Instead of the usual water pistols, splashing and jubilant crowds during Myanmar’s New Year festival of Thingyan, this year’s holiday would see real guns, blood on the streets and grief over a democracy robbed.
For a second year running, Myanmar’s traditional Buddhist holiday period, which runs from today to Friday, has been disrupted.
COVID-19 pandemic restrictions forced the cancelation of public water fights, street parties and dance performances last year.
However, the Feb. 1 military coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power and a subsequent security crackdown that has claimed more than 700 lives have darkened the mood this