Myanmar
How to cross the border from Ranong/Thailand to Kawthaung/ Myanmar
To cross the border in Ranong / Thailand to Kawthaung in Myanmar is quite easy and a great start into your Mergui Archipelago adventure. You must cross the border river which separating the two countries. For those who try to make this way by themselves we did a step by step guideline how to do and what you need 😊
There are a few things you need to bring along with you on the journey. Bring your passport, a copy of your passport and the little white departure card, you received when you entered Thailand (TM6). For the Myanmar side, you need the printout E-Visa form or the visa which is already stamped in your passport from a Myanmar Embassy, as well as some new, nice, and crisp US$ Notes. The officers do not accept any other currency or old US$ notes. The amount payable depends on the length of stay in Myanmar. The Myanmar Authorities do not accept any other currency than US$.
Start point is the Saphan Pla Pier and Immigration Checkpoint in Ranong.
The Saphan Pla Pier in Ranong is a small pier hidden behind the PTT petrol station and the 7/11 convenience store.
Google map: 9.948098, 98.594781
Here are the directions in Thai, in case you want to show them to your driver:
กรุณาไปส่งที่ ท่าเทียบเรือ
เทศบาลตำบลปากน้ำระนอง
ถนน เฉลิมพระเกียรติ
As soon you arrive many of tout will offer you a boat to cross over to Kawthaung, the gateway to the Mergui Archipelago. The prices are different and most of the time these guys are trying to fill up their long tail boat with more people, so maybe it can a little bit time to departure. But you can also negotiate for a private boat. The usual price is around 300-500 THB per longtail or if you join in the prices per person is between 50 – 100 THB.
Visit Immigration Office
But before you jump into one of the longtails, do not forget to visit the officer at the Thai Immigration Checkpoint as you must check out of Thailand. The Immigration office are 2 small windows on your right side when you come in. Please make sure you have your passport ready.
The Officer will ask you where you are going and how long you are going to be away for, because they are looking for people who try to do multiply visa runs by crossing the border. By Thai Immigration Law, every foreigner can cross the Thai Border per land only two times per calendar year. If you needed a visa to visit Thailand, please make sure to get a re-entry visa before leaving Thailand, if you are planning to return to Thailand after your trip to Myanmar and your adventure within the Mergui Archipelago.
After you got your passport with an exit stamp in it back, just walk to the Longtail boat pier. The small and somewhat adventurous looking boats there, are the only available transport option to Kawthaung.
A tip: Bring a copy of your passport as the little boats need a copy for the passing checkpoints. Otherwise you can make a copy at the little shop next to the Pier in the little kind of supermarket, the longtail guys are also happy to make a copy for you the prices are usually between 5-10 THB.
Crossing the river
The Longtail boats have a cover, so you are protected from the sun. Please put one of the life Jackets before the boat departs.
On the way to Kawthaung, you will stop an Immigration points, where Thai passports were taken up to be stamped. There was a Customs checkpoint next to it. Sometimes they will ask you to show your passport, sometimes not. The process is always different, but you do not have to leave the boat as your captain and crew will take of this whole process, just hand them over your passport which you will get returned as soon as they back.
30 – 40 minutes later you will arrive in Kawthaung, the entry point to the Mergui Archipelago.
On the Way
After this quick stop at the Thai Immigration Checkpoint you will pass the Thai Customs before you get out to Ranong area to cross the river between Thailand and Myanmar. Enjoy the cruise along stilt houses on your way.
On the way you will pass on a tiny island the Thai Army station.
Before you reach the mainland of Myanmar you will stop or slow down at another tiny island with Myanmar Army present, also here you must show the passport by just holding it up, you do not have to get of the boat.
Sometimes the driver just must show the passport to the officers by collecting your passport, but you will get them back immediately as before.
Arriving in Kawthaung, Myanmar
In Kawthaung you will be welcome from many touts and men on motorbikes. Just ignore them and make your way to Immigration.
After disembarkation, turn left along and walk along the road until you get to the. Walk along this road to get to the Immigration Office. It is located at the Myo Ma Jetty also called the Myanmar Immigration Pier, on your left-hand side. Just have a look for the sight that says, “Warmly Welcome and Take Care of Tourist”.
Enter the pier area and turn behind the little building left to the small Immigration Building.
Get in and give the officer your passport, a copy of your passport and visa. They will stamp your passport and take a picture from you, same as they do in Thailand. If the camera is not working, what can be happen sometimes, have a passport picture ready. After the Check in process you are ready to enjoy your time in Kawthaung.
Outside the Mya Ma Jetty English-speaking touts will await you to give directions and be waiting for you to exit the office to offer a taxi ride, hotel, guide or suggestions on things to do in Kawthaung.
Welcome to Kawthaung and the Mergui Archipelago!
Kawthaung Border Crossing Wrap-Up
Paperwork to bring: Passport, 2 copies of your passport and proper. Myanmar and Thailand Visa, one Passport picture (just in case)
Price of boat: 300-500 THB for a boat or 50-100 THB to join in
Time on boat: 30-40 minutes including all the Immigration stops around 60-75 minutes
Time Zone: Myanmar is a half hour behind Thailand time : 7:00 pm Myanmar is 07:30 in Thailand
The Myanmar Immigration Office is open from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm local time
Explore the amazing Mergui Archipelago on one of our amazing Cruises or unique Resort. Combinations between them is also possible
How to cross the border from Kawthaung / Myanmar to Ranong / Thailand
Kind of the other way around.
- Check out at the Myanmar Immigration office (Check your exit stamp)
- Make your way back to the Myanmar Longtail pier and find a boat to bring you to Ranong
- Arriving at the Longtail pier in Thailand, go to the immigration office and collect your TM 6 arrival form
- Fill out the form and see the officer again to check you into Thailand (Check your entry stamp and expiration date)
If you need any transfer to or from Ranong within Thailand visit below link with many option of taxi, van, bus and train
A bit of education, and Myanmar’s National Day
The origins of Myanmar’s National Day goes back to the independence struggle against the British in colonial times, with reformers keen to see a National Day that would mark the peoples’ own self-interests – rather than those of a foreign power.
An organization called the General Council of the Burmese Association (GCBA) took it upon themselves to create such a day and, in the early 1920s at a conference in Mandalay, gathered to discuss the details.
Inevitably, there were disagreements. The council couldn’t agree on the right day – would the day mark the arrest of senior monks (Sayardaw).
Then, they had some general agreements to regard a National Day based on three different days such as the day on which Sayardaw U Ottama, the famous Rahkine monk, was arrested by the British. Or would it be the day that King Thibaw abdicated from the throne? Or the mass student boycotts of the 1920s, protesting the imposition of colonial reforms n the education system?
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Student gatered in Shwedagon Pagoda in 2016 / Photo – Nyan Zay Htet and San Lin Tun
Then in 1922, on June 17 and 18, at a GCBA special conference in Rangoon, they decided that the 10th waning day of Tanzaungmone would be Burma’s National Day. It was the day on which they wanted to show resistance to the British, marking the famous boycott of Rangoon University by students who wanted to the Rangoon University Act (1920) abolished.
Under the colonial act, the government wanted to limit access for local students to higher education. The boycott was a show of strength by Myanmar students, who wanted to protest the injustice of the new legislation.
As a result of the publicity from the protests, a national high school and college system was later developed by the student leaders. It became Myanmar’s national education system, which supported Burmese as a language of instruction.
In those days, a national education system meant an anti-colonial education. Colonial education did not encourage teaching Burmese, and even forbade studying and speaking it on campuses. To oppose this, national schools embraced the language, and hailed a new system that was seen to be more inclusive (despite still lacking education in Myanmar’s minority languages).
The purpose of colonial education was to extend colonial dominance, and the new system aimed at encouraging independence. Depeyin U Myal was the first person who used the word “Slavery Education” in 1921, at the GCBA conference in Mandalay. The British taught loyalty to the English king and his empire, while the new curriculum sought to encourage pride in one’s own country.
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The commemorative stone block lies on the southern platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda
In the following decades it became clear that national education was a driving force behind the independence movement too, as national leaders such as General Aung San were school teachers. They saw education as a means of instilling civic and cultural ideals, and support for the emerging independent nation.
The university students opened national high schools in December 1920 and August 1921, as well as the National College at Bahan. There was a national education council which was comprised of 50 members to oversee curricula at national colleges and schools.
Since 1922 Myanmar’s National Day has been celebrated with official ceremonies. Since 1934, schools began to close to observe the occasion. Four years later, then Prime Minister Dr Ba Maw announced the day as an official holiday.
The first minister of education was U Phoe Kyar in the 1920s, and through his initiatives national schools began to spring up across the country.
We can still see the commemorative stone block of the 11 Rangoon College student leaders on the southern platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda.
They are Ba Khin, Po Kun, Ba U, Aung Din, Tun Win, Pe Thein, Ba Shin (Sandoway), Ba Shin (Tavoy), K. Ngyi Peik, Hla Tin and Mg E.
Notably, it was the first ever protest against the British administration led by students and is known as the first university student boycott.
San Lin Tun is a freelance writer of essays, poetry, short stories and novels in Myanmar and English.
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.
Myanmar Holidays and Festivals
The Myanmar calendar subscribes to both the solar and lunar months, thus requiring an intercalary 30-day 13th month every second or third year. Therefore, the full moon days may change from one month to another in the usual calendar.
The exact dates of some of the holidays as well as the festivals are calculated according to the Myanmar lunar calendar, so the below details can change from year to year. Please check with us for details.
Independence Day (4th of January)
January 4th is Independence Day and an annual public holiday in Myanmar. Unlike other Independence Day around the world, this is not Myanmar’s National Day. The Myanmar’s National day is celebrate in late November to early December.
Britain made Burma a province of India in 1886 with the capital at Rangoon. From the very beginning there was a strong feeling of resentment against the rule of the British and Buddhist monks played an important role in the independence movement. The first Prime Minister was Ba Maw. Some Burmese saw the rise of Japan as an opportunity to gain independence from Britain. This led to the formation of the Burma Independence Army in Japan.
In March 1942 the Japanese took Burma and although many Burmese fought initially on the side of the Japanese in World War II, many others fought with the British. The Burmese army even switched allegiance from Japan to the allied forces in 1945. The Panglong Agreement reached on February 12th 1947 and led to the unification of Burma as an independent state.
On January 4th 1948, the Union of Burma became independent from Britain and Burma became Myanmar in 1989.
Festivals and traditional activities across the country celebrate the date. Yangon festooned in patriotic colors to mark the occasion. Many men and women wear the national dress of Burma, which consists of a collarless shirt and skirt.
Union Day Wed (12th of February)
General Aung San, head of the interim Burmese government and representatives from the Shan states, the Kachin hills and the Chin hills met in Panglong to determine the future of Burma following the end of the Second World War.
Burma demanded that the British government restore independence to all of Burma. While instrumental in the Panglong agreement on the 12th of February 1947, Aung San did not live to see Burma gains its independence in January 1948.
This instrumental day in the country’s history books is an official public holiday in Myanmar. This day led eventually to the creation of an independent country in 1948. And it honor the approved independence by the British.
For most of its residents, the day is a day for being among family and friends, as government officials and ministries organize parades and ceremonies to recall Union Day.
Peasants’ Day Mon (2nd of March)
Peasants’ Day is an annual public holiday in Myanmar on March 2nd and also known as Farmers’ Day. The holiday marks and honors the contribution of agriculture and farming to Myanmar. 70% of the country population works in farming and agriculture. The prosperity and success of the nation depends on those working the land. Over 60% of Myanmar’s Gross Domestic Product is generating from agriculture. The main agricultural product is rice and it is one of the biggest exporters of rice in Asia. The crops and products grown in Myanmar have been diversified in recent years, to ensure that the country is not too dependent on one particular crop.
Full Moon Day of Tabaung (8th of March)
Maka Bucha (also called Magja Puja) is pagoda festival. It is taking place in the last month of the year in the Burmese calendar. The date determined by the Lunar Cycle. Maka Bucha is a public holiday in several Mekong region countries such as Cambodia and Thailand as well as in Myanmar.
Celebrated with largest happening at the happening at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.
In the morning many Thai people wake up early to give alms to monks. In the evening, temples are full of people listening to sermons. Often they perform a ritual where they walk clockwise three times around the temple, holding flowers, incense, and a lit candle. Each of the three circuits represents one of the three jewels (ideas at the heart of Buddhism) – Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Armed Forces Day (27th of March)
Armed Forces Day is a public holiday in Myanmar on March 27th. Known as ‘Tatmadaw Nay’, it commemorates the rebellion against Japanese occupation during the second world war.
In 1886, Burma came under British control. From the earliest days of colonization, there was a strong feeling of resentment against the rule of the British. Some Burmese saw the rise of Japan during World War 2 as an opportunity to gain independence from Britain. Aung San was a prominent figure in the independence movement and exiled to China. He collaborated with Japan and with Burmese nationalist support, Japan took control of Burma in 1942. However Aung San came to realize that the Japanese had no intention of giving independence to Burma and on March 23rd 1945, he led the Burmese army in a rebellion against the Japanese that helped the Allied forces remove the Japanese from the region.
The key event on this day is a large parade by the Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar. Originally this holiday was called Resistance Day, but it was renamed to Armed Forces Day by the Tatmadaw.
Myanmar New Year Holidays / Thingyan (from 12-16th of April)
Burmese New Year takes place at the culmination of the Thingyan Water Festival. After three days of partying and sprinkling everybody with water during Thingyan, the traditional New Year’s Day festivities begin. This is a day to make new resolutions for the coming year, usually about changing bad behavior and promising to do more good deeds for a better karma.
An unusual custom is the releasing fish. The fish are rescued from dried up lakes and rivers and released on New Year’s Day into larger lakes and rivers with a prayer and a wish saying “I release you once, you release me ten times”.
On New Year’s Day, people offer food called Satuditha to passers-by and those celebrating new year. Satuditha is an act that shows the important charitable side of Burmese culture.
May Day (Labor Day) (1st of May)
May Day or Labor day is a national holiday. Known as a commemoration of the achievements of the labor movement.
Full Moon Day of Kasong – First full moon in the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar
Buddha Purnima is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar and the most important festival celebrated with great enthusiasm.
The first full moon in the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar marks the exact date of Vesak. The date varies from year to year in the Gregorian calendar but is typically in May.
Although Buddhists regard every full moon as sacred, the moon of the month of Vesak has special significance. On this day Buddha was born, attained enlightenment (Nirvana), and attained Parinirvana (Nirvana-after-death of the body) when he died.
Burmese Martyrs’ Day ( 19th of July)
The Martyrs’ Day, also known as Arzarni Day, is a public holiday in Myanmar on July 19th. The day marks the assassination of Aung San and several other cabinet members in 1947.
On the 19th of July 1947 gunmen went into a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat in downtown Yangon. They shot dead Aung San and seven other key leaders of the interim government. U saw, a political rival planned the assassination. U Saw found guilty and executed a few months later
Every Year on the 19th of July at 10.37 am, car horns are sound in the streets of Myanmar. It marks the exact time of the shooting. High-level government officials visiting the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Yangon. The day is dedicated to Aung San and the other seven leaders, who were killed here.
Eid ul-Adha Day in Myanmar (begin of August)
Known as Eid al-Adha, Eid ul Adha, Id-ul-Azha, Id-ul-Zuha, Hari Raya Haji or Bakr-id; the ‘Feast of Sacrifice’ is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar.
The day celebrate the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael in submission to Allah’s command. He was stopped by Allah before.
Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar. As the exact day is based on lunar sightings, the date may vary between countries.
The giving of charity in the form of money, food or clothes to the homeless or poor is a key tradition of Eid al Adha.
Full Moon Day of Waso (end of July – begin of August)
Also known as Dhammasetkya Day, this public holiday takes place on the full moon day of Waso, the fourth month in the Burmese calendar. It usually falls in July in the Western calendar.
The day marks the start of Buddhist lent and the anniversary of Buddha’s first sermon on the Four Noble Truths.
Pilgrims throughout the country gather wild flowers to offer at pagodas, and offer new robes to monks. During the period of Buddhist Lent, many Buddhists will abstain from eating meat, drinking alcohol or smoking.
Thadingyut Festival / Full Moon of Thadingyut (end of October)
The Festival of Lights marks Buddha’s return to earth and signifies the end of Buddhist Lent. Thadingyut holiday is the second most popular festival in Myanmar after Thingyan Festival.
This public holiday / festival in Myanmar takes place on the full moon day of Thadingyut, the seventh month in the Burmese calendar. The Thadingyut Festival lasts for three day from the day before the full moon through to the day after the full moon.
Devout Buddhists celebrate the descent of the Lord Buddha from the heavens as locals will decorate their houses with colorful lights, organize parties and partake in various events.
This is also the time to pay homage to monks, parents, teachers and the elderly, asking them for forgiveness for any wrongdoings, one has done over the past year.
Deepavali in Myanmar (mid of October)
Diwali (Deepavali (deep – lamp, vali – array)) takes place on the darkest night (the first night of the new moon) in the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar. The festival is a time for rejoicing and renewal. Celebrations revolve around the triumph of good over evil, purity over impurity, light over darkness. One of the most colorful Myanmar Holidays and Festivals
Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama, who was the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, from a fourteen-year exile.
Tazaungdaing / Tazaungmone Festival (end of November)
This festival marks the end of the rainy season in Myanmar and this public holiday in Myanmar takes place on the full moon day of Tazaungmone, the eighth month in the Burmese calendar. It usually falls in November in the Western calendar.
There are lots of events such as
- providing robe and various requisites to monks at Ka-htain, Matho Thingan or Robe Weaving contest. A deeply-religious celebration sees many Burmese moving from their houses to temples and monasteries to offer new robes and other necessities to Buddhist monks (Khatein ceremony).
- Hot Air Balloon Flying Festival all in this eventful month. Across Myanmar, hot-air balloons are lit with candles and released into the night sky.
- The number nine is a lucky number in Myanmar. 9,999 candles are lit up as offerings to Buddha in the Chaukhtatgyi Paya Pagoda on the night of the full moon day of Tazaungmone.
National Day in Myanmar (late November to early December)
Myanmar’s National Day celebrations original are all about remembering the hardship and unrest under British ruling that commenced in 1920 and eventually led to the country’s independence in 1948. National Day is an annual public holiday in Myanmar. One of the most important Myanmar Holidays and Festivals.
But in 1920, on the tenth day following the full-moon day of Tazaungmone on the Burmese lunar calendar, students from the Rangoon and Judson Colleges began protests against the British administration’s Rangoon University Act of 1920.
The protests ignited a call for nationalism in the students, the basis of which formed the key elements of the movement for independence.
Myanmar Holidays and Festivals more detail
Summary
Day Name | Date(2020) | Number of Days | Remarks |
New Year’s Day | 1 January | 1 day | – |
Independence Day | 4 January | 1 day | Marks independence from British Empire in 1948. |
Union Day | 12 February | 1 day | Anniversary of the Panglong Agreement in 1947. |
Peasants’ Day | 2 March | 1 day | a day to mark and honour the contribution of agriculture and farming to Myanmar. |
Full Moon Day of Tabaung | 8 March | 1 day | Tabaung Pwè Pagoda Festivals. |
Armed Forces Day | 27 March | 1 day | Formerly Resistance Day (against the Japanese occupation in 1945). |
Myanmar New Year Holidays | 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16, 17 April | 8 days | Pre-Thingyan Day, Commencing Day to Prime Day, End of Thingyan, Myanmar New Year Day. |
May Day | 1 May | 1 day | Worker’s Day. |
Full Moon Day of Kason | 6 May | 1 day | Anniversary of the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha celebrated by watering the Bodhi tree. |
Martyrs’ Day | 19 July | 1 day | Commemorates the assassination of Aung San and several other cabinet members in 1947. |
Start of Buddhist Lent | 3 August | 1 day | Full Moon Day of Waso |
Thadingyut Holidays | 29, 30, 31 October
1, 2 November |
5 days | Pre-Full Moon Day, Full Moon Day of Thadingyut, Post-Full Moon Day
(Festival of Lights) |
Tazaungdine Holidays | 27,28,29,30 November | 4 days | Pre-Full Moon Day, Full Moon Day Of Tazaungmon |
National Day | 9
December |
1 day | Anniversary of the first university students strike in 1920. |
Christmas Day | 25 December | 1 day | The Birthday of Jesus Christ. |
New Year’s Eve | 31 December | 1 day | – |
Eid ul-Adha | 1 August | 1 day | Eid ul-Adha Day and Deepavali Day will be separately announced on the days they will fall on.
Union Government |
Deepavali | 14 October | 1 day | |
Kayin New Year Day | – | – | Will not fall in 2020 |