Finally I made it to
Victoria Point (or known as Kawthaung), is in the southernmost part of
Myanmar, located in
Tanintharyi Division, without any problem. We went to
Sapanpla Pier in the morning trying to without know much how to get to Victoria Point but we made it. It was easy except for the boat ride which was quite dangerous. If you are going to drive there, and cannot find a parking at PTT petrol station, try parking just before the petrol station next to the photo shop (but please ask permission before parking, the land owner is situated at the back of the photo shop).
The procedure for getting to Victoria Point,
For Foreigner (15 days)
1) Get a photocopy of your passport and a crisp USD10.00 / THB500 note ready for the Burmese Immigration
2) There is a One Stop Centra at Sapanpla Pier where you can get a departure stamp on the passport.
3) Board a long tail boat for 50bt (but try to get it for 40bt if you like to bargain) - boat ride is about 30 - 40mins
4) Arriving at Victoria Point, walk to the immigration office located at the pier (on the left side as you are walking out in the town)
5) Give the officer the money and you are will get a arrival and departure stamp at the same time.
For Thai (7 days)
1) Take a photo (THB40 for 3 photos) for the temporary border pass
2) Walk to Sapanpla Pier and request for a temporary border pass at the office on your left (THB30 for the pass)
3) Board a long tail boat for 50bt (but try to get it for 40bt if you like to bargain) - boat ride is about 30 - 40mins
4) Arriving at Victoria Point, walk to the immigration office located at the pier (on the left side as you are walking out in the town)5) Give the officer THB30 and you are will get a arrival and departure stamp at the same time.
Another option would be taking a ferry to
Andaman Club.
Foreigner - THB800 (
immigration process applies)
Thai - THB250
There isn't much to offer in this sleepy town unless you are here for a Thailand visa extension. There is a goods market on the right of the pier, some restaurant on the left of the pier, a golden burmese stupa on the hill on the right, a park located on the left of the pier, and some souvenir shops on the west of the pier, westward after the market or bazaar. This town has a large population of muslim as well, which could speak malay too, mainly the older generation.
When you arrive, there will be som touts trying to show you around the place but you can politely refuse since the place is not huge to walk around but I would say it is completely safe though, by the look of it. Anyway I did walk through some of the off beaten path going up the pagoda and walking down to the pier. It would really help if you can speak a little thai or malay. We left the town on another boat ride at around 1630hrs back to Sapanpla pier.
Later for dinner, daddy drove to
Kaeng Ley Seafood Restaurant for dinner. If you get a map from Tinidee Hotel, the location of the restaurant is totally wrong. Direction to both Pak Nam and Kaeng Ley restaurants are,
1) Head toward Ranong Government Cemetery
2) Turn Right at the junction heading to Ranong Customs / Andaman Club
3) Drive about 2km from Andaman Club and the first restaurant will be Pak Nam, Kaeng Ley is located about 800m after Pak Nam.
The food quality is okay but the price isn't chea but reasonable. Daddy favourite would be the Steam Prawn with Salt and Yam Sam Krob.
Lunch : Terriyaki Chicken from 7-Eleven
Dinner : Pork Ball with Toufu Soup
Some photos taken today
Click
here for more photos in slideshow.
Today's Movie -
