MYANMAR - Better than Thailand?

Phuket post, 4-12-2006

Myanmar has long been a controversial destination for tourists, with the argument being about whether visiting the country actually helps to support the ruling junta in the face of an international boycott over its undemocratic ways.

Now Aljazeera reports online that some people are claiming Myanmar is a better destination, morally, than Thailand.

Reporter Veronica Pedrosa, once a familiar face on CNN, says that a tourism promoter told her on a recent visit that Myanmar was being seen in some markets as a ''decent'', safe and cultural alternative to Thailand.

Well, it depends on your concept of decency. What's a “decent” government?
While coming off a low base number of visitors, Pedrosa reports that tourism in Myanmar is on the rise. According to Myanmar figures, she says, it has tripled since 2000.

''At Yangon's best known tourist spots, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Spanish and Italian tourists pose for photographs and bargain hard for the best deals,'' she writes.

And there are clearly some good reasons for visiting Myanmar. She mentions the pristine beaches, colonial architecture, temple complexes and ethnic villages, untouched by mass tourism.

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