Burma

Burma (Myanmar): 1 Million Displaced, as Many as 100,000 Killed by Cyclone Nargis

Date: May 8th, 2008 |

Unless on a humanitarian mission with an official aid organization, now is not the time to go to Burma after the devastation wrought by Cyclone Nargis. Asia’s worst storm since 1991 pummeled the Irrawaddy Delta and Rangoon, killing at least 22,000 people with estimates as high as 100,000 and displacing at least 1 million. The [read more]

Pacific Rim: Taiwan Earthquake Damages Undersea Cables

Date: January 3rd, 2007 |

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A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Taiwan Dec. 26 and damaged undersea telecommunications cables, affecting internet, banking and telephone services around the Pacific Rim. Much of the service has been restored but repairs to the cables are expected to take as long as a month. Internet access may be slow or unavailable in so [read more]

Burma

Date: May 24th, 2005 |

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Two recent incidents that differed dramatically from incidents in the past have raised concerns among U.S. State Department officials that Burma may be facing a new wave of attacks in the capital of Rangoon. On May 7, three large bombs exploded simultaneously at two shopping areas frequented by foreigners and at a trade center, killing [read more]

South and Southeast Asia

Date: January 4th, 2005 |

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As the relief effort for areas hit by the tsunami builds momentum, Thai officials are implementing an early warning system that will alert citizens to future tsunami dangers, allowing evacuations to take place in time to save lives. Tsunamis are much more frequent in the Pacific Ocean and early warning systems to prevent disaster in [read more]

Burma

Date: March 3rd, 2004 |

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The government is running trials for an online visa service at www.visa.gov.mm where travelers can submit applications and track the approval process. These visas can be used only at Rangoon or Mandalay international airports, and because this service is still in its trial phase, visa applications for now will probably be more efficiently handled through [read more]

Burma (Myanmar): Junta Cracks Down on Monks, Protesters

Date: September 26th, 2007 |

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Nine days of peaceful protests led by monks against the military junta that controls the government were met with truncheons, tear gas and some live ammunition Sept. 26. One monk was reported killed. Some 100,000 people marched in Rangoon and large demonstrations were held in other cities, including Mandalay. The junta has a history of [read more]

Thailand and Burma: Flooding to Continue

Date: October 17th, 2006 |

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Floods that began in August have hit central and northern Thailand hard, killing 44 and affecting some two million people in 46 provinces. The floods are unlikely to abate before the end of October because continued rain is forecast. Bangkok has suffered serious flooding and the nearby ancient capital of Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai province [read more]

South and Southeast Asia

Date: January 18th, 2005 |

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Areas devastated by the tsunami are recovering at different paces, with Aceh province in Indonesia’s Sumatra the hardest hit and farthest from any semblance of normalcy. Many other areas, however, are on the mend and several countries are pleading with tourists to return because their economies depend on them. Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Maldive [read more]

South and Southeast Asia

Date: December 27th, 2004 |

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The tsunami triggered by a powerful earthquake off the coast of Sumatra caused devastation throughout both regions and will have an impact on travel and tourism in coastal areas of many countries for at least the next few weeks. Sri Lanka, southern India, Aceh province in Indonesia, southwestern Thailand and the Maldive Islands were all [read more]

Burma

Date: June 3rd, 2003 |

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The military junta cracked down on democracy advocates and placed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest after clashes in northern Burma between her supporters and a junta-sponsored group produced at least four deaths and dozens of injuries (independent reports suggested up to 70 people died). Universities across the country have been closed [read more]