Floating Market and reflections on Burma

Feels good to be back in Bangkok again, sitting here in an Italian restaurant, listening to jazz and waiting for a large glass of red wine, ahhhh, very civilized.

Been mostly running errands and catching up on emails the last few days. This morning I went to the Floating Market, an extremely touristy attraction 2 hours south of Bangkok. It’s one of those things I’d been waiting to see but up until now hadn’t taken the time to go. Now I know I wasn’t missing anything. Tourists by the bus load everywhere. It’s supposed to be a market on the canals where the locals are selling everything from fruits to hats to whatever from their longtail boats, but in reality it’s like ten boats of tourists to one local boat and it’s just a big circus. At least I can say I’ve done it now I guess.

I’ve got 3 more days here before I leave for Brisbane, Australia on Friday. Tomorrow I’ve got another dentist appointment to have more of my mercury fillings removed, which if I haven’t mentioned before, is costing me a mere $23/tooth. Then I may do an overnight trip on Wednesday/Thursday to the Bridge on the River Kwai, another tourists trap near Bangkok, but I don’t think it’s quite as bad as the Floating Market. I hope.

Then it’s off to Australia to meet up with the family. I don’t know what’s more exciting – the thought of seeing my family or getting out of Asia and to a western country where everyone speaks English for 3 whole weeks! I am looking forward to it. Just a short time there though and I’ll be back in Bangkok to finish up my SE Asia experience by visiting Laos and possibly Nepal. Then I hope to be in New Zealand for Christmas.

Anyway a bit more on Myanmar. While I was there I wanted to explain more about the military government rule and the oppression, etc, etc, but I knew that if for some reason a government official were to get hold of such a dialogue in my journal, I could have been deported at the very least and at worst put into prison. So I remained silent. But I want people to realize and understand what a f-ed up country it is and truthfully as a tourist I wasn’t even able to see it because the government controls where the tourists are permitted to go and the majority of the country (where there are prison camps, poppy fields, and heroin factories) are off-limits to foreigners.

Here’s what the US Department of State has to say about Myanmar (It’s really hard to believe that such kind and generous people are ruled by such an evil government):

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Burma (Myanmar) is a developing, agrarian country ruled by a military regime. The country’s political situation is relatively volatile as the military government suppresses expression of opposition to its rule.
The country has begun to encourage tourism after a long period of isolation. Foreigners can expect to pay at least five times more than locals do for hotels, airfare, and entry to tourist sites. Tourist facilities in the capital of Rangoon, Bagan, Taunggyi, and Mandalay are adequate, but they are very limited in most other areas of the country.

The military government rarely issues visas to journalists, and several journalists traveling to Burma on tourist visas have been denied entry. Journalists, and tourists mistaken for journalists, have been harassed. Some journalists have had film and notes confiscated upon leaving the country.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Foreigners, including U.S. citizens, have been caught up in the Burmese Government’s suppression of the democratic opposition. 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, unspecified restrictions will be jailed in lieu of deportation.

Burma experienced major political unrest in 1988 when the military regime jailed and/or killed an undetermined number 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 student demonstrations in 1996, and demonstrations occurred in August and September of 1998. Popular unrest and violence continue to be possible. U.S. citizens traveling in Burma should exercise caution and check with the U.S. Embassy for an update on the current 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, proof of U.S. citizenship is readily available.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Customs regulations are restrictive and strictly enforced. Travelers have reported that their luggage is closely searched upon arrival and departure by Customs authorities. It is illegal to take many items, including antiques, out of Burma. Foreigners have been detained, searched and imprisoned for attempting to take Burmese gems out of the country. Customs officials also strictly limit what is brought into the country. However, the military government can not or will not provide a complete listing of prohibited imports. The military government restricts access to outside information. Newspapers are censored for articles unfavorable to the military government. Any publications that could be viewed as pro-democracy and/or anti-junta will be confiscated. Travelers have also reported problems bringing in high-tech electronic devices and equipment, from toys to computers.

COMPUTERS, INTERNET, AND EMAIL: The military government has banned general Internet use in Burma. As of February 2002, Internet connections are illegal except to the government and a few favored businesses. It is illegal to own an unregistered modem in Burma, and tourists have had their laptop computers taken and held at the airport until their departure. Limited E-mail service is available at some large hotels. All e-mails are read by military intelligence. It is very expensive to send photographs via e-mail. One foreign visitor was presented a bill for $2,000.00 U.S. dollars after transmitting one photograph via a major hotel’s e-mail system.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Photographing people in uniform or any military installation is prohibited by Burmese authorities, and it could lead to arrest or the confiscation of cameras and film. Also, please avoid photographing power plants and bridges.

Floating Market

Some non-floating things at the Floating Market

Add comment July 29th, 2002