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What are the best driveable border points for a border bounce from Thailand?

Thailand Visa RulesBorder CrossingsRanongKawthoungImmigration ProceduresVisa RunCambodiaLaosMae SotKanchanaburiLongtail BoatsExpat Experiences
Apr 24, 2023
2 years ago
Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Referring to my older post. What is the easiest driveable border point for a border bounce? I’m still waiting to here back on if Khanchanaburi is open. And ranong down by Phuket is open but the whole take a long tail thing seems sketchy to me. Is Cambodia a good and easy one?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion explores the easiest border points for conduct a visa border bounce. Ranong is highlighted as a straightforward option, with a scenic boat ride to Kawthoung. While concerns are raised about the sketchiness of the longtail boat experience, many users report it as reliable. Cambodia and Laos are also mentioned as potential border options. The conversation touches on the current closures of certain borders like Kanchanaburi and the need for valid information regarding customs and immigration processes when crossing.
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Cris ********
I went to Padang Besar, Malaysia by train and back to Hua Hin.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Cris *******
A bit long, given how slow the train is. Not to mention how risky taking the train south of Hat Yai is...insurgents blew up the line to Padang Besar 3 times back in December.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Jo **********
depends on your point of origin. For Chiang Rai it’s mae sai
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Jo *********
Mae Sai is the only border that is confirmed to be open for overnight stays on the Myanmar side. I'm waiting for confirmation this is also allowed at Ranong.
2 years ago
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Mike ********
@Jo *********
 Kamphaengphet,.
2 years ago
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Mike ********
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Mike ********
I’m hoping and praying Mae sot remains open for at least another couple of weeks,.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Mike *******
Yes, I know what you mean. I believe if they close the border again for that reason (as they did maybe a month ago) it would only be for a day or so.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Mike *******
Of course as you already know as you've been there, foreigners can do a border bounce. Just that we're prohibited from entering Myawaddy.
2 years ago
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Mike ********
@Paul ******
 Just a little concerned over the recent air strikes in that area,. not for my personal safety but in case they decide to close border again,.
2 years ago
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Mike ********
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Paul *******
@Mike *******
Mae Sot briefly closed several weeks ago but has since reopened. I don't see them closing the border again unless fighting really escalates as they're trying their best to keep it open.

However, I think it will be years before anyone, Thai or 3rd country foreign nationals like us, will be permitted to use the overland passage from Myawaddy into the interior of Myanmar again.

I also don't expect foreigners to be allowed to access Myawaddy this year. It's Thais only right now and I don't see that changing for a long time to come.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Danielle ********
@Cris *****
 Hi when are you going? Are you going to ranong? Just we are thinking of doing this aswell just a bit worried if it will all work out ok
2 years ago
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Danielle ********
@Richard ********
 we are going next month if you go please let me know how it goes
2 years ago
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Richard *********
@Danielle *******
 when are you planning on going? I might need go 26-28th
2 years ago
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Richard *********
not heading up, figured out a way so i dont need to> 🙂
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Richard ********
Ah I see.
2 years ago
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Sascha **********
@Paul ******
 I’m going this Sunday, I can ask ☺️
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Sascha *********
 Thanks! Looking forward to it.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Paul *******
@Richard ********
Are you on your way to the border today? If you are or whenever you do go, kindly ask immigration (particularly on the Burmese side) what the requirements are for foreigners wanting to visit Myanmar by entering the country this way. How long can we stay and where can we go? Which islands? I assume if the border is open, spending the night in Kawthoung is permitted, with travel restricted to not far north of the city, as well as Grand Andaman Island and possibly Bruer and Nyaung Oo Phee.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Danielle *******
 I am going tomorrow morning. I will let you know.
2 years ago
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Danielle ********
@Cris *****
 did you go? What was it like? Thanks
2 years ago
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Richard *********
@Cris *****
 did you go? i might need go on the 26th/27th
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Cris *****
Don't forget to give us a trip report. Even if you only do a border bounce, kindly inform us whether it's possible for foreigners to stay the night on the Burmese side and where we are permitted to travel (for instance what islands or radius from the border).
2 years ago
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Danielle ********
@Cris *****
 ok great thanks
2 years ago
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Danielle ********
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Josh *********
Victoria Point/Kawthaung is fascinating. Maybe last look at Old Burma :)
2 years ago
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Josh *********
Perhaps, but Moulmein is a hike and Victoria Point a paddle :)
2 years ago
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Josh *********
Thanks!
2 years ago
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Josh *********
I have heard intermittently that Tachileik and Myawaddy are open. Not sure if true and not sure if applies to foreigners. Please DM me if you find out. Also interesting if Htiki (K-buri), 3 Pagodas and Prachuap crossings accessible.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Josh ********
Kanchanaburi may reopen soon but if they do, it will be the same deal for foreigners as Myawaddy: you won't be allowed to step foot on Burmese soil, but they will probably do a stamp in/stamp out for those needing to stay longer in Thailand. Local fixers were offering this service for 950 Baht pre Covid. You already weren't allowed to do it yourself back then despite the border being fully open, you won't be allowed when the border reopens now because it's too dangerous and the political situation has changed.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Josh ********
3 Pagodas hasn't been open to foreigners since 2007. Forget it they'll probably never allow foreigners access to it and Prachuab (Dan Singkorn) is only for traders at present, otherwise when it's open normally, it's open to Thais and Burmese for limited travel. Other foreigners aren't allowed to use it.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Josh ********
Myawaddy isn't open. You can only do a border bounce there. Thais can cross for the day but travel beyond Myawaddy won't be allowed this year or possibly for years to come. There is regular fighting on the main highway connecting the town with the rest of Myanmar. Hpa-an is also difficult to access and requires a permit for us foreigners to go there, if we're allowed at all.

Tachilek is open. You can travel with a guide to Kengtung. Thats the only land border (other than Kawthoung) which is relatively safe and accessible at the moment.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Paul *******
@Josh ********
Well yeah at present Moulmein isn't readily accessible but should the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border reopen fully, making it safe for overland travel, then Mawlamyine is located a mere 110km from Mae Sot, taking just over 2 hours along the newly upgraded highway. That said, a bridge along the road was partially damaged in a recent attack. Not sure if it was one of the new bridges that was completed only in 2021. I think it will be a while before we're permitted to travel to Moulmein by road from Thailand, whereas Kawthoung could already be open from what I understand.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Paul *******
@Josh ********
Not the only place to see "Old Burma". Mawlamyine is probably an even better place as Kawthoung is too close to Thailand and thus more influenced by it.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
And Khanchanaburi is closed until further notice 😞
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Cris *****
Even if it was open, you would only be allowed to do a border bounce whereby you'd be required to pay an agent (usually some local fixer connected with Thai and Myanmar immigration) to get your passport stamped while you wait on the Thai side. They wouldn't allow you to step foot on Burmese soil. Pre-Covid, even though it was perfectly safe to cross this border, border bouncers paid 950 Baht for this service. Only those with Burmese visas were allowed to proceed into Burmese territory.

Due to the fighting now, it's even less likely a westerner would be permitted entry here but I do believe they will permit border bounces in the relatively near future.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Jan **********
I went to the Club Andaman (casino) ex-Ranong a few times, it was very easy. Check with them if they are operating. They have a huge parking lot.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Jan *********
OK but who does the stamping? The casino or Kawthoung immigration?
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Jan *********
Did you spend the night there? How does it work with immigration at the casino? Do you get stamped in at Kawthoung or does the casino have their own designated immigration service? If so, do they stamp Burmese visas or only do the on arrival stamp?
2 years ago
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Jan **********
@Paul ******
 no, just in and out.
2 years ago
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Jan **********
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John *************
@Jan *********
 it’s the Grand Andaman now. I can’t tell if it’s open or not from their GPage. 🤷‍♂️

Grand Andaman Hotel

+95 1 572 535

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2 years ago
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Jan **********
@John ************
 THAILAND OFFICE

9 M. 5 ,T. Paknam, A. Muang, Ranong

*****
, Thailand

Tel: +66 (0) 77 871 081-3

Tel: +66 (0) 81 893 8528
2 years ago
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Jan **********
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Pascal ********
Check if the hotel casino is open on the Myanmar side opposite of Ranong, if open use their nice boat to do the visa run
2 years ago
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John *************
Ranong is dead easy. Yes, you park but they have a nice parking lot there and the boat ride is scenic and short. There is nothing to do in Kawthaung, what the Thais all call "Koh Song" for some reason. It's a dump. So do your border dash and come back to Ranong and enjoy yourself. The "long tail thing" is certainly not sketchy. I've done it hundreds of times (not for visa but to visit the islands beyond it.)

It's also nice then to add a few days on to Koh Phayam and the drive through Isthmus Kra past Chumphon is one of the prettiest drives in southern Thailand. It follows the second "death railway" that was built to bring supplies from the Gulf to the Andaman Sea. Later torn up by the British. Ranong is a nice little border town, lots of good food, a nice downtown backpacker area with guesthouses and restaurants. Lots of hotels. I don't know where you're driving from but if you haven't been south, now is your chance.

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2 years ago
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ************
 weird question. Can I shore fish while I’m there? I’ve always heard a Andaman sea fishing is way better than gulf of Thailand.
2 years ago
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Dang ok. Thanks 🙏
2 years ago
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John *************
@Cris *****
 it’s all shallow mud and mangrove and harbors. Na. The fishing is offshore.
2 years ago
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John *************
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Paul *******
@John ************
Nyaung Oo Phee has been open to Thai tourists at least since November.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
Great photos by the way. Are you a diver?
2 years ago
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John *************
@Paul ******
 Yes, I used to run diving and kayaking trips up there. I'm afraid that people won't be visiting Myanmar for a while. It was always a hard sell politically but now it will be virtually impossible.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@John ************
You're right. I have been doing business in Myanmar for years and will go as long as it's safe. The same can't necessarily be said about your average tourist though.

Either way, I don't see Myanmar fully reopening like it was pre-Covid, for years to come.

I doubt we'll see the full reopening of land borders with Thailand and India to visa holders this year, because it's too dangerous.

The limited reopening of Mae Sai-Tachilek and now what appears to be a similar reopening of Ranong-Kawthoung, both of which offer only limited travel from the border, is probably the best we'll see this year and next. The political situation will take years to be resolved, if ever.
2 years ago
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John *************
@Paul ******
 I completely agree and am so sad.
2 years ago
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John *************
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Paul *******
@John ************
Wow! Yeah after going there so many times it would get boring. I'd provide the same advice for anyone going to Myawaddy, which I've been to more than 40 times, all since 2013. Whereas Hpa-an and Mawlamyine are fantastic.

Anyway, can you tell me more about Bruer and Nyaung Oo Phee islands? Have you been there?
2 years ago
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John *************
@Paul ******
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2 years ago
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John *************
@Paul ******
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2 years ago
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John *************
@Paul ******
 Not sure what I can tell you about them. There are hundreds and hundreds of nice pretty islands up there. Most of them look like Surin but some have the big boulders like Similan too.

As far as I know it's all closed now, but there are hints that they may open up. I know one boat who went out last month but for some reason they were very secretive about why they were there. No idea why they were being like that, we've been going up there since 1994.

There are small resorts and bungalows on some of the islands now. I used to go up there for diving so we would mostly stick to the western islands, further out to sea where the visibility is best.

Without a boat it's impossible to get around of course.

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2 years ago
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John *************
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Paul *******
@John ************
How are the islands in the area and are you referring to those on the Burmese side or Thai side?
2 years ago
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John *************
@Paul ******
 both.
2 years ago
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John *************
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Paul *******
@John ************
Ranong is pretty boring in my opinion. Again it's worth checking out if you haven't been, but the town is as grubby and uninspiring as Kawthoung. Didn't think there would be any worthwhile restaurants there either. If it wasn't for the border crossing and boats for Koh Payam and other islands, I don't think you'd find any foreigners going to Ranong.
2 years ago
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John *************
@Paul ******
 I guess. I’ve been going there for almost 30 years. It’s got a certain charm and lots of history. The drive north along the border is spectacular. And I love old railroads, even torn up ones.

For me it was the gateway to Mergui before the coup. One of my favorite places on earth. Phayam is also very nice.

To each his own. 🤷‍♂️

And lack of tourists makes it even better.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
Anyway, my point is - worth seeing both towns if you're in the area and need to go there. If you've been to Kawthoung before and know the place, then I can understand why you might not want to spend much time there. There is only one good hotel in town the others are dumps. It's the same with Myawaddy. The town is totally uninspiring and a bit of a dump BUT worth checking out for the teahouses, temples and general ambience if you've never been before. When it's permitted, don't spend the night in Myawaddy if you don't have to. The hotels are crap and overpriced. Mae Sot hotels are far superior.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Paul *******
@John ************
Don't be ridiculous. For someone who's never been to Kawthoung it's worth checking out the restaurants, temples and general ambience of the town. Moreover is it even permitted right now? No one seems to be able to tell the answer. Perhaps instead of discouraging exploration, we should be encouraging it so people can provide some useful trip reports.
2 years ago
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ************
 ok. I’ll do that. Can you google maps me the location of the place I need to go? Thank you.
2 years ago
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John *************
@Cris *****
 You can try the B.C. Badin Resort, see what they have to offer. You can always call down if your Thai is up to scratch.

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2 years ago
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John *************
@Cris *****
 There are several piers and resorts on the north side of the harbor. I would think that any of these resorts would be able to offer you a more VIP kind of trip. There is one resort just south of the main pier and one north of it.

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2 years ago
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John *************
@Cris *****
 Sure, you go just past immigration and you'll see the harbor and then all the kids will come out and help you get on a boat.

There is also a way to do it from the people who run the casino, but I'm not sure they are operating right now. You could call them. I'll post that next.

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2 years ago
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ************
 already called. Open from 9am to 6pm. So basically I park. Take the boat. Get a stamp. Come back. And get my new 30 day exempt stamp?

Sorry for all the questions this is my first time doing this.
2 years ago
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John *************
@Cris *****
 yes. That’s it!
2 years ago
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John *************
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Hnin ***********
Laos
2 years ago
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I just don’t want to get caught in the rain. Or the border just suddenly closes. Etc
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Cris *****
Just go and even if the unthinkable happened and the border closed just head for Malaysia or Laos instead.
2 years ago
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Jeff *********
@Cris *****
 You won’t melt and as hot as it is it would feel good!😆
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Cris *****
 any of the Myanmar borders could suddenly closed based on rebel fighting.
2 years ago
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John *************
@Brandon ***********
 But there is no fighting in the south so the chance it will close is very small.
2 years ago
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John *************
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Jan **********
@Cris *****
 take an umbrella.
2 years ago
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Jan **********
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Vernon *********
Ranong, sketchy?
2 years ago
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Richard *********
Kawthoung 🙂 Was lasty in Burma in 2017, anxious to go back but the areas i want travel to are not open for tourism>

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2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Richard ********
Ditto. The areas I want to visit are closed for tourism (and well, closed to all foreigners in general, whether you're a business traveler or expat, it doesn't matter, you can't go).

I was last in Myanmar/Burma in February 2020 and almost went again in March 2020 but luckily I didn't as the world was shutting down then.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Paul *******
@Richard ********
Do you mean Kawthoung or Ranong (or both)? I've been to Kawthoung just once (everywhere else further up the narrow peninsula I've visited multiple times) and while I definitely agree with other posters who've said that Kawthoung isn't really a worthwhile place to hang out, I would go there and spend some time there now for 2 reasons: 1) I haven't been to Kawthoung in 20 years and 2) I haven't been to Myanmar since Covid closed the borders. I'd love to spend a day or two walking around Kawthoung to visit temples, tea shops and restaurants, taking pictures and taking in the ambience. I doubt I'd be doing that after trips 3 or 4, but the first trip and maybe a second time after that? For sure, simply to experience something different from my everyday life.
2 years ago
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Vernon *********
When a border is water then a boat is necessary, very easy stamp out then stamp back in again.
2 years ago
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vernon ********
 don’t you have to park then take a long tail?? Lol
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Cris *****
If you do go to Ranong, please let us know whether we're allowed to stay the night in Kawthoung. I realize this group is filled with border bouncers who seemingly have no desire to spend even 1 minute more than necessary outside of Thailand, but I think I speak for many others when I say "kindly provide us with all the details about Myanmar entry". There is nothing up to date available online. TripAdvisor doesn't tell us much either.
2 years ago
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Richard *********
@Paul ******
 Nothing there worth staying for>> been there a few times
2 years ago
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Richard *********
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