Chiang Khong border open

[Thaising]

Latest News From TV Channel 3. Mae Sai - Tachilek Border ordered closed for the time being.

[In the Rai!]

And I bet they will still charge for overstays too!

[jimmi]

You can bet on that Rai!

[erg]

Is this information sure?

[ovenman]

Is this information sure?

I've heard several reports that the Mae Sai border crossing is closed and none to contradict it.

[oilysang]

Is this information sure?

I've heard several reports that the Mae Sai border crossing is closed and none to contradict it.

They will closed it for at least two weeks.

[rhen86]

do you think today mae sai border is open

[Thaising]

It won't be long once the situation are stable and back to normal.

[Limbo]

This is a posting of Lopburi3 in the thread

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=84313

"The flight to Singapore or Malaysia sounds like the best option as Cambodia is a long way by road. It appears the borders may have been closed by the foreign governments so things may take awhile to get back to normal. Current photo from Maesai shows it shuttered".

Please check this thread for new developments.

[Limbo]

Nong Khai is open, so Chiang Khong should be too. Nowadays you get your visa for Laos very simple at the border. Sorry that I didn't find out for 100%, but the telephone connection with Victor isn't working.

It's a little bit further than Mae Sai, but a nice route. Especially if you drive over Chiang Saen and along the Mekong to Chiang Khong.

If you are in a hurry the normal connection from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong is easier, it is less mountaineous and about twenty kilometers shorter.

By the way:

The last time the Burmese border was closed for a longer period many people thought it was extremely troublesome and started to complain and make long travels to Malaysia.

Hardly anyone used the Chiang Saen route, which costed in time and money only a fraction.

Can anyone confirm that the Chiang Saen route is still intact?

If, please follow the instructions of the officers of the immigration office.

Chiang Saen is Chiang Saen and not Ban Sobrak! Don't mess up again!

Limbo

[svenivan]

When Mae Sai was closed years ago I went to Chiang Saen but then we took a boat to the Casino in Myanmar close to Golden Triangle.

We could not go over to Laos what I remember.

[Limbo]

Laos was a problem because first Americans were not allowed in anymore as the Laotian Mong with support of American Mong had attacked a borderpost, and later foreigners in general.

The visa had to come from Bangkok suddenly.

Problems arose with the Chiang Saen - Casino route when foreigners didn't take the boat but went by car to the free casino ferry in Ban Sobrak (to save 500 Baht).

This was illegal as they stayed in Thailand after being stamped 'out'.

I can't imagine that this border would be closed from the Burmese side as very important and substantial 'banking' takes place in the casino.

Limbo

[naamjai]

Nong Khai is open, so Chiang Khong should be too. Nowadays you get your visa for Laos very simple at the border. Sorry that I didn't find out for 100%, but the telephone connection with Victor isn't working.

It's a little bit further than Mae Sai, but a nice route. Especially if you drive over Chiang Saen and along the Mekong to Chiang Khong.

If you are in a hurry the normal connection from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong is easier, it is less mountaineous and about twenty kilometers shorter.

i did today my visa run to chiang khong. a really nice trip, but you need a lot of time (i travelled by bus, chiang rai to chiang khong about 2 1/2 h ) and it is more expensiv than mae sai ... but now i do not have to worry anymore for the next 30 days

[rlittleford]

FYI: Maesai was closed today!

[Limbo]

i did today my visa run to chiang khong. a really nice trip, but you need a lot of time (i travelled by bus, chiang rai to chiang khong about 2 1/2 h ) and it is more expensiv than mae sai ... but now i do not have to worry anymore for the next 30 days

Yes, it is a really nice area. I did it by bicycle a couple of weeks ago (with Erg) and we both loved the trip.

The road from Chiang Khong to Chiang Saen is really great, beautiful views on the Mekong and hardly any traffic, especially if you take the one which follows the river (to the right at the police boot after about five kilometers).

Thanks for your report

Limbo:yohan:

[oilysang]

And I bet they will still charge for overstays too!

I went home via air in chiang mai but they did not charge me for two late overstay ( maybe he overlook it)

[tommay]

First of all thanks for your post.

But I'm affraid that is definately not the case!

Chiang Khong was closed at least till yesterday (even for Laotians!).

I called a british friend (who is working at a four-star hotel at the Golden Triangle) yesterday and he told me that they tried to get two Laotions employed. When they got to Chiang Khong with all requested paperwork nowbody was allowed to get out of Thailand/get in into PDR Laos.

When they went to Chiang Saen (Thailand-Myanmar) they found themself in the same situation.

Question: Have you confirmed information about Nong Khai-Vientanne and Chiang Khong-Huay Xsai. Where crossing at the friendship bridge possible? What is the source of your information (- the immigration at Nong Khai and/or Chiang Khong itself?).

Please spend some time to clarify (I don't want to cause inconvinence, but think if people decide to get to Chiang Khong or Nong Khai - based on your posting - and than find themself at closed border gate..).

PLEASE! Again to all of you out there - has anyone personally done the trip to nong Khai during the last 3 days? Please share your knowledge with us - thanks.

[naamjai]

PLEASE! Again to all of you out there - has anyone personally done the trip to nong Khai during the last 3 days? Please share your knowledge with us - thanks.

i have been (on the 22.09.06) for my visa run to chiang khong, because the border in mai sai is still closed! by bus from chiang rai to chiang khong 2 1/2 h, gate 9, 57 baht! busstation to thai border, tuk tuk 20 baht. about the opening hour, please call immigration office chiang khong : http://www.thaivisa.com/immigration_phone.0.html

on the thai border you need: (1) fotocopy of your passport, (in my case) the last 4 pages of my passport (mabey they start counting the days already????) and a copy of your departure card. per photocopy 2 baht. if you return to thailand at the same day, you will have to pay 200 baht at the thai border (pocketmoney for the officer ???)!!! i had to pay 1000 baht for 2 days overstay after that, boat trip to laos, 20 baht. laos visa (1-30 days) 1500 baht or 30 us$ plus 1 picture. (on the thaiside, 4 picture 80 baht). return to thailand with the boat, 20 bath. entre thailand, what a surprise, for free, get a stamp for 30 days without any problems.....

have fun and enjoy the trip to laos

[Joel Barlow]

yeah - exciting ChiangKouang, however it's spelled (I'm sure there are x's), such a thrill few can even remember its name! Shop for silver (caveat emptor). Sing karaeoke. Get a massage. Go to sleep...

anyway, just posted elsewhere on this site - the Myanmar border has re-opened.

and maaybe the three times only visa on entry thing starts counting Oct 1. Ex-CEO Mr T's Immigration Head has been moved to an inactive post; what follows will be interesting.

I consider it foolish to count on all subsequent events oriented to increase your ease!

[tommay]

yeah - exciting ChiangKouang, however it's spelled (I'm sure there are x's), such a thrill few can even remember its name! Shop for silver (caveat emptor). Sing karaeoke. Get a massage. Go to sleep...

anyway, just posted elsewhere on this site - the Myanmar border has re-opened.

and maaybe the three times only visa on entry thing starts counting Oct 1. Ex-CEO Mr T's Immigration Head has been moved to an inactive post; what follows will be interesting.

I consider it foolish to count on all subsequent events oriented to increase your ease!

Thanks a lot - this helps! And I can confirm!

Visited P.M. Travel yesterday (Chiang mai, taipeh gate) - who told me they will lunch a Visa service (minibus) starting from today to Chiang Khong. The lady told me that they will operate this tour till things get back to normal at Mae Sai. She furthermore confirmed that she will call me today at around 2:00PM to inform me if there was any problems at Chiang Khong border - while her pasangers from today crossed. Indeed she called about 5 minutes ago and confirmed NO PROBLEMS AT CHIANG KHONG - AND FURTHERMORE THAT TOMOROWS VISARUN WILL GET TO MAE SAI, AS THE BORDER IS RE-OPEN.

So let's get calm and do what needs to be done - without worries.

[chownah]

Mae Sai border is open today....I went and got a 30 day stamp....also spoke with immigration and they will handle everything there for getting a 90 day visa and then also extend it into a one year visa for retirement.

Chownah