Visa Run With Motorcycle In Chiang Mai Area?

[bkkc1976]

Hello everybody!

I am living in bangkok and never been to chiang mai!I am going to do a motorcycle trip from the 8.10 -18.10 in this area and have the problem that i have to do a visa run in this time!i have a triple entry tourist visa so i just have to cross a border and come back!can anybody tell me where this is best done and how is the procedure to go into laos or burma and if i can drive there with the motorcycle and it will still be there when i come back ;-)!?

thanks for replies!

regards markus

[IanForbes]

The closest border crossing for an official visa stamp is Mai Sai. It's about a 4 to 5 hour ride by bus from Chiang Mai over at least one mountain pass. Cost by bus is around 600 baht return. The road is okay, but busy with few passing lanes. And, some construction delays. I'm not sure what kind of bike you ride or how fast you like to travel, so I can't say how long it might take by motorcycle. If you can ride from Bangkok to Chiang Mai then I'm sure you can go a bit further to Mai Sai.

I just find it easier taking a bus and leaving my motorbike in Chiang Mai.

Normally, the bus arrives just outside of Mai Sai at the bus depot and you go from there to the border via red bus. You get your passport exit stamp at the Thai border office and cross over the bridge. Then, you enter the Myanmar border office where they photo ID you and get a one day entrance pass and pay 500 baht. But, you leave your passport with the Myanmar customs office. Do a little shopping and return to pick up your passport and re-enter Thailand where you have to fill out another entrance form and get your visa stamped. I've done it many times.

By bus it basically takes all day. If you have your own transportation you can do a little sight seeing, go over to the Golden triangle, or visit Chiang Rai. It's all up to you and would certainly break up the trip.

It would help to have a GPS and a good Thai map program installed.

[jonwilly]

No problem going to Mai Sai on a bike.

I used to do it every 3 months.

The road is basically straight.

Leave CM on the Doi Saket road and just stay on it. You turn left on to route 1 south of Chaing Rai and follow the road until it stops at Burmese border.

Off tp right hand side is a small road going past a Large hotel.Go down into the big car, coach park.

Speak to Guard, slip him B20 and he will show you where to park up.

Nip over border B500 to Burmese and do a spot of shopping, Duty Free shop, Thai's don't bother what booze of fags you bring back.

john

[wimpy]

If you have a decent bike, take the Chiang Dao route. Spend the night in Doi Mae Salong. Great riding! Have a look at http://www.gt-rider.com/ for more info.

[pjclark1]

save yourself some money.

Burma charge $10 or 500bht

So take $10 with you and save 130bht

[IanForbes]

save yourself some money.

Burma charge $10 or 500bht

So take $10 with you and save 130bht

That's not always true, unless you have a brand new US $10 bill. I've seen them refuse an older $10 bill and had it happen to me as well. It could also depend on what person you get. It's best to have a back up plan. I don't sweat the little stuff and it's no sense in making a fuss anywhere. It only upsets people and causes more problems.

JUST DON'T OVER STAY YOUR VISA!!! It makes it a REAL pain at the border and causes huge hold ups.

[PeaceBlondie]

Easy to park safely at car park under river bridge. I crashed on a border run; you probably won't.

[ha55ha]

save yourself some money.

Burma charge $10 or 500bht

So take $10 with you and save 130bht

That's not always true, unless you have a brand new US $10 bill. I've seen them refuse an older $10 bill and had it happen to me as well. It could also depend on what person you get. It's best to have a back up plan. I don't sweat the little stuff and it's no sense in making a fuss anywhere. It only upsets people and causes more problems.

JUST DON'T OVER STAY YOUR VISA!!! It makes it a REAL pain at the border and causes huge hold ups.

I'm sure it's not always the case but I went 5 days ago and paid with two $5 bills that I had lying around from a trip to the states. I had 500 baht just in case but he didn't even look twice. Not saying it's a good idea, but it is possible.

[SM7WGP]

I f you only have a tourist visa then you will not able to cross trhe bridge the Thai Immigration only let NON IM O pass in Mesai

[bkkc1976]

I f you only have a tourist visa then you will not able to cross trhe bridge the Thai Immigration only let NON IM O pass in Mesai

Why shouldnt thai immigration let me cross the border????????????

can anyone copy that?pls!

[ChouDoufu]

another option would be chiang khong. leave your bike on the thai side, take the canoe across to laos.

[bkkc1976]

Thx for all replies!i would prefer mae sai cause i will be in this area anyway!

but can anyone copy that i CANT cross the border with my triple entry tourist visa!!

thx!

[SM7WGP]

The border crossing is actually only for Thai people, But then they decided in agreement with the Myanmar Imig. that let people with real visas to pas the bridge.

Meaning people that live and work in Thailand. So last time I was there was several with Tourist Visas that was denied to pass.

[Chunkton]

The border crossing is actually only for Thai people, But then they decided in agreement with the Myanmar Imig. that let people with real visas to pas the bridge.

Meaning people that live and work in Thailand. So last time I was there was several with Tourist Visas that was denied to pass.

My bother crossed over twice earlier this year with just an entry stamp to pick up two extra weeks each time. He crossed originally in Malaysia not knowing the laws had changed or he would have come in by air into Bangkok.

[Donnyboy]

I f you only have a tourist visa then you will not able to cross trhe bridge the Thai Immigration only let NON IM O pass in Mesai

are you sure about this?

I did a visa run nearly 3 months ago @ Mae Sai/Tachileik and Im due again soon. I have a Non Im "B" Visa. So you are saying I wont get my visa?

As far as I know, and Ive been doing this 5 years now on a Non Imm B Visa, all visas are processed at Mae Sai. Correct me if Im wrong, but the only things that have changed in this time are entry stamps on arrival, which only permit 2 weeks stay, and if you are on this entry on arrival stamp, you can only stay 90 days in a 6 month period. (this is different from a Tourist Visa, which is usually applied for)

They have also introduced "showing available funds" for your Visa.

I think its 10,000 Baht for tourist visa, and 20,000 for O and B Visas.

as far as doing the visa run on a bike, I wouldnt want to do it if its raining, let alone in good conditions.

Edited September 22, 2009 by Donnyboy

[mcgriffith]

I won't move this to the Visa sub-forum, just yet.

The OP can get all the info he or she needs there.

Also, check out this pinned topic on the Chiang Rai sub-forum on latest crossing conditions for Mae Sai/Tachilek border crossings conditions/status:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Mae-Sai-Tach...50#entry3016542

That is the latest posting as of 16th Sept.

You may want to post here just before crossing to check with recent transit people.

Believe me, it is usually no big deal if you have a long term, or multiple tourist visa, with lots of time left on the clock. I have crossed here several times; last time was in March 09. Left my bike in Mae Sai, took a trishaw (bicycle, yes) to the border for peanuts. Forget about riding your bike into Burma- too much hassle. Trust me on this one, without the details.

As for more in depth regarding your own personal visa status, and the advisability of using this border crossing, for whatever you are trying to do, I advise you read the Thai Visa sub-forum exclusively devoted to this topic:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-visas-r...permits-f1.html

Hope this helps.

[Donnyboy]

cheers McG for clearing this up

it was worth the read also

[bkkc1976]

I won't move this to the Visa sub-forum, just yet.

The OP can get all the info he or she needs there.

Also, check out this pinned topic on the Chiang Rai sub-forum on latest crossing conditions for Mae Sai/Tachilek border crossings conditions/status:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Mae-Sai-Tach...50#entry3016542

That is the latest posting as of 16th Sept.

You may want to post here just before crossing to check with recent transit people.

Believe me, it is usually no big deal if you have a long term, or multiple tourist visa, with lots of time left on the clock. I have crossed here several times; last time was in March 09. Left my bike in Mae Sai, took a trishaw (bicycle, yes) to the border for peanuts. Forget about riding your bike into Burma- too much hassle. Trust me on this one, without the details.

As for more in depth regarding your own personal visa status, and the advisability of using this border crossing, for whatever you are trying to do, I advise you read the Thai Visa sub-forum exclusively devoted to this topic:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-visas-r...permits-f1.html

Hope this helps.

Thanks!

i think i will do my usual borderrun to cambodia and loose one week on my visa before i am heading up north!i dont want to stand there and not get my 3rd entry on time and then have to go back!

but thanks for the informations!

[Donnyboy]

The border crossing is actually only for Thai people, But then they decided in agreement with the Myanmar Imig. that let people with real visas to pas the bridge.

Meaning people that live and work in Thailand. So last time I was there was several with Tourist Visas that was denied to pass.

I f you only have a tourist visa then you will not able to cross trhe bridge the Thai Immigration only let NON IM O pass in Mesai

WRONG! I have a Non imm B visa, had it renewed at Mae Sai yesteday

[PeaceBlondie]

Welcome back, Donnyboy.

[Pikey]

Just did a 1000km loop which included going to Mae Sai on my bike on friday just passed. Arrived 16:30, parked up down the first soi on the left past the immigration block. Stamp out, cross over, go into the office on the right, say I want to go back straightaway (not visit the market), get the Burmese stamps for 500B, back over the bridge, fill in the white TM card and back into Thai. Total time 10 minutes. Non-imm O visa but pretty sure you can do tourist visa there too as it had an English sign specifying the amount of baht you (possibly) have to show on re-entry for non-imm and tourist visas.

A great ride from CNX is up on the 118/1 via Chiang Rai to Mae Sai then back down highway 1 to the Doi Mae Salong turn off or if it's wet, the Thaton/Mae Ai turn and back to CNX via the 1089/107.

Don't listen to all the negativity. Just take road/weather conditions into account, get up here and enjoy the riding!

Cheers,

Pikey.

[IanForbes]

That pretty much says it all, Pikey. That has always been my experience as well if I want to go for a ride. No trouble at the border at all unless you try going through on a holiday and run into some twit in the line ahead of you who has over extended his visa.

[Donnyboy]

Welcome back, Donnyboy.

great to be back! Thanks!

[kjhbigv]

The border crossing is actually only for Thai people, But then they decided in agreement with the Myanmar Imig. that let people with real visas to pas the bridge.

Meaning people that live and work in Thailand. So last time I was there was several with Tourist Visas that was denied to pass.

I f you only have a tourist visa then you will not able to cross trhe bridge the Thai Immigration only let NON IM O pass in Mesai

WRONG! I have a Non imm B visa, had it renewed at Mae Sai yesteday

I AGREE...a few years ago I crossed the border and came back in on a standard 30 day tourist visa. More recently a few months ago (June 09) I crossed the border twice (two separate occasions) to get a 14 day visa (to get 28 days) as my non-imm 'O' Visa has run it's course (12 months and the extra 90 days).

Lots of tourists do a day trip to Burma on a standard 30 day tourist visa from CM/CRai!

Get a photocopy of your passport (saves hassle), there is a little shop on left hand side to border that has a photocopier, if not.

Leaving your bike at Mai Sae is 'safe as houses', Mai Sai literally (almost) one street leading up to the border with shops either side selling the usual stuff. Don't get stuff there, get the same stuff cheaper in the market over the border.

The road from Chiang Mai to Mae Sae is cool as......good road surface, some great bends/hills....wide and in my opinion safe, all the way to Chiang Rai and up to Mae Sae....very good and fast road....forget the bus, takes forever!

Basically, procedure at Mae Sai:-

1. Get photocopy of passport.

2. Go through Thai customs, they take the white bit out of passport.

3. Walk into little office on bridge (Burmese Customs)

4. They then take your photo, pay them 500 baht.

5. They KEEP your passport and give you a temporary one with a digital photo of you in it.

6. Go into Burma and get hassled for cheap viagra, fake cigarettes and loads of other fake stuff...although the big DVD shop in the market (round to the right as you walk down the stairs into market) is excellent, well packaged DVD's also HD....35 baht each and loads better than the DVD's you get here! Almost like walking into a Virgin/HMV shop.

7. Avoid the 'unfortunates' on the bridge as you leave Burma.

8. Back into the little place (Burmese Customs) you left you passport, pick that up.

9. Cross the bridge back to Thailand.

10. Get your duty free in the genuine duty free shop.

11. Fill out a standard 'white form' for your new visa, depending on what you qualify for.

12. Through Thai Customs, back in.

Job done, nice little trip!

[kjhbigv]

Just did a 1000km loop which included going to Mae Sai on my bike on friday just passed. Arrived 16:30, parked up down the first soi on the left past the immigration block. Stamp out, cross over, go into the office on the right, say I want to go back straightaway (not visit the market), get the Burmese stamps for 500B, back over the bridge, fill in the white TM card and back into Thai. Total time 10 minutes. Non-imm O visa but pretty sure you can do tourist visa there too as it had an English sign specifying the amount of baht you (possibly) have to show on re-entry for non-imm and tourist visas.

A great ride from CNX is up on the 118/1 via Chiang Rai to Mae Sai then back down highway 1 to the Doi Mae Salong turn off or if it's wet, the Thaton/Mae Ai turn and back to CNX via the 1089/107.

Don't listen to all the negativity. Just take road/weather conditions into account, get up here and enjoy the riding!

Cheers,

Pikey.

Agree Pikey, sorry duplicated a lot of what you said. There is also, an interesting road maybe 40km south of Chiang Rai that heads west, that cuts across to Fang, no joke about 100 hairpins through great scenery! Bit of gravel here and there but nothing serious on a bike. Then get to Fang and head south to Chiang Mai, different route back!

[Donnyboy]

Agree Pikey, sorry duplicated a lot of what you said. There is also, an interesting road maybe 40km south of Chiang Rai that heads west, that cuts across to Fang, no joke about 100 hairpins through great scenery! Bit of gravel here and there but nothing serious on a bike. Then get to Fang and head south to Chiang Mai, different route back!

arh ok

always wanted to know the condition of that road. The 100 hairpins puts me off.

[lioness]

Another option if you are riding up from Bangkok, is to side track to Mae Sot, you turn off the highway near TAK and from memory it's about 86 Kilometers in.

[Pikey]

Agree Pikey, sorry duplicated a lot of what you said. There is also, an interesting road maybe 40km south of Chiang Rai that heads west, that cuts across to Fang, no joke about 100 hairpins through great scenery! Bit of gravel here and there but nothing serious on a bike. Then get to Fang and head south to Chiang Mai, different route back!

arh ok

always wanted to know the condition of that road. The 100 hairpins puts me off.

That sounds like the road to Doi Mae Salong - great fun in the dry but not recommended in the wet due to greasy off camber surfaces. I've heard of a few riders going down on that stretch. The road a few km further "down" highway 1 is a better choice in the wet (or if you don't like loads of hairpins). BOTH roads join into the 1089 which changes number to the 107 at Fang.

Tak to Mae Sot in route 105 is a nice ride and if you have time "The Death Highway" to Umphang is worth a trip. As someone said before, loads of info on www.gt-rider.com - particularly in the "North Thailand" forum.

Cheers,

Pikey.

[IanForbes]

Agree Pikey, sorry duplicated a lot of what you said. There is also, an interesting road maybe 40km south of Chiang Rai that heads west, that cuts across to Fang, no joke about 100 hairpins through great scenery! Bit of gravel here and there but nothing serious on a bike. Then get to Fang and head south to Chiang Mai, different route back!

arh ok

always wanted to know the condition of that road. The 100 hairpins puts me off.

Similar to the road to Pai.