[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO OPEN FOR SALE TO



Subject: MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO OPEN FOR SALE TO TOURISTS  

New Frontiers
April, 1997

(Prepared by Tourism Investigation & Monitoring Team)
E-mail:   TERRAPER@xxxxxxxxxx

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO OPEN FOR SALE TO TOURISTS 

{BP: 20.3.97} - A few weeks ago, a group of international tourists for the
first time legally set foot on any of the 600 islands in the Mergui
archipelago in the Andaman Sea. They made the journey on board of the
'Gaea', a ship operated by South East Asia Liveaboard, which entered Burma
at Kawthuang, or once called Victoria Point, at the southernmost tip of the
country. 

Burma's military leaders are trying to sell the archipelago as a
"re-emerging lost island paradise" to foreign visitors. But the opening of
such a vast expanse of virtually undeveloped beach real estate less than 150
kilometres away from Phuket might also have enormous effects on tourism in
southern Thailand.

Various diving and yacht charter companies have been trying to develop
tourism in southern Burma for some years already, and Club Med made an
exploratory trip into the area two years ago. The inaugural voyage of 'Gaea'
was the result of negotiations that began in 1995 between a syndicate of
three Phuket-based diving and yacht charter companies and the Burmese
Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. South East Asia Liveaboard finally received
permission to take small groups of tourists into the Mergui. 

According to Jeroen Deknatel of Phuket's Fantasea Divers, "the Burmese
authorities do allow some Phuket-based operations to dive in Burmese waters
but customs and immigration conditions make it difficult," he said. 

Pornchan Chankajor of Dive Master Co. Ltd. said that her company took 18
divers as far north as Little Torres Islands in January. She plans more
trips this season, and two per month next year. "How it goes in future will
depend on the government in Burma," she said. "When we go, we have an escort
boat from the {Burmese) Navy to ensure 100-per cent security. But the
conditions under sea are very good, very good for diving." 

One of the problems is the longstanding conflict between Burma and Thailand
over rich fishing grounds around the outer Mergui islands. South East Asia
Liveaboards received permission to enter the area only on the condition that
it would stay among the inner islands, away from the disputed islands. 

Twice during its maiden trip, the 'Gaea' was challenged by Burmese Navy
patrol boats, and the government tour guide had to explain to the Navy that
the Mergui was now actually open to tourism.  



http://www2.gol.com/users/brelief/Index.htm