Kawthaung
Kawthaung
| |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Border crossing at Kawthaung | |
| Country |  Burma |
| Region | Tanintharyi Region |
| District | Kawthaung District |
| Township | Kawthaung Township |
| Time zone | UTC+6.30 (MST) |
Kawthaung (Burmese: ကော့သောင်းမြို့; MLCTS: kau. saung: mrui., IPA: [kɔ̰θáʊɴ mjo̰], Template:Lang-th; RTGS: Ko Song, Template:Lang-ms; ڤولودوا) is in the southernmost part of Myanmar, located in Tanintharyi Region. During British rule in Burma between 1824 and 1948, it was known as Victoria Point.
History
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 to the north of Kawthaung, a place with numerous lakes and flower trees called Maliwan in Thai Language. And at 1865, an Arab-Malay group led 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, unsuitable for large ships to enter and waiting tide water.
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 Township is located to the north. Most of the terrain in the area is mountainous.
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.
Demographics
The majority of Kawthaung's population is made up of Bamar, Thai and other ethnic minorities such as the Shan, Karen, and Mon. Some Thai muslims, alongside the Salone Sea Gypsies and Malays can also be found in Kawthaung. Burmese Chinese and Burmese Indians, who migrated to Kawthaung during colonial rule for tin mining and other industries also inhabit Kawthaung. Peranakan or Straits Chinese, called Pashu by the Burmese, can also be found in Kawthaung.[1]
The most common spoken language is Burmese, followed by Thai and Southern Thai.
Most of the Bamar, Thai, Shan, Karen, Mon, Burmese Chinese and some portions of the Salone adhere to Theravada Buddhism. The Malays and Thai Muslims practice Islam.
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 28 hp.
An 8 megawatt coal-fired power plant was completed in 2012, amid local concerns on pollution issues.[2]
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.
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.
Sister cities
See also
References
- ^ http://peranakan.org.sg/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=247&Itemid=2
- ^ Aye Nai (5 March 2012). "Coal plant stirs unease in southern Burma". Democratic Voice of Burma. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
