Travelling to Burma with a clear conscience
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Posted on: October 8th, 2007 by Andrew Mayer
The recent protests led by Burmese monks have put the spotlight back on the Southeast Asian country, now known officially as Myanmar, and with it comes the old question of travel to the country and whether or not you can do it with a clear conscience.
The democratic leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has remained under house arrest for the last several years called on tourists to stay away 10 years ago, thus giving would-be visitors a b it of an ultimatum about coming in to Burma and lining the junta’s coffers with their tourist money, essentially supporting the brutal regime and the slave-laboured tourist infrastructure.
Where can we turn for advice concerning a decision that should not be taken lightly? Veteran writer Arthur Frommer, known for his Frommer’s travel guides says, “There is never a totally consistent policy for boycotting tourism. Tourism keeps a country more open, assists its dissidents, is promoted by all elements of that country. In the case of Myanmar, the people of that country have made it crystal clear that tourism simply aids the junta and helps keep them in power.”
Ultimately the decision will be left to the individual, but when thinking about Burma, the individual is responsible for some forethought unnecessary when visiting other countries.
Biggie
I definitely agree. Burma is also known as ‘the Golden Land’ and the country boasts many stunning areas of natural beauty, numerous peoples from ethnic minorities, mouth-watering cuisine, breathtaking beautiful mountainous regions, and very friendly people. Many times I’ve thought about visiting the country but than I’m too concerned that the military rulers might benefit from the money I would spend while visiting the impoverished nation. I guess It is still possible to visit Burma (Myanmar) and let the population benefit from your stay, but still, there will always be a percentage going to governmental institutions. Before people travel to Burma they should know about horrible things such as:
-Forced labour (many bridges, roads and dams were and still are being built by forced and often chained labourers.
-The majority of the farmer’s products are going directly to the army so most of the people hardly have enough to eat. The country has a army of 400,000 soldiers.
-Many schools have been transformed into prisons.
-People who openly disagree with the junta are getting arrested and usually stay in prisons for years.
-Aung San Suu Kyi did win the 1988 elections. More than 90% of the Burmese people voted for her but instead she could form a democratic government, she was arrested. More than 3,000 protesters were killed by the army. Until this day Aung San Suu Kyi is still not free to move.
So, think before you decide to go to Burma!
Shanklin
I agree with you Biggie! Especially now people should think twice before they travel to Burma (I rather use the name Burma as it was the evil junta who named the country Myanmar) as the military again used violence to end the peaceful demonstrations and the senior dictator Tan Shwe does not care about the criticism from democratic governments, although I think they’re getting paranoid and scared as they moved their base of power from Yangon to Pyinmana, 320 km north of the country’s capital. This might be a good option for China, who’s one of the junta’s few friends, to use their powerful influence and finally make way for democracy in Burma.