What's Myanmar like to live in

[Lobster]

Well after three and half years in exile in the Middle East I have accepted a new job in Myanmar. I probably should have asked these questions before I accepted the position as I know nothing about Myanmar but too late now.

So does anyone have experience of living in or visiting Myanmar (I will be based in Yagon). In particular any do's or don'ts that I should be aware of, places to go to, where to eat, where to live.

Any information gratefully received.

Hopefully now being back in the region I might be able to make it to the occasional Do.

[SuperJonJon]

Myanmar is actually quite a nice place, I go there once or twice a year. We can have a DO there?

Mobiles phone lines are very expensive (Few hundred USD for a SIM card), no roaming there.
International phone services(IDD) are very poor and very expensive.
Internet coverage is poor (I always tell people that the internet connection will drop whenever a flock of birds fly over the satellite dish)
I usually stay in Kandawgyi Palace in Yangon so not sure about housing for long term.
Going out for a meal usually involves taking a stack of money. Largest note is a 1000 kyat which is about 10 dollars.

Don'ts :
No talk about democracy there unless you know every individual in the vicinity. (Supposedly there are people who will report you to the government that you are pro democracy)

[N_Architect]

Congrats on the new assignment, Lobster.

Although never been to Myanmar, I have heard it is a very nice place and believe you will enjoy your time there.

[SQflyergirl]

Congratulations are in order

[Kyo]

Welcome to the region! It'll be... different, no doubt!

[jhm]

Congratulations, Lobster!

When you're settled down, perhaps some investigation is in order whether any local TAs have any nice fares ex-RGN!

[QSG]

Physically a beautiful country.......for 95% of the population it is a different story!

[jjpb3]

Don'ts :
No talk about democracy there unless you know every individual in the vicinity. (Supposedly there are people who will report you to the government that you are pro democracy)

A German friend was talking to her friend over her hotel's phone, and then a voice chimed in, 'Please speak in English'. At least the government spies are polite.

[SQflyergirl]

A German friend was talking to her friend over her hotel's phone, and then a voice chimed in, 'Please speak in English'. At least the government spies are polite.

No kidding! Now I know why I will continue to call it Burma.....

[sabian]

A German friend was talking to her friend over her hotel's phone, and then a voice chimed in, 'Please speak in English'. At least the government spies are polite.

What happens if you comply but with a wicked accent?

'BBC English please?'

[SuperJonJon]

A German friend was talking to her friend over her hotel's phone, and then a voice chimed in, 'Please speak in English'. At least the government spies are polite.

I never tried or heard that before. Maybe I should call home and speak in Mandarin or some chinese dialect.

But its the same for all emails in and out of Myanmar, someone actually reads the email before it is allowed thru. I wonder if they have a huge compound where everyone is just reading emails every day.

[up and away]

I never tried or heard that before. Maybe I should call home and speak in Mandarin or some chinese dialect.

But its the same for all emails in and out of Myanmar, someone actually reads the email before it is allowed thru. I wonder if they have a huge compound where everyone is just reading emails every day.

I wonder what would happen if you "accidently" encrypted the mail

[MAN Flyer]

When do you start in Burma (it' still called that here... ), I need to get out there on a business trip myself but keep putting it off. Not sure about a RGN do, but BKK aint far away.

[SuperJonJon]

I wonder what would happen if you "accidently" encrypted the mail

It just never reaches the destination. I know of many emails that go "missing".

[phaleesy]

Don'ts :
No talk about democracy there unless you know every individual in the vicinity. (Supposedly there are people who will report you to the government that you are pro democracy)

Too much democracy and we might not get any work done!