Travelling from Bangkok to Myanmar

Hi

I will be in Bangkok, and want to travel to Myanmar. Can I get a visa for this in Bangkok and if so a) how long does it take? b) what do I need ( besides a passport, of course and c) will I need to have hotels that I plan to stay at in Myanmar, and an itinerary before a visa is issued?

I know that the process was just revamped recently--so if anyone who has RECENTLY done this can advise, that would be great. Thanks guys!!

T

Travelling from Bangkok to Myanmar

Hi, You will need two passport photos, two photocopies of your passport. If you have a booking with a hotel tell them which one and say you intend to travel around with a driver recommended by the hotel.They will issue your visa within 4 working days at their embassy in Bangkok. If you ask for 7 days you will only get 7 days.

Only the biggest hotels will accept c/cards. At the aiport the exchange rate was very poor ask your driver if you trust him to help you change money I stayed at the Strand in Yangon it was fantastic, ignore the website prices, ask for a deal in US$, i got a 65% discount. At the airport in Burma they will take-away your mobile and laptop for the duration of your stay and so i suggest you inform your embassy of your arrival and departure. If you want more info feel free to contact me,

Ps prepare to be amazed its a stunning country, i will return asap.

Travelling from Bangkok to Myanmar

Hey! Thanks for the response....

Question: Some people say that Burma is not as interesting as Vietnam or Laos...thoughts?

Also, I am not sure what you mean about 4 or 7 day thing...do I only get the visa for a max of 7 days?? I thought it was a 28 day visa?

Thanks again.

Coastal,

';At the airport in Burma they will take-away your mobile and laptop for the duration of your stay and so i suggest you inform your embassy of your arrival and departure.';

Is it true ? Is it happen to you or you heard from some one ??For me it my first time to hear that. As far as I know, never. Please advise.

Hi TB

Go to the Burmese embassy in Bangkok with the aforementioned paperwork %26amp; photos. Your visa should take no longer than 3days, on some cases for an extra charge you can even pick it up on the same day, I%26#39;ve met lots of travellers here lately who have done this.

As for your phone %26amp; laptop, I have never heard of anyone having theirs confiscated at the airport. Maybe this happened a while ago to a few people but I havn%26#39;t heard of this happening for a long time. For one, your phone won%26#39;t work here unless you buy a sim card locally.

As for being not as interesting as Laos %26amp; Vietnam, it all depends what you are looking for. Here you have the beautiful Inle Lake in the Shan State where you can hire a boat with a driver for the day, Nyaung Shwe is a small town right on the lake where you%26#39;ll meet loads of other travellers. From here you can organise trekking, staying overnight at locals houses, visit the caves in Pindaya tec. Just google a few names, Bagan, Mandalay, Mt Popa,Kyaiktiyo( the golden rock),Ngapali with it%26#39;s pristine uncrowded beaches, %26amp; this is without getting off the beaten track. Take the Bhamo-Mandalay boat, one of the most beautiful boat rides here. Most of all, you%26#39;re in the most friendliest, safest country in SE Asia,Laos %26amp; Vietnam it certainly ain%26#39;t but your travelling experience here will be one you%26#39;ll never forget.

Just one last thing while I%26#39;m waffling on. No need to ask your taxi driver where to change money. You can either do it at your hotel in Yangon when you arrive or head straight to the Bogyote Market, also known as the Scott Market, it%26#39;s smack dab in the middle of town so you can%26#39;t miss it. Don%26#39;t worry about finding money changers, they%26#39;ll find you.

Enjoy

When i visited Myanmar in October 2008 the visa section at the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok were convinced at first that i was a journalist hence the warning about phone and laptop i guess, but if the phone wont work anyway why take it? I understand local sim cards are very expensive and not of much use. I stand by my comments about changing money and i would advise against taking money to change at Scott market or any other market, it is illegal for locals to have foreign currency without a licence. As a single traveller in Myanmar i had no problems there and used a driver who had previously (Feb 2008) been driving Robert Plant on his holiday there.

His name is Phyo he works for the Golden Swallow Transportation Co at Yangon airport E-mail gsphyo@gmail.com

I have been to Laos,Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand and it is wrong to compare, Myanmar is so different, i dont know how long you wish to stay there but it is a wonderful country. I shall return and try to stay for at least a month.

How much money might it cost in Bangkok to request an expedited FIT visa? I%26#39;m going next Tuesday and want to fly from Bangkok to Yangon as soon as I can upon arrival, preferably next Thursday as to get on with my adventure.

I%26#39;m not living and working in my home country and not near a Myanmar embassy so I couldn%26#39;t get it ahead of time.

Is it warm pleasant Sunny weather in Bagan at this time of the year? I know it is at Ngapali beach as it%26#39;s got coconut palms.

Thanks for your advice. Happy travels in your future trips.

Thanks Coastal7. For the sim card plaeas see this . Government just introduce pre-paid card.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294190-i9408-k240鈥?/a>

Sorry Coastal, I would have to disagree with you. Most independent travellers that pass through Burma change their money at the Scott Market, this is the central hub for money changing. But, I would advise about changing money by the Sule Pagoda %26amp; near the Sukura Tower where you will be approached on the street, there has been alot of complaints about slight of hand %26amp; short changing.

You are right about having dollar bills is illegal, but this is Burma %26amp; this is not enforced at all. All expat, UN, diplomatic staff, be it housekeepers, cooks, drivers all get paid in dollars %26amp; have it changed on the black market without no trouble. Money can be changed at hotels but you%26#39;ll more than likely get a lower rate than that of the market. You can alway change it legally at the goverement rate, which I believe is about 6kyat at the moment.

Hi...T,

I do not have some new saying..,

But I have to say welcome to Burma,

Yes,28 days that not enough in beauty land of Buddha land Burma,

but if you need to know some please ask me..,

happy and free

Just returned.

The old days of declaring lap tops, mobiles and blackberries are gone-Yangon customs are no longer interested.

However I would recommend you declare any valuable watches,rings or jewelry at Customs (easy,red channel-no hastle) so they are not queried on departure.The one thing that Customs are concerned about is gem smuggling as it avoids government duty.