Myeik, Myanmar

Myeik was the southernmost part of the Pagan Kingdom from the 11th to 13th centuries. After the Pagan Empire's collapse in 1287, Myeik became part of successive Thai kingdoms from the late 13th century to the middle of 18th century: first the Sukhothai Kingdom and later the Ayutthaya Kingdom. A brief period of Burmese rule interrupted this between 1564 and 1593.

From the 16th century on, the city was an important seaport and trading center with the Europeans, who would land at Mergui, travel upriver to Tenasserim and then cross the mountains to reach Ayutthaya. The French officer Chevalier de Beauregard was made Governor of the city of Myeik after the Anglo-Siamese War (1687) that resulted in the English being expelled from Siam. De Beauregard was named Governor by Narai, the king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, replacing an Englishman, Samuel White. The French were then expelled from Myeik following the Siamese revolution of 1688.

The Burmese captured Myeik in 1765 as part of an invasion that would ultimately topple the Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1767. In 1826, the Burmese ceded the region to the British after the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826).

In the Pacific Theater of World War II, Imperial Japanese forces used laborers to hastily construct the Mergui Road to aid their retreat after the rail tracks were destroyed by Allied bombings.

Quarters

1. SEIKENGE
2. KANHPYAR
3. KANGYI
4. KANKHAUNG
5. MYINTNGE
6. DAWEZU
7. TALAINGZU
8. ZEDAN
9. NAUKLE
10. AH-LEL-GYUN
11. Myeik Taung, Myeik (South)
12. YAEBONE

There are 12 major quarters in Myeik. Myeik Taung and YAEBONE are the big wards. While NAUKLE, SEIKENGE, DAWEZU, KANGYI and YAEBONE meets the waterfront.

• Than Hpo, Ka Yu Taw, Palauk Su, Phaya Nga Su, Phayar Koe Su and Kyan Daw are the sub wards of KANHPYAR quarter.
• Tapyin and Myan Aung are the sub wards of KANGYI quarter.
• Kan Baung Yoe and Kyaung Nge are the sub wards of AH-LEL-GYUN quarter.
• Mee That is the split up ward of Dawei Su. It is also known as little DAWEZU quarter.

Myeik Taung, Myeik (South)

Myeik Taung is located at the south-east of the city. The Myeik Taung quarter shares border with KANHPYAR quarter, AH-LEL-GYUN quarter and NAUKLE quarter. It is considered the biggest major ward in the entire city by land area. The population is also larger than other quarters.

Markets

SEIKENGE Market is also known and Sibinthaya Market (municipal market). There are 4 major markets in Myeik downtown. They are SEIKENGE Market, Thiha Zeyar Market, NAUKLE Market and Tapyin Market. They open from 5 AM to 6PM everyday except Sundays and holidays. Markets like YAEBONE market, Palauk Su market, MYINTNGE market, Phayar Koe Hsu market are street markets. They are open from 5 AM to 12 PM.

• SEIKENGE Market
• NAUKLE Market
• Thiha Zeyar Market (Myo Thit Market)
• Tapyin Market
• MYINTNGE Market
• YAEBONE Market
• Palauk Su Market
• Phayar Koe Hsu Market

List of shopping centres

Myeik Shopping Centre and Market Garden are located at strand road, YAEBONE quarter.

• Myeik Shopping Centre
• Market Garden Myeik

Myeik has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am) that is hot throughout the year. After a short dry season centred on December and January, there is a long wet season from mid-March to mid-November. Heavy rainfall usually occurs from May to September.

The inhabitants of the city are descended from many ethnic groups, including Burman, Burmese Indian, Burmese Chinese, Karen, Mon, and Moken. They speak a dialect of the Burmese language known as the Myeik dialect. According to the 2014 census, Myeik has a total population of 284,498.

Myeik is home to notable several Burmese pagodas, the largest of which is the Theindawgyi Pagoda, Paw Taw Mu Pagoda, and Mahatheindizaya Pagoda is famous too. Although it is not in Myeik's area, Myeik Archipelago can be accessed from Myeik Port, and is known for its 800 unspoiled islands. Lately, Myeik has got many new attractions such as newly built Kabarlone Pagoda.

The population is primarily engaged in resource extraction industries like fishing, the production of natural rubber and coconuts, the collection of edible bird's nests, and pearl farming. Seafood products like dried fish, dried prawn and ngapi (shrimp paste) are other industries. Myeik is a gateway to the 800 offshore islands of the Mergui Archipelago, which are developing a tourist trade. Tourism in the area is currently restricted to cruises, as land based accommodations are currently non-existent on the islands.

Myeik Port

Myeik Port is a combination of multiple small jetties. There are 14 Jetties sitting beside the strand of Myeik. SEIKENGE Jetty is the main jetty, while Yawgyiwa jetty (Myo Thit Jetty) is the largest and primary commercial port facility in Myeik. Pyi Taw Thar is a historical old stone jetty that still works locally. SEIKENGE Jetty is located at SEIKENGE Quarter, NAUKLE No (1) and (2) Jetties are located at NAUKLE Quarter and Yawgyiwa Jetty (Myo Thit Jetty) is located at Myeik Taung, Myeik (South) Quarter.

Universities

• Myeik University
• Polytechnic University, Myeik

Basic Education

High Schools

Myeik has 9 Government High Schools (BEHS). Notable schools include:

• No. 1 Basic Education High School (12.445042, 98.602304)
• No. 2 Basic Education High School (12.436227, 98.602957)
• No. 3 Basic Education High School (12.440027, 98.598910)

There are 11 BEMS schools, three of which are BEHS branches, and only one BEPS school.

Private Schools

• Myint Mo Private High School, Myeik (12.459688, 98.608594)
• Kan Zun Ahin Private High School, Myeik (12.443771, 98.612354)
• Tun Tauk Kyal Private High School, Myeik

International Schools

• ILBC IGCSE & Preschool (Myeik)

Government Hospitals

• Myeik Public Hospital (12.462990, 98.611030)
• Myeik Traditional Medicine Hospital (12.453778, 98.602115)

Private Hospitals

• Myint Mo Hospital
• Datkhina Dipar Hospital
• Shwe Tara Phu Hospital
• Royal Hospital

• Myeik Police Station (12.437512, 98.598449)

• Htay Myint
• Lwin Moe
• Ngwe Gaing
• Paing Takhon