Travel from Thailand to Kentung

Hi All,

I%26#39;m in northern Thailand at the moment and I am contemplating a trip to Kentung overland via the Mae Sai/Taichiliek border.

I%26#39;m just looking for some clarification. As I understand it I can purchase a 2 week visa at Taichilek that allows me to travel to Kentung, does anyone know the current cost of this visa?

Will I need to purchse any FECs or have they been completley scrapped, I will be travelling independently not with a tour group.

Has anyone recently made this journey? If so how long did it take via car/taxi.

Thanks in advance for any replies

Travel from Thailand to Kentung

The Myanmar immigration border pass costs USD15.

There is no more need to exchange USD into FECs upon arrival in Myanmar.

Useful currencies for Kyaing Tong are US Dollars and Thai Baht as well as Burmese Kyat. In Mong La it is Yuan, US Dollars and Thai Baht.

Credit cards are not accepted for paying for purchases. Traveler checks are a total disadvantage as these can only be converted in a government bank at a very unfavorable rate. Cash is best. Have small denominations of banknotes.

No hand phones and notebook computers are permitted into Myanmar. You can leave these with the Myanmar Tourist Office in Tachileik at your own risk. Phone charges are very high in Myanmar. There are no Internet Cafes anywhere in Kyaing Tong and no public phone booths.

Electricity supply in Kyaing Tong is erratic and hotels use their own generators, which are not powerful enough to run the room air-conditioners. It can cause some inconvenience for hot water showering during the cool season and air-conditioners during the hot season. Laundry is available at the hotel at a low cost. Hotel staff is very obliging and happy to do services at the bidding of the guests.

Weather in Kyaing Tong and Mong La is 15-22 Celsius during the day during November-February; March-May is 28-32 Celsius; June-October is 25-28 Celsius. Night temperatures are considerably cooler. It%26#39;s dry weather from November-February. The rains come in June, with August-September being the rainiest months. So bring your wet togs and jackets. A pair of sandals will add much to your comfort.

People travel to Keng Tung for its pristine environment and non-touristy hill tribe villages. The town was a British colonial outpost before Burma gained independence in 1948. It is heavily influenced by Thailand rather than Yangon. And in Mong La it is dominated by the former head-hunting Wa ethnic group and the Chinese more so than the Burmese. The street langauge is Mandarin and the currency in use is the Yuan (Renminbi). It sits on the Burma-China border. The road from this checkpoint goes to Jinghong about 3 hours drive away into Yunnan province. Mong La is a town built by opium. It is more developed than Keng Tung the provincial capital. Tourist infrastructure is basic. The sense of real adventure is pervading.You can visit the nearby villages of tribes in the company of a locensed tour guide.I am a professional licensed tour guide.If you want my services for your visit to Keng Tung,please email me.(eugenelatt@gmail.com).

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