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Than Shwe

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World Leader

The Resume

    (February 2, 1933- )
    Born in Minzu, Myanmar
    Head of the military junta ruling Myanmar (Burma) (1992- )
    Official title: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council

Why he might be annoying:

    He is a hardline opponent of democracy and a free press.
    He makes so few public appearances, most Burmese have never heard his voice.
    A former aide said, 'Whenever he gave a speech, it could go on for almost two hours. But he never really said anything.'
    Another aide suggested his main asset in his rise to the top was the ability to bore everyone else into submission.
    He had the nation's capital moved from Yangon to Naypyidaw, reportedly on the advice of his astrologer (2005).
    He commissioned a statue of Buddha with a face uncannily similar to his own.
    YouTube footage of his daughter's wedding (2006) sparked outrage over its lavishness in a country suffering widespread poverty.
    He refused to allow foreign aid workers into the country following Cyclone Nargis, which killed 150,000 people (May 2, 2008).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He worked his way up from humble origins.
    As an army general, he and his wife distributed presents to the soldiers.
    His children rode to school in army trucks instead of the luxury sedans used by other generals.
    He allowed the Red Cross and Amnesty International back into the country (2004).
    A UN envoy noted, 'Than Shwe can be very charming and friendly when he wants to be.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 87 Votes: 55.17% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 36 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 28 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 16 Votes: 56.25% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 23 Votes: 13.04% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 144 Votes: 53.47% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 32 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 26 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 18 Votes: 61.11% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 49 Votes: 81.63% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 52 Votes: 65.38% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 127 Votes: 74.02% Annoying