Mae Sai/Tachilek Border Info

[Paul888]

I have never tried to pay $10.

I am happy to pay the 500 baht and if the immigration guys profit from it, good luck to them.

I know it's a "matter of principle" about the $10 for some people, but 500 baht is cheap compared to other Thailand borders and I do not believe that there is an easier, friendlier or more polite border than this but to each his own.

[krobert6]

I have never tried to pay $10.

I am happy to pay the 500 baht and if the immigration guys profit from it, good luck to them.

I know it's a "matter of principle" about the $10 for some people, but 500 baht is cheap compared to other Thailand borders and I do not believe that there is an easier, friendlier or more polite border than this but to each his own.

I tried the $10 from some spare I had last week - no problems

[villagefarang]

Don’t forget tomorrow is the first Saturday of the month, and we all know what that means. The good immigration people will once again be at Central Plaza to help us with our visas and the like.

[krobert6]

I have never tried to pay $10.

I am happy to pay the 500 baht and if the immigration guys profit from it, good luck to them.

I know it's a "matter of principle" about the $10 for some people, but 500 baht is cheap compared to other Thailand borders and I do not believe that there is an easier, friendlier or more polite border than this but to each his own.

I tried the $10 from some spare I had last week - no problems

I will be going again - I will let you know of ant issues

[maidu]

As always, they insist on 500 baht if it's a day trip. If it's one or more overnights, then $10 may work, but it's got to be a 100% perfect bill. The slightest flaw, no good. If u want to go to the 1 or two towns north of Mae Sai, you have to first check in at the tiny office next to the Burmese immigration office, there at the n. end of the bridge. No added charge, tho you're required to hire a guide for Bt.1,000/day.

as for transport: I've taken the new green and gray vans. I grade them C-. reason: usually pop music playing somewhat loud, always full, and it's cramped for anyone over 5'5" tall. I sometimes take the old clunker buses. They take 25 minutes longer, but you can stretch out, and your face isn't within inches of several other peoples' faces.

[sceadugenga]

What towns would these be?

[krobert6]

tried the casinos in Tachilek ... what rubbish

[Briggsy]

tried the casinos in Tachilek ... what rubbish

I reckon they're fixed.

[DangerousDavies]

Why would anyone need to fix a casino, the percentages are bad enough anyway.

[Briggsy]

Why would anyone need to fix a casino, the percentages are bad enough anyway.

The poker tables where the house just takes a rake. But much better if you, the casino, put your ringers in the cardroom and fix the games in their favour.

Anyway, betting is a mug's game. (particularly in Thai "casinos")

[KC 71]

Mai Sai/ Tachilek

I have done different visa runs in many parts of Thailand before and so far have found this to be be the best place to do so.

Fortunately we are only 30 minutes away.

[jetzie]

Hi guys, i know this might be out of topic, i havent been back to my wife's hometown in years and i am thinking about doing so soon.

She lives in Kengtung , 3 hours from tachilek. We are thinking of crossing the borders and getting a "taxi"which back a few years would be about 2000thb per vehicle, does anyhow know what the rates are like now?

[el jefe]

I assume that Immigration will be open on both sides of the border on New Years Day.

Can someone tell me if that is a good assumption. A friend from CM needs to do a visa run and most of the VIP buses are full on the days around New Years.

There was one seat left on 1 Jan so she grabbed it. But no need to use it if the border is closed.

TIA.

[sceadugenga]

I'd take the chance.

[CP3]

don't see the border will be closed on 1Jan.

[Mario2008]

Border crosses are open every day of the year, including holidays.

[sceadugenga]

That was my impression Mario, I just couldn't find a link to support it.

[villagefarang]

In Mae Sai today I saw signs saying the border would be open until midnight on the 30th, and 2am on the 31st. The girls at the immigration office said they would be closed for 4 days, (29 to 1) was my understanding. Since they have to help out with the extended hours at the border, it doesn’t end up giving them much of a break from work. Nothing specific for the 1st so suspect they will keep regular hours at the border.

Though not definitive, I was told they will most likely continue the monthly mobile office at Central Plaza. That is what they told me anyway.

[sceadugenga]

The main immigration offices will almost certainly be closed, I was stuck in Khon Kaen for 4 days one new year waiting for a Lao visa from their consulate but the border crossings remained open.

I would assume the Thai's would keep similar hours.

[villagefarang]

Just a little side note but immigration related.

For the last few years one could step into the parking area at immigration and have a picture taken with your wife to be used as a cover photo for the Thai Wife extension of stay. That is what they do with them, paste them onto a cover page, so best to make a good impression with that photo.

Yesterday they said Bangkok (where the paperwork is sent for approval) now requires a more personal photo, preferably in front of your home. Reluctantly they offered the option of going across the highway to a shop and printing an online photo, if one was available. Fortunately we have photos online so it was relatively painless.

Perhaps not a bad idea to keep some family photos online somewhere incase they are required for something and you don’t have your photo albums with you.

[FrisoPee]

For my understanding.. Is it possible to hop over the border to get a new stamp on this Sunday (30)? Or are they closed at that moment? Thanks for your info, but it's not clear to me what's happening there. Also, is it easy for a Thai citizen to hop over and get back? Or does he/she needs any kind of papers other than passport/ID card?

Thanks!

[villagefarang]

For my understanding.. Is it possible to hop over the border to get a new stamp on this Sunday (30)? Or are they closed at that moment? Thanks for your info, but it's not clear to me what's happening there. Also, is it easy for a Thai citizen to hop over and get back? Or does he/she needs any kind of papers other than passport/ID card?

Thanks!

As I stated above the border will be open much later than usual on the 30th (until midnight) 31st (until 2am). Thais need to visit the Amphoe (not located at the border but back in town), with their ID card, and obtain a pass for 30 baht I believe, which allows them to cross over for the day.

[FrisoPee]

For my understanding.. Is it possible to hop over the border to get a new stamp on this Sunday (30)? Or are they closed at that moment? Thanks for your info, but it's not clear to me what's happening there. Also, is it easy for a Thai citizen to hop over and get back? Or does he/she needs any kind of papers other than passport/ID card?

Thanks!

As I stated above the border will be open much later than usual on the 30th (until midnight) 31st (until 2am). Thais need to visit the Amphoe (not located at the border but back in town), with their ID card, and obtain a pass for 30 baht I believe, which allows them to cross over for the day.

Thanks a lot! Means no problems to get it.. Will try to locate the Amphoe office back in town. If can't find it we will just skip walking around the market. Thanks again and have a nice new year.

[villagefarang]

You are welcome and have a nice New Year as well.

Where Thais go is on the same side of the road as the Immigration Office but a little before and with a convenient large parking area off the main road. There are signs, in Thai at least.

[FrisoPee]

You are welcome and have a nice New Year as well.

Where Thais go is on the same side of the road as the Immigration Office but a little before and with a convenient large parking area off the main road. There are signs, in Thai at least.

Thanks! Think we will find it :-)

[FrisoPee]

Last question.. Is that also possible on number 1? Or will it be closed on that day?

[CP3]

Immigration will not be closed. Amphoe is at your left (after Tesco->traffic light---amphoe-maesai hospital-TOT--------------border)

[FrisoPee]

Immigration will not be closed. Amphoe is at your left (after Tesco->traffic light---amphoe-maesai hospital-TOT--------------border)

Thanks for helping! :-)

[villagefarang]

Immigration will not be closed. Amphoe is at your left (after Tesco->traffic light---amphoe-maesai hospital-TOT--------------border)

Thanks for helping! :-)

So, FrisoPee how did things go at the border?

[FrisoPee]

Hi!

Very smooth. Tachilek was really packed at sunday (30-12-12) because of the majority of Thai inside (buying drinks for new year) the process for the visa went very fast. Also bought some duty free beer and wine wich is not the best quality but acceptable. Fee is still 500 baht, process is still the same. The paper for my girlfriend was very easy to obtain at the Amphoe office, it's further away then I expected. If you take a songtaew at Mae Sai bus station the driver will stop at the office. From there you can take a motorsai taxi to the border. Very friendly man working at the Myanmar immigration wich even took time to take photo's in his official costume with farang.