The adoption of the metric system is almost universal on the modern map. However, only three countries on Earth officially reject common measurement system using meters and kilograms. These nations are the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar.
Among the ASEAN members, Myanmar stands as the sole anomaly in the Southeast Asia region. The country chose to maintain its own measurement system.
Myanmar's Traditional Measurement Standards
Myanmar’s domestic system relies on its own non-decimal standards for distance, weight, and capacity.
Distance measurement
| Unit Name | Metric Conversion | Comparison to the Previous Traditional Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| sanchi | 79.375 µm | — |
| hnan | 0.79375 mm | 10 sanchi |
| mayaw | 4.7625 mm | 6 hnan |
| let thit | 1.905 cm | 4 mayaw |
| maik | 15.24 cm | 8 let thit |
| htwa | 22.86 cm | 1.5 maik |
| taung | 45.72 cm | 2 htwa |
| lan | 1.8288 m | 4 taung |
| ta | 3.2004 m | 1.75 lan |
| out-thaba | 64.008 m | 20 ta |
| kawtha | 1.28016 km | 20 out-thaba |
| ga-wout | 5.12064 km | 4 kawtha |
| yuzana | 20.4826 km | 4 ga-wout |
Weight measurement
| Unit Name | Metric Conversion | Comparison to the Previous Traditional Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| yway lay | 136.078 mg | — |
| yway gyi | 272.155 mg | 2 yway lay |
| petha | 1.02058 g | 3.75 yway gyi |
| mutha | 2.04117 g | 2 petha |
| mattha | 4.08233 g | 2 mutha |
| nga mutha | 8.16466 g | 2 mattha |
| kyattha | 16.3293 g | 2 nga mutha |
| awettha | 204.117 g | 12.5 kyattha |
| aseittha | 408.233 g | 2 awettha |
| ngase tha | 816.466 g | 2 aseittha |
| peittha | 1.63293 kg | 2 ngase tha |
| achein taya | 163.293 kg | 100 peittha |
Volume/Capacity measurement
| Unit Name | Metric Conversion | Comparison to the Previous Traditional Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| la myu | 79.9118 ml | — |
| la myet | 159.824 ml | 2 la myu |
| la me | 319.647 ml | 2 la myet |
| sa le | 639.294 ml | 2 la me |
| hkwet | 1.27859 l | 2 sa le |
| pyi | 2.55718 l | 2 hkwet |
| seit | 10.2287 l | 4 pyi |
| hkwe | 20.4574 l | 2 seit |
| tin | 40.9148 l | 2 hkwe |
Apart from Myanmar, neighboring Southeast Asian nations modernized their post-colonial measurements in the 20th century. Myanmar took a different path. This divergence was caused by sudden internal political dynamics.
The Impact of the 1962 Isolationist Policy
The turning point occurred when a new regime took over the political landscape. General Ne Win led a military coup in 1962. This regime launched a radical isolationist policy. The program was named "The Burmese Way to Socialism".
This political move closed the country's doors to external economic influence. Decades of strict economic isolation followed. Myanmar felt no competitive pressure from international trade flows.
The domestic market saw no practical need to convert to the metric system. This isolation policy froze the ancient measurement system inside traditional markets. The country remained detached from global standard evolution.
This stagnant condition was disrupted decades later. The winds of political change briefly blew through the country. The measurement modernization agenda finally reached the government's desk during a brief democratic opening.
Why the 2013 Metric Transition Failed
Myanmar’s Deputy Ministry of Commerce, Dr. Pwint San, announced a new plan in October 2013. The government prepared to adopt the metric system officially. This move aimed to align the domestic economy with ASEAN standards.
However, field implementation stalled quickly. The transition required high costs for public re-education. The government also had to replace physical infrastructure like highway speed limit signs.
This logistical hurdle was compounded by heavy resistance from grassroots traders. Street vendors refused to destroy their traditional scales. The slow transition stopped completely after the military coup in February 2021.
The return of intense internal conflict changed state priorities. Widespread civil disobedience crippled the bureaucracy. International economic sanctions forced the military government to focus only on security stability.
The state had to prioritize emergency food supplies. The measurement standardization agenda was officially removed from bureaucratic plans. The reform was abandoned.
Today, international trade channels use the metric system. Shipping ports apply standard tons for Myanmar’s commodity exports. However, the domestic markets of Yangon and Mandalay operate differently.
All basic goods transactions still rely strictly on the viss. Global standardization stops at the local market counters due to an unresolved political crisis.
