Mae Sai Visa Run

[cliffy]

Have just completed visa run to mae sai ....and although notes were up about cash needed to be shown ..i was,nt asked to show and was a quick process...One thing to note is that now at the burmese immigration they have changed fron the 250 baht fee to $5 dollars and will only accept dollars so worth a note.But all in all no problems renewing 60 day tourist viisa

[wormdrive]

Hello,

Did you go with an agency, or did you do this on your own?

Also, how long was the trip there, and did you have to give exactly 5 bucks, or do you think they can make "change."

Thanks.

[aaaaaa]

I've been there on the Mae Sae check point and had some conversation with immigration officer or two (mainly asking few my Qs). and although I didn't do my own visa run that time - the place itself appears to be quite "visa-runnable" as I recall - from Chaing Rai it take not so long trip. we went there by bus for shopping and came back in the evening....

[PeaceBlondie]

When I went on December 17 (please search this forum - there are at least two related threads already), the US$5 bill was provided by the Thai immigration officer on the way out of Thailand. He had a box full of $5 bills and was selling them for 250 baht (at a profit, you'll note).

Sometimes you get lucky and they don't check. If you look scruffy, have a passport full of 30-day and 60-day tourist stamps, and act arrogantly, they'll nail you.

I used those common light green or grey vans several times; it's about 800 baht for the entire day's trip, But for my last 90-day stamp, I left alone on my bike at 8:00 am and got back to NW Chiang Mai at 3:30, but had to pay for the doctor to fix my back (motorocycle, crouched over the tank). I'll go next week at a slower pace, no backback.

I would not do the Mae Sai run without 10,000 in my wallet, or a very recent Thai ATM paper receipt or savings passbook showing well over 20,000 baht in my account. I doubt there's any more danger of being robbed than at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, but there's a danger of being hassled if you can't proove you have sufficient funds to stay in the Kingdom.

[cliffy]

Hello,

Did you go with an agency, or did you do this on your own?

Also, how long was the trip there, and did you have to give exactly 5 bucks, or do you think they can make "change."

Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Went on a solo ...fancied a few days fresh air away from bkk and got a cheapie return with asia air and stayed in a place called chiang saen{between chiang rai and mae sai}good place for a couple of days ....couple of nice places to eat and stay or lanna meals on the ground by the mekong!!rented a bike and made the trip from ther about 30 kms....and pleasant ride but u can also get buses that go there every half hour from chiang rai or chiang saen....was dressed smartly and probaly helped??!!!

Edited March 5, 2005 by cliffy

[malcolminthemiddle]

Have just completed visa run to mae sai ....and although notes were up about cash needed to be shown ..i was,nt asked to show and was a quick process...One thing to note is that now at the burmese immigration they have changed fron the 250 baht fee to $5 dollars and will only accept dollars so worth a note.But all in all no problems renewing 60 day tourist viisa

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please help me. I am a little confused with "no problems renewing 60 day tourist visa". I understood 60 days visas were only isssued at Thai Consulates or Embassies and that maximum time for Visa on Arrival is 30 days, am I missing something.

Thanks

[lopburi3]

Have just completed visa run to mae sai ....and although notes were up about cash needed to be shown ..i was,nt asked to show and was a quick process...One thing to note is that now at the burmese immigration they have changed fron the 250 baht fee to $5 dollars and will only accept dollars so worth a note.But all in all no problems renewing 60 day tourist viisa

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please help me. I am a little confused with "no problems renewing 60 day tourist visa". I understood 60 days visas were only isssued at Thai Consulates or Embassies and that maximum time for Visa on Arrival is 30 days, am I missing something.

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. He was evidently using a two or three entry tourist visa and used a new entry.

[malcolminthemiddle]

Have just completed visa run to mae sai ....and although notes were up about cash needed to be shown ..i was,nt asked to show and was a quick process...One thing to note is that now at the burmese immigration they have changed fron the 250 baht fee to $5 dollars and will only accept dollars so worth a note.But all in all no problems renewing 60 day tourist viisa

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please help me. I am a little confused with "no problems renewing 60 day tourist visa". I understood 60 days visas were only isssued at Thai Consulates or Embassies and that maximum time for Visa on Arrival is 30 days, am I missing something.

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. He was evidently using a two or three entry tourist visa and used a new entry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks. Multi entry 60 day tourist visa, that's a new one for me.

[cliffy]

Have just completed visa run to mae sai ....and although notes were up about cash needed to be shown ..i was,nt asked to show and was a quick process...One thing to note is that now at the burmese immigration they have changed fron the 250 baht fee to $5 dollars and will only accept dollars so worth a note.But all in all no problems renewing 60 day tourist viisa

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please help me. I am a little confused with "no problems renewing 60 day tourist visa". I understood 60 days visas were only isssued at Thai Consulates or Embassies and that maximum time for Visa on Arrival is 30 days, am I missing something.

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. He was evidently using a two or three entry tourist visa and used a new entry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks. Multi entry 60 day tourist visa, that's a new one for me.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yes i had a triple entry which was issued in penang......

[PeaceBlondie]

Next thing you know, the consulates will start issuing multiple tourist 6-day visas for multiple tourists.

[jonwilly]

I popped over the border at Mai Sai on 2nd Feb having ridden up by M/cycle from Chiang Mai.

I paid 250 baht at Burmese immigration and had no problems.

I always carry about 20 k baht for any long distance trip out.

I consider Thailand to be a very safe country for law binding folks and have no reason to think Talchelic would pose and security risk, nothing has come back from the many frang residents in CM to suggest otherwise.

If I may teach people to suck eggs, A respectable turn out and polite formal approach goes a long way in your favour when dealing with authorities in all Asian countries.

john

[cliffy]

Next thing you know, the consulates will start issuing multiple tourist 6-day visas for multiple tourists.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ooch!!!................get out of bed wrong side???!!!

[cliffy]

I popped over the border at Mai Sai on 2nd Feb having ridden up by M/cycle from Chiang Mai.

I paid 250 baht at Burmese immigration and had no problems.

I always carry about 20 k baht for any long distance trip out.

I consider Thailand to be a very safe country for law binding folks and have no reason to think Talchelic would pose and security risk, nothing has come back from the many frang residents in CM to suggest otherwise.

If I may teach people to suck eggs, A respectable turn out and polite formal approach goes a long way in your favour when dealing with authorities in all Asian countries.

john

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ye sore bum??? very brave do u mean chiang rai!! i think u do too far from chaing mai on bike but great luck to you if u did >>>>>but so right a bit of respect etc helps.... if i was doorman on disci i would look for well mannered people ..and dressed well!!! ....like me !!!???? ..sense prevails !!!

Edited March 8, 2005 by cliffy

[Potter]

They should change 100$ bill easy. I have done it before. In Myanmar it is easy. They will ask you if you want inside and shop a little or you want to go back into Thailand right away. Everything being fast.

The Thai side is different. All the visa writing takes longer. It can be hot to stand and waiting in the sun. You can experience a long line up (bad luck) or more likely at this year, no body in front of you. I live in Chiang Rai.It used to be like people were told before they went in to make sure they had 10-20k baht. I think I have only once met a person who actually was asked to show cash. Have the cash. Do some shopping. Remember the best best and cheapest place for shopping is in Mae Sai (not Tachilek). A few minuttes walking from the border crossing is a big thai market on the same side as the doi dung.

You can both go on your own or go with an agency. I prefer going by my own. It is not like Vietnam where they will not let you buy bus tickets etc. at local price.

Also, the further north you get, the better the thai massage is.

Hello,

Did you go with an agency, or did you do this on your own?

Also, how long was the trip there, and did you have to give exactly 5 bucks, or do you think they can make "change."

Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[PeaceBlondie]

Next thing you know, the consulates will start issuing multiple tourist 6-day visas for multiple tourists.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ooch!!!................get out of bed wrong side???!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, it was just a joke.

And yes, you can ride a motorcycle (even a fast 150) from Chiang MAI to Mae Sai and back in less than 8 hours if you really ride fast. I've got the week off now, so I'll postpone it from an all-day run to an overnight (or two) in Chiang Rai. Maybe we'll make some side trips, like Fang. Any suggestions?

[Potter]

Next thing you know, the consulates will start issuing multiple tourist 6-day visas for multiple tourists.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ooch!!!................get out of bed wrong side???!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, it was just a joke.

And yes, you can ride a motorcycle (even a fast 150) from Chiang MAI to Mae Sai and back in less than 8 hours if you really ride fast. I've got the week off now, so I'll postpone it from an all-day run to an overnight (or two) in Chiang Rai. Maybe we'll make some side trips, like Fang. Any suggestions?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can always try places like Chiang Saen (golden triangle museum), Chiang Khong (nice little quiet border town, Doi Dung (beautiful flower park), Doi Mae Salong (beautiful countryside, cool at night), Chiang Rai City in the middle, Fang you are not likely to see any other farrangs, then from Fang you could go to places like Bai. On the super high way near mae sai are lots of caves to visit. Of course Phayao is also an obtion. There should be farrangs there as well.

You wont be bored, but you should be an experienced driver and if it is windy/traffic you should not try to do the trip in a hurry.

Edited March 13, 2005 by Potter

[Limbo]

You can always try places like Chiang Saen (golden triangle museum), Chiang Khong (nice little quiet border town, Doi Dung (beautiful flower park), Doi Mae Salong (beautiful countryside, cool at night), Chiang Rai City in the middle, Fang you are not likely to see any other farrangs, then from Fang you could go to places like Bai. On the super high way near mae sai are lots of caves to visit. Of course Phayao is also an obtion. There should be farrangs there as well.

... wrote Mr. Potter helpfully.

Just some additional information:

I think Mr. Potter refers to the National Museum of Chiang Saen (30 Baht entry).

From there on your way to Maesai you pass after 12 km Ban Sob Ruak, the formerly nondescript village, now town, housing the 'Golden Triangle Circus'. There you find a nice Opium Museum (Ban Fin, 20 Baht entry).

Some kilometers further, opposite the Anantara Hotel you will find the House of Opium.

It is a kind of Walt Disney-like approach of the history of opium trade and it will cost you about 400 Baht to visit it, unless you are Thai (250 Baht). Founded with Japanese money with the purpose of stimulating tourism to benefit the people of this area. Ok, I am living here as well, so I am waiting hopefully.

In Chiangkhong the lights are turned off at six o'clock. The best thing in Chiangkhong is the breakfast at the Bamboo Guesthouse. In the evening you can enjoy a Korean Barbeque at the former bus-terminal.

Sinfull natures will find their amusement in both towns, in Chiang Saen more than in Chiangkhong. Other mortals should bring a nice book to read here.

I think Mr. Potter refers to Doi Tung when he writes Doi Dung, the old hide-out of the late Princess-Mother. When you are living in Chiangmai I would suggest you to visit the Botanical Gardens at Mae Rim instead. The Princess-Mother was very fond of European flowers and the Botanical Gardens have a much wider scope.

For the old Kuomintang stronghold Doi Mae Salong there is a less touristic alternative in the neighbourhood: Hin Taek or Thoed Thai, the former stronghold of another opium-processing unit, the troops of Khun Sa. Four (4) karaoke places will garantee you entertainment.

Mr. Potter surprises me by mentioning Payao as interesting. I don't know what Mr. Potter exactly refers to. The fish restaurants? The nice old temple at the lake? The local university employs indeed some 'farang' and I certainly would not doubt that they are a good reason to visit Payao.

But if I was living in Chiangmai, I would not really travel to a town to visit other foreigners. As I am informed a lot of them live in Chiangmai as well.

If you like a boattrip on the beautiful Mekong River, why not do the visa run in Chiang Saen/Ban Sob Ruak. And play some roulette at the casino at the Burmese side?

[Ajarn]

Next thing you know, the consulates will start issuing multiple tourist 6-day visas for multiple tourists.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ooch!!!................get out of bed wrong side???!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, it was just a joke.

And yes, you can ride a motorcycle (even a fast 150) from Chiang MAI to Mae Sai and back in less than 8 hours if you really ride fast. I've got the week off now, so I'll postpone it from an all-day run to an overnight (or two) in Chiang Rai. Maybe we'll make some side trips, like Fang. Any suggestions?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can always try places like Chiang Saen (golden triangle museum), Chiang Khong (nice little quiet border town, Doi Dung (beautiful flower park), Doi Mae Salong (beautiful countryside, cool at night), Chiang Rai City in the middle, Fang you are not likely to see any other farrangs, then from Fang you could go to places like Bai. On the super high way near mae sai are lots of caves to visit. Of course Phayao is also an obtion. There should be farrangs there as well.

You wont be bored, but you should be an experienced driver and if it is windy/traffic you should not try to do the trip in a hurry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good ideas except that going from fang to 'bai' (pai?) is a long ride on a bike, since you have to go back almost all the way to Chiang Mai to catch the road at MaeMalai...

From fang, I would suggest Mae Ai and further into the hills. There's even a beautiful (last time I was there) Khun Sa- built road going into burma..

Also, beautiful Doi Angkhang is fairly close to fang, and the ride back via Arunthai and road 1178 back to Chiang Dao is a beautiful ride...

Here's a shot from a recent trip to Doi Angkang, looking towards the village on the border at the end of the main road.

[Ajarn]

I think Mr. Potter refers to Doi Tung when he writes Doi Dung, the old hide-out of the late Princess-Mother. When you are living in Chiangmai I would suggest you to visit the Botanical Gardens at Mae Rim instead. The Princess-Mother was very fond of European flowers and the Botanical Gardens have a much wider scope.

If you have the time and inclination, I suggest taking the back road from Mai Sai to Doi Tung... This road runs right along the border at some places, and you'll often spot some interesting sights, like these Burmese Army guys clearing brush just outside their camp alongside the road...

The Thai camp is 100 meters further along the same road...

[malcolminthemiddle]

Have just completed visa run to mae sai ....and although notes were up about cash needed to be shown ..i was,nt asked to show and was a quick process...One thing to note is that now at the burmese immigration they have changed fron the 250 baht fee to $5 dollars and will only accept dollars so worth a note.But all in all no problems renewing 60 day tourist viisa

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please help me. I am a little confused with "no problems renewing 60 day tourist visa". I understood 60 days visas were only isssued at Thai Consulates or Embassies and that maximum time for Visa on Arrival is 30 days, am I missing something.

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. He was evidently using a two or three entry tourist visa and used a new entry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks. Multi entry 60 day tourist visa, that's a new one for me.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yes i had a triple entry which was issued in penang......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cliffy,

Apologies for my ignorance.

So when you re-entered Thailand you were given a new 60 days?

So leaving Thailand every 59 days your single 60 day Triple Entry Tourist Visa is worth 59 + 59 + 60 = 178 days?

When you applied for this visa in Penang what was the reason you gave for needing multiple entry tourist visa?

Did you ask specificaly for triple entry or did they just issue it?

Thanks

[loong]

Can anyone else confirm that you can get the 5 dollars on the thai side for 250Baht? I've got to do a visa run in a couple of days and not being american do not carry dollars. Would be a pain if I have to go to the bank just to get a few US $.

I'm happy that I have the Multi entry non imm so only have to do this run every 90 days now

[PeaceBlondie]

Can anyone else confirm that you can get the 5 dollars on the thai side for 250Baht? I've got to do a visa run in a couple of days and not being american do not carry dollars. Would be a pain if I have to go to the bank just to get a few US $.

I'm happy that I have the Multi entry non imm so only have to do this run every 90 days now

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm back, and I confirm it. Today at noon, I walked up to the Thai immigration side, the man took my 250 baht and gave me US$5 - this time five one-dollar bills.

Trip report: left NWChiang Mai at 8:00 a.m., took way too much time riding the motorbike, dawdled, got lost twice, and got home at 5:30. Last time, it was 3:30.

I'm sorry that I didn't make any side trips, but I surely do thank you guys, and I'm bookmarking this thread so I can do it at my leisure when I return from my month in the USA.

[loong]

HI

I did my visa run to Mae Sai yesterday, exchanged 250 Baht for 5 dollar bill on the Thai side.

However they did tell me at the Burmese immigration that they DO still accept 250 Baht.

It seems that the Thai's have spotted the opening to make a bit extra cash as at curretn exchange rates they are making more than 50 Baht per 5 dollars. It's not inconcievable that if every farang changed their 250Baht with the Thais it could be worth close to 1 million Baht per month. Quite a healthy bit of pocket money. No wonder the immigration man who changed my money seemed in such an incredibly happy mood.

I do like the new TM card, much easier and altho I had the cash on me was not asked to show money.

[PeaceBlondie]

It's a sure thing: if you're well dressed, polite, and have the money on you, they won't ask you to show the money. If you look and act wrong, they'll ask you to show it. Also depends how busy they are, what mood they're in.

I wasn't asked yesterday or the previous time.

[Lung Ling]

Yes indeed, the claim by Thai immigration that the Burmese accept only US $ is a nice little scam they're running. Just got back from Mae Sai/Tachilek. Sure enough, Thai immigration had a big sign that Burma takes only American money, but when I got to Burma they were taking both US dollars and Thai baht without any complaint. Also worth noting that I handed the Thai immigration officer a 1000 baht note, asking for change plus the $5. He handed me 750 baht only, then went onto the next guy, expecting me to just stick the bills in my wallet and walk away, not noticing that I was shorted the five bucks. Of course, when I asked for it he saw his "mistake" and forked over the fiver. And for the record, on the way back, the demand for showing 10,000 baht is enforced irregularly. Just for the purpose of experimentation, I dressed conservatively, and they didn't even ask. But another guy I talked to there, very amiable but very much a hippie backpacker type, told me he has to show the 10,000 every time.