Author: Tun Wunna

A fair-skinned, thin woman sat crouched in front of an old Karen astrologer, anxiously waiting to hear what he would say while he closed his eyes and muttered to himself. “I will free your husband from detention within a week. If so, will you donate K1 million [US$473] to me?” he eventually asked her in a shaky voice. Ma Poe Poe* agreed to his terms and went home to follow his instructions. She planted seven different flower buds in a sand pot in front of the indoor altar at her home – choosing flower varieties traditionally associated with Monday, the…

The Vietnam Adventist Mission (VAM) witnessed a historic milestone as a major mass-baptism ceremony unfolded concurrently in numerous places across the country on Sabbath, July 29, 2023. Over 370 people embraced their faith and became members of the Adventist community because of this event, indicating a huge step forward for the church’s mission in Vietnam. The event, which was precisely planned and executed, was the culmination of a year-long effort spearheaded by the leadership of the Southeastern Asia Union Mission (SAUM). The VAM bonded its people in an outstanding display of unity, dedication, and outreach, resulting in an abundant spiritual…

Due to the continued rise of labor costs, establishing a second supply chain for the notebook industry outside of China is a discussion topic that surfaces now and then. However, considering the overall benefits, only a few companies have attempted it. It wasn’t until the tension between the US and China in 2018 did this topic receive more attention. Nevertheless, most companies elected to remain cautious and observe how things will develop. However, the Covid pandemic in 2020 caused a global supply chain breakdown due to China’s lockdown measures. With brand clients requesting a “China+1” option, the notebook supply chain…

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – In a small, stuffy nightclub with walls scrawled with graffiti and flaking plaster, a queer function took place unlike anything seen before in the city that residents still call by its former name, Saigon. Defining exactly what the event was presented a challenge for the uninitiated. It was a flamboyant party night for the LGBTQ community; a catwalk for would-be models with fiery dance-off battles, as well as an emotional celebration of kinship between Vietnam’s queer people – all rolled into a single evening and one event. Participants had donned latex outfits with sequins and glitter…

India has said it will give a naval warship to Vietnam in the latest signal of tightening defense ties between the two countries, which share concerns about China’s assertiveness. The announcement that New Delhi will deliver the Indian Missile Corvette INS Kirpan to the Vietnamese navy was made following a meeting between Indian Defense minister Rajnath Singh and his Vietnamese counterpart, General Phan Van Gang, in New Delhi on Monday. “A missile corvette is a small warship used mainly for the purpose of coastal defense,” according to Rahul Bedi, an independent defense analyst. In a statement, the Indian government said…

A doctor said that blood tests of several Thais show that many are deficient in Vitamin D. Doctor Rojanaree Thitisuwan, manager of Vejthani Hospital’s checkup centre, said up to 99% of people who had undergone blood tests to check their vitamin levels were found to be lacking in Vitamin D. She did not provide the number of people tested or the timeframe of the test. The doctor said most of those found lacking Vitamin D either worked indoors or stayed out of the sun to avoid getting tanned. The information from Rojanaree confirmed a recent article from Mahidol University’s Faculty…

China’s economic growth and the deepening of cooperation between China and Thailand in industries contribute to maintaining the recovery momentum of the Thai economy and help Thailand mitigate the risks posed by factors such as slowing global economic growth, said a Thai economist. BANGKOK, July 22 (Xinhua) — Thailand’s economy is on the path to recovery in 2023, and China’s role as a significant driver is evident, a Thai economist said. China’s economic growth and the deepening of cooperation between China and Thailand in industries contribute to maintaining the recovery momentum of the Thai economy and help Thailand mitigate the…

Vietnam — In 2014, Army Maj. Gen. Daniel Hokanson came here as adjutant general of the Oregon National Guard to further his state’s nascent partnership with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Recently, Hokanson returned as the National Guard’s top general to celebrate more than a decade of exchanges between Oregon Guardsmen and the People’s Army of Vietnam under the 100-nation Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program. Hokanson met with senior U.S. and Vietnamese leaders to help reinforce the mutually beneficial, successful security relationship established in 2012, which strengthens the partners’ capabilities to respond to natural disasters. “I was…

The growing number of wealthy Chinese leaving their homeland has been a boon for Thailand’s only exchange-listed school operator and turned its chief executive into a multi-millionaire. Demand from Chinese students to attend SISB, originally called the Singapore International School of Bangkok, has soared, with the number enrolled more than doubling in March compared with a year earlier. That helped the school’s stock soar 216 per cent over the past 12 months, giving it a market value of 32.66 billion baht (S$1.26 billion) as at Wednesday. This puts SISB among 2023’s top gainers among education service stocks globally with a market value…

HANOI, May 30 (Xinhua) — The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, Vietnam’s largest rice-growing area, is stepping up measures to cope with El Nino-induced adverse weather conditions this year, Vietnam News reported on Tuesday. The anticipated return of the El Nino weather phenomenon would come with higher average temperature, raising concerns that the Mekong Delta is likely to be hit by drought or saltwater intrusion, said Le Quoc Anh, deputy chairman of the provincial People’s Committee of Kien Giang. The province is getting prepared to fight against the expected extreme weather conditions this year, including checking freshwater sources and…