Mergui - Myeik

[superyacht]

I/m looking at visitng Mergui sometime soon, what is there to do there?

I realise its a bit out of season, flights from Yangon are are journey in themselves. I think Mergui is being missed in regards to the Archipelago. Tourists so far have ventured up from Thailand through Kawtaung.

So does anyone have places to go, hotels and resturants to visit?

look forward to hearing your ideas

John F.

[SeaVisionBurma]

Hi John,

You probably came to the right place to ask about Myeik.

I have probably spent more time in this town than other foreigners - I worked out of Myeik for 7 straight years, and I do have a soft spot for this seldom visited place.

A lot of interesting history about the town - it was part of the Siam Kingdom for the better part of 5 centuries through to the 18th century.

It was a trading port in an unusual way - ships would arrive there, and goods were transported up the Tennasserim River, and then up over the mountains & over to the gulf, before heading up to Ayuthaya.

For a time it was governed by an Englishman named Samuel White (who was appointed the Shebandah of Mergui by the King of Siam).

He became something of a pirate, and looted a number of ships there before being overthrown.

If you are interested - head to Inwa Books on Pansodan street in Yangon and buy a copy of Siamese White, by Maurice Collis (Collis was Myeik's governor under British rule in the late 19th century). Very interesting to read.

As for Myeik today - it is a bustling trading and fishing port, and is becoming more important as the old trade route over to Thailand is re-established.

There are a few hotels/guest houses in Myeik. The longest running is Palei Mon - the hotel adjoining the golf course at the northern end of Myeik Airport's runway. Not sure if it has been renovated recently (I haven't been there in a few years) - it was getting quite run down.

Dolphin Guest house is halfway in to town - set up by the French who had fisheries interests in the town over a decade ago.

There are a few other smaller guest houses, and I imagine some more have sprung up in the last couple of years.

There is a famous local dish called "Katchi-kaik" (meaning 'cut with scissors') - a seafood noodle with chick peas that is known throughout Myanmar. It is a Myeik specialty, and worth trying - usually for breakfast or lunch.

Lots of good eating, plenty of good seafood - local restaurants are simple but I've never had a bad meal in Myeik.

Just near the main jetty near the waterfront market is Shwe Mon - a favourite lunch time eatery for locals.

I had a friend visit Myeik recently, and he said that there was a really good waterfront redevelopment taking place (I'll try to find the photos and post later).

They have made a seaside promenade, and a new shopping centre.

As for cultural and historical points of interest - I can think of several which make good visiting points for tourists:

- the old Japanese cemetery with WWII gravestones

- an old building along the main waterfront which has been taken over by nesting swallows (the nests are harvested for birds nest soup)

- the gravesite on top of the hill overlooking the harbour - in the grounds of the old governor's residence (Maurice Collis' house) you can find the gravesites from the time of Samuel and Mary White

- the Pagoda on the same hilltop over looking the harbour gives a wonderful view

- walks around the town are interesting in themselves - local daily life, old buildings etc

Hope the above helps as a start. I'll try to dig out some photos of the town to post.

SVB

[Halfaboy]

Thank you very much SeaVisionBurma. Very interesting read and many useful tips. My 'to visit' list of Myanmar places becomes longer and longer.

Looking forward for oictures.

(in fact i was waiting fro your reply).....

[superyacht]

Thanks SVB,

Great report, I have been to Kawtaung a few times and the Archipelago but not Myeik yet. I hear there is a new shopping, but the development of Myanmar seems to be passing the south at the moment.

There are many people looking at investing but the logistics will prove challenging, i just hope they develop it the rightway

Look forward to the photos

John

[SeaVisionBurma]

Better late than never to catch up on this thread.

For those who were after some photos which capture the Myeik area and the Mergui Archipelago quite well (including some nice information) - have a look at:

http://www.seal-superyachts.com/superyacht-agent-myanmar/guide/

http://www.seal-superyachts.com/superyacht-agent-myanmar/guide/2/

Myanmar Times (Stuart Deed) published an interesting article on Myeik a couple of days ago, I will post a link on this as a new topic as it makes for a good discussion point.

[hyperdimension]

I was thinking of going to Myeik from Krabi early next year. What are the options?

Is the following possible and how long would each segment take?

1. Bus from Krabi to Ranong

2. Cross border to Kawthoung

3. Bus from Kawthoung to Myeik

[SeaVisionBurma]

I was thinking of going to Myeik from Krabi early next year. What are the options?

Is the following possible and how long would each segment take?

1. Bus from Krabi to Ranong

2. Cross border to Kawthoung

3. Bus from Kawthoung to Myeik

Not sure about 1. You can get a bus to Phuket, and then a bus to Ranong - not sure if there is a direct service.

2. Takes about 30 minutes from Ranong's Sapan Pla jetty (where Thailand Immigration is located) to Kawthoung waterfront. Allow a few more minutes if there are a lot of pax on the boat, as you need to stop for a couple of immigration & customs checks on the way out of the river on the Thai side through Paknam.

3. See this post here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663321-four-overland-myanmar-thai-border-crossings-to-open-date-set-as-28th-august/page-4?p=6932539#entry6932539

There is no bus service or way of travelling overland from Kawthoung to Myeik. You need to go by fast ferry - takes 6 hours.

Hope this helps