Holidaymakers flock to Chaungtha beach during Thadingyut Festival

Interview by Thi Thi Min/ Min Thit (MNA), Photo: Nay Lin

 

Many holidaymakers have opted Chaungtha as they feel the beach is more convenient for them.
Chaungtha is a well-known beach of Ayeyawady delta. The number of visitors has significantly increased this year. Since the beginning of this holiday, thousands of people have crowded this area, including Pho Kalar island, White Sand island, Brother and Sister Rocks beach and Elephant Camp.
The followings are the interviews with the happy and joyous visitors there.

 

Ma Thet Thet Moe Oo (Tailor Garment Factory in Hlinethaya, Yangon)

I come here with my friends from the work. Some of our colleagues went back their homes, while some others go on pilgrimage. Our group has 18 women. We are visiting Phokalar island by motorboat. It is more pleasant with beautiful scenic views than Chaungtha beach.

 

Ma Khin Cho Zin (Hmawbi Township, Yangon Region)
We are enjoying Thadingyut holidays. Our group has 11 persons. We will stay here one night. We have swum at the beach as we arrived here this morning. We come to Phoelakar island by motorboat. We will then proceed to the Brother and Sister Rocks. Chaungthar beach is very pleasant so we visit here every year. The beach is safe for swimming.

 

Daw Khin San Oo (Primary Teacher, Kaung Myat Thar Private School)
We are visiting Brother and Sister Rocks during our holiday trip to Chaungtha beach. We will make a night stay at the beach before going back home tomorrow. In previous Thadingyut holidays, we visited Loikaw, Kyaikhtiyo and Inle. This year we have chosen Chaungthar. We have brought the children from our school. Our group has over 30 persons, and we are from Yangon.

 

Ma Chit Su Naing (Pre-school Teacher in Pathein, Ayeyawady Region)
Our group has a total of 15 persons, including teachers and family members. We will visit Phoe Kalar island. Our school has been closed for six days. We can take relax at Chaungtha beach. The official public holidays have five days. We have opted this trip with the preference of majority. The day trip is arranged by our headmistress.

 

U Kyaw Thu (Administrator of Chaungtha beach)
We have requested more police forces for the security of visitors to Chaungtha beach. The regional government has assigned 30 police personnel who will be joined by the local administrative body, the departmental staff, community elders and members of fire brigade department. Local authorities will also patrol everywhere day and night for the security of visitors.

 

U Naing Aung (Staff Officer, Directorate of Hotels and Tourism in Chaungtha beach)
There are 13 hotels with the total capacity of 850 rooms along the beach. These rooms are known to be fully booked for 11, 12 and 13 October, while reservation has been made for 60 per cent of the rooms. The remaining rooms are expected to be occupied with additional visitors.


On the other side of motor road, there are 586 rooms of hotels and guesthouses. About 2930 have occupied some of these rooms. Some remaining vacant rooms will be filled with next comers. The number of visitors has significantly increased this year. 

 

(Translated by Aung Khin)