Most people will agree that Thingyan is the wildest time of the year in this country. However, in order to make sure that no one goes too far off the rails, the Yangon Police Force is beefing up city-wide security in anticipation of the upcoming festivities.
“Multiple police departments will be providing security. With 6000 police officers, 1000 firefighters, and several members of the health ministry and Red Cross, there will be a total of over 8000 security officers [stationed during Thingyan],” confirmed Yangon Regional Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Tin Aung Tun, as quoted by 7Day.
In spite of the beefed up security — which is 1000 more officers than last year — police are reminding citizens to be wary of date-rape drugs and to report any suspicious behavior. They have also banned the selling of bottled liquor near mandats, pointing out that beer bottles could be used as weapons.
Thingyan has always been a point of concern for officials, especially in regards to terror plots. In 2010, an anti-government protestor set off three bomb blasts that killed 8 people at various mandats across Yangon.
According to the Yangon Regional Police Force, there were 107 recorded offenses during last year’s Thingyan, including 16 vehicular accidents and 45 pickpocket incidents.
Across the country, a total of 159 offenses including four deaths and 91 injuries were recorded during 2014’s Thingyan, and 174 offenses including 16 deaths and 356 injuries in 2015.
Authorities estimate that Yangon will host approximately 60 mandats this year, with at least 20 uniformed and plainclothes security officers stationed at each mandat.
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