TANINTHAYI DIVISION:
Adjacent to Mon State to the north and Thailand to
the east. Taninthayi Division occupies a long narrow
coastal plain bounded by the Andaman Sea in the east,
which runs to Kawthaung, the most southerly point of
Myanmar and which then continues to the Malaya
Peninsula.
How to get there:
Air Bagan is flying three times a week from Yangon to
Dawei, Myeik and Kawtaung and there is a daily regular
express coastal boat service between Myeik, Dawei and
Kawthaung.
What to see:
Dawei:
The capital of Taninthayi (Tenasserim) division, is a
port of medium importance and tropical seaside town. 384
miles from Yangon, it is on the eastern bank, at the
mouth of a creek of same name, 30 miles from the sea in
a narrow gulf.
As Dawei is in the coastal region, fisheries become
the mainstay of the economy there. Sea-fish and prawn
are sufficient enough not only for local consumption but
also for the international market. Most local people
make their living by trading in regional goods. Some
have rubber, oil palm, cashew and mango plantations and
they also cultivate paddy. This is a wrap-up of the
simple Dawei people’s life and breath-taking beauty
spots of Dawei which today boosts modern characteristics
of developed cities. The well-known Maung Ma Gan Beach,
which is now being developed and upgraded is just 8
miles north-west and is famous for delicious sea food.
|
 |
|
Myeik:
According to the characteristics of port cities, Myeik
is busy with small and large boats in the morning. Beside,
you can pay homage the Reclining Buddha Image, the grace and
glory of Myeik on Pahtet isle. At the harbors of Myeik,
ships, speed boats and fishing vessels are closely quad in a
long line. Relying on the sea, cold storage factories for
packaging fish and prawn, ice factories and warehouses are
built along the bank. The house of bird-nests is a rare and
unique thing to see in Myeik. The local people are very much
devoted to religion. The Lay Gyun Se Mee Pagoda in Myeik is
very sublime. Its festival is thronged with visitors. During
your stay in Myeik you should not miss the Beik evening
Bazaar. The reclining Buddha Image in Pa Htaw Pa Htat
island, which is on the other bank of Myeik, is also very
sublime.
|
 |
Kawthaung:
Formerly called Victoria Point, is the southern-most
town of Myanmar and the starting point to explore the Mergui
Archipelago. Half of the town is going up along the slope.
The town is an important border point with products such as
seafood, palm oil and rubber. You can observe the states of
King Bayintnaung in Kawthaung which is a symbol of Myanmar
Patriotism. The world's largest pearl was discovered in the
Makha lauk pearl oyster exploration area in the north west
of Zardatgyi Island in Kawthaung Township.
Ranong is the border town in Thailand. Visitors can
take 20 minutes boat trips to Kawthaung for sightseeing
and shopping. Andaman Club on the Thahtaykyun island is
located west of Kawthaung. There are regular flights
from Yangon to Kawthaung and Five Star shipping line
operates Cruise vessel to Kawthaung.
|
 |
|
Mergui Archipelago:
Among the geographical beauties of the Union of
Myanmar, many treasures are in the depths existing
beneath the archipelago waters to this day. Myeik
Archipelago comprises over 800 islands covering an area
of 10,000 sq. miles. Several expeditions have been
undertaken to survey the undersea ecosystems and
biodiversity.
Lumpi island can be reached from Myeik, about 90
nautical miles southwest, 30 miles west from Bokpyin and
60 miles northwest from Kawthaung. This beautiful island
of Lumpi is totally untouched; with a rich history of
maritime trade and mysticism. The modern day, Mergui
Archipelago, is as it was days gone by. The archipelago
is virtually isolated but you will find the islands and
surrounding seas alive with amazing diversity of
wildlife, flora and fauna. Parrots, hornbills, sea
eagles Brahming kites and herons fill the skies. On
land, the animal population includes monkeys, wild
cattle, elephants, deer, wild pigs, crocodiles, tigers
and rhinoceros.
Crab eating maquekes the monkeys can be seen here on the
shoreline. The only human inhabitants in this beautiful
area are the sea gypsies, a nomadic seafaring race. The
Moken-sea gypsy-village, their life style is very
simple. Their life style has changed very little over
the years.
The sea gypsies have been the sole inhabitants of the
Mergui Archipelago over the years and they still use the
same fishing and boat building techniques which they
have been using for many generations. Lumpi offers a
great variety of breathtaking scenery and wildlife, with
more luxuriant ever green forests, beach and dune
forests, tidal mangroves, magnificent beaches and
spectacular coral formation.
The forests that grow on the island have a variety of
both terrestrial and marine ecosystems and inhabitants.
The surrounding waters are rich in bird life, fish
marine, mammals (dolphins) and marine turtles.
Salone, a group living part of the time on a few
littoral area on the fringes of the Andaman sea and part
of the time on their boats, wondering about among the
Islands of the Myeik Archipelago in a nomadic existence
that has caused them to become known as the sea gypsies.
There are no more then five thousand Salons left in the
world today scattered over the Myeik Achipelago as well
as some parts at the Andaman Sea. |
 |
|
