ThahtayKyun

There are more than 800 islands, lying west of the Malay Peninsula in the Andaman Sea, roughly between 10 and 13 degrees north, that form the Mergui Archipelago. The islands are part of the Tenasserim (now Taninthayi) division, a province of Burma (now Myanmar). Some islands are large and most of them are not inhabited, but only occasionally visited by fishermen and by the Moken (sea gypsies). It is one of the few remaining sea nomads of the world. Lambi Island now a National Park stretches for more than 70 km.

HISTORICAL

Tenasserim division which includes the Archipelago has been inaccessible to foreign tourists practically since the independence of Burma from the British Empire in 1948. There were few tourists before that time. Tenasserim was an important seaport at the beginning of the second millennium when trade between India, China and Japan avoided the treacherous Malacca Strait (pirates, storms and Portugueses). Small ships could navigate the Tenasserim River and their wares transhipped over the hills to the Gulf of Thailand. Little is known of that route, now covered in deep forest. Trade flourished when Siam owned both coasts in the 16th and 17th centuries. War elephants, china and local porcelain, spices and silk were exported and Mergui on the coast could accommodate larger ships. An englishman became Shabandar (harbourmaster). The French were interested in the region, times of freeboosters and pirates followed until the Siamese massacred the foreigners. Later war broke out and Burma conquered Tenasserim Province. The British secured the Malacca Strait and founded Penang and Singapore. Mergui and the Tenasserim fell into oblivion. When the British took over the region in 1826, as their initial settlement after the first Burmese War, they found it almost deserted of people. Two hundreds years of war and guerilla warfare between Siam and Burma had made the once prosperous population of Mergui and Tenasserim flee to their respective homelands. Karen people and the interior have since occupied the area by Burmese along the coast. Tenasserim is, since 1948, a province of the Union of Burma, now Myanmar. Some Thai villages remain and the Archipelago is roamed by one of the last nomadic sea gypsies in the world, the Moken. They are an animist tribe who live in family groups on dug out boats of very special design.

Thahtay Kyun Island, also known as Son Island, is a small Myanmar/Burmese island within the Mergui Archipelago in the Andaman Sea. The island is directly adjacent to Ranon.

The beach of Thahtay Kyun is rocky for swimming. One can visit to the Islands nearby in this Mergui Archipelago to explore the under water coral garden. The Islands nearby are the island of Dawei fisherman inhabited for many years known as the Salons or sea Gypsies who sail around the islands.

The island has been given by the Burmese Government on a long term concession to a Thailand based VES Group for development as a tourism. Andaman Club is a five star casino cum golf resort now operating on the island.

And if the enjoyment is still not enough, The Mingala Ba Lounge and Snooker/Karaoke Pub are places to unwind. And the fun goes on in the Andaman Club's international entertainment room-in Lasvegas style, where your lady luck awaits you. Or, if you want something relaxing indulge yourself in the only Duty-free Shopping in the island.

And yet, there's more...get physical in our fitness center complete with sauna and traditional massage, our jogging track leads you through our botanical gardens overlooking a breathtaking view of the Andaman Sea. Its water is clear with more corals and seashells than people. It's an island for those who would rather spend the day peacefully basking in the sun or swimming.

The Mergui Archipelago (also Myeik Archipelago or Myeik Kyunzu) is an archipelago in far southern Burma (Myanmar). It consists of more than 800 islands, varying in size from very small to hundreds of square kilometers.

How to get there from Bangkok (Thailand)

It takes only an hour's flight via Bangkok Airways (with daily flight schedules) and 8 hours by coach. From Ranong Airport, it takes another hour drive to the Andaman Pier and only 10 minutes by catamaran across the Andaman Sea to the island resort.

How to get there from Phuket

Driving from Phuket and Surat Thani is very convenient with good rods and on to the super highway.

How to get there from Yangon (Myanmar)

With an intension of traveling on a vacation from Yangon (Myanmar) to the Andaman Club, you can fly by Yangon Airways (or) Myanmar Airways to Kawthoung situated in the southern zone of Myanmar. From Kawthoung you can travel within 5 minutes by speed boat to the Tha Htay Kyun where the Andaman Club is situated.

Ref:

1. Mergui Archipelago (Wikipedia)

2.Thahtay  Kyun Island (Wikipedia)

3. Andaman Club

4. Burma 2003 / 2004 - The Mergui archipelago

5. Mergui Archipelago Biodiversity Research Project (Myanmar)

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