Increased Police Presence

Date : September 23, 2008

Embassy of the United States of America
Rangoon, Burma
110 University Ave.
Kamayut Township
Rangoon

Tel:  (95-1) 536-509

Email: ConsularRangoo@state.gov
Website: http://burma.usembassy.gov

American citizens residing in or traveling to Burma may notice an increased police and military presence in major cities throughout the country, including an increase in the number of police checkpoints and other military and police presence on the streets.  The Burmese government, as a rule, does not announce reasons for its decisions to tighten security, and the U.S. Embassy has no information about why such measures have been taken.  However, in light of the fact that the one-year anniversary of the crackdown on anti-government demonstrations is approaching, we would like to take this opportunity to remind American citizens that Burmese authorities responded with force to public demonstrations one year ago.  Also, under Burmese law, public gatherings of five or more people are prohibited.  While the anniversary of the demonstrations may be part of the reason for the increased security, Americans are cautioned that any gathering of individuals on the street may be considered to be a violation of law, and authorities may respond accordingly. 

American citizens in Burma should be aware that gatherings, demonstrations, or processions intended to be peaceful can result in violence with little or no warning, as occurred in the fall of 2007.  American citizens are therefore urged to avoid such gatherings if possible, and to exercise caution in their vicinity.  U.S. citizens are urged to exercise discretion when moving about and to avoid any visible military presence and any area cordoned off by security forces.  The Embassy also advises U.S. citizens not to photograph or film military and/or police activities because doing so could be interpreted as being provocative.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Security information can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. To 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Burma are encouraged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy.  Registration can be done on-line through the State Department’s travel registration website https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs, or via the Embassy’s website http://burma.usembassy.gov.  The Embassy is located at 110 University Ave, Kamayut Township, Rangoon.  The Embassy's phone numbers are (95-1) 536-509, 536-756, and 538-038.  The Consular Section’s extension is 4240, and email address is consularrangoo@state.gov.  The Embassy’s after-hours emergency numbers are the same as above, all followed by extension 4014.  The after-hours mobile phone number is 09-512-4330 (calling inside Burma) or 95-9-512-4330 (calling outside Burma).  The Embassy’s hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday (except U.S. federal and Burmese holidays).