Burmese tycoon Tay Za, a son-in-law of Burma's junta supremo Snr-Gen Than Shwe, is planning to contest from Puta-O township in northern Kachin State in the 2010 elections, said local sources.

A Burman businessman, Tay Za has already been named by the Burmese generals in capital Naypyidaw, also spelled Naypyitaw, for the highest administrator’s position for Puta-O Township after next year’s elections, residents of Puta-O said.

Tay Za, or Teza controls tourism business in Puta-O district. He is currently investing millions of dollars for the construction of top-class hotels in the district, a resident of Puta-O told KNG today.

Tay Za, the owner of Htoo Trading Company, has stakes in major economic sectors in the country such as logging, tourism, hotels, airlines, transport and construction along with technological investment in the junta's newly built Yadanabon Cyber City in Upper Burma.

Tay Za also owns Air Bagan, the main airline for locals and tourists for domestic travel.  Former general secretary of Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) Rev. Dr. Lahtaw Saboi Jum and his brother Hkun Myant have a share in the airlines, said sources close to them.

Puta-O is one of the most sought after tourist spots in the country given its natural beauty with snow-capped mountains.

On the other hand, Rawang Jung, General Secretary of Kachin State's Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) based in the state's capital Myitkyina plans to contest from Machyangbaw town, 14 miles southeast of Puta-O in the 2010 elections, according to residents.

In Puta-O and Machyangbaw townships, Jinghpaw, Lisu, Rawang and Shan are the native people. They are into rice cultivation on the hillsides and paddy fields in the plains.

The ruling junta is preparing to hold the countrywide elections in 2010 on the basis of the 2008 constitution drafted and forcibly approved. It has been rejected by opposition groups.