Gambling shops mushroom in Taung Gyi, the capital of Shan State, during the Tazaungtai festival despite the local residents' disapproval, a local said.

The famous Tazaungtai festival in Taung Gyi is held on Tazaungtai La San (pre-full moon day) 9 to Tazaungtai La Pyi Kyaw 1 (post full moon day). Many gambling shops have been set up during this festival. Most of the local people from Taung Gyi district, disapprove of these shops saying that they hurt their moral sentiments.

"It causes negative feelings. The festival is held downtown. Most people go with Oxen cartels or motorcycles. After they have lost their money at these gambling shops, some of them cannot bring back their motorcycles or cartels. Some of them have only one Ox, when they come back from the festival. Some people visit the festival to sell Oxen in Hopon Market but they cannot bring back any money, since they have lost heavily in these shops," a local resident said.

"In my view, it is the intention of the military regime to destroy Shan's culture and tradition. This is a religious ceremony. In the Tazaungtai festival, normally people light their candles, and set off lantern hot air balloons into the sky. It is uncomfortable for us to see alcohol and beer bars at a place where a festival is being held. It is not good for our festival," he added.

According to Taung Gyi locals, most villagers, who gamble have lost their money. Most of the people, who have been gambling at these shops, are poor villagers. The contractors of the festival have earned thousands from each gambling shop. "All the money has gone into their pockets. Most of the people, who visited these shops, came from nearby villages," he added.

In the past, people offered food to monks. On full moon day, the locals lit candles, set off hot-air balloons and offered donations. There was a competition of setting off hot air balloons in the sky. There were no gambling shops, earlier. In 1994, businessmen took contracts for the festival and started setting up gambling shops. Since then the local authorities also allowed the sale of alcohol and the atmosphere of the festival started changing, locals from Taung Gyi said.