Myanmar offers various beautiful temples and beaches as well as various languages and a modern city--but is it safe for tourists?
Currently the Burmese pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is being held in prison. In a written statement from US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, "Aung San Suu Kyi has been denied her liberty and fundamental political and civil rights by Burma's military rulers. This is a deplorable situation and must end." Suu Kyi is in prison because the military refused to honor the victory in the parliamentary elections. This has created various protests not only for the freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi, but for human justice of the citizens. In addition to this, in May 2008, tropical cyclone Nargis caused extensive damage and fatalities in Myanmar, up to 130,000 lives were lost and over two million people were affected. There are also large anti-government demonstrations taking place throughout the country and several bomb explosions all occuring in places frequented by the public.
Currently the Burmese pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is being held in prison. In a written statement from US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, "Aung San Suu Kyi has been denied her liberty and fundamental political and civil rights by Burma's military rulers. This is a deplorable situation and must end." Suu Kyi is in prison because the military refused to honor the victory in the parliamentary elections. This has created various protests not only for the freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi, but for human justice of the citizens. In addition to this, in May 2008, tropical cyclone Nargis caused extensive damage and fatalities in Myanmar, up to 130,000 lives were lost and over two million people were affected. There are also large anti-government demonstrations taking place throughout the country and several bomb explosions all occuring in places frequented by the public.
With all of these things happening listed below are the pros and cons to travelling to Myanmar right now.
Reasons not go:
- The government has used forced labor in order to complete tourist-related sights and services.
- International tourism can be seen as a stamp of approval to the Myanmar government.
- It's impossible to visit without some of tourist dollars going to the military junta, (estimated
US$20.00 per VISA, US$10 per departure fee and seven to ten percent tax on
purchases) which fuels government repression.
Reasons to go:
- Tourist attractions remains one of the few areas tourists and locals have access--as it relates
to income and communication.
- Human-rights abuse are less likely to ocuur in areas where international community is
present.
- The majority of the careful independent traveller's expenses can go into the private sector.
- The government stopped forcing foreigners to change US$200 into government notes upon
arrival.
If you decide to go, it is suggested you do the following:
Stay at a private, locally owned hotel and guesthouse. Avoid package tours connected w/Myanmar Travel and Tours, avoid MTT-sponsored modes of transportation, buy handcrafts directly from artisans as opposed to government owned shops. Avoid patronising companies involved with the military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings.
Fast Facts
Country Full Name - Union of Myanmar
Population - 47,373,958
Electrical Plugs - 230V 50Hz
Languages Spoken Official: Burmese
Time Zones GMT/UTC +6.5
Country Dialing Code +95
Weights & Measures Imperial
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