News of Mon National Day

[mul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Mon National Day, Bangkok, February 1, 1999

About 1,000 people gathered into the monastery compound of Wat Bangyaphrek=
in Samutsakorn for commemoration of Mon National Day. Most of the=
attendants were in Mon National costume standstill in front of a huge=
stage. The ceremony started at 8 o'cock in the morning by saluting the Thai=
and Mon national flags and respect to Mon national leaders. And followed by=
speech of Phra Ajan Marlai the abbot of Wat Bangyaphrek, Nai Pan Thaw (the=
Chairman MND celebration committee), Nai Kitti (representative from Thai=
Mon Community). The statement of MND celebration committee was read by Nai=
Chan and the translation was read by Nai Ramanya Kelasa (from Canada).=
Finally, MUL General Secretary Nai Sunthorn was honoured to give a speech=
and then the ceremony was closed. After the ceremony, the traditional=
luncheon was served for everyone.  The luncheon and food during the=
celebration was hosted by Mi Lamyai, local Thai-Mon lady of Samutsakorn.=
And for entertainment, a Mon Music Band from Maniloi Camp performed for two=
nights. A well known Mon singer from MRC (US) presented at the Music band=
through out the celebration.


News from the border:

MUL chairman Nai Pisarn led a group of Thai human rights activists to=
Sangklaburi with the aim to take part at Mon National day in NMSP HQs.=
About 100 men and women riding on 10 pickup trucks or 4 wheel drive left=
Sangklaburi early in the morning of 30 Feb. 1999, but stuck at the border=
check point for hours in negotiating with Thai border patrol police. And=
then arrived at a areca nut garden village of Kannee in the evening of the=
same day.  Kannee used to be a place where NMSP held MND celebration two=
years ago. Because of the heavy rain of that nights the group had to cancel=
it plan for NMSP HQs, but headed to Halockanee in stead. They spent the=
moon full night of 31 Jan. 1999 at the NMSP military base near Halockanee. =
And in the early morning of the next day they attended the silent and=
simple celebration of Mon National day held by Mon refugees in the camp.=
And late in the morning, after the ceremony, they returned to Sangklaburi=
and then headed to Bangkok in the same day. According to Nai Pisarn, the=

human rights activists are very much satisfied with the trip in Monland.


Mon National Day in Hongsawatoi and other place in Mon State:

This year, NMSP did not hold a big celebration by its HQs, but support to do=
in every district in Mon State.  In Hongsawatoi or Pegu, the capital of old=
Monland, there was a big celebration of Mon National Day. Mon people from=
Rangoon came down and the people from Moulmein went up to Hongsawatoi in=
order to take part in the special event of Mon National Day this year. Gen=
Aung Nain, from NMSP presented there as a representative while Gen. Htaw=
Mon went to Tavoy and Nai Hongsa went to Kya-in (Moulmein district)=
respectively. Vice President Nai Htin and General Secretary of NMSP Nai=
Rossa stay in HQs and isolated by heavy rain during the Mon National day.


Thank you,

Sunthorn=20

<italic>Sunthorn Sripanngern

</italic>Generan Secretary

Mon Unity League (MUL)

P.O.Box 11, Ratburana

Bangkok 10140

Thailand

Tel/Fax:(+662)428-6232