Visa Run To Burma

[sydpickett]

Hey guys, my 2 month double entry tourist visa is coming up for renewal (i am from the US) and I was considering taking a trip to Burma to renew it. I don't need to go to the embassy as this is just a common border run. I will be coming from Khorat and will be taking a bus down to BKK and then from BKK to Burma. Has anyone done this? How much for a bus to Burma? Where is the Burmese border location? I have tried to research it online, but most of the links are about border runs from the islands via boats and, well, that doesn't help me.

I usually just go to Cambodia to do these runs but I would like a change in scenery. Also, I would like to spend a day or two in Burma to tour around and see what there is to see.

Any advice would be helpful! Thanks.

[khaan]

If you want to go by bus why are you going to Bangkok first ?

You can go from Khorat to Chiang Mai and then from Chiang Mai to Mae Sai on the Green Bus.( see link below )

Then you cross over the border to Tachilek which is on the Burma side.

They will give you a card with a 14 day validity BUT you can only travel on that within a restricted radius of Tachilek

and I have to warn you there is not much to see there.

I am not aware any other entry point you reach easily by bus.

Otherwise you would need a full tourist visa for Burma and you would need to enter via the airport.

http://www.lonelypla...hreadID=1969734

http://www.greenbusthailand.com/

Edited March 4, 2012 by khaan

[ignis]

The good thing about going to Burma is you get just 2 little stamps 1x in + 1x out, not a full page Visa as in going to Cambodia or Laos..... + to go in = only $10, or 500 baht...

From Bangkok many options... you can go back North to 'Mae Sot' from the BKK North Bus Station, or 'Ranong' South via the South Bus Station.. both directions =3 x 2 buses a day [3 Bus = 54 seat, 45 seat and 24 seat VIP double deck bus with seats that recline 170 degrees] again depending on what class both direction leave from 8 am - 10 am and 8pm to 10:30 pm...... Price from around 300 baht to near 700 baht for the 24 seat VIP... [the one I use]

Again you could go to Hua Hin or Chumphon via Bus [Many all times of the day] or by Train and from these places go via Visa Run Mini Bus...

To get an idea + just a few of the services

http://www.ranongexp...com/bus_map.htm

http://www.chumphon-....com/visa1.html

http://www.railway.c...sp?lenguage=Eng

http://csthailandgui...2283_en_3046084

Edit: if you do go to Ranong....... You go across the water by big boat or by small long boat from Ranong, or go to the Andaman Club, check it out on the web,,,,,,, if you go this option you can book there Mini Bus that will come and meet you at the Ranong Bus Station as the Andaman Club has its own Port a few km outside of Ranong, high speed ship and Immigration.... Long boat is not that easy if you are not 100% fit, I am in my 60's + it rained 1/2 way across... Slippy wood long boat I had great problems getting off [ when i went last year had to sort of jump across 3 other long boats with the help of 2 boatmen]

Edited March 4, 2012 by ignis

[4evermaat]

An alternative to the mad-dash mini bus visa run services in phuket/chumphon/etc is to take coach bus or private van bus to ranong bus station, then diy to the port or use adaman or other visa service. If you go to ranong, bring your own $10 bill (go to a private money exchanger....banks rarely have them)

There is a kasikorn bank nearby ranong immigration office (1+ km from port immigration) but cannot confirm they have $10 bills at the ready. i wouldnt rely on it.

I think in bangkok, there is already vip visa run service. i'm really surprised there is no vip visa service in phuket. I'd wake up an hour or 3 earlier to catch a more comfortable vip bus than the mini-van option.

"2nd best time to plant a tree is today." Sent from TV android app.

[aarn]

I live near Chumphon, did the Burma visa run about five months ago. Used Fame Guest House

http://www.chumphon-kohtao.com/visa1.html

Am not an agent for them, but it was an easy trip. Cost 1100B ($US10 included in the fee,need to book 1-2 days in advance), leave ~ 0530, back in Chumphon before mid-day. English speaking locals facilitate everything, no 'tips' expected, you hardly leave a footprint in Burma.

I think you might find a few days fooling around in Chumphon more enjoyable than Burma. It looked pretty grim to me (and I lived in Cambodia in 1998), hopefully things in Burma will be more pleasant within a few years. AA

[4evermaat]

I live near Chumphon, did the Burma visa run about five months ago. Used Fame Guest House

http://www.chumphon-....com/visa1.html

Am not an agent for them, but it was an easy trip. Cost 1100B ($US10 included in the fee,need to book 1-2 days in advance), leave ~ 0530, back in Chumphon before mid-day. English speaking locals facilitate everything, no 'tips' expected, you hardly leave a footprint in Burma.

I think you might find a few days fooling around in Chumphon more enjoyable than Burma. It looked pretty grim to me (and I lived in Cambodia in 1998), hopefully things in Burma will be more pleasant within a few years. AA

This is accurate. Takes about 7 hours round trip FAME >> ranong >> FAME. They drive fast ("like they stole it"), but what mini-van tour driver does not? The morning run is 100 baht cheaper than the afternoon run. But at least they have two runs available. Sometimes the lao/cambodia workers can fill up a van quickly; as well as weekend stragglers. So booking at least 1-2 days in advance is wise.

You can save 150-200 baht by bringing your own "new-looking" $10 USD bill. The next time you are in bangkok/phuket/tourist area, go to a private exchanger and get yourself a few of them if you do this often (banks usually send their USD to home office; private exchangers are a better bet and usually better exchange rate). Don't be like one couple who thought that using a $20 bill would suffice for two people. It must be a $10 bill PER INDIVIDUAL in great condition.

When you go to the fame tour office for a visa run, they will ask you if you already have $10. if not, they charge the 1100 baht, and include the $10 bill. If you already have $10 bill, the visa run is 650 baht.

As a side comment, they did a great job with the renovations at FAME. Lots of foreigners slide through there or the Farang Bar. The western food i tried is acceptable.