Min Aung Hlaing, leader of Myanmar's military government, appeared publicly just four days after spinal surgery and ordered the Thingyan water festival to proceed vibrantly across the country despite an oil crisis and rising living costs.
On 27 March 2026, General Min Aung Hlaing, leader of Myanmar's military government, ordered the nationwide Thingyan festival—the traditional water-splashing event—to proceed despite ongoing oil shortages and economic downturns within the country. During the meeting, he also directed relevant agencies to prevent oil shortages from impacting the festival and suggested the public participate in "water-splashing walks" as an alternative to vehicle processions that consume large amounts of fuel.
He emphasized that this year’s festival must be held smoothly and without restrictions like last year, when the event was scaled down following the major earthquake on 28 March 2025.
This directive came during an energy security meeting in Naypyidaw, marking the first public appearance of Myanmar's leader just four days after undergoing spinal surgery.
Reports state that the leader underwent a two-hour spinal surgery on 20 March at a 1,000-bed military hospital, performed by specialist doctors from India. He was diagnosed with degenerative spinal disease and spinal canal stenosis, conditions common among the elderly.
Although the government confirmed he had returned to his duties normally, news of the surgery sparked rumors on social media about potentially more serious illness and internal power struggles ahead of forming a new government. Nevertheless, his swift public appearance is seen as an effort to counter these rumors.
Source: Irrawaddy