New prepaid cards for Myanmar's heritage sites

The system is implemented at several sites in Bagan, Mandalay, Bago, Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) and Yangon's National Museum, and will later be introduced for others.

A prepaid card, which ranges from US$2 to US$10, costs the same as a regular entrance fee and is valid for one day. The card's pin and serial numbers store the visitor's name, passport number and nationality, which will be registered upon entry at the site.

The system was designed to make it easier for tourists and travel agents to pay entrance fees, said Kyaw Oo Lwin, director-general of Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library, Ministry of Culture.

He added that it would also help maintain more up-to-date visitor data, improve administration and eliminate problems encountered when charging cash.

Prepaid cards will be available for purchase at the Ministry of Culture in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw, and at the National Museum in Yangon.

"We are planning to sell the cards online, and through travel and ticketing agents," said Kyaw.

The department collects entrance fees at 37 heritage sites, 13 archaeological museums and nine libraries across the country.

(Sources: Rahul Khanna, Yangon, TTGAsia)