CNI News
25 Mar 2023
Plans are underway to build private Thingyan pavilions without imposing taxes on a first-come-first served basis in Mandalay to encourage festivities during the Thingyan festival, according to the Mandalay City Development Committee.
Applications for construction of Thingyan pavilions have been received and the Thingyan festival will be full of festivities, Spokesperson U Thein Htay of the Mandalay Region Government told the CNI.
He said, "Organizers are not required to pay taxes and we will give permissions to build pavilions on a first-come-first served basis from 16th street to 18th street along 26th street and from 19th street to 26th street along 66th street. We have received some applications. Some have chosen the sites for their pavilions. We are trying to make the festival more festive. We have not celebrated the festival for a long time due to COVID. We will celebrate the festival again this year."
Participants in a Thingyan festival.
At present, the Mandalay Mayor's Pavilion is being constructed in front of the Office of the MCDC and discussions with companies and entrepreneurs are underway to build pavilions around the moat, at Zegyo Market and other busy places.
Pavilion organizers are required to apply for permission to build pavilions, an MCDC official told the CNI.
He said, "We do not levy taxes on pavilions this year. We have announced that those who want to build pavilions can apply for permissions to do so whether they use pumps or not. We will submit the applications to the regional government and seek approvals."
Before the outbreak of COVID, pavilion organizers were required to pay at least MMK 10 million to build a pavilion of 100-foot x 25 foot around the moat through the auction system. However, organizers are not required to pay taxes this year.
Participants in a Thingyan festival.
Walking Thingyan festivals will be organized along 26th street and from 66th street to 78th street.
Walking Thingyan festivals were first organized during the term of the NLD by levying taxes ranging from MMK 500,000 to MMK 1.5 million depending on the size of pavilions.
