Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Try to give directly to schools, clinics and village leaders, not kids. A rewarding way to
spend a day is going to a village school, asking a teacher what supplies are lacking, buy-
ing them and handing them out to each of the students.
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Foreign-made gifts (eg pens) are generally cherished items, and more likely to find a
place in a bookcase than actually get used. If you want to give useful items, buy locally.
This puts money into the local economy, and locals are more likely to use the gift!
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Give only to those with whom you have made some sort of personal bond, not to ran-
dom supplicants who happen to ask. Otherwise you'll encourage a culture of begging.
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If you do decide to help a begging family, ask what they need. Often you can accom-
pany them to the market and pick up food (a bag of rice, some vegetables, some fish).
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Some items from outside the country are greatly appreciated, though. It's a good idea to
carry books and magazines.
A HISTORY OF SANCTIONS
From the late 1980s and for over 20 years, economic sanctions by mainly the US,
EU, Canada and Australia were applied in an attempt to force political and social
change in Myanmar. It was a controversial policy: while the NLD, the leading demo-
cracy group of the time, insisted they were necessary as a way of keeping up pres-
sure on the military junta, others pointed out the harm that sanctions did to Myan-
mar's citizens, who in the main were struggling to make a living.
In 1995 the NLD also called for a tourism boycott, which led to criticism of Lonely
Planet's continued coverage of the country. In 2010 the travel boycott was officially
dropped by the NLD, who now welcome independent tourists who are mindful of
the political and social landscape; however, those on large group-package tours are
discouraged.
During 2012, as the pace of reform in Myanmar continued, the EU, Australia and
the US all largely suspended their economic sanctions against the country. Sanc-
tions on some specified individuals still remain, as do ones on the import of gems
into the US.
Back at Home
Your trip to Myanmar doesn't have to end once you're back home.
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Alert Lonely Planet and fellow travellers via the Thorn Tree discussion board
(
www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree
)
if you have advice on how to travel in Myanmar.
