Naypyidaw's Tatkon Township Permits Gambling Rings Under Guise of Pagoda Festival

Administration Permits Gambling at Pagoda Festival for Fees

Local authorities in Naypyidaw have permitted gambling operations at a pagoda festival in exchange for substantial fees, according to residents. The festival is being held at Letpantaw village in Kammuntaung village tract, Tatkon Township, to celebrate the erection of a new pagoda spire, replacing one that collapsed during an earthquake.

The village administration committee has allowed approximately 20 gambling tables to operate from February 23 to 26. A local source told Myotawn that a fee of around 2.5 million kyat was paid to the committee, led by village head U Tin Saung.

"Village head U Tin Saung is leading this. They said they had to pay about 2.5 million kyat as a line fee. U Tin Saung, U Kyaw Moe, and village tract administrator U Than Htike shared the money. They permitted 20 gambling tables," a resident said.

Police and Officials Allegedly Receive Bribes

Separate, larger payments were allegedly made to local police and security officials to secure permission for the gambling activities. Sources indicate organizers paid roughly 45 million kyat to the Tatkon Township police force.

The payments were reportedly distributed among several officials. "We had to pay the ward administration team and the township police force," another local explained. "Township Administrator Myint Soe got 1 million, Deputy Police Chief Nyi Nyi Tun got 1 million, and Area Control Officer and Deputy Police Inspector Aye Min Oo got 2.5 million."

Arrests and Extortion Cast Shadow Over Festivals

The festival atmosphere is marred by fear of arbitrary conscription drives. Before the Letpantaw festival began, a villager was reportedly forcibly taken for military service by a recruitment commission team on February 20.

"The pagoda festival hasn't even started yet, but one person has already been taken for conscription. When the festival begins, we don't know how many village youths will be taken. I'm worried," a resident said.

This pattern of extortion is not isolated. At a pagoda festival in Magyi Hton village, Pantanaw Township, Bago Region, gambling operators were also forced to pay extra. Beyond standard festival fees, they paid an additional "conscription avoidance fee" to the township management committee, police, village administration, and area control officers to prevent attendees from being seized for military service.