Mergui Archipelagos: Can I kayak on my own?
21 Sep: Is it possible to walk into Myiek or kawthoung and rent or buy a kayak and disappear a week or two? If it were to be illegal, could you buy a permit of some kind? Also how tight is security and government regulations when there are over 800 islands? If I keep a low profile on just some dumb kayak, 800+ islands, how many authorities are around there anyway?! I mean I guess it is becoming more popular, but I mean 800+ islands!!!! I wonder if you could somehow live with or travel with the sea people there. I know in Fiji the tribes are hospitable. The answer is that you have to stay in government approved hotels or guesthouses. You can not go anywhere, without a permit and an approved guide, outside the tourist trail and if or when you, they will see you sorted in no time. If some innocent Myanmar person transports you outside approved areas or lets you stay in their home, you put them in a very serious situation. I highly doubt you can just go off into the distance on a kayak, bo
