Nay Pyi Taw May 12
A ceremony to inaugurate the already-built museum which is a replica of Haw Palace of Kengtung Saopha Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng took place at the land of Haw Palace in Haw Palace Park on Nawngtong lake circular road in Ward 5 of Kengtung, Shan State (East) this morning, with attendance of Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Also present at the ceremony were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, SAC Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo and his wife, council members and their wives, Union ministers and their wives, the Shan State Chief Minister and his wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the commander of Triangle Region command, relatives of Kengtung Saopha Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng, departmental officials, town elders, resident people, national race cultural troupes and students.
On arrival at the venue where the ceremony would be held, the Senior General, his wife and officials were warmly welcomed by relatives of Kengtung Saopha Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng, town elders and local people, national race cultural troupes and students.
At the ceremony, the master of ceremonies explained emergence of the Haw Palace. Town elder U Sai Yi Tip Pawong said that it is an auspicious day for Kengtung for seeing Kengtung Haw Palace Replica Museum which was lost for many years. People of Kengtung have been striving for rebuilding the museum in successive eras but missions failed. So, he expressed thanks and pleasure to the Senior General and all officials for his guidance to build Kengtung Haw Palace Replica Museum of Kengtung Saopha Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng and it is a great auspicious day for emergence of the museum for Kengtung. Residents are pleasure for re-emergence of the Kengtung Haw Palace Replica Museum.
SAC Joint-Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Council members General Mya Tun Oo and Lt-Gen Nyo Saw, Shan State Chief Minister U Aung Aung and member of the Advisory Board to the SAC Chairman Dr Daw Yin Yin Nwe cut the ribbon to inaugurate the newly-built museum.
The Senior General unveiled the stone plaque of the museum and sprinkled scented water on it whereas relatives of Kengtung Saopha Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng and town elders also sprayed the stone plaque.
The Senior General present[1]ed cash awards to the band, pompom dance troupes, national race traditional dance troupes, national race cultural troupes, and officials who built the museum.
The Senior General, wife and party viewed round documentary photos of the Saopha, his family members and relatives, documentaries, utensils, and formation of rooms in the Haw Palace displayed at the museum. The Senior General discussed gathering of more historical documentaries, systematic preservation of ancient utensils, and installation of glass for partitions to systematically keep the documentaries and instructed officials to maintain the museum in generations.
Construction on the Kengtung Hawnan Palace, attributed to Kentung Saopha Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng, commenced in 1903 under the supervision of Indian experts, reaching completion in 1906. A harmonious fusion of Shan and Burmese architectural elements, with traces of European and Indian influences, adorns its design. Generations of the ruling family, including Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng’s son Saopha Sao Kaung Tai and grandson Saopha Sao Sai Lon, inhabited its grandeur until 1959. Subsequently repurposed as a government office in 1962, the palace has undergone meticulous restoration, culminating in its auspicious reopening today, following a directive by the Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister in response to appeals from the royal lineage, kin, and local populace. Preserving these sacred edifices imbued with the essence of diverse ethnic legacies honors our nation’s rich heritage while fostering unity among its inhabitants, bound by shared geography and destiny. This collective stewardship of our cultural treasures augurs well for a future marked by mutual trust, peace, and socioeconomic prosperity.
Next, the Senior General and party inspected the upgrading of the Kengtung Airport. At the briefing hall of the project, SAC member Union Minister for Transport and Communications General Mya Tun Oo and Director of Directorate of Military Engineering Maj-Gen Zaw Naing Oo reported on the airport’s background history and facts, and the upgrading of the runway and airport building.
After hearing the reports, the Senior General said that Kengtung, nestled as the capital of Shan State (East), stands somewhat isolated from major road networks, yet its allure lies in the untouched natural splendor that beckons travelers. From the serene Buddha Park in Pankwe Village to the meticulously reconstructed Kengtung Haw Palace Replica Museum, and the tranquil waters of Nongton Lake, to the scenic retreat of Lwemway mountain resort, the region boasts an array of captivating destinations.
Amidst this scenic backdrop, a thriving community of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) contributes to the local economy, crafting a diverse range of goods. Anticipating future demands, the ongoing refurbishment of Kengtung Airport accommodates modern jet travel, facilitating access to remote locales within the country. Plans to extend connectivity further involve establishing direct flight routes from neighboring Laos, China, and Thailand to Kengtung Airport, envisaging a robust tourism sector and bolstering socio economic advancement for the region’s inhabitants. Essential to these efforts is the meticulous construction and enhancement of airport infrastructure, ensuring safe landings in all weather conditions through comprehensive runway upgrades and facility installations.
Next, the Senior General and party inspected the site for the new airport construction and upgrading tasks for the runway and left necessary instructions.
The Senior General, wife and party visited and paid homage to the 99-year-old Presiding Sayadaw of Kyaingyin Monastery Agga Maha Saddhama Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Khemacara on the evening of May 10.
The Senior General and wife asked after the health of the Sayadaw and made a cash donation. His entourage members SAC members, union ministers and deputy ministers also made their cash donations.
Later, the Senior General went round in the monastery and gave instructions to officials on maintenance measures for the monastery.
