Editing Myanmar (section)

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Myanmar}}{{Update|part=section|date=January 2025|reason=Economic situation has changed since the [[2021 Myanmar coup d'état]]}}{{further|Golden Triangle (Southeast Asia)|Transport in Myanmar|Oil and gas industry in Myanmar}}

Myanmar's [[economy]] is one of the [[fastest growing economies]] in the world with a nominal GDP of US$76.09 billion in 2019 and an estimated purchasing power adjusted GDP of US$327.629 billion in 2017 according to the World Bank.<ref>{{cite news|title=world bank indicator|work=World Bank|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=MM|access-date=30 January 2021|archive-date=15 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115104355/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=MM|url-status=live}}</ref>{{synthesis inline|date=June 2021}} Foreigners are able to legally lease but not own property.<ref name="aht">{{cite news|last=Aung Hla Htun|date=16 March 2012|title=Exclusive: Myanmar drafts new foreign investment rules |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-investment-idUSBRE82F0IY20120316 |access-date=17 March 2012 |archive-date=16 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316160225/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-myanmar-investment-idUSBRE82F0IY20120316 |url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2014, Myanmar set up its first stock exchange, the [[Yangon Stock Exchange]].<ref>{{cite news |date=25 March 2016 |title=Yangon Stock Exchange Formally Opens for Business |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/03/25/world/asia/ap-as-myanmar-stock-exchange.html |access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref>

The informal economy's share in Myanmar is one of the biggest in the world and is closely linked to corruption, smuggling and illegal trade activities.<ref>{{cite book |first=Ian |last=Brown |year=2005 |title=A Colonial Economy in Crisis |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-30580-8}}</ref><ref>Stokke, Kristian; Vakulchuk, Roman and Indra Overland (2018) [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323018961 Myanmar: A Political Economy Analysis] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728150758/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323018961_Myanmar_A_Political_Economy_Analysis |date=28 July 2020}}. Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI). Report commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</ref> In addition, decades of civil war and unrest have contributed to Myanmar's current levels of poverty and lack of economic progress. Myanmar lacks adequate [[infrastructure]]. Goods travel primarily across the Thai border (where most illegal drugs are exported) and along the Irrawaddy River.<ref name="idea">{{cite web |url=http://www.idea.int/asia_pacific/burma/upload/chap3.pdf |title=Challenges to Democratization in Burma |access-date=12 July 2006 |date=November 2001 |publisher=International IDEA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060723083624/http://www.idea.int/asia_pacific/burma/upload/chap3.pdf |archive-date=23 July 2006}}</ref> Notably, opium production in Myanmar is the world's second-largest source of [[opium]] after [[Opium production in Afghanistan|Afghanistan]], producing some 25% of the world's opium, forming part of the Golden Triangle. While opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar had declined year-on-year since 2015, cultivation area increased by 33% totalling 40,100 hectares alongside an 88% increase in yield potential to 790 tonnes in 2022 according to latest data from the [[United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime]] (UNODC) Myanmar Opium Survey 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unodc.org/roseap/myanmar/2023/01/myanmar-opium-survey-report/story.html|title=Myanmar Opium Survey 2021: Cultivation, Production and Implications|date=February 2022|access-date=18 April 2023|archive-date=26 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426044556/https://www.unodc.org/roseap/myanmar/2023/01/myanmar-opium-survey-report/story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> With that said, the [[United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime]] (UNODC) has also warned that opium production in Myanmar may rise again if the economic crunch brought on by COVID-19 and the country's 1 February military coup persists, with significant public health and security consequences for much of Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/east-asia-pacific_myanmars-economic-meltdown-likely-push-opium-output-says-un/6206434.html|title=Myanmar's Economic Meltdown Likely to Push Opium Output Up, Says UN|date=31 May 2021|accessdate=15 October 2021|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018182910/https://www.voanews.com/a/east-asia-pacific_myanmars-economic-meltdown-likely-push-opium-output-says-un/6206434.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At the same time, the Golden Triangle, and specifically [[Shan State]] in Myanmar, is believed to be the largest [[methamphetamine]]-producing area in the world. The growing signs of an intensification of methamphetamine manufacturing activity within and around the Golden Triangle, and a corresponding decrease in the number of production facilities dismantled in other parts of the region, suggests that methamphetamine manufacture in East and Southeast Asia is now consolidated into the lower Mekong region.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/14/opinions/asia-organized-crime-intl/index.html |title=Parts of Asia are slipping into the hands of organized crime |first=Jeremy |last=Douglas |publisher=CNN |date=15 November 2018 |access-date=18 April 2023 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418083136/https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/14/opinions/asia-organized-crime-intl/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Countries in East and Southeast Asia have collectively witnessed sustained increases in seizures of methamphetamine over the last decade, totalling over 171 tons and a record of over 1 billion methamphetamine tablets in 2021 according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, more than any other part of the world.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 2022|title=Synthetic Drugs in East and Southeast Asia: Latest Developments and Challenges 2022|url=https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/scientists/2022-regional-synthetic-drugs-in-east-and-southeast-asia.html|access-date=18 April 2023|archive-date=26 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426145938/https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/scientists/2022-regional-synthetic-drugs-in-east-and-southeast-asia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In April and May 2020, Myanmar authorities reported Asia's largest ever drug operation in Shan State, totalling what was believed to be 193 million methamphetamine tablets, hundreds of kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine as well as some heroin, and over 162,000 litres and 35.5 tons of drug precursors as well as sophisticated production equipment and several staging and storage facilities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/myanmar-drugs-exclusive-idINKBN22U0PH|title=Huge fentanyl haul seized in Asia's biggest-ever drugs bust|publisher=Reuters|date=18 May 2020|via=www.reuters.com|access-date=18 April 2023|archive-date=28 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228092412/https://www.reuters.com/article/myanmar-drugs-exclusive-idINKBN22U0PH|url-status=live}}</ref>

Both China and India have attempted to strengthen ties with the government for economic benefit in the early 2010s. Many Western nations, including the United States and Canada, and the [[European Union]], historically imposed investment and trade sanctions on Myanmar. The United States and European Union eased most of their sanctions in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hargreaves |first=Steve |url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/06/18/news/economy/myanmar-business/index.html?iid=HP_LN |title=Myanmar: Tales from the last business frontier |publisher=CNN |date=18 June 2013 |access-date=6 July 2013 |archive-date=22 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622080534/http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/18/news/economy/myanmar-business/index.html?iid=HP_LN |url-status=live }}</ref> From May 2012 to February 2013, the United States began to lift its economic sanctions on Myanmar "in response to the historic reforms that have been taking place in that country."<ref>{{cite web|date=18 March 2013|title=Frequently Asked Questions and Answers|url=http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/Sanctions/Pages/answer.aspx#268|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727011638/http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/Sanctions/Pages/answer.aspx|archive-date=27 July 2013|access-date=4 August 2013|publisher=U.S. Department of the Treasury}}</ref> Foreign investment comes primarily from China, Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea, India, and Thailand.<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Fullbrook |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/FK04Ae03.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041106012133/http://atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/FK04Ae03.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=6 November 2004 |title=So long US, hello China, India |work=Asia Times |date=4 November 2004 |access-date=14 July 2006}}</ref> The military has stakes in some major industrial corporations of the country (from oil production and consumer goods to transportation and tourism).<ref name="mccartan">{{cite news|last=McCartan|first=Brian|date=28 February 2012|title=Myanmar military in the money|work=Asia Times|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NB28Ae02.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227154915/http://atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NB28Ae02.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=27 February 2012|access-date=30 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="brady">{{cite news|last=Brady|first=Brendan|date=7 September 2012|title=Boom Days in Burma|work=Newsweek|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/09/16/boom-days-in-burma.html|url-status=dead|access-date=30 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929192043/http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/09/16/boom-days-in-burma.html|archive-date=29 September 2012}}</ref>

=== Economic history ===
[[File:Myingyan Railway Station 2.jpg|thumb|The trains are relatively slow in Myanmar. The railway trip from [[Bagan]] to [[Mandalay]] takes about 7.5 hours ({{convert|179|km|mi|abbr=on|disp=or}}).]]Under the [[British Empire|British]] administration, the people of Burma were at the bottom of the social hierarchy, with [[Europeans]] at the top, Indians, Chinese, and Christianized minorities in the middle, and Buddhist Burmese at the bottom.<ref name=":0">{{cite book|last=Myint-U|first=Thant|title=The river of lost footsteps: histories of Burma|date=2006|publisher=[[Farrar, Straus and Giroux]]|isbn=978-0-374-16342-6|edition=1st|location=New York|oclc=65064707}}</ref> Forcefully integrated into the world economy, Burma's economy grew by involving itself with extractive industries and [[cash crop]] agriculture. However, much of the wealth was concentrated in the hands of Europeans. The country became the world's largest exporter of [[rice]], mainly to European markets, while other colonies like India suffered mass starvation.<ref>{{cite book|last=Davis|first=Mike|title=Late Victorian holocausts: El Niño famines and the making of the third world|date=2001|publisher=Verso|isbn=1-85984-739-0|location=London|oclc=45636958}}</ref> Being a follower of free market principles, the British opened up the country to large-scale immigration with Rangoon exceeding New York City as the greatest immigration port in the world in the 1920s. Historian [[Thant Myint-U]] states, "This was out of a total population of only 13 million; it was equivalent to the United Kingdom today taking 2 million people a year." By then, in most of Burma's largest cities, [[Rangoon]], [[Akyab]], [[Pathein|Bassein]] and [[Moulmein]], the Indian immigrants formed a majority of the population. The Burmese under British rule felt helpless, and reacted with a "racism that combined feelings of superiority and fear".<ref name=":0" />

Crude oil production, an indigenous industry of [[Yenangyaung]], was taken over by the British and put under [[Burmah Oil]] monopoly. British Burma began exporting crude oil in 1853.<ref>{{cite web|author=Total|title=Oil and Gas in Myanmar |url=http://burma.total.com/myanmar-en/oil-and-gas-in-myanmar/oil-and-gas-in-myanmar-900130.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415084151/http://burma.total.com/myanmar-en/oil-and-gas-in-myanmar/oil-and-gas-in-myanmar-900130.html|archive-date=15 April 2015}}</ref> European firms produced 75% of the world's teak.<ref name="steinberg" /> The wealth was, however, mainly concentrated in the hands of Europeans. In the 1930s, agricultural production fell dramatically as international rice prices declined and did not recover for several decades.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Booth, Anne|date=Spring 2003|title=The Burma Development Disaster in Comparative Historical Perspective|url=http://www.soas.ac.uk/sbbr/editions/file64274.pdf|journal=SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research|volume=1|issue=1|issn=1479-8484|access-date=2 October 2012|archive-date=9 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809043455/http://www.soapy-massage.com/thai-soapy-massage-turkish-bath-house.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the Japanese invasion of Burma in World War II, the British followed a [[scorched earth]] policy. They destroyed major government buildings, oil wells and mines that developed for tungsten ([[Mawchi]]), tin, lead and silver to keep them from the Japanese. Myanmar was bombed extensively by the Allies.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

After independence, the country was in ruins with its major infrastructure completely destroyed. With the loss of India, Burma lost relevance and obtained independence from the British. After a parliamentary government was formed in 1948, Prime Minister [[U Nu]] embarked upon a policy of nationalisation and the state was declared the owner of all of the land in Burma. The government tried to implement an eight-year plan partly financed by injecting money into the economy, but this caused inflation to rise.<ref>{{cite web|last=Watkins|first=Thayer|title=Political and Economic History of Myanmar (Burma) Economics|url=http://www2.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/burma.htm|access-date=8 July 2006|publisher=San Jose State University|archive-date=26 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526144053/http://www2.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/burma.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[1962 Burmese coup d'état|1962 coup d'état]] was followed by an economic scheme called the [[Burmese Way to Socialism]], a plan to nationalise all industries, with the exception of [[agriculture]]. While the economy continued to grow at a slower rate, the country eschewed a Western-oriented development model, and by the 1980s, was left behind capitalist powerhouses like [[Singapore]] which were integrated with Western economies.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Taylor, Robert H.|title=General Ne Win : a political biography|date=25 May 2015|isbn=978-981-4620-13-0|location=Singapore|oclc=934623309}}</ref><ref name="ruin" /> Myanmar asked for admittance to a [[least developed country]] status in 1987 to receive debt relief.<ref>{{cite web|year=2005|title=List of Least Developed Countries|url=https://www.un.org/special-rep/ohrlls/ldc/list.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026045553/http://www.un.org/special-rep/ohrlls/ldc/list.htm|archive-date=26 October 2013|publisher=UN-OHRLLS}}</ref>

=== Agriculture ===
[[File:Rijstvelden Myanmar 2006.jpg|thumb|Rice is Myanmar's largest agricultural product.]]
{{Further|Agriculture in Myanmar}}

The major agricultural product is [[Rice production in Myanmar|rice]], which covers about 60% of the country's total cultivated land area. Rice accounts for 97% of total food grain production by weight. Through collaboration with the [[International Rice Research Institute]], 52 modern rice varieties were released in the country between 1966 and 1997, helping increase national rice production to 14&nbsp;million tons in 1987 and to 19&nbsp;million tons in 1996. By 1988, modern varieties were planted on half of the country's ricelands, including 98 percent of the irrigated areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irri.org/media/facts/pdfs/myanmar.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050907011925/http://www.irri.org/media/facts/pdfs/myanmar.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 September 2005 |title=Myanmar and IRRI }}&nbsp;{{small|(21.2&nbsp;KB)}}, Facts About Cooperation, International Rice Research Institute. Retrieved 25 September 2007.</ref> In 2008 rice production was estimated at 50 million tons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx |title=Faostat |publisher=Faostat.fao.org |access-date=17 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713020710/http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx |archive-date=13 July 2011 }}</ref>

=== Extractive industries ===
Myanmar produces precious stones such as [[rubies]], [[sapphire]]s, [[pearl]]s, and [[jade]]. [[Rubies]] are the biggest earner; 90% of the world's rubies come from the country, whose red stones are prized for their purity and hue. Thailand buys the majority of the country's gems. Myanmar's "Valley of Rubies", the mountainous [[Mogok Township|Mogok]] area, {{convert|200|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of [[Mandalay]], is noted for its rare pigeon's blood rubies and blue sapphires.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uvm.edu/envnr/gemecology/index.html|title=Gems of Burma and their Environmental Impact |publisher=Uvm.edu |access-date=20 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526104410/http://www.uvm.edu/envnr/gemecology/index.html |archive-date=26 May 2010}}</ref>

Many [[U.S.]] and [[European Union|European]] jewellery companies, including Bulgari, Tiffany and Cartier, refuse to import these stones based on reports of deplorable working conditions in the mines. [[Human Rights Watch]] has encouraged a complete ban on the purchase of Burmese gems based on these reports and because nearly all profits go to the ruling junta, as the majority of mining activity in the country is government-run.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hrw.org/en/news/2007/11/11/burma-gem-trade-bolsters-military-regime-fuels-atrocities |title=Burma: Gem Trade Bolsters Military Regime, Fuels Atrocities |publisher=Human Rights Watch |date=11 November 2007 |access-date=22 August 2017 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903143133/http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2007/11/11/burma-gem-trade-bolsters-military-regime-fuels-atrocities |url-status=live }}</ref> The government of Myanmar controls the gem trade by direct ownership or by joint ventures with private owners of mines.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ferro, Shane |date=19 July 2011 |url=http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/38144/burmese-gem-emporium-rakes-in-15-billion-despite-human-rights-abuse-concerns/ |title=Burmese Gem Emporium Rakes in $1.5 Billion Despite Human Rights Abuse Concerns |publisher=Blouin ARTINFO |access-date=15 May 2013 |archive-date=5 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205180522/http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/38144/burmese-gem-emporium-rakes-in-15-billion-despite-human-rights-abuse-concerns |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Rare-earth elements]] are also a significant export, as Myanmar supplies around 10% of the world's rare earths.<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2021 |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-rare-earths.pdf |website=usgs.gov |publisher=USGS |access-date=9 October 2021 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127021048/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-rare-earths.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Conflict in Kachin State has threatened the operations of its mines as of February 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Subramanian |first1=Sribala |title=Rare Earths in Myanmar: Unobtanium? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/06/rare-earths-in-myanmar-unobtanium/ |website=The Diplomat |access-date=9 October 2021 |archive-date=9 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009133352/https://thediplomat.com/2021/06/rare-earths-in-myanmar-unobtanium/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Tom |title=China rare earths extend surge on worries over Myanmar supply, inspection threat |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-rare-earths-myanmar-idUSKBN2BI1HR |website=Reuters |date=26 March 2021 |access-date=9 October 2021 |archive-date=9 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009133347/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-rare-earths-myanmar-idUSKBN2BI1HR |url-status=live }}</ref>

Other industries include agricultural goods, textiles, wood products, construction materials, gems, metals, oil and natural gas. [[Myanmar Engineering Society]] has identified at least 39 locations capable of geothermal power production and some of these hydrothermal reservoirs lie quite close to Yangon which is a significant underutilised resource for electrical production.<ref>{{citation |last=DuByne |first=David |title=Geothermal Energy in Myanmar Securing Electricity for Eastern Border Development |url=http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Geothermal-Energy-in-Myanmar-Securing-Electricity-for-Eastern-Border-Development-David-DuByne.pdf |journal=Myanmar Business Today Magazine |date=November 2015 |pages=6–8 |access-date=20 November 2015 |archive-date=20 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120104918/http://www.oilseedcrops.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Geothermal-Energy-in-Myanmar-Securing-Electricity-for-Eastern-Border-Development-David-DuByne.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
{{main|Tourism in Myanmar}}
[[File:Tourists in Myanmar (8397039153).jpg|thumb|Tourists in Myanmar]]
[[File:U Bein Bridge Mandalay 4.jpg|thumb|[[U Bein Bridge]] in Mandalay]]
The government receives a significant percentage of the income of private-sector tourism services.<ref>{{cite web |last=Enescu, Raluca |url=http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/bd/2006/12/24/re.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430235921/http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/bd/2006/12/24/re.htm |archive-date=30 April 2011 |title=Burma Digest |publisher=Tayzathuria.org.uk |date=24 December 2006}}</ref> The most popular available tourist destinations in Myanmar include big cities such as [[Yangon]] and [[Mandalay]]; religious sites in [[Mon State]], [[Pindaya]], [[Bago, Burma|Bago]] and [[Hpa-An]]; nature trails in [[Inle Lake]], [[Kengtung]], [[Putao District|Putao]], [[Pyin Oo Lwin]]; ancient cities such as [[Bagan]] and [[Mrauk-U]]; as well as beaches in [[Nabule]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southernmyanmar.com/beaches-2/|title=Southern Myanmar|page=Tourist Destinations|website=southernmyanmar.com|access-date=20 May 2015|archive-date=11 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511103149/http://www.southernmyanmar.com/beaches-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Ngapali Beach|Ngapali]], [[Ngwe Saung Beach|Ngwe-Saung]], and [[Mergui]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://birma.com/destinations-in-myanmar |title=Myanmar Travel Agency |page=Tourist Destinations |website=birma.com |access-date=20 October 2013 |archive-date=20 October 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131020180639/http://birma.com/destinations-in-myanmar |url-status=live }}</ref> Nevertheless, much of the country is off-limits to tourists, and interactions between foreigners and the people of Myanmar, particularly in the border regions, are subject to police scrutiny. They are not to discuss politics with foreigners, under penalty of imprisonment and, in 2001, the Myanmar Tourism Promotion Board issued an order for local officials to protect tourists and limit "unnecessary contact" between foreigners and ordinary Burmese people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/action_holiday.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429173300/http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/action_holiday.html |archive-date=29 April 2009 |title=The Tourism Campaign&nbsp;– Campaigns |publisher=The Burma Campaign UK |access-date=17 April 2010}}</ref>

The most common way for travellers to enter the country is by air.<ref name="LP1">{{cite web|title=Getting there & away|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/myanmar-burma/transport/getting-there-away|publisher=lonelyplanet.com|access-date=4 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801235500/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/myanmar-burma/transport/getting-there-away|archive-date=1 August 2013}}</ref> According to the website ''[[Lonely Planet]]'', getting into Myanmar is problematic: "No bus or train service connects Myanmar with another country, nor can you travel by car or motorcycle across the border&nbsp;– you must walk across." They further state that "It is not possible for foreigners to go to/from Myanmar by sea or river."<ref name="LP1" /> There are a few border crossings that allow the passage of private vehicles, such as the border between [[Ruili]] (China) to [[Mu-se]], the border between [[Htee Kee]] (Myanmar) and [[Phu Nam Ron]] (Thailand)—the most direct border between [[Dawei]] and [[Kanchanaburi]], and the border between [[Myawaddy]] and [[Mae Sot]], Thailand. At least one tourist company has successfully run commercial overland routes through these borders since 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dragoman.com/holidays/details/south-east-asia-between-kunming-and-bangkok-via-burma|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129052459/http://www.dragoman.com/holidays/details/south-east-asia-between-kunming-and-bangkok-via-burma|url-status=dead|title=Dragoman|archive-date=29 January 2015}}</ref>

Flights are available from most countries, though direct flights are limited to mainly Thai and other [[ASEAN]] airlines. According to ''[[Weekly Eleven|Eleven]]'' magazine, "In the past, there were only 15 international airlines and increasing numbers of airlines have begun launching direct flights from Japan, Qatar, Taiwan, South Korea, Germany and Singapore."<ref name="11.1">{{cite web|title=International airlines to open direct flights to Myanmar|work=Eleven Myanmar |url=http://elevenmyanmar.com/business/2945-international-airlines-to-open-direct-flights-to-myanmar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110164418/http://elevenmyanmar.com/business/2945-international-airlines-to-open-direct-flights-to-myanmar|archive-date=10 November 2013|date=2 August 2013 |last1=Tint |first1=Soe }}</ref>