Read this regarding Thailand:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...7th-june-88229

Apparently their may still be some borders you can cross without the permit but I feel it's only a matter of time until they're all enforcing the new rules.

Agreed it would be great to get a check in of who is a definite for this trip. We should be able to collectively lay down our individual deposits against the quote reference number with the operator once we have some agreement from anyone who may want to join or who has already decided to join.

For one, I am in.

Hey Guys,
I'm 90% in as well. Thanks for getting in touch with these tour guides, let's see what they come back with. I'm sure they know ways to reduce the price or at least get a local (not foreign) company to do it, if booking such a thing via a company from another country gives me a big feeling of "Damn I could have saved half the money".
Anyway, I will meet you at the border, I'm entering with a bike registered in Malaysia so I luckily can roam around freely in Thailand.

I only just realised that the post I sent regarding the quote didn't show all of the information including the quoted prices!

Day Date Itinerary Hotel and meals

1 05 April 2018 Moreh / Tamu Border enter – Gangaw night stop Gangaw hotel or Similar Not Included

2 06 April 2018 Gangaw – Monywa night stop Win Unity Hotel or similar Brekfast

3 07 April 2018 Monywa – Mandalay night stop Hotel Mandalay or similar Brekfast

4 08 April 2018 Mandalay Full Day sightseeing and Night stop Hotel Mandalay or similar Brekfast

5 09 April 2018 Mandalay –Mt. Popa - Bagan night stop Yar Khin Thar Hotel or similar Breakfast

6 10 April 2018 Bagan Full Day sightseeing and Night Stop Yar Khin Thar Hotel or similar Breakfast

7 11 April 2018 Bagan – Pindaya Night stop Golden Cave hotel or similar Breakfats

8 12 April 2018 Pindaya – Inle Lake Night Stop Inle Aplex Hotel or similar Breakfats

9 13 April 2018 Inle Lake Full Days sightseeing Inle Aplex Hotel or similar Breakfats

10 14 April 2018 Inle Lake – Naypyidaw Night Stop Man Myanmar Hotel or similar Breakfast

11 15 April 2018 Naypyidaw – Yangon Night Stop Taw Win Garden Hotel Breakfast

12 16 April 2018 Yangon – Golden Rock Night Stop Golden Sunrise Hotel Breakfast

13 17 April 2018 Golden Rock – Hpaan Night Stop Hotel Gabbana Breakfast

14 18 April 2018 Hpaan – Myawaddy / Maesot Accommodation not included Breakfast

Itinerary is subject to changes depending on flights, road conditions, weather and unexpected situation. A supplement for changes might apply

Following prices are net per person in USD only and non-commissionable.

Tour Price – 1150 US$ / Per Person for Two Bikers

Tour Price – 950US$ / Per Person for MotoHome

Valid from – 1. Jan .2018 – 1. Jan -2019

What’s included:

· 13nights accommodation

· Escort English speaking guide

· Meals as mentioned ( Breakfast )

· Permission documents, Government Taxs-Fee Car

· Car Temporary License Fee

· Pilot car , Road , Bridge & Parking Fee

· Entrance and zone fees included.

· Excursions at Golden Rock , Yangon , Mandalay, Bagan , Inle Lake , Pindaya , Naypyidaw , Hpaan

· All transfers and road transport in air – conditioned vehicles ( Inle Lake Boat , Tours Coach for Yangon & Mandalay )

· Kyaik Htee Yoe Hill Truck up & down fees.

· Travel insurance

· Bottled drinking water per touring days.

Not included in the price:

· Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, etc.

· Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary).

· Any camera or video fees at any sites.

· International flights.

· Visa on arrival.

So....

To get this locked in we need a 20% deposit. They will require the remaining amount in cash at the border which I informed Zawmin (my company contact) I would be fine with and I assume you guys will also be ok with this?

I am not sure about you guys but I would be much happier laying down my own individual amount for the deposit. If we all agree to this I will provide you with payment details and Quote number to make a deposit against.

I will send you both (and anyone else who may be interested in joining) a personal message with my email so we can communicate directly to solidify the plan.

How many people are we now? (including me)

It's 4 at the moment.

I would think it's likely to be more once we draw closer to the date.

Sorry guys!!! We won't be with you for this Myanmar crossing. We were already looking forward to meeting you and enjoying together this fantastic country. BUT... the new Thai regulation says motorhomes and campervans CANNOT APPLY for a permit to travel in Thailand. Consequently, instead of visiting Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, we will ship our campervan to India (it is presently in Sydney where we will be in a few days). See the below mail we received from the Department of Land Transport. We also had negative answers from travel agencies.
We are sure there is still plenty of time for other people to join. Good luck. Enjoy!!!
Marianne & Bernard

Dear Madam,

Please be informed that the current regulation on foreign registered vehicles does not allow foreign registered motorhome to enter Thailand regardless of its weight.

The attached document is English summary of said regulation, which is available for download on Department of Land Transport Official Website. You can find the summary at the bottom of this page. https://www.dlt.go.th/th/public-news/view.php?_did=1224

Sincerely,

International Transport Affairs Sub-division| Planning Division | Department of Land Transport
1032 Phaholyothin Road, Chatujak District, Bangkok 10900 THAILAND
Tel. +66 2 271 8409 | Fax. +66 2 271 8409

Hi

I'm looking to travel from Thailand (Mae Sot) to India (Moreh) over these dates. From your post you sound like you are doing the same but the itinerary below suggests India to Thailand. Which direction are you heading in?

Thanks

Thailand to India is the route, that route must have been from earlier on when I wasn't paying attention!

So it looks like we have 3 of us total in at the moment but we are working to a faster timeline to save money. Looking like 7 days to cross entering between 12-16 of April. If this is ok with you i think we should get new quotes and firm this up. Getting tired of people coming in and pulling out haha

I've seen you have had some people unable to commit or change plans on you, sorry to see that. Before I sign on can I grab some more details from you, I also want to be as transparent as possible with my plans and thoughts so I dont set any incorrect expectations with you.

It sounds like you are going through much faster than you were originally planning to save money, if I am involved is there scope or interest from either of you to lengthen out again?

Can you give me details of the route you're taking and any cost (PM me and I can give you my email address if you dont want it publicly shown here - I haven't posted enough to be allowed to PM yet).

Did you know that the Myanmar New Year water festival is on over the period you are travelling? Are you planning on stopping for a day in a town to get involved with that?

All my cards on the table; you're heading in about six days later than I hoped which means spending more $ on Thai guides etc... A few days here and there would be OK but a week gets pricey. I'd have to balance out any saving for Myanmar with the additional expense of Thailand whilst potentially having to rush through Myanmar at a much quicker pace than I am hoping - especially when there is a big ass festival on (I'm planning 10 days).

Would you both be up for spending more time in Myanmar and getting in a few days earlier if it wasnt cost prohibitive? I'm trying to work out if I can make my plans align with yours without cutting too much of this part of my trip out.

That said I see that your plans have already moved a lot so understand if you dont want to (or logistically cannot) make any further adjustments; the itinerary referenced in my earlier post is pretty much what I am hoping to do (albeit in reverse).

Let me know what you think

C

So the new proposed route is:

Myawaddy
kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock) to Yangon
Uppatasanti Pagoda
Shwesandraw Pagoda
Monywa
Kale
Tamu

roughly 1500km in 7 days.

I can see if the others are interested in bringing the dates a bit closer as opposed to the 16th.

Might I suggest you get into Thailand at a small border crossing to avoid the need for a Thai guide which will in turn skyrocket your expenses in Thailand. I for one am resolved to try at small border crossings as there are many reports of crossing the border without hassle, albeit only at the smaller crossings.

Potential guide informed me of that festival and while I would like to it probably involves extending the trip, which doesn't bother me but it may bother the others.

I think what we really need to do is agree on number of days (perhaps a compromise for everyone so we are all relatively pleased and not bitter at anyone) and an entry date that suites us all and then get some quotes. Once we have actual prices I feel everyone will be much more comfortable committing to a slightly extended stay in Myanmar.

Communication with the other two is a bit patchy because they are already riding around, patchy access to internet or just too busy so hopefully within a week we can get some more solid dates and timelines.

Regards,
Ben.