Southern Myanmar covers Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Division with the approximate population of 5-6 million people. It borders the Andaman Sea to the west and Thailand to the east. There are three Thailand/Myanmar border points from north to south which are now officially open for foreigners to travel overland to Southern Myanmar.

• Myawaddy (Myanmar) / Mae Sot (Thailand)
• Htee Khee (Myanmar) / Phu Nam Ron (Thailand)
• Kawthaung (Myanmar ) / Ranong (Thailand)

Singkhon border crossing in Prachuap Khiri Khan; Thailand, is a new border point across the Tenasserim Hills on the border between Thailand and Myanmar leading to Myeik, only open to Thais and Burmese but indeed not open for other nationals yet.

Southern Myanmar features an extreme tropical monsoon climate with three seasons:

• Cool – November to February is warm to hot during the day and the air is relatively dry.
• Hot – March to May is intensely hot in most of the region.
• Rainy – June to October is the monsoon season, with high rainfall, particularly in Dawei, it receive as much as 1,300 millimeters per month. Apart from the Chocó region of Colombia, and the area around Mount Cameroon in Africa, it is possibly the wettest lowland tropical region in the world. The most comfortable time to visit Southern Myanmar is during the cool season, which is also the least humid time of year and has the clearest air – however, this is also the peak tourist season.

Burmese are a very friendly and outgoing people, especially towards visitors. However it is considered improper to lose one's temper or show much emotion in public. Myanmar culture is basically Buddhist and so much of the accepted etiquette pertains to Buddhist beliefs. As in all Buddhist countries, the head is considered to be the most sacred part of the body, where as the feet are considered dirty and corrupt. For this reason it is important never to touch anyone's head and shoes are always taken off upon entering homes, monasteries and pagoda compounds [Source: Myanmar2day.com ]

The Kyat is the currency of Myanmar. Most tourist hotels are priced and payable in $ although many restaurants, guest houses and smaller hotels still are payable in kyat and Thai Baht. Many international ATM’s are in all major cities. All major cities in Southern Myanmar have money changers at the bank. Credit cards are most likely not accepted.