Pyi-daung-zu Myan-ma Naing-ngan-daw

Here are some registered covers I have been receiving from Myanmar thanks to my friend U Ang Ko! On top of the privilege of receiving covers from this "philatelically dead" country as my friend refers to it, it is great to receive stamps on my favorite themes: independence! These are truly wonderful covers which I cherish in my collection.

This first cover has the complete 3v set for the ratification of the 2008 constitution. The constitutional referendum law was enacted and a referendum commission was set up on 26 February 2008. Reportedly, the law ensures the secret casting of votes and requires a public count of the ballots to prove it is fair.

Among the changes that the referendum seeks to make are:

• a quarter of the parliamentary seats would be reserved for military officers
• the Ministry of Home Affairs would fall exclusively under military control
• anyone married to a non-Burmese would be barred from running for the presidency.

It was reported that the elections for the ratification of the constitution were fixed, with heavy intimidation at poll stations. In some cases, there were already ticks on the ballot and dissidents who refused to accept these ballots were reportedly sent to prison. The constitution enjoyed a landslide victory with 93% "voting" yes. Because of the widespread cheating, on May 6, 2008, the United States Congress passed a condemnation of the Burmese constitution and referendum, by a 413-1 vote.


This next cover has the 2002 FIFA Centennial issue as well as 1 of the stamps on the 2v set from 2002 celebrating the 54th Independence Day.


FIFA is the governing body of international football associations. Interestingly, FIFA has 208 member associations, which is 16 more than the United Nations and three more than the International Olympic Committee, though five fewer than the International Association of Athletics Federations. The stamp also celebrates the victory of the Myanmar team at the first AFF U17 Championship & Fairplay Cup held in Bangkok in 2005.

The other stamps on the lower left is a definitive from a set of 6 issued in 1998/1999. Apparently, the cover used is some sort of official postal stationery as it already has some postage (a virtually worthless 2 Kyat) printed on it.

This last cover seems like it may be an official FDC, but my friend tells me otherwise. It shows has the complete 2v set from 2007 that celebrates the 59th year of Independence from the British. The other stamp is a definitive.


These three covers are apparently FDCs and, according to my friend, there are no official covers or cachets so all FDCs are personal covers.