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In any case, in recent years, some journalists in Bangkok have found that it is getting a bit easier to obtain a visa. According to Denis Gray, who is now the Associated Press bureau chief in Bangkok, "Visas to Burma are still not that easy to get, but certainly easier than they were a few years ago." The AP bureau chief was not able to gain entry into the country for several years, then at the beginning of this year he was given a visa, but not without a problem. "My only frustration and problem on that trip was the short length of the visa—seven days," said Gray. "Otherwise we—a photographer and myself—had no problems." He added that he did not believe his movements had been monitored either in Rangoon or upcountry. "We moved about independently, without any government guide or escort. We rented a car through a private tour company. We were asked about our itinerary prior to arrival but we decided where we would go and this was accepted. We spent several days in the area about half way between Rangoon and Mandalay and the rest of the time in Rangoon itself." Upon returning from his trip, he produced both "tough stories" like one on education, and softer features, like a story on elephant logging. "We were not told what to write or not write on that trip. The decision on what we write about Burma is dictated by our own thinking and planning, and certainly not on whether we will be granted a visa in the future," the AP bureau chief said. For some journalists, applying for a visa is even less of a challenge. According to Lintner, "It’s also worth noting that if a certain writer gets a visa to Burma more than once, almost everyone thinks there’s something fishy going on, or that that writer is being used. That, in turn, affects that writer’s reputation." Some writers who were allowed into Burma several times lost the trust of journalist friends. This is a high price to pay for stories that are often very superficial or just plain bad. Dominic Faulder, a well-known photographer and journalist who works for the Hong Kong-based Asiaweek magazine, noted that visa restrictions are much less stringent when the regime is looking for publicity: "Visas are given out freely when there is a propaganda trip for, say, a narcotics eradication program." Faulder said that he recently turned down an invitation from the junta. "I was invited not so long ago by military intelligence, but declined because I could not get advance confirmation about whom I would get to see on the government side. This is very important to me. I do not want to be used as a propaganda tool—‘Well, we let Dominic in only last month’—if the visit isn’t likely to yield anything worthwhile." He added that, "All known journalists are under surveillance, and their writings are carefully scrutinized." "All known journalists" includes a handful of journalists who have been writing accommodating stories in the international press. According to a high-ranking Burmese official, who is now based in a Western country, the military regime is impressed with some foreign journalists and their stories on Burma. The Burmese official reportedly confided to a guest, "We like Roger Mitton, Stephen Brookes and Martin Smith. Their writings are fair and well-balanced." Roger Mitton, who now writes for Asiaweek magazine, is frequently criticized for writing stories that are seen to be pro-junta, and has lately been predicting a historic political agreement between the military junta and NLD leaders. His recent know-it-all stories have raised eyebrows among Burmese and Burma watchers, and stirred strong feelings. Many serious Burmese watchers question Mitton’s understanding of Burma and his analysis of the current situation. Donald M. Seekins, a professor of Burmese history at Meio University in Japan, said recently, "Mitton has been advertising for the junta." Inside Burma, respected journalists and writers who have seen Mitton’s pieces joke about his stories. "Mitton seems to have a spy network everywhere in Burma," quipped U Sein Win. "He is a laughing stock among us—if you are bored with politics in Burma, you will be amused (reading Mitton’s stories). His inside stories are very entertaining," the respected journalist in Rangoon said. But junta officials appear to be pleased with his "entertaining stories." Mitton has been allowed in and out of Burma many times, and some high-ranking officials, including the junta’s powerful Secretary One Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, have given him exclusive interviews. Martin Smith, who has written several reports and books on Burma, was also allowed into the country recently. However, his reputation is still largely intact, as he has long been highly regarded as an authority on Burma. Stephen Brookes, who used to work for the defunct Asia Times newspaper and was the only foreign journalist with regular access to Rangoon for several years, has less impressive Burma credentials. His stance is clear: The evils are not so bad.