India to Thailand overland

[Biggles]

I there anyone who knows if it is possible to drive a bike through Burma from the Indian side to reach Thailand . Can’t get any straight answers.

[mmaarten]

Hi,

Unfortunatly... NO.
Not possible.
I spend a lot of time trying, spoke to many (also high placed) oficials.
The general idea is: Maybe in a year or three.

You should be able to go into Birma (Myanmar) from Thailand, but it,s a lot of hassles... really a lot.

Maarten

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- www.maartensworld.com -
- Some photo's -

[harvey]

We had a couple of German overlanders (Kai Grimmel and Ulrike Teutriene) stay with us in October on their way through India. They had quotes from two travel agents (one German, one Burmese) for three weeks riding through Burma/Myanmar for about USD800.
The problem is that the border crossing is right up in the north east of India (Nagaland I think) and there's a lot of military activity in the area which means you need a special permit to get there. I don't know if you can even get a permit for that area.
These guys didn't go through in the end because it was all very uncertain and their visas were running out so they flew Kathmandu - Bangkok instead.

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no pipe, no slippers
www.chasingthesun.org

[Bikesonworldtour]

Hi,
Harvey is right. We had contact to a German/Burmeas travel agent. The time we asked it was not possible to cross the border to Thailand so the only way was going to China and further to Laos. But it was quiet expensive and a lot of paperwork.
The email adress of the agent is info@7daystour.de
I think it is worth to try it.
Ulrike and Kai
http://www.bikesonworldtour.de

[parkie]

Just met a couple of Germans in Goa with a landrover and a couple of GS's in a trailer that applied for and got a visa for Myanmar in Delhi. Just needed a letter of recommendation freom their embassy.
They have been given a route they must stick to for their trip across. No idea of road conditions, etc, though apparently a major road link is being constructed through Myanmar (with slave labour) to connect the south asian markets with SE Asian ports.
So looks like the route may now be open. Possibly.

[andygray]

Thanks for posting that Parkie. Very interesting to read if they make it through
Andy

[mmaarten]

Hi guy,s

Seeing is believing.

I had offers from two myanmar travel agents (goverment aproved)... but in the end they both could not make it happen.

When I was there, jan. 2003, the "proposed" road had not even got "goverment aproval", though there was good hope construction would start in the next three years.

So... don,t hold your breath and make sure you can exit before you enter! (my latest offer was to fly into Yangoon... but no one could garanty I could leave overland )

Good luck
Maarten


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- www.maartensworld.com -
- Some photo's -

[Spud]

Is this road not already built? I think it's the 'Burma road' which was built in Second World War. National Geographic did a feature on this road a couple of months ago and it still exists. Of course it's not quite the same condition but locals still use this road even though it may be more a track in certain areas. The NG guy wanted to go all the way from NE India to Burma using the road. In the end he had to go right to the border in India, turn around, fly to Burma and then go back up the road to do his assignment

So.. the road is there apparently.. it's just a red tape situation.

[7Days]

This road is already built and we kindly provide you some geography/history tution:

OLD Burma road lies further north-east connecting China with the Myanmar mainland and this NEW road you have mentioned is giving quick access to Indias State Manipur. It is called "India-Myanmar friendship road".
However, travelers who have prepared their trip carefully, have started early ahead and chose to contact travel experts (we are specialised on customised cross border & cross country trips in Myanmar/Burma)are usually succesful in transiting India/ Thailand/ China for visiting Myanmar.

Everyone who is interested in crossing borders from India/ Thailand/ China to Myanmar/ Burma by own vehicle is invited to contact us directly for further information and assistance. For avoiding spam please write first to

7DaysMyanmar@gmx.de

and type

BORDERCROSSING

into subject field.

You are welcomed at 7Days Info Service

[beddhist]

Spud:

The road you are referring to is the Stilwell road, built in 1944/45. Also known as the "Man-a-Mile road" for the number of people who died building it. It was in use for 7 months and abandoned in October '46.

Apparently, the short Indian section is still motorable with a 4WD. For what awaits you on the other side see here: http://outside.away.com/outside/feat...0_burma_1.html

The locals may be using parts of the road, but only for local travel. The border crossing is definitely closed.

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

[Bikesonworldtour]

We met the two Germans with their Landrover and two R 80 GS on a trailer at the Australianb HUBB meeting. They told us that they have made the trip and it was great. However there was a lot of hassle involved before the trip. The trip itself was awesome. You can find their report, if you find it, on their web site. www.ziguin.de . Must be able to read German though.
Their journey started 12.03.2004: http://www.ziguin.de/html/reisejahr_i.html
Kai and Ulrike