Naypyidaw: The New Capital of Burma

By Dulyapak Preecharushh

Naypyidaw: The New Capital of Burma examines the possible factors involved in the current relocation of the capital in order to enrich and enhance understanding about contemporary Burma/Myanmar in various aspects - including History, Geography, Political Science, Military Science, Economics, Sociology and Urban Architecture. This pioneering work makes the argument that moving the capital from Yangon to Naypyidaw is a profound and multi-faceted strategy which will increase the power of the current military regime to exercise strong and effective control over Burma in the future. Moreover, it provides useful information concerning geographical configuration and urban characteristics inside the new capital; and lastly, this book will greatly contribute to creating an academic knowledge about geopolitical transformations in Southeast Asian urban networks in the twenty-first century. Fully illustrated with maps and colour photographs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Proglen
• Release date: Jun 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9786167817453

Dulyapak Preecharushh

Dulyapak Preecharush teaches in the Department of International Relations, College of Politics and Governance, Mahasarakham University, Thailand. He holds a BA in Political Science with First Class Honors from Kasetsart University and an MA in Southeast Asian Studies (International Program), with financial support by the Rockefeller Foundation, from Chulalongkorn University. He has published a number of articles in scholarly journals as well as participated in seminars at a number of universities and academic institutes, for example, Layola Marymount University (USA), Leiden University (the Netherlands) and Asiatic Society (India). His academic interests include geopolitics, geostrategy, Southeast Asian Affairs, and contemporary Myanmar.

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Naypyidaw

The New Capital of Burma

By Dulyapak Preecharushh

Naypyidaw: The New Capital of Burma

Copyright © Dulyapak Preecharushh, 2009

First Published 2009

By White Lotus Press

Smashwords Edition

eBook Edition published by

DCO Books 2014

Proglen Trading Co., Ltd.

Bangkok Thailand

http://ebooks.dco.co.th

On behalf of White Lotus Press

ISBN 978-616-7817-45-3

All Rights Reserved

Thanks to Edward Stauffer of COMSET

Original typeset by COMSET

Contents

List of Illustrations

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1 - Conceptual Framework

2 - The Main Factors in the Relocation of Capitals in Burmese History

3 - Politico-Military Security and the Current Relocation of the Capital

4 - Hinterland Economic Development and the Current Relocation of the Capital

5 - Spiritual-Cultural Unity and the Current Relocation of the Capital

6 - The Location, Evolution and Urban Characteristics of the New Capital

7 - Conclusion and Additional Analysis

About the Author

Bibliography

List of Illustrations

Figures

1 - Western Gate of the City of Mandalay

2 - The Royal Palace at Ava in the 1820s

3 - The Royal Palace of Mandalay

4 - Landscape of Amarapura in 1855

5 - The advance guard of a movable British flying column attacking a village in Rangoon

6 - Departure of King Thibaw from Mandalay

7 - Western Buildings in Rangoon, 1869

8 - Merchant Street in Rangoon, 1938

9 - British Troops in Rangoon

10 - Tatmadaw Hierarchy

11 - Tatmadaw (the Army) is the most powerful political institution in Myanmar

12 - Protestors marched through the streets of Yangon in 1988

13 - The urban landscape of Yangon comprises a dense population, tall apartment blocks and slum communities, which are major security threats at times of mass movements and popular uprisings

14 - Soldiers of the Karen National Liberation Army

15 - US President George W. Bush holds a news conference at the White House in Washington and condemned the Myanmar Military Junta for human rights violation

16 - Natural canal and agricultural plantations in the Upper Sittang valley

17 - Ancient Royal Barge Ceremony, Mandalay

18 - Royal Barge Ceremony on Kandawgyi Lake, Yangon

19 - A Burmese Priest and Pupils

20 - Deposition of King Theebaw

21 - Colonial building in present-day Yangon

22 - Workers make the building blocks of the new capital

23 - Heavy machinery levels land for a new highway in Naypyidaw

24 - Civilian Apartments in Naypyidaw

25 - A ministry building nears completion

26–31 - Scenes at Pyinmana Myomo Market

32 - City hall in Naypyidaw

33 - Lotus roundabout in Naypyidaw

34 - Roads and gardens in Naypyidaw

35–36 - Aureum hotel-resort in Naypyidaw

37 - Burmese troops on Armed Forces Day, 2005 in front of statues of King Anawratha (left), King Bayinnaung (middle) and King Alaungpaya (right)

38 - Senior General Than Shwe and Burmese troops on Armed Forces Day, 2006 in Naypyidaw

39 - Ibrahim Gambari meets Snr-Gen Than Shwe in Naypyidaw during his visit in May 2006

40 - Columns of monks and their supporters stage a march in September, 2007

Maps

1 - Locations of the previous capital, Yangon, and the new capital, Pyinmana (Naypyidaw)

2 - Core area of Myanmar (dry zone)

3 - Core area of Thailand (Menam Valley)

4 - Pakistan’s capital relocation from coastal Karachi to inland Islam abad

5 - Turkey’s capital relocation from coastal Istanbul to inland Ankara

6 - Nigeria’s capital relocation from coastal Lagos to inland Abuja

7 - Brazil’s capital relocation from coastal Rio de Janeiro to inland Brasilia

8 - Ancient cities in Burmese history

9 - Locations of ancient Burmese capitals (Ava Amarapura Sagaing and Mandalay)

10 - Plan of Ava in the 19th. century

11 - Capitals in the agricultural heartland of Burma under the Alaung paya Dynasty

12 - Ethnic groups in Myanmar’s eastern frontier

13 - The new capital is strategically close to Shan, Kayah and Kayin States

14 - The geostrategy of maritime and continental Myanmar

15 - Locations of military command areas in Myanmar

16 - Administrative scope of the new capital and the networks of hydro-power projects

17 - Trans Asian Highway network in Myanmar

18 - The new capital of Myanmar and networks of economic corridors in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region

19 - The location and geographical configuration of the new capital

20 - Agricultural regions in the dry zone of Burma

21 - Physical landscapes east of Pyinmana Township

22 - Urban landscape of central Pyinmana

23 - Urban landscape of Naypyidaw

24 - Strategic networks around the new capital

25 - Strategic communities and transport networks around the new capital

26 - Myanmar Fishery Enterprise and Irrigation canals

27 - The geostrategy of Phetchabun, Thailand (similar to Pyinmana)

28 - Ethnic Politics in Myanmar

29 - Projection of political power from the new capital

Acknowledgements

This book is a revision of my M.A. thesis submitted at the Southeast Asian Studies Centre, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. This work has its conscious intellectual sources in many people, whose invaluable assistance I wish to acknowledge:

Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to my thesis advisor, Dr. Sunait Chutintaranond, Director of the Southeast Asian Studies Centre and Asian Institution. He has been open-minded and always believed in my academic ability. His keen intellect also broadened my perspective and inspired my academic life. I would also like to express my gratitude to my thesis co-advisor, Miss Pornpimon Trichote, who gave constructive suggestions on how to write a good research study and was always willing to listen to my ideas. She provided me with many interesting insights concerning Myanmar and always encouraged me with her support and patience.

My sincere thanks also go to Wirat Niyomdham, Director of the Myanmar Studies Centre, Naresuan University, for his invaluable help and advice. He not only greatly increased my knowledge, but also provided me with much documentation concerning relocations of the capital in Myanmar. This book could never have been completed without his kind assistance. I am sincerely grateful to Than Than Myint for her willingness to give her perspective on the general situation inside Myanmar and her ability to keep up my spirits while I wrote this book. Thank you to Dr. Guy Lubeigt who kindly inspired me to take up this topic and gave me valuable information on the geographical configuration of the new capital and Myanmar’s economic development.

The book has benefited extensively from the comments and suggestions made by several persons who reviewed my earlier drafts, especially Robert H. Taylor, Donald M. Seekins and Christina Fink. Needless to say, any mistakes are my responsibility alone. I am, as well, indebted to Diethard Ande, of White Lotus Press, for his kindness in publishing my manuscript. My thanks also go to Alec Bamford and Susan Faircloth for their enormous help in improving my English throughout this book.

I would also like to thank ethnic minority group members and Thai citizens and military officers who provided me with wide-raging perspectives on the new capital and the political situation inside Myanmar. Last but not least, special thanks are due to my family and my dear colleagues, who understood, encouraged and supported my academic work.

Introduction

On Sunday November 6th, 2005, the Myanmar military government or SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) officially relocated the national capital from Yangon to Pyinmana in a rural mountainous valley in southern Mandalay Division around 350 kilometers north of Yangon. The next day, Myanmar’s Information Minister, Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan, announced that the country’s capital would be a newly established city in Pyinmana District. The minister further explained, The reason we are moving is because Pyinmana, which is in the centre of Myanmar, is geographically and strategically located for the development of the country. ¹

¹ Nanda Kyaw Thu, Tyranny of the Absurd Assessing the Implications of the Pyinmana Move, Burma Issues on the Web, 1 January 2006,

(18 March 2006).

Map 1 Locations of the previous capital, Yangon, and the new capital, Pyinmana (Naypyidaw)

Source: The Irrawaddy, June 2005, Vol.13 No.6

On Armed Forces Day, 27 March 2006, the new administrative capital in Kyatpyae Village of Pyinmana District was publicly named Naypyidaw (also spelt Naypyitaw or Nay Pyi Taw) which means the Seat of the King or Royal City. Since then Naypyidaw, which is situated just 8–10 miles north-west of Pyinmana town, has had a special status as the new national capital replacing Yangon. The new capital is also called Pyinmana Naypyidaw, reflecting its location in Pyinmana ² District.

² At the time of writing, Naypyidaw is the name most commonly used by the government and by the foreign media; however, this book will use the various names Pyinmana, Naypyidaw and Pyinmana Naypyidaw depending on the source of information used and the particular context.

The rationale for moving the capital is still unclear even though the government gave its reason as that of focusing on the country’s development. There is some speculation concerning this relocation. The new capital is better located strategically than Yangon, in that it is further away from the coast. This is considered desirable in case Myanmar should come under attack by US sea-borne invasion. The new capital is also located adjacent to the Shan, Kayah and Kayin States, and it is felt that a stronger governmental and military presence nearby might provide stability to those chronically turbulent regions. ³ Others suggest that the move was motivated out of paranoia about an urban uprising against the military junta by democratic movements, or extremely poor and ethnically diverse residents of Yangon. Others believe that the move was suggested by Senior General Than Shwe’s astrologer who predicted that the present government would collapse at the end of February 2006, unless the capital was moved. ⁴ Finally, some have suggested that the move was Than Shwe’s attempt to imitate the model of ancient monarchs by relocating the capital to the dry zone which is considered as the historical heartland of the Burmese.

³ Maung Chan , Burma Capital Moves to Pyinmana, WHY?, Boxun News on the Web, 11 November 2005,

(12 December 2005).

⁴ Richard C. Paddock, Abrupt Relocation of Burma Capital linked to Astrology, The Boston Globs on the Web, 1 January 2006,

(5 June 2006).

The major purpose of this book is to identify the reasons for moving the capital from Yangon to Naypyidaw. There has been little systematic discussion and research into the motivations for moving the capital although they remain the main obstacle to understanding the current situation inside Myanmar. Therefore, this book is the first academic work to aim to evaluate and analyze the possible factors involved in the current relocation of the capital, taking an interdisciplinary approach in order to enrich and enhance understanding about contemporary Myanmar. Moreover, it also aims to provide useful information for academics and officials to enable them better to analyze the general strategies of the ruling military government and predict the political situation inside Myanmar.

This book consists of seven chapters. Chapter 1 presents the conceptual frame- work for capital cities and the main factors leading to capital relocation in many countries of the world, in order to create a basic understanding of the topic. Chapter 2 is concerned with an overview of the historical background to the relocation of the Burmese capital, looking at causes and motives. Furthermore, it connects capital relocation with the historical evolution of the Burmese state from the monarchical period to the establishment of Yangon by British colonial authorities. Chapters 3 to 5 evaluate and analyze the possible factors involved in the establishment of the new capital. The author hypothesizes that the move from Yangon to Naypyidaw should be considered as a grand strategy of the ruling military junta, consisting of three main elements: politico-military security, hinterland economic development and spiritual-cultural unity. The chapters focus on general policies and strategies of the ruling government, the contemporary situation inside Myanmar and post-Cold War circumstances which have significantly influenced the current capital relocation.

Chapter 6, the most important chapter, surveys and investigates the location, evolution and urban characteristics of the new capital. This chapter analyzes the motives for moving the capital through patterns of city planning and urban settlement and proves that Naypyidaw is geographically and strategically appropriate to function as a new capital instead of Yangon. Chapter 7 summarizes the concepts of Myanmar’s capital relocation and then analyzes outstanding issues and suggests further.

1 - Conceptual Framework

1.1 The Concept of Capital Cities

There is no theoretically precise explanation in the academic literature of the concept of capital cities and the motivations for moving a capital in either the ancient or the modern era. The various themes related to capitals are fragmented and absorbed by other disciplines. The literature on capital cities consists of a diverse collection of writings by architects, historians, political scientists, urban planners and sociologists, each addressing a different aspect of capital cities, but with no single, explicit theory of capital relocation. ¹ Nevertheless, a clear explanation regarding capital cities can be found in the field of political geography.

¹ Scott Campbell, The Changing Role and Identity of Capital Cities in the Global Era (paper presented at the Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, 4–8 April 2000),

(18 May 2006).

In ancient urban societies governed by an absolute monarchy, a capital was the place in which the royal palace and monarchical edifices were located. It was not only the seat of power and the symbol of the royal court, but also the center of the kingdom or empire. According to the old pattern of city planning, the scope of a capital was clearly demarcated through networks of city moats and city walls in configuring geopolitical power and securing and fortifying the city from the enemy, for example, Rome and Paris in ancient Europe, or Ava, Ayutthaya, and Vientiane in ancient South-east Asian polities.

In modern urban societies, "the capital is by definition a seat of power and a place of decision-making processes that affect the lives and the future of the nation ruled, and that may influence trends and events beyond its borders. Capitals differ from other cities: the capital function secures strong and lasting centrality; it calls for a special hosting environment to provide what is required for the safe and efficient performance of the functions of government". ² City moats and city walls have been replaced by modern city planning as a means of delineating the scope of a capital’s authority and the determination of jurisdiction in configuring political administration and city development.

² Ibid.

A capital city is also the seat of the national government. This role can vary widely across different capital cities, but in general, capitals are unique among cities because they provide a special site for the concentration, administration and representation of political power. ³ In addition, most capital cities are the site of legislative gatherings and the residence of the Chief of State. Capitals must be a source of power and authority, either to ensure control over outlying and loosely tied districts of the state or to defend the state against undesirable external influences ⁴ Moreover, capitals are generally considered as centers of national spiritual unity and symbols of historical pride. They may also be home to the management of state affairs such as political administration, economic performance, religious consolidation and military strategy. ⁵

³ Ibid.

⁴ Martin Ira