According to local sources, a minority that backs the Military Council is reportedly organizing a floating Thingyan Festival on Inle Lake set to take place from April 13 to April 16, spanning four days.
This floating Thingyan Festival scheduled to take place on Inle Lake, situated in Nyaung Shwe Township of Southern Shan State, has been organized solely by a minority group with the backing of the Military Council, and without any consultation or regard for public opinion.
Daw Yu Hlaing Thin, Founder of the Justice Movement For Community-Inlay organization observed, “ I see that the Intha tribe, who only look out for their own interests, cooperate with terrorist groups and then hold such an event. Earlier there was an exchange of fire in Inle. Right now they are deliberately creating a spectacle where the Inle region is supposed to be very peaceful and very happy. This is being staged to distract people’s minds. I also see that they are doing it to weaken those who are making revolution.”
According to local residents, the organizers of the upcoming floating Thingyan festival include the Inn National League Party, the Khit San Yin silk and handloom factory, and individuals who strongly support the Military Council.
In the Inle region, the military council troops and Pyu Saw Htee are committing terrorist acts against civilians day and night. There are concerns that fighting with the local defense forces could erupt at any moment.
“Those who endorse the Military Council will likely attend the event. However: due to various concerns such as fear, economic struggles, and personal losses, individuals who have been affected by the ongoing situation may choose not to attend. This is like maggots coming out of a wounded skin,” Daw Yu Hlaing Thin continued.
Myanmar’s first floating Thingyan was held in 2019 during the National League for Democracy (NLD) government at the Khit San Yin Thingyan Pavilion attended by a big crowd. The event also included the Intha traditional ceremony of offering alms to twenty-eight Buddha statues and a floating alms offering ceremony.
However according to a local political activist, the upcoming floating Thingyan event will be led exclusively by supporters of the Military Council, and therefore cannot be considered representative of the entire Intha ethnic group.
“ They do it on their own. I don't think this represents our Intha people. We don’t recognize it. We don’t support the Inn party, which is just eating the bones provided by the military. No one will go there. I think they’re going to brief the event with just a group of their people,” she said.
Traditional festivals, including the Phaung Daw U Pagoda Festival, which has been a popular attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists in the Inle region since 2020, have not been held for more than three years.
Amidst the absence of traditional festivals, a group supporting the Military Council is organizing a floating Thingyan festival, which is facing strong criticism from the local population.
