly challenging themselves and creating something new with every project drives Amelie and Zawmoe Shwe’s success and professional happiness. “I think I am always critical of what I have done and think how things could be better for the next time,” Amelie said characteristically. Yet, reflecting on what they have achieved – becoming one of the most prominent architectural design firms in Myanmar; stylistically shaping Yangon and Mandalay’s residential and commercial spaces with contemporary aesthetic; and to echo The New York Times, putting the country solidly on the world architectural map – warrants recognition and admiration. Ultimately for an artist, the true testament is when, as Zawmoe Shwe pointed out, a “client or critic approves or appreciates your architecture. I will always remember hearing that one taxi driver looked at a building we designed and said he could never have imagined seeing a building as unique as that in his lifetime in Myanmar.” g
14 COVER STORY
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
Photos by Gerhard Jörén
Transgender and Proud
Yuko Maskay sits down with Ma Htet, a popular transgender make-up artist, at her salon to talk about her work, passion and internal and external transformation.
A
s I enter the small salon, what catches my eye is a poster of a model posing in a tight–fitting, sparkly, white-laced dress, her cleavage gracefully protruding out of her v-neck, her red lips voluptuous, skin flawless and brushed with make-up. “That’s Ma Htet, the woman you are interviewing today,” says the translator pointing to the poster, as the real Ma Htet enters with a traditional greeting of “Mingalabar,” her voice husky, yet high-pitched. She tells us that she would not be able to talk out loud because she just had surgery, pointing to a tiny scar on her Adam’s apple. Born a male, Oakar Htet, 33 (now fondly called Ma Htet), is a transgender who has made her mark as a popular make-up artist to the stars. Today, she is wearing a one-piece skirt that hugs her hips, coloured bigeye contact lenses, a hit among Asian girls and subtle make-up. Hints of her past are visible through her somewhat strong jaw-line, not quite perfected vocals and large bone structure. Other than that, nothing about her cries masculine and she seems to have mastered the art of
being feminine – she crosses one knee over the other, periodically flips her long, brown hair and speaks in a soft tone of voice. As a child, like many transgenders, Ma Htet knew she wasn’t like the other boys. She preferred staying indoors and avoided sports, choosing instead to draw her eyebrows, apply lipstick and wear dresses. When she was 14, she realised she liked boys and finally at 26, admitted to her family that she was gay, but they “didn’t take it well at all” and to this day, she doesn’t really have a good relationship with them. At 29, she walked out on the streets for the first time dressed as a woman in a mini-skirt and t-shirt. “I felt shy and was scared of people judging me,” she says, but after a month, she felt more comfortable and didn’t care about other people’s perception of her. “I get a lot of haters and I used to feel offended, but I focus all my energy on my work,” she says, and believes that it speaks for itself. She doesn’t quite know how she became popular since she never really marketed her skills, but she credits
Facebook, where she has two personal profiles to accommodate her growing popularity. With over 4,500 friends, one of her accounts has exceeded the number of friends allowed; her celebrity page is followed by 200,775 people with over 44,000 likes and her personal page alone has over 11,000 followers. Her personal Facebook profile is filled with selfies, some showing off her fashion sense and others flaunting her bikini body in sexy poses. On average, she has over 1,500-2,000 likes on a post. Her celebrity page boasts over 20,000 likes on posts where she showcases her work and poses with other celebrities. Fan comments are full of support with heart emoticons, pro-pride quotes and smiley faces. “Young gays and lesbians tell me I’m an inspiration to them,” she says, “but what I always tell them is to just be themselves and to do their best at whatever they decide to do.” Her clients include big-name celebrities like Aung Ye Lin, Ni Khin Zaw and Wint Yamone Hlaing, and she has worked at pageant shows such as the Golden Land Myanmar two years in a row. What do they like about
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
her? “They like my technique and say that it’s different from other make-up artists and not mundane,” she says, and many seek her out to be their personal make-up artist. In a country where the word transgender doesn’t exist and instead is replaced with the derogatory form A Chaw (fag), where sexual activities among homosexuals carry a penalty of up to a life sentence (not enforced), where people believe that gay people choose to be gay and that it’s a curse from their past lives, Ma Htet has obviously been through a lot mentally. Physically, she has had a nose job, breast implants two years ago, hormone replacement therapy for three years and recently surgery of her vocal chords to sound like a woman. “Many think I’ve had a lip job but big lips run in my family,” she clarifies. Next year, she plans to undergo sex change which will require six months to a year of being immobile so she needs to do it at an opportune time. I ask her if it’s difficult to be who she is. It must take a toll? She surprises me with a firm, “No,” in English, adding that it was harder to pretend to be a guy and she feels more at home in her body now. So, how has the transition been? Emotionally there has been no change because she always wanted to be a woman, but physically, as she transformed, people thought she was a tomboy. “Veins on my arms disappeared, my skin became fairer, clearer and my face became more feminine,” she recalls. How did it feel to have breasts for the first time? “I was worried that I’ll feel heavy on the chest and that it’ll be awkward, but now they’re very comfortable,” she says. She recently joined the bandwagon and added a rainbow layer to her Facebook profile page in support of US legalising gay marriages in all of its states and I ask her thoughts. “It doesn’t really apply to me,” she says and besides, she doesn’t place a high value on marriage or relationships. “Even if I like a straight man, once they find out I’m a transgender, they would lose interest and eventually leave because I can’t bear children,” she says. She currently has a boyfriend with whom she has an open relationship, although she doesn’t stray. Like most girls in a conventional relationship, she likes being with one man and has a strong motherly instinct. If she had a choice, she would have had a family, but chooses not to because she doesn’t want society to look down on her children for having a transgender mother. Her dream is to open a nursery. “I can’t have children so I want to be surrounded by them,” she says. Without any family support in a society that condemns homosexuals, I wonder where she gets her resolve. “If I stay true to myself and do my own work,
COVER STORY 15 I don’t have to worry about what other people think,” she says. She looks up to Khin San Win and Moguk Pauk, two famous local transgender make-up artists and she wants to be like them. “A lot of transgender people flirt with straight men and have bad reputations because they put themselves out there,” she says and doesn’t want to be involved with that type of crowd. Her other big dream is to open a senior home for gay people. “We live in a world where gay people are scrutinised. They are shunned and at an old age, abandoned.”
Even if I like a straight man, once they find out I’m a transgender, they would lose interest and eventually leave because I can’t bear children
Perhaps she is worried about her own future? “Not really,” she says, “I’ll deal with whatever the world throws at me.” In this senior home, she envisions a future where gay people could come together and support each other. As the country opens up to gay pride events and as gay rights associations become stronger, she says she feels safer, although legally, the country has a long way to go. In terms of career choices, she thinks there will be more opportunities for homosexuals in the future other than in the beauty industry. What’s next for her? She’s venturing out into the world of fashion and designing wedding dresses, which she says has received good reviews for having a “different look, different taste and different style” – which seems to be her signature. Any advice for others like her? “Because we’re different, we have to work twice as hard to impress others. Stand on your own two feet and walk your own path,” she says. g
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
16 TRAVEL
Unraveling Kayah Wonders By Matthieu Baudey and Carole Oudot
Welcome to Kayah State, one of Myanmar's most well kept secrets. Placed between Shan State and Kayin State, it is easy to miss this discrete piece of Myanmar country. After 60 years of conflict, this recently opened area is ready to surprise any open-minded traveler.
T
he Loikaw plain is well protected by its wall of mountains, with an altitude of 1200m, and peaks above 1800m. The Shan highlands span the north of Kayah State, and a towering mountain range to the east separates it from Nya Pyi Daw district. Getting there is an adventure. From Yangon, the bus is no easy ride. A fifteen-hour long trip passing through the highland roads of Shan State will get you into Loikaw a couple of hours before dawn. Planning ahead of your stay is advised, if you do not want to end up in a random expensive guesthouse. Two years ago, this was still a restricted area for foreigners, whose presence is still uncommon. Decades of conflicts between the military and ethnic armed groups came to an end in 2012 when the Karenni National Progressive Party reached a ceasefire agreement with the government. Since achieving peace, the state has seen some new lights. The recent opening allows visitors to witness the remnants of a shut-off world with peaceful allure. Yet, Kayah State is still not done with its old conflict: of the eight townships, only Dee Maw Soe and Loikaw are open to foreign-
ers. Central and southern parts still remain closed. What you will experience in Loikaw's long and leafy streets is the peaceful routine and everyday life of a rural capital, but also an emerging and lively civil society, with multiple groups rising up to support the need for democracy and ethnic rights. Ask any locals and they will tell you this: here people like being called Karenni, rather than Kayah. Karenni used to be the State name until the government decided to name it after the majority ethnic group, Kayah, possibly in an attempt to avoid the confusion between Karen ethnics and Karenni (meaning red Karens). Karenni refers to all the ethnic groups living in the area. After a time, you get used to the melody of names of the different groups: Kayah, Kayan, Kayaw, Manumano, Geba, and others. Among one of the Kayan subgroups is the famous Kayan Lahwi tribe (by other tribes they are called Padaung, a name they don't like) whose women wear traditional neck rings. Many of these long neck women left their remote birthplace to make a living at tour-
Loikaw, from Taung Kwe Pagoda
ist sites such as Inle Lake, Chiang Mai or Mae Sot in Thailand. Today, the Kayan women wearing the rings here are old, and struggle to live by subsistence agriculture. Nowadays no young people wear the rings. With only a 12,000 people, Loikaw is a minor state capital. But it still is the hot point of the Karenni world, with a steady pace of development and growth. The glistening shape of Taung Kwe pagoda, perched on craggy limestone rocks, sharply stands out, from the city’s flat landscape. From the pagoda, the scenic view is spectacular, and one's imagination can wander across the surrounding isolated peaks, which are still inaccessible. Downtown, Baluchaung River snakes quietly through the city, and is well worth a boat ride. Combined with the two lakes that are prominent in the city's geography, it adds a somehow seaside town atmosphere. In the open surrounding of Loikaw, paddy fields, dried red lands and small jungle hills hide a collection of surprising locations. To wander around the countryside and find these offbeat wonders is no easy task. Tourist information is very poor, and it is only by word of mouth will you find your way out from Loikaw.
Fishermen on the Baluchaung River
A few miles south of the city, Dee Maw Soe, is an unmissable stop. Being the only other big town where foreigners are allowed, the place has a deep Kayan
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
TRAVEL 17 water. The coffins may be the only thing left of those who could not survive the move.” Bu Myar heard this story from her grandmother, who used to play around here a lot when she was a kid. After a 500m walk inside, there was no sight of demons, only the coffin-like shapes. But the word is they went even deeper to a subterranean lake with very low oxygen. No one can follow them here and eventually it is better to go back before getting lost in the maze of choking damp tunnels. One of the first rooms inside presents rock structures on the floor looking exactly like miniatures paddy fields. But that is not all there is to the Karenni neighborhood. In the hot season, there is no reason why you shouldn’t do as Karenni do, and go for a swim in the hectic but pleasant waterfall of Htee Sal Kha, on the road to Taungyi. Here the stream can be fast, but it doesn’t stop either monks or kids to go and thrash in the refreshing waters. For mountain lovers, there is one summit to go to Elephant Mountain. From the village nearby, it is a one-hour walk to the top through the woods. But villagers won't allow this walk, as hiking is seen as very unusual. Everyone will advise to go up the easy way, on the back road by car. On the summit, giant elephant statues and stupas have the privilege of an amazing view. The mountaintop looks over the whole northern part of the State, allowing a spectacular glimpse of the huge Moe Bye Dam, some miles over the border in Shan State.
Around Dee Maw Soe also hides the auspicious pond of Hte Pwin Khan. Here, a small-sized volcanic lake, guarded by stupas and spirit houses, holds the promise of the ‘lucky umbrella’. Sometimes, underground pressure forces up water to create an umbrella-shaped geyser. “If you see an umbrella, you will be very lucky for the rest of your life. But it doesn't happen very often,” says a local, more annoyed by the waiting in the hot sun than amazed by the volcanic phenomenon. When we tried our luck, the three hours spent waiting did not help us. You can share your hopes with the others who wait there.
After this tiring journey, full of adventures and rich encounters with the Karenni people, you can returns to Loikaw and enjoy a nice cold drink by the lake, watching the sunset, or perch yourself on Taung Kwe Pagoda; that’s what youngsters do around here. Loikaw and Kayah State are definitely the place to be if you want to escape from the hot streets of Yangon, or the tourist crowds of Inle and Bagan. g
In the countryside, roads can be busy
Christian heritage. There is a joyful English-speaking priest offering to show you around or invite you to some kao yin (traditional rice wine) tasting. If you want kao yin, the huge Saturday market is not to be missed. You will see lines of villagers selling their morning delights to early drinkers.
Another short drive away from Loikaw, in the green and red hills on the way to Shadaw township, is Kyet Cave (known as Kyet Ku). Caves are very common in the heart of the hills, but this cave is one of the deepest and has the most unusual story. The cave is a sacred Buddhist place, cared for by a lonely monk. It is renowned among locals for the giant mysterious coffins found inside.
Dee Maw Soe township's main features are the various lakes scattered around. The Dee Maw Soe dam is vast and crowded with fishermen, swimmers and people washing. Further on, the dusty tracks to the east, through a desert-like landscape, will lead you to Seven Steps Lakes, a quiet place lodged against the mountains, where young people come to relax and sing.
A local, Bu Myar tells me, “This place takes its name from the Kyat demons, who used to live down there. They were human-shaped creatures with magical powers. It is said that they could change the size of things, so that they could thrive on microscopic agriculture, despite being giants. At first they lived near the entrance, but they had to go deeper inside to find
Kyet Cave
18 TRANSLATION
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
A STRANGE MURDER CASE
san shar - the burmese sherlock holmes Episode Three: San Lin Tun takes us into the world of famous detective San Shar in 1930s Rangoon, with his translation of Shwe U-Daung’s Htuzandhaw Luthathmu (A Strange Murder Case), an adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes story, The Crooked Man.
T
he retired District Superintendent, U Tin Pe, and his wife Daw Mya Hnit, had been living peacefully in Syriam (Thanlyin). The couple had built a big fine house, kept two servants. Then one night, the usually quiet house turned into a boisterous one, like a thunderstrike in an unfavourable season. The servant, taking a lamp, climbed in the window of the locked back room of the house, and checking, found that Daw Mya Hnit was alive, but not U Tin Pe. A strange footprint was found outside, which San Shar deduces must belong to a carnivore. Thein Maung (the Burmese Dr. Watson) asks how San Shar would know this ….
see them, but when they were under the lamppost he saw them. He was very surprised and dropped his bundle and exclaimed,
I: “How do you know it’s a carnivore?” Shar: " I found a parrot cage above the curtain that was upended. Something had climbed up the curtain and tried to eat the parrot.”
Then, that man replied sarcastically,
I: "Ok, let it be. But, what is the link between it and the case?" Shar: " We cannot tell the truth of its connection. But, as far as we've learnt that a person was standing in the road, and looking at the quarrel between U Tin Pe and his wife. Then, he climbed over the fence and ran across the compound." I: "How did you know he was running?" Shar: " Look carefully at the runner's footprints. The toe print has more impression in the ground than his heel because when a person is running, he exerts more strength in the front. The footprints I have found show the same thing. That's why I know the person was running." I: " So." Shar: " When he entered the compound, the creature was with him. When reaching the window, they must have climbed over it and beat U Tin Pe, or when U Tin Pe saw him, felt so frightened, that fell over and hit and his on the chair. The strange thing was that when he left the room, he took the key and ran away." I: " The case seems simple as it is. But, when you explain, it becomes complicated." Shar: "Of course, because the case is not easy as they think. It's a bit serious. That's why I do it my own way, not following other people’s ways. Are you sleepy, Ko Thein Maung? We can talk tomorrow." I: " No. Don’t leave the story stranded. Carry on." Shar: " It's like this. Before going to the meeting, Daw Mya Hnit did not have a quarrel with her husband U Tin Pe. The servants had seen her smiling and waving at him. But, after coming back from the meeting,
"Oh! Ma Mya Hnit!" Then, Daw Mya Hnit turned around and saw him and became very embarrassed. Ma Than Yin was hesitant whether to call police or not. Daw Mya Hnit in shivering voice said to the man, "Ko Chit Maung, we haven't met for twenty years, I thought you were dead."
Cover of 'The Memoirs and Records of Shwe U-Daung'.
she entered the rear room, not going to the front room where her husband was. Then, as soon as her husband entered, they started a fight. Reflecting on it showed that in the duration between Daw Mya Hnit going to the meeting and coming back from it, she must have found something vexing about her husband. She went together with Ma Than Yin to the meeting. So, if something occurred, Ma Than Yin should know about it, shouldn’t she?" Shar: Though the police have asked her, there must be some reasons not to tell the truth. At first I thought that Daw Mya Hnit found out that her husband had fallen in love with Ma Than Yin, and she felt angry so she scolded him. That's why Ma Than Yin kept silent. Though I thought this way, there was one thing, that yelling of "Bai Sat" by Daw Mya Hnit, and another thing was that U Tin Pe loved his wife dearly and publicly. Based on these two facts it showed that my thinking was inconsistent. And, there was a man who entered from the road. So, I concluded that U Tin Pe and Ma Than Yin aren't lovers. But, Daw Mya Hnit came back home feeling angry – that fact was known by Ma Than Yin, so I went to see her. I said to her that I knew they were best friends and if she did not tell the truth, the police was about to arrest Mya Hnit for the killing of her husband. When she explained this, she went into deep thought. Finally, she decided, and told me that she gave her word to Daw Mya Hnit that she wouldn't tell anyone about the incident. But, when a friend is in trouble, she must tell everything she knows. She told what happened that day. It is like this. When they returned from the meeting, there were few people around, but under the lamppost they saw a hunchback man with a big bundle. At first he didn't
"If you think that way, the that would be the way it is." Then, Daw Mya Hnit told Ma Than Yin to wait for her a little bit ahead for a while. So, Ma Than Yin agreed. Daw Mya Hnit and the man were left standing talking under the lamppost for five minutes. After talking, Daw Mya Hnit left him, brandishing her arms. Daw Mya Hnit's voice trembled when Ma Than Yin asked her who the man was, and she replied that he was her old acquaintance. Daw Mya Hnit made Ma Than Yin promise not to tell anyone. So, she complied. That was all. Later, they departed. I: "What about U Chit Maung?" Shar: "I thought U Chit Maung was an important person in this case, I tried to find him. According to Ma Than Yin, it is not difficult to find a hunchback, bald-headed, and grey-haired man if he is in a small town like Thanlyin (Syriam). So, I found him. Actually, he is a magician as well as a snake charmer. He has got a cobra and a copperhead rat snake. I: " Did you meet him?" Shar: "Not a chance to speak with him. But I found him, and his house. But, I need a witness when I talk to him. So, I came to pick you up. I: "Then, I'll go with you." Shar: "So, we'll go tomorrow. Now, night is well advanced. Let's sleep." ….. continued next month. Shwe U-Daung (1889-1973) was a prolific Burmese writer and translator, who in the 1930s adapted many of the original Sherlock Holes stories, placing them in the setting of the author’s Rangoon, in a time of nationalist fervour, high crime rate and social unrest.
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS 19
Beauty Counter Terrors By Chit Chan Cho
T
he increasing number of shopping malls in Yangon has given birth to an equally numerous quantity of beauty counters with a dedicated air of cleanliness and the general scent of antiseptic and perfume. Amidst the multihued advertisements of international stars in the act of gasping, are the bevy of pretty girls tending the too-brightly lit counters. The collective exterior is somewhat forbidding, and with reason, the uninitiated would eye them warily, and the ‘initiated’ wearily. Not far gone are the days of locked up cabinets carrying expiring cosmetics, alongside dusty gewgaws attended by drowsy assistants with an alarming frequency for incivility. In their place, now stand gleaming counters with a boggling array of products for sale. As an evolved form of their predecessors; namely the drowsy viragos, the new editions of the counter attendants show promising and somewhat disquieting alertness and a proclivity for discourtesy buried deep (one can hope). Evolution has also equipped them with a different set of survival skills, the hard-sell being one of the many.
only stare like a deer caught in the headlights at the bestowment of megawatt smiles and flashing eyes. Nothing could be more assiduous in their attentions, as products are randomly introduced but specifically extolled. Then with the subtlety of a polo mallet to the head, they would pinpoint with concerned candour one’s villainously channelled crow’s feet, or the multi-layered chicken neck, or some sort of rot in that direction. The unluckier ones will be in for the pawing, prodding and general mauling of the hands and face. With their self-confidence in shambles and caught in the unhappy predicament of not knowing one’s own mind, the customers would listen on as they are plunged into offerings of miraculous, almost medicinal, cures. These miracles would work wonders instantly, if not in a month, then a year, or possibly never. The show would end with the worthies leaving with a dent in the pocket and an even larger hole in their self-esteem as the piano cover of Speak Softly Love plays out one’s exit.
Perfectly made up in the brightest of shades, these counter attendants garbed in colour-block uniforms of their brand colours are to be found standing in their assigned spots, whilst their sharp eyes stare. Rather unnervingly so. Therefore most customers simply satisfied their curiosity through brief glances while engendering ardent wishes to go unnoticed. It is not rare for lads and ladies alike to beg their nearest and dearest to tag along for mental, if not physical support. This lipstick jungle, with its promises of ephemeral beauty (although there is never a shortage of words such as ‘eternal’ or ‘long-lasting’), must be ventured every now and then. The sudden hushed silence, the pairs of eyes following your every step and the occasional calls from the counters make one feel very much like a plump prey for the plucking. These beauty counter trips can end most mundanely, as is the fervent wish of most, or in the following two ways; the screams all over the place endings are hereby excluded. On one with, the fortunate customers can be written off as being ‘unworthy’ of their products with the sales reps looking down the lengths of their noses, so as to intimidate. The curtains would then rise to exhibit their tireless inattention, half-heartedly grunted monosyllables and their Cerberus-like ardour to block the products from view. The fortunates’ self-esteem will smart but they will be none the worse when they fume off with a litany of profanities. The other way is for the unfortunate customers to be deemed ‘worthy’. One could
pi
uan
toon
Car
iS Sala
Such was the case for a young lady, disillusioned during her teenage years. Blessed with an easy disposition and the expectation of life looming large, in a good way, she had made her way to the counter. The lady at the counter adorning two huge patches of Thanaka (the beauty panacea of Myanmar; except when it causes freckles) and lavishly lined lips without the spectre of lipstick, flew forth to address her very needs. The lady artlessly condemned the network of wrinkles on the face of the then 16-year-old and proffered the only solution to such a catastrophe – anti-wrinkle treatments which, by accident, were on the pricy side. She expectantly waited for her quarry to effervesce with joy while pawing the hesitant hands. Embarrassed and not a little annoyed, the young ingrate declined the offered miracles. But feeling sorry for the counter lady, as is the sad tendency of our race, the teenager bought mascara worth her two months’ allowance. She only needed Andy Williams crooning her way out. Polished veneers and sharp claws aside, these ladies do bear tales from beyond the counters. With real lives behind their caked cover-ups, their high perch in the pecking order of sales counters come at a certain price. Their appearance, dictated by the brass, must be maintained at any price, their façade, a rule attached with definite penalties. Being primped and proper for work in the weather conditions accustomed to Yangon, need give pause. One wonders whether they are plagued by lunchbox preparations, uniform hand-washing and other good daughter/wife/mother obligations just as others. And do fair-weather friends beg them for discounts as well? With a commission-based wage structure, they could be somewhat forgiven for their hard-sell tactics and brutal insults. Besides, standing at such altitude for an extended period must breed some ill-will and insults. Customers are also not the saints they would believe of themselves. Their haughty replies, insistence on out of stock products, demands to sample wrapped products and push for product refunds which stems from their own mistakes are just a few of the headaches they offered, over and on top of their scowls and general air of ill-usage. So find it in your heart to spare the counter ladies a smile or two when rushing past these beauty aisles and you would find that it is a kindness they are not immune to. That is, before they spot your bald spot. g
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
BUSINESS 21
Yangon’s most seductive new establishment: Hummingbird Georgia Graham talks to Nathaniel Hutley and Anna Sway Tin.
T
o be honest, I just liked the feeling of the building,” said the charismatic Nathaniel Hutley when asked why he chose the location for Hummingbird, away from the cluster of popular, upand-coming haunts in downtown Yangon. “Most people I brought round to show the building at the beginning said ‘definitely not’, that I was mad.” Nathaniel is one of the brains behind Yangon’s newest indulgence. Born in England to a large family of property developers, it is in his blood to gut a building and bring it back to life. Since arriving in Yangon two years ago and seeing so many unloved colonial structures he longed to renovate one. The Hummingbird’s new owners are made up of Aquila, a foreign management service company, which Hutley and Chloe Williamson own, plus three Myanmar nationals, Robert Raydam and Moe Zaw, both of whom are highly respected businessmen, and the prominently known, Anna Sway Tin. Anna and Nat met over a year ago and bonded over their love of antiques and mutual appreciation for design. Anna’s family story is almost movie material. Her mother used to read about her father’s well-known family in textbooks when she was at school in Myanmar. Her mother’s background was not nearly as grand. This meant that her father’s side of the family did not embrace their relationship. Eventually the family gave in to the young duo’s love affair and they were married within a month of meeting. Anna’s father, Maung Maung Sway Tin became an aeronautical engineer, and he and his wife moved to the United States to work for NASA. Sadly, Anna’s father died later from leukaemia, caused by radiation from where he worked. Anna inherited an empire of businesses but wanted to create something by herself, to build something from scratch and utilise her passion for style and design; style that she had seen developing in other Asian cities but never in her home country. After Anna and Nat met, they decided to create their own restaurant and bar. A year on
hugging the left side of the building, leads up to the first floor bar. The bar comprised of dark green walls, old framed Yangon maps and jazz tinkling on the surround sound system gives the feeling of a gentleman’s smoking room. From there you climb the psychedelic-painted winding staircase to the roof terrace, which has the rustic charm of a Spanish courtyard. In terms of competing with other trendy spots in Southeast Asia’s coolest cities, Yangon has never come near; now Hummingbird is heading the cultural revolution that hip young Yangonites have been longing for. Photos by pt@images
their fantasy is a reality. The Hummingbird building, previously a bank, medical centre, and private residence, has been exquisitely restored. From the outside, the bright white walls, polished glass doors and dimly lit interior looks decidedly out of place on Phone Gyi Street which, on this particular block, is home to shops selling various types of safes; perhaps the influence for the tables in the upstairs bar area, the bases of which are rusted green safes with a thick glass top bolted on. “We wanted everything to be original to the building,” Nathaniel continued when describing the interior. The base of the bar was once a room divider, and the bar top is reclaimed wood from the former roof. In fact all the wood used for the tables, doors and eccentric chandeliers in the restaurant has been reclaimed in some way. Even the branches used for the fairy tale like tree behind the bar, which holds the very important liquor, are recycled railway sleepers. Hummingbird has a soul. It’s warm, earthy and relaxed, perhaps a reflection on the personalities who created it. There is an added touch of style and quality not seen before in Yangon. Downstairs comprises of the restaurant seating up to 34, with exposed brick, jewel-like green painted walls and signature wooden bottle holders. A beautiful old teakwood staircase
The calibre of Latin American fare on offer here is taking the culinary experience of this country to new heights. Chef Wayne Third, from New Zealand, has a rather intimidating CV that includes working for the Rolling Stones and the English Royal Family. Ninety-percent of all ingredients used is locally. The fish comes from local fishermen in Ngwe Saung, the wild boar and venison from a farmer in the Shan State, and all the vegetables are organic. The only thing on the menu not from Myanmar is the steak. New Zealand’s never-frozen prime cuts are flown in to be flame grilled, and my god, what a steak! Its tenderness neared the consistency of butter. The cocktails here also raise the bar with award winning, Myanmar born, Kyaw Zin, wetting your lips with whatever concoction you desire. Tell him your favourite base, be it gin, vodka or rum, what flavours you like, be it sour or sweet and he’ll create you a bespoke cocktail on the spot. The ‘Smoked Rosemary Whisky Sour’ is deliciously nostalgic and the ‘Modern Mule’ with fiery ginger is out of this world. The people behind Hummingbird have a shared passion for quality, which oozes from all corners of this mighty establishment. The team have also just finished building a central kitchen next door, to cater for events for anywhere from 100 to 1000 people. They are also hoping to open two more restaurants by the end of the year. Crazy or wildly ambitious? Either way I want to see more. g
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
22 BUSINESS
A Better Tomorrow,
One Soybean at a Time Mimi Wu helps us discover how SoyAi helps underprivileged youth build their future.
P
lunked down before me was a bottle of cool, creamy soymilk produced by SoyAi. Its pink wraparound sleeve read in handwritten font, “My name is _____ and I want a better tomorrow!” That afternoon, I sat with Eileen Lui, who co-founded SoyAi, and Khun Kyaw Oh and Tun Han Kyaw, two boys burgeoning on adulthood who helped develop and now run the business. Their interest is extremely personal: both have grown up at orphanages, and they seek a better future for themselves and their brothers and sisters at the homes. SoyAi is a social enterprise producing and selling soymilk and tofu in Yangon. Run by underprivileged youth with love (hence ‘ai’, meaning love in Chinese) and determination to help other underprivileged youth, the business can deliver up to 1,000 bottles of soymilk per week. Clients currently include City Express, 999 Shan Noodle House, Yangon Bakehouse, Thut Ti Lethwei Boxing School, and patrons of Marketplace’s Weekend Bazaar. On Sundays, soymilk is sold by bicycle at Inya Lake. The company began with Eileen, who arrived in Yangon in 2012 with her husband after volunteering at an HIV orphanage in Cambodia for five years. “I was involved in creating recreational activities for the kids. We came here and wanted to do the same thing. We found a home with 26 kids and provided food and daily necessities. After three months, the caretaker asked us to look at two other homes: 200 kids at a monastery, the building was crumbling, the kids had no new clothes and were developing skin rashes. The second home was getting evicted. I sent an SOS home [to Malaysia] to say, ‘Hey, we need help.’” The couple received a big response: kilograms upon kilograms of clothes and dry rations and enough money to pay rent. Each weekend and still to this day, all three orphanages gathered together to learn music, art and English. Many orphans supported by Eileen, including Khun Kyaw Oh and Tun Han Kyaw, are Pa’O from Shan State. There, drugs, war, and poverty drove parents to send their children to Yangon in hopes of improved lives. While financially supporting the homes every month and volunteering on weekends has been rewarding, Eileen and her husband wanted to do more. They wanted to carve a path towards self-sufficient adulthood for the Children of Tomorrow – all the children living at the three orphanages.
Photos by Hong Sar
“We noticed that something was not right. Boys age 18 weren’t working. After September 2013, we announced to all the homes, ‘We’re going to be here to help, but we’re going be help in different ways. We’re going to teach you how to fish.’ We got the adult orphans job placements and internships.” The duo also found a machine that produced both soymilk and tofu. They took a dive and purchased it despite having no prior knowledge of the soy business. Initially, seven older boys joined the project, which kicked off in January 2014, though only three of the original pioneers remain to operate SoyAi. “It was such an uphill climb,” lamented Eileen. “We can’t blame them because they’re not known to face adversity of working when it comes tougher. It’s easier to return to monastic life where they didn’t have to do much, but they have food and shelter. It’s their choice; we say you either make a difference or not. The door is always open.” What made it tough was that the boys not only received training on soy milk and tofu production, “but
we also had to train them on business aspects: stock keeping, accounting, marketing, sales. It was a really steep learning curve for us. Most of them are not educated because of the environment they were in before and the background they were raised.” Even those who are educated struggle. Tun Han Kyaw worked diligently in high school and by no small feat, he earned a university placement. Though economics was his first choice, it was ultimately too expensive, and he instead graduated with a degree in industrial chemistry. Yet despite his education, he has found it
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
BUSINESS 23
difficult to land a job; his reserved nature has sabotaged his interviews. Selling soymilk has helped him build his confidence. Khun Kyaw Oh agreed, “With SoyAi, I gained more experience in sales, marketing, management, leadership, and how to talk to and how to take care of customers.” Tun Han Kyaw and Khun Kyaw Oh have developed SoyAi for the last 18 months, but they will soon depart to make way for a new cohort, who will gain business acumen during a one-year training program meant to assimilate them to the real world. Eileen hopes this model will ensure SoyAi’s sustainability. “They will have until December to learn as much as they can and try as much as they can. They will face three options: One, they start their own business to see what they can do, and we help to start it up; two, they go into the work force with a little more experience and stronger CV; or three, they can further their learning whether it be other vocational training or whatever that may be.” Eileen takes a tough love approach, “I tell them, ‘When you get out in December, I’m not going to be there to hold your hand.’” but also motivates the boys in the face of rejection or criticism of the product. “There are difficult customers,” said Khun Kyaw Oh. “They will complain that the milk doesn’t taste good or the bottle is ugly. So during that time, I feel a little upset, and I don’t know what to say.” Now, he views criticisms as learning opportunities. “I retain what the customer says. I realise I should really think about the bottle design. If customer complains about the taste, let’s take a look to improve it.” In addition to retail sales, the budding entrepreneurs developed the Feed Myanmar Programme, where individuals or companies buy soymilk to donate to any orphanage of their choice. The donation supports orphans’ nutritional needs, while simultaneously conferring good will onto individuals, who typically donate during their birthday, and positive marketing for companies. Profits from the soymilk are returned to the business and orphanages: 30% provide tuition fees, clothes, and food to the Children of Tomorrow; 30% is invested to grow the business; 30% goes back into the development of the SoyAi trainees through English and computer classes; and 10% is shared amongst the boys operating SoyAi. “One reason why we’re so willing to help [the SoyAi boys] is because they have hearts of gold,” said Eileen. “One thing that’s attracting them to the project is it’s helping people like them. If they sell a little above their target, they’ll do a lunch for the kids. I think that’s a point of pride. They have to sell thousands of bottles to make that money.” Indeed, “sharing donations,via the Feed Myanmar Programme, and helping children to be healthy” are two of Tun Han Kyaw’s proudest accomplishments with SoyAi to date.
YOUR SOURCING PARTNER FOR MYANMAR
We also provide FACTORY PRE-AUDITS, PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT & INSPECTION SERVICES
Additionally, changing the perception of what orphans can achieve has been important. Khun Kyaw Oh shared, “We have hands, we have legs, we are trying for ourselves. We are not asking people to donate, we are just asking people to buy.” Khun Kyaw Oh and Tun Han Kyaw are definitely looking towards a better tomorrow. After December, Khun Kyaw Oh wants to “work in another country. I want to see what other countries do. I want to learn more like about sales.” Tun Han Kyaw plans to stay in Myanmar and work “in a big company in the marketing department to get more experience. Maybe in three years, if I have enough experience, I want to start my own business.” g
www.myanmar-garments.com | info@myanmar-garments.com +95 (0)99 75702400
24 BISTRONOMY
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
MIX Restaurant & Bar Unusual techniques for surprising fusion foods By Aye Myat Mon WHAT IT IS This eight award-winning Thai outlet teamed up with Feel Group to open their first outlet in Yangon last month. They focus on using unusual techniques, such as incorporating nitrogen and dry ice in their dishes, to give the food a surprising twist both in taste and visually. Mix offers a variety of cuisines from Thai to Chinese to European and is one of the few places in Yangon to whip-up molecular cocktails. ATMOSPHERE Mix is located in a quiet, spacious part of town and the scenic fields of greenery can be enjoyed from their outdoor seating area. All the decor and furniture have been shipped in to recreate the modern, almost-Arabian themes found in the Thailand branches. Both dining tables and comfortable booths are available, which makes the venue suitable for a proper dining night out or just for a few drinks.
RECOMMENDATIONS The restaurant offers a plethora of choices. For appetisers or snacks, I recommend the Thai Deep Fried Rice Cracker served with minced pork and shrimps in coconut sauce. A row of these crunchy little rice cracker rolls are served on a wooden stand, each awaiting to burst with delicious creaminess. Thai food here is spicy so don’t hesitate to ask for less chili! The BBQ Pork Spare Ribs came with a side of Thai saffron fried rice for an
interesting fusion of tastes. The ribs (as most of their European meat dishes) were cooked using the souvee technique, and hence, the flavour-packed meat fell off the bones with just the pull of a fork. Finally, try their dessert called “Global Warming” for a blue dome of tampered white chocolate that will be melted right before your eyes to reveal a secret surprise.
FINAL THOUGHTS Some dishes are pricy but all are good value Servings are large and hearty, and the flavours delightful. By ordering the right dishes (especially desserts!), your dining experience will be anything but typical and boring. (Drinks: $2-$5 / Food: $4-$30). No. 68, Tawwin Road, 9 Miles, Mayangone Township, Yangon Opening Hours: 11am - 11pm Tel: 959-253059922, 951-9663963
Kokant Kou Fu Hot Pot & Snacks Flavours of Shan Ethnic Food
RECOMMENDATIONS Start with the pan gyone (1,200 Kyats), a unique appetizer only available at Kou Fu. Essentially a wheat flower “jelly” salad, this spicy and sour dish opens up your palate for the main course.
By Win Lei Lei Tun
WHAT IT IS In Chinese, kou fu means to be fortunate enough to feast on fine food. Kokant Kou Fu Hot Pot & Snacks definitely lives up to its name and has established itself as a go-to restaurant for ethnic Kokant food (Shan-Chinese fusion) from northern Shan state despite only opening its doors last year.
ATMOSPHERE The restaurant has a typical Chinese-style setup with round wooden tables conducive to great conversation and sharing food. Consequently, the place can get a little boisterous especially during dinnertime. If you prefer a quieter dining experience, stop by during breakfast or lunchtime instead.
Then, try the amae thar soup pyote (4,000 Kyats), Kou Fu’s beef tendon stew. Not only are the chewy bites delicious, but they also give the broth a deep, rich flavor. The secret to this stew is the spice called caoguo, which is imported from Shan State and ground in the kitchens to ensure authenticity. We were also served the famous Yunan hot pot. The taro root made the broth sweeter and denser while flavors from mushrooms, vegetables, pork belly cuts, and meatballs all combined to bring this steaming pot of yumminess together.
For dessert, I recommend the kyat oo kasaw (2,000 Kyats). This is an unusual warm rice soup with a subtle acidic zing, made from egg, kasaw, dried milk and condensed milk. FINAL THOUGHTS The combination of fresh local produce with spices imported from Shan State’s Lashio City is a testament to the restaurant’s focus on serving quality food. PRICES Hot Pot: 25,000 Ks (serves 3) to 75,000 Ks (serves 13) Main courses: 1,200 Ks to 10,000 Ks Drinks: 1,200 Ks to 2,500 Ks No. 24, Baho Road (Corner of Pyi Htaung Su Yeik Thar St), Ahlone Tsp. Tel: 01-229283, 09-250796008, 959-5038019 Open daily from 6:30am - 9pm
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
BISTRONOMY 25
THE PRESS OFFICE By Win Lei Lei Tun WHAT IT IS The Press Office is a relatively new coffee house, which combines local produce with western baking and barista techniques. The café's unusual name reflects the owners' vision of establishing a creative space where customers can work, discuss and meet people. ATMOSPHERE Though located in a busy part of town (which can be observed when sitting by the window upstairs), the Press Office is a quiet getaway from the vibrant city outside. The hanging light bulbs give a warm glow to the small minimalist space and you can paint at an easel in the corner when you're feeling especially artsy. RECOMMENDED Chocoholic or not, anyone can appreciate the Press Office’s chocolate chip cookie (1,000 Ks). It’s light as air with a rich buttery crunch and was the highlight of my visit. A bite of this delight
will let you experience a whole new level of chocolaty goodness. I’m not much of a coffee person, but I savoured each frothy sip of the latte (2,400 Ks), while enjoying the baked goods in between.
We were also served the coffee crunch cake (2,800 Ks). The light spongy texture reminded me of the Myanmar dessert, mote-sein-paung. The coffee taste wasn’t overpowering at all. In fact, it complimented the almond crumble that added a nice crunchy texture to the otherwise smooth and airy slice of cake. PRICES 1,000 Ks to 3,800 Ks FINAL THOUGHTS The service is excellent and the food
just as good. The place can be hard to find, so if you’re lost, just ask around for Aung Mingalar Shan Noodles restaurant – the Press Office is right across from it. There’s a lunch menu coming soon, so stay tuned! 31-4 Plaza 31, Bo Yar Nyunt Road, Yaw Min Gyi Ward, Dagon Township Tel: 09-261780491, 09-262643096 Opening hours Tuesday - Friday: 8am - 8pm Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 8pm Closed on Mondays
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
26 IN FOCUS
BIBIANO “THE FLASH” FERNANDES RETURNS TO DEFEND ONE BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN MAIN EVENT
A
sia’s largest and the most exciting mixed martial arts organisation, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has announced that on 18 July 2015, ONE: KINGDOM OF WARRIORS will take place at the Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar. Fight fans will be treated to a night of world-class mixed martial arts action as ONE: KINGDOM OF WARRIORS will be headlined by a battle between current ONE Bantamweight World Champion, Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes and a Finland’s Toni “Dynamite” Tauru. The card will also feature some of the best local and international mixed martial arts heroes. Tickets for ONE: KINGDOM OF WARRIORS on 18 July 2015 in Yangon are on sale now via a Yangon hotline 1876. Ticket categories begin with the full Red Carpet and cageside experience for VIPs at 200,000 kyats, followed by Gold 50,000 kyats, Silver 25,000 kyats and Bronze 10,000 kyats. Prices exclude ticketing fee. Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who grew up on the hardened streets of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. He has multiple world Jiu-Jitsu tournament wins and is currently riding a ninefight win streak, being so far unbeaten inside the ONE Championship cage since debuting for the promotion in 2012. Fernandes became the ONE Bantamweight World Cham-
pion after he impressively dominated the tough Korean fighter, Soo Chul Kim, winning by unanimous decision. He then defended his title against two other contenders, Japan’s Masakatsu Ueda and Korea’s Dae Hwan Kim. This time, Fernandes faces his toughest challenger yet, ONE Championship’s new signing, Toni Tauru. Toni “Dynamite” Tauru is also on a roll with a ten-fight win streak and is a Cage Warrior Fighting Championship (CWFC) Bantamweight Champion. He is the first Finnish national to win the title in CWFC. Tauru is set to prove himself worthy of the ONE World champion title. Known as a world class grappler who won seven out of his ten wins via submission, Tauru will test his grappling skills against a contender who has established himself as one of the world’s best. This match will likely see two grapplers proving their dominance on the ground. Special discount of 40% to MYANMORE readers Book your ticket directly via Viber: +6581123641 quoting MyanmoreXONE or email: J.TAN@ ONEFC.COM with the subject title MyanmoreXONE, stating your name and ticket category and number of tickets you would like to purchase. Thuwunna Indoor Stadium - Wai Za Yan Tar St | FROM 6:00 PM
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
IN FOCUS 27
The Clouds Below By Jessica Mudditt
Trevor Jensen, the Chief Executive Officer of FMI Air Photo by Hong Sar
D
espite the abundance of domestic airlines in Myanmar, there’s surprisingly little variety amongst them. Aircraft models, flight routes, fares and schedules are virtually indistinguishable, while onboard service is often mediocre. However one of the newest of the 10 airlines, FMI Air, is making a concerted effort to stand out from the pack. “We’ve remodelled the whole experience of flying by providing a business class service on all our flights,” said Trevor Jensen, the Chief Executive Officer of FMI Air. The airline was launched as a charter flight service three years ago and began offering scheduled flights on May 4. It has a fleet of three Canadian-made Bombardier jets, which seat 50 passengers and reach significantly higher speeds than the ATR turbo props used by other operators. “Our jets are very comfortable, fast and modern. The CRJ100 has been used extensively throughout Europe and the United States as a city commuter jet and it’s a well established aircraft,” said Mr Jensen, an Australian national whose career in aviation began in the 1960s as a captain at Australia’s Qantas. The Bombardier jets are also comparatively quieter and fly at higher altitudes: while the ubiquitous ATRs fly at around 14,000 feet, the Bombardiers cruise at 22,000 feet.
“This means that it’s a more comfortable flight because the aircraft gets above low level turbulence,” Mr Jensen said. “Quite frankly, at this time of year, you can’t outclimb all the turbulence, but it is definitely smoother on a Bombardier,” he added, referring to Myanmar’s powerful monsoon season. The airline’s 12 pilots are expatriates, although a Myanmar national is in the process of being recruited, while the 22 cabin crew staff have undergone an extensive training programme and some have prior experience on top tier airlines such as Qatar Airways. “In my whole career, I’ve never worked with a more professional and well trained group of people. Our cabin crew are absolutely fabulous,” Mr Jensen said with a grin. FMI Air currently operates five flights a day between Yangon and the administrative capital of Nay Pyi Taw, where the airline is based. “We offer businesspeople better frequency. If a person has a meeting in the afternoon, they don’t have to fly up in the morning and waste time waiting around in a coffee shop or the airport. And you have to bear in mind that communications in Myanmar aren’t all that good, so it’s not always possible to whittle away the time by working on emails.” Time is money, after all. A one way flight between Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw
costs between US$120 and $180, which makes it pricier than its competitors. However Mr Jensen maintains that FMI Air offers excellent value for money. A complimentary invitation to a business lounge is provided with every boarding pass, which means that passengers can avoid the dreary and noisy departure lounges in Yangon’s domestic terminal (not to mention negating the need for the airline colour-coded stickers passengers don to ensure they are herded onto their respective flights). FMI Air’s seats are of business class proportions and the onboard meals are provided by two five-star catering companies. The freshly squeezed juice is seasonal and meals are rotated frequently to avoid boring the palates of its passengers. FMI will start operating flights to Mandalay on July 1, with Sittwe following suit in mid-July. Plans are also in the pipeline to launch international flights, with the ambition of becoming the region’s premier airline, Mr Jensen told Myanmore. To date, FMI Air is the only airline that allows flights to be booked online using credit cards and its operations control room is the most sophisticated in the country. “We always know exactly where our planes are in the sky, which cannot be said of other local airlines,” said Jeremy Kingston, FMI Air’s manager of system operations control. g
28 IN FOCUS
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
Space for single expats at Sakura By Jessica Mudditt
remain inadequate to meet foreign families’ requirements,” the report stated.
more spacious,” Ms Horikoshi told Myanmore InDepth.
The shortage will be alleviated somewhat on 1st September when Japanese-owned Sakura Residence launches Sakura Residence II, which will be located within the same serviced apartment complex and is aimed at meeting the needs of single tenants.
As well as daily housekeeping services, amenities at Sakura Residence include 24-hour reception, 10MB Wi-Fi, security and concierge, a 25 metre swimming pool, a cafe, convenience store plus a newly renovated gym with a sauna and scheduled yoga and aerobics classes.
Sakura Residence II will feature 126 single bedroom apartments and 14 two bedrooms apartments that measure 48 metres and 65 metres respectively.
A
s Myanmar’s expatriate community continues to grow, its demographics are changing – and some property developers are beginning to take notice. An increasing number of expats arriving in Yangon are singles, who for the most part struggle to find appropriate rental accommodation in a market which is dominated by family-scale homes. According to a report published in March by real estate services provider Colliers International, studios and one-bedroom apartments, combined, make up less than a third of Yangon’s serviced apartments, whereas in cities such as Manila and Bangkok, more than two thirds of apartments are studios or one-bedroom apartments. For solo expats looking to relocate to Yangon, the lack of smaller sized apartments can be a headache for the companies sponsoring their arrival. “Besides the supply shortage situation, the availability of studio and one-bedroom units is scant, driving most professional expatriates to incur expensive rents on unnecessarily large units. This is despite the fact that the number of single expatriates is continually rising, while the city’s infrastructure and amenities
“Whereas the original Sakura apartment complex has everything from studios to three bedroom apartments and many families living there, Sakura II is geared towards single expats, couples, or perhaps couples with an infant,” said Sakura’s spokesperson Mio Horikoshi. When Sakura Residence was established in 1998, it became the first serviced apartment in Yangon. “Sakura has been around for a long time, so we’ve built trust among the community in terms of the standards of quality we provide,” Ms Horikoshi. She added that occupancy rates at the original Sakura complex are “ninety-nine percent full” and that some tenants have been living there for as long as five years. And while the basic rule about personalising apartments with fixtures is the same as it is any serviced apartment, Ms Horikoshi said that Sakura’s management is very flexible and strives to accede to any reasonable request. The new residence is eight stories high, with the first floor occupied by in-house offices. The central courtyard will feature wooden decking and several apartments offer stunning views of Shwedagon Pagoda. “Sakura’s II’s apartments are more modern in design and feature high ceilings, which makes the area feel
A second car park is currently being built in the basement of Sakura II to ensure that “every tenant has at least one parking space.” The basement also offers shared storage space, which will be locked and secured for storing non-valuable items such as golf clubs. Apartments at Sakura II start from US$3,600 a month, which is only slightly higher than the price of the average studio apartment in Yangon, which a report by Colliers International found to be $3,500. The minimum lease period is 12 months, with quarterly payments required in addition to a security deposit. Sakura Residence is located on 9 Inya Road, Kamaryut Township. g
For more information about Sakura Residence II, visit www.sakura-residence-yangon.com or email sales@sakuraresidence.com.mm
30 HOROSCOPE
Myanmar
SUNDAY
Hard Time During this month, you will face difficulty. You will be surprised by some challenging problems. You should read book to get knowledge for healthy and wealthy. You can solve all problems because you are intelligent and take responsibilities. The idea of travelling will delight you. You will do what your family asks. Love – You will meet a lovely sweet heart. You will proud of your lover's beauty. Your lover and you will be closer and closer and get more love. Business – You will make your partner agree with future business plans. You will start scientific project during this month. You will improve facilities and technology in your business. Lucky numbers –3.6.9.0 Lucky colour – Strawberry.
MONDAY
Pleasant Time Your life style will be pleasant condition. You will decide goal in your life. You will wait for chance to visit a foreign country. You should respect and take good care of your parents. You will have many duties to perform for family and relatives. You will hear wonderful news. You will follow modern fashion styles. Love – You will fall in love with a perfect lover to marry. Your lover will be warm and kind. Your love story will be innocent. Business – During this month, you will have interest
THURSDAY
in handicraft business. You will travel to meet some clients and discuss with them and listen to what they say. You will apply scientific methods to reform modern style, especially handicraft business. Lucky numbers – 1.4.9.6 Lucky colours – White, Orange.
Secret Time You will have secret plan for your life plans. You will pretend some matter. You will get travelling experience from domestic and foreign trips. You should read about powerful and successful man or woman. You will love books, food, people and travel. Love – You will attach to your classmate friend. Your lover gives you pleasure. Everybody will admire your love story. During this month, you will marry happily. Business – During this month, you will develop computer programs and sell them to a number of large businesses. Lucky numbers – 1.2.5.7 Lucky colour – Purple, Red.
TUESDAY
FRIDAY
Horoscope Tetkatho Soe Moe Naing has a Science Degree Major in Mathematics from Yangon University. Currently, he is writing articles and horoscopes for monthly magazines and weekly journals in Myanmar. Astrologer, philosopher, traditional medicine practitioner and author Tetkatho Soe Moe Naing looks to the celestial bodies to predict what lies ahead in arch, this month focusing on love and business. In Myanmar astrology, star signs are determined by which day you were born. Each sign represents its own day, cardinal direction (utmost importance), planet (celestial body) and animal.
MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / July 2015
Change Time You will find great changes your life. You will transfer to new house or office. You will have no secret, you will be open type. Somebody will think you are a very talkative person. You should offer candles, fresh fruit and white flowers to Buddha. Your family and you will live together happily. Love – You will love your lover very much. But you will love the wrong lover. Your family will not agree with your love story. You will choose family or a lover. Business – You will solve problems of disobedient office staff. Your opponent will wait your mistakes. You will control your present business condition difficultly. You will have to go to a foreign country on business. Lucky numbers – 2.5.0.9 Lucky colour – Bright Colour.
Lively Time During this month, you will pass lovely and lively days. You will be popular in your surrounding because of your talk show. You will attend ceremony. You will be proud of one of family members' success. You will be clever everything. To keep fit and healthy, you should eat nutritious food that is fresh and clean. Love – You will be busy to care for your lover. You will never give your lover any kindness. You will disappoint your lover's weakness. You will argue with your lover violently. Business – You will follow the modern era business. You will be confident in new long-term project. You will be clever to promote distribution. Lucky numbers – 1.3.5.7 Lucky colours – Yellow, Ivory.
SATURDAY WEDNESDAY
Clean Time If you will obey your parents, you will be richer and richer. Your future will look good. You will have chance to buy gold and jewel. You will make well-educated friends. You will interest to invent music or stories. To be healthy, you should be clean in every way you can. Love – You will discuss with your family to marry lover. Your society will watch your love story. Business – You will try large production units to promote your economic condition. You will purchase industrial machines. Your management system will be excellent. Lucky numbers – 1.4.3.8 Lucky colour – Light Colour.
Modern Time Everybody will admire your management power. You will prepare systematically for your future life. During this month, you will follow modern education. You will get latest knowledge especially of computer. You will attend a computer software or hardware course. You will also love music and literature. Love – Love will be oasis for your lonely life. You love story will be unbelievable. A broad smile will be attractive for you. Business – You will realise that inputs must be converted effectively and efficiently into the design outputs. You will introduce a new product into the market. Lucky numbers – 2.4.6.8 Lucky colours – Dark, Violet. Tetkatho Soe Moe Naing has practiced astrology and Burmese traditional medicine for forty years. Contact: 095012767
Organisations in Partnership with the MYANMORE Card:
MYANMORE CARD 00000001
RESTAURANT -
-
-
50TH STREET BAR
20% off on total bill for lunch (11am to 3pm) 10% off the main course for dinner Valid everyday,1 person per card
999 SHAN NOODLE HOUSE
-
10% off on total bill one free dish of Myanmar salad or seasonal fruit, when 4 people and above. Valid everyday
-
BULGOGI BROTHERS
-
20% off on total bill. Free Flow Coke, Sprite & Max Orange No room charge and no corkage fee Valid everyday.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
15% off on A La Carte menu Valid from Monday to Thursday, minimum 2 people. Booking required
LOBBY LOUNGE
20% off on Hi Tea Special (3pm to 5pm) Valid everyday, up to 4 people per card.
THE EMPORIA RESTAURANT
15% off on international buffet dinner Valid everyday, up to 4 people per card, booking required.
TIGER HILL CHINESE RESTAURANT
15% off Dim Sun Lunch Valid everyday, minimum 2 people and up to 4 per card, booking required.
CORRIANDER LEAF
a free coffee or tea with breakfast, a free glass of wine or beer with lunch, and 5% off on total bill all day long. Valid everyday, for 2 people.
EDO ZUSHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
20% off total bill between 11 a.m and 5 p.m.. 5% off total bill for dinner. Valid everyday.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ELIQ RESTAURANT
-
ESCAPE GASTRO BAR
-
10% discount on total bill Valid everyday Advanced booking required
40% off total food bill between 11a.m and 6 p.m compatible with the two-for-one beer offer on Sundays. Valid everyday, 1 person per card
GEKKO
20% off lunch (from 11 a.m to 4 p.m) Everyday, up to 6 people per card
GINZA TEPPAN-YAKI @ OCEAN SHWE GONE DINE
20% off on total bill from 9 a.m to 5 p.m Valid Monday to Friday, 1 person per card
HOUSE OF SINGAPURA
-
-
20% off total bill Valid everyday, up to 8 people per card.
L’OPERA ITALIAN RESTAURANT AND BAR
10% off the A La Carte bill (not valid for set menu, business lunch and promotions) Valid on Sundays (lunch and dinner), for cash payment only, for up to 8 people.
-
-
MONSOON RESTAURANT AND BAR
10% off total bill (Mon to Fri: 10 a.m to 5 p.m) 15% off Afternoon Tea Sets (9,000ks upwards), 2pm to 5 pm Valid everyday, up to 4 people per card
PADONMAR RESTAURANT
1 free glass of wine or beer with lunch or dinner. Minimum order: 2 main dishes per person. Not valid on Set Menu. Valid everyday, 2 people per card.
PEPERONI PIZZERIA
-
-
10% off on total bill Valid everyday, 1 person per card
-
PARKROYAL
-
LOBBY BAR
10% off food and drinks, except Happy hours Valid Monday to Friday.
-
SPICE BRASSERIE
10% off food and drinks Valid Monday to Friday, booking required
-
SI CHUAN DOU HUA
10% off food and drinks Valid Monday to Friday, booking required
-
SHIKI TEI
10% off food and drinks Valid Monday to Friday, booking required
-
PORT AUTONOMY
20% off total food bill Valid everyday, 1 person per card.
-
PORTICO RESTAURANT @ ROSE GARDEN HOTEL
-
-
SEDONA
-
BRASSERIE
15% off total bill Valid everyday, 1 person per card, not applicable to festive promotions.
-
DUFU CHINESE RESTAURANT
15% off total bill Valid everyday, 1 person per card, not applicable to festive promotions.
-
-
-
KOKINE BAR & RESTAURANT
-
Deals exclude promotions, set lunch/dinner and cakes and are not valid for outside catering.
DAGON LOUNGE
5% off total bill Valid on Weekdays and public holidays, 1 person per card
PARKVIEW CAFE
5% off total bill Valid on Weekdays and public holidays, 1 person per card
THAI 47
30% off total bill, Mondays to Thursdays 15% off total bill, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays 2 for 1 drinks from 7 p.m onwards, everyday. Valid for up to 5 people, advanced booking required for weekend treatments.
THE MANHATTAN FISH MARKET
Free “Garlic Herb Mussels” for minimum spending of 50,000 Kyats. Valid from Monday to Friday, for up to 4 people per card
THE PIZZA COMPANY
20% off Pasta, from Monday to Friday 20% Off Large Pizza, on the weekend Valid for 1 person per card The deals are applicable to 3 outlets Dagon Centre 1- Myaynigone Ocean Shwe Gon Daing- Tamwe Junction Junction Maw Tin
TITUS INDIAN BANANA LEAF
free dessert with your meal: Gulab Jamun, Kulfi and Halwa. Valid everyday, 1 person per card.
TOBA RESTAURANT & CAFE
30% off total bill from 12am to 5am Valid Monday to Thursday, up to 3 people per card
20% off total bill for lunch (11 a.m to 4 p.m) Valid everyday, up to8 people per card
VINO DI ZANOTTI
-
ORZO ITALIAN RESTAURANT
-
15% off total bill Valid everyday, 1 person per card, not applicable to festive promotions.
SKY BISTRO
5 % off total bill from 7 p.m onwards Valid everyday.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
VINTAGE LUXURY YACHT HOTEL 15% off food and drinks Valid everyday, for 10 people!
CLUB 5 @ PARKROYAL
10% off bottles of wine and hard liquor. Valid Monday to Friday, not valid for loose drinks
CLUB RIZZOLI @ CHATRIUM HOTEL
20% off on total bill from 10pm onwards Valid Saturdays and Sundays, up to 6 people per card.
ICE BAR @ SEDONA HOTEL
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
MOJO BAR
-
2 for 1 drinks from 2 p.m to 7 p.m, everyday 2 for 1 on all food items on Sunday, all day. Valid for 1 person per card
-
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
-
VERANDA BAR @ ROSE GARDEN HOTEL
Buy one Cocktail of the day, get one free (from 4pm to 6:30 pm) Valid everyday,1 person per card.
BARISTA LAVAZZA
10% off of total bill Valid every day, 1 person per card
D BISTRO
15% off on all types of coffee before 12am (on weekdays only) 10% off on total bill Valid everyday, 1 person per card
EASY CAFE & RESTAURANT
10% off total bill for minimum spending of 6,000 Kyats Valid everyday from 5pm onwards, up to 6 people per card
-
-
NERVIN CAFE AND BISTRO
15% off total bill Valid from Monday to Friday, for all the people from the same table.
WTC - World Training Center
5% off Barista & Bakery classes Valid everyday, 1 person per class.
FROZEE
Buy 1 Get 1 Free (80g gelato cup/160g gelato cup) Valid Monday to Friday, 1 person per card
SNOW FACTORY
10 % off Snow Flake Menu 10% off Coffee menus Valid everyday, 2 people per card.
-
-
-
-
CALIFORNIA SKIN SPA
20% off on any treatment and services. Valid everyday, up to 3 people per card, advanced booking recommended.
D SPA
15% off total bill for 1 person 20% off total bill when 2 people Valid from Monday to Thursday, from 11 a.m to 3 pm, booking recommended 10% off total bill for 1 person 15% off total bill when 2 people Valid on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, booking recommended
-
-
-
-
-
INYA DAY SPA
15% off Spa treatments 10% off Thai full body massage Valid from Monday to Friday.1 person per card
-
PARKROYAL Fitness & Spa
10% off spa treatments, except Happy Hours. Valid Monday to Friday, booking required.
-
PHOENIX ESTHETIC BEAUTY CENTRE
10% off facial treatments for one person. 20% off facial treatments when two people Valid Wednesdays and Thursdasy from 10: 30 a.m to 6: 30 p.m, advance booking required.
REVEAL - EMINENCE HAIR REMOVAL
20% off one waxing service per bill 10% off one I2PL (SHR IPL) service
-
-
-
-
Vestige Flagship Store, Nay Pyi Taw Vestige Kiosk, Avenue 64 Hotel.
ACTIVITY
SENSE SPA
20% off all spa treatments Valid everyday,1 person per card, advanced booking recommended
HOLA Dance Club
-
15 minutes Free private lesson 1 hour Free beginners group lesson Monday through Saturday (Sunday is closed), 1 person per card, advance booking required.
-
SPA D’LAX
10% off for 1 person 15% off when 2 people Valid from Monday to Thursday, from 11am to 3pm. 5% discount for 1 person 10% off when 2 people Valid from Friday to Sunday, Advance Booking required.
SPA ELEMENTS
15 % off - JAMU pre- and post-natal care packages 10% off - Face, body and foot spa // Mani-Pedis // Hair // Waxing and scrub Valid on Wednesday & Monday, 1 person per card.
THAYA DAY SPA
5% off Barista & Bakery classes Valid everyday, 1 person per class.
BUSINESS ALLIANCE HOTEL
-
-
15% off 6 months or 1 year membership contract 15% off monthly package for classes ($120 for 10 classes) Discount cannot be used with other promotions Valid for Silver, Gold or Platinum memberships, 2 people per card.
WTC - World Training Center
HOTEL
VINTAGE LUXURY YACHT HOTEL
BALANCE FITNESS
15% off Cooking Classes Valid everyday except Tuesdays, valid for up to 4 people, 2 days advance booking required.
-
-
10% off all SPA treatments Valid everyday, for up to 10 people!, Advanced booking recommended.
MONSOON RESTAURANT AND BAR
-
15% off Spa Services 10% off Full Thai Body Massage. Monday to Friday, 1 person per card
15% off on any room type. Valid everyday, 1 person per card
HOTEL 51
15% off on all room types. Valid everyday, 1 person per card
ORCHID HOTEL
15% off on all published room rates Valid Sunday to Thursday, 1 person per card, advance booking required
-
THAHARA (www.thahara.com)
-
5% off on the published rates for all package booking from Oct to April 10% off on the published rates for all package booking from May to September Valid everyday, 2 people per card, advance booking required.
-
VINTAGE LUXURY YACHT HOTEL
-
10% on rooms Valid everyday
CHATRIUM HEALTH CLUB
10% off on daily rate from Mon to Sun. Valid everyday, 2 people per card, advance booking required.
SHOPPING
FIRST THAI SPA
10% off total bill for 1 person 20% off total bill for 2 people Valid from Monday to Friday, 2 people per card
per bill Valid everyday, 2 people per card, advanced booking required.
GYM
SWENSEN’S
20% off on Super Sundae on weekdays 20% off on Kids Sundae on weekends Valid for 1 person per card The deals are applicable to 3 outlets Dagon Centre 1- Myaynigone Ocean Shwe Gon DaingTamwe Junction Junction Maw Tin
BEAUTY
15% off total bill (excluding cover charge and festive promotion) Valid everyday, 1 person per card
10% off all drinks (beer and cocktails) Valid everyday,1 person per card.
-
DESSERT
10% off total bill for dinner Valid everyday, 1 person per card.
LOBBY LOUNGE
15% off total bill Valid everyday, 1 person per card, not applicable to festive promotions.
-
UNION BAR AND GRILL
BAR & CLUB
10% off daily Business lunch Valid on food items only, on weekdays, 1 person per card.
CAFE
SUMMIT PARKVIEW HOTEL
LA MAISON 20
-
10% off total bill for dinner (5 p.m onwards) Valid Monday to Friday, 1 person per card 20% off on food bill on Saturday and Sunday Valid on weekends all day long, 1 person per card
1 free cocktail or long drink when ordering one European main dish Valid everyday. 1 person per card
25% off total bill, Monday and Tuesdays 15% off total bill, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10% off total bill, Friday to Sunday. Valid for up to 4 people per card
-
-
CHATRIUM HOTEL KOHAKU JAPANESE RESTAURANT
L’ALCHIMISTE FRENCH RESTAURANT
DEALS
SERVICES HINTHA BUSINESS CENTRES
-
One hour free wifi + a cup of coffee once a month. Valid everyday, once a month, 1 person per card.
-
DAILY MART
Free delivery for total bills between 10,000 and 29,900 Kyats 5% off for total bills of 30,000 Kyats and above Valid everyday, 1 person per card
K & H TRAVELS CO.,LTD
-
10% off for the second guest on any mini getaway tour Valid on weekends, advance booking required.
-
ELEGANT GEMS JEWELLERY & SOUVENIR at Culture Valley
15% off on selected items. (Excluding Pearl, Jade, Loose gems and 18 K Gold) Valid everyday, no max limit of people!
BUY YOUR MYANMORE CARD HERE! -
MONUMENT BOOKS
10% off any purchase superior to 50,000 ks, Valid from Monday to Friday, 1 person per card
PATRICK ROBERT THE GALLERY 10% off total bill Valid Monday to Saturday, 1 person per card, Advance booking required.
SELECT BOUTIQUE THE THIRIPYITSAYA
10% off all Jewelry Valid everyday (closed on Tuesdays
-
-
-
-
SEVEN FRIDAY SWISS WATCHES Free Food voucher worth 20,000 ks to be used at House of Singapura, Pepperoni and Ya Kun Cafe. Valid everyday, on purchase of a watch.
VESTIGE MERCANTILE & RELICS 10% off total bill. Valid everyday at: Vestige Flagship Store, Yangon
-
-
-
MYANMORE Office 1st Floor, Annex Bld, Strand Hotel, 92 Strand Rd, Kyauktada Tsp | 01-375680 50TH STREET BAR 9/13, 50th Street, Botahtaung Township | 01-397 060 Balance Fitness (Avenue 64 Hotel) 64 (G), Kyaik Wine Pagoda Road,Yangon | 01 656 916 Monument Bookstore 150, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan Township Inya Day Spa 16/2, Inya Road | 01537907 Padonmar Restaurant No.105/107, Kha-Yae-Bin Road, Dagon Township, Yangon Between Pyi Daung Su Yeik Tha (Halpin Road) and Manawhari Road/Ahlone Road. Tel/Fax : +95 1 538895, +95 9 73029973, 73108606 Orchid Hotel 91, Anawrahta Road, Pazundaung Township, Yangon | 01-399930, 01-704740 Happy Footprints No.498, Thein Phyu Road, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township, Yangon | 01 381862
www.facebook.com/samsungmyanmar
Samsung Customer Contact Center - 01 2399 888 Mon-Sun : 8AM to 6PM (အစိုးရရုုံးပိတ္ရက္မ်ားအပါအ၀င္)