Mae Sot Border During Times Of Public Unrest

[jeebusjones]

My current tourist visa expires this weekend, so I was thinking of taking a few days to go to Mae Sot on Wednesday or Thursday.

But I just remembered that Wednesday is the day of the controversial ruling, and Thursday is a holiday anyway. I've never been to Mae Sot, but any border with Burma seems like it will be a bit unstable.

So, my question. If I go to Mae Sot, and "the sh*t goes down in Bangkok" (aka another coup, massive public demonstrations etc..), will they close the border?

Is there any risk in my going to Mae Sot during this time?

[LivinLOS]

Why not do a 30 day extension on your visa for 1900 before the tourist visa expires... Cheaper and easier than a vis run for the same amount of time..

[jeebusjones]

I've already extended it for 30 days. The extension runs out this weekend. Plus, I kind of want to take a few days to see the area around Tak and Mae Sot as I've heard it's beautiful.

Edited May 28, 2007 by jeebusjones

[cali4995]

jeebus, they have a big-a#s thai-myanmar friendship bridge there, in the same class as friendship 1 nong-khai or friendship 2 mukdahan. you could drive a tractor-trailer over. it's not a little muddy stream where you have to push the foliage aside, and wait for the bad guys with the ak 47's to pass. still, when crossing, remember to crouch and zig-zag so you're a more difficult target.

[jeebusjones]

^^ Thanks for that, er, thoughtful reply Cali. Actually my concern is that the border might close. Didn't the borders close during the last coup?

[cali4995]

i'm kidding of course jeebus, i think what happens sometimes is that the thais or the burmese start shelling each other or somebody fires a shot or kidnaps a few of the opposing team players and things get shut-down for a few days. not necessarily at the checkpoints but on the border nonetheless. you're absolutely right though, what is May 30th democracy day and May 31st is visakha bucha day?

[jeebusjones]

May 31 is Visaka Bucha day. I don't know if May 30 is a special day ordinarily, but this year they're announcing the ruling regarding the dissolution of TRT. So there is the possibility for some interesting things to happen.

[Krub]

May 31 is Visaka Bucha day. I don't know if May 30 is a special day ordinarily, but this year they're announcing the ruling regarding the dissolution of TRT. So there is the possibility for some interesting things to happen.

Why don't you go tomorrow and be safely back in Thailand before the 30th ?

[timonase]

Well, obviously nobody can tell you whether the border will be closed in case of major public unrest or even a new coup on wednesday. In fact nobody can tell if there will be public unrest or another coup on wednesday. All i can tell you is that i have been in mae sot several times and i prefer the visa run there, due to the relaxed atmosphere on the border.

regards

Timo

[apetley]

Hi, Mae Sot is a great place for a border run but has been closed a couple of times, albeit briefly, in the recent past.

I always give immigration there a quick call before I make the drive just to be on the safe side.

[jeebusjones]

I always give immigration there a quick call before I make the drive just to be on the safe side.

That's a good idea. Do you have the number?

[apetley]

055563002

Get there before 4 pm at the absolute latest. Thai side closes at 4.30 for re-entry to farang.

[silverhawk_usa]

Hi, Mae Sot is a great place for a border run but has been closed a couple of times, albeit briefly, in the recent past.

I always give immigration there a quick call before I make the drive just to be on the safe side.

I was also planning a trip to Tachilek, Burma through Mai Sai this week. Decided to wait a week and see what happens as they also closed Mai Sai during the last coup.

[StickKettleOn]

I have been toying with the idea of a trip to Mae Sot this weekend. I only live a couple hours from the border. The only thing putting me off is the 'state' of my passport.... I am in an identical possition to the OP; TV expired, 30 day extension finishes on the 4th June. By rights, i should be able to go and get a 30 day stamp but two things are freaking me about this;

1) I had a three month overstay imeddiatley prior to the TV and when i got my 30 days extension on the TV, the immigration officer told me off for having a 3 month overstay and two others last year

2) I dont know if i can be bothered with the whole 'air ticket out' thing

I dont know if getting another TV in Malasia would be the best bet. Seems such a shame to go all the way down south when i live a couple hours from Mae Sot.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

[jeebusjones]

You don't need to show an onward ticket at Mae Sot. Apparently, it's only required at the Cambodian border.

As for the overstay, I have no idea since I've only overstayed by about 10 days in the past, never three months. I would think you'd be ok, since the new six month period began last month.

[visarunner]

Mae Sot border is always the first to close in case of internal or external Conflicts .

The burmese side/region opposite Mae Sot is still unstable.