Burma princeling’s
‘Boastful’ e-mail in Singapore
But for how long as US freezing of parents’ assets take effect? Theonlinecitizen
Nov 10, 2007

This is an extract from a report from The First Post, reports Theonlinecitizen

While Burma’s wealthiest tycoon, Tay Za, tries to protect his millions from US-led efforts to destroy his business empire, his 19-year-old son Htet Tay Za is living it up in Singapore and has sent an arrogant email to friends - accompanied by photos of him partying with pretty girls - saying: “US bans us. We’re still f--king cool in Singapore.”

The email, which is believed to be genuine, continues: “We’re sitting on the whole Burmese GDP. We’ve got timber, gems and gas to be sold to other countries like Singapore, China, India and Russia.

“My brother is rocking on his red brand-new Lamborghini with hot sexy Western chicks… and I need another Ferrari to rock on.”

A former schoolfriend said: “The email seems to be genuine. That’s his style. He’s an arrogant bastard. The pictures of him partying are certainly genuine and recent.”

Htet Tay Za attends one of Singapore’s most expensive schools, the United World College of South East Asia, but it’s not clear whether his famous father will be able to afford the fees much longer as sanctions on Burma’s business leaders begin to bite.

Tay Za’s airline, Bagan Air, is reported to be in deep trouble. Local Burmese are boycotting its services because of Tay Za’s close links with the hated junta.

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/11/10/son-of-burmese-tycoon-sends-boastful-email-to-friends/

Meanwhile in an article headlined “Myanmar's generals hit where it hurts”, Bertil Lintner of the Asia Times reported: -

For Htet Tay Za, a 19-year-old member of Myanmar's elite who attends an exclusive and expensive international school in Singapore, life is often a party.

A picture recently obtained by the Chiang Mai-based publication The Irrawaddy shows the young man being kissed on the cheek by a bikini clad Caucasian woman.

In another portrait, the partying youngster is seen in festive mood beside a male friend puffing on a water pipe.

But the party may be over soon for Htet Tay Za, as his father who pays the bills for his lavish lifestyle, Tay Za, figures prominently in an October 19 executive order from the US Treasury Department that aims to block his assets and make it illegal for US citizens to have any business dealings with him and his private companies.

Earlier US sanctions, first imposed in 1997 and increased following an attack on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her followers in May 2003, were often criticised because they broadly banned all new investment into and imports from Myanmar.

The latter measures forced textile factories to close down or to move across the border to Thailand.

Thousands of workers lost their jobs, while the economic impact on members of the ruling junta was minimal.

This time, however, the US has imposed what it is referring to as "smart sanctions" that target specific individuals and companies…..

.. The recent action against the Myanmar government and corporate entities still may not force the junta to embark on a serious dialogue with the country's hobbled pro-democracy movement.

Unlike previous US sanctions, however, this time they will certainly hurt the ruling generals and their business cronies more than ordinary Myanmar workers and citizens.

Tay Za is the 42-year-old manager of the Myanmar-based Htoo Trading Company, which among other subsidiaries controls the Singapore-registered Htoo Wood Products, Pavo Trading, and Air Bagan.

Through the new sanctions, all of those companies are now blacklisted by the US government.

The businessman is known to be very close to junta leader General Than Shwe and when he first launched into business he made a point of employing the children of powerful generals - which presumably paved the way for him to land lucrative government contracts.

Among those currently or formerly on his payroll are Aung Thet Mann, the son of General Shwe Mann, the junta's third ranking official after Than Shwe and army chief General Maung Aye.

According to a 2005 report in The Irrawaddy, Tay Za is also close to Than Shwe's son, Kyaing San Shwe, whom Tay Za presented with a US-made Hummer, for undisclosed reasons.

Htoo Trading, which is engaged in timber exports, property development, palm oil production, arms deals and aviation, was one of two construction companies granted lucrative contracts to build the new national capital at Naypyidaw, to which the government moved from Yangon in November 2005.

Also included on the new US sanctions list is Tay Za's wife, Thidar Zaw, and another son, Pye Phyo Za, who spends most of his time in a luxury apartment in Singapore. (Truncated)

For full report:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/IK02Ae01.html