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Vicissitude
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Location: Chef School
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 Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:27 am Post subject: |
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| Tiger Beer wrote: |
| How much is a visa for Myanmar for Americans? |
You aren't serious about going to Myanmar NOW are you? Are you crazy? |
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hogwonguy1979
Joined: 22 Dec 2003
Location: the racoon den
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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first, visa runs 25000 won at the embassy here in seoul, its near the hanam supermarket
i was there this summer and absolutely loved it after i got over my fear of being in a 4th world country, amazing knowing medical care is sparse at best and not being able to use your ccs will do to your pysche. Did 10 days, started in Yangon, then flew to Mandalay, Bagan, its as jaw dropping as angkor in its own way
i would go back again now given the people that get 90% of your money are getting absolutely crucified because of the lack of tourists. the junta is still getting their cash because of the business deals.
If you want more details pm me. |
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Vicissitude
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Location: Chef School
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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Why not just go to Mae Sot, Thailand where so many Burmese refugees reside?
Myanmar is a highly dangerous country. Why would you go there when you know full well that the risks are extreme? Also, I'll be damned if I give the Junta any part of my money.
I know some people think the Burmese are really nice, but I've met and known quite a few who were not at all nice.
If you just want some "4th world" shock to your system, why not go to some parts of Africa, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, New Guinea, Brazil...? But you can find the same sort of thing in Thailand as the country is filled with nomads living by the sea and in the northern mountains. You just have to know where to look to find them. It's not that difficult. |
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bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Vicissitude wrote: |
Why not just go to Mae Sot, Thailand where so many Burmese refugees reside?
Myanmar is a highly dangerous country. Why would you go there when you know full well that the risks are extreme? Also, I'll be damned if I give the Junta any part of my money.
I know some people think the Burmese are really nice, but I've met and known quite a few who were not at all nice.
If you just want some "4th world" shock to your system, why not go to some parts of Africa, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, New Guinea, Brazil...? But you can find the same sort of thing in Thailand as the country is filled with nomads living by the sea and in the northern mountains. You just have to know where to look to find them. It's not that difficult. |
highly dangerous? please....
Question is are they even issuing tourist visas now? |
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Vicissitude
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Location: Chef School
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| Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 4:03 am Post subject: |
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| bucheon bum wrote: |
| Vicissitude wrote: |
Why not just go to Mae Sot, Thailand where so many Burmese refugees reside?
Myanmar is a highly dangerous country. Why would you go there when you know full well that the risks are extreme? Also, I'll be damned if I give the Junta any part of my money.
I know some people think the Burmese are really nice, but I've met and known quite a few who were not at all nice.
If you just want some "4th world" shock to your system, why not go to some parts of Africa, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, New Guinea, Brazil...? But you can find the same sort of thing in Thailand as the country is filled with nomads living by the sea and in the northern mountains. You just have to know where to look to find them. It's not that difficult. |
highly dangerous? please....
Question is are they even issuing tourist visas now? |
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| WARNING: In recent months, there have been widespread demonstrations against the authoritarian rule of the military junta. The junta has cracked down on these otherwise peaceful protests, in some cases by firing on unarmed crowds and by imprisoning many monks, and as a result the protests have stopped. Though it is now safe to visit, the situation is fluid and may quickly change, and it is advisable to keep up-to-date on the political situation. |
http://wikitravel.org/en/Myanmar
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| Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy, has in the past called for tourists not to visit the country, as this helps prop up the military junta and some infrastructure has been constructed using forced and child labour |
| Quote: |
| Myanmar is one of the world's most corrupt countries. Officials and other government servants may discreetly ask you for a bribe, or invent issues (missing forms, closed offices, etc) in order to get you to suggest one. |
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| Tap water is not safe, nor is ice. Always buy bottled water. Tropical diseases such as dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and malaria are endemic. Drug-resistant strains of malaria and tuberculosis are common in many areas. Hepatitis vaccinations are highly recommended. |
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| Reportedly, 10 of the 14 Burmese states and divisions are polluted with anti-personnel land mines. |
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Burma/Warnings_or_Dangers-Burma-BR-5.html
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| Foreigners, including U.S. citizens, have been caught up in the Burmese Government�s suppression of the democratic opposition. U.S. citizens have been detained, arrested, tried and deported for, among other activities, distributing pro-democracy literature, photographing sites and activities, and visiting the homes and offices of Burmese pro-democracy leaders. Burmese authorities have warned U.S. Embassy officials that future offenders of these vague, unspecified restrictions will be jailed in lieu of deportation. |
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| Some foreigners have been denied even minimal rights in criminal proceedings in Burma, especially if suspected of engaging in political activity of any type. This includes, but is not limited to, denial of access to an attorney, court records, and family and consular visits. The criminal justice system is under the control of the military junta, which orders maximum sentences for all offenses. Torture has been reported in Burmese jails, and, in 2000, a foreigner was tortured so that he would surrender his personal possessions to his jailers. |
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bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:34 am Post subject: |
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basically all that said was stay away from any political protests and don't make yourself stand out. Pretty much standard stuff. Doesn't sound any more dangerous than other 3rd world locales.
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| Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy, has in the past called for tourists not to visit the country, as this helps prop up the military junta and some infrastructure has been constructed using forced and child labour |
She actually changed her position on this.
| Quote: |
| Myanmar is one of the world's most corrupt countries. Officials and other government servants may discreetly ask you for a bribe, or invent issues (missing forms, closed offices, etc) in order to get you to suggest one. |
Wow, scary! This is quite common in a lot of countries. I know I've read a story or two on this board about border "issues" going in and out of Laos. I know some people who have had this type of experience in Mexico as well.
| Quote: |
| Tap water is not safe, nor is ice. Always buy bottled water. Tropical diseases such as dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and malaria are endemic. Drug-resistant strains of malaria and tuberculosis are common in many areas. Hepatitis vaccinations are highly recommended. |
You mean to say it is like many other 3rd world countries in regards to health? Wow, who would have thunk it?
| Quote: |
| Reportedly, 10 of the 14 Burmese states and divisions are polluted with anti-personnel land mines. |
So do you try to dissuade people from going to Cambodia? That country has a worse mine problem than Myanmar. I doubt you'll come across any mines while exploring Yangon or Mandalay.
| Quote: |
| Foreigners, including U.S. citizens, have been caught up in the Burmese Government�s suppression of the democratic opposition. U.S. citizens have been detained, arrested, tried and deported for, among other activities, distributing pro-democracy literature, photographing sites and activities, and visiting the homes and offices of Burmese pro-democracy leaders. Burmese authorities have warned U.S. Embassy officials that future offenders of these vague, unspecified restrictions will be jailed in lieu of deportation. |
So stay away from the opposition and protests. Now if that is the primary reason one wants to go to Burma, then yes, I would advice against going. |
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hogwonguy1979
Joined: 22 Dec 2003
Location: the racoon den
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:32 am Post subject: |
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When I was there I had no problem whatsoever. I felt safe everywhere I went. Nobody bothered me except for the moneychangers and the hawkers at the temples in Bagan. Now I wouldnt take a local bus or the train and for sure I'd stay away from myanma air. Heck I stand out by just standing there
The people who get the independent tourist business are dying since the crackdown, not going there doesnt hurt the govt, they still get the money. By going and coming back you are able to tell others about whats going on there. I make it a point to keep people I know appraised of whats going on there
The govt wont let you near where the unrest is occuring. so thats bunk.
Water? Heck we cant drink tap water here in Seoul!!!!!!!
My biggest fears were if something happened to me where would I go for medical care. I had travel insurance so I knew I'd be OK. If you are worried about health care anywhere you'd never leave your house. My other fear was running out of cash since cc's and t/cs dont really work there but I knew in a worst case I could get to Rangoon and cash one yeah for a high rate but it was there
GO!!!! Its a beautiful country, the people are friendly and you can help the little guy by going |
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Vicissitude
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Location: Chef School
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:13 am Post subject: |
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I just knew people would read my quote about the water and forget everything else that's far more important like the risk of dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, Drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis and malaria etc.
Look, if you really want to help the Burmese, go to Mae Sot, Thailand where so many Burmese refugees reside.
I know people who've lived in Thailand since the end of the Vietnam war. They live up in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. They have to go through visa runs all the time. They know full well what goes on in Burma and they stay the hell away. These guys would have no problem telling you straight to your face what a stupid fool you are if you go there. You'd be the laughing stock of a joke at the next pub down the road
Barry: "Hey, Ed you wouldn't believe this chump kid I just ran into up the road."
Ed: "Oh, don't tell me it was another one of those hippy backpackers out to save the world and bring peace to all mankind. Not another one." 
Barry:  "Yeah, I know this one said he was going to help out all the Burmese people by being a fricken tourist. Can you believe these idiots?"
Ed: "Man-o-man where do these crack pots come from? You should have invited him over so he can mow my lawn for a good cause." |
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Vicissitude
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Location: Chef School
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:54 am Post subject: |
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| hogwonguy1979 wrote: |
| The govt wont let you near where the unrest is occuring. so thats bunk. |
Daaammnnn, and that's exaaaactly where I wanted to go. I've always wanted to see people get shot, tortured, raped and their whole villages burnt to the grown. Just think of all the tourist money they could make!   |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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U.N. Human Rights Body Backs New Myanmar Probe
Fri Dec 14, 1:25 PM
By Laura MacInnis
GENEVA (Reuters) - The U.N. Human Rights Council told Myanmar on Friday to prosecute those who committed abuses during a crackdown on peaceful monk-led protests and free Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners.
In a resolution adopted by consensus, the United Nations forum called on the ruling junta "to lift all restraints on the peaceful political activity of all persons" and "to release without delay those arrested and detained as a result of the repression of recent peaceful protests."
It also urged Myanmar "to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and to investigate and bring to justice perpetrators of human rights violations, including for the recent violations of the rights of peaceful protesters."
The 47-member-state Council said its special envoy for Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, should revisit the country and report back in March on the fall-out from the September suppression that captured international attention.
Myanmar criticized the resolution, backed by 41 countries including Britain, Germany, Canada and Korea, as "politicized."
"This clearly shows that Myanmar has been put under pressure by influential and powerful countries who have their own political agenda," Wunna Maung Lwin, Myanmar's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, told the Friday session.
Human rights groups welcomed the censure by the Council.
"This is a very positive thing," Juliette de Rivero of Human Rights Watch told a news briefing in Geneva. She said it was important for Pinheiro to return to the country "to do a more in-depth investigation of violations he has already identified."
Amnesty International said a second and longer visit to Myanmar could help Pinheiro carry out a full investigation of the circumstances before and during the crackdown, as well as reported abuses against ethnic minorities there.
EXCESSIVE FORCE
cont'd ...
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/071214/world/international_myanmar_un_rights_dc |
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