Immigration officials relax restrictions for tourists travelling overland

http://www.dvb.no/news/immigration-o...overland/31227

Foreigners entering Burma through three major border checkpoints along the Thai border can now travel inland and will not be required to exit the country through the same portal, in accordance with a new regulation passed by Burmese immigration authorities.
According to the new rule, foreign travellers who pass through border checkpoints at Shan state’s Tachilek, Karen state’s Myawaddy and Tenasserim division’s Kawthaung towns will be able to travel inland freely, except in restricted areas, and leave from their desired point of departure.
During a press conference at the immigration office in Kawthaung last Thursday, government officials met with representatives from tourism companies and businesspersons to expound on the parameters of the new regulation, said Moe Ei, a reporter from Tenasserim Weekly News Journal who attended the meeting.
“The town’s immigration director San Lwin explained that under the new regulation, foreigners who come in from the three main checkpoints will be allowed to leave from anywhere,” said Moe Ei.
The immigration director also discussed a future plan to expand tourism in the border town, which included opening more hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, souvenir shops, and provide training to tour companies in order to meet the demands of travellers visiting the country.
With the area limitation removed, tourists who enter through the Kawthaung crossing can now visit the area’s renowned hot springs, which was previously off limits due to its distance from the border.
Border crossing and visa fees at the respective checkpoints will remain the same despite the change in regulations. A foreigner who through enters Burma through the three major Thai-border crossings must pay US$10 for a week’s stay in the country.

Thanks for the update.

We live in interesting times, and as one country closes down access others open up their borders to the world.

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Dave

Yes, interesting as Myanmar opens.

The post is a bit unclear. All three of these border crossings are on the
Thai border, and widely separated from north-south along the Thai border. Implication is that 'overlanders' could enter from Thailand, spend some time in-country, but apparently then would have to also exit/ return to Thailand, rather than having the option to go 'across' Burma, e.g. to exit across India or Bangladesh border.

One step/ ride at a time

Youre correct. All these 3 border crossings are Myanmar-Thailand border crossings, so "overlanding" from for example the thai side to India/Bangladesh or opposite is not an option yet. At least not an totally open option.
Some germans in a car caravan "overlanded" Myanmar earlier this year, and some folks on another thread here have been in contact with a statly run tour company in Myanmar that supposedly could arrange permits to "overland" the country.

But still this is a positive thing that Myanmar does open up more and more....

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

“Overland Across Burma” -- I would read that means going across the entire country: enter from Thailand, and exit to India, for example (and that really is the Holy Grail of overlanding in that part of the world, as Burma has been closed for decades).

Getting permits to enter from Thailand, and exit to Thailand, that´d be more like “Visiting Burma”, and while that might qualify as overlanding, it does not really help with the dilemma of SE Asia being effectively cut from other parts of Asia. If I´ve understood correctly, the most problematic areas these days are in western parts of Burma (and Indian states bordering Burma are not trouble-free either).

Would be very interesting to hear, if someone will actually succeed (or has already succeeded lately) in going across the entire country. There was somebody, who claimed to have entered on a big bike from India earlier this year (March, maybe?), and I think their plan was to go all the way to Thailand, but if there were any updates to that, I must have missed these.

Also hoping, if a real overland-route thru Burma will open up, that it won´t be á la China (=mandatory guide + extract _B_I_G_ money from travellers!)

Hi Snakeboy,

Do you have a blog or contacts to the Germans you can PM or share? Would like to find out what they did.

Thanks
wickychicky

I have seen reports of the german caravan of cars that crossed Myanmar on the net somewhere but I dont remember where. And I cant find it even though several searches.

However I found a blog of 2 motorbikes that crossed Myanmar....

http://overlandsphere.com/overland-t...-people/107592

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Nope, they didn´t cross... fully "guided" tour for two weeks... there is a thread here... nothing to do with cross the country, same border entry and exit...

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Round the world by bike. www.RTWbyBIKE.com

the group off people that enterd burma from tailand last year whas sponserd and i meat this atension seakers it whas more like a publicity stunt thear is a lot more to this story it whil coast thusands off us dollars to go four 2 or 3 weaks yes yuo nead a guide and yes yuoi nead to stay in prepaid hotel thear is bikers and thear is people whid lots off casch that whil pay what ever it cost yuost to say i whas thear maybea it have changed in the last 6 months but i dont belive it its more likley it whil bea a copy off the chines system

Hi guys. I just recently shipped from Australia and rode my Klr 650 from Port Klang in Malaysia to the southern most border crossing into Burma. This entry point is only suitable for people only , there is immigration there and you can get a 3 day entry visa, there is no customs to process for vehicles and its a water crossing by boats and only access is down very steep steps to the waters edge. So if you approach from the south don't head for Rangon crossing if you want to take your toys across cause it won't happen there.