Kawthaung

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Kawthaung (Burmese: ; MLCTS: kau. saung: mrui.; Thai: เกาะสอง; Malay: Pulodua) is in the southernmost part of Myanmar, located in Tanintharyi Division. During British rule in Burma between 1824 and 1948, it was known as Victoria Point.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Weather and climate
4 Demographics
5 Economy and local products
6 Tourist attractions
7 Immigration and Visa entry
8 See also
9 External links

[edit] History

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Rakhine and Tanintharyi were transferred to British rule after the first Anglo-Burmese War of 1823-1826.

At 1859, a local Chinese and Thais group is settled at Maliwan, a place with numerous of flower trees called Maliwan in Thai Language. And at 1865, an Arab-Malay group leaded by Nayuda Ahmed, traveling and collecting sea products around Mergui Archipelago start to form a base and village at bay of Victoria Point.

In 1872 the third mayor of Mergui District, Sir Ashly Din (1870-1875) assigned the first police officer to be stationed at Maliwan, a village 24 miles north of current Victoria Point. In 1891, the local government offices were moved from Maliwan to Kawthaung because Maliwan is located on the bank of a small shallow river, Maliwan Creek, ussuitable for large ships to enter and waiting tide water.

[edit] Geography

Kawthaung is located about 10°N and 98.30°E at the mouth of Kyan River on the Malay Peninsula. To its east is the Thai border town of Ranong. To its west, and south-west, the Andaman Sea opens up to the Indian Ocean and Bokpyin Province is located to the north. Most of the terrain in the area is mountainous.

[edit] Weather and climate

Kawthaung weather gets the effect from Monsoon Season combined with tropical nearest to Equator. The climate is generally hot and wet, from April to October. The rest of the year, it is hot-dry, with temperatures averaging from 21°C to 32°C. Kawthaung, like the rest of Myanmar, has virtually no winter. It has one of the highest rainfalls in Myanmar with over more than 406 cm (160 in) per year.

[edit] Demographics

The majority of Kawthaung's population is made up of ethnic Bamar and other ethnic minorities (e.g. Shan, Karen, and Mon. The Salone (Moken), Sea Gypsies, and Malays are all called "Pashu" by locals. Burmese Chinese and Burmese Indians, who migrated to Kawthaung during colonial rule for tin mining and other industries also inhabit Kawthaung.

The most common spoken language is Burmese, followed by Thai.

[edit] Economy and local products

The main agriculture products are rubber, betel nut, cashew nut, coconut and oil palm. Mining and wood log industries which flourished in the past have now dried out. Although Kawthaung has a large port the fishing industry is not as large as in the past because of the government restriction on fishing vessels. Fishing still plays a significant role but engines are restricted to 28hp.

[edit] Tourist attractions

The favourite for tourists and fortune riskers is Andaman Club Resort Hotel located on Thahtay Kyun Island about half an hour trip by boat from Kawthaung or Ranong. The club is famous for casino gambling, the only one international gambling places of Myanmar on the Andaman side. Not far from the town, there are Kayin Kwa and other such as Myauk Ni and Salone Islands, a part of Mergui Archipelago, they are a good places for diving, and other sea activities since the place can be regard as still virgin since not much disturbed by outside environments. Nearby Kawthung has a small water fall and hot spring at Maliwun Village 24 miles north from the town. Nowadays it can be reached within half an hour by car with a good paved road.

[edit] Immigration and Visa entry

Thai people can cross into Burma through Kawthaung with their Thai pass book. Other foreigners must have a passport that is valid for at least another 6 months and pay a fee. The border is popular for visa renewal with tourists staying in Phuket, Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan and other places in southern Thailand. A three-day (two-night) visa to Burma costs US$10. [1]