Current Regulations For Maesai Border Crossing

[fishhooks]

What is currently required for a Farang and Thai Spouse to cross the border on a 1 day pass?

I don't see a problem for me with a Multi entry Visa, however I seem to remember that a Thai Citizen needs some form of document, as well as their Passport to do the cross.

A friend of mine a couple of years back had to do a runner to some Thai office in Mae Sai to get this whatever doco!

[Sojourner]

A Thai National only needs their ID card to enter Myanmar at Mae Sai. They do have to go to the Immigration office which is about a half kilometer down the road from the bridge, or a small office on the left just before the bridge, to get a photocopy of their ID which will allow them to cross. Not sure of the cost of the photocopy. I believe it will cost them 40 baht when they enter Myanmar. For farangs it's 10 USD. If you have a multi-entry visa you won't need anything more before crossing into Myanmar. Fill out your departure card before leaving and fill out a new entry card before entering. Myanmar Immigration on the east side of the bridge will keep your passport and give you a temp. passport while you are visiting. When you leave, go into the Myanmar Immigration office on the west side of the bridge and retrieve your passport. Don't forget a stop in the big duty free next to the bridge and stock up on booze. They don't care what you bring back in. For Thais it's limit two bottles.

[fishhooks]

What a great reply,

Thank you so much, I thought it was something like the photocopy of the ID Card.

[FlorC]

Hey I'm in Chiang Mai and next month I have to do the visarun for my next 3 months non-im-o.

Reading the older threads , they sometimes check if you have enough cash (10.000 to 20.000B), is that still the case now (Jan 09)?

So I need 3 photo's and photocopy for passport and 10$ or 500 B?

No tea money like the @@sholes at the Laos border?

Still desciding whether to go to Mae Sai or take the leasurly cruise to Sadao, with the low gas price, it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

Is the town or market far from the border?

Is parking on the Thai side safe for the car?

Thanks

[marsteele]

Hey I'm in Chiang Mai and next month I have to do the visarun for my next 3 months non-im-o.

Reading the older threads , they sometimes check if you have enough cash (10.000 to 20.000B), is that still the case now (Jan 09)?

So I need 3 photo's and photocopy for passport and 10$ or 500 B?

No tea money like the @@sholes at the Laos border?

Still desciding whether to go to Mae Sai or take the leasurly cruise to Sadao, with the low gas price, it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

Is the town or market far from the border?

Is parking on the Thai side safe for the car?

Thanks

I live in chiangmai and have done the border run a number of times. Never had to have 3 photo's or copy of passport. Just go through immigration cross the river pay your 500 baht turn around and go back to thai can take just 10 minutes.

Mae Sai is right on the border with markets on both sides of the river. Be prepared to be mobbed on the Burma side tho by hawkers.

As for carparking it is secure and will cost you about 40 baht. Drive down the left side of the border gates and you will be directed into one of the carparks.

[FlorC]

Thanks Marsteele

Hawkers to go pay higher visa fee, or selling something?

[tygerstar]

I don't see a problem for me with a Multi entry Visa, however I seem to remember that a Thai Citizen needs some form of document, as well as their Passport to do the cross.

If your wife has a passport, get her to use that instead of her ID card. No other requirement required, I believe.

[Tomtomtom69]

Correct. ID card can be used by Thai nationals for 1-day visits inside a radius of 5km only. Multiple day visits require a passport and a fee of US$10, and onward travel to near the Chinese border (but not across it) west of Jinghong near the town of Mong La are permitted and both foreign and Thai nationals can stay 14 days using this method. Unfortunately, a proper Myanmar visa is required for travel to other parts of the country and some roads can not be used for overland travel. However, since it appears you only want to stay for the day on a visa run, an ID card can be used by your Thai spouse. Still, check out the duty free shop, the temple on the hill overlooking town towards Thailand, the market on the Burmese side and try some mohingya noodle soup from the vendors on the road near the traffic circle where it says "golden triangle city." It's much more fun that just showing up for 10 mins to do the visa run.

[RubbaJohnny]

Agree with most of above

Sadly Burma is as poor and sad as when my dad lost a lung defending it

The touts for viagara porn DVDS are a pain but a frim no shakes them off

My wife fins it intimidating and distatseful

Seedy little men in lunghis (dhoti tea towel) desperate to sell anything

and I prefer to just turn round

Drinks are cheaper below the steps to the right looking North but so little i sometimes use the supermarket

Wine at 400 a box branded real Scottish whisky Pastis and Gins from 400 a Liter etc.My smoker friends assure me cheaper onLaos run but obviosly a thriving trade

You can park free on Thai side just 200m down the rd and if you merely want flags weird 45 Kyhat banknotes cheroots etc can send a local over for a $ extra,stalls under the bridge even cut out the bridge and throw the smokes to boys on Mae Sai River banks

Like all borders between disparate wealth sorry scenes yabba child s/expolitation

A cafe was launched to help these kids etc

The bus staion is several km down Paholyothin SuperHighway near a big Lotus Tesco

Many banks Atms and places to change,all sorts of cheap electrical textile ceramic and gadgets of varying quality many Chinese

The stuff under the Bridge is uniformally cheap nasty and fake

This doesnt matter for Binocs or sports gear but I would ot by safety realted items or elctronics

A friend gave me aMP$ plyer from ther useless,no refund replced with DVD that didnt work either

Not somewhwere I like to overnight ,Ive never been to pattaya or phuket and never will but seems to attract the same sleaze and phallocrats

[Soboringtochooseaname]

Hi,

So as I understand it's possible to get a One day pass for 500 Thb but need to cross back before the night ?

Do they check bags on the way back and what if you brings 10 bottles of wine ? It seems that Thai customs make problem for cigarettes but not wine ? Right ?

And anyway, do they check anybody ?

Thanks.

[elgato]

Went over 2 weeks ago for shopping. Thai army running the bag check x-ray machine waived me through as my bags were the black duty free type.

Get yourself a crisp, clean 10USD bill rather than paying the 500bt

Edited November 21, 2011 by elgato

[harrry]

I don't see a problem for me with a Multi entry Visa, however I seem to remember that a Thai Citizen needs some form of document, as well as their Passport to do the cross.

If your wife has a passport, get her to use that instead of her ID card. No other requirement required, I believe.

Thats what I thought but the thai border told her she would either need a visa obtained in advance or it would be easier to get the border pass at the amphur.

[harrry]

Hi,

So as I understand it's possible to get a One day pass for 500 Thb but need to cross back before the night ?

Do they check bags on the way back and what if you brings 10 bottles of wine ? It seems that Thai customs make problem for cigarettes but not wine ? Right ?

And anyway, do they check anybody ?

Thanks.

The pass is good for about three days but you should tell them how long you want.