Travelers arriving in Rangoon are encountering a series of heightened security measures and travel restrictions by Burmese military government administration.
Beginning in March, travelers have reported authorities conducting increased security checks. In particular government police have been checking monks as they arrive at the Central train station [Butaryoun] in Rangoon.
A monk who visited Rangoon from Mon State explained, “When the train arrived, the monks needed to give their information [like where they come from, where they will we go, how long they will we stay in Rangoon] to authorities that are waiting at a table with about 3 to 4 [police] officers…”
While the authorities are reported to just ask questions and then allow the monks to go, they recorded the basic information of all monks who are visiting Rangoon.
“We’ve never seen see like that before. They started it maybe this month because before when I came to Rangoon nobody checked like that,” the monk added.
Non-monastic visitors have also reported that once in Rangoon their travel plans and whereabouts are scrutinized. Quarter headmen must check visitors in their homes, the monasteries where monks stay, and also house owners are required to send in a list of guests who visit.
“When guests arrive, we need to send a guest list to the quarter headmen – if we don’t report to them, they will punish us if they see the guests in the house or monastery, when they check,” said a resident who lives in Pahan quarter.
“The people and the monks who travel by the car, the authorities don’t check like they do at train stations,” said a traveler. “They just check [cars] along the way – it depends on the stops and the route - sometime they check 3 to 4 times, sometimes they just check one time.” said a traveler.
Rangoon is frequented by a variety of travelers, for example those who come for medical treatment at the hospital, some come to visit as tourists, some who arrive to try to obtain a visa to leave for other countries, and some who work as traders seeking or selling goods.
But regardless of the purpose of travel, all visitors are now facing more security and restrictions, says a expert political analyst from Moulmein. “The people can’t travel freely; everywhere the authorities check and sometimes travelers have to pay money when they’re checked. Its very bad for the travelers, it is like they [just try to] make money from the travelers.”
