Burma (Myanmar):
Burma is an international pariah because of its abysmal human rights record. It's a repressive, poor Southeast Asian country where the military holds the power and treats its people like slaves. Ethnic separatist groups, such as the Karens and the Shan in the north of the country are battling the government. On top of that, most of the opium in the world is grown in northern Burma.
There were free elections in 1990, but the army didn't like the results, and clamped down even harder. The leader of the opposition, a mild woman named Ang San Suu Kyi, was put under house arrest for years. In May, 2002 the government finally declared that she was free to go wherever she wanted to and to "carry out all liberties." The coming months will reveal whether this woman, who is the legitimate political leader of Burma, will actually be able to effect any changes.
The economy of Burma is in tatters, since most government money goes to the military rather than to things such as healthcare. As a result, malaria and typhoid are taking many lives.
Tourists do go to Burma, as it's quite an interesting place. There are some fascinating old temples at Pagan, Mandaly, Sagang, and Amarapura. The economic problems mean that hardly anyone can afford a car, so the streets of the cities are much quieter than in other Southeast Asian cities.
The government has been busy building hotels for tourists and trying to attract foreigners and their money, and a lot of people have been making the journey there. Despite its political and economic troubles, Burma can still be a charming place.
This page last updated May 11, 2002.Books: Chasing the Dragon, by Christopher R. Cox