Cell phone in Burma (Myanmar)
 

I understand that cell phones do not function in Burma (Myanmar), and that foreigners may not bring a cell phone into the country.

Would any of you here on this board know whether immigration officers will confiscate a cell phone? Am I supposed to voluntarily hand it over upon entering that country?

Thanks in advance if any of you can share recent experiences on this matter.

I've never heard that you can't bring in a cell phone. I've brought mine there three times already!

In fact, the phone may work, but you're unlikely to get a signal and I couldn't send an SMS at all. The only two places I managed to get a call were in Yangon, and the middle of the river off Bagan.

We were there in September. We were strongly advised not to declare any mobile as the procedure is for it to be taken from you and returned when you leave -- which was described by our Agent as a nightmare.

I wasn't aware that foreign phones could work there, even local phones have very limited coverage.

I guess the bottom line is that you can bring it, but there's very little point. Leave it off and in your luggage.

Thanks both for your quick response. Nothing like recent experiences to put concerns in good perspective. I guess I'll simply stow the cell phone in the luggage until after I've departed Burma.

One other point that may affect you. We found several Web sites that stated that you cannot take Video cameras into Burma. This is utter rubbish, video cameras are OK.

There is a sign that says that you cannot take playing cards into Burma -- but I don't think it was taken seriously.