Burma May Lift Ban on Punk Rock after David Cameron Visit

David Cameron's historic visit to Burma and his promise of easing sanctions if the regime brings in further political reforms could have unexpected consequences for the country's fledgling punk rock scene.

In an effort to attract investment after decades as a pariah state, the repressive Burmese junta may lift some of its more ludicrous laws, such as the ban on punk music.

In the West, punk has always been associated with rebellion and anarchy but in Burma, just listening to it could get you arrested.

Two punk bands that are tolerated at best are No U Turn and the Rebel Riot who, to their fans, fight the oppressive laws on a daily basis.

The Rebel Riot's lyrics are clearly anti-oppression: "No fear! No indecision!/ Rage against the system of the oppressors!" and "We are poor, hungry and have no chance/ Human rights don't apply to us/We are victims, victims, victims."

Their shows regularly attract the notice of the police and it is widely believed that punk crowds are heavily laced with police informants.

Cameron's visit took place on the day of the Burmese water festival.

"What I see happening in Burma is a potential flowering of freedom and democracy and I think that from everything I've seen it seems as if the president of Burma is intent on taking a new path and wants to see a progressive flourishing of freedom and democracy," he told students.

He was the first British prime minister to visit Burma since the country severed its ties and became independent from Britain in 1948.