The Pandaw Story: On the Rivers of Burma and Beyond

by Paul Strachan

In 1995 Paul Strachan invited an unlikely assortment of eccentrics and adventurers to join him in an untried new boat that would venture up the Irrawaddy River, the first time foreign tourists had ventured up the mighty Burmese thoroughfare since the Second World War. Against all odds, the trip was a huge success, word quickly spread and before Strachan knew it he was running a business in one of the world's least business-friendly environments. He named it the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in honour of the Glasgow-based company that ran Burma's river transport when the country was an outpost of the British Raj. The company now trades under the name Pandaw, after the Clyde-built paddle steamer it restored in Burma In turns hilarious, shocking, moving and often highly provocative, this book celebrates the 20th anniversary of the revived Irrawaddy Flotilla Company and the 150th anniversary of the founding of the original Irrawaddy Flotilla. In The Pandaw Story Strachan describes many adventures, successes and mishaps on the rivers of Burma and then, after 2002 on the Kwai, Mekong, Ganges and Rajang rivers all of which he pioneered for river cruising. Few foreigners lived in Burma through these years and this book gives a number of fascinating insights into life in a military dictatorship, offering a uniquely well-informed account of the brutal impasse that for decades has dominated political life in one of the world's least-understood countries. This lively, humorous and anecdotal account gives some insights into the trials and tribulations of doing business in Burma and in South-East Asia more generally, introducing many outrageous and some sinister characters.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2015

Reviews

[Hulananni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for our trip in 2017.

Knowing the story behind the building of the company makes it even more intriguing to sail in one of the Pandaw vessels

[Toni Strachan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess I'm inclined to give this a good review.
In all honesty really enjoyed the re-telling of the companies business.
As Paul puts it 'how not to run a company', and yet a must read for old boffs and new, who are in love with the East, or historians keen on the culture or the history of colonial times.

A narrative, with a unique insight into a country which has only just in the last 10 years opened up to tourism, and with continual issues. Life under a Dictatorship, fear of egotistic generals and bureaucracy and bribes.

With the book dedicated to me and with a whole Chapter on me I feel privileged.

Unfortunately some of the paperback copies have jumbled up pages, and if this is you please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.