Comments on: Ethically Speaking: Should You Vacation in Burma?

By: George L

George L — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:01:53 +0000

I went to Burma, just last week as it happens,I have visited places with a more oppresive regime. During my visit I learned a lot and conclude that nobody should avoid going for fear of
“propping up” the Generals regime. Tourists interact with residents and each learns from the other. My spend in a poor country I feel does more good than my spend in a wealthy one. Like all other nations. Myanmar, or Burma,is somewhat a victim of its history and will get what we call democracy when a middle or commercial class emerges. Meanwhile visit the country, and meet the lovely people sent 21.3. 10

By: from Iran

from Iran — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:21:53 +0000

I’m not a Burma (or Iran) government fan but:

Nobody should come to U.S either, because dollars he or she spend would help prop up the country’s military regime.

Why you Americans think you are “different”? Why you think you are the criterion of what’s right and what’s wrong? Who gave you this right? You, like any other country in history has your own ethical problems.This ignorance and self pride is killing you everyday in Afghanistan and Iraq and elsewhere.

By: Garry Altstaetter

Garry Altstaetter — Mon, 19 May 2008 05:38:21 +0000

Yes, I would go. In fact I was planning a scuba trip but my schedule changed and I could not go.

There are a lot of people and organizations that have no problem advocating the use of force on small and weak countries but have resevations on the use of force on well armed and just as corrupt regimes. Iran is an example. I think the leftist UN and liberal organizations are corrupt and morally bankrupt. They need to get a dose of logic and start tackling the real problems in the world….

By: Suzanne Morris

Suzanne Morris — Sun, 18 May 2008 03:49:51 +0000

I was born in Hungary and all of my extended family still lives there. I know that visitors from the West brought them hope, truth and much needed dollars. I know Burma is a different situation, but the good, ordinary people who are suffering need to meet people from the outside and be told that they are not forgotten.

By: maynard thomson

maynard thomson — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:43:02 +0000

My wife and I were in Burma in March. We travelled the length of the country, often going days without seeing another tourist. Wherever we went, we were told two things: the government is vile and terrifying, and our presence was a comfort. Why the latter should be so isn’t entirely clear, but perhaps it was just the human desire to feel remembered.

The boycott, by tourists and businesses, simply leaves the field to the Chinese, who are busy acquiring Burma as a wholly-owned sub. They prop up the generals, and the absence of an alternative presence does nothing for the Burmese people.

I say go. Listen–you won’t have to wait long to be told how welcome you are. Then come home and demand that western businesses be encouraged by their governments to go into Burma, with the understanding that they are expected to be disruptive elements in Burma, and will suffer in the west if they become agents or beneficiaries of the generals’ brutality.

By: Leah

Leah — Sun, 18 May 2008 01:44:55 +0000

I was in Burma last summer. Our guide May, was a woman in her late 40′s who’s father had been kidnapped by whichever Junta took over in the mid sixties.
He was imprisoned for about five years before dying there. She never saw him again.
May, a devote Buddhist, said that Buddhism is the blessing and curse of Burma. It gives the hope that all true religions do. It also locks people into a fatalistic mode that this is their lot in life. I was amazed there fore to see the monks rising up to defy the regime. They never stood a chance.

Burma is a beautiful country, with wonderful people. I am terribly saddened by their fate, I don’t feel any people deserves this. But I am glad I went, in my small way, I supported a handful of people. And having been there, I feel for the people. Not enough to think the US should invade. But enough to know how blessed I am to be an American, and to hopefully be able to send money to someone reasonable one of these days who will do good for those suffering. people.

By: bagman

bagman — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:45:49 +0000

I’ve been to burma in 1985. It is clear that you are supporting the government if you go. but you are also supporting the people there by buying their food and items and handicrafts. It may be a little, but a little goes a long way there. I also talked to native Burmese without any government spies around and it gave the a chance to tell their story about the corruption of the government. I saw soldiers smuggling in items on the burmese airlines we were supposed to be travling on. I assume these were coming in from thailand. People there are very friendly. This is an incredible country to travel in and would be a wonderful destination if the government was more open. I wish the best for the people there

By: Smokey

Smokey — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:33:05 +0000

Having spent considerable time in that part of the world, I would advise going to Thailand instead. The Thai people are very friendly — and their government is a democracy. You don’t have to worry about being spied on like you do in Myanmar/Burma.

Spend your tourist dollars where they will do some good, instead of propping up an illegitimate government that starves its own people; don’t be their enabler.

Avoid mainland China, too. They could resolve the situation in Burma overnight. But they seem to prefer the status quo in Burma — and in Tibet, which remains under the Chinese jackboot. Singapore is a much nicer place to visit, anyway.

By: Freddy Hill

Freddy Hill — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:20:14 +0000

I realize you pose an ethical problem, but it is overwhelmed by the extra-ethical practicalities.

Burma’s infrastructure is ravaged. Disease will be a serious issue over the next year or two. The security situation is abysmal. All of this will not get better as long as the junta continues to be in power. In contrast, look at Burma’s neighborhood: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Tibet, Yunnan province in China. All of these places offer unique opportunities for turists and better services (as of right now). Why would any rational consumer go to Burma?

There is a reason, of course, and it can be illustrated by an ad I saw during the war in Bosnia; it said something like: “Ski Bosnia! best snow, best prices!” I’ll bet! They could have added that it would greatly enhance your bullet-dodging slalom skills. Truth be told, I would have gone given half a chance.

The bottom line is, I’m a hard nosed capitalist, so give me a competitive reason to go and I’ll go. Unfortunately, Burma’s junta is unlikely to understand this. For crying out loud, even Sichuan seems more attractive right now.

By: Rubicon

Rubicon — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:59:32 +0000

First, I am not so sure the Olympics should be held in China. But that’s another debate.
The idea that the United Nations should mount a military campaign to overthrow the government, however despicable it is, is insane.
The UN cannot run almost any of its current programs w/o all sorts of corruption & ineptitude. Giving them guns would be tantamount to suicide.
The UN having access to a standing army is a frightening thought. The UN having power to intervene in any nations affairs is just as frightening. The UN has NO moral authority and to assign ANY moral authority to the likes of Hollywood is pathetic.(Think Brittany&Lindsey)
The people of that nation must be the one’s to decide to put a stop to the tactics of their leaders. So long as other nations &/or groups are not involved in enabling the govt, let the people decide.
Calls for UN intervention really mean, Americans should go fight this fight, because
“we” think this is a “good war.” The wars America fights are “bad” wars. Because America is a “bad” nation full of “bad” capitalists.
But when we can get America to spend its blood & treasure for wars “we” think are right, that’s OK!
Pressure China & the Burmese govt will open up enough to let in aid. Otherwise, mind your own business!