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Burma Travel Warnings

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary and Political Situation section (curfew). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

We advise against all but essential travel to Burma due to the unsettled political situation. Protests against the government have taken place in cities across Burma. There have been clashes between protestors and the security forces who have used violence, tear gas and gun shots to disperse the crowds. There have been a number of fatalities and numerous injuries.

Gatherings of more than five people have been prohibited and a curfew has been imposed in Rangoon and Mandalay between 2200 and 0400, although hours are subject to change. You should adhere to this, reduce any outside movements to a minimum and avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings. You should avoid taking photographs or video of the military, the police or demonstrations as doing so could be interpreted as provocative. See the Political situation section of this advice for more details.

You should exercise caution when travelling to border areas in Burma, particularly those close to the Thai/Burma border. Travel restrictions are in place in most border areas due to ongoing military activity and there is only a limited number of legal crossing points, which often close without notice. You should not attempt to cross borders illegally or enter restricted areas without permission from the Burmese authorities. See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.

There is a general threat from terrorism in Burma. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Since April 2005, there have been a number of bomb explosions targeting commercial interests, public transport and places that tourists may visit. On 25 May 2007, there was an explosion at a hotel in Namphalong, near the Burma-India border, reportedly killing one and injuring two others.

There are stringent restrictions on freedom of movement and speech. British Embassy officials are not allowed to travel freely outside Rangoon without prior permission from the Burmese government, except to a limited number of destinations. Consular assistance in an emergency may therefore be restricted or delayed.

Typhoons occasionally occur in Burma between April and October. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Hurricanes for more details.

Around 7,500 British nationals visited Burma in 2006 (Burmese Ministry of Tourism figure). Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Burma in 2006 was due to lack of funds as a result of not being able to use credit cards or travellers’ cheques. See the General (Money) section of this advice for more details.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. Please see the General (Insurance) section of this advice and the Travel Insurance for more details.