I understand why theodosius wants to minimize money given to the Junta. Sure he knows they will get their share, but with him it's a matter of principal and an admirable stand to take.
The reality is if every foreigner who wanted to get into the country said "I will only come in if the government guarantees all my money spent will go to the local people."
If the Junta agreed to that then why should they let foreigners in? Does anyone think the Burmese government loves seeing white, burnt 1/2 naked foreigners in their country? If the government doesn't see they are getting revenue from the tourists they will simply close the borders and then they can really abuse the people. Use some common sense and try to keep the doors open by not being so stingy with spreading your money around. The Junta has closed the borders before and barred tourists from entering and those of us who love Burma don't want that to happen again!
Your worried about $10 departure tax going to the Junta...maybe its used to pay for the new gleaming international terminal? Maybe its used to place ads for international tourism? Maybe its used to pay for the Ministry of tourism staff and offices?
I have to pay 28% taxes in the USA, you think I like I paying for the clowns in Wash DC, and the war machine in Iraq?
The new airport is yet another example of how the junta LOSES money on tourism. I still maintain that it is a myth that they make a nickel off of foreigners visiting their country. Even the consular staff that they employ to issue visas cost more than the revenue that they earn from tourist visas.
The junta can't do anything else properly. Why should it come as a surprise that they are unable to make money from their tourist industry?
Go and spend your money in Myanmar, and know that in your own little way, that you are helping to bankrupt the junta.
This is all tongue in cheek of course, but hardly far from the truth.
Theo-
I admire your ethics of wanting to insure that the money you spend touring in Burma does not go to the generals.
Trouble is--the generals are in charge, and deciding to tour Burma is deciding to provide $$$ to the junta. While people on this board can quibble about how much, there is no question that $$$ goes to the generals from every tourist.
Why don't you go to Mae Sot, Thailand? Visit the 40,000 Burmese in refugee camps there. Volunteer to teach English at their schools. Make a donation to their cause. You seem like a principled fellow--honor the travel boycott requested by Aung Sung Suu Kyi and the NLD, and get a true picture of the situation in Burma from those who have been forced to flee the generals.
and get a true picture of the situation in Burma from those who have been forced to flee the generals.
Thats not going to reflect everyday life and a intimate details about the culture, thats part of the story, a good suggestion, but not the same as visiting.
Driving your car in France and filling up at Total has about the same effect.
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<hr>Driving your car in France and filling up at Total has about the same effect<hr></blockquote>
Yep, like taking a hot shower in Thailand.... money going straight to Naypyitaw.
Please do not forget all those evil, tax paying Saddhus in India who are supplying attack helicopters.
We can adopt new regional commerce and tourist slogans for the countries that actually DO give to the Myanmar military. How about: "Discover Thailand, bludgeon a monk"?
Once again #13 seems unable to respect the fact that the OP has already made the decision to go to Burma.
"I'll be flying to Burma in a few weeks" seems to be a pretty clear statement of intent.
OP enjoy your trip and follow the good advice of those regulars on here who know what they're talking about ;-)
Even if you could I don't think it matters. So you would pay them in kyats, could't they convert it to dollars you've spent in the market? So what was the difference to handle these directly? Anyway, the interesting point is another. One respectable local person, who really seemed to know what he is talking about, told me "if you overstay don't extend your visa, pay the fine in the airport. Because then the people of the airport get the money, not the authorities". It seemed strange and incomprehensible for me, still seems, but that just a quote of somebody whom I would trust.
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