RANGOON — Two private planes reserved for Burma's junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe and four other top leaders are named “White Elephant.”Did Than Shwe fly with the “white elephant” to Sri Lanka last year? (Photo: Reuters)
According to the regime's Ministry of Transport, the two ATR 72-500 planes, painted in white, are used by the top five military brass—Snr-Gen Than Shwe, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, Gen Thura Shwe Man, Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein and Secretary 1 Gen. Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo.
The name, which is intended to carry good luck, was suggested by astrologers.
The planes are believed to have been bought by Myanma Airways of the Ministry of Transport and are keep in a special maintenance building under tight security.
Based on photo records, Snr-Gen Than Shwe used a plane owned by Myanmar Airways International when he visited Sri Lanka in November 2009.
A popular astrologer in Rangoon said that naming the aircraft white elephants was not only an attempt to avert misfortune but also a portent to conquer enemies.
“In the past when Burmese kings became powerful and glorious, white elephants emerged naturally or neighbouring countries offered them to the kings respectfully. There were evidence in Burmese history that kings with white elephants defeated their enemies,” said the astrologer.
It is an open secret that Than Shwe and his wife, Kyaing Kyaing, like many members of the ruling military, are deeply superstitious and rely on astrologers and other soothsayers to advise them. Sources close to the military said that members of Than Shwe entourage have even been using royal court language.
Astrological calculations were mainly involved in the creation of new 5,000 kyat notes in 2009, which have a “white elephant” image, and in the move of the regime's infrastructure to Pyinmana in 2005 when the new capital was officially named Naypyidaw, said an astrologer in Rangoon.
According to Naypyidaw sources, some leaders of the military regime consult Brahmins with expertise in astrology every week to try to avert impending misfortune if necessary.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday the state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar reported that Than Shwe and his wifve will keep nine Buddhist precepts on Tuesday, the full moon day of the second month in the Buddhist lunar calendar.
Nine precepts were practiced by Burmese kings and their relatives, according to Burmese researchers.
In Theravada Buddhist countries like Burma, Buddhist laymen and laywomen will often spend one day a week on Uposatha days—the new moon, first-quarter moon, full moon and last-quarter moon days—living in the monastery and practicing the eight Buddhist precepts.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy, the Malaysia-based Sasana Moli International Burmese Monk Organization secretary, Rev Ujjota, said, “The main idea is they want number nine for good luck. They are not doing it in compassion for other beings. I assume they do it because the astrologer’s advised them to .”
Ko Htwe also contributed this article.
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