"Burma VJ" and Voice of Burma

Because I've made two trips to Burma and love the country and people, I was particularly interested in attending a special screening at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, of which I'm a member, of a docu-drama called "Burma VJ" This award-winning Danish film features the work of a brave band of Burmese video journalists (VJs) who sought to expose the military junta’s oppressive rule in their homeland. The film depicts their coverage of the ‘Saffron Revolution’, when thousands of monks took to the streets in September 2007 in a bold push for democratic reforms. With foreign news crews banned and Internet access shut down, a small number of Burma VJs filmed the drama on the streets with small video cameras. They were led by 27-year old‘Joshua’, who had been forced to flee the country, but oversaw their work from a safe-house in Thailand, from which he sent the footage to the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) in Oslo. DVB is a non-profit media group that broadcasts news via radio, satellite TV and the Internet.

Aye Chan Naing (above right), head of the Democratic Voice of Burma in Oslo, came to the FCCT on March 3 to introduce "Burma VJ" and to answer questions. He said that another "Saffron Revolution" was unlikely because of the extensive, deadly, and brutal repression by the military. One of the Danish producers of "Burma VJ" (above left) paid an unscheduled visit to the screening at the FCCT and also answered questions and defended the film.

"Burma VJ" brought out a large audience to the FCCT

"Burma VJ" film includes documentary footage – some of it gathered at great personal risk – as well as dramatic reconstructions of events with the individuals involved. While yet to be widely aired, it has already won awards. It was the top prizewinner at Amsterdam’s international documentary festival late last year and was shown recently at the Sundance Festival. ‘Burma VJ’ shows brave monks and ordinary citizens marching in the streets, the crowds on the rooftops who cheered them on, and vivid footage of the brutal repression by the police and army, in which dozens were reportedly killed, including a Japanese journalist.

Travel to Burma, also known as Myanmar, is controversial. Noble Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest in Rangoon almost continuously since 1989, and many human rights groups, have called for a travel boycott. But many others, including myself, believe that the money brought in by tourists benefits ordinary Burmese. The travel boycott, such as it is, does nothing to dissuade the ruling generals from their ways.

Noble Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi

My visits to Began and Inle Lake are among the most memorable of my life. I'd like to pay yet another visit to Burma.

'Burma VJ' has been criticized by some reviewers and reporters because 15%-20% of its scenes are filmed recreations of actual events, such as the police seizure of the offices of the VJ. Andrew Marshall, the Bangkok-based correspondent for Time magazine who reviewed the film last month, says 'Burma VJ' is controversial. While praising the DVB's camerawork as courageous, edgy and raw, he also felt the "film-makers' over-reliance on unacknowledged reenactments spoiled it" and cast a shadow on journalistic integrity. I do not agree. One of the Danish producers of 'Burma VJ' was present at the FCCT screening I attended, and he explained the care taken in making sure that the staged scenes were accurate, including viewing still photos and interviewing participants. In the end, we must rely on the journalistic integrity of the film-makers. I for one believe that all scenes ring true. Furthermore, at the beginning of the film, a disclosure that some scenes were staged representations of the originals, was clearly made.

The movie itself is a thriller and very powerful. It has been purchased by HBO, but it is not known when it will be shown on TV. I hope that everyone watches out for it and views it when it is aired. “Burma VJ” is unlikely to be released for movie theatre distribution.

The Ultimate Airline Outrage

The president of Ryan Air, Europe's larges budget carrier, announced that his airline is considering charging passengers to use the onboard toilet. When asked what would happen if a passenger didn't have the money, he replied that no traveler boarded a plane without at least one pound (US$1.40) in his or her pocket. He has yet to announce whether you will have to carry the exact change.

When the airlines started charging for everything from water to baggage, I made a little joke, which invariably produced either a chuckle or a sneer: "The next thing the airlines will do to save money is to install pay toilets and have reusable air sickness bags," I joked. We'll it's not funny any more; I lost a good line.

Traveling by air today, especially in the US, is like being in a prison. Before boarding, check-in and security are similar to how new prisoners are processed into jails. Time spent in the plane itself is the sentence. If, for instance, I'm boarding a plane for a five-hour flight, I think "I've got to serve time for five hours; I can do that. I know that my sentence will be extended beyond my scheduled five-hour term, but I can do that also." BTW, flying in Asia is better than in America and Europe, but Asia is beginning to adopt the same policies, practices and procedures that make flying a nightmare.

Some creative wit posted this on the Internet:

(Click on image to enlarge and read)

Elephants on the Street

In many respects BKK is a modern and cosmopolitan city. But, when you leave your apartment and see an elephant on the street, you know that you're not in Western Europe or America.

She's Pregnant

Like all indigenous animals, elephants are having a hard time surviving. Although prohibited by the government, mahouts bring their immense and beautiful charges into BKK for the benefit of tourists.


Small bags of sugar cane are sold at 60 cents (US$) a bag to passing tourists, who then feed the elephants.


You can endlessly debate whether this is good for the elephants, but it is indisputable that this questionable practice enables many elephants and their mahouts to stay alive. The mahouts live with their elephants and love them.