Beyond Yangon (part I)

[faziwenopr]

don't have traffic. omg

[aperson22222]

Oh, and I had forgotten how daunting it is to cross the streets. It's not so much pedestrians cutting in front of traffic, it felt more like drivers not giving a shit if they hit you.

[aperson22222]

They're not communist, never were. They were unaligned all through the Cold War. Their official government ideology was the "Burmese Path to Socialism," an idea that never really meant anything.

"Lost World" sounds right. I called it The Land That Time Forgot. Some wonderful people live there but it's so discouraging to be there, you're gratified to leave but you feel guilty for leaving your Burmese friends behind, to lives that are nasty, brutish, and short.

[MrShwekayin]

Siam, thank you for posting your video on You Tube. Now my younger brothers know how most people live in Burma. I am very lucky Burmese guy that I live in Canada. I wish all the best for those who live in Burma.

[ned347]

if they only hadn't been into a military regime. myanmar maybe in the likes of malaysia, philippines and indonesia or thailand

[misterht]

The people there are very basic. very kind. These are just my thoughts.

If you want to get fascinated by a world that is mostly untouched by urbanization, just go there. Very interesting...

[misterht]

I was there at the end of 2007 and I went through the exact experience as the people crossing the streets.One have to run for your ife if you intend to cross the streets. It is a miracle that you do not see dead bodies lying in the streets from traffic accidents rather from the shooting by the government thugs.

[NMWMN]

"Siam" is Old Thailand..."Myanmar" is old Burma.

[NMWMN]

Siam is old Thailand...not Myanmar which is Burma.

[justinjiang]

burma is not communist..we have different social classes and opportunities. ..communist=SAME opportunity and social class..so stop saying burma is communist...

[ptroy72blue]

Great video but why did you ruin it by playin metallica? GOD your not making an fing music video!

[mazower]

Just to correct the description, Burma is technically a fourth world country--a notch lower than third.

Also, your comment, "This is what communism does to a country," is way too vague. Communism alone isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's when people apply it incorrectly or twist it to meet their own ends that such conditions arise.

[NMWMN]

the price of communism is a bowl of rice...

[melrocks555]

I am thai n i went 2 myanmar once n i loved it there

i instantly fell in love with this country

it was such a wonderful experience

[tiny1treasures]

I am English, i went to Myanmar in 2005 and fell in love with the people! I have been back every year since.... There is not a day that goes by that i dont think of the people i have come to love and i miss them so much... I pray one day there will be peace!

[chitkaung]

Yes our country is poor, a poor-developing nation that have million different problems but this person shouldn't have the right to judge the ghettos. That's just plain wrong and inhumane since i grew up in one and also stayed at bangkok for too long. P.S. Lost world is better than one that's built on prostitution.

[emillio94]

Man that's crazy did you see those people trying

to cross the intersection(that's insane).We have it so good in other parts of the world.I was born in ex communist Romania and left in 1991.Life back then was really bad now is getting much better and the country is improving each day.I hope and wish that Burma/Myanmar flourishes also and can only hope for the best!

[Serotrance]

That's just life in most of the world. Life goes on, and most of those people do fairly well for themselves, all things considered. This video is just patronizing.

[ny8080]

Nice vid, but some of your comments are really inane and childish.

[maungthomas]

Unless you can remove military regime in Burma I don't see any possible way to develop Burma/Myanmar.

[shweminthamee]

This video is just the tip of the ice berg. You should show more shots from government hospitals and rubbish tips of the city where children and dogs scavenge together.

[1984SS]

Nice Documentary!

before go out of Country, i really didn't know about Burma.i really sad that everyone think that we are so poor..i feel stigma and wanna argue with them...

Finally, i really confess that after all. Yes, we are poor , Growing up without information, lack of knowledge about what's Human right& political?...

don't be mad at mm people, however somebody comment u as below. They r just love their country. i hope our country will develop one day like Thailand.

[KYIMGMG]

Bangkok same things ,worse them Myanmar

[xystanfordxy]

haha!! tat's funni!! thai hate burmese ppl so much!! =P!! btw...isn't thai king mixed blood with burmese? is tat the reason?? nice insulting one!! =P!!

[rdrogel]

Note the ex Japanese buses didn't switch from RHD to LHD. That's why the door is offset, unlike the similar ex Japanese buses that went to my homecountry, the Philippines.

[cmonster42]

You need to show more of actual life there for anyone to get an idea of what life there is. Staying above it removes you and your viewer and leaves us feeling nothing.

Oh, and the music is a terrible choice.

[cmonster42]

I don't really feel like this video did anything to show what life is like in Burma. So, ok, crossing the street there is not easy like it is in the West. No lights make it that way. The shot of the "slum" from above doesn't show me what the place is like... just what they use for roofs and how close each place is. Compared to images I have seen of slums in Africa or Hati, it actually looks very clean and orderly.

[WalterandSnow]

U should show respect to people from Burma... You are not welcomed to our country becasue u are lacked of polite..Burma is not rich but at least people show respect to each other..So pls shut up!

[miracles78]

Dude, if you want to make a documentry make one. Don't comment with your voice behind the camera. It ain't crazy or lost ike you mention. Third world might it seem but ppl there have inner peace. Do you? We don't have ppl who shoot each other for no reason nor crimes done by hatred or racism. Don't not comment on the knowledge you have as a little knowledge is dangerous.

[easternorient]

Nice video. Looks alot like the Thailand I visited a couple of years back. People were just running helter skelter across the street and drivers were just as mad. I was in Bangkok, Chiang-Mai, went south to Nakhon Sri Tamarat (or something like that), and Ranong. Nice food, friendly people.

[MoniterLizard]

what a dumb song choice. you obviously don't appreciate the beauty of real life. "a lost world"?? you didnt even break the surface of the country. ugh, your portrayal of the country is just wrong, so wrong.

[HELL78660]

Thx Siam, If i go back, I will take more video like that. No human right, No peace, No electricity.

[HELL78660]

I can't believe I used to across the street like that. May be I should think about to be a refugee and stay here in the US peacefully. Right????????

[ZAungZ]

dude's entitled to his opinion

[toyotasir]

this world ain't hv eq country n ppl,tat this was a f..king big world.hv gd n bad.

i visit myn offenly,which i had met bad ppl n very good one's.all those 1st world country do u all think they r gd??n perfect??u can't even luv ur ownself n hw u compare n compliant 2 other's??

[goldenlove108]

Oh btw, in even the most "advanced" European countries, the traffic crossing functions without lights(people just walk onto the cross paths. I really just don't understand what your damage is.Everyone just needs to quit hating, seriously.

[goldenlove108]

Hey I personally think you're entitled to your views. Personally, I was a spiteful person when I visited India and criticized.Myanmar is a beautiful and CLEANER country with alot of potential. Please, you must understand that you sounded like a jackass(for a lack of a better word). I'm glad to see that the UN hires such nice humans with genuine care and humility concering others who are unfortunate to be stuck in a situation which they did not choose to be in. Have a lovely day, Siam.

[the9dolls]

We just need to be systematic and united then we can fuck the whole world.

[Buarawng]

Asian democracy sucks. They just want Burma's oil and gas as well as its rich national resources.We need more international support. Free Burma!

[thawdar]

Hey Siam...

Don't listen to the other burmese people man. Whatever you say in your video is your opinion. And I'm burmese too but I hope you don't mind the other comments by other burmese people. We have a lot of patriotism.

[kaungkyw]

fuck u man, i lived there.. it ain't that bad..plps are nice too

[HELL78660]

why are u so mad, just explore and figure it out. holly crap.

[TguyR14]

Yes u r right! Burma is under dictatorship. People in there are so poor and lack of human rights!! Hopefully , Aung Sann Suu Kyi can reinform Burma!!

[mlyleo]

Myanmar is not a communist nation. It is only ruled by the military junta for decades. It's a matter of time when democracy is fully restored and the government is democratically elected.

[unknownuser44]

Burma is not ruled by kommunists it is ruled by Statekapitalists.

[mariancaranda]

hvor er du fra ? har vært til Burma?

[unknownuser44]

Jag är från Sverige, och har inte varit i Burma, har du varit i burma? var är du från, norge?

[mariancaranda]

Ja, jeg er fra Norge. Jag har ikke vært til Burma men tror jeg skal gå i 2008. Kansje i januar eller noe.

[Dodoblakaky]

I love Phad thai!

[saicool007]

I don't care what he says. The video says it all.  hmm.. the truth hurts?

[robert3302]

The Burmese are not communists! And people cut in front of cars in traffic in Chicago. So what? Burma is a beautiful country with great people. Where else would total strangers wave at you from a bus?

[Siam]

True that! true that....thx for stopping by!

[HELL78660]

What did you say? it is funny. You just have to admit that there aren't that many great people over there anymore. all the great people are living abroad as refugees. hahaha

[SuperdoopertT]

LOL, the author said it best, "This is not a third world, this is the last world." And guess what, it probably is.

It's really time that people should wake up and be brave to sacrifice to get rid of the regime.

[ps001k7377]

how can people of burma get rid of military junta? country like china, russia, india are supporting military junta.

[Siam]

Thank you for your comment. At least it was nice and friendly one, I'm not a pro vdo movie maker guy; did it for fun. I record what I saw and said what was on my mind @ the time. I understand the consequences of freedom of expression now. I mean no harm when I did these vdo clips.

I did enjoy my stay there and WILL be going back again and again. And I will keep on posting!

[nanpya71]

good one siam. You are a gentleman and very sincere. We live in the world of secrecy and pollution, financailly and politically but it is still functioning...I enjoyed staying in burma too,, beautiful people mostly, and very shallow people too..like everywhere else...keep up the good work.

[mpk1331]

"Siam" has the right to express what he sees. His footage has clearly captured the sorry state Burma is in. I even welcome "Siam"'s raw if unpolished narrative (and I'm not talking about his grammar) because it's through the eyes of an ordinary lay tourist. I bet "Siam"'s views are what a lot of tourists view our country.

"Siam", keep visiting Burma and get to know the people and the culture firsthand. Maybe you'll file a more nuanced report next time.

[daeruke]

i agree they are moronic. But those are the average conditions, ppl should be grateful they got better lifes.

[misterturtle]

This video would be great without the moronic commentary in the background.

[htoochar]

what the hell r u talking like this?

you must understand many people from Myanmarwhose salary is over $1000 and also they own over $100,000 car more than one.

How the thai is good?

your country is only coup in Asia and the most AIDS in the ASIA.

Damn...

[Siam]

Sorry dude, I'm just quoting what the United Nation information service said. I don't know any one that own over $100,000 car. I didn't compare Thai and Myanmar, so Y the hate!?!

[bayintnaung]

Great Video if you mute your speakers. He's a Retard!

[Siam]

Ouchhh!!! Here we go with the Hate! Keep it coming bay... Is that all U got?

[mumumoe]

Every town has a good places and bad places; thus, the beauty is a personal thing. Some people are attractive to negative things and some are more attractive to positive things that they see through their own projections, so let's not judge one another. If you are Burmese/Buddhist, please show compassion and forgiveness to those who do not know or see the true beauty of Myanmar. Siam, your works of Parts I-III are very informative. Hope that you see the true beauty of People of Myanmar.

[bayintnaung]

That's the problem with you Burmese people. Look what "compassion and forgiveness" got us in the first place? Our leader is still under house arrest. Our fellow students are dead or in jails. Look at the current state of the country in his videos. Sorry my friend, I have no compassion and forgiveness left for the ignorant people.

[mumumoe]

Burmese people do not have any problem for showing their compassion and forgiveness, the country is in this situation not for compassion and forgiveness, only because of stupid policy and ignorant/angry people, so just come down man...

[bayintnaung]

The country is in this situation because we have tolerated them for so long. The truth is, inside Burma, people are struggling and suffering every single day without any sign of hope in the near future. It is easy for you to be so compassionate and forgiven all the way from the USA; how thoughtful of you?

[bayintnaung]

The country is in this situation because we have tolerated them for so long. The truth is, inside Burma, people are struggling and suffering every single day without any sign of hope in the near future. How thoughtful? You can be so compassionate and forgiven all the way from the USA.

[mumumoe]

So you got a better plan for them? Being compassionate and forgiven has nothing to do with the politic or where you live, it just shows that you are decent humanbeing. Because of the lack of compassion form the Leadership side of Burma, people are suffering. Forward this comment to Than Shwe, I hope you do not get arrested!!!

[shadowtrail]

Im not proud that my ancestor raped and killed thais....i dont even see it as a big deal.. :D keep the hate coming...i love it when thais bitch over wat burmese did to them... :D

[Siam]

Let me guess...U r also uchihak? And I still don't know what u r talking about..:D

[aikzai]

helo Siam,thx for visiting my country,yep this is not third world country,this is lost country,we all are lost,we are unluckly and not bless like ur country or like you, according to the last line "Thank God,I'm just visiting.." seem so negative on us,u havent seem enought or get into it,so u dont really know how good people are.So dont give comment anyhow,especially as a outsider,you dont even us well. Nobody want in this condition. And,yep,i will be waiting for your part two. Cheers!

[Siam]

Hey there, and thx for vising and your comments. I'm sorry...Didn't mean to offend U when I said 'Thx God I'm just visiting. I was tired and was glad that I was back in the air con room when I was doing this VDO. I am doing some work there with the UN, and will be back there again and again and again. I love the view but hate the weather (it's super HOT there (hope that's OK to say that). I will be more careful of what to say(write) next time.

[uchihak]

damn thai pig. Give us a few decades and we'll fxx you up again like we did in Ayodhaya.

[Siam]

Hey Loser! What'z ur problem!?! I'm keepin' it real here. Unlike U, U poser! U ain't got nothing to show but your stupid comment. U're proud that your ancestor rape and kill little children in Ayutthaya???( Learn how to spell too U dumpy!). Did I say about bad about your Burma, Myanmar or whatever??? If U don't like, U can go back your country Jackass!!!

[bayintnaung]

While you are still keepin' it real, allow me to educamacate you a little bit, 1) Yangon population is approx 4mil (2005), not 6mil+. Yangon Division is 5.4 mil. 2) It's not Communism. It's Military Junta. Know the difference! Usually military regimes use the threat of communism as justification for their actions against their own people. 3)The correct Economic term is "GDP per capita" and it's $174, not $250. 4)It's called Sule Pagoda (not Sula) and it's pronounced "Sue-Lay", not "ShoeLa"

[bayintnaung]

9)We eat on the floor because we like to and it's our tradition; not because we can't afford the table and chairs. We eat with our fingers too, you see? Ask your Grandma. She may still remember your Thai customs and traditions.

[bayintnaung]

So a stinky Burmese boy from Yangon Ghetto says to you:

"Thank God you are just visiting.... Thank God you didn't step foot in my hood with your funny little hat and a funny little camera.... because I would have whooped yo ass. Now go back to school you moron, instead of wasting time following your Daddy around the third world countries!"

[bayintnaung]

10) Yes our ancestors raped and killed your women and children in Ayutthaya but that was over 200 years ago during wars. And Look at what you Thais are doing to Burmese people now. You are raping our rivers, our fishing grounds, our rainforests, our natural gas, our gems and other natural resources. Not to mention rapes and human-right abuses of our migrant workers in Thailand.

[bayintnaung]

5)The new capital is not Mandalay. It's called "Nay Pyi Daw", which is located in Mandalay Division. It's totally different from the city of Mandalay which is located some 300+ km further north from Nay Pyi Daw. 6)Hey dummy, this just in! Woman monks are called Buddhist Nuns.7) The tip of the pagoda in Burma is called the crown or umbrella ("Htee" in Burmese). 8)Get rid of your Thaiglish It's "to be continued"

[watchoutwhat]

i'm not thai or burmese, but your attitude uchihak is an embarassment to your country

[bayintnaung]

I don't condone what uchihak said, but I don't condemn him either. I can understand his frustrations.