Tom's Travels: Burma/Myanmar 2008 - Yangon (Rangoon) Circular Railway

[shwelumyo]

OMG! Burma is still very dirty. EEEEW!

[richiesaw]

Most of the artist compare the train to time train. 50yrs ago these train are really hi delex coach, its has ordinary class, upper class eventhough Burma Presendent love to travel with this train. but now the time was left behind or rewind back to 100yrs. still the same n nothing change. i m still loving travel with this locomotive n horn pu...pu... pul sound. i still miss my mum house near railway station. The train said Man may come n man may go but i go on forever.

[exenrontexas]

It is wise to turn the viewfinder around to allow them to see what you are shooting. It becomes like a mirror and you get good reactions.

We will pray for the release from tyranny of these gentle people,

[choecho]

great video..thanks for posting this..I've been home sick.,

[xxxdieselyyy]

Hey thanks a lot for taking the time to video tape this and sharing on u-tube! This train looks very much like commuter trains which ppl take for work in India, though our quality is slightly better.....

U said u spoke w/ military personnel? What was their take on the country's situation?

[mod83]

@xxxdieselyyy Thanks!

I didn't speak to any current military people, though individual citizens were keen to whisper their concerns.

[xxxdieselyyy]

@mod83 ----------->Thank you for responding. Hey about the people, did they express a greater desire for better standard of living or just democracy? Wonder how they'd respond if u asked "If the current government ups u r standard of living by 100 percent, would u guys still want democracy?"

I am just curious to know what the priorities and aspirations of the ppls there are.

[mod83]

@xxxdieselyyy I think people see prosperity and democracy going hand-in-hand - there is little desire for a Chinese model, as folks are fully aware and understand the value and meaning of universal suffrage... They haven't forgotten Aung San Suu Kyi and remain desperate for change. Unfortunately, this November's already-corrupt "elections" will only solidify the state's power.

Since returning, I set up the website for the Hong Kong chapter of Free Burma

[xxxdieselyyy]

@mod83 ----------I think people see prosperity and democracy going hand-in-hand ----->Democracy is great but then if u r country has a series of ethno nationalist or regionalist problems democracy could actually b counterproductive. I AM NOT defending Myanma govt, just giving my point on democracy Vs prosperity.

Look at India, for classical example. We can't interlink rivers (free electricity 2 da peepz) because we have too much state govt freedom Vs 1 strong natl govt.

[xxxdieselyyy]

@xxxdieselyyy ---------2---------->Imagine democracy in Burma, I would like to see how Aung San Suu Kyi deals w/ a dozen + ethno nationalist outfits operating in the country. For one, did the KNU / KNLA agree to return to the mainfold and work 4 a unified Burma if Aung San Suu Kyi comes 2 power?

[koko140872]

@xxxdieselyyy ----Burmese people are peace-loving Buddhists. The majority are so religious and tolerant and they dont care if they have 3 decent meals daily or own a car. What they want is freedom from fear, not knowing when police or militia will come and take you away for expressing their feelings or talking about the govt to a foreigner. People just want a peaceful life with a little bit of freedom to move around and not being subjected to all kinds of ridiculous tax collections.

[koko140872]

@xxxdieselyyy ---- Imagine one of yr family needs medical treatment and goes to the government hospital when u r told there is no medicine or injection. Imagine u take yr 5 yr old child to school for basic education and they tell you there is no more seating unless you pay 80,000 kyats. Imagine u have electricity only 5,6 hours a day and if u want a telephone u pay $7,000 and wait several months. That's the life of the Burmese majority. The current govt has already abandoned its people.

[xxxdieselyyy]

@koko140872 ------------>What you describe in terms of education and health care resembles a LOT of Asian countries and African countries. I can tell u what ur describing resembles India.

If u need u r 5 yr old for hospital treatment in govt hospital, u will have to play arsenic or antibiotic after paying bribes. We are a major economic powerhouse, democratic, but even power producing states have 6-7 hour shutdowns!

[koko140872]

@xxxdieselyyy ---- I know what u r trying to point out but Burma's case is one of the worst if u take into consideration the billions of $ the junta makes from selling gas and rubies, jade and precious stones yearly and the population being stripped off everything. A govt should provide a little s'thing for her people...even Communist govts are better than the regime. Some friends joke they'd rather be a Chinese province bcos, then, the Chinese would provide s'thing. Anyway thanks for yr vdo.

[koko140872]

@xxxdieselyyy -- I know what u r trying to point out but Burma's case is one of the worst if u take into consideration the billions of $ the junta makes from selling gas and rubies, jade and precious stones yearly and the population being stripped off everything. A govt should provide a little s'thing for her people...even Communist govts are better than the regime. Some friends joke they'd rather be a Chinese province bcos, then, the Chinese would provide s'thing. Anyway thanks for yr vdo.

[BarneySuperBear]

A well constructed video showing the indomitable spirit of the people of Myanmar!

Just returned from Yangon 8/8/2010 May I wish them well for te future.

[CreaterDemo]

Awesome Video i miss that place so much =(

[mediet]

great and constructive video. God bless....

[nutbemani]

Good job!

[etonelay]

Gr8!

[Travel3]

Very good!

[mod83]

As a tourist, I was careful to minimise any money going to the government infrastructure and was welcomed by the Burmese people throughout the country. I felt the US$1 spent on the Circular Railway was worth the interactions it bought with local people from all around the city - I spoke to journalists, students, military-men and ex-civil servants about the situation in the country.