For Buddhist-majority countries in southeast Asia like Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, the full moon day of the third month in the lunar calendar is a sacred event, one that venerates the teachings of Buddha, a commemoration popularly known as Makha Bucha in Thailand. Among Burmese (Myanmar) Buddhists, however, the …
Read More »Photo Essay: Beaches, Buddha, Bejeweled, Burma
National Geographic names Burma as one of its Best Trips for 2013. With a new era in politics being ushered by the homegrown champion of democracy Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma (which the junta changed to Myanmar) has opened up its doors that were, since the 1960s, closed to the …
Read More »The Ethnic Neighborhoods of Singapore
Compared to neighboring Asian countries, Singapore has the strongest diversity. In many diverse cities, there are neighborhoods where distinct ethnic groups migrate to. New York has Koreatown, Little Italy, and Little Brazil, to name a few. Singapore has Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam, each staying true to their respective …
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