2013 Solo Ride: Entering Myanmar...

"The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams..." - Oprah Winfrey

Procedure to enter Koh Son and Kawthaung, Myanmar from Ranong, Thailand

1. In Ranong Thailand, the entry to Myanmar is from the Andaman Club Pier. You can leave your vehicle at the secured parking area free of charge.

2. At the Andaman Club Pier, go to the ferry counter and submit your passport for the staff to prepare documentations to be used as border pass or permit to enter Myanmar. The officer will make a photocopy of your passport and attach a two-way ferry tickets to Koh Son, an island at Myanmar border, a half-way point to mainland Myanmar.

3. You can also make a hotel reservation at Andaman Club Resort at Koh Son if you decide to stay a night on the island.

4. At the Thailand Immigration counter, submit your passport for border clearance. They will stamp your passport and collect your arrival/departure white card.

5. After you settled immigration clearance, go to the ferry terminal to board the Andaman Jet Ferry to Koh Son. Keep your passport together with the photocopy of the passport and ferry tickets.

6. Before boarding the ferry, an officer will inspect your documents and collect your ferry ticket. Keep your return ticket together with the photocopy passport. The ferry would take less than 30 minutes to reach the island.

7. Once you reach Koh Son jetty, go to the Myanmar Immigration counter for border clearance. The officer will stamp and retain your passport. A token will be given and this will be used to retrieve back your passport upon departure. You need to go to the next counter to pay B950 for the return ferry tickets and hotel transfers.

8. A van from the Andaman Club Resort will transport you and your luggage to the hotel where you will check-in if you are staying for the night. The room rate is B2900 but you have to pay a refundable deposit of B4000.

9. At the Andaman Club Resort, you can arrange for a half-day tour to Victoria Point or Kawthaung, a town on the southern most part of mainland Myanmar. The tour fee of B450 per person is inclusive of a tour guide, return ferry tickets and transportation to the attractions on the mainland. You have to pay double if there is less than 10 persons in the group.

10. A dedicated tour guide will accompany you on the ferry to mainland Myanmar. The ferry ride will only take 15 minutes. You do not have to submit any documents on arrival at the mainland. On arrival at Kawthaung, a taxi will bring you to places of interests including the King Bayint Naung Memorial, a Buddhist Temple and later an hour of shopping excursion.

11. After the tour, board the ferry back to Koh Son for the night. The Andaman Club Resort is complete with amenities for adults and children. There is a casino, a spa, a beauty salon, adult and children swimming pools, gym and game rooms. There are two restaurants serving buffet as well as ala-carte menu. Room service is also available 24 hours.

12. On departure, at the jetty, go to the Myanmar Immigration counter and present the token to retrieve your passport. The officer will stamp the passport to mark your departure.

13. Board the ferry back to Ranong. On arrival at the jetty, your photocopy passport and return ferry ticket will be collected.

14. Go to the Thailand Immigration counter and present your passport together with the arrival/departure white card. Your passport will be stamped and a copy of the white card will be stapled with your passport.

Note: No visa is needed to enter Myanmar through Ranong.

2013: 01 Phattalung, Thailand

2013 Solo Ride: 01 - Phatthalung

"Being positive in a negative situation is not naive. It's leadership..."

Friday - 20 Dec 2013

Day 01 - KL to Phattalung, Thailand

(Protective boots for the long ride)

This trip was never planned.

Our initial plan to ride early in the morning was bashed. We woke up late and did our last minute packing in the morning. By 0800hrs we were out of our apartment heading north on the PLUS highway. Our first stop was at the petrol station at Bukit Lanjan for refueling and money withdrawal. The weather was good and the sky was clear for a leisurely ride towards Bukit Kayu Hitam.

We stopped at Bukit Gantang rest area for a nasi lemak brunch and bought half kg of longan for snacks. We did not refuel here as the petrol station was closed for renovation. The next stop was at Semanggol R&R for refueling only.

(A short coffee break)

By 1300hrs we were in Changloon. We went to our favorite Chinese Coffee Shop for insurance (Rm12) and money changing business. We requested for 2 sets of arrival/departure white cards (Rm4). It was a Friday, so most of the Malay restaurants were closed. We had a hearty lunch at Yasmeen Nasi Kandar instead.

At Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration we settled border clearance, stamped our passports and submitted our vehicle grant for Custom declaration. It was already 1430hrs when we rode non-stop on Highway 4 to Phattalung.

(The day was sunny and bright)

(Arrived early in Phattalung)

Phatthalung is one of the southern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Satun and Trang.The province is located on the Malay Peninsula. To the east it borders the large shallow Songkhla lake, while the west is covered by mountains of the Nakhon Si Thammarat chain. The Khao Pu - Khao Ya National Park is located in these mountains at the border to Trang.

The majority of the province's populace are Thai Buddhists, although a percentage of the population adhere to the Islamic faith. Many Muslims in Phatthalung have some ethnic Malay ancestry, who have gradually intermarried with the Thais and adopted Thai cultural influences.

Phra Si Mum Mueang is the Buddha image of the South and an auspicious object of worship of Phatthalung. This bronze Buddha image in the posture of meditation is enshrined in a pavilion with four porches on the foreground between the City Hall and Provincial Court of Phatthalung. Ok Thalu Mountain is another symbolic figure of Phatthalung, having a height of around 250 m. There is a flight of stairs leading the way up to the mountaintop overlooking the city of Phatthalung.

We reached Phattalung early and checked in Chaikana Thani Hotel for B700 per night . From the outside, the hotel looks vacated. Once we were inside, the ambiance was nice and cozy. We rested and took a short nap till 1930. We decided not to go out as it was raining heavily. Dinner was a few slices of bread with chili tuna in the room and a cup of hot steaming Nescafe.

(The dining area of the hotel)

(A quiet corridor to the rooms)

To relief tired muscles, we had an hour of Thai massage in the room for only B500 for 2 persons. It was still early when we retired to bed and slept like a log.

        2013: Ranong, Thailand👉

👈2013: Entering Myanmar

2013 Solo Ride: 02 - Ranong

"The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one..."

Saturday - 21 Dec 2013

Day 02: Phatthalung - Ranong

(Dark clouds looming on the horizon)

(The rain helps clean the mud off the bike)

(The front facade of Chaikana Thani Hotel)

(Riding with care on wet slippery road)

We were ready to check out by 0830 but it was raining very heavily. We waited for a while but when the rain did not stop, we put on our rain coats and started riding. 

On the way we stopped at a PTT petrol station to refuel and had our breakfast of halal burger and pizza from 7-eleven. We had a tall glass of iced Coffee from the Cafe Amazon to quench our thirst and cool down our bodies. We continued riding north on Highway 41 towards Chumphon.

(Favorite stop for coffee break)

(Halal pizza from 7-eleven)

(Refueling the KTM to the maximum)

By noon and about another 80km before Chumphon we took the junction towards Highway 4006 to Ranong. It was about 105km of hilly winding road but the road condition was excellent. This road to Ranong reminded me of a mini thousand corners.

(Taking the junction to Ranong)

(Good condition of hilly curvy road)

(Lookout for signage to the right direction) 

(Andaman Club Pier - a welcoming sign)

(The ferry terminal in Ranong)

Ranong is located on the Kra Isthmus, a narrow strip of land that connects Thailand with the Malay Peninsula, on the west of the Phuket mountain range. It has a long coast on the Andaman Sea. The province is known for having the highest rainfall in Thailand, the rainy season there lasting for about eight months.

Ranong is the least populated province; 80% of its area is covered by forests, and 67% is mountainous. The Ranong Biosphere Reserve in the north of Amphoe Kapoe, covering 303.09 km², was declared in 1997. It is the fourth biosphere reserve of Thailand, and the only one at the seacoast to protect the mangrove forests. Khlong Nakha Wildlife Sanctuary is in the south of the province.

After taking the winding road with a few sharp curves, we safely arrived at Ranong town. We rode direct to the ferry terminal at Andaman Club Pier and parked our bike at the secured parking lot. Here we settled documentations for Thailand/Myanmar border crossing and did reservation of hotel on Koh Son island. They made a photocopy of our passports and the ferry return tickets were issued. At this point, no payment was made yet. We had our passports stamped at the Thailand Immigration counter.

(Ready to board the ferry to Koh Son island)

(Full house in the ferry)

(A comfortable short ride)

By 1500 we boarded the Andaman Jet Ferry to cross the Andaman Sea to Koh Son island Myanmar. The ferry ride took less than 30 minutes. Once we reached the island ferry terminal we submitted our passports to the Myanmar Immigration. They retained our passports and will return them when we depart. Here we paid B950 per person for ferry and hotel transfer.

       2013: 03 Koh Son Island, Thailand👉

👈2013: 01 Phattalung, Thailand

2013 Solo Ride: 03 - Koh Son

"If the only tool you have is a hammer, all your problems begin to look like nails..." - Abraham Maslow

Day 03 - 21 Dec 2013

Andaman Club @ Koh Son Island, Mynmar

(A 5-star hotel - The Andaman Club Resort)

(Beautiful swimming pools and landscaping)

(A clean comfortable room)

(A koi pond garden in the hotel)

From the jetty we were transported to Andaman Club Resort by the hotel van. We checked in the hotel at B2900/room. A refundable deposit of B4000 was required. We had to borrow an adapter from the front counter as the socket for electricity in Myanmar is different from Thailand. After we bathed and performed our prayers, we rested for a while.

Andaman Club is a five-star island casino and golf resort in Myanmar. It is located on 730 ha of Thahtay Kyun Island (Koh Son) within the Mergui Archipelago in the Andaman Sea. Directly adjacent to Ranong, in the south of Thailand and to Kawthaung, Myanmar (formerly Victoria Point) is a region famous for its gems, pearls, flora and fauna. The pier is 5 km from the Ranong city centre and it takes 20 minutes to cross the Andaman Sea to the island resort.

It is owned and operated by the VES Group of Thailand, under a long-term concession from the Myanmar government. Its facilities include a 205-room hotel, an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a casino, a water sports and scuba facility, a zoo, a fitness centre, a discothèque-cum-karaoke club, restaurants, a bar lounge, a 24-hour café, a business centre and a duty free shop.

(Tom Yum and vegetable green curry)

(Sweet pineapples for dessert)

Once rested, we had late lunch or early dinner at the Victoria Restaurant. We had white rice with delicious Tom Yum Kung with vegetable green curry. The Tom Yum was deliciously hot and very good.

(The Yuzana Spa at the 1st floor)

(A lingering therapeutic oil massage)

We booked for an aromatherapy massage and Thai massage at Yuzana Spa for B2500 for 2 persons. The combo massage was so therapeutic to the body and mind. And again, tonight we slept very soundly.

     2013: 04 Kawthaung, Myanmar👉 

👈2013: 02 Ranong, Thailand

2013 Solo Ride: 04 - Kawthaung

"The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook..." - William James 

Sunday - 22 Dec 2013

Day 04: Kawthaung (Victoria Point), Myanmar

This morning we had buffet breakfast of cereal, roti canai and fried eggs at Victoria Restaurant. After breakfast, we packed our bags and checked out. We left our bags in the hotel lobby as we planned to go for a tour on the mainland Myanmar.

(Arriving at Myoma Jetty)

(King Byint Naung Memorial)

(A group of tourists from Thailand)

(The golden Aungdawmu Pagoda)

(The Temple Complex on the hill)

Earlier this morning we booked a 2-hour tour to Kawthaung on Myanmar mainland for B450 per person. But one has to pay double if there is less than 10 person in the group. We joined a group of 70 tourists from Thailand and we were accompanied by a tourist guide. The ferry ride to Victoria Point took less than 15 minutes from Koh Son jetty terminal. The tour included a visit to the King Bayint Naung Memorial, a Buddhist Temple and the golden Aungdawmu Pagoda. Ample time was also given for souvenir shopping.

Kawthaung was known as the Victoria Point. It lies on the southern most part of Myanmar. The city is about 800 km from Yangon. Kawthaung retains the atmosphere as a fishing port city. The port lies right to the pointed tip of the Tanintharyi Peninsula.

Nearby Attractions is the Tha Htay Kyun (Koh Son) or Richman's island where the Andaman Club Resort is built. This island has beaches but its coast is too rocky for swimming. The Myeik Archipelago is also an interesting place to explore while one is in Kawthaung. There are nearby interesting islands that can be visited by boat.

(Panoramic view of Victoria Point)

(A Policeman controlling traffic)

(Favorite form of transport)

(A monk in the middle of the road)

(Beware of dangerous potholes)

(Another form of transport)

(Leaving Victoria Point)

By 1300hrs we boarded the Andaman Jet Ferry back to Koh Son island. As the next ferry out to Ranong was at 1430, we have time for an ala-carte lunch at Victoria Restaurant. Later we retrieved our bags from the concierge and took the hotel van to the jetty terminal.

(The Andaman Jet Ferry)

(Arriving at the Andaman Club Pier in Ranong)

(Riding out of Ranong towards Krabi)

(Catching up with a biker from Germany)

At the jetty, we cleared Myanmar Immigration border checks and collected our passports. We then boarded the 1430hrs ferry to Ranong. At the jetty, we went to the Thailand Immigration counter and submitted our passports and arrival/departure white cards for entry stamping.

(A few road blocks on the main highways) 

(Riding the coastal road towards Phuket)

(Lonely road crossing many National Parks)

We started riding towards Krabi via the coastal road on Highway 4 at 1600hrs. Before we left Ranong, we stopped to refuel. If we missed refueling in Ranong there will only be one more petrol station in Kapoe. From Kapoe onwards there is no petrol stations until the next town. In Kapoe we stopped for prayers at one of the many mosques. The highway 4 took us on a hilly winding road through the forest of the National Parks.

After riding for almost 4 hours we reached Krabi around 2000hrs and headed direct to J Mansion Hotel but the rooms there were fully booked. There we met with a few Malaysian bikers who informed us about the bombings that happened this afternoon at the Thailand/Malaysia borders.

We checked-in for the night at Ben Guest House for B1500 per night which is quite expensive for Krabi's standard. As we were very hungry and tired, we rode straight to Restoran Shareefa for a nasi goreng dinner. While having our dinner we updated the kids back home to inform them that we were safe and not affected by the bombings and will ride back to KL tomorrow morning.

        2013: 05 Krabi, Thailand👉

👈2013: 03 Koh Son Island, Myanmar

2013 Solo Ride: 05 - Krabi

"Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together..."

Sunday - 23 Dec 2013

Day 05: Krabi, Thailand

Krabi is on the west coast of southern Thailand at the mouth of the Krabi River where it empties in Phangnga Bay. The town is the capital of Krabi Province. Tourism is an important industry. Facing the Andaman sea, like Phuket, Krabi is subject to a 6-month rainy season between May and November. 

Much of the province has been the seat of several national parks. The top most destinations are Hat Noppharat Thara, Ao Nang, Railay, Ko Phi Phi National Park. Yet over 80 smaller islands such as Koh Lanta, Phi Phi islands - made famous as the ideal location for adventurers, yachtsmen, scuba-divers, snorkelers and day-trippers from Phuket.

(The top floor of Ben Guest House)

(Ao Nang Beach in the morning)

Breakfast was included but it was not ready when we checked-out at 0830hrs. Rode out of town and headed to a muslim warong next to the mosque for a nasi kerabu breakfast.

(Al-Aman Mosque in Krabi)

(Waiting patiently for our nasi kerabu)

By 0900hrs we rode towards the border with a few stops for refueling and rest. There were a few road blocks but the situation along the highway was calm and normal.

At Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration Centre the border clearance was smooth and efficient. We had a late lunch at Jo Cendol. Later we stopped at Semanggol R&R for prayers break. We had another refueling and coffee break at Simpang Pulai before we rode direct to KL.

We arrived at our Putramas Apartment around 2100hrs, safe and sound. Alhamdulillah...

Route taken: KL - Phattalung -Ranong - (Koh Son and Victoria Point, Myanmar) - Krabi - KL

Total mileage: 2,632 km

Next Trip: 2014: Nakhon Si Thamarat & Songkhla Trip