Yangon Region Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein confirmed on March 24 that the government will be cracking down on several key issues related to Thingyan and increasing bus fares.
Phyo Min Thein, at a press conference regarding the water festival, claimed that controversial issues such as commercial water pavilions, sky-rocketing travel costs, over consumption of alcohol, drug use as well as the hot weather would be addressed by the government.
He said apart from a few exceptions, all commercial water pavilions were banned.
As for the rising bus prices, Phyo Min Thein said: ”Many return to their places of origin during Thingyan and while there are difficulties due to low numbers of buses servicing overwhelming amounts of travellers, the YRTA is looking to improve the situation by enlisting more buses to run.
“Any complaints concerning raised fees that the authorities receive will result in legal action,” said the chief minister.
He also limited celebrations to between 8am and 12pm and 3pm and 6pm as he claimed that this year’s weather during Thingyan period would be “exceptionally hot”.
Source: Eleven Myanmar
