Does anyone know if you can take a ferry from Phuket to Yangon?

i do not think so

No. You need to fly into Burma.

Well, you don't have to fly, it is possible to go overland from China, but not easy (friends of mine have done it twice). However, you can't take the route you suggest.

thursdays, the border with China has now been closed to all but pre-organized tour groups. There has been fighting up by the border and apparently the border is entirely closed sometimes. You used to be able to go overland at Mae Sot, but now they require a permit and a guide for those crossings, and of course you have to fly to get into the main part of Burma. But the permit and guide rule makes it much cheaper to simply fly to Yangon from Bangkok.

Highlander, if you are interested in traveling to Burma, I'd highly recommend that you get a copy (or download) of the Lonely Planet Guide just out. There are still plenty of complicated matters in traveling to Myanmar.

Don't be put off. Burma is amazing but fly and, as Kathie suggests, get the Lonely Planet guide and do a lot of research first. Its more challenging than other Asian countries I've visited.

Kathie - they crossed from China at Ruili, not from Thailand at Mae Sot, and did not need to fly once in Myanmar. But one of them was fluent in Mandarin, and it was Dec 2008 - does look like that route is off limits now too.

Thanks everyone! It is so interesting to read your responses. Thanks for the advice. I will take heed and fly from Bangkok, and be sure to get the Lonely Planet guide.

air asia flies that route as well as others

Yes, the crossing at Rulli is closed to all but Chinese nationals at present.