Crime surge threatens Bagan tourism

Residents of Bagan, Myanmar’s UNESCO World Heritage site, are voicing growing alarm as rising crime and kidnappings in the surrounding region drive tourists away from the country’s famed ancient temples.

Locals in Nyaung‑U Township, whose livelihoods depend heavily on visitors, say escalating insecurity is deterring travellers. The local People’s Defence Force (PDF) has blamed the worsening situation on “political and regional instability.”

Most incidents have occurred on the outskirts of the city, particularly along the Bagan‑Chauk and Bagan‑Poppa roads, which link Mandalay Region to neighbouring Magway. Over the past six months, a string of abductions and robberies has shaken confidence in the area.

Among the most high‑profile cases was the kidnapping of philanthropist and award‑winning actress Khaing Hnin Wai on 13 May, along with her staff, while travelling the Bagan‑Poppa road. In March, bus passengers were ambushed and robbed on the Mandalay‑Nyaung‑U highway. Earlier in February, a driver and two passengers vanished on the same route, presumed kidnapped.

Late last year, several families and resort staff were abducted, with ransoms reportedly exceeding 100 million kyat (around $24,000). Some victims were released after payment, while others remain missing.

Residents warn that the lack of security on these vital roads is crippling tourism and threatening the survival of the local economy. With Bagan’s temples long considered a jewel of Myanmar’s cultural heritage, the rise in violent crime risks undermining both livelihoods and the country’s international reputation.

-2026-05-22