A new highly contagious Covid variant could spark a wave of infections this summer, scientists have warned.
Dubbed 'Nimbus', the strain is descended from the already super virulent Omicron and has already triggered a surge in cases in China, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also shows 13 cases of Nimbus, known scientifically as N.B.1.8.1, have already been detected in England.
And 25 British samples of the strain have been submitted to an international Covid database since the end of March.
However, both figures are likely an underestimation of how far the variant has spread given how testing has been massively reduced from the height of the pandemic.
Other UKHSA data show the percentage of people testing positive for Covid has risen to its highest point this year, and is already 97 per cent higher than the level recorded in March.
Now, British scientists have warned Nimbus could lead to a surge in Covid cases in a matter of weeks, and have urged the vulnerable to get vaccinated.
They warn that many people's immunity to the virus, built up from previous infections and older jabs, has likely faded meaning they could be at higher risk of falling ill.
Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, said Nimbus had the potential to drive a surge in cases as the weather warms up and people become more sociable.
'We are very likely to see a spike of infections over the next couple of months, possibly by later this month or in July. But it’s difficult to predict the level of this infection wave,' he told The i Paper.
'Population immunity, either from vaccination or previous infection, is waning and, unlike other respiratory viruses such as flu, the Covid virus continues to spread in hot and humid weather,' he said.
He added lab studies suggest Nimbus can infect human cells more efficiently than previous strains, and that it may have increased ability to dodge the immune system, making it more likely to infect people.
There is currently no evidence that the strain is more likely to cause severe illness or death in those it infects, compared to previous strains.
However, infection with the virus can still be deadly for more vulnerable groups.
Covid was a factor in the deaths of just over 300 people in England in May, according to the latest official figures.
Nimbus now accounts for 10.7 per cent of Covid infections worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), compared to just 2.5 per cent a month prior.
Last month the UN-body declared the strain a 'variant under monitoring'.
This means that the WHO is tracking the virus, watching for signs it could pose a significant threat to the public which would promote it to a 'variant of concern'.
Experts have also said that current Covid vaccines, which have been reformulated to combat Omicron descendants, are expected to remain effective against Nimbus.
Symptoms of Nimbus do not appear to differ from other Covid variants and include fatigue, fever, muscle ache and a sore throat.
UKHSA data on Covid tests, which goes up to June 1, show 6.1 per cent of the people who were tested that week were positive for the virus, the highest figure for 2025 so far.
This is a seven per cent rise from last week's figure and a 97 per cent increase from that recorded at the beginning of March.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA's deputy director, said the organisation was keeping a close eye on Nimbus.
'UKHSA is monitoring all available data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants in the UK and abroad, and we continue to publish our findings in our regular Flu and Covid-19 surveillance reports,' she said.
'NB.1.8.1 has been detected in small numbers in the UK to date, but international data suggests that it is growing as a proportion of all Covid-19 cases.'
Currently adults over the age of 75, care home residents staff as well as people with a weakened immune system are eligible for a free Covid vaccine in Britain.
UKHSA data suggests people who had a Covid jab as part of last spring's booster campaign were 45 per cent less likely to need hospital care for the virus in the weeks that followed compared to the unvaccinated.
The agency has urged all people eligible for a vaccine to get jabbed to protect themselves from both NB.1.8.1 and Covid in general.
Mail Online
In modern conflict zones, proposals for "humanitarian corridors" are often introduced as emergency mechanisms for delivering aid to civilians caught in crossfires. On paper, the concept appears benevolent and necessary: create temporary access routes through embattled or inaccessible regions, allowing food, medicine, and emergency supplies to reach vulnerable populations. However, beneath the humanitarian impulse lies a complex web of legal, political, and security vulnerabilities, especially when such corridors traverse territories controlled by non-state armed actors.
Undermining Sovereignty: The Legal Dilemma
The foundation of international relations is built on the principle of state sovereignty. Enshrined in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, and reaffirmed by instruments such as the Declaration on Principles of International Law (1970) and customary international law, this principle affirms that each state has the exclusive right to control its internal affairs and territorial integrity without external interference.
Humanitarian corridors that bypass the central government and engage with non-state actors challenge this principle. When aid operations are coordinated with entities that do not hold recognized sovereignty, such actions can amount to de facto legitimization of parallel governance structures. This poses a dangerous precedent: legitimizing governance by force, rather than by law or democratic process.
According to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), particularly under the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, humanitarian access must be consented to by the state party concerned. Article 70(1) of Additional Protocol I states that relief actions "shall be undertaken subject to the agreement of the Parties concerned." In non-international armed conflicts, which fall under Common Article 3 and Additional Protocol II, humanitarian operations still require state consent, unless the Security Council authorizes otherwise under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Thus, from a legal perspective, humanitarian corridors established without the consent of the host state or a clear UN mandate may be illegitimate. They risk violating the principle of non-intervention and may be interpreted as an infringement on state sovereignty, potentially amounting to an internationally wrongful act.
The Philadelphi Corridor: A Warning from the Middle East
The so-called Philadelphi Corridor provides a real-world cautionary tale. Situated along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, this narrow strip was initially created under the Oslo Accords to serve as a buffer zone for monitoring arms smuggling and providing a humanitarian lifeline to Gaza.
Despite this objective, the corridor was quickly co-opted by Hamas, a designated terrorist organization in many countries, which used it as a conduit for smuggling weapons, ammunition, and military supplies into Gaza. Tunnels were dug beneath the corridor, enabling the steady flow of contraband. What was meant to be a route for humanitarian relief morphed into a strategic asset for militant actors, fueling violence in the region.
Eventually, citing national security concerns, Israel seized control of the corridor and announced it would never relinquish it again. This episode illustrates how humanitarian mechanisms, when not robustly governed, can directly compromise the security of neighboring states and prolong violent conflict.
The case also underscores a core principle of International Humanitarian Law: humanitarian aid must be neutral, impartial, and independent. When these principles are not observed, corridors can be repurposed for strategic advantage. The abuse of humanitarian access undermines not only security, but also the legitimacy of humanitarian norms.
Security Vulnerabilities in Fragile Regions
In regions where central authority is weak or contested, the establishment of humanitarian corridors poses a range of security risks:
Weapons and Narcotics Smuggling: Corridors passing through areas outside government control can become unmonitored pathways for illicit activities.
Terrorist Infiltration: Unregulated access can enable the movement of extremist fighters across borders or conflict lines.
Empowerment of Illicit Actors: By providing access to resources and international legitimacy, corridors can embolden non-state actors and entrench their control over territory.
Security guarantees in such regions are difficult to enforce. Unlike the Philadelphi Corridor, where Egypt and Qatar attempted (unsuccessfully) to provide monitoring forces, many conflict zones lack reliable third-party security providers. Who takes responsibility if the corridor is hijacked? Who ensures neutrality, safety, and the exclusive delivery of aid?
Furthermore, the financial burden of establishing and maintaining such corridors is immense. International organizations, including the United Nations, are often already overstretched. Meanwhile, donor fatigue and shifting geopolitical priorities limit the capacity of major powers to fund and secure such operations. Without robust oversight and sustained support, the risk of abuse becomes all but certain.
Moral Hazard and Political Liability
A less discussed but equally important issue is moral hazard. If international actors sidestep state authority to deliver aid, they may unintentionally incentivize armed groups to seize territory, knowing that humanitarian support will follow. This creates a perverse cycle: the more territory they control, the more likely they are to gain de facto recognition and access to resources.
Should weapons or contraband be smuggled through these corridors, neighboring states and international agencies that facilitated them could be held partially responsible. In a world increasingly governed by legal norms, liability does not stop at borders.
According to the Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts (2001), states may bear responsibility for aid programs that cause harm if they knowingly contribute to violations of international obligations. If aid leads to unintended consequences like arming militants or destabilizing neighboring regions, those involved may face not just political fallout but also legal scrutiny.
The Path Forward: Upholding Law and Sovereignty
The urgency of humanitarian need should not blind policymakers to the long-term strategic consequences of their decisions. Aid must be delivered in a manner that respects national sovereignty, supports the rule of law, and does not enable or legitimize actors who operate outside international norms.
In short, humanitarianism must not be weaponized. The international community has a responsibility to ensure that aid does not become a tool of conflict, but rather a bridge to peace. The experience of the Philadelphi Corridor is not just a warning—it is a blueprint of how good intentions can be hijacked without firm adherence to international law.
References;
- United Nations Charter, Article 2(4)
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text - Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States (UNGA Resolution 2625, 1970)
https://legal.un.org/avl/pdf/ha/ga_2625/ga_2625_ph_e.pdf - Geneva Conventions (1949) and Additional Protocols (1977)
https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties - Article 70, Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions
(On relief actions and required state consent)
https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/api-1977/article-70 - Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions
https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/gc-1949-1/article-3 - Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts (2001)
https://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/draft_articles/9_6_2001.pdf - UN Security Council Resolution 2165 (2014) – Authorizing cross-border humanitarian aid in Syria/ https://undocs.org/S/RES/2165(2014)
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – Guidelines on humanitarian access/ https://www.unocha.org/
- Sassòli, Marco. International Humanitarian Law: Rules, Controversies, and Solutions to Problems Arising in Warfare. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019.
- Fleck, Dieter (Ed.). The Handbook of International Humanitarian Law. Oxford University Press, 2013.
- Harvard Law School Program on International Law and Armed Conflict (PILAC)
https://pilac.law.harvard.edu/ - ICRC Commentaries on International Humanitarian Law
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/humanitarian-access-and-law - Byman, Daniel. A High Price: The Triumphs and Failures of Israeli Counterterrorism. Oxford University Press, 2011.
- Rubin, Barry. The Truth About Syria. Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.
- BBC News – Gaza smuggling tunnels: The life beneath (on Philadelphi tunnels)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11098259 - Council on Foreign Relations – Hamas and Gaza’s Tunnels
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/hamas-and-gazas-tunnels
A diet rich in leafy green vegetables, berries, nuts, olive oil and fish could slash your dementia risk by 25 per cent, scientists say.
Called the MIND diet—short for Mediterranean-Dash Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay— the eating pattern combines key features of the Mediterranean diet with a dramatic reduction in salt to help control blood pressure.
US scientists, who analysed the dietary patterns of more than 90,000 people over a decade, found those who stuck closely to the MIND diet slashed their risk of the memory-robbing disease by a quarter, regardless of the age they started it.
Dr Song-Yi Park, an expert in nutrition from the University of Hawaii and lead author of the research, said the results showed the importance of diet in dementia prevention.
'Healthy dietary patterns in mid to late life may prevent Alzheimer’s and related dementias,' she said.
'This suggests that it is never too late to adopt a healthy diet.'
Previously, the memory-boosting benefits of the diet have been seen in older women.
Research published last year by scientists in Ohio found a six per cent reduced risk of cognitive impairment for female participants who most closely followed the diet, but no decreased risk for men who did the same.
However the current study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Orlando, assessed the diets of 93,000 men and women aged between 45-75.
The participants were followed up a decade later to assess their diet again.
Analysis revealed those that the men and women who followed the MIND diet the closest were the least likely to develop dementia.
Those who improved their adherence to the MIND diet over the course of the study saw the biggest risk reduction of 25 per cent.
The findings are preliminary and have yet to be fully published and peer reviewed.
A breakdown of how the researchers measured adherence to the MIND diet was not available.
However, similar studies have previously used a points system.
For instance, points are awarded for eating three or more daily servings of wholegrains (like brown rice and oats) and six or more weekly servings of green leafy vegetables.
Eating fewer that four weekly servings of red meat is also considered a key characteristic of the diet, as well as a maximum of one serving of fast or fried foods each week.
Mail Online
Eating eggs and vegetables before chips could help you stay thin, research from US scientists suggests.
Experts from Stanford University tested if eating a dose of fibre, protein or fat before carbohydrates could reduce or delay blood sugar spikes.
Such spikes have been linked to obesity, as fluctuating blood sugar makes you more likely to suffer hunger pangs and therefore snack on calorific foods in between meals.
But the experts found this process could be interrupted by changing not what people eat, but in what order.
In the experiment, scientists took 55 volunteers, about half of which had signs of pre-diabetes, a precursor to type 2 diabetes that involves higher-than-normal blood sugar levels.
They then gave each participant a meal consisting of rice on three separate occasions while they wore devices to measure blood sugar levels called continuous glucose monitors.
Ten minutes before each meal participants were given either a fibre supplement, protein in the form of boiled egg whites, or dairy fat from crème fraîche.
Analysing the results, they found eating fibre or the egg protein first lowered the blood sugar spike that came from the energy-dense rice.
Eating fat before the carbohydrates didn't lower the blood sugar spike but did delay it from happening.
This suggests that eating fibre-rich foods like vegetables, and proteins like eggs before tucking into carbohydrates could prevent rocketing blood sugar that leads to a hunger-inducing crash.
Professor Michael Snyder, an expert in genetics author of the study, said diners should try to eat their meals in a specific order.
'Eating carbohydrates later in a meal is still a good idea even though it has not yet been sorted out whether it is best to eat protein, fat or fibre before carbohydrates,' he said.
'Eat your salad or hamburger before your French fries.'
The researchers also noted that the impact of fibre, protein and fat on blood sugar levels was less significant among participants with signs of pre-diabetes.
The authors, who published their findings in the journal Nature Medicine, said this was an area in need of further research.
Carbohydrates, a group that includes rice, potatoes, bread and pasta, are energy dense foods that are quickly converted to sugar in our blood, giving us the resources we need to function.
The NHS says carbohydrates should make up about a third of a person's daily diet.
Officials urge people to eat wholegrain varieties like brown bread or potatoes with the skin on as these come with higher levels of fibre and nutrients, and can slow the release of sugar in our bloodstream, maintaining fullness.
Almost 6million Britons have diabetes, of which 90 per cent is type 2, but charities estimate 1.2million are living with the disease undiagnosed.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't make enough insulin or the insulin it makes doesn't work properly. Insulin is a hormone critical to controlling blood sugar levels.
Having high blood sugar levels over time can cause heart attacks and strokes, as well as problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet.
Mail Online
In a world that celebrates speed, productivity, and never-ending hustle, the idea of “slow living” might sound outdated or even lazy. But slow living doesn’t mean doing things lazily or dragging your feet. Indeed, it requires a surprising amount of presence, awareness, and strength, not to chase time, but to live inside it.
I used to be one of those people who measured my worth by how much I accomplished in a day. I’d read articles and watch motivational videos that glorified waking up at 5 am, planning every second of your schedule, and squeezing productivity out of every activity. I’d try to mimic that — get up early, hit the gym, read a book, journal, meditate, work on a side hustle — all before 8 am.
And if I failed? I’d criticize myself for being lazy, weak, or undisciplined. I couldn’t rest without guilt. My inner voice sounded more like a coach yelling instructions than a kind friend offering support. But slowly, something shifted.
It began with small things. One morning, I didn’t set an alarm. I simply woke up around 6 am — not because I had to, but because my body was ready. I walked downstairs, bought flowers for the shrine, took a warm shower, made an offering, and meditated. No rush, no pressure. Just presence. That’s when I first tasted what slow living could feel like. Since then, my days have taken on a new rhythm.
Now, after my morning routine, I sit and read for about 20 minutes. I write in my journal. Around noon, I clean the rooms, wash the dishes and sink, do the laundry, and fold clothes. These chores, once annoying and mindless, have become something else — grounding, almost therapeutic. Living alone has helped me turn even tasks I didn’t want to do into habits I now appreciate. In the evening, I walk in the yard, water the plants, and then shower again. At night, I usually work on clients’ projects. If there’s no work, I watch a movie or call my relatives who live in other regions. By around 10:30 pm or 11 pm, I go to sleep. These days, the way I’m living could be described as “slow living”. In times like this, when distractions are everywhere, it helps calm my mind.
But let’s clear up a common misunderstanding: Slow living isn’t a lifestyle that only people with lots of money can afford. It’s not about buying organic soaps, handmade furniture, or taking retreats in the countryside. It’s about a mindset. A way of approaching life.
Slow living is about living with awareness — it’s not about drifting through life aimlessly. It’s about feeling the tiny droplets of water falling while we’re hanging washed clothes for just four or five minutes. It’s about feeling the warmth of the sun-dried clothes through our fingertips as we fold them. It’s about inhaling the fresh scent of soap. It’s about feeling our hands touch the water running from the faucet while washing the dishes. It’s about noticing the little suds and the texture of the plates.
While cooking, while eating, while showering, while sleeping, even while working – It’s all about mindfulness, being fully in the moment, feeling through all five senses — touch, smell, taste, sound, sight – and completing each task with that awareness. Even if something takes just five minutes, we need to fully enjoy and feel what we’re doing. People tend to focus only on what’s bothering them. But we should shift our focus more towards the present moment in our process.
Next, overthinking is one of the biggest barriers to mindfulness and slow living. It pulls us away from the now. Instead of living, we start analysing everything. Instead of enjoying our meal, we’re thinking about yesterday’s argument or tomorrow’s deadline. Our body may be in the moment, but our mind is sprinting in circles.
Overthinking is exhausting. It creates problems that don’t even exist. It turns simple situations into complicated ones. It robs us of sleep, peace, and presence. And sadly, it’s become a normal part of modern life. We scroll endlessly through advice posts:”10 ways to stop overthinking”, “5 habits to become your best self”, and “Do this every morning to change your life.”
But in this age of information overload, it’s so important not to become a slave to that information. At the end of the day, we’re responsible for our own lives. And only by living in alignment with our values and being satisfied with the way we live.
Mindfulness is the medicine for overthinking. When you truly notice the moment, your breath, the smell of rain, the warmth of tea in your hands, your mind has no choice but to slow down. And when the mind slows, peace enters.
A person who’s always tired and constantly rushing through everything can never live the same quality of life as someone calm, mindful, and present in each task. It’s not the same level of happiness, not the same sense of meaning.
When I first began this journey, I didn’t realize how loud my thoughts had become. Even while doing simple tasks, my brain was racing – checking notifications, replaying conversations, worrying about things I couldn’t control. It took effort to bring myself back to the now, again and again. But over time, it became easier. Like building a muscle. The more I practised mindfulness, the less I overthought. The more I paid attention, the less anxious I felt. That’s the hidden gift of slow living — it trains our minds to stop running and start listening.
I don’t want to give people advice like “Do this to improve your life”. Because honestly, I’m not doing anything extraordinary myself. I’ve simply chosen to live slower. Not to perform, but to experience. To notice how the floor feels under my feet when I walk. To hear the birds outside my window. To eat meals without checking my phone. To breathe deeply and fully before starting a new task.
In the past, I used to be hard on myself and criticize myself unnecessarily. For example, I’d push myself to get up at 5 am and go to the gym by 6 am. If I couldn’t stick to that, I’d beat myself up and feel useless. Now? I don’t even set an alarm. By 5 am, I naturally wake up. This isn’t just about routine. It’s about rhythm – living in a way that feels gentle, authentic, and balanced. There’s no perfect formula. No schedule we need to copy. Just a series of choices. In the end, everything comes down to the choices we make.
We can choose to rush through life, always chasing the next thing, never feeling enough. Or we can choose to slow down, breathe, and trust that the present moment is already rich with meaning. Slow living is a quiet rebellion in a noisy world. It’s not a trend. It’s a return to ourselves, our senses, our humanity.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
Sometimes a family seems to be a kind of gift given by nature. Some people tend to lead a married life but end their lives all by themselves just because of their personality traits, especially having had no family spirit since their birth, or other family background situations. It looks pretty easy to tie the knot with someone but quite difficult to be able to live a happy family life. Strangely enough, some are frightened of marriage simply because some women are afraid of childbirth itself or some men have little desire to bring up children. Despite this, lovemaking or marriage has always been an ancient human practice, as well as children can metaphorically be the tinkle of a small bell in a house, which means that children can make a sweet home. And also, a sweet home gives rise to a happy life. In a lovely and warm home will even be found some family psychology of interest.
Psycho 1: A daughter is more emotionally attached to her father while a son connects deeply with his mother. Whether it is right or wrong, this is because father and daughter or mother and son are not the same sex, I think. Naturally, humans like to cling to those who have different sexes from them more than those with the same sex as theirs. Because of this, daughters willingly rely on their fathers’ leadership and management, which mostly cannot be obtained from females, whereas sons only want their mothers’ care and love, which can rarely be seen in males. However, fathers will give the same opportunity to both their sons and daughters as sons or daughters or both are their children only as well as mothers will have the same love for all their children for the reason that they have got a maternal spirit since birth, which enables them to equally look after their children with compassion. There may be an exception _ that is, some sons love their fathers and some daughters feel affection for their mothers, where the highly potential reason is that the children face a separate or divorced or adulterous family. In spite of this, most children rely upon their mothers, who live or even play together with them almost at all times.
Read more: https://www.gnlm.com.mm/family-psychology-of-interest/
In a world often driven by desires, aspirations, and immediate satisfaction, it is easy to become passionate about what we want to be. These desires, whether materialistic, celebrity-driven, or status-oriented, seem to dominate our goals and ambitions. However, focusing solely on what we want to be can lead to a shallow existence, driven by external validation and passing pleasures. Instead, we should prioritize what we should be the qualities, roles, and responsibilities that contribute to our growth, well-being, and the well-being of those around us. By shifting our focus from what we want to be to what we should be, we can foster a deeper sense of purpose, fulfilment, and societal contribution.
Understanding “What You Should Be” versus “What You Want to Be”
At the core of this discussion lies an important distinction: the difference between what we want to be and what we should be. “What you want to be” is often based on external desires or personal interests; it could involve wanting to be famous, rich, or admired. These goals are frequently tied to material success or the pursuit of passing pleasures. While there is nothing inherently wrong with having ambitions, when they are the sole focus, they can lead to dissatisfaction and a lack of meaning.
On the other hand, “what you should be” refers to the values, responsibilities, and qualities that we are meant to cultivate to live a fulfilling life. It involves striving to be a person of integrity, kindness, resilience, and responsibility. Focusing on what we should be centres around personal growth, the development of character, and contributing positively to our communities. It encourages us to think about our roles in a broader sense and how we can contribute to the collective good.
Read more: https://www.gnlm.com.mm/prioritize-what-you-should-be-rather-than-what-you-want-to-be/
The day on 28 March 2025 was an unforgettable day for all citizens of Myanmar. Ten minutes to 1 pm on that day, a devastating earthquake jolted Mandalay Region, Sagaing Region, Shan State, Nay Pyi Taw Council Area and Bago Region, resulting in several casualties.
The Mandalay earthquake measured 7.7 on the Richter scale. Among the earthquakes that have occurred since the 1900s, this is the second most powerful. Out of the 18 significant quakes we’ve experienced, the one in 1912 was the strongest, at 8.0 on the Richter scale. This recent earthquake was extremely powerful and caused significant loss and damage. Over 3,700 people have died, and more than 5,000 were injured. About 70 people are still missing. Around 67,000 homes have been destroyed. Approximately 6,400 schools and around 350 hospitals and clinics were damaged. Many roads and bridges have also been destroyed. This article aims to commemorate the powerful Mandalay earthquake that struck on 28 March 2025 and to draw as many lessons as possible from the event.
AT 11:43 a.m, our car which left Yangon at 7:30 a.m veered from Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw highway into the road leading to Toungoo. It was a 9-mile concrete road lined with shady Kukko trees. Behind the Kukko trees were greenery pea-plantations, some irrigated fields and some freshly ploughed for growing seasonal vegetables. Some clumps of toddy-palm trees were scattered higgledy-piggledy in the fields. I saw some rickety that chroofed bamboo-stalls which sold toddy-juice on the road-side. I also found a donation-collecting marquee with some young girls holding tin-bowls in front. When our car went past the marquee, one of the girls ran after us. So I put a one-thousand kyat note into her bowl. I glanced towards Toungoo looming up some distance ahead and saw a medley of roofs among thick foliage of green trees with glittering pagodas towering above them.
Soon, I espied Toungoo University in a large shady campus on the right-side of the road. We dropped in on my elder sister who was posted as an administrative officer at the university for some minutes. At about noon, we came to Kyun-pat road (Road which skirts round the moat), which was the city-circular road of Toungoo. We found large channels on the side of this road. It is said that these channels were the moats which surrounded the city-walls of Ketumati Toungoo. To my knowledge, ‘ Ketumati’ is a Pali word which means ‘ Possessor of banner’. This city was the capital of the Second Myanmar Empire. It was built by Mingyi Nyo in A.D 1510. He was succeeded by his son Tabinshwehti. When Tabinshwehti was assassinated by a Mon minister, his brother-in-law Kyaw Htin Nawratha acceded to the throne of Toungoo. He was better known as Bayintnaung and could establish dominance over some neighboring countries. During his reign, Myanmar power reached its zenith and Myanmar territory was the largest. Local chronicles also say that, before Ketumati Toungoo, towns such as Toungoo Nge, Toungoo Gyi, Myawadi and Dvaravati had emerged in its neighborhood.
Our car weaved through the maze of roads and streets. As Toungoo was an ancient town, we felt the whole town wrapped in a sort of mysterious air. We also found some main-roads lined with large, shady perennial trees, providing coolness to the whole town. Toungoo was a blend of old and new looks.Some ancient buildings, especially pagodas and other religious structures, were found amongst modern buildings like supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, guest-houses, hospitals, offices, etc. This suggested that Buddhism would have thrived in Toungoo during its hey day and reminded us of undying glory of powerful Toungoo kings.
At about 1 p.m, we made a brief stop at “Laik” Restaurant in downtown Toungoo for lunch. As it is crammed with many people, we had to stand for some time to get a vacant table. Then we had lunch hastily and visited the Kandaw Gyi ( Royal Lake) Park across it. The Kandaw Gyi was an ancient lake with a wide expanse of green water surrounded by bunds studded with shady tall trees. We saw many picnickers having lunch under the trees, some posing for photographs and a few lovers having tete-atete sitting on benches in the far corners of the park. I learnt from a local that the residential quarter next to the Kandaw Gyi was called ‘ Rakhine-su’ meaning ‘ Unit of Rakhines’ because it was the place where Rakhine soldiers of King Minrajagyi ( AD 1593-1612 ) who came to Toungoo at the request of King Min Ye Thiha Thu to attack Hamsavati in alliance with him in A.D1599 encamped.
At about 1:30 p.m, we proceeded to the Shwe Sandaw Pagoda in downtown Toungoo. It was a ten-minute drive from the Kandaw Gyi. The roads were sheltered by large shady trees. Many people were plying to and fro on bicycles and motor-cycles. When we reached the pagoda, we found some pilgrimage-buses parked in front of the cause-way leading to the pagoda-platform. We paid homage to the pagoda and Buddha images housed in the shrine-rooms. Then we donated some cash to the members of the pagoda trustee-ship board. We saw some pilgrims paying homage to the Buddha images, some offering flowers and joss-sticks and some walking clockwise around the base of the pagoda. It is said this ancient pagoda was 120 cubits high and built by King Thihasuramahadhammaraja in A.D1578 and a Buddha’s hair-relic sent by Sinhalese King Dhammapala to King Bayintnaung was enshrined in it.
Then we went on to the Kaungmhudaw Pagoda on the outskirts of Toungoo, making a detour round busy parts of the town. It is an ancient wish-fulfilled pagoda built by King Bayintnaung in A.D1551. It is said that he treaded the victorious ground (အောင်မြေ) inside its precincts just before his going on the military expedition to Pyi in A.D 1551 and that he, therefore, seized Pyi with ease. When we came to that pagoda, we saw a file of people walking round the statue of King Bayintnaung erected in the north-eastern corner of the precincts. When I asked a pilgrim about the reason, I was replied that they were treading the victorious ground so that their prayers would be answered. So we joined them and walked round the statue. When we left the Kaungmhudaw Pagoda, it was already 3 p.m. So we, in spite of wanting to visit other ancient sites, had to abandon our desire and started on our home-bound trip.
In conclusion, it is found that Toungoo is a pleasant, thriving district-city located in a wide fertile plain bolstered up by the Paunglaung river to the east, the Khabaung river to the south, the Pan-be creek to the west and the Swar creek to the north. Besides, it is a hub of transport between Lower Myanmar and Upper Myanmar and dotted with many ancient buildings such as pagodas, ordination-halls, moats, ruined city-walls, colonial buildings like offices, monasteries, temples, mosques, etc. Moreover, it is a stop-over on the way to Thandaung Gyi, a hilly station where holiday-makers and tourists can enjoy a cloud-sea, cool weather and other beautiful countrified scenes. Therefore, the author thinks that if the ancient sites in and round Toungoo are to be exposed and preserved the original style, it will surely be a high potential for tourism.
Thailand is set to overhaul its tax system by 2025, proposing taxation of residents’ worldwide income and introducing a 15 percent global minimum corporate tax for multinationals, aligning with international standards. These changes aim to broaden the tax base but may impact foreign investment and compliance costs.
Thailand is preparing to overhaul its taxation framework with a proposed amendment to Section 41 of the Revenue Code, aiming to tax the worldwide income of residents. Under this draft legislation, individuals who spend 180 days or more in Thailand would be required to pay taxes on their global earnings, irrespective of whether the income is transferred to Thailand.
This marks a significant departure from the current system, which taxes foreign income only if it is brought into the country within the same calendar year it is earned. The proposal, expected to take effect in 2025, has drawn mixed reactions.
While it reflects Thailand’s alignment with international tax norms, concerns are mounting among expatriates and foreign chambers of commerce over its potential impact on long-term residency and foreign direct investment.
As discussions around the draft legislation unfold, it is crucial to explore its implications for Thailand’s economic landscape, expatriate community, and global competitiveness.
Changes in 2024: A shift in taxation of foreign-sourced income
On January 1, 2024, a new tax rule was introduced, altering the way foreign-sourced income is taxed. Under the previous tax system, individuals in Thailand who were tax residents (spending 180 days or more in the country) were only taxed on their foreign income if it was brought into Thailand within the same year it was earned.
However, under the new rule, Thai nationals and foreigners who have been in the country for at least 180 days will be taxed on all foreign income, even if it is not brought into Thailand within the year.
This policy change significantly expands the scope of taxable income for residents, including income from employment, business operations, and passive income such as interest, dividends, and rental income from foreign sources. These new rules represent a marked shift from the current approach, making it important for individuals residing in Thailand to reassess their tax obligations, particularly about their overseas earnings.
These changes signal a broader move toward aligning Thailand’s tax policies with global standards, but they also raise concerns about the potential impact on foreign investment and expatriate residents who may now face higher tax liabilities on their global income.
ကိုးကား- ASEAN Briefing