Page 179 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

Myeik and around SoutheaStern MyanMar 177
Further afield, Maliwan Waterfall lies 40km overland to the northeast, and you can
sunbathe at Palutonetone Beach on Thane Island 7km northwest, which is reached
across a bridge from the mainland.
arrIVaL anD DeParture KaWthaunG
By plane Kawthaung’s airport is 11km north of town By boat Boats to Ranong in Thailand (30min; 100 baht)
(K3000 by motorbike taxi, K7000 in a tuk-tuk). Air KBZ, depart from a temporary-looking jetty just north of where
Apex Airlines and Myanmar Airways all operate daily the fast boats arrive.
flights to Yangon that stop briefly in Myeik. By bus There’s a daily big bus to Myeik as well as twice-
Destinations Myeik (2–3 daily; 45min); Yangon daily minibuses (9hr).
(2–3 daily; 3hr).
GettInG arounD
By motorbike taxi and tuk-tuk A motorbike taxi Waterfall costs K8000–10,000, depending on your
around town will cost K1000, while the return trips out to haggling skills. Tuk-tuks will cost at least double the
Palutonetone Beach or 555 Viewpoint will cost K3000– motorbike taxi fare. 3
3500 with waiting time. The longer journey out to Maliwan
aCCoMMoDatIon
Honey Bear Hotel Strand Rd T059 51352. Right on ★ Penguin 339 Sabel St T059 51145, Wpenguinhotel
Strand Rd, the front rooms here are noisy and have kawthaung.wordpress.com. This extravagantly tiled
partially obscured sea views (there’s an island in the guesthouse is tucked away in a backstreet, a sweaty 10min
way). It’s pleasant enough inside, and this place is still walk uphill from the jetty. Rooms are clean and neat, and
the most conveniently located of Kawthaung’s hotels, there’s a small restaurant downstairs. The hotel accepts US
but keep in mind that the pricey en-suite rooms don’t dollars, baht and kyat, with baht prices offering the best
have hot water. $45 value for money. $30
eatInG
J-Bon Coffee and Cold Airport Rd, 200m uphill to visa-runners for years. Mains K1500–2500, English
southwest of the clocktower. This excellent teahouse, menu. Daily 9am–9pm.
near the northern entrance to Bayinnaung Point and set in ★ Penguin Near the clocktower. Down an anonymous
a leafy yard, offers a better-than-usual selection of cold side street (one block away from the clocktower towards
drinks and teahouse snacks – their noodle salad is delicious the jetty, on the south side of the road), Penguin is the
– as well as a fine cup of Burmese coffee and lime. Mains busiest restaurant on Kawthaung’s dining scene – it’s best
around K2500. Daily 6am–6pm. to get here early before they run out of their delicious
Love Coffee Shop Opposite the jetty. The first place curries, seafood and side dishes (mains K2500). Vegetarian
you’ll see as you get off the boat at the jetty, this little options available. Daily 9am–9pm.
coffee shop has been serving good iced coffee and fried rice
DIreCtory
Banks There’s a KBZ Bank and ATM on Airport Rd near the one of the counters along Strand Rd.
Kawthaung hotel. To change baht you’ll need to chance it at

KAWTHAUNG–RANONG BORDER CROSSING
The Kawthaung–Ranong border crossing straddles the kra Buri or Pakchan river. Boats
(100 baht one-way) cruise from one side to the other while the crossing is open (daily
6am–5.30pm, Myanmar time). There’s one short stop on the edge of town, close to kawthaung
for Myanmar passport control, and another closer to ranong for citizens of aSean member
states, before you reach Thai passport control. once you’re outside the Thai border post, there
are aTMs and it’s about a 20 baht pick-up ride to ranong bus station.

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