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NEW GREEN ELEPHANT RESTAURANT IN MANDALAY
NEW HOTEL TO BE BUILT ON MYANMAR/THAI BORDER A contract with a Thai entrepreneur has been signed for the construction of an international standard hotel at the Three Pagoda Pass between Myanmar and Thailand. This pass was on the route of the infamous "death railway" built between Bangkok and Yangon during World War II. The area were the hotel is to be built is off-limits for foreigners at the moment but is expected to be open in the future which would allow travelling from Thailand to Myanmar overland. The hotel is expected to be completed in 2 years.
MAYMYO BOTANICAL GARDENS RENOVATED The Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens in the former British hill station of Maymyo, now known as Pyin Oo Lwin, have recently undergone extensive renovation. Maymyo makes an interesting day trip from Mandalay with its colonial houses, historic clock tower and antique horse-drawn carriages. The 240 acre botanical garden was established in 1915 and contains many species of tree, orchid and other flora and fauna unique to Myanmar. Next to the gardens a colonial mansion is being renovated and will open as a hotel, the Kandawgyi Lodge. The Kandawgyi Lodge is due to open with 5 guestrooms in March 2002 and another 10 rooms should be ready by May 2002.
CREDIT CARD USE IN MYANMAR American Express cards can now only be used with an authorization from Bangkok, which takes one full day. The only credit cards accepted in Myanmar are American Express and VISA and these are limited to just a handful of places in Yangon and Mandalay. High commission rates are added for all credit card transactions. Myanmar has no ATM machines. Travellers cheques can currently only be exchanged in Yangon. The Euro is not accepted in Myanmar for the moment and the best advice is to take US Dollars in cash. |
Airport tax rise in Cambodia Effective from 1st March 2002 the passenger service charges at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports have been modified as follows: ADULTS USD15/pax CHILDREN
under 12 years Infants under 2 years do not pay any taxes. New flight schedule for MAI Myanmar Airways International has announced new flight schedules starting from 6 January 2002. With their recently purchased B737-300 they will fly to Bangkok (9 times/week), Kuala Lumpur (2 times/week) and Singapore (3 times/week), effective from 6 January 2002. For more information please contact the MAI representative in your country or your local ticket agent. New boat operations The new pier seems to have attracted the interest of boat operators and there are two new double-storey boats moored there. The Mekong Queen (CCE group) and the Kralahomkong (CFM Compagnie Fluviale du Mékong) can each carry a maximum of 110 passengers. The Kralahomkong is available on a charter basis while the Mekong Queen is running daily sunset cruises and is also available for dinner cruises and charters. In addition to these, there is still the Deauville II running popular barbecue charters among others. There are several more boat projects under way with plans for overnight trips from Vietnam to Phnom Penh and on to Siem Reap on the cards in the near future. |
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