AirAsia Now Flying to Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
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If you want to explore modern day Myanmar, AirAsia have now started budget flights from Bangkok to the country's former capital Yangon
Myanmar, or Burma as it's also known, has been suffering for the last 5 decades under one of the world's most repressive regimes, who have destroyed this once rich country's infrastructure, raped it of its resources and virtually enslaved its people in a totalitarian nightmare that is uncannily close to George Orwell's 1984.
Sounds like a great place for a holiday, huh?
Despite the nightmare the country is currently going through, there is still a lot to see and do in Burma, and a lot of good visitors can do for Burmese people simply by arriving in the country. There is a raging debate about whether tourists should visit Burma at all - the prevailing wisdom, recently echoed by Tony Blair, is that Burma should be boycotted because of its appalling human rights record. Arguably China's human rights records is equally as bad and you don't see any leaders of the free world calling for boycotts on that country. Possibly because China owns most of America and Europe's manufacturing base.
I digress.
Anyway, AirAsia now flys once a day from Bangkok to Yangon and prices are currently around 1200 Thai Baht each way plus taxes. That's around £18 or $28 US. I've been planning to go to Burma in January, so this has been perfect timing.
Lonely Planet Myanmar has an excellent section dedicated specifically to the debate about whether or not to go, lining up the arguments from both sides. Unsurprisingly it comes down on the side that yes, you should go, and explains how you can ensure as much of your holiday budget goes into the hands of the locals rather than the coffers of the government.
TripAdvisor has lots of general info and travellers opinions about Myanmar too.
Other Travelhappy stories of interest:
- Myanmar In Pictures
- Aung San Suu Kyi: Perfect Hostage
- Travelling in Myanmar
- Land of a Thousand Eyes: The Subtle Pleasures of Everyday Life in Myanmar : Book Review
- Burma Book Recommendations
