Myanmar will hold by-elections tomorrow, with the country’s democracy icon Ms Aung San Suu Kyi running as a candidate. The country is slowly opening up to political reform, tourism and more foreign investments. The country, located between India, China and Thailand, has been isolated from the international community after decades of military rule. The Enquirer releases some glimpses of the nation once seen as the Southeast Asia’s most promising country back in the 1950s.
Buddhists pray to one of the many Buddhist statues in Shwedagon Pagoda. The temple is a rallying point for many political uprisings for Burma such as the 1988 democracy uprising and the saffron revolution in 2007.
Buddhists lighting candles as part of their prayers at the country's holiest temple. Buddhism is followed by 89 percent of Myanmar's population and it plays an important role in the spiritual life of the people.
Elaborate roof designs at Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon. Many temples in the country are covered with gold leaf, showing the amount invested in temples from a people not known for having abundant wealth.
A road sign and posters in Yangon downtown. China, Myanmar's neighbour up north, has considerable cultural influence in the country. Mandarin lessons are becoming more common.
A Burmese university student at Inle Lake, Myanmar. University students were once a potent force in the country, leading demonstrations in 1988 that ended the rule of Burmese dictator Ne Win. However, they were suppressed by Ne Win's military successors. Today, the country's top university, Yangon University, is open for only a few selected Masters programmes.
International brands are slowing making its way into the country. In downtown Yangon, Giordano has opened a small outlet.
Women in Shan State travelling on an open air lorry. Few in the country can afford their own automobile.
Many vehicles in Myanmar are old. Lorries and pickups are common modes of transport. Many lorries lack a tailboard too.
A villager and his children at Inle Lake, Myanmar.
Children are exited about visitors coming to their village. Shan State, Myanmar.
A farmer in Shan State working on his field. Agriculture is still the primary means of earning money for the majority of citizens in this country.
A farmer surveys her farm located in the hilly regions of Shan State.
Farmers transport firewood on bullock carts. Myanmar has large reserves of virgin forest and it is a prime source of teak wood.
During the closing minutes of 2011, Burmese crowds release hot air balloons into the air to celebrate the New Year.
These photographs are taken on a field trip to Myanmar organised by the NTU Environmental Endeavour (EE2). More photographs can be found at the author’s photo blog.
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