How many travelers?

According to the British Government website, 7500 British citizens visited Myamar last year. I suspect that the figure for Thailand is somewhat higher.

If you stay in guest houses you will meet other travelers. If you stay in hotels you probably won't as most of these have tour groups. One thing about Myanmar is you will meet locals and they aren't out to strip you of your money. I met a Burmese family several years ago and I still visit with them each time I go back. No offence to you, but I try to avoid European tourists as all they want to do is argue politics.

If your main aim is to socialise and meet other "travellers".. then Myanmar may not be the best choice... go to the full moon party on Phangan... Most people we met were with tours, couples.. young and old.. a few single travellers (like Minglaba) who obviously enjoyed their own company... no offence.. Minglaba:-)
Jezzz.. no doubt you will meet people to chat with.. but they are likely to be very different from what you expect.. it may be a group of Korean monks.. on tour.. or a couple of oldies who, European or not.. are happy to include you.. and whatever the travellers are lacking in social etiquette.. the locals will make for with their natural charm.... Its a safe and easy place to travel (poor roads and slow trains not withstanding).. and to feel included in whatever or with whoever you happen to meet.. Please don't worry that you may be travelling alone.. there are lots of people everywhere.. but in the nicest possible way.

I was in Burma last Dec 18 to Jan 10, and it busting with plenty of tourist, few Americans, thank god!

Go to Laos. Don Det. Perfect place for you.
-----

Mosegrisen, my main aim is not to socialise with other travelers. My main aim is to meet and learn from the Burmese, otherwise I wouldn't be going there. I hate these scenes like Phangan. I enjoy my own company or I wouldn't always travel alone. But I also enjoy other people's company or I wouldn't travel at all. And, one of the reasons I travel alone is because it is easier to meet people, both locals and other foreigners alike. And also, one of the good things about travel is not just meeting people who live in the country you are in but also sometimes meeting people from other countries.

Tools4fools, I have been to Laos, even to Don Det. Laos is overrun with tourists. There are more foreigners on Don Det than locals. What makes you think it is the perfect place for me? I was simply asking if I might expect to have the occasional chat with another foreigner in Burma because sometimes one can get a bit lonely. Parts of India can be like this for the solo traveler.

Fair enough.. I can relate to that. Actually we did meet a lone traveller in Udaipur a few years ago.. who had been travelling alone for a some weeks.. using public busses.. quite desperate for someone to talk with. In that sense.. I'd suggest that Myanmar is fairly similar to India.. or at least to Rajastan.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>What makes you think it is the perfect place for me?<hr></blockquote> Probably a humorous reaction to your choice of vocabulary, I laughed.

Because in Don Det there is a horde of tourists who do not want to go to places which are overflooded with tourists and they like to meet other tourists to hang out with...
Kind of what you are looking for...and plenty of them...

A bit more on the serious side:

You will find plenty of others (albeit not as many as in Don Det), the easiest way to find them is to go at each destination to the most recommended guesthouse in the Lonely Planet guidebook.
The common balcony of Mr. Charles Guesthouse in Hsipaw is such a place. For example. Royal GH in Mandalay along with Nylon Ice Cream Parlor and Lashio Lay Resto.

Along the main route (Mandalay, Bagan, Inle, Yangon) you will find more than in less visited regions of course. Kalaw has quite a bit of a backpacker scene as well.
------