Than Shwe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Than Shwe
|
|
|---|---|
|
သန်းရွှေ
|
|
Than Shwe in 2010
|
|
| Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council | |
| In office 23 April 1992 – 30 March 2011 |
|
| Prime Minister |
See list
|
| Deputy | Maung Aye |
| Preceded by | Saw Maung |
| Succeeded by | Thein Sein (as president) |
| Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services | |
| In office 23 April 1992 – 30 March 2011 |
|
| Deputy | Maung Aye |
| Preceded by | Saw Maung |
| Succeeded by | Min Aung Hlaing |
| Prime Minister of Myanmar | |
| In office 23 April 1992 – 25 August 2003 |
|
| Leader | Himself |
| Preceded by | Saw Maung |
| Succeeded by | Khin Nyunt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 February 1933 Kyaukse, Upper Burma, British Burma (present-day Myanmar) |
| Political party | Union Solidarity and Development Association |
| Spouse | Kyaing Kyaing |
| Relations | Nay Shwe Thway Aung (grandson) |
| Children | Multiple, including: Htun Naing Shwe Kyaing San Shwe Thandar Shwe Khin Pyone Shwe Aye Aye Thin Shwe Kyi Kyi Shwe Dewa Shwe Thant Zaw Shwe |
| Alma mater |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Myanmar |
| Branch/service |  Myanmar Army |
| Years of service | 1953–2011 |
| Rank |  Senior General |
Than Shwe (Burmese: သန်းရွှေ; born 2 February 1933) is a retired army general from Myanmar. He held important leadership roles in the country's government. From 1992 to 2011, he was the chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). This meant he had a big impact on how Myanmar was run.
During his time as leader, Than Shwe had a lot of power. He worked on improving the economy and building new things like roads and buildings. He also tried to keep the country stable and manage internal issues. While he achieved some things, his leadership also faced criticism. In March 2011, he stepped down as head of state. This allowed Thein Sein, whom he chose, to become the new president. Min Aung Hlaing took over his role as the head of the armed forces. Than Shwe still has some influence within the military today.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Than Shwe was born on February 2, 1933, in a village called Minzu, near Kyaukse, in what was then British Burma (now Myanmar). His parents were Lay Myint and Seinn Yin. He went to Government High School in Kyaukse and finished his studies in 1949.
After school, he first worked as a postal clerk in Meiktila. However, he soon decided to join the military. He enlisted in the Burmese Army and became part of the ninth group to join the Officers Training School, Bahtoo.
Military Career and Rise to Power
After finishing Officer Training School, Than Shwe became a Second Lieutenant on July 11, 1953. He was a squad leader in the No. 1 Infantry Battalion. He moved up the ranks quickly. In 1955, he became a lieutenant and a platoon commander. By February 21, 1957, he was a captain and a company commander in the same battalion. He showed strong leadership skills during military operations in different parts of Myanmar.
In 1958, Than Shwe started working in the Directorate of Education and Psychological warfare. He also received special army officer training in the Soviet Union for several months. He continued to serve in psychological warfare units. In 1963, he became an instructor at the Central Political College.
Than Shwe was promoted to major in 1969. Between 1969 and 1971, he completed a special course at the Frunze Military Academy in the Soviet Union. He was known as 'the bulldog' in the military. He participated in many military operations during this time.
On August 23, 1971, he became the commanding officer of the No. 1 Infantry Battalion. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in September 1972. As a commanding officer, he led operations against various groups. In March 1977, he became a colonel.
In March 1980, Than Shwe took command of the 88th Light Infantry Division (LID). He oversaw several operations. In 1981, he was chosen to be a member of the ruling Burma Socialist Programme Party's Central Executive Committee.
He became a brigadier general in August 1984. In November 1985, he became the vice chief of staff for the Army. He was promoted to major general in 1986 and lieutenant general in 1987. In July 1988, he became the Deputy Minister of Defence.
After a military takeover on September 18, 1988, Than Shwe became the vice-chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). This was a military government led by Saw Maung. Than Shwe was promoted to full general in March 1990. He also became the vice-commander in chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces and commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Army.
On April 23, 1992, Saw Maung resigned. Than Shwe then became a senior general. He took over as the head of the State Peace and Development Council (the new name for SLORC) and the commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces.
His Leadership Style
Than Shwe made some changes to the economy, allowing more private business. He also supported Myanmar joining the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). He led a big effort to stop corruption in 1997.
A new "Constitution" was planned for many years, from 1993 to 2007. The main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, did not take part in creating this constitution.
Than Shwe's government kept tight control over the media. Journalists who spoke against the government were sometimes held. While Aung San Suu Kyi was released for a time in the late 1990s, she was later detained again in 2003. His economic plans were sometimes criticized.
He was known for being quiet and serious. Many saw him as a tough leader who did not support democracy. He rarely spoke to the media, often sharing messages through state newspapers on national holidays. A lavish wedding for his daughter, which included expensive items, caused controversy because many people in Myanmar were living in poverty.
Than Shwe was involved in the arrest of Prime Minister Khin Nyunt in 2004. This event greatly increased Than Shwe's own power. It was believed that Khin Nyunt was more moderate and disagreed with some of the hardline leaders.
Some say Than Shwe relied on advice from fortune tellers. This was a practice used by earlier leaders like General Ne Win.
In 2006, he met with the United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari in the new capital city of Naypyidaw. He allowed Gambari to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi. However, Than Shwe later refused to meet Gambari in 2007 and 2008.
In May 2008, after Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar, Than Shwe's government did not allow many foreign aid workers into the country. This led to criticism from the UN and other countries.
In July 2009, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon visited Myanmar and spoke with Than Shwe. However, the military government did not allow the UN chief to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi. Than Shwe also mentioned the upcoming 2010 election, saying he would be an "ordinary citizen" after a civilian government was formed.
In August 2010, there were rumors that Than Shwe and other top military officers had resigned their military posts. However, these rumors were later proven false.
Health and Family
Than Shwe's wife is Kyaing Kyaing. They have five daughters and three sons. Than Shwe is known to have diabetes, and there have been rumors about other health issues. He keeps his private life very secret.
In December 2006, Than Shwe traveled to Singapore. Concerns about his health grew when he did not attend an official Independence Day dinner in January 2007. This was the first time he had missed the annual dinner since 1992. He returned to Myanmar two weeks later after receiving treatment in Singapore.
In 2006, a home video of his daughter Thandar Shwe's wedding was shared online. The wedding was very lavish, with diamonds and champagne. This caused a lot of criticism because of the poverty in Myanmar. After the Saffron Revolution in 2007, there were unconfirmed reports that Than Shwe's wife and pets left the country.
In January 2009, Than Shwe's grandson, Nay Shwe Thway Aung, reportedly convinced him to consider buying the football club Manchester United. However, the plan was dropped because it was seen as inappropriate to spend so much money after a cyclone had killed many people.
In August 2021, Than Shwe and his wife tested positive for COVID-19. They were treated at a military hospital.
On October 23, 2024, Nay Soe Maung, Than Shwe's son-in-law, was detained by Myanmar's current military government. Nay Soe Maung is a doctor and a former military officer. He is also the father of Than Shwe's grandson, Nay Shwe Thway Aung. Authorities said he was detained because of his social media posts, which they claimed caused public disorder. This event shows the ongoing tensions within Myanmar's military leaders. It also highlights that family ties do not always offer protection in the current political situation.
In support of his father, Nay Shwe Thway Aung posted on Facebook: "Doing such things makes the people suffer... Let's think carefully." This shows the challenges faced by those connected to the former ruling elite.
Yadaya Rituals
Than Shwe was known to perform yadaya rituals. These are superstitious practices meant to help maintain power. He often followed advice from astrologers and shamans. For example, a jade Buddha statue carved in his image was placed near the Shwedagon pagoda in 1999. Important visitors like former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and Chinese president Xi Jinping have paid respects at this statue.
Than Shwe and other generals sometimes wore traditional female acheik-patterned longyi (sarongs) at public events. This unusual clothing choice was also believed to be a yadaya practice. It was thought to help neutralize the power of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Images for kids
-
Than Shwe in 2010
-
Rank insignia for Senior General
-
Indian president A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and the prime minister Manmohan Singh with Senior General Than Shwe, on October 25, 2004
-
India's President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is being welcomed by Senior General Than Shwe, on arrival at Yangon International Airport, Myanmar, 2006
-
In an October 2010 state visit, Burmese State Peace and Development Council members greeted Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva in acheik patterned longyi typically worn by women. Various sources attributed this to yadaya practices.
See also
In Spanish: Than Shwe para niños
