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Broken Leg
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Nope he asked for stories and Burma's got plenty. Because it is such an isolated country many people are not aware whats is going on and has happened in the past. There was even hardly any news that came out after the tsunami for example
Whether someone should travel ther or not is still a moot point though. as you point out there are local people need the money but some goes to the regime.
they say this on the LP website
Reasons Not to Go; Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to; The government used forced labour to ready tourist-related sights and services; International tourism can be seen as a stamp of approval to the Myanmar government; The government forbids travel to many areas, particularly in areas inhabited by minority groups; It's impossible to visit without some money going to the military junta (visa, departure fee, tax on purchases) ; and Activists claim that tourism dollars fuel government repression directly.
Reasons to Go: Tourism remains one of the few industries to which ordinary locals have access – in terms of income and communication; Vast majority of locals want you there; Human-rights violations are less likely to occur in areas where the international community is present; The government stopped mandating foreigners change 200.00 into government notes upon arrival; The majority (possibly over 80%) of a careful independent traveller's expenses goes into the private sector; and Keeping the people isolated from international witnesses to internal oppression may only cement the government's ability to rule.
If You Decide to Go
In order to maximise the positive effects of a visit among the general populace, while minimising support of the government, follow these simple tactics:
Stay at private, locally owned hotels and guesthouses; Avoid package tours connected with Myanmar Travel and Tours; Avoid MTT-sponsored modes of transport, such as the Yangon-Mandalay Express trains, the MTT ferry between Mandalay and Bagan, and Myanma Airways (MA) flights; Buy handicrafts directly from the artisans, rather than from government shops; Avoid patronising companies involved with the military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings. Companies with solid links to the Tatmadaw (armed forces) are often called Myawadi or Myawaddy; Write to the Myanmar government and to the Myanmar embassy in your country expressing your views about the human-rights situation there.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 3:29 pm on April 17, 2005
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Broken Leg
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But then considering it inspired Kipling to write such a verse as this, how could you stay away
I am sick 'o wastin' leather on these gritty pavin'-stones,
An' the blasted English drizzle wakes the fever in my bones;
Tho' I walks with fifty 'ousemaids outer Chelsea to the Strand,
An' they talks a lot o' lovin', but wot do they understand?
Beefy face an' grubby 'and--
Law! wot do they understand?
I've a neater, sweeter maiden in a cleaner, greener land!
On the road to Mandalay...
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 5:07 pm on April 17, 2005
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jetset
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Thanks for all the information on Burma.
I find that the only way to find the truth is to go and see for myself. If you noticed the newspapers will only view one side of the reality. I will go for only a couple of days and feel fine contributing a little to the government to see for myself.
For instance, If you mention to a female you are going to Bangkok, they automatically think of whoremongering.
Well, sometimes the news is right...............
I will be going next week and will let you know how it goes.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:59 am on April 25, 2005
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BigDUSA
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Quote: from jetset on 10:53 am on April 26, 2005
For instance, If you mention to a female you are going to Bangkok, they automatically think of whoremongering.
Well, sometimes the news is right...............
I'm shocked, shocked that whoremongering is going on in BKK. I come strictly for the temples and that's my story and I'm sticking to it. 
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 2:30 pm on April 25, 2005
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peterpan
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Ammoresperros
Could you let us know the travel agent you used for your flight.
Go in August and hope to do,ferry from mandalay to
Myitkyina,and then fly to Kunming. sound feasible to you ?regards peter
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:08 pm on April 25, 2005
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jetset
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I am working with my Bkk travel agent that have used about a dosen times, but only for my China flights.
I will try him for the Burma flights and will give you a update.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:55 pm on April 25, 2005
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AmoresPerros
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Peter,
I've used twice the same agent in Suriwong who is supposed to have moved this month to Manohra Hotel, still in Suriwong, but most travel agents in the area will arrange you the visa.
No idea about your second question, but wish you a lot of fun
I was pale from envy reading the burma thread just a while ago but it's 4.30 am and I'm starting to give form and sense to a Bangkok-Colombo-Shangai-Bangkok trip for the next two and half weeks so things are getting better hehe!
AP, vely goos!
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:22 pm on April 25, 2005
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Ronnie Raygun
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You want a story, I'll tell you a story. This story does not involve sex, drugs or rock 'n' roll (and the sound you hear is dozens of members scrolling to the back button). Anyway...
In the Mandalay section of Lonely Planet's Myanmar guidebook there's a description of pwe troupes, which are groups of entertainers that perform music, folk dance, drama and comedy. The most famous troupe in Myanmar is the Moustache Brothers. They're famous, unfortunately for them, for having spent time in prison for making fun of the current government.
According to the Lonely Planet, "on 7 January 1996...the oldest brother, U Par Par Lay, and cousin U Lu Zaw were arrested following an independence day performance at the invitation of Aung San Suu Kyi, at a gathering of 2000 members of the opposition NLD (National League for Democracy) outside her Yangon home. Their crime was to tell a joke on the government: 'In the past, thieves were called thieves. Now they are known as cooperative workers.' Both performers were tortured, tried and sentenced to seven years hard labor in prison, and family members were not permitted to see them. Thanks to international pressure they were freed after serving five years.
They have rejoined the family troupe, which still performs in their small house/theater/store/workshop in Mandalay. So I decided to visit them and buy a marionette, which would allow me to direct a small portion of my tourist dollars away from the government. Naturally the troupe is blacklisted from the official tours (they're also prevented from touring), so it took a fair amount of arguing with a driver to take us there. Eventually we made it to their house, and I was fortunate enough to meet U Lu Zaw, U Par Par Lay, Lu Maw and other family members. We were greeted very, very warmly, and spent about 15 minutes talking about their work and their families. My favorite Myanmar souvenirs are a photo of me with the three of them, and a large marionette that they made.
If you go I highly recommend stopping by their home, and definitely try to catch one of their performances.
Edit: BTW, one of the things we talked about was the Hugh Grant movie, About a Boy, which contains a quick reference to them. They'd love to have a copy of it. They also could use basic stuff like pens, paper, materials for their puppets and stage props, just about anything you can spare. And don't forget to contribute to the hat they pass around after each show.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:42 pm on April 30, 2005
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AmoresPerros
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Jetset,
Any FR from Myanmar??
Just spent a week in Thailand and miss Yangoon girls...
AP
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 9:54 am on May 8, 2005
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AmoresPerros
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Several bombs blasted Yangon a few days ago, any feedback on how is the situation there at the moment?
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:48 am on May 14, 2005
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