Cheap car hire in Burma (Myanmar) - Safety and Security

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Safety and Security

SAFETY AND SECURITY: U.S. citizens have been detained, arrested, tried, and deported for, among other activities, distributing pro-democracy literature, photographing sites and activities, and visiting the homes and offices of Burmese pro-democracy leaders. Burmese authorities have warned U.S. Embassy officials that future offenders of these vague restrictions will be jailed rather than deported. Should an emergency arise, it may be difficult to assist U.S. citizens quickly because travel inside Burma can be slow and difficult.

Burma previously experienced major political unrest in 1988 when the military regime jailed and/or killed thousands of Burmese democracy activists. In 1990, the military government refused to recognize the results of an election that the opposition won overwhelmingly. Burma experienced major demonstrations in 1996 and 1998. In May 2003, individuals affiliated with the Burmese government attacked a convoy carrying opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Sagaing Division. Dozens were killed or injured. Popular unrest and violence continue.

For the last decade, sporadic anti-government insurgent activity has occurred in various locations, such as an attack on a natural gas pipeline in the Tenasserim Division and bomb attacks against family members of senior military officials in Rangoon. Two small bombs exploded in downtown Rangoon in the spring of 2003, and Burmese authorities reportedly found other explosive devices in 1999 and 2000. In early 2002, the military government tightened security around the international airport in Rangoon after two rocket-propelled grenades devices were discovered near the airport in early 2002.

Ethnic insurgencies still smolder in regions along the Thai-Burma border and anti-personnel landmines pose a danger. Occasional fighting between government forces and various insurgent groups has occurred in Chin and Rakhine states and along the Thai-Burma border area in Burma’s southern Shan, Mon, and Karen states. In February 2001, several people were killed and some tourists were stranded during shelling and cross-border gunfire in the town of Tachileik, Shan State. From time to time, the Thai government has closed the border with Burma due to increases in insurgent activity.

U.S. citizens traveling in Burma should exercise caution and check with the U.S. Embassy for an update on the current security situation. U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry their U.S. passports or photocopies of passport data and photo pages at all times so that if questioned by Burmese officials, they have proof of U.S. citizenship readily available.