Is Burma safer now that the unrest has died down? Government travel advice seems to think so. In the past week, both the Australian and Canadian governments have lowered the warning level for Burma (Myanmar). On January 25, Australia’s advice dropped one level from “reconsider your need to travel” to “exercise high degree of caution” (third out of five possible levels).
Likewise, on February 1, the Canadian government lowered its level of warning from “we advise against all non-essential travel” to “exercise high degree of caution”. Both governments still advise against all travel to border areas with Thailand.
So how does this warning level compare with other governments?
The U.S. Department of State’s Travel Alert for Burma – advising U.S. Citizens to defer non-essential travel -- expired the end of December 2007. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office dropped its advisory against all but essential travel late November/early December. Both continue to warn of security and unrest at the Thai border though they haven't issued a specific warning.
Are Canada and Australia slow to react?
Not necessarily -- The bombings that took place in Burma from January 11-13 may be partially responsible for the differences. No two governments are completely alike when it comes to assessing and communicating risks.
Want to know what's going on now? Take a look at our Myanmar Travel Advisory page to see the latest updates, news and current issues.
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