U Thein Tun born 1931 - TT (as he is known) had a long and successful career in the Navy followed by a similarly successful business career. This episode covers his life story from 1988

TT advises that the expansion work on the shipyard and building of ships came to a halt in 1988 following the take over by General Saw Maung and General Than Shwe, but TT continued his role as Managing Director until 1991 when he turned 60 and was required to retire.  He then worked as an advisor to the Shipyard Corporation for another two years before moving to Singapore and elsewhere to work in the private sector.  In 1997 General Than Shwe asked him to come back with the freedom to become involved in the private sector.  TT set up two 50% wood processing joint ventures; one with the Ministry of Construction and the other with the Ministry of Transport and Communication.  TT remains as Chairman to this day of the company, Greengold Industrial Company Limited.   It was not a smooth path as, following the "yellow robe" demonstrations in 2007, the company was amongst 100 companies sanctioned by the US.  This led to TT's group taking over the Government's 50%.From 1984 to 2000 he was on the Board of the War Veterans' Association.He has over the years provided his expert mechanical engineering advice on major projects such as the restoration of the Shwedagon Pagoda following the 1979 earthquake.TT talks about his sporting career, including his time as a champion rower (stroke) and sailor and his many years chairing the Rowing and Yachting Federations.   He mentions his experiences of rowing internationally and in the Golden Jubilee of the Rangoon Rowing Club in 1955.TT discusses Government and military pensions and the impossibility to survive on these.Towards the end he gives his views on General Ne Win and why he feels Myanmar is where it is today. Please feel free to contact me with suggested interviewees at [email protected] you for listening .Peter Church