Thailand -> Myanmar -> India (Border Crossings)
 

Hi fellow HUBBers

After 20 years and 60 odd countries, I've finally struck a real border challenge.

Three of us are leaving Perth (Australia) for an extended ride to Paris (France) in January on KLR650s.

The entire route seems doable with the exception of the Thailand to Kolkata leg. I understand that the Myanmar/Bangladesh borer is closed completely to foreigners.

Has anyone ridden across Myanmar from Thailand to Burma in the past few years?
Can anyone offer guidance re best border crossings, and associated dangers/annoyances?
If this segment is truly not possible, any suggestions on alternate routes?

Here's hoping that the HUBB can come through as usual ...

Myanmar
 

Frian,

This questions comes along every few weeks or at least once a month.
The standard answer is always the same,there is no land crossing.

One alternative is airfreight from Bangkok to Katmandu (Nepal) and India,Pakistan,Iran aso.
I am not familiar with the other ones,just keep looking.

Cheers

RM

Dunno why this same thing gets asked here about every two weeks?

Burma and China have been for decades, and they still are, the big stumbling blocks in that region. China (Laos-China-Tibet-Nepal) you could basically do, if you have a thick enough wallet to pay for the official guide and other paperwork (but be aware, that this will cost you a LOT, probably more than your entire trip onwards from India to Europe, for example - note however, that there may be some travel restrictions to Tibet).

Burma, I think you can count with your fingers in one hand, how many succesful overland crossings there have been from Thailand to India, or vice versa, in the last decade. Big money won´t help you there. Indian states bordering Burma are also one problem (but you´d have plenty of other stuff to worry about before you´d get that far).

I shipped from Chennai to Bangkok by air 4,5 years ago, because I did not have unlimited time or the patience of a saint to go and try my luck at the Burmese border. But sure you´re free to give it a try, and please report here, how it went.

Here´s a recent thread about this very subject:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ers-open-66740

(edit. I did Europe to Oz on a bike in 07-08, my info from that trip may not be 100% up-to-date any more, but I´ve done later trips in India, SE Asia and Europe, too, so please just let me know, if I can help with your plans in any way.)

via Myanmar
 

There are more than a few "problems".

One, is taking your own vehicle.

Two, is the fact that while there is a "national" govt its' really local warlords (some overly dramatic, apologies) who run the show in their regions and don't really care about the paperwork from an adjoining state nor the "central" govt. ALL vehicles in Burma have a state-wide license. Very few, even military vehicles have an "all country" permit. India has a similar law, but it's enforced very differently. This kept migrations of "troublemakers" either to a minimum or made it more difficult.

Three, even if you could get to the Indian border . . . you'd find yourself looking into it's "great Northeast" which is a fantastic area that commonly has large swaths off-limits to foreigners or with requirements for substantial paperwork to pass.

Fly to KTM from BKK and make a go of it from there.