I have written many articles about the people who I have known during my life. My main interest is in the migrant workers from Myanmar working in Thailand. However, it is difficult to find encouraging news about Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. Many employers abuse and cheat migrant workers. Migrant workers exist in a system of corrupt brokers, government officials, and police. Bribes, extortion, and trafficking of young women are still very serious problems. Despite the hardships faced by many migrant workers in Thailand, the truth is that Thai and Myanmar cultures have very much in common – especially through the Buddhist religion. Most Thai people see that our common values are more important than our ‘nationality’. One such person is my student who is studying Myanmar Language from me. She has been to Myanmar seven times. This article is about the things she told me about her experiences in Myanmar.

“Yes” is an easy word to say, but sometimes it is difficult to convey the emotion with a word we frequently utter. What I want to tell you is: “Yes, I love Myanmar!” I don’t know when I started to love Myanmar. And I don’t know how to explain everything about my love for Myanmar. What I can tell you for sure is that I love Myanmar culture, language and so on. The landscapes you will encounter in Myanmar, such as the mountains, hills, forests, caves, waterfalls and beaches are spectacular. Even the snow-capped mountains in the north are magnificent. I must mention Myanmar food, too! Myanmar food is very delicious. My favorite dishes are mohinga, Shan noodles, tea leaf salad, mixed papaya salad, fried chicken, and barbecued shrimp. I like everything! While I’m writing this, I am getting very hungry! My stomach is starting to growl thinking about all this wonderful food! Studying the Myanmar language is not easy. The letters in the Burmese alphabet are circular. For me the letters are beautiful but it is very difficult for me to remember all of them. I’m lucky because  I have a very good Burmese teacher. I will never forget him because he has taught me with kindness and patience. I am very grateful to him. Although there are many different religious traditions in Myanmar, most people follow Buddhism in the same way that Thai people follow Buddhism. You can see the similarities when you visit a monastery, temple or pagoda. Buddhism is the path to peace and tranquility.