Bhutan
Bhutan is a tiny, remote and impoverished kingdom nestling in the Himalayas between its powerful neighbours, India and China. Under British influence a monarchy was set up in 1907. Three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations.
The Wangchuk hereditary monarchy has wielded power since 1907, but Bhutan looks set to make the switch to a parliamentary democracy. The king gave up some of the monarch's absolute powers in 1998 and now rules in conjunction with the government, an assembly and a royal advisory council. He says he will relinquish power in 2008, ushering in democratic elections and the ascendancy of the crown prince to the throne. A draft constitution envisages a two-chamber parliament.
Almost completely isolated for centuries, since the 1970s Bhutan has tried to let in some aspects of the outside world while fiercely guarding its ancient traditions. The majority Drukpa group, with an indigenous Buddhist culture, has a common culture with the Tibetans and other Himalayan peoples. National dress is compulsory - the knee-length wrap-around "gho" for men and the ankle-length dress known as the "kira" for women. Television was first allowed in 1999.
Bhutan's ancient Buddhist culture and breathtaking scenery make it a natural tourist attraction, but tourism is restricted to 5,000 people per year. Visitors must travel as part of a pre-arranged package or guided tour. Backpackers and independent travellers are discouraged.
There is a minority ethnic Nepali community in the south. In the late 1980s Bhutan tightened up its citizenship law, required all citizens to adhere to a Drukpa cultural code and placed increasing pressure on ethnic Nepalese who could not prove their citizenship entitlement (mainly based on residence in Bhutan prior to 1959). Between 1990-93 thousands left Bhutan. Allegations of human rights violations by the security forces during this period were widespread. Tens of thousands of Nepali speakers fled to UN-supervised refugee camps in eastern Nepal. Nepali and Bhutanese officials have held talks about the repatriation of the refugees. There are about 100,000 people in the camps; they claim they are Butanese. Bhutan says it will take back genuine Bhutanese refugees, but maintains that these number only a few thousand.
Imported tobacco products –these must be demonstrably for personal use -- are subject to a 100 percent tax. It is illegal to sell tobacco. Offenders will be charged with smuggling and can expect to be fined.
Personal computers, cellular telephones, cameras, or any other electronic device must be registered with Bhutanese customs upon arrival. These items will also be checked upon departure. The export of all antiques is strictly monitored.
Be aware of the dangers of High Altitude Sickness, especially if you are trekking in remote areas.
Bhutan deployed more than three thousand soldiers along its border with India in July 2003, after what it called a "final" effort to persuade separatist rebels from the Indian state of Assam to leave the kingdom. Separatists from India's northeastern state maintain a number of bases in southern Bhutan from where they attack targets in Assam. Bhutan is under increasing Indian pressure to push the rebels out. Bhutanese officials say that leaders of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), during their talks with Bhutan, have said they could not leave the kingdom because of the heavy presence of Indian security forces on its borders with Assam.
