BKK Post: Burma To Open Country in

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Subject: BKK Post: Burma To Open Country in 96



The Bangkok Post
Wednesday May 11, 1994
 
BURMA TO OPEN COUNTRY IN 1996
 
Tak
 
Burma is ready to open the country to foreign tourists in 1996, with the 
number of visitors per year targeted at 50,000 from the year 2000 
onward, said the Thai Ambassador to Burma Veera Futrakul.
 
He said Thailand is happy to be the gateway for visitors wishing to 
visit that country.
 
The Burmese government has signed a contract with a Thai company 
to invest in accommodation in Burma. A number of hotel projects 
financed by foreign investors are underway to cope with the growing 
number of tourists. 
 
Two first-class hotels are scheduled to be built in Pagan an another in 
Ranong, the ambassador said.
 
Thai Airways International's flight frequencies will also be given a 
boost provided agreement with the Burmese government is reached. 
There is no in effect a plan to double the length of stay for visitors 
from two to four weeks.
 
The Burmese government also proposed to grant visas on arrival to 
tourists travelling to the old capital of Mandalay, Mr Veera said.
 
The foreign visitors, however, have to pay US $300 to purchase 
coupons which can be redeemed for accommodation and other service 
facilities in place of money, said the Thai ambassador.