South Thailand / Ranong / Entry to Myanmar (Burma)

Opposite Ranong, on the other side of the Fjord separating Thailand and Myanmar (Burma), is Victoria Point, a small township only, but the southernmost town of Myanmar.

Victoria Point is not Burmese mainland; it is located on a small island (in Burmese called Kaw Thoung, in Thai referred to as Ko Song) in the mouth of a wide Fjord opening into the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean.

Southern Myanmar, of which Victoria Point is the southernmost point, is geographically connected to the Burmese mainland, but not in matters of transportation. The nearest Burmese cities worthy to be called cities, Tenasserim and Mergui are more than 300 kilometres to the north. On the dirt roads which are the only roadways in the area, it would take four days to a week to cover the distance.

Thais and Burmese have, rather unhindered, for years been travelling back and forth between Ranong and Victoria Point and never gave much about border crossing regulations. Shopping used to be, and is, the reason for these short trips into the neighbouring country.

The Burmese come to Ranong, as they did for decades, to buy medicine and other goods for their daily needs. The Thais, nowadays, go to Victoria Point to buy cheap Western cigarettes, beer and spirits, which are bought duty-free in Singapore and then shipped to Victoria Point.

Although at the present, Victoria Point is famous for its market of rather harmless smuggled goods, there are much sought-after Burmese products for sale, such as gem stones. Victoria Point also used to be a market for ivory.

Traditionally, the Burmese authorities have never been much concerned about Thais entering Myanmar. But until recently, other foreigners, especially Western foreigners were not allowed to visit Victoria Point.

The times have changed: By now, it is perfectly legal for Western foreigners to enter Myanmar from Ranong for short stays. But they have to join a tourist party for that purpose.

All a Western tourist needs to enter Burma is a passport. The passport is photocopied and a border pass is then issued. A Burmese visa is not required to join a tour to Victoria Point.

Participants of such Myanmar tours receive no entry or exit stamps from Burmese or Thai authorities. This means that the validity of a Thailand visa is not compromised by the short trip to Burma.