Border politics in Ranong - Thailand
27.12.2008 - 27.12.2008
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Back in the provincial capital that is Ranong. Populated by a rich mixture of Burmese, Thai and Malay people and a flourishing trade in all things illegal this funky little frontier oozes the kind of charm that is unique to such border towns. With precious little to do we soak up the the lively atmosphere in one long R & R session, and scheme our visa run for the next day. No need it appears, as such tedious formalities can be dealt with in one cheap pre-arranged package tour - a tell-tale sign of the sophisticated entrepeneurship that rules Thailand (and that money can literally be squeezed out of thin air). Having chosen the hassle-free way we jump on a songthaew followed by a longtail boat to the Burmese border town of Kaw Thuang that awaits on the other side of the Chan estuary. Bureaucracy however is not that easily triffled with and several hours and seven military check points later we find ourselves back on Thai soil again with a fresh stamp, giving us another two weeks of grace in Thailand. Pity we didn't have time to hunt out that 30 Baht Burmese rum!
Posted by beefnlamb 16.02.2009 07:56 Archived in Thailand Tagged backpacking
