Mahseer

Banded woodpecker spotted in Bang Saphan 2 weeks back. First time in 14 years and hasn't been seen since. IMG_5684.mov

Norden has halibut which is very much worth a look if you can't f&c. Comes with mash & mixed veg. Delightful.

Sorry Simon last one. Anyone who visits Yangon and skips downtown really is missing out.

I spent a couple of mornings just taking photos of the buildings in the 21-48 street area and the vast majority are still occupied despite the various states.

That is how down town Yangon looks specifically streets 21-48. It's the appearance that buildings 100 years old take on when there are insufficient to maintain. Personally I love this area.

Russians tourists typically don't wear suits on holiday. When I visited November 2023 there was a curfew in Yangon so when I revisited July & November 2024 I enquired and was advised there was no longer a curfew. If you have nothing to contribute..........

No curfew in Yangon at present and it's a great place to visit despite extensive troubles elsewhere in the country. As for safety wandered downtown daily on my own up to midnight and never an issue but that's just one persons experience. Tourism is about non existent at present but did come across couple of groups of Russians but they were likely in town on business. As for power outages as others have stated it's a way of line of life and the day there wasn't a power cut would likely make headlines (if allowed).

Similar view to the Excelsior my hotel of choice in Rangoon. Love the place and the view.

Kalaw is still excellent. Was there last November (after visiting Taunggyi for the balloon festival) and it still retains all the charm. Needless to say didn't see a single tourist the 4 days I was there.

The term 'black market' is slightly misleading and indicates deals can be done with shady characters which can be the case today around Sule pagoda in Rangoon but the exchange place I use is in Bogyoke market and is wide open for all to see so assumably operating legally. Best of luck with your projects.

There are two rates in Burma. The official rate used by banks and the black market rate. The latter did peak at just over 7,000/$ earlier this year but has been steady around the 4300-4600 level for past 6 months. Crisp $ bills required,

This was in response to China taking sides by offering the junta a $2billion line of credit.

Yes I recall and responsibility of a group headed by rapper named Phyo Zeya Thaw who became a politician and was a firm favourite of Aung San Suu Kyi before he became disillusioned after realising that little could be done for change without the nod of those in uniform. He resigned and took up the gun but was rounded up and hung in July 2022. His body was never released to his family. There is an excellent documentary on his life made by ARTE.tv called 'The Rapper Politician - Myanmar's Zayar Thaw'. You need a VPN to watch in Thailand.

Bogyoke Market in Rangoon is indeed still open 6 days a week but activity is greatly reduced and a lot of the stalls that are open tend to close early afternoon. The city itself is unaffected by atrocities elsewhere and life goes on with just the occasional barbed wire fence here and there but very little evidence of those that rule on the streets. Just back from 2 weeks staying downtown and thoroughly enjoy being there and found a fabulous hotel between street 31&33 named Yangon Excelsior stunning value for $55. Some of the major hotels such as Shangri La & Pullman remain closed but plenty others open and vast majority of restaurants are operational. Anyone tempted there is about a dozen flights a day from Bangkok and additional from Chiang Mai. E visa typically issued next day which is valid for 3 months and good for 28 day stay. Safe travels.

Many thanks for the reply. I initially posted in Chiang Mai forum then here after no luck but eventually found a restorer at a hotel in Chiang Mai. appreciate the input.

Mac Cafe Santitham normally has most of what you list.

Simon, your $ conversion rate is odd. Official rate is around 2000/$ and black market in Rangoon 4400/$ and although no doubt slightly lower in Mandalay yours works out at 3200/$.

Chin State. Only visited twice and likely will never get the opportunity to visit again but I live in hope. Can be tricky to get there once the rains arrive but so worth the effort.

Wouldn't call it proof but there's certainly indications such as: Does Cambodia tax worldwide income? An individual is deemed to be a Cambodian resident if he is domiciled in or has a principal place of abode in Cambodia or is present in Cambodia for more than 182 days during the calendar year. Cambodian residents are taxed on their worldwide salary income. Vietnamese citizens and foreigners (non-Vietnamese citizens) who are deemed tax residents of Vietnam are subject to personal income tax on their worldwide income at the progressive tax rate from 5 percent to 35 percent. The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnam Dong (VND).

Check if Cambodia & Vietnam are considering going the same tax route as here pretty sure they are. Philippines aren't at least for the time being. India allows 180 days a year for many nationalities and has so much to offer just need to ignore all the negativity and jump the occasional turd.

Was in Taunggyi last November for the Tazaungdaing Festival which involves sending up hot air balloons some with fireworks attached the largest of which had to be 10mts tall with a gondola packed with enough fireworks to last fully 10 minutes. Incredible for first timers unless they have any association with health & safety. Taunggyi still considered safe to visit last month. C0220.mov

For anyone tempted to visit Burma aside from Mandalay Rangoon is perfectly safe with just the odd barbed wire barricade outside a building or two. Have visited 3 times in the past year and will visit again next month if I can get permission to travel to Keng Tung. Other tourist cities which are presently open includes Bagan, Kalaw & Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake) along with the beach areas to the west of Rangoon but don't expect to see more than the occasional tourist in any of them. Direct flights to Rangoon from Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Be safe folks.

"Could you possibly provide more order detail?" Yes I could and did then "Customs requested change duty rate 30%". Delightful and needless to say no link/instruction given how to pay. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow.

Sin$260. I received a mail from them checking if a low value had been declared. Sent them proof of payment for Sin$260 and nothing back yet. I have yet to forward passport copy. Stay tuned folks.

That simple? I'll give it a go, thanks.