Ranong: Crossing the River to Kawthaung

Ranong: Crossing the River to Kawthaung

October 25, 2013 in Mergui Guide, Ranong, Kawthaung, General Information

 

(Updated in April 2020) If you plan to enter Myanmar from Thailand, you have to cross the border river separating the two countries. Most of our guests choose this route and it’s really very easy. Here’s a short step-by-step guide. You can also download our info sheet.

1 – Drive to Ranong Longtail Pier (SaPhan Pla Jetty)
Take a taxi to the pier in Ranong, from which boats leave for Kawthaung. The car ride from Phuket usually takes 4 hours. From Ranong Airport it takes about 30 minutes. The small pier is hidden behind a PTT petrol station, so don‘t be surprised. Here are the directions in Thai, in case you want to show them to your driver:

กรุณาไปส่งที่ ท่าเทียบเรือ
เทศบาลตำบลปากน้ำระนอง
ถนน เฉลิมพระเกียรติ

2 – Border Checkpoint
You have to go through Thai immigration and border control, just to your right inside the border checkpoint area. Right in front of to the immigration area is the longtail boat pier. Once your passport stamped, you will need to get into a local longtail boat to cross the border between Thailand & Myanmar. There is a crowd of drivers waiting at Ranong Pier to transport tourists across the river. If you rent a boat for yourself, the trip across the river will cost 400 to 500 Thai Baht.

3 – Crossing the River
The small and somewhat adventurous-looking boats are the only means of transport to Kawthaung. Crossing the river between Thailand and Myanmar takes 30 to 40 minutes. There are two more checkpoints along the way where the driver has to show your passport copies to customs officers. Usually you won‘t have to get off the boat.

4 – Arriving in Kawthaung, Myanmar
The longtail boats from Thailand arrive at Myo Ma Jetty, which is the Myanmar Immigration Pier. Walk along the poontoon and the immigration will be directly to your right in a small building.

Our crew will be waiting for you at the Jetty, they will assist you getting your visa on arrival and bring you to the yacht. If you have any trouble finding us, you can always call us on our hotline +66 2 1070 445.

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