Comments on: Is The BBC Indirectly Funding Burma’s Military Regime? http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/06/13/is-the-bbc-indirectly-funding-burmas-military-regime/ Online travel magazine dedicated to exploring travel in the 21st century. Offering travel news, compelling interviews, online travel tools, and more. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:46:16 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Dave http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/06/13/is-the-bbc-indirectly-funding-burmas-military-regime/comment-page-1/#comment-72760 Dave Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:28:59 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=590#comment-72760 Traveling throughout Myanmar (Burma) it was sadto see the reality on the ground for the Burmese. They are benefiting from Foreigners coming to their country. There were those who were ignorant of the fact of state owned enterprizes which was quite dissapointing but there were others who tried to give as much as they could to the people. Isolation would make the situation in Myanmar (Burma) harder and conscious and informed travelers definitely make a difference in presence and communication. Cheers Traveling throughout Myanmar (Burma) it was sadto see the reality on the ground for the Burmese. They are benefiting from Foreigners coming to their country. There were those who were ignorant of the fact of state owned enterprizes which was quite dissapointing but there were others who tried to give as much as they could to the people.
Isolation would make the situation in Myanmar (Burma) harder and conscious and informed travelers definitely make a difference in presence and communication.

Cheers

(Report comment)

]]> By: Geoff http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/06/13/is-the-bbc-indirectly-funding-burmas-military-regime/comment-page-1/#comment-72111 Geoff Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:50:03 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=590#comment-72111 I'd generally agree, although probably in less forthright terms, with Andrea - I chatted to several travellers I met in Thailand who'd been or were planning to go, to Burma, and in every case they had little or no real understanding of the issues, and in the majority of cases hadn't even considered them, and were surprised to hear about the position of Aung San Suu Kyi or the Burma Coalition. For most, their desire to go was about 'getting off the beaten track' without really thinking why that is the case. That's not to say all travellers are like that - from what you say Don, you are clearly not that type, and I have read accounts from other enlightened backpackers - but sadly I think you're a minority, and it's partially for that reason I continue to support the boycott in general, while supporting more engaged travellers like yourself. I’d generally agree, although probably in less forthright terms, with Andrea – I chatted to several travellers I met in Thailand who’d been or were planning to go, to Burma, and in every case they had little or no real understanding of the issues, and in the majority of cases hadn’t even considered them, and were surprised to hear about the position of Aung San Suu Kyi or the Burma Coalition. For most, their desire to go was about ‘getting off the beaten track’ without really thinking why that is the case.

That’s not to say all travellers are like that – from what you say Don, you are clearly not that type, and I have read accounts from other enlightened backpackers – but sadly I think you’re a minority, and it’s partially for that reason I continue to support the boycott in general, while supporting more engaged travellers like yourself.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Colin http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/06/13/is-the-bbc-indirectly-funding-burmas-military-regime/comment-page-1/#comment-71991 Colin Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:46:43 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=590#comment-71991 Andrea, Thanks for reading the article and taking time to comment. I do feel you are being slightly harsh on backpackers. My experience of the situation is that they are generally clued-up and respectful about the places they visit. Although I will agree there are always exceptions. I would be interested in finding out more about your extensive research. Regarding your China question, I advise you to read Matthew's article http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/05/28/why-its-useless-to-boycott-the-bejiing-olympics/. While this may not present a definitive answer it goes some way to explaining my logic in visiting China. Cheers Colin Andrea,

Thanks for reading the article and taking time to comment.

I do feel you are being slightly harsh on backpackers. My experience of the situation is that they are generally clued-up and respectful about the places they visit. Although I will agree there are always exceptions. I would be interested in finding out more about your extensive research.

Regarding your China question, I advise you to read Matthew’s article http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/05/28/why-its-useless-to-boycott-the-bejiing-olympics/. While this may not present a definitive answer it goes some way to explaining my logic in visiting China.

Cheers
Colin

(Report comment)

]]> By: Andrea http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/06/13/is-the-bbc-indirectly-funding-burmas-military-regime/comment-page-1/#comment-71941 Andrea Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:29:33 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=590#comment-71941 Your claim that readers of Lonely Planet are generally knowledgeable of political situations and fully aware of ethical travel made me laugh out loud... I undertook extensive research on exactly this problem, and, guess what, backpackers know NOTHING about Burma, about politics, and are generally not aware at all of ethical issues when travelling. Unfortunately, most of them are interested in the Full Moon Party, and the rest of the 'Asia-trail'. Come on, face reality, just look at Khaosan Rd etc, don't be a fool I know that there are a lot of well-meaning travellers, and some of them are well-aware of the political issues, but most of them have no idea, mate! unfortunately knowledge does not run very deep amongst the LP readers, as they often don't read much wider than that other than that good article PS: i see you are traveling in China at the moment? So what about the ethics of that? :-) Your claim that readers of Lonely Planet are generally knowledgeable of political situations and fully aware of ethical travel made me laugh out loud… I undertook extensive research on exactly this problem, and, guess what, backpackers know NOTHING about Burma, about politics, and are generally not aware at all of ethical issues when travelling. Unfortunately, most of them are interested in the Full Moon Party, and the rest of the ‘Asia-trail’. Come on, face reality, just look at Khaosan Rd etc, don’t be a fool

I know that there are a lot of well-meaning travellers, and some of them are well-aware of the political issues, but most of them have no idea, mate! unfortunately knowledge does not run very deep amongst the LP readers, as they often don’t read much wider than that

other than that good article

PS: i see you are traveling in China at the moment? So what about the ethics of that? :-)

(Report comment)

]]> By: Ian http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/06/13/is-the-bbc-indirectly-funding-burmas-military-regime/comment-page-1/#comment-71895 Ian Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:45:16 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=590#comment-71895 It's a tough issue that requires hard decisions - especially considering Aung San Suu Kyi specifically asked that tourists spend their dollars elsewhere. Thanks Julie and Don for your comments on the other side of the argument. It’s a tough issue that requires hard decisions – especially considering Aung San Suu Kyi specifically asked that tourists spend their dollars elsewhere. Thanks Julie and Don for your comments on the other side of the argument.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Julie http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/06/13/is-the-bbc-indirectly-funding-burmas-military-regime/comment-page-1/#comment-71894 Julie Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:43:40 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=590#comment-71894 Don- Well-articulated and your perspective as someone who has lived in Burma is definitely insightful. Don-

Well-articulated and your perspective as someone who has lived in Burma is definitely insightful.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Don Jameson http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/06/13/is-the-bbc-indirectly-funding-burmas-military-regime/comment-page-1/#comment-71876 Don Jameson Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:38:48 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=590#comment-71876 Having lived in Burma for three years and traveled throughout the country, including to many very out of the way places, I agree that there is no point in discouraging tourism there. This isolates the people of Burma from contact with outsiders, which they fervently desire, and has little or no impact on the military regime, which has many more lucrative sources of income, including gas and gems. Opposing tourism is a head in the sand approach which is out of step with the realities in Burma, whatever Aung San Suu Kyi may think. The greatest hope for positive change in Burma rests on opening it up to outside influence, which sooner or later will have an impact on the direction of events there. Attempting to further isolate the country just plays into the hands of a reclusive leadership and harms the Burmese people who need all the outside contact they can get. Having lived in Burma for three years and traveled throughout the country, including to many very out of the way places, I agree that there is no point in discouraging tourism there. This isolates the people of Burma from contact with outsiders, which they fervently desire, and has little or no impact on the military regime, which has many more lucrative sources of income, including gas and gems. Opposing tourism is a head in the sand approach which is out of step with the realities in Burma, whatever Aung San Suu Kyi may think. The greatest hope for positive change in Burma rests on opening it up to outside influence, which sooner or later will have an impact on the direction of events there. Attempting to further isolate the country just plays into the hands of a reclusive leadership and harms the Burmese people who need all the outside contact they can get.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Julie http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/06/13/is-the-bbc-indirectly-funding-burmas-military-regime/comment-page-1/#comment-71870 Julie Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:11:54 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=590#comment-71870 Colin- I'm inclined to agree with your conclusion. It's more important for non-Burmese to see what's happening in Burma and to give a damn. With or without tourist money, dictators will find a way to oppress people. Colin-

I’m inclined to agree with your conclusion. It’s more important for non-Burmese to see what’s happening in Burma and to give a damn. With or without tourist money, dictators will find a way to oppress people.

(Report comment)

]]>