Nich, every now and then word will go around that the govt. are not happy with the Chinese line and people unhook their phones for a while. Gradually the pressure drops and the phones are hooked back up.
Certainly better than 10 years ago when you would make a call to somebody who could afford a blackmarket landline, ask for the person you want to talk to, then hear a cacophony of screaming over fences and down streets to find said person. All at $1.50 a minute.
Another very useful development is the ability to use the webcam and actually see the person you are talking to for free.
To go a bit further in answering aiontay’s question — certainly in any Burmese town directly adjacent to a border the use of foreign phones is widespread. But what I find more intriguing is the use of foreign telephone infrastructure much further from the national frontiers. KGG’s comment picks up an important part of this story.
For what it’s worth, I know people who work in border areas, and beyond, who will carry a range of phones, say 3 or 4, for different purposes and tied in to different networks.
The technical specifications of the phones are often beyond me. I have, however, seen Chinese mobiles, with over-sized antenna, a long way from the border. I think some are used as genuine mobiles while others, as best I can discern, may be more akin to “roaming” fixed line phones (perhaps tied to the kinds of fixed line connections that KGG mentions?). Exactly how that works I’m not sure but it does seem to give a great deal of extra range and flexibility for those with the money to side-step, or augment, Burma’s mobile phone system.
Readers with greater knowledge of the issue are, as ever, very welcome to chime in.
Can get Thai cell phone coverage in Tachilek, but runs out pretty quickly on the road to Kengtung.
However, in Kengtung you can get a Chinese phone number through a fixed line connection taken somewhere from the Chinese border (60 odd km away). Very cheap and clear way to call from overseas – less than 2 cents per minute.
On another note, does anybody know the fate of the Kengtung Standing Buddha on Loi Jom Sak overlooking the lake? I have heard it fell down following the March earthquake (which I imagine would please the locals no small amount – I’m not being ironic here).
I use Google Reader feeds created from the extensive links in my Burma Monitor and Starting Points research blogs — http://burmamonitor.blogspot.com/ http://starting-points.blogspot.com/
The best contemporary Burma info in English is put daily
in my public (open) Facebook ‘new’ group also called Burma Monitor. http://www.facebook.com/groups/burmamonitor/
(fairly heavy Burmese membership and ‘comments’).
I use Firefox and (also, now, the ultra-fast) Chrome browser
to select which of the too numerous new daily items
to read and/or post.
“In the border areas is it possible to use mobile phones from the adjacent country?”
Practically-No.
Myanmar has both CDMA and GSM system.
The limited sim card for CDMA used to cost up to $10,000 to acquire.
Still pretty costly and limited availability now around $1000.
GSM was allowed to be started by the cronies for the profit potential.
Any one can get a “rechargeable”GSM sim not unlike 999 in Thailand for initial cost of $100.
This is what driving the sale of Cell Phone.
This GSM system is really crappy even within the city and absolutely useless out in the country.
I am not as optimistic as Nic on the future of technology within Myanmar.
Knowing CONTROL and SELF serving profitability will always go hand in hand having an efficient consumer GSM system seem absolutely unlikely.
In fact the CDMA ( an archaic) system is still preferred and used by majority within for its consistence.
At the northern border areas the availability of band width from China and locally is evident.
But I will not expect that kind of availability penetrating into other places anytime.
If any hope of Myanmar becoming Thailand like in Telecom is at best a fool’s dream knowing nothing get done unless the conies and the military benefit without the potential of loosing CONTROL.\
Just think of the electriccity supply as example all the same ‘whys’ apply to any technology in Myanmar.
It’s the classic capitalist dilemma that such a regime faces. You want more and more people to consume a new product for profits and prestige, but on the other hand you are handing over a powerful tool complete with camera, video, messaging and web apps that can potentially and effectively be used against you.
A good example of unintended empowerment of the masses in modern times as it were. You then either pick up the pieces or play catch up once it’s gone rampant and online, and it turns out not quite to your liking. Burma is just dipping a toe in the water as a late developer. The ruling class of course is still inexorably drawn into the universal money making process regardless of the potential risks just as it has done with satellite TV. Greed transcends everything and throws caution to the winds.
aiontay,
I’ve been told that’s exactly what they do use in the border areas.
Or you can promote the generals and diminish the sufferers. Do the generals need any help? I guess they do since they need no help whatsoever in diminishing themselves, not least through their own ridiculous media and propaganda. All that’s available in any other media reflects merely a fraction of their mismanagement and meting out misery, death and destruction. The state as an active and all powerful causal agent, not simple ineptitude by politicians muddling along.
There is plenty that also celebrates the various communities, including IDPs and refugees, mutual and self help activities, surviving in adversity, and above all popular struggle.
Spiegel has a detailed report on the background of the Walter Bau case against Thailand, the liquidator’s impoundment of the 737, and subsequent events, Runway Wrangling – Thailand Pledges to Settle Dispute Over Prince’s Jet http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,778125,00.html.
Schneider flew to Bangkok a number of times over the last two years to try to get the money. He met officials in dark suits and officers in gold-braided uniforms who were always friendly, but non-committal. He sent more than a dozen reminder letters. By early 2011, Schneider had had enough. He did what any insolvency administrator does when a debtor won’t pay up — he prepared a seizure of assets ….
In early May, an anonymous source in Bangkok sent him a fax containing the flight plan for a VIP jet complete with registration, flight number and name of the pilot. The aircraft was due to arrive in Munich on May 21 from Bangkok and be stationed there until August 8. …
For those who are shocked by the German government getting involved in a private dispute:
[T]he German government may end up having to get involved, and may even have to pay compensation itself to Walter Bau [according to] an expert in insolvency law ….
Actually, the only banking job he ever had was described as a “spell” and was before 1987.
If you are going to go as far as to call a group of people “the most vile and corrupt group of parasites in the history of civilization” you ought to get your terminology right.
This is a total fabrication. The letter is released as part of you know who’s movement.
To enlighten you foreign academic scholars, The crown prince and his wife travelled to Florida regularly to visit his ex wife and their sons. You can ask any Thais residing in Orlando, Florida and they will tell you they were all seen together openly. To be exact, at Kissimee county !
There is no such thing as them being abandoned. Even their youngest sister was elevated to HRH princess status. Don’t you think she could have transfer them money if this is the case???
This story was 2 days ago and alreaady it seems people are losing interest as there had not been too many followups in the media.
The following from Yahoo 7 news
“Two Burmese men living in Australia have joined their former commander in admitting to crimes against humanity as members of a military intelligence group in Burma………….
Nick, I would expect that the place to ask would be Singapore.
For a period of at least several decades (now several decades ago) Singapore would have been a crucial entrep├┤t for the two.
Although both S.E.A.T.O. and the Non-Aligned [Nations] Movement are distant memories for most of us… they still have reverberations for the current generation of statesmen in both Singapore and Indonesia. (I assume that the Non-Aligned Movement has some nostalgia value in Burma, too…)
I wouldn’t be surprised if many of the early forums for “friendship and co-operation” were arranged by Singaporean universities and/or directly Sing. govt. supported overtures –and I’m guessing this is a side to the story that could be relatively easily researched (there may even be commemorative pins around from those events, too).
Singapore’s forums for “friendship and co-operation” have always been given greater momentum by the island’s arms trade. Singapore supplied weapons to Pol Pot; they supplied weapons to the Burmese Junta; and that seemed much more important in an era when there were political repercussions (if not logistical difficulties) in buying arms directly from China, Russia or even America.
But in this case, I would add, a pre-existing official Thai Department of Aviation Authority registry listing of the CP as the owner is very strong presumptive evidence, indeed.
I would rather let BKKlaywer response to that, but I think I can clarify that in a simpler term, although I’m not a law practitioner but in my field of work I’m quite familiar with the ownership dispute. You see, the “pre-existing” registry doesn’t prove anything since it can be easily forged. Usually, when it comes to ownership dispute maybe it be land, cars, boats, or airplane, the court will ask for documents on who was paying the bill for maintenance and other related bill, since the user may simply borrow the asset. In my opinion, that is why BKKlawyer said that the evidence is inconclusive since the Thai side never be able prove that CP was the one who pays for the maintenance, sky access fees, and so on.
Moreover, since my first comment got so much disagree I think I want to expand a bit more on that. In my opinion, I really think that the price didn’t do anything wrong, but I never protect him. His senseless spending (along with other in his family) is directly draining from the poor Thais. However, we have to separate the issue, the CP is by all mean not a figure to look up to, but for this case its really not his fault.
Oh dear, his serene majesty the CP is having a hard time of it lately, I expect things are being hurled around – lets hope that ridiculous poodle is one of them.
This is interesting though: “Many people continue to speculate regarding our situation or to spread false and malicious rumors about us. Rather than addressing these issues in the open, and risk offending the institution, we have chosen to remain silent.”
Now why would dispelling false and malicious rumours cause offence to the monarchy? Unless of course there are skeletons to rattle.
I wonder if all this is at the behest of an opposing force within the Palace?
Could it have something to do with Indonesia agreeing(?) to sell arms to Myanmar? Arms sales appear all the more legitimate if they’re being sold to a strong and dignified state!
Wonder what Sebastianus Sumarsono thinks of the Tatmadaw’s persecution of Muslims in Burma. Very dignified of the regime. Maybe they’ll even persecute them with Indonesian weapons!
Definitely the right country to chair ASEAN in 2014.
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Mobile telephony in Burma
Nich, every now and then word will go around that the govt. are not happy with the Chinese line and people unhook their phones for a while. Gradually the pressure drops and the phones are hooked back up.
Certainly better than 10 years ago when you would make a call to somebody who could afford a blackmarket landline, ask for the person you want to talk to, then hear a cacophony of screaming over fences and down streets to find said person. All at $1.50 a minute.
Another very useful development is the ability to use the webcam and actually see the person you are talking to for free.
Mobile telephony in Burma
Thanks for all of these useful comments:
To go a bit further in answering aiontay’s question — certainly in any Burmese town directly adjacent to a border the use of foreign phones is widespread. But what I find more intriguing is the use of foreign telephone infrastructure much further from the national frontiers. KGG’s comment picks up an important part of this story.
For what it’s worth, I know people who work in border areas, and beyond, who will carry a range of phones, say 3 or 4, for different purposes and tied in to different networks.
The technical specifications of the phones are often beyond me. I have, however, seen Chinese mobiles, with over-sized antenna, a long way from the border. I think some are used as genuine mobiles while others, as best I can discern, may be more akin to “roaming” fixed line phones (perhaps tied to the kinds of fixed line connections that KGG mentions?). Exactly how that works I’m not sure but it does seem to give a great deal of extra range and flexibility for those with the money to side-step, or augment, Burma’s mobile phone system.
Readers with greater knowledge of the issue are, as ever, very welcome to chime in.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
Plane audacity in Thai dispute
So, somebody in Bangkok tipped off the Germans with the CP flight schedule.
My guess. Prem.
Mobile telephony in Burma
Can get Thai cell phone coverage in Tachilek, but runs out pretty quickly on the road to Kengtung.
However, in Kengtung you can get a Chinese phone number through a fixed line connection taken somewhere from the Chinese border (60 odd km away). Very cheap and clear way to call from overseas – less than 2 cents per minute.
On another note, does anybody know the fate of the Kengtung Standing Buddha on Loi Jom Sak overlooking the lake? I have heard it fell down following the March earthquake (which I imagine would please the locals no small amount – I’m not being ironic here).
What do you read on mainland Southeast Asia?
I use Google Reader feeds created from the extensive links in my Burma Monitor and Starting Points research blogs — http://burmamonitor.blogspot.com/
http://starting-points.blogspot.com/
The best contemporary Burma info in English is put daily
in my public (open) Facebook ‘new’ group also called Burma Monitor.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/burmamonitor/
(fairly heavy Burmese membership and ‘comments’).
I use Firefox and (also, now, the ultra-fast) Chrome browser
to select which of the too numerous new daily items
to read and/or post.
Mobile telephony in Burma
@#7
“In the border areas is it possible to use mobile phones from the adjacent country?”
Practically-No.
Myanmar has both CDMA and GSM system.
The limited sim card for CDMA used to cost up to $10,000 to acquire.
Still pretty costly and limited availability now around $1000.
GSM was allowed to be started by the cronies for the profit potential.
Any one can get a “rechargeable”GSM sim not unlike 999 in Thailand for initial cost of $100.
This is what driving the sale of Cell Phone.
This GSM system is really crappy even within the city and absolutely useless out in the country.
I am not as optimistic as Nic on the future of technology within Myanmar.
Knowing CONTROL and SELF serving profitability will always go hand in hand having an efficient consumer GSM system seem absolutely unlikely.
In fact the CDMA ( an archaic) system is still preferred and used by majority within for its consistence.
At the northern border areas the availability of band width from China and locally is evident.
But I will not expect that kind of availability penetrating into other places anytime.
If any hope of Myanmar becoming Thailand like in Telecom is at best a fool’s dream knowing nothing get done unless the conies and the military benefit without the potential of loosing CONTROL.\
Just think of the electriccity supply as example all the same ‘whys’ apply to any technology in Myanmar.
Mobile telephony in Burma
Nich,
It’s the classic capitalist dilemma that such a regime faces. You want more and more people to consume a new product for profits and prestige, but on the other hand you are handing over a powerful tool complete with camera, video, messaging and web apps that can potentially and effectively be used against you.
A good example of unintended empowerment of the masses in modern times as it were. You then either pick up the pieces or play catch up once it’s gone rampant and online, and it turns out not quite to your liking. Burma is just dipping a toe in the water as a late developer. The ruling class of course is still inexorably drawn into the universal money making process regardless of the potential risks just as it has done with satellite TV. Greed transcends everything and throws caution to the winds.
aiontay,
I’ve been told that’s exactly what they do use in the border areas.
Taking photos in Burma
Or you can promote the generals and diminish the sufferers. Do the generals need any help? I guess they do since they need no help whatsoever in diminishing themselves, not least through their own ridiculous media and propaganda. All that’s available in any other media reflects merely a fraction of their mismanagement and meting out misery, death and destruction. The state as an active and all powerful causal agent, not simple ineptitude by politicians muddling along.
There is plenty that also celebrates the various communities, including IDPs and refugees, mutual and self help activities, surviving in adversity, and above all popular struggle.
Plane audacity in Thai dispute
Spiegel has a detailed report on the background of the Walter Bau case against Thailand, the liquidator’s impoundment of the 737, and subsequent events, Runway Wrangling – Thailand Pledges to Settle Dispute Over Prince’s Jet http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,778125,00.html.
For those who are shocked by the German government getting involved in a private dispute:
It’s an interesting read.
Yingluck’s Foreign Minister
Actually, the only banking job he ever had was described as a “spell” and was before 1987.
If you are going to go as far as to call a group of people “the most vile and corrupt group of parasites in the history of civilization” you ought to get your terminology right.
Crown Prince’s family update?
This is a total fabrication. The letter is released as part of you know who’s movement.
To enlighten you foreign academic scholars, The crown prince and his wife travelled to Florida regularly to visit his ex wife and their sons. You can ask any Thais residing in Orlando, Florida and they will tell you they were all seen together openly. To be exact, at Kissimee county !
There is no such thing as them being abandoned. Even their youngest sister was elevated to HRH princess status. Don’t you think she could have transfer them money if this is the case???
Htoo Htoo Han the confessor
This story was 2 days ago and alreaady it seems people are losing interest as there had not been too many followups in the media.
The following from Yahoo 7 news
“Two Burmese men living in Australia have joined their former commander in admitting to crimes against humanity as members of a military intelligence group in Burma………….
The two men say they acted under instructions from Han and other officers to torture and eliminate targets and to dispose of the bodies of dozens of murdered protesters.”
Full story here
http://au.news.yahoo.com/vic/latest/a/-/article/9952718/more-burmese-war-crime-admissions/
Indonesia and Burma: “Strong and dignified” states
Nick, I would expect that the place to ask would be Singapore.
For a period of at least several decades (now several decades ago) Singapore would have been a crucial entrep├┤t for the two.
Although both S.E.A.T.O. and the Non-Aligned [Nations] Movement are distant memories for most of us… they still have reverberations for the current generation of statesmen in both Singapore and Indonesia. (I assume that the Non-Aligned Movement has some nostalgia value in Burma, too…)
I wouldn’t be surprised if many of the early forums for “friendship and co-operation” were arranged by Singaporean universities and/or directly Sing. govt. supported overtures –and I’m guessing this is a side to the story that could be relatively easily researched (there may even be commemorative pins around from those events, too).
Singapore’s forums for “friendship and co-operation” have always been given greater momentum by the island’s arms trade. Singapore supplied weapons to Pol Pot; they supplied weapons to the Burmese Junta; and that seemed much more important in an era when there were political repercussions (if not logistical difficulties) in buying arms directly from China, Russia or even America.
Plane audacity in Thai dispute
Sam – 225
But in this case, I would add, a pre-existing official Thai Department of Aviation Authority registry listing of the CP as the owner is very strong presumptive evidence, indeed.
I would rather let BKKlaywer response to that, but I think I can clarify that in a simpler term, although I’m not a law practitioner but in my field of work I’m quite familiar with the ownership dispute. You see, the “pre-existing” registry doesn’t prove anything since it can be easily forged. Usually, when it comes to ownership dispute maybe it be land, cars, boats, or airplane, the court will ask for documents on who was paying the bill for maintenance and other related bill, since the user may simply borrow the asset. In my opinion, that is why BKKlawyer said that the evidence is inconclusive since the Thai side never be able prove that CP was the one who pays for the maintenance, sky access fees, and so on.
Moreover, since my first comment got so much disagree I think I want to expand a bit more on that. In my opinion, I really think that the price didn’t do anything wrong, but I never protect him. His senseless spending (along with other in his family) is directly draining from the poor Thais. However, we have to separate the issue, the CP is by all mean not a figure to look up to, but for this case its really not his fault.
Crown Prince’s family update?
Oh dear, his serene majesty the CP is having a hard time of it lately, I expect things are being hurled around – lets hope that ridiculous poodle is one of them.
This is interesting though: “Many people continue to speculate regarding our situation or to spread false and malicious rumors about us. Rather than addressing these issues in the open, and risk offending the institution, we have chosen to remain silent.”
Now why would dispelling false and malicious rumours cause offence to the monarchy? Unless of course there are skeletons to rattle.
I wonder if all this is at the behest of an opposing force within the Palace?
Indonesia and Burma: “Strong and dignified” states
Could it have something to do with Indonesia agreeing(?) to sell arms to Myanmar? Arms sales appear all the more legitimate if they’re being sold to a strong and dignified state!
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/05/20/myanmar-get-ri-rifles.html
Wonder what Sebastianus Sumarsono thinks of the Tatmadaw’s persecution of Muslims in Burma. Very dignified of the regime. Maybe they’ll even persecute them with Indonesian weapons!
Definitely the right country to chair ASEAN in 2014.
Refugee deal – a Malaysian view
There is a good article at East Asia Forum on this issue.
Mobile telephony in Burma
In the border areas is it possible to use mobile phones from the adjacent country?
Crown Prince’s family update?
First, the private jet issue and this week, the abandoned family speaks out.
Something is brewing.
What do you read on mainland Southeast Asia?
Mainly Burma related –
http://the-diplomat.com/
http://www.dvb.no/
http://www.altsean.org/index.php
http://monnews.org/