Local residents of Bagan face economic hardship amid PDF threats
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Hsu/Pearl (NP News) - July 7
Local residents in Bagan, who are under threat from the PDF are struggling financially, according to local sources interviewed by The Statesman.
In Nyaung-U Township, Mandalay Region, frequent clashes between the military and PDF groups have displaced many residents. Additionally, the Bagan Pyi Bilu” PDF publicly issued threats in June to launch attacks in Bagan —a UNESCO World Heritage site.
“Many Locals from Nyaung-U Township have been fleeing to Kyaukpadaung and Nyaung-U downtown areas as internally displaced people. They are staying in monasteries. The situation is unstable there— sometimes tense, sometimes calm. Travel is no longer easy, and people don’t feel safe. There are hardly any people traveling between Bagan, Nyaung-U, and Kyaukpadaung anymore. We don’t want to see religious heritage damaged, nor do we want destruction anywhere else,” a resident said.
Currently, the number of tourist arrivals to Bagan and Nyaung-U surrounding areas have drastically decreased as a result of the PDF threats. Local businesses that depend on tourism—including market vendors, hotel, and restaurant industries—are reporting financial distress.
“There are barely any tourists now. When tourists used to come, we could sell fried potatoes on the road to Bagan from Kyaukpadaung. Previously, shops selling palm toddy and other goods used to make about 20 million kyats per day. Now, there are no customers. Similarly, the entire tourism chain in Bagan—from the e-bike rental owners to hotel owners—used to benefit when tourists came. Without tourists, everyone is struggling now. The situation is particularly bad along the right side of Bagan's main bypass road. And it’s been a long time that access to Tantkyitaung has been cut off”, the resident continued.–