Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BURMA OR MYANMAR?
What to call the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (to use its official name as of
2011) has been a political flashpoint since 1989. That was the year in which the mil-
itary junta decided to consign Burma, the name commonly used since the
mid-19th century, to the rubbish bin, along with a slew of other British colonial-era
place names, such as Rangoon, Pagan, Bassein and Arakan.
The UN recognises Myanmar as the nation's official name; Myanmar is more in-
clusive than Burma, given that its population isn't by any means 100% Burman.
However, nearly all opposition groups (including the NLD), many ethnic groups and
several key nations including the US continue to refer to the country as Burma. As
Aung San Suu Kyi told us in 2010, 'I prefer Burma because the name was changed
without any reference to the will of the people.'
We use Myanmar as the default name for the country, with Burma used for peri-
ods before 1989 and where it's the name of an organisation, eg Burma Campaign
UK. 'Burmese' is used for the Bamar people (not to all the country's population,
which we term 'the people of Myanmar'), the food and the language.
Spread your Money Around
Critics of independent travel argue that travellers' spending usually bottlenecks at select
places, even if those spots are privately run. Familiarity can be reassuring - your trishaw-
driver buddy or the plate of noodles that didn't make you sick. But the more places at
which you spend money, the greater the number of locals likely to benefit. A few things
to consider:
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Don't buy all of your needs (bed, taxi, guide, meals) from one source.
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Be conscious that behind-the-scenes commissions are being paid on most things you
pay for when in the company of a driver or guide. If all travellers follow the same lead, be-
nefits go to only a select few.
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Plan en-route stops, or take in at least one off-the-beaten-track destination, where locals
are less used to seeing foreigners.
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Mix up the locations from where you catch taxis and trishaws - and try to take trips with
drivers who aren't lingering outside tourist areas.
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Try to eat at different family restaurants, and if you're staying at a hotel, eat out often. In
Ngapali Beach, for example, local restaurants are just across the road from the beach and
hotels.
