As part of efforts to conserve coral reefs, plastic, fishing nets and garbage on reefs near NyaungOoPhee Island in Kawthoung District in the Myeik Archipelago were removed by volunteers yesterday, who were working for the third day.

“If Bagan gets included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, it will increase our national integrity and promote tourism,” said U Thein Lwin, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum.

The number of day-trippers from Thailand and other countries who visited Myanmar through Tachilek border gate from May 17 to 23 this year reached about 23809, according to the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (DOHT), Tachilek branch.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture has stepped up efforts for submitting a Nomination Dossier to UNESCO for putting the ancient city of MraukU in Rakhine State on the World Heritage list.

ASPEED boat on Dawei-Myeik-Ka-wthoung run left Dawei at dawn and reaches Myeik Jetty at 9 a.m. Before these speed boats ply this route, travellers from Dawei to Myeik or the other way round took coastal liners from My-anmar Five Stare Line, private motor launch-es, trawlers or cargo boats which makes the travel time longer.

THE art of carving statues from marble stones is one of the 10 Myanmar traditional art pro-fessions.