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Passport & Visa &
Custom
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Tourist Visa requirements :
two application forms, original passport and three passport-size photos.
Validity one month. Cost US$20. Processing time two working days.
Regulations are now relaxed for tourists arriving by air in Yangon. Completed immigration and customs declaration
forms issued during the flight must be submitted on arrival. All foreign
currency in excess of US$ 2,000.-, plus jewellery, cameras etc. must be
recorded on the customs form and may be checked on departure. No Myanmar
currency may be imported or exported. Duty free allowance is 200 cigarettes
and one litre of wine or spirit. Note that export of antiques, Buddha
images and gems without official dealer's receipt, is strictly prohibited.
Baggage may be X-rayed or inspected before departure. Mobile phones of any
type will be impounded and released on departure
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Exchange
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On
arrival at Yangon International airport, individual tourists are required
to exchange a minimum of US$200 into 200 FECs (Foreign Exchange
Certificates). Any unused certificates from this amount cannot be refunded.
Visitors booked on an inclusive group tour package are not subject to this
requirement, but if they wish, they can also purchase FECs with US Dollars
or Sterling.
FECs are Myanmar's
second legal tender and are issued by the Bank of Myanmar specifically for
visiting tourists. They come in denominations equivalent to US$20, 10, 5
and 1. Payment for FECs is only accepted in US Dollars or Sterling, in cash or travellers cheques.
(credit cards sometimes accepted) One US Dollar equals one FEC (the Pound
Sterling equivalent fluctuates according to the Pound-Dollar variance). FECs can be spent anywhere in the country, or
exchanged into kyats at officially authorised banks, bureaux de change,
hotels and Myanmar Travel and Tour offices. Cash payments can also be made
in US Dollars, but only at establishments (eg, hotels, railway stations,
and airlines) that have an official license allowing them to accept
dollars. The FEC system (and the possibility to pay in US Dollars at
numerous establishments) largely eliminates the necessity to exchange
national currencies into Kyat. It is advisable to carry small
denominations, as large notes may be difficult to change.
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Local transport
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Yangon has
a circular rail service and taxis with set fares. Myanmar's version of the
trishaw (sai-kaa) is good for short trips. It is wise to pre-arrange fares.
Air Mandalay, Myanmar Airways and Yangon
Airways operate internal flights to most towns. Scenic boat rides between
Bhamo-Mandalay and Mandalay-Bagan can be arranged through tour agencies.
Myanmar Railways provide services on several routes, the principal line
being Yangon to Mandalay
(travel time - 12-14 hours). Overnight trains have sleeping berths. First
class is recommended. Traffic drives on the right. New privately operated
buses are air-conditioned, operate several routes, and accept payment in
Kyat, US Dollars or FECs.
Airport : Journey time to city approx. 20-30 minutes (20km) Shared local
taxi approx. US$1 per person. Airport limousine approx. US$6 per person.
Airport tax : US$10 for international flights. No charge
for domestic flights
Car hire : Self-drive generally not recommended.
Requires international licence, which must be endorsed by the police.
Chauffeur driven cars should be booked with reputable tour company.
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Social
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Names are preceded
by a number of different titles. Ko is the general title for an adult male.
U (pronounced oo) precedes an older or well-respected man's name, while
Aung is used for younger men. A woman's name is preceded by Daw. A
handshake is considered an acceptable form of greeting. Shoes are usually
removed before entering a traditional home, though this may no longer be
expected in modern city residences. Displaying the soles of the feet is
considered offensive, as is pointing feet at people or objects or touching
people on the head. Public displays of affection between men and women are
frowned upon. Small presents are acceptable and appreciated, although never
expected.
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Tap water safety
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Purified, bottled water is available
everywhere.
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Medical
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No vaccinations required for a visit to Myanmar.
Malaria prophylaxis no longer considered necessary. Inoculation against
typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis desirable
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Postal service
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Post offices are open Mon to Fri, 9.30 am to
4.30 pm. Letters to Europe/USA take 10/14 days.
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Telephone
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Local phones
use tokens of 5 Kyat, which can be purchased at tobacco kiosks. Overseas
calls are possible through operators at a Central Telegraph Office or at
major hotels. Some hotels also have IDD.
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Newspapers
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"The New
Light of Myanmar"
and "The Myanmar
Times" in English
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Email/Internet
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Email/computer services centres are available
in Myanmar
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