On Valentine’s Day, an event called “Loving Myanmar@CMU” was held at the Faculty of Humanities Department at Chiang Mai University (CMU) on Feb. 14. A professor in the Burmese Division at CMU told DVB that this event allowed Thai students, who are studying Burmese, to practice their language skills and learn more about Myanmar culture.

“There are various competitions today. There is a Burmese speaking skill competition, a Burmese language singing competition, a calligraphy competition, a quiz competition, and even a photography competition,” said Ampika Rattanapitak, an assistant professor in the Burmese Division of the Department of Eastern Languages at CMU.

CMU opened its Burmese language department eight years ago for Thai students interested in learning the Myanmar language. “I want to know more about Myanmar, like Myanmar food, how to speak, how to listen, how to read and how to write [Burmese]. And this event shows you lots of things,” said Vachiravitch, a third-year political science student at CMU. Myanmar residents of Chiang Mai participated in the event, selling traditional gifts and food.