The monks are deeply respected in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar and keeping them content is a major preoccupation of the junta. They are not aloof. Not all agree. Complaints about the junta's performance abound. Forced labor and 116,000 refugees along the Thai border bring shame to Yangon.
Tourism is down.
More important, so too is the rice harvest. This year no rice will be exported to conserve stocks for domestic use and prevent possible unrest. Oppositionists could tell him. In December, several NLD members were given lengthy jail terms in what many view as an ongoing political witchhunt. The movements of NLD Sec.-Gen.