I'm planning a Burma trip in January and wonder if anyone can please answer the following:

1. Can British passport holders get a visa on arrival at the Myawadi border post opposite Mae Sot? If so, for how long?

2. Does a Thai national (wife) need a visa or not (and if so how long do they get in-country)?

3. How easy is it to get from Myawadi to Rangoon?

4. If we fly into Rangoon from Bangkok can we get visas on arrival, relatively hassle-free?

Many thanks for any answers,

Sharecropper

As far as I know, foreign nationals of all kinds are required to fly into Yangoon if they are going to spend any time roaming about the country. Most land borders have arrangements which allow quick day visits across only to the closest border city/town for market shopping. But things change, so if you can find someone who's done it recently, it might be worth a try.

Thais do need to have a visa.

I don't know about the route from Myawaddy to Yangon, but all non-air travel in Myanmar is slow, cramped, and painful.

I've never used the 'visa on arrival' option because you still (AFAIK) have to apply for it at the embassy, which rather negates its supposed convenience. Perhaps it's easier to get those through the agents, but I don't know.

On past trips to Myawaddy on visa runs I have been told that it is only possible to visit the market there as a farang and that further overland travel is not allowed. That came from the Burmese immigration officers who hold on to your passport anyway should you wander around the town.

Excellent. Thanks, so it's go by air and get the visas before I travel.

Much appreciated.

yes you definitely have to get the Visa beforehand, but it is a HASSLE-FREE affair at their Bangkok embassy (if you don't mind their rather intrusive questionaire on the Visa-Form).