Myanmar Reopens Three Pagodas Border Crossing, Connecting Thailand's Kanchanaburi

[webfact]

Myanmar reopens Three Pagodas border crossing, connecting Thailand's Kanchanaburi

Myanmar reopens Three Pagodas border crossing, connecting Thailand's Kanchanaburi, to celebrate Thai king’s 83rd birthday after five-year closure

-- TNA 2010-12-08

[gotlost]

Definitely a step in the correct direction. Will this become an authorized boarder crossing?

[Badbanker]

It is a long long tortuous way to Sangklaburi for a visa run!  5-6 hours the last time!

But yes it is a good sign of warming relations.

BB

[tomallison]

Has anyone got any news on the Mae Sot crossing. I believe this is still closed, and has been for several months now.

[webfact]

Myanmar reopens Three Pagodas border crossing at Kanchanaburi to celebrate Thai king’s birthday

KANCHANABURI, Dec 8 - Myanmar has reopened the Three Pagodas border crossing, connecting Thailand's Kanchanaburi and Myanmar’s Payathonzu in Kayin State to celebrate the Thai king’s 83rd birthday Dec 5 after a two-year closure.

Myanmar closed the border at Three Pagodas pass two years ago, citing internal security reasons despite Thailand’s negotiation for border reopening for trade.

The Myanmar authorities said they reopened the border to allow tourists to cross as the fighting between the Myanmar army, and the Democratic Buddhist Karen Army in the area has ended.

Sangkhlaburi district chief Chamrat Kangnoi said the reopening of the border is temporarily open for tourists daily from 6am to 6pm.

Small traders are prepared to reopen their shops at the border market on the Thai side.

The Kanchanaburi governor ordered local Thai authorities to be vigilant regarding contraband goods and illegal workers who may flow into Thailand. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-012-08

[apetley]

Definitely a step in the correct direction. Will this become an authorized boarder crossing?

During a visit to the pass a few years ago I got chatting with one of the Thai Immigration guys there. He said that the crossing was going to be upgraded to "International" in "4 or 5 years". Also that this would go hand in hand with the upgrading of the road all the way to Kanchanaburi.

It'll happen..............one day.

[Boycie]

Quote from Kan Win in the Central Thailand Forum

"Sorry to say this is NOT a visa run border crossing just a Trading Post crossing .

Just a couple of Khms and then back without a stamp in your passport.

Kanchanaburi Win "

[Judy Khoo]

Does this mean we can do our 90-day visa run there now?

[edwinchester]

Does this mean we can do our 90-day visa run there now?

No. Three Pagoda is not an international crossing point with no facilities to stamp in and out of Thailand although as apetley intimates this is rumoured to change sometime in the future.

[cat5]

Is this still open? I'd like to cross over - just to see what's there - and come back without invalidating or renewing my visa.

[Richard4849]

I'm at Three Pagodas Pass now and it is definitely NOT open, whether for Thais or third country nationals.

[Madivad]

I found this thread the other day when investigating border posts. I'm here now and just spoke to the border guard, the guy with the big gun. Well, I tried to speak to him, my wife did in the end.

The border is currently closed but will reopen early next month, sometime in October 2011. Didn't bother trying to ask about the border category, that would have been too hard