Travelling in a four-wheel-drive on a 2,700km route from Myanmar's old capital of Yangon through Thailand via the Dawei-Kanchanaburi border sounds tough for many. Yet, it was considered a small adventure for some 80 Myanmar and Thai people who recently took part in the "Myanmar Tourism Marketing-Tourism Authority of Thailand Heritage Trail Tourism Cross-Border Rally" because most of them love challenges.
The group travelled in a caravan of nearly 30 four-wheel-drive vehicles for over 600km from Yangon to Dawei and more than 100km further on a bumpy road to Phu Namron border checkpoint in Kanchanaburi. After entering Thailand, the group later visited attractions in Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Sukhothai and Tak before passing the Mae Sot-Myawaddy checkpoint and returning to Yangon. The group consisted of senior MTM executives, former Myanmar beauty queens, Myanmar tourists, reporters and bloggers.
Sai Khan Hlaing, a Myanmar businessman, said he enjoyed the rally, but expected to take more bumpy roads and see more natural attractions in Thailand since four-wheel-drive motorists love bigger adventures.
Another Myanmar man agreed, saying this was the first overland tourism caravan for him though he had participated in several rallies in Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia. He was both the driver and navigator at different times on this trip. He felt this rally was easy and smooth for him and his friends who usually take adventure tours and hiking trips.
A woman participant, Sandar Po, who travelled with her husband and friends, said she had fun and that the rocky road in Dawei was not a problem for her, saying she liked all the attractions and enjoyed shopping in Mae Sot.
The rally was initiated by Myanmar Tourism Marketing, which invited the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to collaborate in overland tourism between the two countries. Santi Chudintra, deputy TAT governor for International Marketing Asia and South Pacific, said: "The project is a golden opportunity to promote a caravan for the Two Countries One Destination. For the Asean market, caravan tourism is a very new way to travel."
At present, caravan tourism is popular among high-income earners and big spenders in CLMV countries -- Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, especially on the Myanmar-Thailand routes and the Vietnam-Laos-Thailand routes
Niti Vongvichasvadi, chief of the marketing action plan section of TAT's Asean, South Asia and South Pacific Market Division, said this trip was a state-to-state caravan and also a travel agent familiarisation trip for the participants to look at products, new opportunities and offer suggestions.
Myint Htwe, deputy director-general of Myanmar's Directorate of Hotels and Tourism, said this trip is for helping Dawei Region to develop through overland tourism. Dawei's economy is based on fisheries, tourism and the forthcoming deep-sea port.
Dawei is outstanding for marine and archipelago tourism due to its more than 800 islands, many diving sites and beaches. Several of these islands are resort islands with luxury and cheap hotels. Some of the islands are already popular among Thai people, he added.
"The domestic market is growing. Infrastructure is still developing. We plan to build an international airport in Dawei. Currently, there are local laws to protect the environment and a new master plan is being drafted," he said. "My team has assisted many caravans on this route. The route's condition is challenging, rocky and bumpy. It may be slippery and fit four-wheel-drivers and big bikers rather than leisure travellers. We plan to upgrade the route and are selecting contractors."
Aung Pyi Phyo, managing director of Marvellous Memory Travels and Tours Company which organised the caravan while in Myanmar, said: "Our markets are Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam. They want to drive to Myanmar. Everyone must have visas. Such caravans cost around US$80 [2,659 baht] per head per day. Usually, caravans pass Tachilek [opposite Chiang Rai], Myawaddy [opposite Tak] or Kawthaung [opposite Ranong]."
Samarnnopphon Ratanathamthitaya, head of product and operation, Diethelm Travel Thailand, which organised the trip in Thailand, said this caravan would help promote tourism of Thailand because the participants posted pictures taken with their vehicles at tourist attractions. The trip cost $750 per head plus $150 per vehicle.
"However, we must admit that the border crossing [at Phu Namron] was more time-consuming than expected and caused delays. We think Myanmar visitors had better enter Thailand via Mae Sot and depart via Phu Namron so that they can spend more time in Dawei. Five of the Myanmar travel agents agreed with us," the travel expert noted.
According to him, document preparations for each caravan takes 30 days. Details about vehicles are required. The engine numbers and licences of vehicles must be checked and photographed at border checkpoints.
"While driving past Suphan Buri and Chai Nat, the tourists showed their interest in local attractions, such as a water park. Most of them knew only Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Hua Hin. This caravan was a start for tourists to see Thailand as a gateway which connects elsewhere. Wherever they go, they can come back to Thailand," Samarnnopphon said.
Overland tourism has certain limitations, such as requirements for visas and vehicle entry permits, but visitors can bring a lot of goods back home in their cars. Popular products include flat-screen TVs and microwave ovens.
He also suggested the Yangon-Pegu-Pa-an-Kyaikhtiyo-Myawaddy-Mae Sot-Sukhothai-Sri Thep-Phimai-Phanom Rung-Chong Chom-Siem Reap-Thailand route for caravans.
Last year, Thailand welcomed over 35 million international visitors, generating around $52 billion. China was the top market, followed by Malaysia and South Korea respectively. More than 380,000 were Myanmar, an increase of 7% from 2016, while Myanmar received 207,000 Thai visitors last year.
"I am glad that Thai visitors are a major market for Myanmar. To us, Myanmar is an important market with high potential to develop businesses and strengthen the co-operation in the tourism industry. We are hoping to welcome more Myanmar tourists to Thailand in the years to come," Santi, deputy TAT governor, noted.
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