This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Terrorism and Air Travel sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Terrorism

There is a general threat from terrorism in Burma. If you are visiting or are resident in Burma, you should exercise caution in public places and ensure that you are comfortable with, and regularly review your own and your family's security arrangements.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

 

Past targets have included commercial interests, public transport and places tourists may visit. On 7 May 2005, there were three explosions in Rangoon, two in shopping malls and one in a trade fair, which killed at least 23 people and injured at least 149. Since these attacks there have been a number of smaller explosions.

 

Most recent incidents include:

 

 

Terrorists in the South East Asia region have shown their capability to carry out large-scale attacks. In neighbouring Indonesia, Westerners were killed and injured following the terrorist attacks in Bali (October 2002 and October 2005) and Jakarta (August 2003 and September 2004).

 

For further information read "Security and General Tips" and "Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas".

 

Crime

 

There are no accurate crime statistics, but anecdotal evidence suggests that muggings, burglaries and petty thefts in Rangoon have increased as the economic situation has deteriorated.  Expatriate homes and hotels have been targeted in the past. You should take extra care of your belongings.

 

There have been occasional instances of violent crime against foreigners.  You should take sensible security precautions at all times.

 

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad

 

Political Situation

 

Burma Country Profile

 

In September 2007, protests led by Buddhist monks against the government took place in cities across Burma.  There were violent clashes between protestors and the security forces.  The security forces used violence, tear gas and gun shots to disperse the crowds and there were a number of fatalities, including a foreign journalist, and numerous injuries.

The political situation continues to remain unsettled.  You should continue to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings. You should also avoid taking photographs or video of the military, the police or demonstrations as doing so could be interpreted as provocative.  You should keep yourself informed of developments, including by regularly checking this travel advice.

If you are visiting or are resident in Burma, you should exercise caution in public places and ensure that you are comfortable with, and regularly review your own and your family’s security arrangements.  You should avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings, particularly on or around public holidays such as Armed Forces Day (27 March) and Martyrs Day (19 July) as these have the potential to turn violent.

 

There are stringent restrictions on freedom of speech, movement, religion, and political activity.  Foreign nationals criticising the regime in public are liable to arrest or imprisonment.  Two Britons received heavy sentences for such activity in 1999.  You should avoid large crowds and should note that attempts to visit the home of detained pro-democracy leader Daw Aung Sung Suu Kyi or the offices of her National League for Democracy party could attract unwelcome attention from the authorities.  You are strongly advised not to photograph military installations or personnel.

 

The unsettled political situation could result in disruption or restriction to your travel.

 

LOCAL TRAVEL

 

You should exercise caution if travelling to border areas in Burma.  The Burmese government restricts travel to most border areas.  There are a limited number of legal crossing points, but these could close without notice:

You must exit Burma at the same border crossing from which you entered, and Burmese immigration officers may request to hold your passport until your visit is complete.  You should not attempt to cross any border illegally or enter restricted areas without the appropriate permissions from the Burmese authorities.

 

You should be particularly vigilant if travelling to the Thai/Burma border.  There is ongoing military activity close to this border, especially in Karen and the southern Shan states.  Land mines also pose a threat in several areas.

 

You should be aware that British Embassy officials are not allowed to travel freely outside Rangoon without prior permission of the Burmese government, except to a limited number of destinations.  Consular assistance in an emergency may therefore be restricted or delayed.

 

You may only go to officially designated tourist areas.  You will require prior permission from the tourism authorities for treks to remote parts of the country.  You should note that tourists have experienced difficulties with the authorities even after obtaining such permission.

 

Road Travel

 
British or International Driving Licences are not recognised in Burma.  You must apply for a Myanmar Driving License at the Department for Road Transport and Administration in Rangoon.

 

Overland travel can be hazardous, particularly in the rainy season (May to October).  Roads can become impassable and bridges damaged.

 

You should be aware that, under Burmese law, the driver of a car involved in an accident with a pedestrian is always at fault.  Road safety awareness, among both drivers and pedestrians, barely exists.  Many vehicles, including taxis, are in a poor mechanical state.  Although Burma drives on the right the majority of cars are right hand drive, which can make driving hazardous.

 

For more general information see the Driving Abroad

 

Rail Travel

 

Railway equipment is decrepit; fatal rail crashes occur, although they may not always be reported.

 

Air Travel

 

We are not able to make a formal assessment of domestic airlines in Burma.  However, you should be aware that on 2 March 2008 a flight operated by Air Bagan, using an aircraft owned by Myanmar Airways, suffered engine difficulties. On 19 February an Air Bagan aircraft overshot the runway at Putao airport. You should also be aware that Myanmar Airways has a poor safety record and the British Embassy staff are advised not to fly with this airline.  This domestic airline should not be confused with Myanmar Airways International (MAI), which operates across South East Asia.

 

Local flight schedules are subject to change without warning and you should leave sufficient time in your travel itinerary to accommodate this.

 

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Community. This can be found at the following link: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm.  The list includes Phuket Airlines, which operates international flights to Burma. If booked on Phuket Airlines, you should check with your ticket provider.

 

Sea / River Travel

You should ask for, and follow carefully, local advice about where it is safe to swim or dive in the sea.  You should also be aware that search and rescue facilities are unlikely to meet international standards.

 

During the monsoon season (normally May to October), heavy rains can cause flooding.  You should therefore enquire before attempting any river journey.

 

River transport may not conform to internationally recognised safety standards.

For more general information on this, you should see River and Sea Safety.

You should respect religious custom when visiting Budhist religious sites – shorts and sleeveless tops will cause offence and shoes and socks should be removed before entering a pagoda or monastery.

Penalties for drug trafficking range from a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and can include the death penalty.

Homosexuality is illegal in Burma.  In June 2007 a European National was sentenced to seven years in prison for committing homosexual acts.

For more general advice for different types of travellers see: Travel Checklists.

Visas

 

You need a tourist visa (valid for four weeks) or business visas (valid for ten weeks) before travelling to Burma.  We are aware that British nationals have encountered delays in obtaining tourist visas, particularly when applying at the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok.  Any queries on entry requirements should be directed to the nearest Burmese Embassy or Consulate (Burmese representation in the UK) not to the British Embassy in Rangoon.

Passport validity

You should ensure that your passport has sufficient validity (over six months) before travelling.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  They may want to see birth certificates, a letter of consent from the other parent or some evidence as to your responsibility for the child.  As far as we are aware the Burmese immigration authorities do not normally ask to see such evidence, but if you have concerns please check with the nearest Burmese Embassy.

Routine medical advice and treatment can be obtained in Rangoon and Mandalay, but elsewhere you should not assume that competent advice and treatment will be available.  Up-front cash payment is often required prior to receiving medical treatment in Burma.  Intrusive examinations, including emergency dental work, should be avoided due to irregular hygiene standards and the danger of infection, particularly by hepatitis and HIV/Aids.

Malaria is endemic in Burma.

Dengue Fever is also endemic in Burma and can occur throughout the year particularly during the rainy season (May to October).  There is no vaccination or immunisation.  Since the beginning of 2007 reports have indicated a significant increase in the number of Dengue Fever cases.  The authorities are taking measures to combat the disease.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you with advice on the vaccination requirements for Burma.

For further information on endemic diseases, like malaria, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements for Burma you should check the websites NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel

For more general health information see: Travel Health

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

In 2007, there were confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza in poultry farms in several north and north-western suburbs of Rangoon, and in the states of Bago, Mon and Shan. There have been no confirmed human deaths in Burma, but in December 2007 a case of Avian Influenza infecting a human was confirmed in the Eastern Shan state.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low.  As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

You should read this advice in conjunction with the Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet, which gives more detailed advice and information.

NATURAL DISASTERS

The cyclone season in Burma normally runs from April to October.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).  You can also access http://www.nhc.noaa.gov for updates.  Please also see Hurricanes for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a typhoon.

Insurance

 

We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance, which includes air evacuation by a recognised carrier, be obtained before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance.

 

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is What We Can Do To Help.

 

Replacement passports

 

The British Embassy in Rangoon does not issue passports and, before setting off, you should ensure that your passport has sufficient validity (over six months) and a plentiful supply of unused pages.  You are encouraged to carry photocopies of your passport at all times. Applications for new passports are accepted in Rangoon for forwarding to the British Embassy in Bangkok for processing, but this may take up to six weeks.  If a courier is used, the cost will have to be borne by the applicant.

 

Registering with the British Embassy

 

If you intend to stay in Burma for over a month you are advised to register with the Embassy on arrival.

 

Mobile phones

International GSM roaming is not available in Burma. 

On arrival/departure

 

You should expect to have your baggage searched and/or x-rayed on arrival.  You may be required to leave items such as mobile phones and personal computers with customs, for collection upon departure.  You are required to declare any foreign currency over US $2,000.  Failure to do so may result in imprisonment.  A departure tax of 10 US Dollars/FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificate) is payable when you check in for your departure flight.

 

Money

 

Following the adoption of the Burma Freedom and Democracy Act by the US Government, credit cards and travellers’ cheques are rarely accepted in Burma.  One or two major hotels in Rangoon do accept credit cards, but this is subject to change.  If you wish to pay by credit card, you should check with your hotel or tour operator.  You should bring enough US Dollars to fund your stay.  Be aware that as a result of concerns over counterfeit money, US Dollars with the letters AB and CB at the start of the serial number (top left-hand corner of note) are not always accepted.

There are no ATMs in Burma.

 

You no longer need to change US $200 into FECs on arrival at Rangoon.  Exchange counters at the airport offer the government approved rate (450 kyats to the US$) which is significantly less than the market rate.  Since most businesses catering to tourists accept dollars, you may wish to avoid changing money at the airport to avoid unnecessary losses.

 

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

 

Burma is a party to the CITES.  Visitors should therefore be aware of the restrictions placed on the export of endangered species by CITES, particularly when deciding whether to buy exotic souvenirs such as those made from turtles.  Over 800 species of animals and plants are currently banned from international trade and a further 30,000 are strictly controlled by CITES and EU legislation.  Further information is available at: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITIES).