Kawthaung Myanmar
Myanmar

Port of Kawthaung, Myanmar | Cruise Port Guide

Across the estuary, the hills already belong to Thailand. Kawthaung occupies the very southern tip of Myanmar, facing the Thai town of Ranong, and this proximity gives it the feel of a lively end of the world: longtail boats racing between the two banks, porters loaded down with goods, the call of muezzins mingling with the bells of pagodas. The British called it Victoria Point, in honour of their queen; the town reclaimed its Burmese name after independence in 1948, and today's ships find here the gateway to the Myeik Archipelago.

Arriving Facing Thailand

Depending on their size, ships dock at the main jetty or anchor in the estuary, with a tender transfer to the waterfront landing. The stop plunges straight into the action: the market literally begins right behind the dock, and the main street immediately climbs between the stalls. Everything is covered on foot, with the occasional help of motorbike taxis for the higher points.

The Pagoda on the Summit

On its hill above the town, Pyi Taw Aye Pagoda spreads out a golden stupa surrounded by smaller shrines, in the spirit of a miniature Shwedagon. The climb, steep but short, is rewarded with a full panorama: the tin roofs below, the channel crossed by boats, the islands stretching out toward the open sea, and the Thai coast as a backdrop. Late in the day, low light sets the stupa ablaze and the sea takes on tones of lacquer.

The Warrior King's Point

At the very tip of the peninsula, a bronze equestrian statue marks Bayint Naung Point, named after a conquering sixteenth-century king. It's the southernmost point of mainland Myanmar: beyond it, there are only islands. Locals come here for photos, as do travellers, and the spot neatly sums up this singular geography, wedged between mountain, border, and ocean.

The Market and Border Life

The covered market and its surrounding lanes make up the real show in Kawthaung. Gleaming fish laid out on ice, baskets of chili peppers, sacks of rice, jewellers' gold, checkered sarongs, sweet tea served on plastic stools: all the exchange between two countries passes through these narrow aisles. Burmese, Thai, and Mon dialects can all be heard here, as longtail boats unload their passengers arriving from Ranong: residents of both banks cross daily to trade, as though the border were just one more errand in the day.

Toward the Myeik Archipelago

Kawthaung owes its place on cruise itineraries to its position as a threshold: to the north begin the roughly 800 islands of the Myeik Archipelago, one of the last great nearly untouched island regions in Southeast Asia. Beaches with no footprints, untouched forests, villages of nomadic Moken fishermen: most ships that call here continue on into these waters, and the stop takes on the feel of a prologue.

Useful Pointers

  • The town can be covered on foot in half a day; the pagoda calls for good shoes.
  • Shoes come off at places of worship; modest dress is recommended.
  • Myanmar's time zone differs by 30 minutes from neighbouring Thailand's: go by the ship's clock.
  • The kyat is the official currency; small bills are essential at the market.
  • The humid heat calls for water and a hat from the morning onward.

Heading Back Out to Sea

As the ship heads back out, the golden pagoda gleams one last time above the rooftops, then the first islands of the archipelago appear dead ahead. Kawthaung fades quickly from view, but it leaves behind the essential thing: the feeling of having slipped through a quiet door into one of the least-known corners of maritime Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Depending on its size, at the main jetty or at anchor in the estuary, with a tender transfer to the waterfront landing. The market begins literally behind the quay.
At the far southern tip of Myanmar, facing the Thai town of Ranong across the estuary. The British called it Victoria Point; the town took back its Burmese name after independence in 1948.
Climb to Pyi Taw Aye pagoda for the panorama, walk the covered market and carry on to Bayint Naung cape at the very tip of the peninsula. It is all done on foot, with motorbike taxis available for the high points.
The tin roofs below, the channel busy with boats, the islands running out to sea and the Thai coast as a backdrop. The climb is steep but short.
The southernmost point of mainland Myanmar, marked by a bronze equestrian statue of a conquering sixteenth-century king. Beyond it there are only islands.
For its position as a threshold: to the north begin the roughly 800 islands of the Myeik archipelago, one of Southeast Asia's last great near-untouched island regions.
Glistening fish laid on ice, baskets of chillies, sacks of rice, gold from the jewellers, checked sarongs and sweet tea served on plastic stools. All the trade between two countries passes through these narrow aisles.
Burmese, Thai and Mon dialects, sometimes in the same conversation. People from both shores cross daily to trade.
Yes: Myanmar's time zone differs by 30 minutes from neighbouring Thailand's. Always go by ship's time.
The kyat is the official currency and small notes are essential at the market. The humid heat also calls for water and a hat from early in the morning.