BERNE, Switzerland: Myanmar’s economy has long been shaped by the Tatmadaw the nation’s powerful armed forces and by the shifting whims of geopolitics, which together fashion the country’s global trade relations, particularly those concerning its large infrastructure projects.
Since the Feb. 1 coup, which overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) government, and the violent suppression of protests which has left more than 600 dead, momentum has been building behind efforts to impose sanctions on the junta.
To date, the US and UK have placed sanctions upon Myanmar’s two big military-owned conglomerates. Several OECD countries have also issued travel bans and asset freezes on army officers involved in the coup.
Myanmar’s Celebrities Become Face of Anti-Coup Protests
9 Apr 2021
The military junta in Myanmar on Thursday arrested 24-year-old model and actor Paing Takhon, hailed as “the most handsome person in Southeast Asia” by fans, because he criticized the coup.
Two days earlier, Myanmar’s most famous comedian was arrested for similar reasons, joining dozens of celebrities languishing in jail because the junta is desperate to deprive the protest movement of star power.
Takhon was taken into custody by eight truckloads of police and soldiers at his home in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. His sister asked supporters to pray for him, as he said he was in poor health before he was arrested.
Myanmar Junta Tries to Dim Star Power of Protests With Arrest of Beloved Actor rfa.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from rfa.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
We need your urgent international help, please help Myanmar : Beauty pageant contestant s plea to the world
9 Apr, 2021 01:51 AM
3 minutes to read
Myanmar pageant contender calls for urgent international aid. Video / Bloomberg
AP
A pageant contestant from Myanmar has used her moment in the spotlight to appeal for urgent international help for her country as security forces suppressing protests against last month s coup killed more than 100 people.
Yangon University student Han Lay made the comments Saturday night at the Miss Grand International pageant held in the Thai capital Bangkok. As she was speaking news was coming out from across the border in Myanmar that at least 114 people had been killed in the bloodiest day since the February. 1 coup.
BBC News
Published
image captionPaing Takhon with the iconic three finger salute of the protesters
One of Myanmar s most popular celebrities has been arrested by the military as part of a growing crackdown on artists and actors.
Paing Takhon, a model and actor with millions of fans in Myanmar and Thailand, had been active in both online protests and in-person rallies.
Takhon s Instagram - with more than a million followers - has been taken down along with his Facebook account.
The military seized power in a coup on 1 February, sparking weeks of protests.
Around 600 civilians have been killed as forces respond to the demonstrations with increasing levels of violence.