Aungban

Aungban Template:My
Aungban Location in Burma
Coordinates: 20°40′0″N 96°38′0″E
Country	Myanmar
Division	Shan State
Districts	Taunggyi District
Township	Kalaw Township
Population  (2005)
• Total	50,000
• Religions	Buddhism
Time zone	UTC+6.30 (MST)

Aungban (Template:Lang-my) is a town located in the Southern Shan State. It is located in Kalaw Township which is part of Taunggyi District. It lies at the elevation of 4219 feet above sea level. As of September 2017, its population was recorded 30313. It is a junction town and thus majority of agricultural products (mainly potato, garlic, ginger, cabbage, tomato, cauliflower, orange, tea-leave) from nearby towns and villages are collected there by traders and distributed to other parts of country, especially to Yangon, Mandalay, Kayin and Mon States.

As a trade hub in the region, more than half a dozen of banks are being operated. As a logistically important place, most of the biggest companies in the country set up branch offices there, creating much employment opportunities for local people. Job opportunities vary from porters and lorry-drivers to mid-level management officers. The town also plays a strategic role for military works that it has become an army base. 700-bedded military hospital started its operation in 2000s, providing healthcare service not only to military personnels but also to wider public. Aungban-Loikaw railroad was constructed in 1992. Condition of motorway from Aungban to Loikaw was significantly improved over the past few years and local people no longer rely on train services nowadays.

Recent boom in tourism industry of Kalaw as a popular hiking spot and hill station has brought some impact to Aungban as well. There are more than 5 hotels offering hundreds of rooms to visitors.

The town get quickly urbanized during President U Thein Sein´s term. Despite earning much municipal taxes from local businesses and people, township administrative parties were focusing mainly on Kalaw that the town grew double in size without proper civil planning. No public amenities for the population it host and private business sector starts to take chance by developing swimming pools, playground, football pitches, etc around the town. There is a small lake,namely Mingalar Lake in Bahtoo Park. Once it was a collection of drain water discharged from living quarters, renovation and restoration works for the park and the lake was carried out by the chairman of KBZ bank and now it becomes a recreational place for the locals.

The motorway passing through Aung Ban is upgraded to 4-lane way recently. Consequently, buildings fall under motorway´s zoning undergone demolition. Captain Ba Htoo´s (one of the most famous leaders during Burma´s Independence Movement during colonial period) Memorial Monument was destroyed and build back in the Ba Htoo park. Controversials and criticisms arose around the country for complete demolimishment without considering for relocation. The town´s 100-years-anniversary clock-tower at the Pindaya junction was removed as well. Upgrade will be finished by April 2019 and now the town got newer look. However, common use of motorway for town´s own traffic and speedy expressway vehicles is likely to lead accidents unless proper traffic offence penalty is practiced.

External links

• Satellite map at Maplandia.com