Singapore to Yangon Drive trip

[Sgg687z]

I am keen to join this trip.

 

Please PM me for more details and discussion.

[Ah_Lau]

I am quite keen. But have few questions.

 

1) How much is the estimated cost?

2) I intend to get my small little OPC Peugeot 107 for the trip. Do you think it is possible with the road conditions which I have totally no idea about?

3) How many days estimated go and back? Including time for volunteer work etc? (18 days???)

 

I have been to Yangon, Bagan & Mandalay. Mandalay is a nice place.

 

Thanks for checking in. Please bear with the information overload.

 

One way distances:

Tuas to Bukit Kayu Hitam: 900km

Bukit Kayu Hitam to Bangkok: 1000km.

Bangkok to Mae Sot: 500km.

Mae Sot to Yangon: 400km.

Total: 2800km.

 

Average total fuel burn (assume 10km per litre, most likely be significantly less): 280 litres.

 

Fuel costs:

900km in Malaysia = 90 litres x MYR2.15 (Shell V-Power Racing): MYR194 = SGD80 (exchange rate SGD1 = MYR2.43).

1900km in Thailand and Myanmar: 190 litres x THB41 = THB7,800 = SGD325 (exchange rate SGD1 = THB24).

For simplicity's sake petrol costs in Thailand = petrol costs in Myanmar.

 

Toll charges:

Tg Kupang (first toll plaza after Tuas CIQ) to Bukit Kayu Hitam: MYR120 = SGD50.

 

Total expenses for transport (one way): SGD80 + 325 + 50 = SGD455.

 

Accomodation:

7 nights required: budget of SGD70 average per pax per night should be very comfortable (remember that last 3 nights en-route in will be in modest Burmese hotels) = SGD490.

R&R in Yangon: own time own target.

 

Food:

SGD30 per day should also be comfortable = SGD210.

 

Other expenses: wash hair, massage etc: your own budget (no need to tell me).

 

So, Answer #1: Total one-way estimate = SGD455 + 490 + 210 = SGD1,155.

 

So that's the bad news.

 

Answer #2: For sure your 107 is OK, even if you have 1 companion. You've been to Yangon so you know what a typical Yangon taxi is like and how even such cars still carry on surviving the road conditions. The secret is not to rush.

 

Answer #3: 18 days should be more than enough based on above calculations.

 

Here's what's in store:

 

My own adventures overland in Myanmar (2004) - distorted by government pomp and circumstance:

http://www.aseanrally.com/rally_report_summary.html

 

For R&R once you get to Yangon, I live here:

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/yang...ders/apartments

Hotel website:

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/yangon/traders/details

 

Booking a room online at the Traders Hotel is about USD135 a night.

http://www.agoda.com/asia/myanmar/yangon/traders_hotel.html.

Using a Peninsula Plaza ("Burmatown") travel agent is about SGD125.

I can get you a room at the Traders for about USD75 or SGD105.

 

 

 

 

[Ah_Lau]

u have from now till march to plan your work ma !!! ha ha...tell your boss you are going away for 20 days for a good cause..

 

no doctor...no dentist...me too no doctor or dentist mah...it is the heart and thought that counts...I think it is a fantastic experience on a personal note...our scope of duty probably I will assume is to used our car as transportation for the medical supply for those needy folks....

 

gain a good experience and at the same time playing a part to really physically help the needy...isn't it great...we play our part as a driver...if no driver...even got medical supply...it won't reach those in need...

 

You've just about summed up the objectives.

 

For the drivers it will be a really interesting road trip. And that's not including the satisfaction from doing volunteer work directly or allowing our cars to be used to carry medical supplies etc.

 

For the doctors (and nurses?) they get to help (of course not that they need to).

 

The sum of our individual motivations and efforts produces something good for the community in a very meaningful way, so, why not?

[Ah_Lau]

I am keen to join this trip.

 

Please PM me for more details and discussion.

 

Actually I'm sharing everything that I know for now on this thread.

 

The known unknown (as Donald Rumsfeld would say) at the moment is the road condition / choices of accomodation / where to render help from Mae Sot to Yangon. I'll post photos as soon as I finish the recce trip.

 

I will also need to seek approval from the authorities to help the locals (cannot just anyhow show up and give treatment, free or not free), and to contact the local chiefs to get the word out that we estimate our arrival on x date and please get the word out to prepare his people.

 

By all means ask questions you think will benefit everyone who is interested. I will do my best to answer them. If there are sensitive issues I will PM you.

 

Would you like to PM me with specific questions you know should be discussed off-line?

[City100a]

Thanks for checking in. Please bear with the information overload.

 

One way distances:

Tuas to Bukit Kayu Hitam: 900km

Bukit Kayu Hitam to Bangkok: 1000km.

Bangkok to Mae Sot: 500km.

Mae Sot to Yangon: 400km.

Total: 2800km.

 

Average total fuel burn (assume 10km per litre, most likely be significantly less): 280 litres.

 

Fuel costs:

900km in Malaysia = 90 litres x MYR2.15 (Shell V-Power Racing): MYR194 = SGD80 (exchange rate SGD1 = MYR2.43).

1900km in Thailand and Myanmar: 190 litres x THB41 = THB7,800 = SGD325 (exchange rate SGD1 = THB24).

For simplicity's sake petrol costs in Thailand = petrol costs in Myanmar.

 

Toll charges:

Tg Kupang (first toll plaza after Tuas CIQ) to Bukit Kayu Hitam: MYR120 = SGD50.

 

Total expenses for transport (one way): SGD80 + 325 + 50 = SGD455.

 

Accomodation:

7 nights required: budget of SGD70 average per pax per night should be very comfortable (remember that last 3 nights en-route in will be in modest Burmese hotels) = SGD490.

R&R in Yangon: own time own target.

 

Food:

SGD30 per day should also be comfortable = SGD210.

 

Other expenses: wash hair, massage etc: your own budget (no need to tell me).

 

So, Answer #1: Total one-way estimate = SGD455 + 490 + 210 = SGD1,155.

 

So that's the bad news.

 

Answer #2: For sure your 107 is OK, even if you have 1 companion. You've been to Yangon so you know what a typical Yangon taxi is like and how even such cars still carry on surviving the road conditions. The secret is not to rush.

 

Answer #3: 18 days should be more than enough based on above calculations.

 

Here's what's in store:

 

My own adventures overland in Myanmar (2004) - distorted by government pomp and circumstance:

http://www.aseanrally.com/rally_report_summary.html

 

For R&R once you get to Yangon, I live here:

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/yang...ders/apartments

Hotel website:

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/yangon/traders/details

 

Booking a room online at the Traders Hotel is about USD135 a night.

http://www.agoda.com/asia/myanmar/yangon/traders_hotel.html.

Using a Peninsula Plaza ("Burmatown") travel agent is about SGD125.

I can get you a room at the Traders for about USD75 or SGD105.

how about organizing one from singapore to beijing

 

[The_Bear]

This one sounds serious...lets go.

[Ah_Lau]

how about organizing one from singapore to beijing

 

I think someone did that already or at least to Mongolia.

 

Not possible for me to do since for a start I'm not working there right now and don't have the contacts. I'm not in the business of organising road trips, just have the energy to do something different on my days off.

 

Might do such a trip one day if I do work there. Not impossible.

[Seaweed]

That's great info..I just do a little tidy up on the cost...

 

Assuming 7 nights up

 

Petrol + Toll approx = SGD455

Accomodation per pax 7 nights on way up = SGD490

 

Assuming 2 nights stay in Yangon

2 nights stay in Yangon = SGD210 per room

 

Assuming 7 nights down again

Petrol + Toll approx = SGD455

Accomodation per pax 7 nights on way up = SGD490

 

It will cost approx SGD2100 up and down excluding food and other personal expenses.

 

Mr ah lau...SGD 70 per pax for accomodation is base on per room right ? So even if two person is going....the cost will still be the same for transport and accomodation right?

 

Another question is anyone familiar with the way leading? Or its you? And how's the arrangement of coming back? We also need to get permit, insurance to cross thailand right?

 

Maybe we can come up with a pre-trip requirement...what document need etc etc....

 

Then we have the day to day iti with details and also break down of cost per day...possible accomodation arrangement or stop where sleep where kind of things....

 

 

Some like :

 

Day One Tuas to Bukit Kayu Hitam:

Distance = 900km

Estimated transport cost (Petrol + toll) = SGD xxx

Accomodation = xxx motel/hotel at SGDxxx per room per night

Any program organise for this day or just pure driving? etc etc

 

Day Two xxx to xxx:

 

Oh yes....and also what kind of medical supplies are we looking at bringing along..roughly need how much car space to put the supplies etc etc...wow...lots of organization involve....

 

This probably would help first timer like me have a bigger picture of how the whole trip is going to run to make a decision....

Edited November 12, 2009 by Seaweed

[Anakin]

wow, USD75/night for Traders is not bad

[Ah_Lau]

Thanks for your suggestions to put some form and order into my rambling thoughts.

 

Will come back after about 1 hour (grab some lunch now).

[Acieed]

It was in the Chinese papers a few weeks ago that somebody was planning a road trip from London back to Singapore, maybe next year. A group of retirees, who recently did Singapore to Yunnan.

 

I think someone did that already or at least to Mongolia.

 

Not possible for me to do since for a start I'm not working there right now and don't have the contacts. I'm not in the business of organising road trips, just have the energy to do something different on my days off.

 

Might do such a trip one day if I do work there. Not impossible.

 

[Seaweed]

wow...must really have the time and vitamin "M" to do that !!! London to Singapore !!!

[Acieed]

Yeah, like I said. I think it was a group of retirees, as reported in ZB.

 

wow...must really have the time and vitamin "M" to do that !!! London to Singapore !!!

 

[Ah_Lau]

OK this would be a rough idea, subject to change by consensus.

 

Day 1.

Drive: Singapore - Butterworth 700km.

Estimated transport cost: MYR150 petrol, toll MYR100?

Sleep: Sunway Hotel Seberang Jaya SGD120.

http://www.asiarooms.com/malaysia/penang/1...erang_jaya.html

Rest of day at own leisure.

 

Day 2.

Drive: Butterworth-Surat Thani 520km.

Estimated transport cost: MYR22 + THB1,600 petrol, toll MYR20?

Sleep: Diamond Plaza Suratthani THB1,050.

http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/nst/diamondsurat/

Rest of day at own leisure.

 

Day 3.

Drive: Surat Thani-Cha Am 500km.

Estimated transport cost: THB2,000 petrol, toll?

Sleep: Holiday Inn Resort Regent Beach Cha Am THB3,000.

http://www.huahin.bangkok.com/holidayinnchaam/index.htm

Rest of day at own leisure.

 

Day 4.

Drive: Cha-Am - Bangkok 200km.

Estimated transport cost: THB800 petrol, toll?

Sleep: Grand Mercure Fortune Bangkok THB2,500.

http://www.fortunehotel.com/home.htm

Rest of day: help with provisioning on medical supplies.

 

Day 5.

Drive: Bangkok - Mae Sot 500km.

Estimated transport cost: THB2,000 petrol, toll?

Sleep: Centara Mae Sot Hill Resort SGD52

http://www.asiarooms.com/thailand/mae_sot.html

http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/maesot_hotels.asp

Rest of day at own leisure.

 

Day 6.

Drive: Mae Sot - Mawlamyaing (Moulmein) ?km

Sleep: ? about USD50

Estimated transport cost: petrol? toll?

http://myanmartravelinformation.com/mti-ot...aing-hotels.htm

Along the way / rest of day: volunteer work.

Spectacular scenery: http://www.maplandia.com/burma/mon/kyaikto/

 

Day 7.

Drive: Mawlamyaing - Kyaikhtiyo ?km

Estimated transport cost: petrol? toll?

Sleep: Golden Rock Hotel Kyaikhtiyo USD50?

Along the way / rest of day: volunteer work.

http://books.google.com.sg/books?id=ttBU77...d=0CB0Q6AEwCTgU

 

Day 8.

Drive: Kyaikhtiyo - Yangon ?km

Estimated transport cost: petrol? toll?

Sleep: Traders Hotel SGD120 (double room).

Along the way / rest of day: volunteer work.

 

My estimate of SDG70 for hotel is based on per pax on a twin sharing basis, it is a little on the high side but better to over-budget than to under-budget. Petrol and toll charges are based on per car. Up to you to make your passenger share costs or not.

 

Total estimate for room charges using the above hotels is about SGD712 or average of SGD102 per night. On a twin sharing basis it comes to about SGD51 each per night, significantly below my estimate of SGD70 per night per pax.

 

These are purely estimates based on current conditions. Don't sue me if prices move.

 

For sure if no one else knows the Mae Sot - Yangon route then I have to lead. No GPS maps for that area in the public domain as far as I know. Will bring my own GPS to log the recce drive for subsequent replay.

 

Singapore to Mae Sot is basically "just follow GPS lor". Can't be that difficult. Preparation is the key to success (getting the GPS and the maps), definitely. But once the trip kicks off, take it easy, follow GPS, engage autopilot.

 

Border crossing at Bukit Kayu Hitam is straight forward but time consuming. Insurance (3rd Party) can be bought either at the Thai CIQ or inside Malaysia at a Caltex in Gurun. Again no problems there.

 

If you are concerned about insurance against own loss you can buy cover from AXA (which covers all of Thailand except Ko Samui). Inside Myanmar there is no such thing as insurance. That is one reason why drivers are very careful, way more careful than Singapore drivers.

 

After arriving in Yangon and recovering, the journey back is own time own target. I will most likely remain in Yangon unless it is impossible for my car to stay with me until my project ends. If that is the case then my co-driver will drive back. The recce trip will therefore reveal whether it is safe to drive from Yangon to Mae Sot without being harrassed since safety is a big concern. Once into Thailand, the trip back to Singapore should be a no brainer.

 

You may want to consider shipping the car back and then flying back (might well be cheaper than driving back). There is at least one shipping company that does Yangon - Singapore regularly as per their shipping advertisements in Business Times. Would you like to check with them for a quotation?

 

Do keep the questions coming.

 

 

 

[Skinky]

Hi Ah Lau,

 

I skimmed through and I'm pretty interested. But I didn't see any dates, when will this take place ?

 

 

[Ah_Lau]

Oops forgot about the medical supplies part.

 

Most likely we will buy in Bangkok. Cheaper than from Singapore or Malaysia and no hassles when crossing borders.

 

Specification and quantity will depend on doctor's advice. Unlikely to consume much space if we have 4 or 5 cars to share the load. At most about the size of a carry-on cabin trolley bag.You may also like to bring old clothes to give to Burmese kids.

[Ah_Lau]

Hi Ah Lau,

 

I skimmed through and I'm pretty interested. But I didn't see any dates, when will this take place ?

 

Most likely before end-March because of seasonal constraints.

 

That's about what I know, as far as timing goes. I have not set a date. If most of you can agree on when to go, then it shall be so. For me I can arrange my work schedule in a way that allows for this trip.

[Seaweed]

maybe can give bangkok a miss ?? and go direct from cha am to mae sot...save a day time so making the journey as short as possible so more bro can makes it...and i guess bangkok does not interest most whom are keen of these sort of trip...i will give it a good thought and see if i can really make it...in the mean time also see if there is any interested MCFers too...Anyway should I really proceed...I will be driving back after a short stay in Yangon of maybe 2 nights...we will keep this thread alive and wait for you to check out the route...