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Myanmar red tape blamed for delayed Thai medical team 
BANGKOK, May 17 (TNA) -- A delay on the departure of 30 Thai medical staff for Myanmar this morning was due to strict entry procedures imposed by the military junta of that secretive country, a senior Thai official said.
Dr. Surachet Stitniramai, director of Public Health Ministry's Narenthorn Center, said the medical teams, sponsored by Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, were earlier scheduled to leave the military airport here at 8.00 a.m. local time (0100 gmt) but were struck at the airport for more than four hours as the C-130 military aircraft needed a clearance first from Myanmar authorities.
Two C-130 planes finally left the airport at 12.20 p.m. local time (0520 gmt) after the entry approval was given by authorities in that neighboring country, said Dr. Surachet.
He said the strict procudures and difficulties in coordination caused the delay not because Myanmar was not welcome the team.
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enews.mcot.net
mid:
He said the strict procudures and difficulties in coordination caused the delay not because Myanmar was not welcome the team.
oh crap Dr. Surachet
, people who welcome others DO NOT place restrictions on their entry .
putting
face before peoples lives in simply inhuman .
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Rangoon resident claims military selling aid supplies Reporting by Naw Say Paw May 17, 2008 (DVB)–Despite the Burmese regime’s announcement that anyone stealing or hoarding aid supplies will face legal actions, reports continue to circulate of aid appropriation and re-selling by military officials. snip
A Rangoon resident claimed yesterday that military officials had been selling rice and oil during the night.
“They are selling bags of rice donated from abroad. The army delivers them during the night in their cars,” the resident said.
“You can see Two Prawns brand oil donated by Thailand being sold on the streets in various types of bottles and boxes and measures, and you can get as much as you like,” he said.
snip Reporters banned from photographing storm damage Reporting by Khin Maung Soe Min May 17, 2008 (DVB)–Local authorities have imposed a strict ban on Burmese photojournalists taking pictures of damage caused by Cyclone Nargis and the dire conditions of storm victims. According to a photojournalist who went to Bogalay and other areas of the Irrawaddy delta, reporters were told to take pictures of the generals giving aid and helping the victims instead. “When we went to the villages, we were told not to take photographs, and we were told not to take the pictures of the corpses. We were not allowed to go into alleys,” the photojournalist said. ‘ “We were told to take the pictures of them feeding and helping the refugees. We could only take the pictures they wanted us to take,” he said. snip
english.dvb.no
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Bodies floating to Mon State
Sat 17 May 2008
IMNA
Bodies and flotsam from the Irrawaddy and Rangoon (Yangon) Division are floating to Mon State, according to fisherman in Kyaik-khame in Mon State.
Fishermen in Kyaik-khame Thanpyuzayart Township said bodies, animal carcasses and flotsam in the wake of the Cyclone Nargis were being swept into Kyaik-khanme areas into the of Gulf of Martaban Sea.
"Bodies and animal carcasses were getting caught in the fishing nets. Some bodies had hands holding onto something or the other at a last ditch attempt at surviving," they added. Refrigerators and some house-boats also came in with the tide in the sea.
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monnews-imna.com
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Burmese junta lambasted for restriction on aid to cyclone survivors
2008-05-17
Burmese activists in a demonstration of New Delhi based Burmese pro-democracy groups call for Burmese regime to ease restriction on humanitarian aid for cyclone survivors in Burma. (Photo - Myo Myint Aung/Khonumthung)
May 17, 2008 - Angry pro-democracy activists from Burma held a protest rally in New Delhi's Jantar Mantar area demanding that the Burmese military junta immediately stop depriving cyclone victims of relief material and ease restrictions on both international aids ready to be shipped to Burma and entry of relief workers.
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khonumthung.com
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With the Refugees in Laputta
By AUNG THET WINE / LAPUTTA
Saturday, May 17, 2008
A heavy rain falls on the refugees in ragged clothes waiting patiently at 8 am on Wednesday in front of the heavy gate of Thakya Mara Zein Pagoda in Laputta Township.
They are wet and cold. They rub their hands to stop shivering. Their faces betray real hunger. Dehydrated and exhausted, they have eyes like people who have been fighting a war. They stare intently at the people working in the blue-colored canvas tents.
They represent more than 1.5 homeless Burmese now struggling for survival in the Irrawaddy delta, victims of Cyclone Nargis. They are gathered at this temporary camp for food. If they are lucky they will get real rice.
A man with a megaphone announces in a loud voice: "Please don't crowd around the gate. We will share the rice as soon as we receive it. Please don't block the road."
The refugees remain motionless at the gate.
One hour later, the man returns: "We have no rice for today. We have nothing to share at this moment, but we will cook rice soup from rice left over from yesterday. We will serve it at 11."
The rice soup amounts to one glass of water with low-quality Mee Done rice, almost nothing. But it was better than nothing.
snip No Time to Lose: Ban to General Assembly
By LALIT K JHA / UNITED NATIONS
Saturday, May 17, 2008
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday told the UN General Assembly there is "no time to lose" in Burma because the country faces an imminent outbreak of infectious diseases because of the slow relief and rescue operation in the Irrawaddy Delta which was virtually devastated by Cyclone Nargis.
"More than two weeks after the event, we are at a critical point. Unless more aid gets into the country—quickly—we face the risk of an outbreak of infectious diseases that could dramatically worsen today's crisis," Ban told the General Assembly in an informal meeting.
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irrawaddy.org
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Burma Cyclone: Thousands of children will die from hunger within weeks unless reached by aid
Sunday 18 May 2008
Thousands of young children in Burma will die within two to three weeks from hunger unless food reaches them soon, Save the Children says. Some children may already be dying from a lack of food in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.
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savethechildren.org.uk
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Chevron Sri Lanka’s parent Group helps in Myanmar relief
Chevron Corporation is contributing $2 million to provide assistance to those affected by the recent devastating cyclone in Myanmar, the company said through its Colombo office. The International Federation of the Red Cross will receive a $1 million contribution. An additional $1 million will be allocated to four other organizations: the International Organization for Migration, Mercy Corps, Pact and Save the Children, the company said.
"We share the concerns of the global community for the welfare of those affected by this terrible tragedy," said Chevron’s Vice Chairman Peter Robertson. "We are pleased to partner with these aid agencies to provide immediate help to victims of the cyclone."
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sundaytimes.lk
mid: if only it were that easy Mr Chevron , where will the money end up ?? junta's pockets ?
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Buddha’s teachings significant in troubled times: UN Chief - Vesak messages Sunday May 18, 2008
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his Vesak Day message said the Buddha’s timeless teachings of peace, compassion and love for all living beings should inspire the efforts to address the broader challenges confronting our world -- in peace and security, in development and in the protection of our environment.
Ban Ki-moon
“In these areas, we have to rise above our perceived narrow self-interests, and think and act as members of one global community. This is the path to enlightenment, and it is the foundation of a better world for all,” he said.
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sundaytimes.lk
See Also :
http://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...tml#post628517 (Visakha Bucha Day)
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