Mae Sai: Depart & Arrival Thailand, No Burma

[PingandSingh]

Hi,

I am holding a 1 year marriage non immigrant visa with multiple entrees.

Can I do the following in Mae Sai:

- depart from Thailand,

- buy at the tax free shop in "nomansland" and make a

- u-turn to Thailand and get a 90 days visa stamp.

I do not want to enter Birma and will not give them the 500 Baht, so I will have no Burma stamp.

Will Thai immigration give me the 90 days stamp if I haven't been in another country?

Some people did this already without any problems?

Thanks

[Ulysses G.]

You have to enter Burma to get a stamp in your passport when you reenter Thailand. .

[hellodolly]

If you have a visa good for multabale reentries I don't see a problem. Why would you want to play games they have a immigration office in Mae Sai.

When I wanted to travel in Burma the Thai side told me I could only get a 30 day reentry if I did not have single or multable reentry and the office was just a little south of Town. It was on a Saturday so we just spent the weekend in Chiang Rai and was there opening time Monday morning no stand in line just Pay the money.

Edited August 15, 2012 by hellodolly

[naboo]

You must enter Burma. No way of return unless being escorted to the ATM if you forgot the 500B/$10 by someone not too pleased with you.

[Phrafarang]

I have been able to leave Thailand, use the duty free on the bridge and then re-enter Thailand, complete with entry stamp, on two occasions.

However the last time my friend tried it he was told that he must have a Burma stamp and was sent back to the Burma customs office.

The 'secret' to getting a re-entry stamp without having to pay the five hundred baht is to pick a busy time with a long queue of people waiting to re-enter Thailand

and to have a passport with a lot of stamps.

On the two occasions l have done this they have been too busy to spend time searching through my passport for the Burma stamps

[uptheos]

OP is this thread about saving 500 Baht or not wanting (afraid) to enter Burma?

[Mario2008]

When leaving Thailand you must enter another country first and leave it again before re-entering Thailand (except if by air). If spotted at the border, they will send you back. If they spot it later, you might have a bigger problem.

Especially if you want a 1 year extension of stay based on marriage they will examine your passport very carefully and might refuse your extension of stay and tell you to leave and get a new visa first.

[DowntownAl]

You want to sneak into Burma to do a little shopping and save $15? You do know it's a totalitarian/military regime there and they can throw away the keys if they want to? The last time I was through there they had given me back my passport, since I had no intentions of going to the market or shopping, and just intended on making the u-turn back to Thailand. I walked passed the a gate for the quick turn around, thinking I actually had to enter and return, but a few seconds later an annoyed Burmese Immigration guy tapped me on the shoulder, stared me down and grumpily pointed me in the correct direction, they were watching my movements close enough. Why play games at a border crossing, immigration at any border, in and out of any country, can do pretty much anything they want. I have a gazillion stamps in my passport and look at it as a pretty cool travel log.

[PingandSingh]

OP is this thread about saving 500 Baht or not wanting (afraid) to enter Burma?

To all of you,

It has NOTHING to do with bad intentions at all. Why you all are so suspicious?

I just wanted to go on a more regular base to the (so called) tax free shop in between of the 2 borders. Some spirits are cheap there.

If I have to add 500 Baht (Burma immigration) to 2 bottles (my Thai wife and I each one bottle allowed), the travel is not worth it anymore.

That's all, there is NOTHING else behind so not look for things not there or not in anyone's mind.

Take care.

[PingandSingh]

You want to sneak into Burma to do a little shopping and save $15? You do know it's a totalitarian/military regime there and they can throw away the keys if they want to? The last time I was through there they had given me back my passport, since I had no intentions of going to the market or shopping, and just intended on making the u-turn back to Thailand. I walked passed the a gate for the quick turn around, thinking I actually had to enter and return, but a few seconds later an annoyed Burmese Immigration guy tapped me on the shoulder, stared me down and grumpily pointed me in the correct direction, they were watching my movements close enough. Why play games at a border crossing, immigration at any border, in and out of any country, can do pretty much anything they want. I have a gazillion stamps in my passport and look at it as a pretty cool travel log.

To DowntownAl,

"You want to sneak into Burma"..........

Please read my post and if I'm not clear, at least TRY to understand.

Thanks

[millwall_fan]

If you just want to go shopping at the duty free and the Tachilek market or go gambling you can get in on a VIP pass. This costs 100 Baht to leave your passport with the Thais and 500 baht to enter Burma. You need 2 photocopies of the picture page of your passport, one of which is made into an ID sized VIP Pass. No one has ever checked this pass when I have returned to Thailand, so if you were to just walk to the duty free, buy your goods and return, you would probably get away with it. and it would only cost you 100 baht. As the scheme is unofficial anyway, there are no hard and fast rules. That way the Thais get 100baht, the Burmese the profit on your purchases and you get cheap booze everyone's happy! I've never tried doing that myself as i use it when I want to go to the Casino but don't want another stamp in my passport, but i cant see any reason why it shouldn't work.

One other point, the 1 litre booze allowance doesn't seem to apply at Mae Sai. The rule of thumb seems to be: if you can carry it you can have it. They are a bit stricter with the Thais but my wife usually brings back 2 or 3 bottles and I as much as I can carry. Nice to have a few bottles of Penfolds on hand at 1/2 the price of Thailand! Of course if you want even larger quantities, I believe there are ways of getting someone to mule it across the river to your hotel car park, though again, I've never tried it myself.

With respect to Downtown Al, everyone makes their cut out of the Mae Sai/Tachilek border crossing, and foreigners are usually given the benefit of the doubt, so I wouldn't worry too much about the tetchy totalitarian country thing - this is about money which transcends most rules and regs!!

[KhunVee]

You want to sneak into Burma to do a little shopping and save $15? You do know it's a totalitarian/military regime there and they can throw away the keys if they want to? The last time I was through there they had given me back my passport, since I had no intentions of going to the market or shopping, and just intended on making the u-turn back to Thailand. I walked passed the a gate for the quick turn around, thinking I actually had to enter and return, but a few seconds later an annoyed Burmese Immigration guy tapped me on the shoulder, stared me down and grumpily pointed me in the correct direction, they were watching my movements close enough. Why play games at a border crossing, immigration at any border, in and out of any country, can do pretty much anything they want. I have a gazillion stamps in my passport and look at it as a pretty cool travel log.

Do you work for FOX-News by any chance?....

If it weren't for the 60+ countries I've visited around the world,.....you almost really scared the sh1t out of me with that ridiculous post.

Did you recover well from that horrible close-encounter at "The Border" (did Spielberg call you yet?)

Any lasting damages? Physically or mentally?

"........they were watching my movements close enough." Whoehahahaaaaaa...... Com'on,... really?

Edited August 16, 2012 by KhunVee

[DowntownAl]

You want to sneak into Burma to do a little shopping and save $15? You do know it's a totalitarian/military regime there and they can throw away the keys if they want to? The last time I was through there they had given me back my passport, since I had no intentions of going to the market or shopping, and just intended on making the u-turn back to Thailand. I walked passed the a gate for the quick turn around, thinking I actually had to enter and return, but a few seconds later an annoyed Burmese Immigration guy tapped me on the shoulder, stared me down and grumpily pointed me in the correct direction, they were watching my movements close enough. Why play games at a border crossing, immigration at any border, in and out of any country, can do pretty much anything they want. I have a gazillion stamps in my passport and look at it as a pretty cool travel log.

Do you work for FOX-News by any chance?....

If it weren't for the 60+ countries I've visited around the world,.....you almost really scared the sh1t out of me with that ridiculous post.

Did you recover well from that horrible close-encounter at "The Border" (did Spielberg call you yet?)

Any lasting damages? Physically or mentally?

"........they were watching my movements close enough." Whoehahahaaaaaa...... Com'on,... really?

I simply pointed out the vagaries of playing games at border crossings,no intention of scaring your hyperbolic little self. All border staff watch everyone doing everything at all border crossings,some more efficiently than others, it's part of border security everywhere on the planet, or haven't you noticed? If you're so naive that you don't believe that's the case then enjoy yourself but, please don't take that childish crap out on me. The OP has made a legitimate point without understanding that the shopping area he referred to is not a "no man's land" it is in Burma, part of their territory. And no, I don't work for Faux News, grow up.

[Phrafarang]

Thanks guys

i have just been reminded why I have been a member of this forum for a couple of years but only posted twice, maybe three, times.

Half of you either don't bother to read or don't understand what the poster has said in their topic and the other half just want an excuse to complain or foretell of impending doom.

The original post was asking if it was neccesary to pay the 500 baht to enter Burma if you only want to use the duty free shop on the bridge, the duty free shop that is BEFORE you enter Burma.

Having to pay the 500 baht reduces the savings made over the Thai prices for alchohol, especially wine.

I mentioned that I have been able to leave and re-enter Thailand, and use the duty free shop, without paying the 500 baht and WITHOUT entering Burma, even 'sneakily'.

I will not be trying this again as Mario2008 highlighted possible visa extention problems and although I have never had any problems renewing my extentions it's not worth the risk for 500 baht.

I would be interested in clarification on Millwall fans post, does this cost 100 each time with a one off payment of 500 baht?. As someone who travels to Mae Sai for a duty free run on a regular basis i would be interested in this VIP pass if it is kosher, anyone else know about this?

[millwall_fan]

Thanks guys

i have just been reminded why I have been a member of this forum for a couple of years but only posted twice, maybe three, times.

Half of you either don't bother to read or don't understand what the poster has said in their topic and the other half just want an excuse to complain or foretell of impending doom.

The original post was asking if it was neccesary to pay the 500 baht to enter Burma if you only want to use the duty free shop on the bridge, the duty free shop that is BEFORE you enter Burma.

Having to pay the 500 baht reduces the savings made over the Thai prices for alchohol, especially wine.

I mentioned that I have been able to leave and re-enter Thailand, and use the duty free shop, without paying the 500 baht and WITHOUT entering Burma, even 'sneakily'.

I will not be trying this again as Mario2008 highlighted possible visa extention problems and although I have never had any problems renewing my extentions it's not worth the risk for 500 baht.

I would be interested in clarification on Millwall fans post, does this cost 100 each time with a one off payment of 500 baht?. As someone who travels to Mae Sai for a duty free run on a regular basis i would be interested in this VIP pass if it is kosher, anyone else know about this?

The payment of 100 baht is to the Thai authorities with whom you leave your passport and is payable each time you go over. As I said, I have never had cause not to enter Burma where their usual 500 baht comes into play. I can think of no reason why you couldn't just do your shopping in the duty free, turn round, re-enter Thailand (you wave your VIP pass to the Thai immigration people, walk through customs with the Thais - no need to queue with the other foreigners, walk back across the road to the emmigration booth where you left your passport and collect it). If you haven't spent long browsing in the duty free shop it might be an idea to go and have a cup of coffee on the Thai side before you collect your passport so as not to arouse suspicions.

I can't tell you how kosher the scheme is, all I can tell you is that I have used this method a number of times and everyone on the Thai and Burmese sides knows exactly what it is and I've never had any problems with it. It's aimed at gamblers, but no reason I can think of why you shouldn't use it.

[KhunVee]

You want to sneak into Burma to do a little shopping and save $15? You do know it's a totalitarian/military regime there and they can throw away the keys if they want to? The last time I was through there they had given me back my passport, since I had no intentions of going to the market or shopping, and just intended on making the u-turn back to Thailand. I walked passed the a gate for the quick turn around, thinking I actually had to enter and return, but a few seconds later an annoyed Burmese Immigration guy tapped me on the shoulder, stared me down and grumpily pointed me in the correct direction, they were watching my movements close enough. Why play games at a border crossing, immigration at any border, in and out of any country, can do pretty much anything they want. I have a gazillion stamps in my passport and look at it as a pretty cool travel log.

Do you work for FOX-News by any chance?....

If it weren't for the 60+ countries I've visited around the world,.....you almost really scared the sh1t out of me with that ridiculous post.

Did you recover well from that horrible close-encounter at "The Border" (did Spielberg call you yet?)

Any lasting damages? Physically or mentally?

"........they were watching my movements close enough." Whoehahahaaaaaa...... Com'on,... really?

I simply pointed out the vagaries of playing games at border crossings,no intention of scaring your hyperbolic little self. All border staff watch everyone doing everything at all border crossings,some more efficiently than others, it's part of border security everywhere on the planet, or haven't you noticed? If you're so naive that you don't believe that's the case then enjoy yourself but, please don't take that childish crap out on me. The OP has made a legitimate point without understanding that the shopping area he referred to is not a "no man's land" it is in Burma, part of their territory. And no, I don't work for Faux News, grow up.

Your previous post was funny, but this one is plain pathetic.

[OldeBellPedr]

As the OP says, if only everyone could stick to the topic as posted instead of scoring points in their own private battles, more posters might get the info they need.