October, 2010 - Vol.18 No.10
A Foregone Conclusion
As Burmese prepare to go to the polls in November, THE IRRAWADDY takes a close look at the lineup of the parties.

Hope on the Horizon?
ALEX ELLGEE tours some of the election constituencies and finds evidence of hope as well as resignation among many voters.

Locked In, Locked Out
The November election holds little hope for Burma's disenfranchised political prisoners, reports BO KYI.



A Better Role Model
Indonesia may be in a position to influence Burma when Jakarta takes over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2011, reports SAW YAN NAING.

Home Stretch
Although Thailand's rubber plantations depend on Burmese laborers, dreams of making enough money to build a new existence back home often go unfulfilled, reports KYAW THEIN KHA.



Finding Peace in Prison
B.L.Goenka is allowed by the Burmese authorities to help prison inmates find peace through the vipassana meditation technique. In an interview with The Irrawaddy's MIN NAING THU, he describes his meditation program.



The Long Goodbye
The post-election plans of Burmese regime chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe are shrouded in uncertainty, writes AUNG ZAW in an assessment of the opportunities open to the aging general.



River of Gold
Burma's Irrawaddy River is the source of some of the gold that adorns the country's temples and Buddha images. Photographer PATRICK BLANCHE followed its route from the Irrawaddy to the Golden Rock of Kyaiktiyo.



THE BACK PAGE
Rangoon Rocks to Reggae
A 42-year-old Bob Marley fan is popularizing reggae music in Rangoon.

Mapping a New Art Trend
An exhibition by artist Nay Myo Say draws the crowds at the Rangoon's International Business Center.



Eye of the Revolution
THE IRRAWADDY pays tribute to a remarkable friend of Burma―the Thai documentary film maker Sam Kalayanee, who died in September from lung cancer.



A Royal Sum of Money
On a visit to Rangoon, WITHAYA HUANOK discovers in a roadside teashop just how useless the new 5,000 kyat bank note is in normal commerce.



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