Burma Campaign UK

I will answer your question as best as I can. Burma Campaign Uk has a very honourable agenda. I agree with their aims of a free and democratic and peaceful Burma/Myanmar, whatever you prefer to call the country. This is the reason that they give for Lonely Planet for being on the ' Dirty List '...

'Lonely Planet is an Australian multinational publishing company specialising in travel guides. Lonely Planet publishes a guide to Burma which encourages tourists to visit the country. Lonely Planet also vigorously defends tourism to Burma, attempting to undermine calls by Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma’s democracy movement for tourists to stay away.'

Burma Campaign UK seems to have different agendas etc from groups such as as the Burma Coalition regarding people vsiting the country. I dont get into politics, read them all and make your own mind up. I still cant see where Lonely Planet vigorously defends tourism to there on the website.

Oh....... Lonely Planet is now owned by the BBC.....................

I wish the list was a little more selective - I don't see it as identifying those most involved in suppporting the military, but rather identifying anyone with any connection to Burma. But still, looking at it we see many nations and organizations with dirty hands of varying degree (in my mind, anyway). I thought the Guardian piece on Burma Blame was more helpful (search back a few days).

bun cha

In reading a recent article about LP they, (LP not the writer) called the decision to publish a guidebook to Burma the most politically controversial decision ever to be made at their business. Perhaps many at LP also had second thoughts about breaking the boycott.

There are many interest groups and many "old scores".... Most countries separate "organises travel" or tour companies from individual travellers.... As for LP and books in general... I guess people have a right to choose... depending on beliefs, ethics and loyalties....
I look at it this way... buy drugs, at least some of the opium grown in “the country”... and you benefit the Junta.. Book into a hotel in Thailand ... benefit the Junta.. (half the staff are probably from the “the country”.. so is the gas used for the hot water and for the electricity.. Buy a suitcase at "Burma mall" in Singapore.. benefit the Junta...
I go and spend a few weeks in "the country" and spend my money with the "little people" and I get blasted and called a scab here on TT...
The dirty list is hopelessly out of date adn flored..... as is most of the information posted on-line.. Must say that some of the items posted on TT in recent days is eye-opening though.