For the first time in almost 10 years the state-owned Myanmar Airways has replaced the old aircrafts with a new jetliner the ATR 72, said sources from Tachilek, opposite Maesai.
 
"It may be a coincidence," said a happy resident of the city. "But a day after the news about Cyclone Nargis donations from Tachilek being transported to affected areas through Kengtung (160 km away) came out, an ATR 72 with 62 seats landed."

Donors from both Thailand and Tachilek need not worry about their relief material being delayed or damaged, they say.
 
Myanmar Airways suspended its flights to Tachilek following an accident on 27 August 1998 which killed all its passengers and crew.
 
Apart from Thais across the border, most donors are Burmans, Shans and ethnic Chinese residents.
 
Myanmar Airways flies to Tachilek twice a week -- Sunday and Wednesday.
 
The related report: PM Thein Sein wrong man for handling disasters? (17 May 2008) recounted the Fokker Friendship F-27's crash in 1998 while Gen Thein Sein was serving as a regional commander.