14 November, 2006 - Published 15:00 GMT
Does it reflect Burma's wealth?
A video of the wedding of the daughter of Burma's military leader Than Shwe has appeared on the internet, giving a rare glimpse into a lavish lifestyle.
Watch videoThandar Shwe and army major Zaw Phyo Win actually married in July, but the video has only recently come to light.
In one 10-minute clip, shown on the internet site YouTube, the couple pour large quantities of champagne and stand before an ornate, golden bridal bed.
Thandar Shwe was shown draped in what appear to be expensive jewels.
The newly-weds were reportedly given $50m-worth of wedding gifts, including, cars jewellery and houses.
Is it right for the people to criticise about the luxury of the wedding? Do we need to protect the privacy of the bride and the groom? Does anybody have any proof of the wedding gifts? Isn't it a showcase of Burma's wealth?
The video is available at the external links given on the right hand side of the page. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far
Normally no one should not criticize anyone’s wedding. However it is not the case here. It is not the critics of the wedding who violated the privacy of the bride and the groom. The family members of the dictator are the ones who do not understand that there are lines between a public life and a private life that they should not cross. They are the ones who force people to treat them as “the royal family”. The people of Burma have right to express their opinions on this wedding since the cost of the wedding is paid (directly and indirectly) by Burmese people. In addition, there is no need to prove how much they received as wedding gifts. The deteriorating social and economic structure of the country is the best evidence of the corruption of the generals.
Mya Shwe Yee, USA
I think this wedding showed that general's families were using our country's wealth and they didn't care about Burmese people living in the poor living conditions. Businessmen in Burma do not have any ethics at all. They support the government and they get more chance to monopolise the businesses. Shame on them.
Min Ye Kyaw, Rangoon, Burma
Well, I can only say that power and money go together. If they can afford to have a lavish style of wedding, then why not do it. This is the nature of human beings, we tend to care for our own. If we Burmese people, inside and outside of the country, can distibute our wealth evenly, then Burma certainly will be better off. But this is not the case. So, why don't we just keep quiet and helplessly watch their lavish wedding, while the rest of the people in Burma is going into the darkness?
Aung Kyaw, New York, USA
The question is "where does that wealth of that ruling class come from?”. As most of you know the answer for this. In the western countries, this particular scenario would be another paparazi news, no one would care. Upsetting! Isn't it? However, we must forgive and forget it, this Burmese attitude keeps the ruling class in prosperity, not the Joe ordinary.
Barbu Amrub, Takanini, New Zealand
BBC should come up with better questions. One doesn't have to be rocket scientist to be able to guess that the Senior General who earns 12 lakhs a month can afford such an extravagant wedding. Well perhaps his salary will buy the bride's train or bouquet. The family dared to throw that party in public, so whose rights and privacy do you ask we should protect? The video clip may even serve as an evidence when public have the chance one day to put them on trial for historic corruption and injustice the whole family has inflicted on general public. Wedding guests of course know how much their gifts are worth. I’ve heard on the grape vine that the bed from Gen Mg Aye and his wife will surely cost them at least two months' salary.
Nilar, Tharketa, Yangon, Myanmar
This is a very bad behaviour. They are looking at a single eye. They do not take care about the citizens.
Thant Myint Too, Delhi, India
Thandar Shwe's wedding reception shows the world that Than Shwe and his family members/ friends have no shame of how they have become rich and wealthy. We all know how much they make legally. When a soldier becomes so rich, he is a lawless person. A soldier whether he is a private or a general, is not supposed to be so rich. If he is so rich, he must have acquired wealth from the nation and her citizens. Making wealth from stealing or robbing is a shameful thing. From this wedding, Gen Than Shwe is indirectly showing the world that he is stealing those wealth from the citizens of the Union of Burma.
Tainamkawng(Chin Cowboy of Texas), USA
The wedding ceremony is in accordance to Burmese tradition. The only differences in Burmese wedding, based on their level of wealth, are the jewelleries the bride wore, the venue of the ceremony, the food on offer, live band for entertainment, and the dinner party. The most important area is the gifts received. People who need/want to bribe the general will take this opportunity to give a key for a brand new condominium, a set of diamonds or a key of brand new Jaguar car.. etc. So, the couple will have life time support via their wedding gifts. Can you call it bribery?
Thet Htar, NY, USA
There is no justice in Burma. Peoples are very poor. They(the rulers) don’t think about this (wedding) and they don’t care what happen. They love power and money, just like their beloved god father Gen Ne Win.
Sammy Chen, Taipei, Taiwan
I think they should think less about themselves and use the money for the poor people. Because the poor people need the money than they do. Than Shwe's daughter has too much and many people are starving and dying.
Britt Mang(10 Years Old), Mesquite, USA
We have every right to critize their lavish wedding as every pence of their unearned wealth belongs to Burma and her people. It may be hard to find hard evidences about $50m US Dollars but it could be true. The Burmese people are suffocating and slowly rottening with poverty; there is lack of proper food; Burmese institutions are decaying with lack of funds and budgets; and it definitely does not reflect Burma's wealth. But it is an insult to honest Burmese who earns for their living.
Aung Bu Shwe, USA
Definitely need to shout out something. While there are some people who hardly have all three meals a day, they are spending like this. $50 milliions means they can give 1 dollar per citizen. 1 dollar doesn't mean alot to them but to most of the citizen, it's like heaven for the day.
Vin Chen, Singapore