Representatives from NOK Mini Air departing from Mawlamyine Airport on September 30
(Photo – Maung Maung Shwe Myine)
Published on Saturday, 06 October 2012
Thai commuter airline NOK Mini Air will be operating a direct flight between Mae Sot in Thailand and Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon state in Myanmar.
Hla Shein, chairman of Mon Trading Industry Association, told Eleven Media that airline representatives recently met with Mon state officials to discuss upgrading the Mawlamyine Airport and issues on visa, passport and hotel rates.
The chairman said the airline would likely start the flights within three months or so.
Flight time is 20 minutes and roundtrip airfare will cost around US$80.
Hla Shein also said Skyhub International Company will provide training on handling visa and passport issues.
During their visit to Mawlamyaing, NOK Mini Air representatives also visited the Mottama museum and Mottama Hill.
“They are interested in Mottama as they have historical records of communication between the old town and Thailand. The natural beauty of Mottama Hill is something they have never seen before so they are interested in investing in a hotel zone,” said Win Tun Oo, director of Skyhub International Company.
Mawlamyine was the first British capital between 1826 and 1852 after the Myanmar king lost in the First Anglo-Burmese War.
Old government buildings, churches, and clock towers built during the colonial era still remain in the city and could serve as tourist attractions for Westerners, according to Win Tun Oo.
Aside from the regular flights, NOK Mini Air is also planning to introduce tour packages that will include a visit to the Emerald Buddha in Thailand.
http://elevenmyanmar.com/tourism/875-nok-mini-air-to-fly-mae-sot-mawlamyine-route
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