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Submitted by: Gsmyth Smyth

Those planning a trip that combines a visit to northern Thailand and a stay in Yangon and/or Mandalay in neighbouring Myanmar, now have more choice in flights thanks to new direct services launched in October.

The new flights to Myanmar operate out of Chiang Mai, Thailands second largest city, and are among four new non-stop services introduced by Bangkok Airways, which Skytrax named Worlds Best Regional Airline 2014 and Best Regional Airline Asia 2014.

The four times weekly service between Chiang Mai and Yangon is on a Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday, the outbound flight departing Chiang Mai at 11 am and the inbound flight departing Yangon at 12.50 pm. The three times weekly service between Chiang Mai and Mandalay is on a Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, the outbound flight departing Chiang Mai at 11 am and the inbound flight departing Mandalay at 12.50 pm. Both routes use an ATR72-500 aircraft with 70 seat capacity.

The other two new services are between Chiang Mai and Udon Thani in northeast Thailand, twice daily and also using a 70 seat ATR72-500, and between Chiang Mai and Phuket, once daily using an Airbus A320 with 162 seat capacity.

Bangkok Airways also flies from Chiang Mai to Myanmars capital of Nay Pyi Taw, and from Bangkok to Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw.

Bangkok Airways vice president – sales Ariya Prasarttong-Osoth said the airline foresaw the northern Thai city as another important hub for Thailands tourism industry and considered it a gateway to Indochina. By utilizing Chiang Mai International Airport as another hub, it will enhance Bangkok Airways ability to support the growing demand for air travel when the AEC (Asean Economic Community) takes place in 2015. It will also allow us to provide better flight connections for our passengers who wish to continue their travel to the Northeastern and Southern part of Thailand as well as to the neighbouring country Myanmar without having to fly back to (Bangkoks) Suvarnabhumi Airport to connect to those destinations.

In the past year or so, a number of regional airlines have launched new flights to various points in Myanmar and/or boosted frequencies on existing routes. Its an increase in air access that comes as tourism arrivals surge, surpassing 2 million for the first time in 2013, and new hotels in Yangon and other destinations open. Tourism authorities recently announced a target of 3 million foreign tourists in 2014 and 5 million in 2015.

As the largest city and prime international gateway, a stay in Yangon is surely a must on any trip to Myanmar, offering intriguing historical sights, bustling city life and accommodation that includes some of the finest colonial hotels in Asia – such as The Strand Yangon built in 1901 and Belmond Governors Residence dating from the 1920s. Alongside luxury hotels in Yangon like these, is a choice of budget and three to five star Yangon hotels.

Introduced in September 2014 is a new online application system for a tourist visa to Myanmar. It can be applied for at www.evisa.moip.gov.mm with the application process requiring a persons passport to be valid for at least six months, one colour photo taken during the past three months and the fee (non refundable) of US$50 paid either with Visa or MasterCard.

The application website states the applicant will receive an email acknowledgement within one hour of successful payment of the US$50 fee and that the processing time of an application is up to five working days.

The E-visa is valid for a stay of up to 28 days from the date of arrival in Myanmar, with a validity period of 90 days from its issuing date. It can be used for a single entry (re-entry requires another E-visa) and currently only through Yangon International Airport, with authorities saying other ports of entry would be announced later.

About the Author: About The Strand YangonThe Strand Yangon is one of Southeast Asia’s grand colonial hotels and still one of its most awe inspiring.This luxury hotel in Yangon will remind guests of times gone by.For more information , please visit our website

hotelthestrand.com

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