New Mae Sai (Tachileik) visa hours and other info

[AjarnBrock]

Hello, I just got back from a border run and thought this might help others. I apologize if posted in the wrong forum; I'm new here.

The immigration hours are 6am-8pm daily. (Burma is 1/2 hour behind Thailand but immigration wasn't clear which timezone it follows... comical)

A sign clearly says you must stay overnight, but that is not enforced as you can just pay your 500 baht and do a U-turn.  If you want to stay, it's no extra charge and you can stay 2 weeks.  They keep your passport at immigration and give you a temp Myanmar visa.

There is a new casino being built slated to open in July.  My hotel room was adjacent to the hammering !  Nice room though with Al Jazeera and English speaking Thai staff (Mya Shwe Yee Hotel 1.5 km from border. 20 baht motorcycle taxi or 100 baht truck/van each way. 600 baht next to the temple on the hill that is lit at night and has wonderful food stands open late)    Enjoy

[lordblackader]

Be interesting to see  what the new casino is like - the one of the hill is the dodgiest one I've ever been to :)

[Whitson]

Can you explore futher into the province taking the offer of a two week stay? Motor bikes for hire?

If in retirement extension does one need a re entry visa? 

[ubonjoe]

33 minutes ago, Whitson said:

If in retirement extension does one need a re entry visa? 

You would need a re-entry permit.

[Old York]

You are allowed to spend your two weeks within Tachilek town limits only. The exception is if you can get permission from a Burmese phuyai, which means either police or military. There are checkpoints on all roads out of town. Definitely require a re-entry permit when you return to Mae Sai.

[BritTim]

3 hours ago, Whitson said:

Can you explore futher into the province taking the offer of a two week stay? Motor bikes for hire?

Under normal circumstances, the Myanmar border pass you get is only usable within the vicinity of Tachilek itself. If you want to travel further inland, you would need to get a Myanmar visa in advance (you cannot use an e-visa). Even with a visa, the Myanmar authorities used to insist you have an approved Myanmar guide for onward travel from Tachilek, though I suspect that rule might have been relaxed now, as it has in many other areas of the country.