It has been said that some things changed (or are changing) when Than Shwe stepped down in 2011 but residents have said that the military is still an all-governing, obstructive power--and duties have simply been passed to another general, Thein Sein.

He has made statements regarding democratic change and one can only hope they're instigated soon. It will be very interesting and potentially difficult to see what happens in Naypyidaw as building continues and the population dwindles but only time will tell.