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“The patients on their part are required to share their medical costs without relying on the state funds alone,” Than Shwe said during an address to medical school and health professionals.

Than Shwe’s tour of the region also included a visit to Yadanabon Myothit, an area in Pyin Oo Lwin that is currently under construction and widely believed to be another major administrative center for the military government. His itinerary also included visits to two hydroelectric plants—the Shweli (1) dam in northern Shan State and the Yeywa Power Project under construction on the Myitnge River southeast of Mandalay.

March 28, 2007
Snr-Gen Than Shwe addresses a meeting of the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races in Naypyidaw, along with other senior members of the State Peace and Development Council and cabinet ministers who are also members of the committee. “We should not lose sight of the fact that a human society will enjoy human rights fully only if the rule of law is firm or, in other words, only if there is a firm administrative machinery that runs in accord with the law,” Than Shwe says in remarks delivered to the assembly. While Burma’s ruling junta characterizes the need for the rule of law to prevent rights abuses, the UN and other international critics who have consistently condemned pervasive rights abuses in the country say that the lack of any rule of law actually fuels continued rights abuses.

March 27, 2007
Amid the widespread speculation over his failing health and the consequent power struggle between top SPDC leaders, Snr-Gen Than Shwe attends the 62nd Anniversary Armed Forces Day parade held in Napyidaw. In a speech, he repeatedly calls on the government "to crush every danger of internal and external destructive elements obstructing the stability and development of the State.” He fails to mention anything about national reconciliation or political dialogue with the opposition parties. Snr-Gen Than Shwe and his wife were hosts at a dinner in the evening at which military and government officials, foreign military attaches and local and foreign journalists attend.

March 21, 2007
Snr-Gen Than Shwe welcomes Choummaly Sayasone, President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and his wife Keosaychay Sayasone, on their goodwill visit to Burma. Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Thongloun Sisoulith, as well as other senior officials, accompany the Laotian president during the three-day state visit. The two leaders meet in the new administrative capital Naypyidaw to discuss ways to strengthen the friendship and promote cooperation between Burma and Laos.

Than Shwe made a state visit to Laos on September 5, 2003, during which he signed an Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investment between the two countries.

February 12, 2007
In a statement on the 60th anniversary of Union Day, Snr-Gen Than Shwe criticized Western powers, saying “certain powerful countries desirous of gaining dominance over the Union of Myanmar are stirring up racial conflicts to break up national unity and cause the recurrence of armed conflicts. They are imposing economic sanctions against the nation and making political interference in the internal affairs to slow down the nation’s economic growth.” Regarding the National Convention, he said, “Before long, there will emerge a State Constitution.” Than Shwe and his wife Kyaing Kyaing held a Union Day dinner reception at the square of City Hall in Naypyidaw, attended by senior members of the SPDC.

January 26, 2007
Snr-Gen Than Shwe meets General Boonsrang Niumpradit, Supreme Commander of Royal Thai Armed Forces, on Friday during a two-day goodwill visit to Burma. They discuss and agree to strengthen joint narcotics suppression along the border of the two countries and to exchange intelligence information, said General Boonsrang Niumpradit to the journalists in his return trip at the military airport in Thailand.

January 23, 2007
Snr-Gen Than Shwe meets Li Tieying, the vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, on Tuesday during a goodwill visit to Burma. At the invitation of Lt-Gen Thein Sein, secretary-1 of the junta, Li Tieying and his delegation visit Burma, according to the state-run media. No further details were given about the meeting.

January 20, 2007
The first accounts of Snr-Gen Than Shwe resuming public activities were the subject of reports in state-run newspapers. Earlier this month, Than Shwe returned from Singapore where he received medical treatment.