I'm interested in visiting the Mae La Oon refugee camp on the Myanmar border. I'm guessing I can't just show up, but maybe I'm wrong?

I've emailed the office that oversees the camp with no response so far. Any recommendations?

Is that the one on the way between Mae Sot and Tha Song Yang in Tak province? In general, these refugee camps are located along the main roads and therefore just showing up is no problem - but it depends what you want to do there. I am not aware of anywhere in Thailand being restricted for anyone (except some military bases), so I don't see any problems with heading there. Best thing to do would be just to show up and ask around but be prepared for possible disappointment if you can't do what you planned to do.

Here is a map of the camps: http://theborderconsortium.org/camps/camps-locations.jpg

Thanks for the info. I may just go and see what happens. Wanted to spend a few days living there to see what it's like.

Edited March 23, 201313 yr by MatthewAloha

Here is a map of the camps: http://theborderconsortium.org/camps/camps-locations.jpg

Thanks for the info. I may just go and see what happens. Wanted to spend a few days living there to see what it's like.

The refugees would really like that, making their misery a tourist attraction.

Do you bring your own food or will they share theirs?

Mayby have a look here too:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/627926-at-least-30-killed-in-northern-thailand-refugee-camp-fire/

Edited March 23, 201313 yr by FritsSikkink

I believe you have to have a valid reason to enter and need a camp pass issued by the ministry. If allowed to stay it will state how many nights and with whom?

I don't think 'tourism' is a valid reason.

Edited March 23, 201313 yr by uptheos

i have spent some time inn a few of the camps between Mae Sot and Mae Hong son as many are right on the main road just duck under the wires and walk around,

avoid the main entrance as they will not let u in.

Last time was on the road and a funeral procession was underway on the main road and they invited me to walk with them and take photos.

http://phuket.zenfolio.com/p942013493

Really nice people if u get a chance to talk to them., Some have been in the camps their whole life's

I have never seen anywhere that u could stay unless ur thinking of asking a family to allow u to, ( they also ihgt get in trouble) BUT i would think the thai police will find out so better to do day trips

i have spent some time inn a few of the camps between Mae Sot and Mae Hong son as many are right on the main road just duck under the wires and walk around,

avoid the main entrance as they will not let u in.

You're ducking in whilst they are ducking out.

If you are caught in there without an official camp pass, you could be in serious trouble, buy hey what's life without a bit of adventure? Any NGO that goes in and out can help obtain a camp pass and it would be nice to go in with a donation of something.

I hope you are going for altruistic reasons. Also, have an idea as to what these refugees have gone through, putting a face on them helps 'humanize' them. See below as an example.

Paw Dah

I was born and raised in refugee camps.
When my parents first fled Burma they lived in a refugee camp where they
were never allowed to leave. There was no way for them to earn money.
They moved to Mae La Oon camp, where 10,000 people live, in hope of
finding work. I was born soon after they moved.

My parents took me to visit their village twice. The first time I was very young and the
situation was not as bad as now. There were about ten houses in the
village. People woke up early in the morning and worked the fields. One
of my most shocking memories was seeing a five year old boy smoking a
pipe!

In 2004 I visited the village again. The situation was much
worse and I was very afraid. The Burmese military built a military base
on the hill visible from every part of the village. There were only two
or three houses left. The people who still lived there hid most of
their belongings in the forest allowing them to flee quickly when the
military attacked. They also buried things like blankets, clothing, pots
and rice so the soldiers would not steal them.

I am so thankful for the security we have in Thailand. However, even here we are not
free. We can rarely leave the refugee camps making it difficult for us
to earn a living. Aid organizations support us but there are so many
refugees and there is rarely enough to go around. What we really need is
democracy in Burma.

Unseen Mae La

http://www.tbbc.org/camps/msr.htm#s3

Accessibility

Car: all-year-round access; 4WD + chains required in the rainy season
Boat: access from Mae Saam Laep (or Mae Ngao with 5 hour walk)
Phone: no mobile phone coverage. Mobile phone coverage is available in a nearby village approx. 20 mins away.
Note: Due to its isolated location, arrangements can be made for visitors to sleep overnight in the camp

i have spent some time inn a few of the camps between Mae Sot and Mae Hong son as many are right on the main road just duck under the wires and walk around,

avoid the main entrance as they will not let u in.

You're ducking in whilst they are ducking out.

If you are caught in there without an official camp pass, you could be in serious trouble, buy hey what's life without a bit of adventure? Any NGO that goes in and out can help obtain a camp pass and it would be nice to go in with a donation of something.

Nice link above as i am planning a trip back up this July. thnaks

Many of them go in and out on a daily basis and they work in the town and such. I think if u were caught they would just throw u out

What i have done is gone in and spend the time photographing and wandering around and talking with people, gone back an had prints made an returned the next day to pass them out, did the same thing with the ethnic Padaung camp,( Ban Mai Nai Soi refugee camp). outside Mae Hong Son.

Its amazing as the camps are fully self sufficient with shops, restaurants and business set up.

an interesting read, http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/38/Myanmar_Refugees.html

i have spent some time inn a few of the camps between Mae Sot and Mae Hong son as many are right on the main road just duck under the wires and walk around,

avoid the main entrance as they will not let u in.

You're ducking in whilst they are ducking out.

If you are caught in there without an official camp pass, you could be in serious trouble, buy hey what's life without a bit of adventure? Any NGO that goes in and out can help obtain a camp pass and it would be nice to go in with a donation of something.

Nice link above as i am planning a trip back up this July. thnaks

Many of them go in and out on a daily basis and they work in the town and such. I think if u were caught they would just throw u out

What i have done is gone in and spend the time photographing and wandering around and talking with people, gone back an had prints made an returned the next day to pass them out, did the same thing with the ethnic Padaung camp,( Ban Mai Nai Soi refugee camp). outside Mae Hong Son.

Its amazing as the camps are fully self sufficient with shops, restaurants and business set up.

an interesting read, http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/38/Myanmar_Refugees.html

Next time leave some money for them.