Myanmar
Myanmar eases travel rules
January 21, 2014 by TTRweekly
YANGON, 21 January 2014: Myanmar’s immigration minister Khin Yi says the Muse-Shwe Li border gate will soon be upgraded to provide a new tourist entry point to the country.
The immigration minister told local media that the border gates between Myanmar and Thailand – including Tachileik-Mae Sai, Myawady-Mae Sot, Kawthoung-Ranong and Htee Khee-Sunaron – have also been upgraded as official international entry points for international visitors allowing them to travel freely to other destinations in the country and exit through a different checkpoint if required.
Visitors with valid passports and pre-issued visas from a Myanmar Embassy have been allowed to travel freely to most destinations in the country since last August.
According to the plan, foreign visitors holding a valid visa will be allowed to enter and exit Myanmar through the Muse gate, or exist through other points such as Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports.
Today, visitors crossing the border at Muse must enter and exit at the same point.
“The ministry will carry out tasks for mutual visa exemptions, upgrade an online visa system and allow permanent residence for foreigners wishing to work or retire in the country.”
He added: “We will cooperate through our links with regional organisations like GMS, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and ACEMECS to introduce improvements such as, installing advanced technologies at international airports, border gateways, and government departments to establish a real-time data system and systematic immigration border management systems during the next fiscal year.”
Last year, Myanmar fully opened four checkpoints on the Myanmar-Thai border, namely Tachileik- Mae Sai, Myawaddy-Mae Sot, Tiki-Sunarong and Kawthoung-Ranong.
Travellers can continue their journey to other destinations and it gives them the choice to exit through another checkpoint than the one they used to enter the country.
Myanmar has 16 border checkpoints with neighbouring countries, but most of them offer limited access.
Myanmar authorities also grants pre-arranged visa-on-arrival for visitors for visitors from 48 countries. It requires pre-approval from authorities. Once the traveller has confirmation that the visa-on-arrival has been approved they can travel to Yangon to have the visa stamped into their passport on arrival.
However, airlines are very reluctant to transport visitors who claim to have a visa on arrival approved. They argue that supporting evidence that a visa has been approved and will be issued on arrival is not clear cut.
Discover the beauty of the still unspoilt Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar / Burma
After two years since our last inspection, we returned to the stunning island world of the Mergui Archipelago.
All trips are departure from the south tip of Myanmar at Kawthaung. This little border town can be reached via air from Yangon or via a small boats (also called long tails) from Ranong in Thailand. We arriving in Kawthaung via Thailand and meet with our Guide Mr. Thangar and the friendly officers from the immigration and MTT (Myanmar Travel & Tour) Representative after crossing the river fram Ranong. Since we had some free time, we had to wait for the rest of our group which arrived via plane from Yangon, we used the time to explore Kawthaung.
Finally after the arrival of the Rest of our group and after sorted all the permits out we are already for the adventure. Our home for the next 4 days await us already and we board our floating boathouse (also called liveaboard, since you will live on it for a few days) MV Sea Gipsy! 
MV Sea Gipsy is a Burmese style junk and on of the most unique vessels within the Mergui Archipelago. Operating from 2005 to 2010 as day trip snorkeling vessel style boat around Phuket / Thailand, Sea Gipsy moved mid of 2010 to Myanmar to offers her guests a trip around the Mergui Archipelago in a traditional style.
After receiving a detailed boats briefing from our guide and tourleader Mr. Thangar, he showed us our sleeping gazebos. MV Sea Gipsy do not feature traditional ensuite cabins as today’s modern vessels. To keep the flair and touch of adventures, guests are accommodate in open air gazebo’s. These Gazebos are quite large, can be closed up with dark curtains to have some privacy. To see more about the facility of MV Sea Gispy click Here
Our Chef on board Mr Darkie prepared a delicious dinner and after some small talk and meeting the other guests, it was time to retread in our gazebo’s for a good night sleep, while listing to the sound of the ocean . The next 4 days are full of stunning impression. Visiting islands and beaches which you know mostly from adventures brochures or flyers. Each island is unique and we discover that each of them has it’s own flair.
Interesting in seen more of these amazing and unspoilt island of the fantastic Mergui Archielago ? Like to come with us on one of these unique trips? Just check out our schedule and make your reservation today.
Like to see more pictures from our inspection tour? Just have a look on our Facebook page