On Urban Development

Mandalay is an interesting place to live that is growing and changing rapidly, sometimes overnight. The latest news is that KFC is coming to town- construction has started and it will be in walking (waddling) distance from my gaff. Now, some expats are furious about it-citing Americanization and western conglomerates taking over. I'm kinda on the fence. It would be a shame if this growth was at the expense of small family run establishments. Personally, I'd like to see these places preserved- they are the community. On the other-hand, Myanmar needs all the investment it can get if it wants to prosper. To deny this and get angry about it because you want it to remain undeveloped as you consider it 'charming and quirky' seems a little selfish.

Thoughts?

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Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

It would be a shame if this growth was at the expense of small family run establishments.

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It would but will depend on how small shops adapt. Yes many will go bust but many will adapt and do well.

To me "development" is fine as long as it doesn't destroy the architectural and cultural aspects of a given community as it has in so many Asian cities. Bangkok is a prime example of the worst of "development". A concrete jungle with back to back high rises is development to the detrement of all except those who profit from it.

Folks getting upset about development (change) in their wee slice of paradise may just as well get upset about their death. Both are inevitable.

Got any pics of the bit they want to knock down for the KFC?
Is it worth saving? How will increased traffic affect the neighborhood?

I'll try to get a pic tomorrow, Neo. It used to be some Chinese shop house, so no massive loss architecturally. While most expats are against it most locals are keen on the development, jobs and international money coming into the city.

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Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

<snip> On the other-hand, Myanmar needs all the investment it can get if it wants to prosper.
Thoughts?

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Not having a go mate, but how is the opening of a KFC outlet an investment for Myanmar?

An investment for KFC, sure ... but benefiting Myanmar?

Thoughts?
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^
Good point, I think in a way it encourages construction and renewal of the area. Derelict or abandoned buildings are giving way to new shops, restaurants and residential buildings.

Apparently it takes from $500,000 USD plus to open a KFC in these parts- a big gamble imo. Time will tell if it succeeds or fails.

Personally, Myanmar has shown me how much I like modern creature comforts. The job isn't a tough gig, living here really is. Isolated, paranoid and still suffering from a Than Shwe hangover.

Development and foreign Investment means jobs and money for the locals.

I'm sure the locals who get a Job at KFC will not give a flying fuk about their city changing.

All good.

Very true

Last time I was in Mandy it was a dusty old place with lots of fuk all. Very nice surrounding areas though.

Coonta needed a good shake up.

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Personally, Myanmar has shown me how much I like modern creature comforts. The job isn't a tough gig, living here really is. Isolated, paranoid and still suffering from a Than Shwe hangover.

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Off-topic, but I agree. If you're not happy with making do with your own company or a few simple pleasures, then don't come to Myanmar.

Last year when I worked in Mandalay, several of the expat workers in the nearby bar-restaurant were completely off their heads on hard drugs, every evening. Their inane and retarded conversations is one reason why I upped and went to live in Naypyidaw, where there are few expats and the police/army would be onto you rapidly if you were doing drugs of any type.

Back on topic. Sign ... so with KFC, not long until the Myanmar women's figures go the way of Thai women ==> fat!!

Oh hang on - most are like that anyway :)

They have KFC in Indonesia. Nothing like KFC in North America. Maybe in the capital it will be full of middle class wanabees? Or English teachers having classes in aircon comfort.

Even KFC in Bangkok is nothing to write home about.

Well it is if ya want to write home and tell ya Mum that you have lost the plot completely and are on a mission to turn into an unhealthy fat coonta.

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Originally Posted by Simon43

Off-topic, but I agree. If you're not happy with making do with your own company or a few simple pleasures, then don't come to Myanmar.

Last year when I worked in Mandalay, several of the expat workers in the nearby bar-restaurant were completely off their heads on hard drugs, every evening. Their inane and retarded conversations is one reason why I upped and went to live in Naypyidaw, where there are few expats and the police/army would be onto you rapidly if you were doing drugs of any type.

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That place hasn't changed at all. Apparently three expats landed up in City Hospital after downing LSD and booze and trying to jump from the balcony into the pool. They failed, obviously. And that's part of the issue for me- the expat scene is so mind mindbogglingly infantile and dull for me that I don't think even hard drugs would help 555

A trickle of foreigners follow the road to Mandalay
Interesting read, although very Mandalay specific.
Hunter's is no more,btw. The so called 'chilled out vibe'' loving owner beat up a member of staff and ended up getting deported lol.
CP still exists, and as Simon said, it's a bit of a madhouse.

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CP still exists, and as Simon said, it's a bit of a madhouse.

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Well, CP is IMHO, a nice place to chill out, until the twat druggie expats appear. Unfortunately, since they also seem to drink like fish, the owner (who seems a nice guy) is not keen on turning them away.

I got out of that scene, moved to Naypyidaw where you can count the expats on one hand, much less stressful....

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Originally Posted by David48atTD

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

<snip> On the other-hand, Myanmar needs all the investment it can get if it wants to prosper.
Thoughts?

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Not having a go mate, but how is the opening of a KFC outlet an investment for Myanmar?

An investment for KFC, sure ... but benefiting Myanmar?

Thoughts?
.

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Depends how much produce they are able to source nationally rather than internationally? Would this spur the development of the industrial scale chicken farming industry for an obvious starter?

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Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

Apparently it takes from $500,000 USD plus to open a KFC in these parts- a big gamble imo

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not so much if you're a drug, gem or people-running local general with few places to launder your cash...

The city planners have the opposite extremes of Bangkok and Manila to use as a template. "How to avoid fucking up your city"

I seriously doubt they have any city planners with such breadth of vision. If corruption is rife it will quickly descend into a hotch potch nightmare of McD's Burger King, Jollibee and hopefully, Wetherspoons. ;)

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Originally Posted by David48atTD

An investment for KFC, sure ... but benefiting Myanmar?

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KFC in Thailand is run by Yum Brands Thailand and secondarily by restaurant operating company under Central Group. They are franchisees of Yum Brands International, a US company. Similar set ups exist throughout the world. In all cases they are wholly owned local companies that operate KFC so the benefits accrue mostly locally.
I would also add that in the US, KFC has a distinctly 'down market' appeal while in Asia it has broad appeal to most local tastes.

We...thank...you...fellow...humanoid...(presumably )...

^Yum Brands Thailand was a client of mine. My firm designed a least 70 KFC branches in Thailand while I was there.

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Originally Posted by Humbert

My firm designed a least 70 KFC branches in Thailand while I was there.

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so you're at least partly to blame then...

Yeah, what a fucking legacy.

And the shit I cop for teaching English to young female Emiratis in the western region of the UAE and thus providing an essential springboard into further education and emancipation. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwGuSUM2kh0
Was going to post earlier but the internet blacked out for a bit. Anyways, here is the bad side of 'development'- if you can even call it that. Lots of mine blasting going on around the hills of Mandalay and the haze it create has to be seen to be believed- you'll choke on it first.

Very few things really rile me up to be honest- but the attitude of these generals and their cronies really boils my piss

I like mandalay, but MyanmR can only fully be enjoyed if you
Deep dive into the seedy part of the culture.
In my trips to Mandalay I have brought my own cock sucker from Thailand,
Young and sexy off course , not the recycled shit you English are fucking.
Anyhow, this had made me abit lazy and I didn't go full Indiana Jones in mandalay.
The dark side of Yangon is great though.
Mandalay has a great and proud history of gambling, whores, violence and booze and drugs, and needs to be explored and appreciated.
Who jumps first.
I always fly solo on missions like this, and always sober.
Seen to many drunk Brit assholes in Thailand and their ugly mistakes, so lesson learned