Despite ongoing clashes in Myaung-taw, the interim government advertises Taungpyone festival, claiming the region is peaceful

Despite ongoing clashes in Myaung-taw, the interim government is promoting the Taungpyone festival, claiming the region is peaceful. It has been learned that the interim government, despite ongoing intense military clashes within Myaung-taw Township in Mandalay Region, has advertised through its propaganda newspaper, inviting people to the Taungpyone festival, in an effort to portray the region as peaceful and stable. The Taungpyone festival, to be held in Taungpyone village tract, Myaung-taw Township, is scheduled from August 21 to 28, and the festival organizing committee has included an advertisement in the interim government's propaganda newspaper, published today, July 20, stating, "The regional situation is peaceful and stable." It is stated that pilgrims, traditional believers, and traders can visit the historic Taungpyone Wish-Fulfilling Pagoda, built and revered by King Anawrahta, and the Taungpyone Twin Saints Festival with peace of mind. Despite such publications in the interim government's propaganda newspaper, military situations remain tense on the ground in the eastern part of Myaung-taw Township and along the border with Pauktaw-gyi Township. In the western part of Myaung-taw Township, military outposts in the strategic villages of Thaein and Shin Hla Mountain, where the interim government's troops are stationed, were attacked on the morning of June 27 by a joint force of revolutionary groups including the Myaung-taw Township People's Defence Force, the 1st Battalion of Pyin Oo Lwin District, the Mandalay District People's Defence Force, Generation Z Power (GZP-Mandalay), and No More Dictatorship People Defence Force (NMD). According to a statement from the NMD force, the army suffered numerous casualties in the battle at Thaein village, and the remaining soldiers fled in disarray. In an attempt to project an image of regional peace and stability, the interim government forcibly held the Taungpyone festival in 2025, with soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee taking positions within the shrine to make the festival lively. Similarly, the Taungpyone festival was held on a smaller scale in 2024 amidst intense fighting during the Shan-Mandalay offensive. Photo – mg Caption – A scene from the Taungpyone festival held in 2019, before the military coup, where hundreds of thousands of people attended (old photo). The post Despite ongoing clashes in Myaung-taw, the interim government advertises Taungpyone festival, claiming the region is peaceful appeared first on Ayeyarwaddy Times.