Thai Smile Now Flying Between Mandalay And Bangkok

[SeaVisionBurma]

from Don Ross, TTR Weekly

Miles of smiles to Mandalay

BANGKOK, 17 April 2013: It seems like a thousand moons have waxed and waned since I was last in Mandalay so when THAI Smile invited me to join the inaugural flight to Myanmar’s second city I accepted.

Yes I knew it would mean I would have to say something nice about THAI Smile, but that turned out to be easy enough. Three smiling cabin attendants dressed in brilliant orange uniforms were assigned to escort us for the duration of the trip. We were treated to permanent manicured smiles regardless of the weather conditions. No wonder the press release noted the uniforms “draw customer attention.”

Then THAI Smile has seven brand new 168-seat A320s in its fleet and that will grow to 10 this year, 17 next and 20 by 2015.

It flies five weekly services between Bangkok and Mandalay and promises to turn the heat up on arch rival Thai AirAsia, by lifting frequency to daily this October.

Full article here: http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2013/04/miles-of-smiles-to-mandalay/

[IsaanUSA]

Link doesn't work, but for anybody reading this thread, please note that Thai Smile flies to Mandalay out of Suvarnabhumi. Air Asia flies to Mandalay out of Don Mueang.

[SeaVisionBurma]

Link in the OP working fine for me, both with Chrome and with IE.

[maidu]

anything flying to Mandalay from Chiang Mai? there used to be a, but I don't think there is now. thanks.

[Tomtomtom69]

anything flying to Mandalay from Chiang Mai? there used to be a, but I don't think there is now. thanks.

Not right now it seems, but if THAI Smile is smart and finally realizes that not everyone wants to transit in Bangkok first, I think we could eventually see a direct Chiang Mai-Mandalay flight operated by them, possibly by next year or so.

[maidu]

anything flying to Mandalay from Chiang Mai? there used to be a, but I don't think there is now. thanks.

Not right now it seems, but if THAI Smile is smart and finally realizes that not everyone wants to transit in Bangkok first, I think we could eventually see a direct Chiang Mai-Mandalay flight operated by them, possibly by next year or so.

I hope so. I've also inquired, with Burmese flight/travel agents, about getting to Putao, which is their northernmost large town. Some say a farang can get a flight there, but must fly out of Yangon. However, there's a hefty fee for farang (yes, we with the pointy noses and hairy arms) to disembark at Putao. Several thousand $$'s (can't recall the exact amount). It's worse than double-pricing, and puts a black spot on Burmese leaders pretending to open Burma to the world.

I've also heard that a farang can take a train all the way up there (or boat / train combo), and could possibly get around the extortionist fee for visiting a region known as 'The Switzerland of Asia.' Personally, I'd like to climb SE Asia's highest peak, which is in that region. There have been claims that Vietnam or Malaysia has the highest peak, but Burma has it - though I can't recall its name.

[Tomtomtom69]

anything flying to Mandalay from Chiang Mai? there used to be a, but I don't think there is now. thanks.

Not right now it seems, but if THAI Smile is smart and finally realizes that not everyone wants to transit in Bangkok first, I think we could eventually see a direct Chiang Mai-Mandalay flight operated by them, possibly by next year or so.

I hope so. I've also inquired, with Burmese flight/travel agents, about getting to Putao, which is their northernmost large town. Some say a farang can get a flight there, but must fly out of Yangon. However, there's a hefty fee for farang (yes, we with the pointy noses and hairy arms) to disembark at Putao. Several thousand $$'s (can't recall the exact amount). It's worse than double-pricing, and puts a black spot on Burmese leaders pretending to open Burma to the world.

I've also heard that a farang can take a train all the way up there (or boat / train combo), and could possibly get around the extortionist fee for visiting a region known as 'The Switzerland of Asia.' Personally, I'd like to climb SE Asia's highest peak, which is in that region. There have been claims that Vietnam or Malaysia has the highest peak, but Burma has it - though I can't recall its name.

Well all foreigners get overcharged more in Myanmar/Burma than any other country in Asia, if not the world. And I'm talking about government mandated dual pricing. While other countries have eliminated dual pricing on flights and hotels etc. Myanmar has merely made the gap smaller than it used to be, but it's a racist policy nonetheless and the airlines/hotels etc. practicing this policy actually lose money by subsidizing locals. My understanding is that foreigners pay the "real price", while locals are subsidized, not the other way round. Although I have never flown domestically in Myanmar, I seem to recall a 15,000 Kyat or US$15 airfare for locals on a flight from Tachilek? to Mandalay a few years ago, while foreigners were charged US$79. Given that probably only an average of 1-2 foreigners a day would have ever made it onto that flight, plus there probably would never have been many locals either, clearly this airline and others like it were losing a lot of money...and what for?

I heard that a permit is not required anymore for Putao, so it's unlikely that $$$ would still be required. I think the hefty charge you are referring to, is for the permit that used to be required. On lonely planet's thorntree forum there are a number of reports of travelers that have traveled to Putao since the permit requirement was removed. Apparently the town itself is not that interesting - but for trekking and other activities outside of Putao a permit is still required (do a search and see what you find).

I am not sure how you can reach Putao by air, but likely either from Mandalay or Yangon only. I doubt there would be flights linking Putao and any other city in Myanmar due to low demand.

Highest peak in Myanmar is 5889m and called Hkapabo Razi I think - it's located close to the Indian-Chinese (Tibet)-Myanmar borders.

Edited May 12, 2013 by Tomtomtom69

[Tomtomtom69]

OP, I flew on this THAI Smile flight from Mandalay to Bangkok at the end of April, after having originally flown into Myanmar on a THAI flight to Yangon. I was surprised how empty the plane was - barely half the flight was full and there weren't many tourist travelers on the flight on that day. Many of the Burmese passengers were medical tourists, while there were a few Thai businessmen as well. Strange that there were so few western travelers on that particular flight though - the THAI Yangon flights are packed with western tourists and business travelers.

[SeaVisionBurma]

Personally, I'd like to climb SE Asia's highest peak, which is in that region. There have been claims that Vietnam or Malaysia has the highest peak, but Burma has it - though I can't recall its name.

Correct - the peak is called Hkakabo Razi (there are various different spellings). Accessible from Putao (in fact it can be seen from there). Not sure of the height - will see if I can find some info. It is the highest peak in the SE Asia region.

[maidu]

What an odd name: Hkakabo Razi, or maybe it's the transliteration is odd. It's located differently on two maps. One has it east of Putao, and another has it NW. I think NW is closer to correct. I hear it was first summited by a Japanese climber on his 2nd attempt.

There's another mountain I've thought of climbing: it's in Irian Jaya, Indonesia (am too lazy to google this morning). It's supposedly the highest peak between the Himalayas and the Andes. Supposedly, a permit is needed to trek to, and climb it, though I wrote to the Indonesian embassy, asking about that, and rec'd no response. Probably just typical of SE Asian bureaucrats. Their creed: "Do as little as possible and still get wages and retirement benefits."

[IsaanUSA]

OP, I flew on this THAI Smile flight from Mandalay to Bangkok at the end of April, after having originally flown into Myanmar on a THAI flight to Yangon. I was surprised how empty the plane was - barely half the flight was full and there weren't many tourist travelers on the flight on that day. Many of the Burmese passengers were medical tourists, while there were a few Thai businessmen as well. Strange that there were so few western travelers on that particular flight though - the THAI Yangon flights are packed with western tourists and business travelers.

The route just launched (hence this thread).

[mingalaba]

What an odd name: Hkakabo Razi, or maybe it's the transliteration is odd.

Why would it be odd? Hkakabo Razi is Kachin language. They use the same letters as English language.

[mingalaba]

anything flying to Mandalay from Chiang Mai? there used to be a, but I don't think there is now. thanks.

Not right now it seems, but if THAI Smile is smart and finally realizes that not everyone wants to transit in Bangkok first, I think we could eventually see a direct Chiang Mai-Mandalay flight operated by them, possibly by next year or so.

I hope so. I've also inquired, with Burmese flight/travel agents, about getting to Putao, which is their northernmost large town. Some say a farang can get a flight there, but must fly out of Yangon. However, there's a hefty fee for farang (yes, we with the pointy noses and hairy arms) to disembark at Putao. Several thousand $$'s (can't recall the exact amount). It's worse than double-pricing, and puts a black spot on Burmese leaders pretending to open Burma to the world.

I've also heard that a farang can take a train all the way up there (or boat / train combo), and could possibly get around the extortionist fee for visiting a region known as 'The Switzerland of Asia.' Personally, I'd like to climb SE Asia's highest peak, which is in that region. There have been claims that Vietnam or Malaysia has the highest peak, but Burma has it - though I can't recall its name.

Well all foreigners get overcharged more in Myanmar/Burma than any other country in Asia, if not the world. And I'm talking about government mandated dual pricing. While other countries have eliminated dual pricing on flights and hotels etc. Myanmar has merely made the gap smaller than it used to be, but it's a racist policy nonetheless and the airlines/hotels etc. practicing this policy actually lose money by subsidizing locals. My understanding is that foreigners pay the "real price", while locals are subsidized, not the other way round. Although I have never flown domestically in Myanmar, I seem to recall a 15,000 Kyat or US$15 airfare for locals on a flight from Tachilek? to Mandalay a few years ago, while foreigners were charged US$79. Given that probably only an average of 1-2 foreigners a day would have ever made it onto that flight, plus there probably would never have been many locals either, clearly this airline and others like it were losing a lot of money...and what for?

Last time I bought two flight tickets (Myanma Airways) Mandalay to Myitkyina and the ticket for me was just as expensive as the ticket for the local. The difference was just a few USD. If I remember right it was 55.000 MMK for a local and 68 USD for a foreigner. You do the math...

Same goes for most routes... There used to be a big difference in flight tickets for locals and foreigners back when the USD was worth 1100 Myanmar Kyats. Nowadays its just about 850 so the difference is not too big anymore. Same goes for Hotels...

Regarding Putao:

It´s is recently been opened for foreigners. It only used to be open for foreigners that get a guide and a permit. But even now you still need a guide/permit for leaving Putao and going out into the mountains. So basically it´s only open if you are planning to stay within the town, which is useless as the town Putao is not having any sights.

Only way to reach Putao is by plane.. The road from Myitkyina (which is reachable by train) is in a very bad condition and not open for foreigners. I have been told getting from Putao to Myitkyina by car can take up to a week.

Edited May 13, 2013 by mingalaba

[maidu]

Are there internal border checks around Putao? There are, around Tachilek and Keng Tung in Shan State, the two towns I'm familiar with. Am pretty sure the perimeter border checks around towns are for Burmese as well as farang, and they probably exist around many towns and cities throughout Burma. Too bad. It's a measure of the continuing paranoia/police state of a country, if authorities feel compelled to put internal border crossings around towns.

[mingalaba]

Are there internal border checks around Putao? There are, around Tachilek and Keng Tung in Shan State, the two towns I'm familiar with. Am pretty sure the perimeter border checks around towns are for Burmese as well as farang, and they probably exist around many towns and cities throughout Burma. Too bad. It's a measure of the continuing paranoia/police state of a country, if authorities feel compelled to put internal border crossings around towns.

You will have to use a airplane, in this case the local immigration is registering you upon arrival at Putao. But that´s not a big deal.

There are in general no checkpoints which you have to go through to enter/leave cities. Anyways, there are exceptions. Sometimes there are checkpoints in areas in which an rebel army is active, ie parts of Shan and Kachin state. I think there are checkpoints around Tachilek because it´s a border town. No idea about Putao...Apart from the places close to the war between the army of the central government and the KIA most cities Kachin state do not have these checkpoints.

Edited May 14, 2013 by mingalaba

[Tomtomtom69]

Are there internal border checks around Putao? There are, around Tachilek and Keng Tung in Shan State, the two towns I'm familiar with. Am pretty sure the perimeter border checks around towns are for Burmese as well as farang, and they probably exist around many towns and cities throughout Burma. Too bad. It's a measure of the continuing paranoia/police state of a country, if authorities feel compelled to put internal border crossings around towns.

You will have to use a airplane, in this case the local immigration is registering you upon arrival at Putao. But that´s not a big deal.

There are in general no checkpoints which you have to go through to enter/leave cities. Anyways, there are exceptions. Sometimes there are checkpoints in areas in which an rebel army is active, ie parts of Shan and Kachin state. I think there are checkpoints around Tachilek because it´s a border town. No idea about Putao...Apart from the places close to the war between the army of the central government and the KIA most cities Kachin state do not have these checkpoints.

Checkpoints exist in areas which are considered dangerous - if foreigners aren't allowed into these areas checkpoints stop foreigners from entering such areas. If there are no checkpoints you can enter.

[Tomtomtom69]

Are there internal border checks around Putao? There are, around Tachilek and Keng Tung in Shan State, the two towns I'm familiar with. Am pretty sure the perimeter border checks around towns are for Burmese as well as farang, and they probably exist around many towns and cities throughout Burma. Too bad. It's a measure of the continuing paranoia/police state of a country, if authorities feel compelled to put internal border crossings around towns.

I have noticed checkpoints outside nearly every city in Myanmar including Yangon and Mandalay, so there's no doubt that they're there. However, the vast majority of these checkpoints are there for local security, traffic enforcement or similar reasons and generally have little to do with foreigners moving around the country as most of the country is now open to foreigners anyway. In many cases you won't even notice these checkpoints as they rarely stop anyone. However, as mentioned, in dangerous areas checkpoints will stop you from entering - that's what they're there for.