Questions about Myanmar

[mzzrrt]

Hello, I've a few questions about Myanmar. I just couldn't find clear answers to these questions.

I read that several thai-myanmar borders are opened, and tourists can travel from Thailand to Myanmar.

>Can I travel overland from Thailand to Myanmar, and then get to Yangon overland using bus/taxi? if so, what is best border to cross.

>Once in Yangon, can I get to Mandalay by train?

all this without a guide, but only with a valid visa.

And I have another question, I read that you can't actually travel freely in the country, and that you need a guide to do certain things...

Is there a place where I can find where can I go, and where I can't? and whether a guide is compulsory or not.

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Last question,

Are there any news about the Mandaly-Imphal bus service?

I read several articles and topics, this one is very interesting:

http://news.oneindia.in/india/inter-country-bonding-new-bus-services-between-india-myanmar-1305113.html

"4 mini buses with capacity of 36 passengers each will ply 4 times a week" "one way fare 63 US dollars"

>Would this be open to tourists? (if not at the moment, is this bus project open also to tourists, or just to locals?)

In fact, that's what I want to do actually, overland...

Thailand-Yangon, Yangon-Mandalay, Mandalay-Imphal

I read many people on forums saying that it's impossible, but with the last news it seems like things are changing.

THANK YOU

[rak sa_ngop]

Suggest you look at the TV Myanmar Travel forum and ask your questions there.

Certainly travel by train from Yangon to Mandalay is an option, but your other questions need up-to-date information from Myanmar residents or recent travellers.

My last visit to Yangon two months ago highlighted how much internet information is just copied from travel forum to travel forum and is years out-of-date.

[mzzrrt]

Yeah you're right, in fact I decided to contact directly embassies, hotels, guides... whatever applies!

People that are there and know what's going on.

Thankfully, people are happy to answer

thanks for your reply

[phazey]

I seem to remember SVB taking the train from Yangon to Mandalay - sounded a very pleasant experiance.

I've done the journey by car - stoping overnight in Nay Pyi Daw. No complaints even if the behind got a bit sore (this was before the highway was open).

[Tomtomtom69]

Just below your post there is a whole thread about the opening of 4 Thai-Myanmar crossings that occurred almost 3 months ago now. So while I think you could have answered your own question by simply taking a look at that thread rather than asking the same question that has already been answered here you are:

Yes, you can enter overland from Thailand and proceed all the way to Yangon, Mandalay and even the Chinese border. The Chinese border post Muse/Ruili will only open to independent travellers sometime early next year, at this stage though.

Crossing the Indian border is only possible with a permit in advance, even though you can now apparently go all the way to the border post from either side without a permit. Therefore, I'm surprised about this bus service being possible under current regulations as there have never been any cross-border services to Myanmar in the past and I was unaware that a locals only border like the Indian border allowed travel further into the country without being first designated as an international crossing (on other travel forums, Indians have remarked how they were only allowed to visit the Burmese border town on Tamu on day visits and not travel beyond the border). It may be possible that this new bus service is only for Indian citizens, though that will change in time.

Generally no guides are required anymore. Strangely, going with a guide is not an option even for restricted areas, though if you know somebody such as a sergeant in a rebel army, you might be able to go anyway, but it would be very risky if in an area where there is still fighting.

At this stage, getting from Thailand (say Bangkok or Chiang Mai) to Yangon and then Mandalay overland is very easy and best done via Mae Sot/Myawady or Thee Khee/Phu Nam Ron (if coming from Bangkok) with travel back through one of these two crossings, or via Ranong/Kawthoung. But I doubt you will easily be able to arrange further travel into India at this time. Maybe in 1-2 years, but not now.