Visarun To Myanmar

[Buman]

I am currently in Chiang Mai. In a few weeks I have to do a run to Mae Sai, in order to get a new 30-day-entry permit.

I checked the topics on Mae Sai in this forum, but I couldn't find a recent post about the current situation there. I did the run years ago, and that time I had to stop a few km before the border at immigration. I have heard that this has changed.

Did somebody recently make the trip? Any new recommendations about transportation, immigration, border crossing, etc?

[Buman]

So strange, nobody seems to be interested to help out with this question.

Whereas, questions like "will I get a problem if I travel with a o/w ticket to Thailand?" drag all the attention - even this topic has been coverd hundreds of times here in the forum.

I know that Mae Sai came up here also a few times - but I am asking for the CURRENT situation, which can and has changed.

Thanks, guys!

[sniffdog]

So strange, nobody seems to be interested to help out with this question.

Whereas, questions like "will I get a problem if I travel with a o/w ticket to Thailand?" drag all the attention - even this topic has been coverd hundreds of times here in the forum.

I know that Mae Sai came up here also a few times - but I am asking for the CURRENT situation, which can and has changed.

Thanks, guys! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Life is a bitch!

[thaiflyer1]

What i would do is post it in the Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai Forums.........even though its visa related you may get a better response from the guys in there.

Sorry cant help personally i/m down in Pattaya.

Edited September 29, 2005 by thaiflyer1

[mickybigears]

Offering what help I can. Last time I did the run was back in April.

The Immigration Office is now on the border crossing. The left side of the bridge and the office on the right of the entrance. When I went there was a small chance that the Immigration Officer would need copies of your passport (main page and last visa stamp page) so better to photocopy these just in case. Saves leaving the queue and returning to the back and waiting all over again. You will need USD$5 for the entry visa for Myanmar. The Thai immigration are selling these as a sideline anyway if you forget. No need to enter Myanmar just ask/tell the Immigration Officer that you just want stamps in your passport. Usual request to see 10,000 baht cash on return.

I went with Chiang Mai Golf Club's minibus. Start around 07:30 (Wed/Sun) and return around 17:00 with a 30min/1hr. turnaround. Two 20min. coffee stops, one there and one back. Pickup and booking at The Escape Bar next to the Prince Hotel.

[ovenman]

No need to enter Myanmar just ask/tell the Immigration Officer that you just want stamps in your passport. Usual request to see 10,000 baht cash on return.

I haven't crossed the border at Maesai in almost two years but I don't ever remember it being the case that Thai immigrations did not care whether you entered Myanmar. I recall them being rather adamant about seeing those Myanmar entry/exit stamps in your passport.

[PeaceBlondie]

No need to enter Myanmar just ask/tell the Immigration Officer that you just want stamps in your passport. Usual request to see 10,000 baht cash on return.

I haven't crossed the border at Maesai in almost two years but I don't ever remember it being the case that Thai immigrations did not care whether you entered Myanmar. I recall them being rather adamant about seeing those Myanmar entry/exit stamps in your passport.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Perhaps what he means, or what I mean is that you pass through the exit office of Thai immigration, walk less than 200 meters across the bridge without going to the market, and enter the Myanmar immigration office. You tell the officer you aren't going inside Myanmar, and he stamps you in and out and takes the US$5. Last time, July 24, I think he accepted Thai currency.

You go no further than the foot of the bridge, on the Myanmar side, only a few minutes, and then you return to Thailand, where they may very well ask to see that you have 10K or 20K baht on your person.

I hope that clarifies the point.

[mickybigears]

Sorry not to make it clear. The Thai immigration absolutely care about the in/out stamps. I meant that the Myanmar Immigration office (upon receipt of the USD$5 payment) will either give you an entry day visa and stamp you passport later or will put the entry/exit stamps in your passport while you wait. Make more sense now?

[ovenman]

You go no further than the foot of the bridge, on the Myanmar side, only a few minutes, and then you return to Thailand, where they may very well ask to see that you have 10K or 20K baht on your person.

I hope that clarifies the point.

That makes more sense!

[ovenman]

Sorry not to make it clear. The Thai immigration absolutely care about the in/out stamps. I meant that the Myanmar Immigration office (upon receipt of the USD$5 payment) will either give you an entry day visa and stamp you passport later or will put the entry/exit stamps in your passport while you wait. Make more sense now?

It does, thanks. It's a point that is well worth clarifying as it seems to come up often, especially as it relates to visa runs at the Thai/Cambodian border in Aranyaprathet. Many people would rather not hassle with crossing to Cambodia, paying the visa fee, and dealing with the Cambodian officials (but this is not optional!).

[Nam Kao]

Anybody hear of any robberies after you come back in?

Thats alot of dough to be carrying..

Edited September 29, 2005 by Nam Kao

[PeaceBlondie]

Anybody hear of any robberies after you come back in?

  Thats alot of dough to be carrying..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, haven't heard of any robberies. 10K is very little to carry, and 20K isn't very much. There are many vanloads full of tourists making visa runs down the highway every day, and there's been no report of robberies. I would be very careful, though, in the Burmese markets. Perhaps keep all the 1000 baht notes in your passport bag, around your neck.

[Buman]

Thanks so much for your help, guys! I knew you can do it!

Any more insights on transportation? Busses, when to leave, can it be made in one day by public transportation, etc?

How much is this golf club minibus?

[mickybigears]

Please remember this information is from April. Advised to check.

Although they pick up outside the Escape Bar (across the canal from the Prince Hotel), the Golf Club hangs out in the Aussie Bar opposite the Prince Hotel 'pool bar'.

The following is quoted from the "asiatradingonline" website:

"AUSSIE CAFE in Tywang Rd opposite the Prince Hotel. Open 7 days and they also do Visa Runs to Mae Sai every Sunday and Wednesday in the Golf Club minibus. Open to everyone who wants to go to Mae Sai and return in the same day. Cost is 650 baht and you can book by Tel: Ric 09-5570402."

[AsiaWolfie]

u dont have to stop at the immigration building in Mae Sai anymore. everything can be done at the border now, quickly and no hassle. make sure u a r there before 3 pm as the border closes at 4.30 local Myanmar time, which is 30 minutes ahead of Thai time.

[Buman]

Thanks so much for your help, guys!

Any ideas/thoughts on the public transportation system?

Thanks again!

[gregchambers]

There are VIP buses from Chiang Mai arcade bus station that go and come wintin reasonable time limits (I forget them but somewhere around 7.30am exit). Can book both ways. The Mae Sai bus station is not walking distance have to take pick-up taxi (ten or twenty baht) and stop half way at the old immigration building IF you are taking Thai girlfriend across to get exit paper issued/stamped for Thai.

200 baht for the Burmese immigration is okay instead of dollars and they retain your passport if you want to wander around the market for an hour or so.

Thai immigration check money infrequently but if you don't take it they will prob check you - 10k for 30 day tourist, 20k for longer visas.

Thai side often has twenty farang queing up to come back in AND they delight in only having one guy working, so can take an hour or so to get through!

Don't know if this is fact, but read somewhere that if you do two Mae Sai runs in a row they will get difficult on the third one.

Edited October 9, 2005 by gregchambers

[PeaceBlondie]

I've done it maybe six times in two years, and never had to wait more than 10 minutes in either queue, coming or going. We've heard reports of guys doing 10, 20 consecutive visa runs through Mae Sai and always getting stamped in. Other folks report that if the officers see a whole lot, they may say, "Next time, use other border crossing, or get other visa."

In addition to the buses from the Chiang Mai bus arcade, most travel agencies can book you on a full day van tour (or even a shorter tour, almost all day) for about 800 baht, including buffet lunch overlooking Golden Triangle, with English speaking tour guide, and pick you up at nearest tourist hotel.