Vendors start selling Thadingyut lanterns, toys in Pakokku

The lanterns and toys are started selling in Pakokku township, Magway region before the Thadingyut festival period.
These Thadingyut signature lanterns and toys are sold along the entrance gates of Myoma market and in front of the Thihoshin pagoda. Those are made for sale by the Myanmar traditional handicraft artists from wards 1, 10 and 13.
Prices for Thadingyut lanterns range from K600 to K800, while toys come in various shapes, including aeroplanes, ships, rabbits and horses, costs from K1,500-K3,000 per one depending on the size and design. They also accept special orders for lanterns and toys in the Thadingyut festival.
People start making lanterns and toys in September. To make them, the handicraft artists buy K500 for parchment paper and K200 for greaseproof paper. Last year, they sold them up to K10,000 per day. But, this year, they are selling a maximum of K60,000 per day due to the pandemic. They started selling them on 20 September, said a lanterns maker from ward 1.
The current outbreak of COVID-19 depressed the supply of lanterns and toys from foreign markets and more Myanmar handicrafts in Pakokku are being sold very well this year. — Salai Ko Key (IPRD)/GNLM