Junta to open power plant with gambling revenues

_{By Hseng Khio Fah}
 
“The gambling places are full of people day and night,” said a local source.
 
On 4 February,  Colonel Myint Than, chief of No.3 Military Higher Learning School, and Township Peace and Development Council’s chairman U Aung Maung called on the villag headmen and held a meeting at Ton Hoong village discussing about the opening of gambling houses. 
 
On 14 February, they were opened for 5 days at a location east of Township Peace and Development Council’s office, near Mwaydaw Narm Mong pagoda. The authorities received Kyat 200,000 (US $ 167) per day as tax, said a local source.
 
Again on 18 February, the gambling was moved to Wan Gao Nawng Lao, Kunlong tract, west of Keng Tawng Waterfall. The authorities received the same rate of taxes.  The gambling houses are to open until March 21.As for the entertainment, Shan artists are performing traditional plays, said the source.
 
“We don't even have money to buy food but our husbands are gambling all the time. Now we are in debt. I don't know where I can find the money and pay back for that,” complained a wife.
 
Most people flee to Thailand because they are facing difficulties in earning money. Since the authorities opened gambling houses, the problem has worsened. Some couples are quarrelling every day, and some have divorced. For one particular family, the couple got divorced and had to sell the house to repay the debts and the children are left to live with their grandparents, she added.
 
The Keng Tawng Hydro power plant was built in 19 November 2001 in Kengtawng sub-township, Mongnai township, Langkher district, Southern Shan State. The construction was completed at the end of January 2008 and the opening ceremony is to be held on 21 March 2008, the Full Moon Day of the Fourth Month, according to the lunar calendar.