Myanmar - Tachiliek border run.

[David Madden]

Can Anybody tell me what covid test is needed to do a border run ??? Is it just a stanard swab test????

[soi3eddie]

No chance. Land borders with Myanmar are not open to foreigners. Only for locals on border passes.

 

For us foreigners, the only method of entry to Myanmar is by air and then only to Yangon and Mandalay airports. The visa application process is tedious - see here - and costs $50USD + insurance costing $50USD too.  See here and be sure to read the section in red regarding land border restrictions.

 

We just got back this evening from 5 days in Yangon. We had a great time and it was so nice to be back there enjoying meeting the people, delicious food, sightseeing and shopping. While there, we saw fewer than 100 westerners.

 

Edited March 13, 2023 by soi3eddie

[DrJack54]

@soi3eddie great post. Ta.

[BritTim]

4 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

No chance. Land borders with Myanmar are not open to foreigners. Only for locals on border passes.

Until recently, that was true. Now, some crossings (including Mae Sai/Tachilek) are open for border bounces. There was a recent credible thread on the subject.

 

If you have proof on Covid vaccination (as far as I can see, all the major vaccines) in English, no test is needed for a border bounce.

[Tod Daniels]

14 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

No chance. Land borders with Myanmar are not open to foreigners. Only for locals on border passes.

You're a little off on your information ????

There are TWO Burma borders with thailand that are open to people bouncing out and back;
Mae Sai / Tachileik in Chiang Rai Province
and
Mae Sot / Myawaddy in Tak Province..

BOTH those borders will let people bounce out and back without any issue

You show proof of vax history at Mae Sai (or a negative covid test & they send you to a nearby clinic/hospital to get one, the 7/11 30 baht test doesn't work ????)
but
people who bounced at Mae Sot were saying they didn't need to show it

Mae Sot charges 500 baht to stamp in and out of burma so you can stamp back into thailand

Mae Sai will take 10 USD if you tell them you only want to stamp in-n-out and go right back to thailand. Otherwise they charge 500 baht and issue you an Entry permit to Burma that lets you stay in the Tachileik are for 2 weeks (you can't go further into Burma than that area by the border).

[les1]

15 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

No chance. Land borders with Myanmar are not open to foreigners. Only for locals on border passes.

 

For us foreigners, the only method of entry to Myanmar is by air and then only to Yangon and Mandalay airports. The visa application process is tedious - see here - and costs $50USD + insurance costing $50USD too.  See here and be sure to read the section in red regarding land border restrictions.

 

We just got back this evening from 5 days in Yangon. We had a great time and it was so nice to be back there enjoying meeting the people, delicious food, sightseeing and shopping. While there, we saw fewer than 100 westerners.

 

I was there in Maesai last week end & approached the Border  & was asked if I wanted to do a visa so who knows..I said no but I was there to find out if it was open.

[edwardandtubs]

15 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

While there, we saw fewer than 100 westerners.

 

Maybe because other westerners have ethics and unlike you don't think it's cool to give money to a government at war with its own people.

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, edwardandtubs said:

Maybe because other westerners have ethics and unlike you don't think it's cool to give money to a government at war with its own people.

That is a pretty good reason. However, I am prepared to bet that the low number of foreigners crossing is because they are unaware that it is open, and there are not yet organised visa runs going there.

[edwardandtubs]

7 minutes ago, BritTim said:

That is a pretty good reason. However, I am prepared to bet that the low number of foreigners crossing is because they are unaware that it is open, and there are not yet organised visa runs going there.

I was replying to the guy boasting about his wonderful holiday in Yangon.

[soi3eddie]

1 hour ago, edwardandtubs said:

Maybe because other westerners have ethics and unlike you don't think it's cool to give money to a government at war with its own people.

Easy cheap shot regurgitated frequently over the last 30+ years. Talk to any Burmese on the street or running a small business, and ask them if they would rather that foreigners don't come, and they'll tell you they want more visitors. You don't know how much support we give to ordinary Burmese people on our visits.

 

100% of the money from those paying fees to immigration to do a "border bounce" is going to government or it's employees.

 

Edited March 14, 2023 by soi3eddie

[edwardandtubs]

35 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

Easy cheap shot regurgitated frequently over the last 30+ years. Talk to any Burmese on the street or running a small business, and ask them if they would rather that foreigners don't come, and they'll tell you they want more visitors. You don't know how much support we give to ordinary Burmese people on our visits.

 

100% of the money from those paying fees to immigration to do a "border bounce" is going to government or it's employees.

 

Every pro-democracy and human rights group is telling people to stay away but I'm sure you know more than they do.

[geisha]

I have Burmese friends in Yangon and they all advise tourists to stay away. It is still unsafe and you are contributing by using their airlines and facilities belonging to the cruel government dictatorship.

[David Madden]

Just an update on the Mae sai Border, Went there today never seen so many Burmese people there. When i went to Passport counter Immigration lady asks if i have covid certificate i replied no she stamped my passbook and off i go across the bridge i was expecting to see a big neon sign saying Covid control but alas there was none lol,went into Myanmar passport office 500bht in book 2 stamps and i am outa there, A quick irish jig and back to Thailand, PS I dont know if i got lucky with the covid cert maybe someone can update us......

Edited March 15, 2023 by David Madden
spelling

[freedomnow]

On 3/14/2023 at 4:41 AM, Tod Daniels said:

You're a little off on your information ????

There are TWO Burma borders with thailand that are open to people bouncing out and back;
Mae Sai / Tachileik in Chiang Rai Province
and
Mae Sot / Myawaddy in Tak Province..

BOTH those borders will let people bounce out and back without any issue

You show proof of vax history at Mae Sai (or a negative covid test & they send you to a nearby clinic/hospital to get one, the 7/11 30 baht test doesn't work ????)
but
people who bounced at Mae Sot were saying they didn't need to show it

Mae Sot charges 500 baht to stamp in and out of burma so you can stamp back into thailand

Mae Sai will take 10 USD if you tell them you only want to stamp in-n-out and go right back to thailand. Otherwise they charge 500 baht and issue you an Entry permit to Burma that lets you stay in the Tachileik are for 2 weeks (you can't go further into Burma than that area by the border).

It used to be $10 regardless of a U-turn back into Thailand on the spot or short trip into the border town...is this a new thing that they confirmed to you in the Burmese immigration office ?

 

[samuttodd]

On 3/14/2023 at 2:53 PM, BritTim said:

That is a pretty good reason. However, I am prepared to bet that the low number of foreigners crossing is because they are unaware that it is open, and there are not yet organised visa runs going there.

Perhaps they vacationed there while training rebels how to operate Surface to air missile systems.