Mangkhut

Maybe a bit of research before taking this trip could have been an idea......

Bangkok is polluted - oh really my dear? How on earth is it possible to dont know this simple fact? Most other asian big cities are similar polluted.

Yeas traveling one hour domestic by plane is often one hour transport to airport, two hours in the airport, one hour in the air and one hour again on the NeXT airport and then one hour more to Your destination - depending of course.... This is exactly like it is every place and counry on earth more or less....

The roads on Phang ngan is terrible - there isnt a decent road on Phang Ngan and thats one of the things that makes it to the charming place it is. If you want autobahn - go to Germany....

Its impossible to eat a decent meal for 2 under 1000 baht? I havent been eating a single meal that costed me that much - ever in Thailand, and most of my meals have been decent enough. Just walk one or two strees behind the most crowded tourist ghettos and you will find.....

To travel to 7 different locations on a holiday of one month is way too much for a normal person. For a month holiday I would never go to more than 3-4 locations, even less if I havent been there before. Its just stress, travelling, more stress and then more traveling......

But hopefully one can learn from the mistakes..... :-)

When someones says you shouldnt wear this or that - its always a good reason to do the opposite.....

Wear what you want - dont let other persons decide what you should wear or not wear......

Hello folks

I have read - in one place or another, cant remember exactly where and cant find today- about some Germans I belive it was that have been crossing/overlanding Myanmar from India through Myanmar to Thailand on 4x4 cars. Does anyone have a link to their blog or to the news in any netsite/media about this?

Thanks in Advance!

Laos is $35 for Americans

And for non-Americans the cost is .....??

Depends of which country one comes from.....

The amount of the visa fee is dependent on the nationality. Here is an example of some of the prices for the Laos Visa on arrival:

• French, German, New Zealand, Australian, South Korean, North Korean, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Bhutan – USD$30
• Swedish – USD$31
• Italian, Austrian, England, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Spanish, Irish, Swiss, Danish, USA – USD$35
• Indian, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan – USD$40
• Canadian – USD$42
• Chinese – USD$20
• Vietnamese – USD$20

Except those above mention countries visa fees would be USD$30.

There also an additional USD$1 fee payable for processing done on a Saturday, Sunday or on a Public Holiday.

http://www.contiki.com/contikipedia/articles/visa-requirements-laos

Ed is a common thai girl name but often written "At"....strange when youre used to the western male name Ed.

Atom is also a rather strange thai girlie name.....

I had a GF in Vietnam named Tak, my next GF was named Toe. I tried and tried but could not make the trifacta by finding a girl named Tik.

Is Tik a Thai female name? I can't say I recall any ladies named Tik in Thailand.

Yes... I've known multiple Tiks here... My impression is, it's a not uncommon lady's nickname.

One of my friends has a thai wife named Tuktik, often shortend to just Tik. And I have even heard others With that name as well....

There should be a dislike button for this guy. he would have got massive response.....

The interesting journey would be from Thailand to India overland.

Although Burma is opening up there is still trouble with the Naxalites

in India near the Burmese border.

The Burmese will not allow foreigners anywhere near the Indian border.

Anybody have any further information about this?

Your absolutely right here. Its great that Myanmar are about to open up and border crossings will be allowed with own vehicle. The ultimate thing would however be if they allowed foreigners to travel through the whole country with their own vehicles - as in/out from the Indian state of Assam/Nagaland (or what is it?) and then in/out of Thailand somewhere. Many overlanders will drewle upon this possibility....

But I guess one should take one stap at a time and be happy with that.....

Who said border crossings will be allowed with own vehicle? I am pretty sure only passengers can cross from Thailand into Myanmar, but must travel in Myanmar vehicles once inside the country. The current system of applying for advance permission to bring your car or motorcycle across (except for short term 1-day border hopping trips within a few km of the Thai border) will remain, but it's getting easier. A recent Bangkok Post article mentioned that it was becoming straightforward to apply for permission to drive into Myanmar, so you can't just show up at the border and go. I think that perhaps by next year or 2015, it should be possible to drive into Myanmar and travel around the country in your own car without advance permission but right now permission must still be sought in advance.

As for overland travel into India - it has been done this year by some German travelers in their own cars traveling from India to Thailand via Myanmar and Thais/third party foreigners on a caravan tour from Thailand to Bhutan and Nepal via Myanmar and India, but both journeys required a lot of paperwork and advance permission.

Sorry I was into wishful thinking for a moment......

I know about those germans overlanding through Myanmar and I know travelling in Myanmar with own vehicle is possible even today with - as you say - a lot of paperwork and advanced permissions....

The interesting journey would be from Thailand to India overland.

Although Burma is opening up there is still trouble with the Naxalites

in India near the Burmese border.

The Burmese will not allow foreigners anywhere near the Indian border.

Anybody have any further information about this?

Your absolutely right here. Its great that Myanmar are about to open up and border crossings will be allowed with own vehicle. The ultimate thing would however be if they allowed foreigners to travel through the whole country with their own vehicles - as in/out from the Indian state of Assam/Nagaland (or what is it?) and then in/out of Thailand somewhere. Many overlanders will drewle upon this possibility....

But I guess one should take one stap at a time and be happy with that.....

Thanks for the replies so far. Yes realize that some pre-travel arrangements might need to be taken care of and thus I'm starting my research here. I'm driving my own (fully paid for) vehicle which is a new Hyundia H1 van w/two wheel drive in case anyone has advice about road conditions. Naboo what is the DLT?

I had a 14 day travel by motorbike in Laos this february and the road conditions are generally ok. Depends of course where youre going. Its more or less paved everywhere. They are building a new road between Luang Prabang and Vientiane - eg the mountain section nearest Luang Prabang so you can meet some road construction there but it shouldnt be a big problem. It will be a spectacular road when finished.

The biggest safety problem is that Laos roads always cross into almost every village along the way. So be prepared to watch out for children, chicken, cows, goats, mopeds, bicycles, two-wheel tractors and whatever other animal and vehicle.....

Pathetic they are ................ all of them !

All of them?

As far as I can undertand the from article it was only one......

This is supposedly one of the top universities in Thailand. And next to Captain America too!

How sad...

A really and truly academic choice.....

I suggest flying with Kan Airlines Oscar.....http://www.kanairlines.com/web/

It's an experience not be missed ( depending on cloud cover of course ) here's your carriage......

The descent into Mae Hong Son is superb......

The town is lovely, peaceful and has a delightful beat to it. The lake is picturesque and the Burmese style temple next to it is just beautiful. There's another important temple just above the town that gives some excellent views........along the road ( about twenty minutes drive ) there's a Long Neck village which I have mixed thoughts about. I didn't like being charged for entry at the " farang " price, not that I'm tight but there was nothing polite about however once I went in ( with trepidation ) I loved it. My guide was friendly with the villagers and we spent some decent social time with them.

On the road down to the village you'll find working elephants on the way, I thought that was great, and I got out to feed them and mess about with them. The drive down to the village is quite picturesque and the last time I was there the river was quite high so it was great going through the fjords as it crossed the road.

About twenty minutes out of town heading for Pai there's the lovely Fish Cave, again very picturesque, very peaceful and a fabulous way to spend a couple of hours. When I was there the locals were selling fish food from a little pagoda, and I spotted a 6 foot green python slumbering in the rafter, great stuff.

About 20 minutes drive in the other direction towards Mae Sariang there's a delightful restaurant overlooking the paddy fields, nestled between the mountains. When you go down ( I suggest about 6.00pm ) you'll go through one of the police check points which are a feature in this area, about 3 kms beyond that you'll see a dwelling house to your left, the restaurant is behind that. The food was superb, as was the service and the view, a strong recommend.

re where to stay, I've totally forgotten the name of the guest house I was in, it was well positioned and appointed, right in the middle of town, near the temple I mentioned. The majority of the photos I have contain my companions on the trip, if you would like to see more of the area pm me and I'll send them to you.

I totally agree with whats written here. Mae Hong Son is one of the most beautiful and interesting places in the whole of Thailand. (Nan and Loei is very beautiful and interesting as well...)

I would like to suggest that you travel by road one of the ways at least. The scenery and landscape is spectatcular and amazing and its said to be 1864 curves from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son (Northern route via Pai), most of them 180 degree curves or at least very sharp curves..

Not far from Pai there is a huge cave called Tham Lod - wich can visited but only with guides with petrol lamps and boats. This huge cave system was a dwelling place from the several thousands of years ago and many traces from that are to be seen there. There are also enormous stalagmites and stalankites (dripstones) sorry my English skills might not be sufficient describing this cave. You have to enter the cave through a stream (full of fish) by boat and its really a nice and pleasant sight. You need to drive 8-10 km off the main road between Pai and Mae Hong Son to reach Tham Lod.

From Mae Hong Son you can drive a 50-60 km road to visit the Ban Rak Thai - a village near the boarder to Myanmar which is inhabitated by chinese People that are decendents from the Kuonmintang - the People that fighted against the Mao Tse Tung and his Communist movement back in China unrest period. And brush up Your history skills..... ;-) Tea and teahouses are abundant in Ban Rak Thai.

On the way there there are beautiful waterfalls and some detours can be done to visit local People that for example grow coffee and a taste is possible.

Spend a day or two in Pai and in Mae Hong Son - its well worth it.

Move along folks, nothing to see here, just another suicide.

If it is a suicide - which neither you nor anyone else know anything about - shouldnt it be taken notice of or investigated why, how, when etc etc???

^{The qoute of the bar owner was this:}

In my bar the number of Asian customers has gone from 5% to 15%. In a couple of years I'm going to go close the bar and open a new bar that will be all Asian customers, with no farangs allowed. I can't continue in business with people like this."

First of all - would it be legal to open a bar and deny certain people access cause of their skin colour and etnical origin in Thailand?

Secondly - why cant the bar owner continue business? nd who are the "People like this"?

Comgratulations with seven years of sobriety. Thats just fantastic. Hope it lasts....

Seems like overland travel on any road connecting Mae Hong Son and Myanmar would be a pain in the butt. My gal owns a resort there (Mae Hong Son), and it would be nice just to get a stamp for 15 days ...if that service ever gets started. By the way...Is Myanmar worth the trip? I know the temples are a hit, but how are the people? Would be looking for reasonable comfort/good choice in food. I heard its more expensive there. We like some music and dance (traditional) as well. Would fly in out of Bangkok, but do not want to get caught up in a tourist trap (I mean pushy touts, gimmicks, scams, overpriced tours)

I have been in Myanmar once in 2011 and it was a group tour but I can nothing but say that is well worth the trip and cost of it.

Its expensive compared to most other asian countries - probably because there is very little competition.

But I noticed that there were cheaper guesthouses and eateries as well.

Yangoon is an interesting capital and not so overcrowded with people, traffic and pollution as asian capitals often are. Motorbikes are not allowed in the city. Some really nice parks, the very impressing Schwedagon pagoda, interesting markets.

Mandalay - just taste the word - is also interesting. Temples, especially the Mingun pagoda outside Mandalay. The very long wooden bridge so often photografed and which name I for the moment forgot.

Then sail from Mandalay on the Irrawaddy river to Bagan. Its a one day journy starting in early morning and arriving late afternoon. Golden pagodas are shimmering around almost every corner of the mighty Irrawaddy river to an extend that are really breathtaking.

Then Bagan - a place with around 3000 pagodas from the 11 and 12 century spread around in a limited area. Its pagoda spires in litterately everywhere you look. They are from the same era as the Ankor Wat in Cambodia and to me Bagan is a much more impresssing place to visit than Ankor Wat.

Another really nice place is the Inle lake where different etnical tribes has settled and live in and off the huge lake. They have been building houses on stilts where they are living, they are groving fruits and vegetables on artifical islands in the lake, they make handicrafts as weaving, gold and silver smiths.

There are a whole lot of hustle and bustle on the lake. And even some wineries on the hills near the lake.

There are ome really really amasing resorts on the the lakeshore. I have hardly been staying in a more scenic place ever. Just pure magic!

There are guarantied some more nice and interesting places as well and for sure some bad places as well. And many places/regiones foreigners are still not allowed to enter. The beach places in the south shall be nice I have heard.

I didnt see any touts at all and experienced no scams exept maybe paying 50 US dollars for good week of laundry in a luxury hotel in Mandalay which can be done for 5 US dollars in Thailand. But then again - my experiences are from a group tour.

So this is my to cents - and please excuse my lack of correct english here and there...

_{I used to be a Fisherman on a longlining fishing wessel in the North Atlantic sea - out of Northern Norway. This was in the mid to late 80's. Only 50 feet long and no shelter deck the ship was. 12000 hooks to pull and set out pr second day. All kinds of weather during winter - down to minus 15-20 celcius degrees. The shortest stint was 19 hours plus 5 hours steming each way. The worst was <deleted>**in 36 hours on open deck in terrible weather. Then 5 hours steaming to shore which was my duty.....}

_{Today I would probably choose to starve to death if longlining was the other option.}

How sad. RIP to the Austrian.

I know many people of different nationalities who have divorced their Thai wives. In every instance it was because large sums of money were spent, overtime, without the husband understanding where it went. Their wives could not explain it adequately and usually the discussion ended in a row with the wives screeching "you farang, no understand" etc etc. These wives were not all ex bar girls. Some were well educated and had businesses or professional careers before marriage.

Money seems to lead to huge issues here and these Thai wives all reacted very quickly and badly when challenged. It seems from the OP that this lady was prone to use violence.

Correct. As soon as money becomes an issue (or better - before money becomes an issue....) with thai aquintances - get out of it the sooner the better.

"Chicken" meals will now be more expensive in northeast.......

_{Nobody needs russian h***ers and chinese Nationals as guides - neither in Phuket or otker places i Thailand. What totally utter nonsence of the threadstarter.....}

I haven't researched it but there are numerous pitfalls, and almost certainly prohibitive ones, all along the way, even going as a simple tourist. You would need, inter alia and without a vehicle:

1. Plenty of money and advance permission to enter Bhutan from Nepal. Not cheap and as far as I'm aware not a route allowed to tourists.

Nepal and Bhutan has no common border so to enter Bhutan from Nepal is impossible....

Well, if you look at it historically and current culturally, east bengal (Darjeeling / Gantok) was part of Nepal once, and most still speak Nepali. I ride there often just using my 10 year india visa... no problem. But Bhutan will be the nut to crack!

Well - lets not make a big story about this. Anyhow most of the territory between Nepal and Bhutan is called Sikkim (which Gangtok is the provincial Capital of - if I remember right...) And Sikkim is a former Kingdom that until 1975 was an indipendant state. And youre most probably right that Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and East Bengal has a lot of historical and cultural stuff in common.

I dont think Bhutan would be that hard to enter. I rode through parts of Sikkim and through Bhutan last year (entered from Phuntsoling and exited from Samdrup Jongkhar). It was a group tour with everything arranged in advance, but still.... as long as you contact a guide/guide Company in advance and let them arrange it for you - its possible. But it will of course cost some buck.....

I haven't researched it but there are numerous pitfalls, and almost certainly prohibitive ones, all along the way, even going as a simple tourist. You would need, inter alia and without a vehicle:

1. Plenty of money and advance permission to enter Bhutan from Nepal. Not cheap and as far as I'm aware not a route allowed to tourists.

Nepal and Bhutan has no common border so to enter Bhutan from Nepal is impossible....

To go through Myanmar isnt possible yet. To enter Myanmar from the thai side = Mae Sot has just been allowed with lots of paperworks arranged in advance and official reckognised guides riding more or less along you and there has been 3-4 Groups that have done it. But no way you can cross the whole country from India to Thailand. And to go through the northeastern states of India is also difficult as you need special permits, Indian driving licence etc.

It is possible to go through China but also there there is a hell of a lot of paperwork that need to be cleared in advance and expensive guides are mandatory.

But ask Your questiones in the site "Horizons unlimited.com" which is a huge information/forum site for overland travelling or the site "GoldenTriangle riders" that has information about Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam riding.