Photography Thailand Forum

[mahonyWeb]

I'd love to visit Myanmar, but am very mindful of Aung San Suu Kyi's wish for tourists not to visit, and the current CENSORED WORD uprising.

Would like to know peoples thoughts on visiting?

[Gary Dublanko]

Not an easy question to answer given the complexity of the situation. I decided to go in January of 2006 but made a conscious effort to stay and eat in places owned and run by the locals whenever I could so that the money I spent was going directly to where it was needed most. The situation was mostly calm at the time unlike today with thousands of monks demonstrating in the streets. I would wait until the current situation is resolved as it appears that it could blow up at any moment.

[Don]

Iv'e been making plans to go the end of thjs year, but have put everything on hold untill things settle down, when that will be is anyones guess.

[kinginexile]

to stay and eat in places owned and run by the locals
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Unless one stays in the high hills of the Shan plateau, maybe even making sure you were not legally permitted to do this, it is hard to know owns a place, and if they are not related to any type of authority or simply greasing their hands. Of coures, you could know the owner very well, but I wouldn't bet that the ramshackle hotel I stayed in, in bago, 5$ a night, 5 hours o electricity per day, is not owned by the police chief, or his son, or cousin, etc...

I think the discussion of going or not was valid within the 10 years following the crushing of democratic forces in 88, but now, it's over. People of all stripes go to visit Burma. They may not be a million a year yet, but international  well-heeled tourism is now way ahead of  the minimal backpacking crowds on a shoestring, and occasional fact finding journalist. One day spent in Nyaungshwe combined with an early boat ride on nearby Inle Lake will confirm that fact.

I hope something is happening now. I am not sure, unlike South Africa, Burma is surrounded by "friends" who believe in extremely quiet diplomacy, preferrably promoting change over 50 years, rather than 5.

[aksiam]

Hi all i know this is an old string but i thought now is a good time to reiterate that if you want to go, go!! Today in places like Bagan, over 50,000 people rely on direct and indirect income that tourist bring into their communities.

Additional to this thanks to the events of september 07 an those of cyclone negris on 02 May this year there are vertualy no tourists throughtout Myanmar not only leaving you feeling like an intripid traveller again, but also leaving the majority of shooting location tourist free!

All that the people of Myanmar (burma) would love to have you there.

I thought i would attach a photo for you to see the true feelings of the people there, the attached picture is of a temple guardian named Coco coco in Bagan, it was taken on 07 May. the picture is in the gallery under>>Pictures From Around The Asia Region

[ryanlibre]

im not sure what the logistics are like for most people,  but im going to Kachin for a month later this year.  Kachin is mostly controlled by the Kachin independence army and your money wont go to  Burmese army and generals. 

i've been invited by the Kachin independence army & im crossing from china, so i don't even need a visa from burma.   but i have heard of tourist finding their way to Kachin as well.     if you are serious about not supporting the generals this is worth looking into...   but i dont have any specific advice on how to go, sorry.