thailand vs. Burma- which should we visit
Jul 6th, 2004, 09:16 AM
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thailand vs. Burma- which should we visit
My husband and I are going to SE Asia in Dec 2004.
We are intersted in Culture (religious, tribes (still wearing their traditional clothing and practicing traditional ways -- not as tourist attractions but because they haven't been much visited by the outside world), how people live in general)and history.
Our plan was to visit Thailand but after speaking with various people I have been advised against it. People saying Thailand is too touristy and "built up". We are now looking at Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Will we regret not visiting Thailand? I know that they are all different countries but in your opinion what is the differentiating point for Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand.
Thank you in advance .......
We are intersted in Culture (religious, tribes (still wearing their traditional clothing and practicing traditional ways -- not as tourist attractions but because they haven't been much visited by the outside world), how people live in general)and history.
Our plan was to visit Thailand but after speaking with various people I have been advised against it. People saying Thailand is too touristy and "built up". We are now looking at Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Will we regret not visiting Thailand? I know that they are all different countries but in your opinion what is the differentiating point for Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand.
Thank you in advance .......
Jul 6th, 2004, 09:53 AM
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generally to visit all of these countries one uses thailand as a stopping/starting point as the transprtation is the best, easiest and cheapest from bangkok, first of all..
i think you will not find people "in native life" in any of those places anymore....most have discovered the money making ability of tourism...
some may tell you differently here, and maybe if you hike for a few days into the hinterlands you may find something to your liking, but there are almost always lots of dangers associated with that---health being one of them...land-mines being another in some places...
i have visited several hill tribe settlements and have usually gone away feeling that it was mostly for show...
i think you will not find people "in native life" in any of those places anymore....most have discovered the money making ability of tourism...
some may tell you differently here, and maybe if you hike for a few days into the hinterlands you may find something to your liking, but there are almost always lots of dangers associated with that---health being one of them...land-mines being another in some places...
i have visited several hill tribe settlements and have usually gone away feeling that it was mostly for show...
Jul 6th, 2004, 02:31 PM
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If you visit anywhere in December you're going to run into tourists even in the most remote of places in any of these countries.
There are still some places where you'll find people wearing traditional clothing, but these are rare - more often a few in a village might be in traditional clothing, more often women are wearing skirts and t-shirts, as are men. And of course, most children are in shorts with t-shirts many with western logos, regardless the country.
Nowadays, even deep deep in the Amazon or Papua, New Guinea, tribes have been found with western type clothing.
I'm sure that in any of these countries, the further afield you go - "deep in to the woods" as they say, you might come across more traditional tribes, but getting to these places and the inherent difficulty, lack of services and, still, dangers, it's something to seriously consider, especially if you're not the "roughing-it" type of travelers.
You might want to consider "eco-type" lodgings which are more basic than hotels, have been established to produce income for hilltribes, but give you an opportunity to spend time with, converse with, get a feel for their daily lives - but be aware that it's the tourist dollars that help indigenous people survive, over and above tending their rice fields, or herding cattle and the likes.
There are still some places where you'll find people wearing traditional clothing, but these are rare - more often a few in a village might be in traditional clothing, more often women are wearing skirts and t-shirts, as are men. And of course, most children are in shorts with t-shirts many with western logos, regardless the country.
Nowadays, even deep deep in the Amazon or Papua, New Guinea, tribes have been found with western type clothing.
I'm sure that in any of these countries, the further afield you go - "deep in to the woods" as they say, you might come across more traditional tribes, but getting to these places and the inherent difficulty, lack of services and, still, dangers, it's something to seriously consider, especially if you're not the "roughing-it" type of travelers.
You might want to consider "eco-type" lodgings which are more basic than hotels, have been established to produce income for hilltribes, but give you an opportunity to spend time with, converse with, get a feel for their daily lives - but be aware that it's the tourist dollars that help indigenous people survive, over and above tending their rice fields, or herding cattle and the likes.
Jul 6th, 2004, 02:37 PM
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There 'are' tribespeople living as they did centuries ago but they are located in very (very) remote locations and you need guides and often various permissions to visit them. Those that wish to make a buck from tourists do so, up to them as they need the money, those who remain remote do so because they wish to remain away from 'outsiders'. It's a touchy call but in general those who are happy to vecome part of the tourist economy do so in tourist oriented tours, those who remain in their natural ways do so becuase they don't want outsiders. Hope that doesn't sound harsh but it's a fact.
As far as 'toursim overdevelopment' I would say 97% of Thailand is never seen by tourists, others might say 99%, others 98%, the reality though is that if you take away those places, perhaps 6 main places and say 20 other places they account for 99.99% of foreign visitors. I can drive just a few hours outside those areas and become the focus of attention with kids and grown ups coming out to this wierd white skinned person!
If you wish to venture off the beaten path it is so so easy, you can start in a simple way by venturing to Isaan province, see the farmlands of Buri Ram, then after a few days treat yourself ro a $35 a night Sofitel in Khon Kaen. You can head up to mae Hong Son in the North and although very much a backpacker haven you can go to pai and then as you get further out you come into areas that are very remote, no English spoken, few facilities for the visitor. Many people either fly over or travel through by night between places such as Bangkok and Phuket, Krabi or Samui, when I travel by road along such routes I will rarely if ever seen any tourists whatsoever, and if so it's at a service area where they are taking a break for the washroom off their tourist bus. Take away BKK, pattaya/Jomtien/ Koh Chang and Samet/Hua Hin and Cha Am/ Kot Tao, Samui, Phangan, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket, Koh Lanta and Khao Lak, then take away Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai you are still left with 99% of the country. Would be interesting as to where those people actually went who said Thailand was over-run with tourists.
It's just the same anywhere, how many 'tourists' go to Des Moines, Preoria or Boisse?
Myanmar is a different ball-game. There it is much less developed and relatively fe tourists, though the downside is that you may find it restictive as to where you are actually allowed to go, they very much control which parts of the countires 'foreigners' are allowed to visit.
As far as 'toursim overdevelopment' I would say 97% of Thailand is never seen by tourists, others might say 99%, others 98%, the reality though is that if you take away those places, perhaps 6 main places and say 20 other places they account for 99.99% of foreign visitors. I can drive just a few hours outside those areas and become the focus of attention with kids and grown ups coming out to this wierd white skinned person!
If you wish to venture off the beaten path it is so so easy, you can start in a simple way by venturing to Isaan province, see the farmlands of Buri Ram, then after a few days treat yourself ro a $35 a night Sofitel in Khon Kaen. You can head up to mae Hong Son in the North and although very much a backpacker haven you can go to pai and then as you get further out you come into areas that are very remote, no English spoken, few facilities for the visitor. Many people either fly over or travel through by night between places such as Bangkok and Phuket, Krabi or Samui, when I travel by road along such routes I will rarely if ever seen any tourists whatsoever, and if so it's at a service area where they are taking a break for the washroom off their tourist bus. Take away BKK, pattaya/Jomtien/ Koh Chang and Samet/Hua Hin and Cha Am/ Kot Tao, Samui, Phangan, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket, Koh Lanta and Khao Lak, then take away Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai you are still left with 99% of the country. Would be interesting as to where those people actually went who said Thailand was over-run with tourists.
It's just the same anywhere, how many 'tourists' go to Des Moines, Preoria or Boisse?
Myanmar is a different ball-game. There it is much less developed and relatively fe tourists, though the downside is that you may find it restictive as to where you are actually allowed to go, they very much control which parts of the countires 'foreigners' are allowed to visit.
Jul 6th, 2004, 04:34 PM
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Myanmar is not going to remain the way it is now, for long. The backpackers have discovered it in a big way although in April 2004 we were the only tourists at the Shan Museum in Taunggyi (capital city of the nthn Shan state of Myanmar). At Inle Lake we were amazed at how few tourists were around. At Bagan we had the choice of 8-10 taxis at the airport and with around 10 arrivals on our flight, the payas were deserted. Of course, December is peak season in SE Asia, however I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Myanmar as a relatively unspoilt destination, although it is gradually becoming westernised, but no way like parts of Thailand. Check out Santa Maria Travel & Tours on Google. Tell them what you want to see. It may be impossible because the Govt. disallow foreigners in much of the North & West. Santa Maria organised much of our travel in Myanmar and were absolutely top class. We spent around US1200 for 9 days, including air, hotels(some 4-5 star),food,etc. It is one of my favourite countries and its beautiful, friendly people endure so much tyranny. Go see & enjoy it while you can.
Jul 6th, 2004, 07:24 PM
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I must agree that the Myanmar people are very friendly, my only experience is in the dar South, what also came as quite a shock was how 'perfect' so many speak English !! I agree so much with Lyndie that they suffer so much, it is sad that so much attention is made to 'certain' parts of the world whilst in others people are seriously suffering and there is no-one 'standing up' or helping them. Oh well, musn't get into politics!
Jul 7th, 2004, 08:59 PM
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<<We are intersted in Culture (religious, tribes (still wearing their traditional clothing and practicing traditional ways -- not as tourist attractions but because they haven't been much visited by the outside world), how people live in general)and history.>>
Myanmar is a better choice than Thailand based on your focus of interests - more frienly, more traditonal life style, more vivid religious beliefs with local flavors, still less visited by foreigners, and an archaelogical sites(Bagan) that Thailand simply has nothing to match.
However, Myanmar is not typical SE Asia. You will end up taking back with you a very distorted image of SE Asia. No I am not talking about politics here; in fact, I have some potilically incorrect views regarding the Myanmar domestic situation(which I don't intend to discuss here). But still, Myanmar is standing alone to be an outsider of the region.
In that regard, Thailand offers a much better balanced picture of the region. Perhaps better than any other SE Asia countries could do.
So it is your call. But if this is the first time you are visiting SE Asia(seems to be the case), and you don't have plan to do it again any time soon, then I'd suggest that you go to Thailand.
What I said about Myanmar is purely based on things you are mostly interested in. Thailand is a beautiful country too, beating Myanmar in many other ways, and you will enjoy it.
Myanmar is a better choice than Thailand based on your focus of interests - more frienly, more traditonal life style, more vivid religious beliefs with local flavors, still less visited by foreigners, and an archaelogical sites(Bagan) that Thailand simply has nothing to match.
However, Myanmar is not typical SE Asia. You will end up taking back with you a very distorted image of SE Asia. No I am not talking about politics here; in fact, I have some potilically incorrect views regarding the Myanmar domestic situation(which I don't intend to discuss here). But still, Myanmar is standing alone to be an outsider of the region.
In that regard, Thailand offers a much better balanced picture of the region. Perhaps better than any other SE Asia countries could do.
So it is your call. But if this is the first time you are visiting SE Asia(seems to be the case), and you don't have plan to do it again any time soon, then I'd suggest that you go to Thailand.
What I said about Myanmar is purely based on things you are mostly interested in. Thailand is a beautiful country too, beating Myanmar in many other ways, and you will enjoy it.
