lonely-planet-myanmar-burma-11-edition

of Hotels & Tourism and themain ‘tourist information’service in the country. Thosewho want to avoid usinggovernment services shouldavoid the tours and servicesoffered here, including trainor plane ticket sales. MTToffices are located in Yangon,Mandalay, New Bagan andInle Lake. Other than at Yangon,these offices are prettyquiet, and often the staffhave sketchy knowledge onrestricted areas. There are noMTT offices abroad.Much of the tourist industryin Myanmar is now privatised.Travellers who want toarrange a driver, or have hotelreservations awaiting them,would do well to arrange a tripwith the help of private travelagents in Yangon. Many Myanmar‘travel agents’ outsideYangon only sell air tickets.Travellers withDisabilitiesWith its lack of paved roadsor footpaths (even whenpresent the latter are oftenuneven), Myanmar presentsmany physical obstaclesfor the mobility-impaired.Rarely do public buildings(or transport) feature rampsor other access points forwheelchairs, and hotelsmake inconsistent efforts toprovide access for the disabled(exceptions include theStrand Hotel and the TradersHotel in Yangon, which bothhave some ramping).For wheelchair travellers,any trip to Myanmar will requirea good deal of planning.Before setting off, get in touchwith your national supportorganisation (preferably withthe travel officer, if there isone). Also try the following:Accessible Journeys(%800-846 4537; www.disabilitytravel.com) In the US.Mobility InternationalUSA (%541-343 1284; www.miusa.org) In the US.Nican (%02-6241 1220; www.nican.com.au) In Australia.VISA FEESThe vast majority of visitors should apply for a touristvisa. Former Myanmar citizens and their blood relativesare eligible for ‘Social’ visas, which can be extended atthe Immigration Department in Yangon for $36 for upto six months. The following table lists fees, which areconverted into local currency depending on which embassyyou apply at.VISA TYPE FEE VALIDITY OF VISAtourist (single entry) $20 28 dayssocial (single entry) $30 28 dayssocial (multiple entry) $150 6 monthswork (single entry) $3010 weekswork (multiple entry) $15010 weeksmeditation (single entry) $30 3 monthsTourism for All (%0845 1249971; www.tourismforall.org.uk)In the UK.VisasAll nationalities require a visato visit Myanmar, and to getone your passport must bevalid for six months beyondthe date of your arrival.See p 375 for more informationon entering Myanmaroverland from Thailandor China, including details ofshort-term visas (with verylimited access to Myanmar)available at the borders.Special permission is requiredto leave the countryoverland from Tachileik toThailand.Note that Myanmardoesn’t recognise dualnationalities.ApplicationsDon’t apply too early, as allvisas are valid for up to threemonths from the date ofissue. However, don’t leave ittill the last minute either, asmost embassies and consulatesneed at least two weeksto process an application.Starting the process a monthin advance is the safe bet.There are slight differencesbetween the applicationprocedures at Myanmar embassiesin different countries.Some require two forms tobe filled out – the generalapplication and a work historyform – others just thegeneral application. Somerequire two passport photos,others only one. Postal applicationsare usually OK, butit’s best to check first withyour nearest embassy aboutits specific application rules.It’s best to proceed on theassumption that embassieswill scrupulously check thebackground of anyone applyingfor a tourist visa. It’sunwise to list your occupationas any of the following:journalist, photographer,editor, publisher, motionpicturedirector or producer,cameraperson, videographeror writer. Of course, plentyof media professionals (evenhigh-profile ones) do get intothe country – usually by declaringa different professionon the visa application; we’vefound ‘consultant’ works.Myanmar foreign missionsmay also be suspiciousof anyone whose passportshows two or more previousvisits to Myanmar in a fiveyearperiod. Obviously thegovernment can’t believeanyone would want to visitMyanmar more than once369DIRECTORY A–Z TRAVELLERS WITH DISABILITIES