smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Burma
| Burma overall | This Advice is current for Thursday, 21 August 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Burma/Thailand border area | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Civil Unrest/Political Tension (update) and Information for Dual Nationals (update). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We continue to receive reports that terrorist elements in the region are planning attacks.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Burma because of the uncertain security situation and the possibility of civil unrest. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
Throughout September 2007, demonstrations led by monks protesting for political reform took place across Burma, including in Rangoon, Sittwe and Pakokku. Burmese authorities responded with gunfire and tear gas and detained protesters. There were numerous deaths and injuries, including a foreign journalist killed in demonstrations in Rangoon.
Be aware that protests are illegal in Burma. You should avoid protests and demonstrations as they may become violent. You should also avoid areas cordoned off by security forces. You should avoid taking photographs of demonstrations, the military or police as this may not be tolerated by the Burmese authorities.
Acts of political violence can occur. The frequency of bomb attacks in Burma has increased, including in the capital, Rangoon. On 13 January 2008, a bomb blast at a railway station in Rangoon injured one person. Bomb attacks in the provincial towns of Pyu and Pyinmina (200 km and 400km north of Rangoon respectively) killed two people on the previous two days. Attacks have also occurred in areas frequented by tourists, including shopping centres, hotels and on public transport. Further attacks could occur at any time.
In the past, there have been incidents of politically motivated violence on or around public holidays such as Armed Forces Day (27 March) and Martyrs Day (19 July). Other significant events, including the anniversary of the 1988 uprising (8 August) and the anniversary of demonstrations led by monks to protest for political reform (26 September) are likely to see an increase of police and security forces in Rangoon and elsewhere in Burma.
Freedom of speech, movement and political activity is restricted. Foreigners have been detained, imprisoned or deported for distributing pro-democracy literature and visiting the homes or offices of Burmese pro-democracy leaders. Curfews are occasionally imposed.
Burma/Thailand border: We strongly advise you not to travel to the border area between Burma and Thailand because of the risk of ethnic conflict and banditry and unmarked landmines.
There is a risk of street crime, such as mugging and petty theft, including incidents of violent crime directed against foreigners.
Unmarked landmines are a danger in parts of Burma, particularly in the border areas.
Foreigners are frequently required to present their passport and visa to authorities, including for domestic air and rail travel and when staying at hotels.
Travel within Burma is restricted to officially designated tourist areas. You can minimise delays and disruption by obtaining permission from the Burmese tourist authorities before undertaking travel outside Rangoon.
Driving in Burma may be dangerous because of aggressive driving practices, poorly maintained vehicles and roads, livestock and pedestrians on the road and the lack of street lighting.
Public transportation within Burma, including air and rail travel, often does not meet international safety standards. Fatal accidents have occurred. It is common practice for pedestrians to walk on roads. A driver involved in an accident with a pedestrian is always regarded to be at fault and is likely to be detained.
Internet service is not readily available in Burma. Access to the internet is expensive, heavily restricted and free international email sites are not accessible. The telephone network is unreliable and limited to cities and large towns. Mobile phones, other than those provided by Burmese authorities, are unlikely to operate in Burma.
Staff at the Australian Embassy in Rangoon are prohibited from flying on Myanmar Airways (MA) because of concerns about the airline's maintenance and safety standards. Myanmar Airways should not be confused with Myanmar Airways International, which is used by Embassy staff.
An Air Bagan flight from Rangoon to the resort area of Ngapali in Rakhine State on 2 March 2008 experienced a significant mid-air engine problem which required the aircraft to return to Rangoon. The aircraft was reportedly on loan from Myanmar Airlines. This followed severe damage to an Air Bagan aircraft on an aborted take-off from Putao in northern Kachin State in February 2008.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit Burma on 2/3 May 2008 with particularly severe impact on the Ayeyawady (Irrawady) Delta and on Rangoon. There was heavy loss of life. The significant damage to property, power and water supply, transport and communications networks will require lengthy remediation. There is a heightened risk of disease in affected areas. Australians are encouraged to avoid unnecessary local travel. You should monitor local media reports for the latest information. We recommend you contact your airline or travel agent to confirm flight details.
The monsoon season is June to September in the southwest of Burma and December to April in the northeast, and flooding may occur. Severe weather can often precede the monsoon season.
In the event of a tropical cyclone or typhoon, monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials. You can check the latest information at the India Meteorological Department website. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather – Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.
All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.
Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, you should consider how you are going to access your money. US currency is widely accepted at commercial establishments. Credit cards or US dollars travellers' cheques are rarely accepted for payment at hotels or for the purchase of goods or services, including airline tickets. There are no ATMs in Burma and cash advances on credit/debit cards and cheque cashing facilities through banks are not available. Other currencies and travellers' cheques are not widely accepted. You should be aware that banks, money changers and commercial establishments in Burma occasionally refuse foreign currency on the basis of reports of counterfeit currency in circulation.
The Burmese government issues Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs), which have the same face value as the US dollar. FECs can be exchanged for local currency (Myanmar Kyat), or used to pay for goods and services where FECs are the accepted form of payment. Neither FECs nor Myanmar Kyat can be converted to any other currency.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Burma, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Burma.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death penalty. The death penalty may also apply for other serious offences, including murder and treason.
Photographing military personnel and installations is illegal.
It is illegal to protest or form assemblies of people in Burma.
It is illegal to enter/exit Burma with religious materials. It is illegal to preach or to distribute religious materials without written approval from Burmese authorities.
It is illegal to drive in Burma with an Australian or International Driving Licence. You must hold a valid Burmese driving licence.
Customs regulations on prohibited imports and exports are often unclear and can change. You should seek further advice regarding import and export from your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Burma.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Burmese are deeply respectful of their religious and cultural traditions. Visitors should remove shoes and socks before entering religious buildings and compounds.
There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Burma and you should take care not to offend. Wearing short-sleeved garments and shorts may cause offence when visiting Buddhist temples.
It is considered seriously offensive to touch or pat a child or adult on the top of the head.
Burma does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of Australian officials to provide consular services to Australian/Burmese dual nationals who are arrested or detained. We strongly advise you to travel on your Australian passport at all times.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Burma for the most up to date information.
Travel to and within Burma is strictly controlled by government authorities.
Travel to or from Burma via a land route is possible, but is restricted to a limited number of land border crossing points. These are:
You must obtain permission to use these land border transit points prior to travel through a government authorised tour company who will obtain the required permits from the Burmese Ministry of Hotel and Tourism.
Customs regulations are restrictive and strictly enforced. For example, laptop computers and mobile phones are restricted imports and must be declared to Burmese customs authorities. Burmese customs may hold undeclared items for collection upon departure. Travellers report that customs authorities closely search luggage on arrival and departure. Customs officials strictly limit what is brought into the country. There are strict rules governing the export of Burmese gems. You can seek further advice regarding import and export from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Union of Myanmar.
Foreign currency in excess of US$2,000 must be declared upon arrival. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while travelling overseas.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
The standard of medical facilities in Burma is extremely limited, particularly outside the capital Rangoon. You should avoid any surgical procedures, including dental work, due to the danger of infection, including hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, from unsterile dental and medical instruments. Up-front cash payment is required prior to receiving treatment. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with the appropriate facilities (usually Bangkok, Singapore or Australia) would be necessary. Medivac costs would be in excess of $A25,000.
The mosquito-borne diseases malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya fever and Japanese encephalitis are endemic in Burma. We recommend you take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid mosquito bites, including using insect repellent at all times.
Japanese encephalitis vaccine is currently unavailable in Australia. The Department of Health and Ageing is working with vaccine suppliers to make a vaccine available as soon as possible. For further details see the Department of Health and Ageing's website or consult your doctor.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, typhoid, rabies and tuberculosis) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
Avian influenza In December 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed Burma's first human case of avian influenza in a remote area of eastern Shan State. The Department of Health and Ageing advises Australians who reside in Burma for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. You should seek medical advice before taking antiviral medicines. Australians intending to travel to Burma for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks.
If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in Burma should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians in Burma should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up to date in case they need to depart at short notice.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
In Burma, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian Embassy
88 Strand Road
Rangoon, Burma
Telephone: (95 1) 251 810
Facsimile: (95 1) 246 159
Email: austembassy.rangoon@dfat.gov.au
If you are travelling to Burma, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
