Travel Advice : Burma (Myanmar)
Burma is a spectacularly beautiful country, with amazing scenery, a vibrant history, and a brilliantly friendly population, and yet it is one of the least well travelled countries in Southeast Asia. And this goes for cruising in the Mergui Archipelago too. 100's of untouched islands, pinnacles, walls, and beaches all within touching distance of Phuket can be yours and yours alone. But going there can involve complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do some people call Burma Myanmar?
- How do I get to Burma?
- Do I need a visa to enter Burma?
- What is the currency in Burma and will I need any currency?
- What will the weather be like during my visit?
- What are the air and water temperatures in Burma?
- What should I wear?
- What about health precautions?
- What is the religious stance in Burma?
- Are there any rules of etiquette I should know about?
- What time zone does Burma lie in?
Burma or Myanmar
Throughout it's history, the country now known officially by its own government as the 'Union of Myanmar' has not been easy to pin down. After splitting from the British Raj in 1937, it became known as the 'Union of Burma', or simply 'Burma' but in 1989 the government changed the 'English Translation' of the name to the Union of Myanmar. And herein lies the confusion. Various opposition groups refuse to recognize the new name, as do the governments of the USA, Canada, Australia, and Great Britain, because they do not recognize the legitimacy of the Military Junta who governs the country. Many other countries do recognize the new name, regardless of whether they see the government as legitimate or not.
Getting to Burma
In order to keep things simple for guests we do recommend to embark /disembark from/to Thailand and cruise to Burma.
Visa Requirements
Guests do not need to arrange a visa in advance to enter Burma. Immigration formalities are carried out aboard the yacht and the captian will take care of everything. In order for things to run smoothly, guests need to make sure that they bring the following items with them:
- Passport
- 4 passport sized photographs
- 3 copies of the ID Page of their passport
- $200 US in unmarked crisp bills
The $200 paid at immigration includes visa fees, diving fees, and guide fees. A Burmese 'guide' accompanies every trip into Burmese waters and is usually a fountain of very interesting knowledge, though he is not a guide in the traditional sense and is actually more of a political officer, onboard to be sure that we do not stray from our itinerary or speak 'inappropriately' to Burmese nationals. That said, the guides are usually very polite and informative. The authorities demand clean larger denomination notes. Two brand new $100 bills is ideal, but whatever denomination you provide they absolutely must have no marks or tears or they will be rejected.
It is also worth noting that guests are required to leave their passports with the immigration staff at Kaw Thaung (Burma). We are aware that this is unusual but the Burmese government is not flexible on this issue and it is standard on all Burma cruises.
Currency
The common currency of Burma is the Kyat (pronounced 'chat'), though in the areas that we visits traders will always accept US Dollars and Thai Baht. For current exchange rates click here.
Climate
As in Thailand, Burma's tropical climate is influenced by the southwest and northeast monsoons. There are three basic seasons: Dry (November through Feb), Hot (March through May) and Rainy (June through October). The charter season is restricted to the 'dry' and 'hot' seasons; often referred to as high season. Below is an example of a typical high season's weather in the Mergui Archipelago area.
| Month | Climate |
|---|---|
| November | Fair weather, end of SW monsoon, pleasant temperatures. |
| December | Sunny, not much wind, occasional rainfall, generally calm seas. |
| January | Sunny, a little windy, clear water, pleasant temperatures. |
| February | Same as January, but getting warmer. |
| March and April | End of NE monsoon, hot, humid, calm seas, plankton. |
| May | Hot, humid, start of SW monsoon, plankton, occasional squalls at night. |
Please note, the above table is not a forecast! Accurate weather forecasts for the Mergui Archipelago are almost impossible to obtain but the weather through high season is very similar to that of Phuket. See Yahoo weather for an up to date Phuket forecast.
Air and Water Temperatures
Air temperature: 22°C - 34°C (71°F - 93°F), generally warm and can be very hot and humid, nights sometimes a little cooler.
Water temperature in the Andaman Sea averages around 27°C to 30°C (80°F - 86°F), very pleasant.
Clothing and Dress Codes
If you step foot on land in Burma, at both the Myanmar Resort and port of Kaw Thaung shorts and t-shirts are acceptable attire. Aside from this, light natural fibers are advised as they are comfortable and allow the air to circulate, man made fibres can cause you to sweat in this humid climate and can cause heat rash or worse.
Health
Health services are almost non-existent in Burma but excellent in Thailand with modern, well equipped hospitals in all major towns. For this reason you would be evacuated to Thailand if you were to require serious medical assistance. Although Burma is officially a malarial area, the islands of the Mergui Archipelago are (as far as current information can tell us) Malaria free, though Dengue Fever is not unknown. We recommend you check the status of your vaccinations and seek your doctor's advice on inoculations and medication. Normal sensible precautions with food should keep you out of trouble, and be sure to drink lots of bottled drinking water to prevent dehydration (especially if your best laid plans have still left you with a bout of diarrhoea). DO NOT drink tap water in Burma! Also, be sure to wash regularly and wear light, loose clothing made from natural fibres as heat rash and fungal infections for visitors are not unusual in this humidity.
Religious Matters
Religion in Burma is very similar to that in Thailand, with some 80% of the population being Buddhist with the remainder of the country being made up of various religions including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Confucianism, and even Animism. The government espouses religious tolerance and there are various religious buildings even in the port town of Kaw Thaung that support this.
Simple Etiquette
Do not point your feet at people, especially monks or representations of Buddha, as this seen as highly disrespectful, as is touching adults on the top of their heads.
Do not talk about the political situation in Burma with the general population if it is likely that a government employee is around, this includes in the presence of our Burmese 'guide' that we collect at the border. If a Burmese person brings up the situation first then you can normally be sure that it is safe for them to talk and you will find that they are more than willing to offer an opinion.
Taking photographs of the general population is not normally a problem, though we suggest that you ask permission before simply snapping away as a matter of courtesy. Do not take pictures of the immigration officials or the offices of immigration on the pier as this can cause problems.
Time Zone
Local time is GMT+6.5 hours throughout the year. Burma has no daylight savings time, and it is worth noting that for the duration of our time in Burma we will work to Thai time (30 minutes ahead of Burma time) to avoid any confusion.