Myanmar Gets New National Flag Ahead Of Election

[george]

Myanmar gets new flag ahead of election

YANGON, October 21, 2010 (AFP) - Myanmar's junta began using a new national flag Thursday as it gears up for a rare election next month that critics say is a charade aimed at putting a civilian facade on military rule.

The new flag, featuring a large white star on a background of yellow, green and red horizontal stripes, was hoisted in front of City Hall in the main city Yangon, in a ceremony due to have been held around the country.

The timing of the flag's introduction -- which was announced shortly beforehand on state television -- was unexpected.

According to the authorities, the colours symbolise peace, tranquility, solidarity, harmony, love and unity.

The flag was enshrined in a new constitution adopted in 2008 after a widely criticised referendum held days after a cyclone laid waste to vast swathes of the country and left 138,000 people dead or missing.

The old flag, introduced in 1974, is red and blue with 14 white stars circling a cog wheel and rice ears in the top left corner.

The November 7 election -- the first in 20 years -- has been widely criticised by Western governments who say the vote cannot be democratic without the participation of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-10-21

[wileycoyote]

New name for an old country,new names for old cities ,now a new national flag !

Psychologists would ask why ?

[gotlost]

Is this it?

[LeungKen]

I quite like this one :-

1300-1885: Thu Ye Gyee flag (Hero's flag)

More about the flags of Burma/Myanmar here :-

http://www.fotw.net/flags/mm-hist.html#1886

[angiud]

Look like this one.

[Shipwreck]

Looks like they changed it a bit from the original 2006 design?

[gemini81]

haha, yeah rare election, not fair election.

[gotlost]

Looks like...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Burma

[Shipwreck]

Although it is a major change and frankly I liked the old one better, at least it is better than the peacock version of 1943-45.

Also, is Myanmar now like Ghana's redheaded stepchild?

(Current flag of Ghana since 1966)

[phiphidon]

Although it is a major change and frankly I liked the old one better, at least it is better than the peacock version of 1943-45.

Also, is Myanmar now like Ghana's redheaded stepchild?

(Current flag of Ghana since 1966)

That Bob Marleys' got a lot to answer for.........

[chantorn]

At lease it looks better that the old one which is so USSR era looking.

[tomyummer]

I like the one with the Dear Leader on the flag. It's more distinguished.

[sirchai]

New name for an old country,new names for old cities ,now a new national flag !

Psychologists would ask why ?

It would be nice to see human rights instead of Army, corruption, the right politicians and some changes in their foreign affairs.

Guess many people would like a holiday there under much different circumstances.

Not just under a new flag with the old shitty military- others have no rights- policy.

Some tourism, a kind of Democracy and many things would change. Or was it just a dream? Just a dream? :jap:

[chantorn]

New name for an old country,new names for old cities ,now a new national flag !

Psychologists would ask why ?

New flag is OK.

It could be worst.... New currency, plus declare the old one void.

[bristolgeoff]

a fixed election nothing will change.a new flag will not change the end result.a shame really, could be a nice country to see

[rodcourt49]

haha, yeah rare election, not fair election.

the colours symbolise peace, tranquility, solidarity, harmony, love and unity.

..sounds like Never Never Land.

[fstarbkk]

Hmmm... talk about window dressing!