Travel to Burma

In the current situation, with the curfew, I would not advise to travel to Burma. It is going to be restrictive. Also, the authorities are very sensitive about all forms of photography including video cameras; and one can imagine the junior staff in charge of particular locations (unfortunately places such as the Shwedagon and the Sule Pagodas) are going to be very nervous about it and are likely to be unreasonable. I%26#39;ll wait until the curfew is lifted and revivew/reassess the situation. This may take some weeks to even a few months in Burma.

Khayeethe

Travel to Burma

Actually the Shwe Dagon and Sule pagodas are not open for visits at all.

Travel to Burma

Hi

I had this from Columbus Travel branch in Bangkok today:

';Today Shwedagon Pagoda is opened and tourists are starting to visit the Pagoda. So we consider this is an obvious sign of improvement.

We also heard that curfew will be shortened to 10pm to 4pm ( instead of 9pm to 5am). If this is true, its another sign of improvement.

There is no more demonstration in the whole city. All the shops which have been closing until yesterday are now reopened.

All our suppliers ( hotels, domestic airlines, cruises ) inform us that they will not charge any cancellation fees for all the bookings of October because they want us to keep the bookings and wait until last minutes.

We will keep you updated regularly. At the moment, internet and email are still down.';

But we are still going to pull the plug on ouur trip because of the travel advisories by various goverments, NZ, Canada, Britain, Australia for example:

';There is high risk to your security in Myanmar because of the unsettled political situation and we advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel.';

Such a shame

Regards

airasia are reducing flights from daily to 3 per week.

The current situation is unlikely change significantly for many months.

mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/News/2007/Oct/today-鈥?/a>

2:00 p.m

Situation in Rangoon

Interview with a local resident of Rangoon

Rampant searches

';Though everything seems normal today, there are rampant searches and interrogations. Both police and soldiers can still be seen in the city. Security forces are conducting rampant searches and interrogations at bus stands particularly in Sule, Hledan and Myaynikone areas. Civilians are made to show their purses, handbags, and cameras are being seized. And if they see anything suspicious they will make arrests.';

';The barbed wire barricades in Sule area have been removed this morning. But there are still about 250 to 300 soldiers and riot police.';

Situation in Shwedagon

';There are about 15 soldiers guarding the western gate of Shwedagon, and no one is entering from the west gate. And there are about 15 military trucks near the northern gate near the Arrzanikone. While some soldiers are sitting, some remain standing and some are sleeping.';

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your news %26amp; updates. The situation is changing but slowly. It is important. we keep this forum updated.

Khayeethe

Hi remember me you helped me with alot of my plans to

Burma. I am meant to be travelling next Wed and am still

debating changing it as cant be sure what is going to happen.

It could go either way but need your advice again as less

than a week I need to make major changes. I am disappointed

as we really looked forward to the visit of Burma.

alicia1... what has been happening is totally despicable.. that the Junta is beating monks is unbelievable... totally unforgivable.

Having got this off my chest.. I would suggest that for a traveller.. or a foreigner.. apart from the restrictions. mainly in Yangon and to a lesser extent in other large cities.. but unlikely to be noticeable in places such as Bagan and Inle lake area... I really don%26#39;t think it would matter... Just be very careful to avoid any demonstration.. be very careful about who or what you take pictures of.. I assume they are still allowing you to take a camera... as long as you don%26#39;t look like a journalist.. and also check on your flights.. as they may be changed.....

Sadly the pagodas in Yangon and some of the monasteries may be more difficult to get access to.

Dear Alicia1 , I am staying in Yangon and I am the Myanmar citizen. I did not go to the place where demostration happen in those days and I have never been trouble go around the city. I still working in those days . e-mail and internet is shut down .Internet is back today and I am able to reply this today.

For my view, you should visit and see with your own eyes. Myanmar is safe place and if you do not bother to go trouble place , you are safe. When demostration in Yangon , other place like Inle and Bagan are normal . No problem at all.

I am copy and past from Virtual Tourist forum , written by bangdong.

';Some people say that tourists should boycott Myanmar. Don鈥檛 visit a country that鈥檚 run by an evil junta, they say. But I disagree with that way of thinking. I think we should absolutely flood the country with more tourists. The more eyes and ears the better; the more cameras clicking the better; the more helping hands the better. Yes, a portion of your tourist dollars will go to the government; paying some fees and taxes are unavoidable to a certain extent. But savvy travelers can control where, how much, and how they spend their money, and they can do much to funnel cash directly to needy people, families, orphanages, and monasteries.

Despite the recent crackdown and media coverage, Myanmar remains a very safe country for tourists to visit.';

If you have time please visit Virtual Tourist forum too.

I understand that people are hesitant at present to visit Burma. I also rescheduled my plans and postponed till next month.

However, I%26#39;ve just spoken to a European lady who has been living in Burma for the past 20 years. A business partner has just returned from Mandalay.

Both have assured me that there is no problem at all to move around, no restrictions to go anywhere apart from curfew time. Shwedagon %26amp; sule pagodas are open.

At the present time Burmese people don%26#39;t need sanctions but they need tourists.

Sanctions won%26#39;t hurt the generals but they will hurt the little guy who will loose his job because of empty hotels, no tourists to take around, nobody to buy souvenirs etc.

I%26#39;m pretty sure that the Burmese generals will make sure that tourists don%26#39;t get hurt and that tourists will be safe.

The Myanmar Embassy in BKK is not issuing visas at present. It may change as from next week.

Burma,

some say smiling land,some said golden land of the pagodas,

I said very unique peoples of the universe,so if you peoples love the common peoples come and visit Burma,cause after things happened we lost all of Business and even hope also lose,chose and think that I think help the common peoples,But I am not sure for the visa to Burma.

PLEASE,