Asia - Burma/Thailand Itinerary

Hello - I am considering doing a Burma/Thailand trip in late November/early December. Wondering if you have any input on the following:

1) How is this time of year to visit these areas? Weather seems pretty good, but how are the crowds?
2) For Thailand, thinking 1 night in Bangkok and 2/3 nights at the Marriott resort in Pattaya. Any thoughts on this? Ever been to Pattaya, let alone the Marriott resort? I've got some Marriott points I'm trying to burn and it seems like a good deal for Category 3 reward
3) About 2 weeks in Burma. I don't expect to see everything in this time frame, but am hoping I can still have a good time and experience this country.

Any thoughts please let me know. Thanks!

My thoughts, of course everyone else's may vary.

1) You are right on the weather. Should be great.

2) I personally like to get out of Bangkok as soon as possible. If there is your first time there, then you need to see it just to say you did, but after that you may agree that it might be better skipped, and sometimes better to just go straight to the beeches.

Pattaya is definitely the largest towns along the beech. Is that what you want? If so, great. There are things to do late at night and lots of swimming to do during the day. If you want something secluded on a small island somewhere, that is also possible. Just depends on what kind of atmosphere you are looking for. If you are looking for isolation, Pattaya is not it. If you want to keep your options open for things to do in a nearby city, then Pattaya is your best bet.

3) I think 2 weeks is a good amount of time in Myanmar. Overland travel can be a bit slow, and you will really wonder about the safety of the air travel--but it is by far the fastest way to get around. If you can go a little bit earlier, you can see the festivals at Imlay Lake--this was featured on the Discovery Channel recently and it has made me want to go back and see this.

Warnings for Thailand:
The touts and con-artists are out in record numbers. It can ruin your trip if you let it. You can be almost 100% certain that anybody approaching you first is a con-artist or a tout. Just ignore them completely, and don't try to be polite. If you get lost or need assistance do not get help from anybody that comes up to you and talks to you first. It is always better to walk up to a random person and ask for help.

Warnings for Myanmar
Getting and exchanging money was very difficult in Myanmar. The quality of the bills was examined excruciatingly close. Even the tiniest blemish on the currency you were trying to exchange or use would mean that it would not be accepted. I had a stack of $100 USD notes that were not accepted by anyone, and in fact made things very very tight for me at the end. Credit card acceptance is rare outside the major tourist hotels in the major cities, and I never saw an ATM. Traveler Check exchange was non-existent. Only brand new fresh cash notes could be used.

Thank you so much for the detailed response.

You confirmed other things I heard about not sending too much time in Bangkok. Due to late flight arrival I will spend 1 and only 1 night in Bangkok.

You also confirmed my impression (from internet) of Pattaya. I like the idea of being in the oasis of the resort (i.e. Marriott) but yet having a lot to do in the town right outside of the resort.

Thanks for the heads up on the money exchange in Myanmar. I heard it was a bit tough but I had no idea it was like you described! Guess I better find some good carrying cases or whatever for my money.

On that note, did you find Euros were more easily accepted? I live in US, but am traveling to Europe in May and could pick up some Euros if you think it's easier.

Thanks again, and have a good day!

Pattaya is definitely the largest towns along the beech. Is that what you want? If so, great. There are things to do late at night and lots of swimming to do during the day.
I'm not quite sure if you were being serious here, but the "thing" to do in Pattaya late at night is trawl through beer bars packed with prostitutes, and the beach is sufficiently filthy that I'd really hesitate to swim outside the hotel pool.

A very detailed guide largely written by somebody who lives there (no, not me):
http://wikitravel.org/en/Pattaya

I agree with jpatokal that Pattaya is ghetto. If you are in the "compound" it might be a bood way to burn some points.

I would spend a little time in Bangkok, just to see what it is all about. There is enough of interest to keep you occupied for far more than a day.

Two weeks is a fair amount of time in Myanmar. You could do the "triangle" starting in Yangoon, head to Bagan (Nyang U), Mandalay and Inle Lake. I was overwhelmed by Bagan, underwhelmed by Mandalay and very interested in Inle lake.

The flights I took were fine for the most part. There was a mechanical delay on one flight, but I am still here. A nice way to get to/from Bagan/Mandalay is by boat. Just be prepared for the touts when you arrive. As I was the only tourist on the boat, I had a guy jump through the window to "claim" me.

Bagan was overwhelming due to the sheer number of temples. They aren't particularly ornate like, say, Angkor Wat, but the sheer number of them is impressive. They are still building more.

Mandalay has a lot of history and was interesting enough, but I was expecting more.

Inle Lake is best seen by hiring a boat to take you around the lake. They grow crops right on the lake and the old school locals use a leg to paddle. I also laughed myself silly by going to jumping cat monestery. I'll leave it at that.

With cash, they are most eager for USD although Euro are a close second. They didn't want to know about pounds. I got a travel agency to book my flights using a credit card, but they had to do it in Vietnam with their affiliate. Also, the black market is the only realistic place to exchange cash. The official rate is something like 6 Kyat (prounced chat) to the dollar, whereas the black market rate was 1,400. I found that notes had to be in reasonably good shape, but not in uncirculated condition.

I still keep in contact with someone in Yangon. If you want more info PM me.

My friends and I were in Myanmar in February 2006 - it was a good time weather wise to visit. I agree with the earlier posters. Bagan with its hundreds of pagodas was magnificent. And we all loved Inle Lake. We hiked up in the mountains and stayed overnight at a monastery in the Shin State. Mandalay was the least interesting, though there were good adventures there as well.

I also ditto the advice about taking new dollar bills. We had no real opportunity to use credit cards.

I also ditto the advice about taking new dollar bills. We had no real opportunity to use credit cards.


Just came back from Myanmar. What a wonderful country, the safest country in SEAsia with the friendliest people.

Credit cards and travellers cheques are useless. There are no ATMs. Bring crisp $100 bills for best exchange rates, change your money in Yangon, slightly better rates.

DO NOT CHANGE AT THE AIRPORT - the rate is around 600 kyat per $, in centre, you can get up to 1160 kyat per $, Central Hotel has the best rates in town. Recount the money, and examine the notes before handing over your $$$, the honest changers won't mind this.
Keep in mind, that the 1000 kyat is the highest denomination, so you will end up with a huge wad of money, luckily this is Myanmar, and you won't have to worry about pickpockets and such.

Just bring $7 for the taxi into town in change to avoid the exchange ripoff, its a fixed rate for taxi drivers

Flying around the country was a breeze, Air Bagan was on time, clean and professional. Flight costs $75 Yangon-Heho, Bagan-Yangon, and around $30 on any of the Bagan-Mandalay-Heho segments. Bring cash. Book at travel agencies.

I too found the people of Myanmar that we met wonderful. gracious and curious. I would be very sad if I thought I would never visit there again.

One more note about the planes - sometimes they took off early so don't be too late in getting to the airport.

Myanmar is a great place, but not to live there unfortunately. The monsoon should break in Oct so the temples of Bagan will be brown in contrast to the green grasses. In the spring it's all brown, and HOT.

Buses are long, as mentioned above.

3 years ago a few of us flew from RGN to Mandalay because of time constraints and mid flight the captain comes out of the cockpit, takes his shoes off and prostates himself before a very old monk and his contingent of a novice or two and females monks (nuns?). The 3 of us joked that something along these lines occurring in the 'States would set the passengers into a frenzy of fear. And we bought beer at the concession stand awaiting our flight and several extras that we just carried onto the plane.

Inle Lake in Shan State is great. I'd like to explore more off the beaten path but it's not easy. Next time maybe I'll head to Mrauk U or Sittwe in Arakan. With only 2 weeks you'll get to see Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle and not much else.

I'm trying to get back there as I cancelled my flights for Oct of last year after violence broke out.

As for BKK I love it and cannot say that about many cities. But if your time is short get out to Myanmar quickly.

Thank you all for posting your trip reports. I was searching for "Myanmar" and came across this thread.

From Feb 16 - 20 next month, I will be in Yangon (1 night) flying to Bagan (2 nights) and back another night in Yangon. Unfortunately just a short trip but I wanted to explore Bagan for 3 days and will explore more of Myanmar again later this year.

I was in Angkor, Cambodia last Oct and have heard so many great things about Bagan and Myanmar from the other travellers.

Sorry if I cross post this as I was replying to another thread in TG lounge.

I suggest you might find it more convenient to stay in JW Marriott in Bangkok, as it is close to lots of restaurants and the sky train station. The hotel itself is just great. The other Marriott is across the river from everything, great views, but not very convenient, especially in the evening. There is a direct shuttle service from both Marriott hotels in Bangkok to Marriott Resort Pattaya.

Take a boat trip to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, worth seen (use the Oriental or Shangri-La boats).

In general, ordinary / decent Thai people would not start a conversation with you, they would smile at you (please do smile back) or even say hello, but will not invite you to go to their homes, or show you where to get ‘bargains’. So beware. Also, don’t take-up the offer of ‘cheap’ tuk-tuk ride (motorised trishaw) as the driver will take you to all the souvenir shops in Bangkok!

As Coz said in his post, if you need help, ask any Thai people pass by, they will (normally) do their best to try and help you. But the important thing to remember is to SMILE always, its no good lose your head / temper in Thailand; you will be ignored totally.

Marriott Resort in Pattaya is perhaps one of the best, location is great, with shopping centre and restaurants attached. (but it is not a ‘resort’ as such, it is just a big hotel) I agree the beach is nothing to shout about, but the islands are worth visiting, superb beaches there, its only a short speed boat ride away. Ask the hotel desk for detail (yes, I know you can get it cheaper, but I prefer to pay a little more for a peace of mind). I would not stay in Pattaya for too long, as jpatokal said in his post, the place is an end-to-end red-light district. However, if you want to you can get away from it, There is an Irish bar next to Marriott, good beer, good food, good company and not a bar girl in sight. Across the road (not the beach road, the other exit) is my favourite Laotian restaurant the Vientiane, again no bar girls working there, the food is wonderful! During the day go elephant ‘safari’, good fun feeding bananas to your elephant afterwards.

During the day, even in the evenings I enjoyed walking on the beach road, remember you don’t have to go into any of the bars if you don’t want to. But it will be an eye-opener!

For Burma carry lots of small denomination dollar bills ($1 and $5 for tips, taxi etc) in addition to the new or nearly new US$ 100 bills. In my experience, in the first instance I would change money in smaller denominations, say US$ 20, and see if the person you deal with is OK (follow your instincts). Don’t worry if he/she ask you to follow him/her, as long as you stay on the main streets. The reason is they keep money in the shops, and the money change can be done out of public view.

There are many interesting things to see in Rangoon (Yangon) such as the Shwedagaon Pagada/temple complex. I think the key is to book a hotel in a good location, I would recommend Traders, or Grand Plaza Parkview for convenience, or Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, for the lakeside location. Keep away from the Strand Hotel, unless Uncle Sam is footing the bill!

From Rangoon a day trip to Bago is possible, you can easily arrange that yourself. Ask the travel agents along the road from the Sule Pagoda in the centre of the city, compare the prices (for a car and driver for the day) and decide.

Fly to Mandalay in the North, two days to see the city, take the boat trip from Mandalay to Bagan (best to book in advance) The river boat trip is for foreign tourists, and it is a wonderful trip. Spend three or four days in Bagan, there are thousands of pagodas and temples. I would recommend the Thande Hotel Bagan (not the Bagan Hotel, though it is not bad, but I prefer Thande) A good hotel by the Irrawaddy river. After a hard day’s touring, you can relax by the bar and the beautiful swimming pool! I wish I was back there now! Hire a (Chinese made, old fashion) bicycle and ride round by yourself to explore all the wonderful temples (with bottles of water).

I have posted a few photos from the area. If you need more information, just ask.

Burma is one of the very few places in the world where one can still find an office full of typewriters! Remember these? Do you know what they are? :D

Fly back to Rangoon from Bagan.

It is possible to go to Mandalay by train, but I would not recommend that for your first trip.

We all have our own views on the politics in Burma. It is best to keep these to ourselves, in my experience, to discuss politics while in Burma does not achieve anything, and it can be a very wired experience, and gets very boring.

Burma is a beautiful country, most of the people there are wonderful, they deserve better, as a tourist, you will have a wonderful time.

Thank you, SQ4000 for the trip suggestions and tips.

For Thailand, I've only been to Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Would love to do the boat trip to Ayutthaya.

For my coming Feb trip to Myanmar, I will be staying @

Summit Yangon
http://www.summityangon.com/

and Bagan Thande Hotel
http://www.hotelbaganthande.com/

Actually one of the reason I picked Bagan was after I saw your "Morning in Bagan" pic:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-photography/848680-beautiful-images-just-because-13.html#post11091497
(May I know from which temple you shot that from? ;) And what is the name of that temple in the photo?)

Then, I started to search this forum for Myanmar and Bagan and been reading the good trip reviews from you all.
I was in Angkor, Cambodia last Oct and have also heard so many great things about Bagan and Myanmar from the other travellers I met while waiting for our sunrise shots of the Angkor Wat.
I browsed Trip Advisor and Lonely Planet Forum and everybody seems to have tons of good things to say about Myanmar, Bagan and the friendly Burmese people.

Unfortunately, I only have 5 days for Myanmar. I like to cover the places at my own pace and to enjoy the moment and will only cover Bagan and Yangon. Will plan for Inle Lake, Mandalay and the other places you mention next time, hopefully in the near future.

(May I know from which temple you shot that from? ;) And what is the name of that temple in the photo?)


The temple was the Sulamami, build in 1183. I took the photo from near the top of Shwesandaw Pagoda, not far from the Tharabar Gate of Old Bagan.

I got up about 4.30 in the morning, walked out the main gate of the hotel (Bagan Thande Hotel) to the local market place about five minutes away, it is VERY dark as there were no street lights, so a good touch and a supply of batteries is a must. I ask one of the locals take me to a good place to see the sunrise. So off we went in his horse and cart! Took about 15 minutes to get there. He waited for me to finish and took me back to the hotel. I can’t remember how much it cost me, I think it was two or three dollars, I gave him more than he asked for.

I went around by myself with my guidebook. Generally, I spend the first day walking, went out the Tharabar Gate and visited all the temples close by such as the Anada Temple, one of the major temples. I had my meal in the restaurant just outside of Tharabar Gate. The second and the third day I rented a bicycle, to visit temples farther a field (as far as Nyaung U). Next day I hired a car with a driver for the day, to see the temples and pagodas more distant.

I think you have a good plan, don’t pack too much in, a major temple such as Anada can take hours to go around, and there are more than 3000 of them.

Take some / lots inexpensive (or corporate give-aways) plastic ball point pens with you, the childern would love them, as they have very little of anything.

Have fun, if you need any information, please ask.

The temple was the Sulamami, build in 1183. I took the photo from near the top of Shwesandaw Pagoda, not far from the Tharabar Gate of Old Bagan.

I got up about 4.30 in the morning, walked out the main gate of the hotel (Bagan Thande Hotel) to the local market place about five minutes away, it is VERY dark as there were no street lights, so a good touch and a supply of batteries is a must.
The guide email me a few days ago and highlighted in big bold red - pls remember to bring your flash lights as it will be pitch black :D walking to the temples for sunrise shots and there may be snakes around the bushes.
As there will be so little lights around the area, that would be a great place to shoot some star trails pics around the temples at night, eh?


I think you have a good plan, don’t pack too much in, a major temple such as Anada can take hours to go around, and there are more than 3000 of them.
Wow! I'm excited and counting the days! Thanks.


Take some / lots inexpensive (or corporate give-aways) plastic ball point pens with you, the childern would love them, as they have very little of anything.
Have fun, if you need any information, please ask.
As a rough estimate on how many pens I need to bring, how many children do you meet around the temple area? I know in Angkor, the children only approach me around the temple entrance and I hardly see them inside or on top of the temple steps. Do you give them chocolates and candies or just pens?

BTW, do you have a photo site to share your travel collection? (Flickr?) If you have already posted a link somewhere, I apologize for asking again as I'm still a newbie here.

Thank you again for your detailed info and help.

BTW, this thread was originally created by DarkHelmetII. I wonder if he/she went there yet?

[QUOTE=orangutan;11126056]
[As there will be so little lights around the area, that would be a great place to shoot some star trails pics around the temples at night, eh?]

In addition, as there are so few motor vehicles, the air is very clean, the sky is full of stars at night, sit by the pool and have a drink while star gazing!

[As a rough estimate on how many pens I need to bring, how many children do you meet around the temple area? I know in Angkor, the children only approach me around the temple entrance and I hardly see them inside or on top of the temple steps. Do you give them chocolates and candies or just pens?]

On my last trip I took a box of ball point pens (I think it was 50 pens, a gift from a kind manager from Bank of America!) it all went, they were popular as the pens all had a Bank of America logo on them. I don't personally carry or give children sweets. You will find them everywhere, not just at temples, if you walk/cycle past their homes they will smile and say hello, some will ask if you have any pens (or some children may ask for stylos!) Some were too shy to ask, but I gave them one anyway, it will always be welcome as some don't even have their own pencil.

[BTW, do you have a photo site to share your travel collection? (Flickr?) If you have already posted a link somewhere, I apologize for asking again as I'm still a newbie here.]

I start post some of my travel photos in the new thread 'places'.

Best wishes

BTW - I loved your photos of Angkor Wat, they are fabulous!