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The Army chief said he had a separate meeting with the third in command of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Gen Thura Shwe Mann, during which they agreed to strengthen border cooperation.

The Burmese junta’s Deputy Snr-Gen Maung Aye and Prime Minister Soe Win were also in attendance.

July 15, 2006
During a seasonal tree-planting ceremony in Burma’s administrative city, Naypyidaw, Snr-Gen Than Shwe interred four specimens: a gum-kino, or Pterocarpus macrocarpus; a sal, or Shorea robusta; a star flower, or Mimusops elengi; and a Gangaw, or Mesua ferrea. Other top generals, including Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, followed his lead—planting the same species of trees in the same order. Some Burmese view such ceremonial plantings by the junta’s top brass—in which the trees are seen as national symbols—as holding astrological significance, as attempts to bring good luck or ward off evil.

The junta supremo also took time out to inspect the construction site of Naypyidaw’s new City Hall.

July 03, 2006
The wedding of junta supremo Than Shwe’s daughter on Sunday was expected by residents in Rangoon to be the most expensive in modern Burmese history, as news of the event spread through town. Rumors have it that the nuptials cost a staggering 4 billion kyat (US $300,000). Asia World Co Ltd, Burma’s biggest conglomerate headed by notorious drug lord Lo Hsing Han, is said to have provided the catering, while well-known Burmese tycoon Tay Za’s Htoo Trading Company footed the bill for many of the other arrangements. Lt-Gen Myint Swe, commander of Rangoon Division, is thought to have provided the wedding gown.

Sources in Rangoon said that the festivities were to have been held yesterday and today, and that the bride—Khin Thandar Shwe, in her mid-30s—is known as Ma Pauk at home. Since last week, other rumors have suggested that the purchase of diamonds by high-ranking government officials and businesspeople have driven up the price in Rangoon.

June 30, 2006
Than Shwe’s youngest daughter, Thandar Shwe, is getting married on July 2, reportedly in the Zeyathiri government guest house in Rangoon. The groom is Maj Zaw Phyo Win, a deputy director of the Ministry of Commerce.

Meanwhile, there are rumors that the price of diamonds has increased in Rangoon because many high-ranking military and government officials and wealthy businessmen have bought them as wedding presents.

Rumors are circulating in Rangoon that a well-known tycoon, Tay Za, who is close to the junta’s supremo Snr-Gen Than Shwe, spent 4 billion kyat [US $300,000] buying Belgium-cut diamonds for the wedding. Tay Za, known as the junta’s sole arms broker, has reportedly had an affair with another daughter of Than Shwe.

Tay Za, managing director of the Htoo Trading Company, has reportedly arranged many items for the wedding, including carpets from Singapore and Thailand.

Some sources say there might be additional wedding ceremonies for the couple outside Rangoon, possibly including the new capital of Naypyidaw, Pyinmana.

June 08, 2006
Rumors are circulating in Rangoon that Snr-Gen Than Shwe is soon to give up his post as commander-in-chief of Burma’s armed forces and hand the job over to Gen Shwe Mann, currently army chief-of-staff and coordinator of air force, navy and army operations. Changes are said to be forthcoming at the War Office and within the ruling body, the State Peace and Development Council.

Than Shwe, it is predicted by some military observers, will remain on the ruling council and have a final say in the armed forces. He is said to want to remain paramount leader. The new structure that would arise would be similar to the Chinese model, where the Communist Party controls both party and the military. His trusted man Lt-Gen Myint Swe, who was recently made head of the Bureau of Special Operations 5, will be given a place on the SPDC, it is rumored.

Observers say that if Than Shwe leaves his army post, he will probably ask his deputy, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, to resign along with him.

Than Shwe is also said to be preparing to give a speech on state-run television to explain the regime’s policy and even disclose a plan to continue on the seven-point road map by holding elections. A television appearance would be the first such address to the nation. Than Shwe normally speaks only at official ceremonies and at the annual Armed Forces Day parade.

May 27, 2006
Appeals from around the world for an end to the house arrest of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi are ignored by Snr-Gen Than Shwe, who turns a deaf ear even to a personal plea by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. “I'm relying on you, General Than Shwe, to do the right thing,” said Annan during a visit to neighboring Thailand.