13 October

Nay Pyi Taz Zoological Garden and  Safari  Park  were  found  to  be teeming with visitors during the Thadingyut public holidays.

Following are the voices of the official and the visitors.

U Myo Min Htat, administrator, Nay Pyi Taw Zoological Garden and Safari Park

There  were  more  visitors  this  holiday  compared  to  last  year’s  Tahndingyut  holiday.  There was an average of six to seven  thousand  visitors  every  day. The zoo had 38 animal species totaling nearly six hundred. I’d  like  to  invite  all  to  visit  and  enjoy the zoo and the park.

Daw Swe Nwe Win (merchant, Tatkon Town)

I  came  from  Tatkon  near  Nay Pyi Taw. I think there’ll be more  visitors  tomorrow  so  I  brought  my  children  today.  Tomorrow,  I’ll  pay  respect  to  my  parents and elders in the neighborhood. I was busy last Thandingyut  and  didn’t  go  anywhere.  May all our people feel happy.

Ma Aye Thida Aung (Zeyathirit Town)

After  visiting  Nay  Pyi  Taw  Zoological  Garden  and  Safari  Park,  I’ll  visit  pagodas  around  Nay Pyi Taw and also the Water Fountain  Garden.  I’m  glad  to  have  the  chance  to  go  around  during the holiday. Tomorrow, I plan to go to Lay Khwin Mountain near here. I’m not going to faraway places this Thadingyut.

Ma Sandar Tun (company employee)

I’m  visiting  Nay  Pyi  Taw  from  Hlinethaya  during  the  holiday. Yesterday I went to Uppatasanti Pagoda, Bodhgaya and Water  Fountain  Garden.  After  visiting  Safari  Park,  I’ll  return  to Yangon later in the evening. It is convenient for workers like us to travel and visit places during long holidays.

Ko Zin (company employee)

I’m  visiting  Nay  Pyi  Taw  from  Yangon  with  my  friends.  We already went to markets and shopping centres in Nay Pyi Taw. After visiting Safari Park, we’ll go to  Water  Fountain  Garden  and  other parks. After staying in Nay Pyi Taw for two days, we’ll return to Yangon and rest in our house during the remaining holiday.

Ko Soe Wai Lwin (gasoline station attendant)

After  visiting  Safari  Park,  I’ll  pay  homage  to  Uppatasanti  Pagoda.  I’m  given  five  day-off  during  the  holiday  but  due  to  work  requirement  I’ll  go  back  to  work.  May  all  be  happy  and  healthy.

U Htat Aung Lwin (General Administration Department)

As a public servant I came frequently  to  Nay  Pyi  Taw  on  work. But this time, I’m here on holiday with my family. After visiting the zoo, we’ll go on to Safari Park, Bodhgaya and Uppatasanti Pagoda. After going around Nay Pyi Taw today, I’ll pay respect to my  parents  in  Bago.  This  year  Thandingyut holiday was five day so public servants can travel to faraway places.

Aung Htat Paing (company employee)

I came from Yangon together  with  a  social  welfare  group.  After visiting Nay Pyi Taw for a day, we’ll return to Yangon. May our country prosper.

U Aung Than Hlaing (Department of Population)

Even  though  I’m  a  public  servant, I hadn’t been to Nay Pyi Taw before. This is the first time I’m  here  and  I  came  together  with my family. We went to Uppatasanti Pagoda and Bodhgaya yesterday. Today, we’ll go to Safari Park, Lay Khwin Mountain, Water  Fountain  Garden  and  then return to Yangon. Most of our family members are workers  and  employees  assigned  in  different  places  so  it  is  only  during such long holidays that we can come together and go on long trips. May our country be prosperous and peaceful.

Ma Thet Thet Aung (grocery seller)

This  is  the  first  time  I’ve  been to Nay Pyi Taw. I’m visiting places we’ve never been to with my family. I’ve been yearning to visit Nay Pyi Taw for quite some time. It is quite a pleasant place. We came to the zoo first. There are many places to visit. We will visit  pagodas  and  significant  places  here.  After  visiting  the  zoo, we’ll go to Safari Park and Water Fountain Garden.

Interview by Han Lin NaingPhoto by Michael Htan (Translated by Zaw Min)