All Burma liveaboards depart from and return to Khao Lak in Thailand. You are not able to leave the liveaboard boat while in Burma and then continue travelling in Burma. You have to return to Thailand. Once you’re back at Khao Lak, it’s fairly easy to fly into Burma if you wish to explore the country first.
Fly Phuket to Bangkok, and then Bangkok to Yangon
The quickest way to travel to Burma from Khao Lak is to fly from Phuket to Bangkok, and then get a flight from Bangkok into Yangon, the former capital of Burma. Alternatively you can get the overnight bus from Phuket to Bangkok which is cheaper but slower. Or you can take a bus from Khao Lak to Surat Thani and catch the train to Bangkok.
You will need a Myanmar visa
However, you will need to get your Myanmar visa first while in Bangkok. Allow at least a couple of days to get the Myanmar visa. Full details here.
What To See In Burma?
If you’d like some suggestions of where to go and what to see in Burma, see our Burma – Places To See page.