In the Northern Mountains of Thailand, the non-profit arm of the PDA has opened a remarkable restaurant and Museum called Cabbages and Condoms which is helping the locals
Light years away from the mass tourism areas of Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya, lies Chiang Rai, in Northern Thailand, where the Aka, Karen and Lisu Hill Tribes eke out a spartan existence, in many cases with one foot still in the stone-age.
Now it's alcohol, before it was Opium.
Some people believe that visiting them is exploitation, citing the fondness for alcohol that has developed in some villages, but twenty years ago the dependency was on opium. Exchanging one addiction for another may not be an improvement, but I can’t help feeling that the cash cow that is tourism can only better their life.
Non-Profit Cabbages and Condoms Outfil.
To the rescue comes a remarkable outfit called Cabbages and Condoms, the non-profit arm of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) of Thailand, an organization that encourages the villagers to make the best use of both the cabbages which grow freely in the mountains, and condoms which the PDA supplies. It also runs the most culturally sensitive and environmentally responsible treks in Chiang Rai, contributes to community development programmes and helps preserve the culture and lifestyle of the Hill tribes. It has opened restaurants and drop-in cafes in cities like Chiang Rai, Pattaya and Bangkok, where people can pick up information about the hill tribes and enjoy some local food, like roasted duck curry, steamed cottonfish with condom salad, and Thai Green Mango salad. The small Museum in the Chiang Rai outlet is a fascinating glimpse into the lifestyle of an opium addict.
On site is a handicraft shop which sells a variety of condom related memorabilia as well as village handicrafts like woven silk, carved wood figurines and embroideries, the profits from which all go back to the villages.
Support needed for Hill Tribe people
Despite their charmingly unaffected lifestyle, life is harsh for the Hill Tribe people whose life, in many cases, is one of exploitation by smooth talking men who lure them deeper into debt.
Cabbages and Condoms tries to help but it needs support. Next time you are near one of their restaurants in Bangkok, Pattaya or Chiang Rai, drop in for a meal and buy a little something. Without the tourists to purchase souvenirs from them, the life of the hill tribes would be even harsher.
· Cabbages and Condoms, Chiangrai: 620/25 Tanarai Rd, Muang District Chiangrai 57000. (053) 719167,
Chiangrai 57000. (053) 719167,
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
In Chiang Rai, a Restaurant and Museum is Helping Family Planning.
Khao San Road
Most travellers spend their first night in a Bangkok guesthouse in the busy budget area of Khao San Road. Situated in the heart of Bangkok on the northern edge of Rattanakosin Island, Khao San is a hub of activity, home to budget guesthouses, hostels and hotels catering to all budgets and travel agencies to accommodate any imaginable travel need.
Due to the incredible demand for rooms in this area, Khao San Road has split at the seams and guesthouses have sprung up within a radius of a kilometre. The further you move from the road the better, cheaper and quieter your guesthouse is likely to be. For those who want to be within easy walking distance of Khao San Road, west Banglamphu is your best bet, though for those who do not mind a bit of walking, the National Library area is superior in terms of tranquility and guesthouse quality.
Not long ago budget guesthouses and hostels were the only option on Khao San, but there is now a reasonable supply of mid-range "flashpacker" hotels both on Khao San Road and in the surrounding area. These hotels offer many of the creature comforts missing in the budget guesthouses at a fraction of the cost of comprable options elsewhere in town.
Phuket Museum : Thalang National Museum
Location
Thalang National museum is located only 200 meters from the intersection of the MONUMENT OF HEROINES SISTERS, THAO THEP KRASATTRI and THAO SI SUNTHORN
Phuket's national museum contains ancient artifacts from Phuket's long history and exhibits detailing the famous Battle of Thalang where the Two Heroines, featured in a monument on the main road nearby, defended the island against the Burmese in the 18th century. It also has information and exhibits about daily life in Phuket, tin mining history, the indigenous Sea Gypsy culture and the island's Chinese heritage.
In the main hall is a large statue of the Hindu god Vishnu that was uncovered from forest overgrowth in Phang Nga in the early 1900s. The image dates from the 9th century A.D., showing the early Indian influence on Thai culture. There are also displays on the art, architecture and history of other parts of Thailand, including the ancient Sukothai kingdom.
Open daily except holidays 8:30am-4pm. Located just east of the Heroines' Monument on Pa Khlok Rd, north of Phuket City (Tel: 076-311025, 076-311426). Admission 30 Baht.
phuket museum:Phuket Sea Shell Museum
Phuket Sea Shell Museum
12/2 Viset Rd., Rawai Beach, Phuket 83000 Thailand.
International shell collectors would sell their mothers for even half of the remarkable collection on show at the Phuket Seashell Museum, on Viset Road, near Rawai Beach. The exhibition features more than 2,000 species, including the only left-handed Noble Volute ever discovered, giant clams, 380 million-year-old fossils and one of the worlds rarest golden pearls.
A labour of love for the Patamakanthin brothers, it has taken over forty years and visits to the four corners of the earth to bring together this extraordinary exhibition.
The Sea Shell Museum contains some of the most valuable seashells from all over the world. Many are among the most sought-after by collectors and are from Phuket and Thai waters. In addition there are also some rarities and odd shells including the world's largest golden pearl (140 karats) large sections of sedimentary rock containing shell fossils that represent the earth's earliest life-forms, and a shell weighing in at 250 kilograms!
Open daily from 8am-6pm. 12/2 Moo 2, Viset Rd, Rawai, just south of Chalong Bay (Tel: 076-381266 or 076-381274). Admission: 200 Baht for adults; 100 Baht for children.
History
Welcome to one of Phuket's most treasured collections! For Fourty years, the Patamakanthin brothers have searched the world for the most beautiful and unique seashells. Today, their collection of over 2,000 species is displayed here at the Phuket Seashell Museum. You will see one of the rarerest golden pearls, the only left-handed Noble Volute, giant clams and fossils dating back 380 million years! Shell collectors from around the world have proclaimed this collection to be one of the most extraordinary collections to be found. You haven't experienced phuket if you haven't seen the sea, the sand and the Phuket Seashell Museum!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Ramkhamhaeng Hospital
Ramkhamhaeng Hospital (pronounced ram-cam-hang) sits at the center of one of Thailand’s largest and most respected hospital groups. With 350 beds and seven sister hospitals Ramkhamhaeng has the resources, experience and expertise to provide international quality health care at very competitive prices. This combined with a long tradition of Thai hospitality has earned Ramkhamhaeng Hospital the confidence of the people of Thailand, the Region, and the World. We also help small and medium sized companies control their healthcare costs with our focus on health and medical tourism.
Thailand has gained renown for all forms of orthopedic surgery, cosmetic surgery, cardiac care, fertility treatments and other types of specialized medicine. Ramkhamhaeng Hospital has many internationally trained doctors with world-class credentials. In this era of jet travel, computers, and the Internet, Global medicine has arrived. We offer world class healthcare in a beautiful tropical setting at a fraction of the cost of the USA or Europe. If you pay your own medical bills because it is an elective surgery or you are uninsured and don't have or can't get insurance. For more information please email
info@ramhospital.com
The hospital specializes in personalized services for all
our international visitors. Our English speaking support staff will
meet you at the airport, take you to your hotel, escort you
to the hospital everyday, answer your questions, and then
escort you back to the airport.
When is the best time of year to visit Phuket ?
You'll hear many opinions about the best time of year to visit Phuket - and, in fact, it is probably quite a personal question.
Since weather is the biggest issue for many people - just for a start - you might want to check our Phuket Weather page. Some people really like low season (summer and the rainy season) as the island is quieter and traffic is easier - and resort and hotel fare drop by 1/3 to 1/2.
Some people though are put off by the rougher seas and some beaches will have a strong undertow. It is not always safe to swim as the sea reacts to the weather. Swimming for children in particular is probably not safe unless you seek protected waters on the bay side of the island.
October to April (cold weather season in the northern hemisphere) is high season as people escape their harsh winters and flock to nicer climates. Some people suggest November to February as the high high season - when the island is at its very busiest. If you enjoy the nightlife and crowds, it's a good time to come. If you are a people watcher, it is also a fun time to just sip a beer and watch people walk by. Winter is also the time of year when the sea is much calmer and clearer and so perhaps better for scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming in the sea.
In truth, there is no bad time to visit Phuket - do your research and you'll not likely be disappointed.
The Phuket Island in Thailand lures thousands of tourists all through the year with its irresistible combination of breathtaking scenic beauty, spectacular islands and bays, renowned hospitality and excellent cuisine. Phuket boasts of a tropical monsoon climate that ensures that the place is warm all through the year except for the hot weather during April-May and September-October. The period during September-October is also the wettest at Phuket.
The best time to visit Phuket is from November to March - the period when Phuket enjoys the cool North East monsoon season. At this time of the year, the climate is not too humid, and yet the cool breezes blowing make the region very comfortable. Average temperature during this season hovers around 75ºF to 89ºF (24ºC to 32ºC). You can enjoy Phuket in its entirety if you visit the island at this time.
The hottest season is from April-May, when temperatures range from 80ºF to 95ºF (27ºC to 36ºC).
But, if you are aiming to avoid crowds and to take advantage of the low-season discounted rates for tours to Phuket, you should consider traveling during September and early October. Don't worry, there will still be some amount of sunshine in Phuket in between the heavy showers. And numerous water and land based adventure activities can also be enjoyed during this wettest season in Phuket.
pass the bad dream : Phuket after the Tsunami
"Is It Okay to Come to Phuket"
This is the question that we are frequently asked at Phuket.com
And the answer is a resounding YES!
We are not aiming at glossing over the extensive damage done by the tsunami, but we would like to present a balanced picture to help you make a decision.
Visitors will be surprised at just how much progress has been made since the tsunami. Many hotels have already been restored or rebuilt especially in the main beach areas like Kata Beach, Karon Beach and Patong Beach.
Communications and infrastructure around the island are perfectly normal as the wave affected parts of the coastline and did not reach more than 500 metres inland in Phuket Island.
What's the situation now?
It's a great time to visit Phuket with hotels offering value packages with added extras like Spa treatments and candlelit dinners just make your stay a little special…
You can take trips to the islands on un-crowded ferries, laze on pristine white sand beaches and get great discounts when you go shopping. In Patong, street vendors and markets have returned to the beach road and international chains like Starbucks have re-opened. Some hotels like the Holiday Inn Phuket remain closed for renovation, but a glance at the hotel status will show you just how many hotels are operating normally.
What about nightlife? Patong's legendary nightlife, slightly subdued, still pulsates, restaurants are open for business, Banana disco is still pumping – although a little quieter than usual for high season.
Is it Safe?
Yes. Official tests have proved that the sea is clearer than in the last 20 years (but you will see this for yourself on a snorkeling or diving trip.) The streets are clean and there is no threat of disease.
Just relax on the beach with an iced coconut and stop worrying.
Are local tours operating?
Dive trips have resumed. Divers report that the coral received minor damage and in the offshore sites the underwater coral gardens are more vibrant than ever. Fishermen report large schools of fish not seen for a few years.
You can still play a round of golf at one of Phuket's five courses, charter a sailing boat for the day to the islands, or go elephant trekking in the cool forested hills.
Should I feel guilty visiting a tsunami hit area?
Not at all. Your visit will help the local people enormously. Tourism and the local economy has been badly affected, yet people still need to pay school fees, everyday bills and get on with their lives.
You will be having a great holiday and helping enormously by contributing directly to those who need it.
http://www.phuket.com/phuket-status.htm
The Phuket Tsunami History
The State of Phuket
Simon J Hand, editor of Asia-Pacific TROPICAL HOMES and a long-time resident of Phuket, reports on the remarkable resilience of the island following Sunday's tsunami and the speed with which those areas worst hit are recovering.
It is now the fifth morning after the tsunami – which locals are calling the “Andaman Wave” – struck the beach resorts and fishing port of Phuket Island and many areas on the west coast of Thailand.
Rescue workers in Khao Lak, north of Phuket, and returning from the popular island destination Phi Phi, to the south, speak of unparalleled destruction and loss of life. It will be many months, indeed years, before these places recover.
However, things on Phuket are returning to normal at a remarkable rate. Much of the island's administrative and emergency services were untouched by the devastation along the coast and it is likely that this is one of the chief reasons why the island has been able to bounce back so quickly from this terrible ordeal.
Since the afternoon after the tsunami, I have been touring the areas of the island hit by the wave, to check on friends and report on what I have found there. Below is an area by area breakdown compiled from these reports. Artasia editors will continue to update these as the days pass and new information comes to light.
PHUKET INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Though seawater did breach the protective wall and initially flood the runway at Phuket International Airport when the wave – in fact waves – hit, airport emergency crews quickly brought everything under control and it was re-opened by early Sunday evening and receiving flights from Bangkok, including one carrying Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who came to personally supervise the early stages of the rescue and clean-up efforts.
I have visited the airport on several occasions since then. There are no signs of the chaos and madness some news agencies have been reporting. There is more an air of mild perturbedness and it's a little busier than usual for a high season. It's as busy with people arriving as leaving. While some of these are people here to search for lost relatives and friends and the rescue workers arriving from Bangkok and international agencies, many more are holiday-makers who have checked with their hotels and found them to be fully operational.
NAI YANG BEACH
Nai Yang Beach, just south of the airport, is decimated. I was up there the day after the wave and, along the road closest to the beach, there is not a single shop, bar or restaurant that has not been destroyed – some are simply not there anymore. However the two major hotelsCrown Nai Yang Suite and Pearl Village – set some way back from the beach – have received only nominal damage and will be back in full operation with a week or two. I revisited Nai Yang on Thursday and the clean up operation was in full swing. Some places have even started rebuilding.
NAI THON BEACH
I visited Andaman White Beach Resort the day after the wave and was amazed at the recovery. Staff from the hotel had returned the beach to its usual pristine condition. When the wave hit here staff had already removed all of the guests from the beach and they were safely back in the hotel, which is set fairly high up the hillside. The only damage was to the resort's dive centre and new beach bar – both at beach level – the latter, ironically, only having opened on Christmas Day.
I have heard reports that the new Trisara resort received only nominal damage to its beachfront buildings.
LAYAN BEACH
While there was significant damage to the beach area – with seawater surging back some 400 metres from the beachfront, there is little development on or near Layan Beach and so, fortunately, little damage except for the downing of a few electrical poles. Layan Beach Resort is set well back from the beach and received no damage whatsoever.
BANGTAO BEACH
Despite claims that it was totally destroyed in some TV news broadcasts, the internationally renowned Laguna Phuket complex, which fronts onto the centre of Bangtao Beach, has reported that only fifty of its 1100 rooms have been put out of action by the wave. One guest was killed when the water hit the resorts.
The five hotels are reporting that they will be fully operational in less than a month with damage restricted to ground floor rooms close to the beach and a number of their beachfront restaurants and pools. When I visited Laguna Beach Resort the day after the wave, many guests languished not in misery but upon sun-loungers, baking beneath the clear blue skies.
The south end of Bangtao Beach was not so lucky and took a huge hit. Bill O'Leary – an Aussie who runs the famous Aman Cruises operation from here – reported a surge of two metres plus, that did not withdraw for well over an hour. Everything is damaged, much beyond repair. To describe the power of the wave at Bangtao, after it had smashed across about 200 metres – through trees, holiday bungalows and hotels – it ripped layers of tarmac off of the road and flung great chunks of it into the shops and bars behind. Eddying waters did further destruction, eroding large sections of the waterfront and causing further property damage and loss of life. Many of the bungalow operations and hotels in this area will not be fit for tourists for several months. Some may never re-open as they are just not there anymore.
Fifteen of the bungalows at the Chedi Phuket resort were damaged, management believe they will be able to re-open these to guests in about two months. While Rydges Beach Resort had water damage to between 10 and 15 of its rooms closest to the beach that will require a weeks work to repair.
SURIN BEACH
By complete contrast, Surin Beach is back to business as usual. On the day I visited – two days after the wave hit – the detritus on the beach had been neatly swept into large piles and the quaint rows of wooden bars, restaurants and food vendors were open to a busy stream of tourists.
KAMALA BEACH
Kamala received the heaviest and most widespread damage of any of Phuket's beaches. Much of what was there isn't anymore and the central beach area – once filled with happy bars, restaurants and shops – is today barely recognizable. Only the police station stands relatively undamaged at the centre of a crushed community. The waters destroyed virtually everything as far back as the main coast road, with flooding reported in the Phuket Fantasea compound. The roads closest to the beach are still closed to traffic and crews are working hard to restore basic amenities.
Many people died at Kamala, and accurate figures are not yet available. Thai locals and some tourists, seeing the tide go out over three hundred metres very quickly, ran onto the beach with buckets to collect the fish that were flopping around on the sand. Though the wave did not come for over fifteen minutes, many were caught out on the sand when it did and were lost.
KALIM BEACH
Here there was serious damage to two major real estate offices and the local school, which sits across the beachfront coast road. There is also some damage to the road itself, but – as of Thursday this was under repair.
PATONG BEACH
Patong beach road is still closed to traffic today (Friday) as crews work hard to bring back some semblance of normalcy to this once vibrant street. There is not a single business along this stretch that has not been very badly damaged. It will be several months before all the scars have healed. The premises of major chain stores and name businesses – among the many others – that are now just shells, include McDonalds, Starbucks, Watsons, KFC, Molly Malones and countless restaurants, jewellery stores and tailor's shops.
However, by 150 metres up the famous Soi Bangla things are getting pretty much back to normal. Even the well-known Kangaroo Bar has re-opened, though bars on either side have been badly damaged. By the end of Soi Bangla and onto Rat-U-Thit Road, all the major nightclubs and restaurants are still open and busy. Standing at the Bangla Junction at midnight, just three days after the wave, you would not even know that anything had happened. Music booms, lights flash and the party is very much still hot.
We have so far not been able to make contact with those hotels nearest to the beach in Patong and are unable to comment at present on their status. However all hotels set further back, beyond Rat-U-Thit road are still fully open.
Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort – on the small bay between Patong and Karon – has been evacuated and closed. The hotel is reporting damage to its pool and beachfront restaurants and plans to re-open by January 15.
KARON BEACH
The layout of Karon saved it from receiving the same level of property damage as other beaches. Almost all of the big hotels here are set well back from the beach and on fairly high ground. Some shops and bars along the beach road – including the small local market – received nominal damage, but as of Thursday most were under repair and the market was back in action. There was serious flooding at the stadium at the south end of Karon. All hotels we have contacted have reported that they are fully operational.
KATA BEACH
There was significant damage to the south and north end of Kata Beach, with restaurants and bars smashed into rubble. Club Med – which dominates the central stretch of the beach road – was inundated at one end but untouched at the other. For safety the hotel was evacuated. We have not yet been able to contact anyone from the hotel to confirm when it will be ready to re-open.
At the south end, the famous beachfront hotel Mom Tri's Boathouse was also badly damaged. Over 3000 bottles of wine destroyed, and the grand piano blasted 100 metres up the street. The entire ground floor restaurant and lobby washed away. I met with owner and architect Mom Tri Devakul, who was touring the scene of the damage yesterday (Thursday). He reported the hotel rooms will be open again before this weekend and that he will take this opportunity to remodel the restaurant. “It was due for a renovation anyway,” he said with a wan smile.
The Kata Thani Hotel and resort on Kata Noi Beach received damage to its ground floor and swimming pool.
NAIHARN BEACH AND ENVIRONS
At the southern tip of the island, Naiharn Beach was also badly hit but, with little waterfront property, damage was limited. The same cannot be said for Ao Sein Beach (on the northern tip of the bay and Yanui Beach, a tiny inlet at the other end. On both guest house bungalows and private homes have been wiped out. The damage to Yanui stretches several hundred metres inland.
To try to describe the power of the wave here, about fifteen metres above sea-level on the hill road from Yanui to Naiharn and about forty metres inland from the beach, the road was partially blocked by a log about the size of a small car, that I recalled had previously rested on the beach just in front of Leone's house
RAWAI BEACH
There was moderate but extensive damage along the sea wall at Rawai and several boats were destroyed. The well-known Nikita's Bar was also damaged, but was back open for business two days after the wave. The Sea-Gypsy village did not fare as well with significant damage and loss of life.
The Evason has announced that it is still fully operational, though there are reports that the hotel's jetty was washed away.
CHALONG AND AO YON BEACHES
A heavy wash ran up the lower east coast of Phuket, Chalong Bay, making a bit of a mess and leaving large chunks of boat propped up along the beach wall, but only a few light injuries. There was water damage to a couple of the beach front bungalow resorts, including Friendship Beach, but this has since been cleaned up and the restaurant is operating on an almost complete menu as of Friday. Chef Charlie says everything will be back on in the next few days. Guests were returning to there rooms just three days after the flooding.
The wave went on to hit Ao Yon hard, but caused only moderate property damage, mainly to the premises of CoralSeekers, which bases its tour and yachting operations from there. The clean up there was well underway the day after the wave hit.
PHUKET CITY
The island's business and administrative centre received no damage whatsoever. The city's fishing port was not so lucky. A huge swell roared up the channel past Rattanachai boatyard, dragging dozens of large and small fishing boats off their moorings and thrusting them into a tangled mass against the bridge to Sirey Island.
The Sea Gypsy village on Sirey was also hit hard, with many homes destroyed. One lady from the village reported to me that, fortunately – and surprisingly, considering the damage – there were no dead or missing, only a few injuries.
BEACH CLEAN-UP AND REBUILDING AROUND THE ISLAND
As of yesterday (Thursday), Royal Thai Army engineers from Ratchaburi, staff from many hotels and villagers from both seafront and inland communities had completed total clean ups of many of Phuket's beaches, including Kata, Karon and Naiharn. Others are expected to be finished before the weekend is out.
Conservative local estimates put the loss of rooms on Phuket in the low hundreds – rather than the several thousand claimed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Most of the hotels and resorts that were damaged are reporting very minor damage – averaging between 15 and 20 rooms each. Only a few have been completely closed down. All that we were able to contact claim that full service will be returned in just a couple of weeks. It should also be noted that damage caused by the tsunami on Phuket has directly affected less than ten percent of the island.
The weight of human loss and loss of livelihoods that it has wrought, and that which is still yet to come to light, is of course immeasurable. To all those people affected, we send out our most heartfelt condolences. We know you are many and we hope that we can be as strong as you and stand beside you in the months to come.
It is the Thai people who, in what would be considered overwhelming circumstances for many westerners, are quietly, stoically, cleaning up and beginning the rebuilding work on Phuket. It is a scene repeated up and down the coast. There are no scenes of wailing desperation, so beloved of CNN and BBC, despite the enormous tasks that face them. Where foreigners have fled the “terror”, the Thai people are still here. Despite their immeasurable losses – and that's not just a few suitcases of clothes – there are no mercy flights to whisk them away. They will be here throughout all that is to come. The Thai people of Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga are the heroes here, for it is they who have lost the most and they will be the ones who take on the task of rebuilding the Pearl of the Andaman.
With additional reporting by Kerrie Hall, Scott Murray and Hayley Windsor
http://www.phuket.com/phuket-beach-status.htm
phuket tsunami:As of 26 December 2005 the fund has raised 27,765,006 Baht
Fortunately, spared from the major devastation caused by the tsunami on 26 December, Laguna Phuket is able to focus on providing assistance to help local tsunami victims rebuild their shattered lives, from repairing damaged homes and community facilities to regaining their means of livelihood and mental well being. These people need sustained and long-term help.
As part of our continued long-term commitment to local communities, Laguna has established the Phuket Tsunami Recovery Fund as a channel for our many supporters, well wishers and contributors to provide direct assistance to help Phuket's local tsunami victims. The Fund is managed by Laguna Resorts & Hotels' (LRH) own organisational network. Laguna Phuket will work with local authorities to determine where the greatest community needs are, and how best to achieve both maximum benefit from the funding and our objective of providing medium to long-term support to the survivors.
Objectives of the Fund
• The Fund is intended for direct expenditures for specific projects benefiting affected communities or segments thereof.
• The Fund will not make donations of money to other funds.
• The Fund is intended to support long term recovery, for example, to rebuild homes and fishing boats.
• The Fund is intended to focus on specific affected communities close to the locations of our operations instead of general usage or distribution into a wide area.
http://www.lagunaphuket.com/tsunamifund/
History Geography and Climate:: Myanmar: the Country
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is recognized by the world as the Golden Land. It is one of the earliest homes of mankind, where one can have exclusive experiences of a life-time.
Myanmar’s Golden Age dates back to the 11th century when King Anawrahta united the whole country into the First Myanmar Empire in Bagan well before the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The Bagan Empire encompassed the entire Menam valley in Thailand and lasted about 250 years, before it collapsed with the invasion of the Mongols under the leadership of Kublai Khan in the 13th century. The Second Myanmar Empire was founded in the middle 16th century by King Bayinnaung. King Alaungpaya founded the Third Myanmar Empire in 1752. It was during the zenith of the Konbaung dynasty, that the British colonized Myanmar.
Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948.
On January 4, 1948 at 04:20am, the nation became sovereign, as the Union of Burma, with U Nu as the first Prime Minister. Democratic rule ended in 1962 with a military coup d'état led by General Ne Win. Ne Win ruled for nearly 26 years, bringing in harsh reforms. In 1990 free elections were held for the first time in almost 30 years, but the landslide victory of the NLD, the party of Aung San Suu Kyi was voided by the military, which refused to step down.
One of the top figures in Burmese history in the 20th century is Army founder and freedom figure General Aung San, a student-turned activist whose daughter is 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate and worldwide peace, freedom and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi of the NLD, now under house arrest. The third most recognized Burmese figure in the world is U Thant, who was UN Secretary General for two terms and highly respected throughout United Nations' history.
In November 2005, the military junta announced that the national capital would be moved from Yangon to Pyinmana.
Geography:
The country covers an area of 677,000 square kilometers (261,228 square miles) ranging 936 kilometers (581 miles) from east to west and 2,051 kilometers (1,275 miles) from north to south. It is a land of hills and valleys and is rimmed in the north, east and west by mountain ranges forming a giant horseshoe. Enclosed within the mountain barriers are the flat lands of Ayeyarwaddy, Chindwin and Sittaung River valleys where most of the country's agricultural land and population are concentrated.
The length of contiguous frontier is 6,159 kilometers. The total length of Myanmar-Bangladesh boundary is 271 kilometers (168.7 miles). The total length of Myanmar-China boundary is 2,204 kilometers (1,370 miles); Myanmar-Thailand 2,107 kilometers (1,309.8 miles); Myanmar-India 1,338 kilometers (831.8 miles); and Myanmar-Laos 238 kilometers (147.9 miles).
Climate:
As a whole, the location and topography of the country generated a diversity of climate conditions. Seasonal changes in the monsoon wind directions create summer, rainy and winter seasons. Extremes of temperature are rare. The directions of winds and depression bring rain, and although it is always heavy in the coastal areas during monsoon season, it seldom creates hardships.
The most pleasant season for travelers is from November to February. During this season the climate resembles a fair European summer. However, in some mountainous areas the temperatures can drop to 0 centigrade. For this time period a jacket, pullover, socks, warm pajamas are needed.
The hot season starts in March and lasts until May. During this season temperatures easily exceed 40 centigrade, even in Yangon.
The rainy season starts in May and lasts until November. However the amount of rainfall differs according to the area. And indeed, it's wonderful to travel with fewer travelers around – and after every rainfall the temperature cools down!
Generally, most of the year will have daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F) and mid-20s (high 70s) temperatures at night. During the cool season, however, you can expect temperatures closer to 25°C (77°F) and 15°C (59°F). Coastal areas are usually cooler but more humid.
