Myanmar

Thanks to the good Thai road network it is possible to reach Mae Sot from Bangkok in less than seven hours by buses. Chiang Mai is even closer, a trip of 6 hours by bus and less than 5 by car. The Highway 12 connects directly Mae Sot with the central areas of Northestern Thailand. From Mae Sot the Thai-Myanmar border is about 5 km away, easily reachable with the ever-present songthaews. The Thai checkpoint is just before Friendship Bridge; the Burmese checkpoint is on the other side of the Moei River. The bridge is used for commercial traffic between the two neighbouring countries, with a continuous coming and going of vehicles; tourists must pass through on foot on the two walkways beside the roadway. Myawaddy is immediately on the other side of the bridge, Local taxis will be waiting to bring tourists into the city centre or at the bus station, in case they are equipped with Visa to continue the journey. Foreign citizens without Visa are in fact allowed to cross with a Temporary Entry Permit but limited to area adjacent to border. To get Permit you must deliver your passport, as well as two copies of the photo page and 200 THB fee, to Thai Immigration which holds passport giving back the two certified copies. At Myanmar Immigration must be submitted the two copies, an official restrains one and gives back one with a validation stamp paying other 500 THB or US$ 10 fee, so you will be allowed entry into the territory of Myanmar. Once crossing the border the tourists can only visit the town of Myawaddy and maybe do a little shopping, taking care to re-enter into Thai territory within 17:30 of the same day. Tourists are not allowed to continue their journey over Myawaddy, and you absolutely cannot stay overnight on the territory of Myanmar, in order to avoid the unpleasant situation of being in serious trouble at the border crossing in the following morning. Upon returning to Thailand the immigration officer retains for itself the photocopy and returns to you the passport without any stamp, so there is no record of entering in Myanmar. Remember that, returning from Myanmar, in Thai's territory there is a different time zone, 30 minutes more. Foreign citizens holding Visa once completed the paperwork at the border crossing are authorized to move freely and continue their overland journey in Myanmar. Myawaddy is not the usual bare border town. In addition to restaurants and shops where you buy goods at low prices it has a number of Hotels to stay, in the case of entry into Myanmar too late to catch the bus to your final destination. From Myawaddy Bus Station, about 1 km from immigration, there are several connections by bus and minivan in direction to Mawlamyine, Kawkareik, Hpa-An, Kyaitko and even to the farest Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay. It is advisable to buy tickets at the bus terminal, there is also a desk that sells tickets into the immigration room but the prices are slightly inflated. On the way to the bus station there are also many private cars for hire with drivers, they are a good alternative to reach Kawkareik, Mawlamyine and Hpa-An. The price ranges from 5,000 Kyat per person, about 5 US$, for reach Kawkareik, to 10,000 Kyat for Mawlamyine or 15,000 Kyat to get to Hpa-An. Cars can also be hire individually, the cost is about 40,000 to 50,000 Kyat, depending on the destination and your bargaining skills. Cost of the buses and minivans Burmese are reasonably content. The ticket for a minivan up to Mawlamyine, about 175 km, for example costs 10,000 Kyat, 10 US$. Tickets for the buses are still cheaper. A ticket Myawaddy - Yangon by bus costs about 10,000 Kyat, for a trip of about 430 km. From Kawkareik, just 62 km from Myawaddy, depart a comfortable Express Bus to the Yanzarmain Station in Yangon, only 6,000 Kyat for the ticket. Lately also the travel times were significantly shortened, thanks to the completion of the Asian Highway AH1 until Kawkareik, which allows to bypass Dawei Mountains. Currently from Myawaddy you can reach Kawkareik in less than an hour, instead of the three hours required previously. From Mawlamyine you can continue your overland journey towards Kyaitko and Yangon by train. From Mawlamyine Railway Station depart three trains a day to Yangon, at 08:00, 19:30 and 20:55. The trip takes about nine hours, and the cost varies from 2,250 to 4,250 Kyats, 3-5 US$ depending on the class. There are no bunks on these trains only seats.Read More  

Get to Mae Sot: Thai border town is easily accessible by air, car or bus for tourists staying already in Central and Northern Thailand. Mae Sot Airport, is located only 2 km from the border, and it's connected to Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok with three daily flights operated by Nok Air. Mae Sot Bus Terminal is next to the airport. From bus terminal and airport you can reach the Thai border with song-taews, ten minutes trip for 30-40 THB, which will leave you 200 from the border crossing. Buses to Mae Sot from Tak leave every half hour, an hour and a half trip for 90 THB. Greenbus Company operates the service betwrrn Chiang Mai and Mae Sot, buses leave from Arcade Bus Station, just outside Kaew Nawarat Road to the east of the city moat about 3 km from the city center. Buses of Transport Company Limited connect Bangkok to Mae Sot and Tak leaving from Mo Chit Northern Terminal located in the north of the capital, near the Chatuchak Park Metro Station and Mo Chit Skytrain Station. The trip takes 7 hours to Mae Sot and just over 5 hours to Tak. From Khao San Road depart the buses of Vega Travel, which make a personalized service combined, minibus and coach, up to Myanmar. The destinations include Mae Sot, Myawaddy, Mawlamyine, Hpa-An, Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Dawei. The departures are always in the evening to reach the border early in the morning. Having held the practices at border minibus re-starts from Myawaddy at 07:00-08:00, for reach in the evening the destinations closer to the border, as Mawlamyine, Hpa-An and Yangon, and in the next morning those more distant, as Mandalay, Bagan and Dawei. Rates vary from a minimum of 750 THB per Myawaddy to a maximum of 1,700 THB per Mandalay, sure more expensive if you organize yourself your trip with Thai and Burmese buses, but definitely affordable for those prefer an overland journey all included already organized.Read More  

Path Bangkok - Tak - Mae Sot: from Bangkok follow one of the many Expressway or Tollway northbound, choose the most suitable for your location in the capital, as Sri Rat Expressway or Utra Phimuk Tollway if you are in the center or Thanon Kanchanaphisek if you are at Savarnabhumi Airport, all converge on Highway 32, the Phahonyothin Road, leading to Ayutthaya about 78 km from Bangkok. Once in Ayutthaya continue to follow northbound the Phahonyothin Road, signaled as AH2, up to Tak passing through Nakhon Sawan and Kamphaeng Phet, about 320 km from Ayutthaya. Few kilometers before Tak turn left on Highway 12, also reported as AH1, which first leading to Mae Sot and then to Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge on Moei River, 90 km from Tak.

Path Chiang Mai - Tak - Mae Sot: follow Highway 11 until Lampang about 90 km away then turn right and follow the Phahonyothin Road, signaled as AH2, up to Tak, about 180 km. Few kilometers after Tak turn right on Highway 12, the Asian Highway AH1, which first leading to Mae Sot and then to Thai-Myanmar Friendship.

Currently the Burmese Immigration not issue Temporary Entry Permit. The foreign tourists holding Visa, once completed the paperwork at the border crossing are authorized to move freely and continue their overland trip in Myanmar. Thai and Myanmar ceckpoints are separated by six kilometres of no man's land, to go through on foot or by motorcycle taxi, which costs 50-60 THB. At Htee Kee there is a small Immigration Office, open from 08:00 to 18:00, where officer validate your Visa and finally you can entry in Myanmar. Htee Kee is a small village with a handful of simple houses, a petrol station and a few restaurants. There is no accommodation for the night and absolutely nothing to do. From Htee Kee the nearest town of some importance is Dawei, a trip of 260 km on a road not yet paved. The road to Dawei is still under construction, currently it's made up of 4 large-lane dirt roads through a beautiful wild jungle, a trip that takes about 4 or 5 hours. An unforgettable experience but that can cause some problem during the rainy season, when the road becomes almost impassable. Minivans and private cars wit drivers waiting tourists to the border crossing, the cost ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 Kyat, 20 to 30 US$, depends on your ability to bargain. An advice, cross the border early for continue your journey, in the late afternoon is difficult to find a ride by car or minivan, or risk having to pay more than they should because you have no chance to sleep in Htee Kee. Dawei is a town of considerable size with several hotels, guest houses, restaurants and shops. There is an ATM where you can withdraw Kyat. Maungmagan Beach the popular seaside resort is located just 12 km away. Dawei is connected to major cities of tourist interest in Southern Myanmar, as Mawlamyine or Myeik, and the capital Yangon thanks to the Burma buses with air conditioning, about 14 hours to reach Yangon, a trip of 620 km at a cost of 15,000 Kyat or 15 US$, seven hours to reach Mawlamyine, 320 km away at a cost of 10,000 Kyat or 10 US$. Myeik that is just 251 km away due to rough roads requires a trip of about 9 hours, the fare is 9,000 Kyats or 9 US$. A Coastal Ferry service connects Dawei to Myeik and Kawthaung, at the far south of Myanmar. Boats depart from the outfall of Dawei River, 35 kilometres south of the city. Departures are early in the morning usually before dawn. The boat trip takes about 4 hours to Myeik, 25-30 US$ including the cost of transfer from Dawei, and 10 hours to reach Kawthoung, 40-45 US$. Ferries are suspended during the rainy season. From Dawei Airport depart connections to the capital Yangon, Myeik and Kawthoung. The Myanmar Airways has two daily flights to Yangon, one directly, one hour flight, and one with a stop in Kawthaung, 3 hours of flight. Air KBZ has flights during the peak tourist season, from October to late April and only in Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, the route from Yangon to Kawthaung include stops in Dawei and Myeik.Read More  

Get to Phu Nam Ron: Thai border is easily and quickly accessible from Bangkok by bus and train, with a stop to change the midst in Kanchanaburi. Buses from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi depart from two stations in Bangkok: the Mo Chit Northern Terminal, located near the Chatuchak Park Metro station and Mo Chit Skytrain Station, and from Sai Tai Mai Southern Terminal, located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, whose best option to reach it is a taxi. Trains to Kanchanaburi leave from Thonburi Station, on the left side of the Chao Phraya River. The Kanchanaburi Railway Station and Bus Terminal are within walking distance of each other, about 2 km, at north of the city centre close to Thanon Saengchuto, namely the Highway 323 coming from Bangkok.

Path Bangkok - Kanchanaburi - Phu Nam Ron: from Bangkok follow the Petchakasem Road, Asian Highway AH2, until Thanon Phetkasem, about 70 km from capital, and then turn right onto Highway 323 leading in other 57 km to Kanchanaburi. Once in Kanchanaburi follow Highway 323 for further 18 km, then turn left onto Highway 3229 and follow it until the convergence on Highway 3512 leading direct to the Thai border in Phu Nam Ron, 67 km in total from Kanchanaburi.

Minivans and some buses stop directly to the pier. The Thai checkpoint is close to the pier. The boat trip takes about 25-30 minutes, and it costs 100 THB. Reached Kawthoung the boats dock at Myo But Pier just 100 meters away from Myo But Jetty Immigration Office. Foreign citizens without Visa can cross the border with a Temporary Entry Permit, which allows to stay three days, two nights, on Burmese territory, however is not allowed to continue beyond Kawthaung. To get Permit you must deliver your passport, as well as two copies of the photo page and 200 THB fee, to Thai Immigration which holds passport giving back the two certified copies. At Myanmar Immigration must be submitted the two copies, an official restrains one and gives back one with a validation stamp paying other 500 THB or US$ 10 fee, so you will be allowed entry into the territory of Myanmar. Upon returning the Thai officer restrains the photocopy giving back your passport without any stamp, so there is no record of entry in Myanmar. Remember that the Thai Immigration closes at 18:00 and in Thai’s territory there is a different time zone, 30 minutes more. Foreign citizens holding Visa, once completed the paperwork at the border crossing are authorized to move freely and continue their overland journey from Kawthoung by boat, plane or bus. Despite its location near the sea, Kawthaung is not a particularly beautiful city, however there are some interesting buildings with clear Indian and Muslim influences. There are several accommodation and facilities, as a Hotel, some Guest Houses, restaurants, shops and a KBZ Bank, with an ATM and the exchange office, although at practical act all locals are happy to accept Dollars and Thai Baht. Kawthaung is the only city in Myanmar where you can communicate via mobile phone abroad using the best Thai network thanks to its encroachment to west. The small Burmese town is well known to be the starting point for exploring the beautiful Myeik Archipelago. Also knoen as Mergui Archipelago, it consists of more than 800 islands scattered off the west coast of Malay Peninsula, in the middle of the Andaman Sea. There are islands of every size, from small rocks which just rise above the sea, to islands of several hundred square kilometres. Many islands are inhabited by Moken communities, also known as sea gypsies. The Myeik Archipelago is of an extraordinary beauty, not yet contaminated by mass tourism, only in the last years began the first visits of tourists with day-trips from Kawthaung, or with dive packages all inclusive for diving enthusiasts from Ranong and Phuket. One of most popular destinations is Thahtay Kyun Island, an hour and a half away by boat from Kawthaung. On island is the Andaman Club Resort Hotel famous for its Casinò, the only along the Andaman coasts and so also well-known by Thais lovers of gambling, absolutely prohibited in Thailand. From Kawthaung the overland journey by buses to the north Myanmar is strongly discouraged. The road up to Myeik, about 400 km away, is in poor condition becoming too dangerous in the event of heavy rains, in fact the service is often suspended. A better option to reach Myeik and Dawei are the Coastal Ferries. Boats leave very early in the morning, usually before dawn, reaching Myeik in about 6 hours, 24-30 US$, and 10 hours to reach Dawei, 40-45 US$. Service is suspended during the rainy season. From Kawthaung Airport depart daily connections to Yangon, Myeik and Dawei. Myanmar Airways operates a daily flight to and from Yangon with a stop in Dawei, a three-hour flight. Air KBZ has flights only during the high tourist season, from October to late April, and only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, the route from Kawthaung to Yangon includes stops in Myeik and Dawei.Read More  

Get to Ranong: the city is well connected with frequent buses to Bangkok, Phuket, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Khao Lak, Phang Nga and Krabi. From Phuket buses depart from New Bus Terminal on Thepkasatri Road, the main road leading out Phuket Town. Buses from Bangkok depart fromSai Tai Mai Southern Terminal, on the Thonburi side of Chao Phraya River. There is also a good minivan service that connects Ranong to all seaside resorts in Southern Thailand, a little more expensive of buses but faster. It is advisable to take buses and minivans enabling reaching Ranong not too late in the afternoon, or you risk to find the Thai Immigration closed. Ranong Airport is located 23 km south of the city. Currently only Nok Air operates flights from Don Muaeng Airport in Bangkok. Departures from Don Muaeng are at 08:10 and 16:30, the return flights take off at 10:05 and 18:35, the flight time is one hour and half.

Path Bangkok - Ranong: from Bangkok follow southbound the Phetksaem Road, reported as Highway 4 or AH2 in Thai road network, crossing Nakhon Pathom and Phetchaburi before reaching Chumphon after 443 km, there the Phetksaem Road move its path on Andaman Coast reaching Ranong with other 127 km of good road.

Path Phuket - Ranong: follow Highway 402 northbound until Sarasin Bridge that connects the island to the mainland, 8 km after the bridge turn left on Phetksaem Road, reported as Highway 4, which leads direct to Ranong, about 300 km in total from Phuket.

After crossing bridge you can explore the area of Golden Triangle around Tachileik, taking care to re-enter into Thai territory within 19:00 of the same day. Tourists are not allowed to continue the journey alone over Tachileik. However you can travel up to Keng Tung, 160 km away, with a Burmese tour guide. You absolutely cannot stay overnight on the territory of Myanmar, in order to avoid the unpleasant situation of being in serious trouble at the border crossing in the following morning. Upon returning to Thailand the immigration officer retains for itself the photocopy and returns to you the passport without any stamp, so there is no record of entering in Myanmar. Foreign citizens holding Visa once completed the paperwork at the border crossing are authorized to move freely and continue their overland in Myanmar. However, even for their there are some limitations. Tachileik Airport is currently closed and so the journey can therefore continue only by car with local driver until Mong Lin and Keng Tung but not over, the situation is still developing and it is best to inquire at the border officials Burmese. Keng Tung Airport is currently operating, with internal flights of Yangon Airways to Mandalay, Yangon and Heho, a excellent option for those wishing to reach Kalaw, Taunggyi and Inle Lake.Read More  

Get to Mae Sai: the border town is easily accessible by car or buses from all Northern Thailand. Chiang Rai is only 61 km away, about an hour and half of bus trip from the old bus station, Terminal 1, in the city centre. Chiang Mai is located 256 km away, about four and a half hour trip from the Arcade Bus Station, just outside Kaew Nawarat Road to the east of the city moat, about 3 km from the city centre. Buses from Bangkok leave from Mo Chit Northern Terminal located in the north of the capital, near the Chatuchak Park Metro Station and Mo Chit Skytrain Station. All buses arriving Mae Sai stop at South Bus Station not far from the border, to reach it song-thaews apply 15 THB as fixed charge per passenger. Some private companies organize half day tour by minibus from Chiang Mai until the border in Mae Sai to allow a brief visit to Myanmar. Tickets can be purchased at all tourist agencies in the city, fare is around 700 THB per person.

Path Bangkok - Chiang Rai - Mae Sai: from Bangkok follow one of the many Expressway or Tollway northbound, choose the most suitable for your location in the capital, as Sri Rat Expressway or Utra Phimuk Tollway if you are in the center or Thanon Kanchanaphisek if you are at Savarnabhumi Airport, all converge on Highway 32, the Phahonyothin Road, leading to Ayutthaya about 78 km from Bangkok. Once in Ayutthaya continue to follow northbound the Phahonyothin Road, signaled as AH2, up to Chiang Rai, passing from Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Lampang, about 718 km from Ayutthaya. From Chiang Rai the last 61 km of highway leads directly to the bridge on the Mae Sai River, 857 km in total from Bangkok.

During the period of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya the armies Burma used this passage for their invasion. In the following centuries it was also used by Siamese armies in reverse. The three Pagodas that give name to mountain pass were built at the end of this period of wars and territorial invasions, as a symbol of peace. During World War II, the pass is back in use. It's here that passed the tragically famous Death Railway. The 415 km of rail track was built on the orders of the Japanese Empire to support its forces in in Burma. The railway line linking Ban Pong in Thailand to Thanbyuzayat in Burma, and was the completion of connection between Bangkok and Rangoon, now Yangon. For its construction were used 60,000 Allied prisoners of war, POWs, and at least 180,000 forced labourers of Asian origin, called Romusha. Due to starvation and immense effort according to estimates died at least 90,000 Romusha and 12,621 POWs, a figure established. Into modern times the area of the pass is the subject of a territorial dispute between Thailand and Myanmar due to a tectonic fault, which according to the parties would move the border. Border is often closed by Burmese declaring the area dangerous for clashes with rebel groups, but more likely due to the border dispute. Closed in 2007, it was reopened in 2010. Since 2012 it is allowed entry only to Thai nationals, with temporary openings to the foreign tourists. Currently, in December 2015, the pass is closed again for the foreign citizens. The situation is continually developing; an upcoming re-opening is likely. It is advised to seek information about it to the competent authorities, before venturing into fruitless journey. Three Pagodas Pass besides the three chedis does not offer other attractions, apart from its historical charm. Even Burmese area near Payathonzu not have tourist attractions, and the rest of the trip into Myanmar for foreign holding Visa it's very uncomfortable, due streets in very poor condition. When border it is open the foreign nationals without Visa are allowed to cross the border with a Temporary Entry Permit for a day, allowing to visit the territory of Myanmar up to Payathonzu, but not further. The procedure is the usual that you run at other Thai-Myanmar border crossing. You must deliver your passport, as well as two copies of the photo page and 200 THB fee, to Thai Immigration which holds passport giving back the two certified copies. At Myanmar Immigration must be submitted the two copies, an official restrains one and gives back one with a validation stamp paying other 500 THB or US$ 10 fee, so you will be allowed entry into the territory of Myanmar. Tourists are not allowed to stay overnight on the territory of Myanmar, in order to avoid the unpleasant situation of being in serious trouble at the border crossing in the following morning. Upon returning to Thailand, the immigration officer retains for itself the photocopy and returns to you the passport without any stamp, so there is no record of entering in Myanmar. Remember that, returning from Myanmar, the Thai Immigration closes at 18:00, and that in Thai’s territory there is a different time zone, 30 minutes more. The tourists holding Visa, when the border is open, are authorized to move freely within the territory of Myanmar. Nevertheless, given the distances to places of tourist interest and the poor conditions of the roads, Three Pagodas Pass is not the best option to continue the overland trip into Myanmar. For those who are in Kanchanaburi and can move freely in Myanmar the border Phu Nam Ron - Htee Khee is definitely the best option.Read More  

Get to Three Pagodas Pass: Sangkhla Buri is well connected to Kanchanaburi and Bangkok. From Kanchanaburi the buses leave hourly from the station close to Thanon Saengchuto, where departs also a comfortable minivan service. Some buses reach directly the Three Pagodas Pass even when the pass is closed to foreign citizens, because for Thais it is still open. To reach Kanchanaburi from Bangkok, you can use the train or the bus. Buses depart from Mo Chit Terminal and Sai Tai Mai Terminal. From Mo Chit there is also a bus line reching directly Sangkhla Buri. Trains to Kanchanaburi depart from Thonburi Railway Station on the left side of Chao Phraya River.

Path Bangkok - Kanchanaburi - Three Pagodas Pass: from Bangkok follow the Petchakasem Road, the Asian Highway AH2, until Thanon Phetkasem, about 70 km, and then turn right on Highway 323 leading in other 57 km to Kanchanaburi. Once in Kanchanaburi continue to follow Highway 323 towards Sangkhla Buri, 4 km before the village the road turns to right and in 18 km leads directly to Three Pagodas Pass, 240 km in total from Kanchanaburi.