Two years after the COVID-19 lockdowns, Myanmar’s traditional New Year celebration, called Thingyan, has changed in Yangon.
Perhaps the most notable time of year in Myanmar, if not also the most popular, first dried up during COVID-19 due to pandemic related regulations.
In 2021, however, a coup and the subsequent fallout ensured that Thingyan became less festive on the streets of major cities, such as Yangon and Mandalay, as people left the cities for the holidays.
The current administration had ensured that festivities were held, in the form of hosting staged performances and other events, but the presence of security forces, as well as the general anti-government sentiment, had turned many away from them.
All across Yangon, each township’s local administration built their own pandals, or shelters consisting of upright poles supporting a roof that is usually made of bamboo matting, but they saw few or no revellers.
Perhaps the only “successful” event held by the administration was a “Walking Thingyan” (as opposed to Yangon’s tradition of going around on motor vehicles), where the organisers provided a free flow of beer, among other entertainment.
Many people claimed, however, that the events had been “artificially filled”, as many from suburban areas of Yangon were made to participate every day.
“I think it’s never going to be the same again. Maybe now that I’m older, I think differently as well. For this Thingyan, my family and I will be going for a “staycation” at the Wyndham Grand Hotel,” said a 31-year-old male Yangonite named Aung.
Aung, like many others, is now opting to attend more private parties at commercial establishments, mainly hotels, which have capitalised on the shifting trend.
There also are private events, such as an EDM Festival held in Shwe Htut Tin, but safety is a concern for him.
“Before, there were two ways to party as an adult during Thingyan: you either went around in a car to visit all the popular spots or got into a private pandal of sorts, where you have to pay money to enter. Neither is applicable now,” said Aung.
There is also this sentiment that, if one is a responsible citizen, one should not take part in any events or be celebrating on the streets in public because that would mean that you’re a part of a Thingyan celebration organised by the current military-led government.
There are also calls for celebrities, such as artists that had appeared on screen, who either attend or provide entertainment in any government-hosted activities within Thingyan, to be boycotted.
One of them is Paing Takhon, an actor and model who actually advocated strongly against the coup and has since been arrested and released.
Battles have been ongoing since the coup, but recent conflicts, for example the airstrikes in Kantbalu Township that had killed over 100 just before and during Thingyan, have left many with a reluctance to “be happy” during the New Year.
The power situation also means that staying home in this weather is much of an option. In cities such as Yangon, the blackout lasts for at least 8 hours every day.
“It is the hottest time of the year. It is also the most celebratory time of the year for us. For those who are less fortunate, they will have to stay home, but many choose to either go out of Yangon to popular vacation spots, like Chaung Thar Beach or, like me, would at least go to hotels. They have to run generators there for their customers. At least I can sleep in air-conditioning”, said Aung.
