Officials in Burma say the military government hopes to complete the relocation of civil servants to a new administrative capital this month.
The move, which began unexpectedly about three months ago, will shift almost all central government offices from Rangoon to Pyinmana, a town about 400 kilometers north of the capital.
The government says the new location will allow more efficient administration of the country and is expected to be officially declared the new capital sometime after the move is completed.
Speculation about the reason for the move ranges from the junta's fear of a U.S. invasion to worries about possible internal unrest.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.