Border Run To Western Thailand-burma

[Cobrabiker]

I will be riding my bike to Kanchanaburi to the tiger temple, (any idea where is it) in a week's time, and would like to do a border visa run, how many checkpoints are there to the Burmese side? And which is closer to Kanchanaburi?

From what I have gathered info from the web, there is one at Mae Sot, I have never been to the western part of Thailand, will be using my gps to locate direction, where is the exact location of the immigration checkpoint, and what is the procedure and how much to pay? What are the opening hours. Pls advice. Thanks!

[rfukata]

check out this previous site concerning your trip

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Border-Cross...ui-t309173.html

[apetley]

Mae Sot is maybe 6 hours drive from Kan.

Nice quiet crossing with a short walk over the bridge into Burma and back.

I was told that the last entry for farang back into Thailand is 4.30 pm when I first used this crossing but not sure if that still holds.

I would allow 30 minutes from Thai Immigration, into Burma and back into Thailand although if it's nice and quiet 15 minutes is all it takes.

The only part that's a bit of a time waster is the trip over the mountains between Tak and Mae Sot, takes about an hour.

I go Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawon, Kampaeng Phet and then turn left just before Tak for Mae Sot.

As you enter MaeSot the Friendship Bridge/Immigration is clearly sign posted so you can't get lost.

Burmese want only 500 bht for their stamp.

The road between Kampaeng Phet and Tak is currently being resurfaced as it's in a pretty dire state and some people suggest an alternative route along the 101 and 1132 to Tak but that seems a little out of the way to me.

[Cobrabiker]

Thanks for the link, btw, apetley, will there be too much hassle to ride my bike in? Anything interesting to shop or see at the Burmese side?

[apetley]

I have never taken my car or motorcycle into Myawaddy so can't say but I would imagine you would have to arrange some insurance etc.

As for is there anything interesting on the Burmese side? Personally I think no, generally very grubby and you are constantly hassled by touts, rickshaw drivers once you are past immigration.

Some people have said there are 1 or 2 interesting temples to have a look at plus the scenery is nice. Also foreigners cannot go more than a few kilos outside of town.

The main market has nothing cheaper or not available in MaeSot.

[Cobrabiker]

Thanks for the info, I may use this check point in future, I think for this time I will use the cambodia's checkpoint.