Connections

As a youth, I was told that all roads lead to Rome.  My status as a profoundly lapsed catholic notwithstanding, that still rings true.

I thought that roads to Yangon, on the other hands, would be few and far between.  The country is only recently emerging from extensive trade and travel sanctions by most western nations.

My first itinerary gave evidence of a direct air link between Seoul, Korea and Yangon, Myanmar (or Rangoon, Burma in old-speak).  Then I had an itinerary with a Hong Kong to Yangon flight, one from Bangkok to Yangon, and one from Hanoi to Yangon. A quick internet search shows that Yangon International has additional international flight to/from Bejing, Taipeh, Doha, Frankfurt, Guangzhou, and Kuala Lumpur.  

Once the gates open, modernity floods in fast.

Looking at the traditional land border crossings, there is now four direct road connection to Thailand.  Respectable roads, that is, on which regular buses drive.  There are, of course, many land links to Thailand, but those are not recommended for outsiders.  Too many drug smugglers, separatist movements, and brigands in what is at times designated as the Golden Triangle.  There is also a busy border crossing to China in the north.  China became a key trading partner for Myanmar during the sanctions.  With special permits it is possible to cross into India.  I know of no open border crossings with Bangladesh or Laos.  The northwestern Rakhine state knows many troubles.