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Sources in Rangoon report that the general may take his family to one of the two beach resorts for the water festival. He has been known to spend past family holidays with his family at Ngwe Hsaung beach, about 210 km southwest of the capital, in Irrawaddy Division. One of Ngwe Hsaung’s resorts is owned by well-known tycoon and military crony Tay Za. On a few occasions, Than Shwe has taken refuge in Ngwe Hsaung to avoid meeting foreign delegations or a visiting UN mission.

April 02
Than Shwe sees off a Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye-led delegation, leaving for Russia for a six-day visit. The official media reports the delegation comprises top brass officials and ministers, while rumors suggest the presence of tycoon Tay Za, who is the sole representative in Burma of Russia’s Export Military Industrial Group, also known as MAPO, and of the Russian helicopter company Rostvertol.

March 30
A military source in Rangoon says that Snr-Gen Than Shwe asked Light Infantry Divisions 66 and 99 to attack Karen insurgents and civilians in Taungoo district, Western Karen State. 

The source said that Than Shwe was upset with the recent spate of bomb attacks in Taungoo and ordered the commanders of LID 66 and 99 to launch offensives and clear the area.

Because of the offensives, several hundred Karen civilians have fled to the Thailand border and many are hiding in the jungle. The regime’s number two man, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, who usually commands military operations, was not consulted about the operations in Taungoo. 

March 29
Snr-Gen Than Shwe has asked businessman Tay Za to purchase five Toyota Land Cruisers for his family. Business sources say that Than Shwe requested that all SUV vehicles be equipped with bulletproof glass and top of the range safety features. Last year, Tay Za reportedly offered a British-made Bentley to Burma’s number one, but he refused. Instead Than Shwe reportedly said “Bring me a Toyota.”

Tay Za, managing director of Htoo Trading Company, is close to Than Shwe family and is believed to be romantically involved with one of Than Shwe’s daughters. Business sources in Rangoon have also reported that one of Than Shwe’s daughters has recently bought a luxurious condominium in Raffles Square, Singapore.

March 27
Than Shwe attends the 61st anniversary celebration of Burma’s Armed Forces Day in the new administrative capital, Pyinmana. Addressing 12,000 troops at the newly-completed parade ground, he says: “In order to ward off any danger befalling the country, our military, together with the people, must be strong, efficient, patriotic and modern.”

March 09
Than Shwe meets Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam in Rangoon. During Kalam’s three-day state visit, Delhi and Rangoon sign agreements on energy, education, cultural exchanges and aerospace.

March 01
Than Shwe, together with other top brass, meets visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the Jakarta leader’s two-day goodwill visit to Burma.

February 22
Than Shwe takes third place in Parade Magazine’s annual list of “The World’s 10 Worst Dictators.”

February 17
Than Shwe reportedly visits Pyinmana.

February 14
Than Shwe sees off prime minister Gen Soe Win on a state visit to China.

February 12
In a statement marking the 59th anniversary of Union Day, Than Shwe accuses Western powers of trying to meddle in Burma’s domestic affairs. “They are also imposing economic sanctions on Myanmar [Burma] and attempting to incite political instigations to hinder the momentum of national development,” he says. “People should be aware of the fact that colonialists and neo-colonialists who are anxious to intrude and dominate our union have been intentionally breaking up our national solidarity.”

January 30
Accompanied by senior officials of the junta, Than Shwe inspects the Pammawaddy River bridge linking Myaung Mya and Bassein of Irrawaddy Division.

January 27
Than Shwe visits Ngwe Hsaung beach in Bassein, Irrawaddy Division, and inspects construction work on Burma’s seaside resort. He’s briefed by businessmen, including tycoon Tay Za of Htoo Trading Co.

January 20
Than Shwe meets an Indian naval delegation led by chief admiral Arun Prakash.

January 04
In a message commemorating the 58th anniversary of Independence Day, Than Shwe says: “Nowadays, brazen annexation of a nation with the use of force is not as popular as before.