Local Services in Myanmar (Burma)

The ruling of the military ruling in the country for the past decades limits the services available to the general public. Burma has an operating rail network accessible to foreigners though it’s not in a good shape anymore causing slow and delayed trips. Buses are the best and cheapest alternative when traveling around the country. Bus travels are available in key destination sites such as Yangon, Mandalay, Kyaiktiyo, Pyin U Lwin, and Hsipaw. Another common mode of land transportation in the country is old Toyota pickup trucks. Even less-traveled places like Bhamo and Katha are reachable by these Toyota trucks. There are also private cars that can be hired at reasonable rates.

Internet access in Myanmar is highly restricted and monitored by the military government especially email services and pornographic websites. Burma used the software Fortinet from the US to censor Internet usage. The charges for Internet are also high prohibiting access to most Burmese. There are around 15 newspapers circulating everyday dedicated entirely to football. Practically the Myanmar Times is the only publication allowed to criticize the military junta on a positive note. All broadcast radio and TV stations are property of the government. There are 4 TV stations operating, TV Myanmar is the main station while the English Channel MRTV-3 is for international viewers. There are 2 FM, 1 AM, and 3 short wave stations in Myanmar with the Radio Myanmar and City FM as primary stations. The government barely allows foreign music and instead plays different traditional Burmese classics.