Expert: Nancy B - 9/11/2007

Question
Hi Nancy,

I'm pleased to see you have returned and are now available to answer more questions in your expert style.
A friend and I are travelling to Bangkok next week in preparation for a 2-3 weeks trip around Myanmar. The plan was to spend about 12 days doing the usual tourist circle and then return to thailand to spend almost a week on an island somewhere. However, the Mergui Archipelago has recently come to our attention with its myriad of untouched islands to explore. My question is, do you have any experience of travelling to this part of Myanmar and if so, would you recommend it as a good substitute for a relaxing week on Thai island? - it would be great to spend most of our holiday in Myanmar!

Thanks!!

Stephen, London, UK

Answer
Hi, Stephen!  And great you can report back on the logistics of this journey!  Because there's technically, no-permit required travel, but I'm not sure you can do it well without a tour/permit.
Some boats come in from S. Thailand (Ranong), but it's my understand these are live-aboard dive tours.  However, there are 3 many areas to actually stay in from the Myanmar side: Dawei, Kawthaung and Thatakyun.  In typical Myanmar fashion (and the opposite of nearly almost every other country that starts with minimal infrastructure and cheap places and goes up from there), there are, as far as I know just big (not cheap) resorts at which to stay.  Thatakyun is actually just 10 min from Kawthaung and now has what they call a "five star" Andaman resort.  Dawei area actually has some culture and Maungmagan beach is supposedly being more developed.  There are flights to Dawei independently.  And you can arrange dive tours through tour agencies.  In general, I wouldn't expect the same kind of sophistication I would in S. Thailand.
Have fun!
Nancy B