Wayzata World Factbook 1996/The World Factbook - 1996 Edition - Wayzata Technology (3079) (1996).iso/pc/text/tvltxt/burma.tvl

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STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Burma (Myanmar)
============================================================
Burma (Myanmar) - Consular Information Sheet
 October 19, 1995

Country Description:  Burma, renamed Myanmar in 1989, experienced
major political unrest in 1988.  Conditions are stable under a
military government except in remote border areas where longstanding
insurgencies persist.

Entry Requirements:  Travel to and within Burma is strictly
controlled by that country's government.  A passport and visa is
required.  Tourist visas are issued for package/group tours as well
as to foreign individual tourists ("FITS") for stays of up to four
weeks.  Burmese visas may be issued at the point of entry to certain
individual tourists and group travelers.  "FITS" must exchange a
minimum of $300 for dollar denominated foreign exchange certificates
upon arrival.  Information about entering Burma via land borders as
well as other information may be sought from the Burmese Embassy
(Embassy of the Union of Myanmar), 2300 S Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20008 [phone]/6), or the Permanent Mission of Myanmar to
the U.N., 10 East 77th St., New York, N.Y. 10021 (212-535-1311).

Areas of Instability:  Travel to main tourist areas of Pagan, Inle
Lake and the Mandalay area is routine.  Travel to other parts of
Burma is possible, although transportation is difficult.  Visiting
destinations such as Kyaiktiyo, Moulemein, and Myitkyina may require
advance permission from authorities, which takes several days to
arrange in Rangoon.  Those destinations requiring permission are
subject to change without advance notice.  Unauthorized travelers
may be stopped and harassed by security personnel and turned around.
 Some persons traveling to places where permission is not expressly
required have also reported delays, including temporary detention by
local security personnel.  Others report being able to travel
freely.  Obtaining advance permission to certain destinations does
not guarantee ability to travel, which is ultimately at the
discretion of Burmese military intelligence.  There has been one
reported guerrilla attack in the vicinity of Kanbauk (Tenasserim) in
the vicinity of a planned gas pipeline.

Southern Shan State is the scene of occasional fighting between the
government forces and Shan United Army (MTA).  There has also been
recent fighting by other groups in the Thai-Burma border region, and
travelers may obtain updated information from the U.S. Embassy at
Rangoon.  The Tachilek border area, at which border crossings are
sometimes permitted, is a potential site for fighting.  Even
inadvertently crossing the border elsewhere may result in danger.

Medical Facilities:  Hospital and medical services are available in
Rangoon.  Elsewhere, medical care is limited.  Doctors and hospitals
often expect immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S.
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.
Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage,
including provision for medical evacuation, has proven useful.  The
international travelers hotline at the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention can be reached at [phone] for additional
useful health information.

Information on Crime:  Security in tourist areas is generally good.
 Lost or stolen passports should be reported to local police and the
U.S. Embassy.  The level of violent crime and crime against property
is low.  There are occasional reports of pickpocketing.  Useful
information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security
while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State
pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad."  It is available from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Travelers are subject to the laws and legal
practices of the country in which they are traveling.  Penalties for
possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and
possible sentences include stiff jail terms and fines or the death
penalty.

Currency:  Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) are de facto
exchangeable for Burmese Kyat at market rates.  FEC are required by
foreigners for the payment of plane and most train tickets and most
hotels.  Kyat are accepted for most other transactions.  It is
possible to purchase FEC with some credit cards at the Myanmar
Foreign Trade Bank in Rangoon.

Although money changers may approach travelers to offer to change
dollars into Kyat at the market rate, it is illegal to exchange
foreign currency except at authorized locations such as the airport,
banks and government stores.

Other Information:  Roads are poor in Burma.  Trains are
uncomfortable and not always punctual.  Photographing persons in
uniform or any military installation is discouraged by Burmese
authorities.  Customs regulations are restrictive and strictly
enforced.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy may
obtain updated information on travel and security within the country.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located at 581 Merchant
Street, Rangoon.  The telephone number is (95-1) 82055.

 No. 95-130

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 6, 1995 to
update information on entry, areas of instability, and currency
restrictions.


----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The "[e-mail]" mailing list is the official Internet and
BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and
Consular Information Sheets.  To unsubscribe, send a message containing the
word "unsubscribe" to:    [e-mail]

Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL:
"http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher:
gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------


STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Burma (Myanmar)
============================================================
Burma (Myanmar) - Consular Information Sheet
 October 19, 1995

Country Description:  Burma, renamed Myanmar in 1989, experienced
major political unrest in 1988.  Conditions are stable under a
military government except in remote border areas where longstanding
insurgencies persist.

Entry Requirements:  Travel to and within Burma is strictly
controlled by that country's government.  A passport and visa is
required.  Tourist visas are issued for package/group tours as well
as to foreign individual tourists ("FITS") for stays of up to four
weeks.  Burmese visas may be issued at the point of entry to certain
individual tourists and group travelers.  "FITS" must exchange a
minimum of $300 for dollar denominated foreign exchange certificates
upon arrival.  Information about entering Burma via land borders as
well as other information may be sought from the Burmese Embassy
(Embassy of the Union of Myanmar), 2300 S Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20008 [phone]/6), or the Permanent Mission of Myanmar to
the U.N., 10 East 77th St., New York, N.Y. 10021 (212-535-1311).

Areas of Instability:  Travel to main tourist areas of Pagan, Inle
Lake and the Mandalay area is routine.  Travel to other parts of
Burma is possible, although transportation is difficult.  Visiting
destinations such as Kyaiktiyo, Moulemein, and Myitkyina may require
advance permission from authorities, which takes several days to
arrange in Rangoon.  Those destinations requiring permission are
subject to change without advance notice.  Unauthorized travelers
may be stopped and harassed by security personnel and turned around.
 Some persons traveling to places where permission is not expressly
required have also reported delays, including temporary detention by
local security personnel.  Others report being able to travel
freely.  Obtaining advance permission to certain destinations does
not guarantee ability to travel, which is ultimately at the
discretion of Burmese military intelligence.  There has been one
reported guerrilla attack in the vicinity of Kanbauk (Tenasserim) in
the vicinity of a planned gas pipeline.

Southern Shan State is the scene of occasional fighting between the
government forces and Shan United Army (MTA).  There has also been
recent fighting by other groups in the Thai-Burma border region, and
travelers may obtain updated information from the U.S. Embassy at
Rangoon.  The Tachilek border area, at which border crossings are
sometimes permitted, is a potential site for fighting.  Even
inadvertently crossing the border elsewhere may result in danger.

Medical Facilities:  Hospital and medical services are available in
Rangoon.  Elsewhere, medical care is limited.  Doctors and hospitals
often expect immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S.
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.
Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage,
including provision for medical evacuation, has proven useful.  The
international travelers hotline at the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention can be reached at [phone] for additional
useful health information.

Information on Crime:  Security in tourist areas is generally good.
 Lost or stolen passports should be reported to local police and the
U.S. Embassy.  The level of violent crime and crime against property
is low.  There are occasional reports of pickpocketing.  Useful
information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security
while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State
pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad."  It is available from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Travelers are subject to the laws and legal
practices of the country in which they are traveling.  Penalties for
possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and
possible sentences include stiff jail terms and fines or the death
penalty.

Currency:  Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) are de facto
exchangeable for Burmese Kyat at market rates.  FEC are required by
foreigners for the payment of plane and most train tickets and most
hotels.  Kyat are accepted for most other transactions.  It is
possible to purchase FEC with some credit cards at the Myanmar
Foreign Trade Bank in Rangoon.

Although money changers may approach travelers to offer to change
dollars into Kyat at the market rate, it is illegal to exchange
foreign currency except at authorized locations such as the airport,
banks and government stores.

Other Information:  Roads are poor in Burma.  Trains are
uncomfortable and not always punctual.  Photographing persons in
uniform or any military installation is discouraged by Burmese
authorities.  Customs regulations are restrictive and strictly
enforced.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy may
obtain updated information on travel and security within the country.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located at 581 Merchant
Street, Rangoon.  The telephone number is (95-1) 82055.

 No. 95-130

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 6, 1995 to
update information on entry, areas of instability, and currency
restrictions.


----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The "[e-mail]" mailing list is the official Internet and
BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and
Consular Information Sheets.  To unsubscribe, send a message containing the
word "unsubscribe" to:    [e-mail]

Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL:
"http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher:
gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories
.