Election of a new board of the TTDWG
13th Meeting of the Thandaung Gyi Tourism Development Working Group (TTDWG)

Preparations for the elections

HSF

Saw Bho Taw and Pastor Philippo Tin Ohn are now part of the advisory group which also includes people from the municipally, the Tatmadaw, the Karen National Union (KNU) and the General Administration Department (GAD). The administration and the security forces consider the TTDWG as a strong contributor to the development of the township.

Besides the elections, the 25 participants discussed the developments in Thandaunggyi since the last meeting and highlighted areas that need to be improved. The participants mentioned improvements in healthcare, education and the economic sector – e.g. by the presence of a doctor at the hospital, a planned “Bwe” language (local language) curriculum in primary school and a new communication tower, that improves the telecommunication network.

The Working Group of Thandaung Gyi and their new board

HSF

According to the army representatives, the tea production increased, and they are looking for a market outside the needs of the military. The army also agreed on tourists walking in the tea plantation and visiting the factory.

Regarding their needs, the working group would like to revise packaging of local products, improve the coordination between TTDWG, the municipality and the army in terms of waste management and to improve the road infrastructure and the production of handicrafts. Bed and Breakfast owners expressed their wish for more visitors during the rainy season.