In the past, public participation was muted, with many choosing not to celebrate following the 2021 coup. Five years after Myanmar’s military coup, people have begun returning to the streets for Thingyan – the country’s traditional New Year festival – after years of boycotting public celebrations. This year’s festivities – held from Monday to Thursday (Apr 13 to 16) and followed by the Myanmar New Year on Friday – have taken place against the backdrop of ongoing armed conflict and just over a