Property disputes are especially prevalent in the Asin-Ziphyutaung seaside villages of Ye township, where the Ministry of Development Affairs has offered to provide compensation to citizens for any residential land acquired for development purposes.

Similar problems were encountered in Thanpyuzayat township, where guest-house and hotel constructions on Setse Beach were suspended after digging permits were withheld from development companies following disputes over construction areas.

But Dr. Toe Toe Aung claims a new series of tourism projects will turn beaches like those in Thanbyuzayat and Ye townships into high-class resort areas heightening Myanmar’s tourist economy. In Setse Beach, recently constructed guest houses like the 21 Paradise Hotel indicate the type of tourism profile the ministry wishes to promote to the international community.

Ziphyutaung beach: Vacant lots or community areas?

In Ziphyutaung beach in Ye township, new tourism constructions are expected to begin once their plans are finalized, approximately two months from now. The ministry still needs to review the beach's one-mile stretch of blueprinted development to determine where local populations will be most affected. Following this, the ministry will provide these groups with compensation.

In the next stage, acreage deemed “vacant” will be put up for auction to construction companies for more development projects.

Locals, however, are worried that these lands, which are surrounded by community-tended betel gardens not included in official land zoning documents, will be incorrectly designated as “vacant” or “moor” areas by the local government in order to sell them to companies without having to initiate legal procedures concerning land titles.

Chairman of Thanbyuzayat township's Local Development Affair Committee Ko Min Min Latt has said the government is already working with companies to estimate how much investment will be required to develop these areas.

Tourism development plan

Along with Setse and Ye townships, Kyaikhto and Mon State capital city Mawlamyine make up the four primary areas in Mon State’s tourism development plan.

In areas like the capital city Mawlamyine, Dr. Toe Toe Aung reports there is not sufficient space for building more hotels or guest houses. Construction companies will most likely shift their activities to nearby areas like Mottama that lies on the opposite side of the Thanlwin River.

Mon State already has a variety of tourist attractions that include the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (or the Golden Rock), Mawlamyine, Kyaikkami Pagoda, Setse Beach, Burma Railway and the Thanbyuzayat War cemetery.