Than Shwe
Than Shwe (Burmese: သန်းရွှေ; pronounced: [θáɴ ʃwè]; born 2 February 1933) is a Burmese strongman politician, retired commander in chief and Military Ruler of Myanmar until 2010. He was the head of state of Burma from 1992 to 2011 as Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). In March 2011 he officially stepped down as head of state in favour of his hand-picked successor, Thein Sein, and as head of the Armed Forces, being replaced by general Min Aung Hlaing.
Than Shwe | |
|---|---|
မိသန်း | |
 | |
| Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council | |
| In office 23 April 1992 – 30 March 2011 | |
| Deputy | Maung Aye |
| Preceded by | Saw Maung |
| Succeeded by | Thein Sein as President |
| Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Myanmar | |
| In office 23 April 1992 – 30 March 2011 | |
| Deputy | Maung Aye |
| Preceded by | Saw Maung |
| Succeeded by | Min Aung Hlaing |
| 8th Prime Minister of Burma | |
| In office 23 April 1992 – 25 August 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Saw Maung |
| Succeeded by | Khin Nyunt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 February 1933[1] Kyaukse, Upper Burma, British India (now in Myanmar) |
| Nationality | Burmese |
| Spouse(s) | Kyaing Kyaing |
| Relations | Nay Shwe Thway Aung (grandson) |
| Children | 8 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Myanmar |
| Branch/service | Myanmar Army |
| Years of service | 1953 - 2011 |
| Rank |  Senior General |
Than Shwe is suffering from diabetes and he is rumored to have colorectal cancer.[2]
Than Shwe Media
Indian President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with General Than Shwe, on October 25, 2004
India's President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is being welcomed by Chairman Gen Than Shwe, on arrival at Yangon International Airport, Myanmar, 2006
Than Shwe meets with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Naypyidaw in 2010.
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.
References
- ↑ "Than Shwe". Alternative Asean Network on Burma. Archived from the original on 2008-07-19. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ↑ "Than Shwe Watch". Irrawaddy.org. 2009-03-10. Archived from the original on 2011-03-02. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
Other websites
- Than Shwe at WN