New Border-Crossings

[swissie]

Mainly interested in the proposed border-crossing "Ban Nam Pu Ron" / "Tiki".

My problem is, I can't find those places on no map ! = How far away from Kanchanabury-Town is this border-crossing?

Thanks & cheers.

[apetley]

Mainly interested in the proposed border-crossing "Ban Nam Pu Ron" / "Tiki".

My problem is, I can't find those places on no map ! = How far away from Kanchanabury-Town is this border-crossing?

Thanks & cheers.

Take the 323 out of Kan towards Sai Yok. Turn left along the 3229. Continue along the 3445 and then just before it heads south take a right turn and its about 10kms to Nam Ron. Bad news is that this crossing will not be open for at least 2-3 years according to the labourers there.

Total of about 60kms from Kan.

Edited May 1, 2013 by apetley

[Kan Win]

Bad news is that this crossing will not be open for at least 2-3 years according to the labourers there.

Total of about 60kms from Kan.

Thank you apetley for the above quote.

Unlike the Three Pagoda Pass has had an Immigration 20' Porto Cabin and offices in place together with the Customs offices there as well for a very long time now, so all in all that to me could be the first one to open properly and not just for a day pass into Burma without a need for a stamp into you passport.

Last time I went there it was 2010 and it was closed.

and before that photos Kan be found on the link below:-

http://www.pbase.com/win13/sangkhla

It was in early 2007 that Non-Thai were charged 10$ per entry, but Thais were only charges 25 Bahts to enter Burma Lucky them I say.

We shall see what will happen.

Win from Kan

Edited May 1, 2013 by Kan Win

[swissie]

Mainly interested in the proposed border-crossing "Ban Nam Pu Ron" / "Tiki".

My problem is, I can't find those places on no map ! = How far away from Kanchanabury-Town is this border-crossing?

Thanks & cheers.

Take the 323 out of Kan towards Sai Yok. Turn left along the 3229. Continue along the 3445 and then just before it heads south take a right turn and its about 10kms to Nam Ron. Bad news is that this crossing will not be open for at least 2-3 years according to the labourers there.

Total of about 60kms from Kan.

Thanks. That helps.

I hear, the 3 Pagoda-Crossing will be open sooner than all others. But this is strtictly "Rumor-Based".

Cheers.

[swissie]

Mainly interested in the proposed border-crossing "Ban Nam Pu Ron" / "Tiki".

My problem is, I can't find those places on no map ! = How far away from Kanchanabury-Town is this border-crossing?

Thanks & cheers.

Take the 323 out of Kan towards Sai Yok. Turn left along the 3229. Continue along the 3445 and then just before it heads south take a right turn and its about 10kms to Nam Ron. Bad news is that this crossing will not be open for at least 2-3 years according to the labourers there.

Total of about 60kms from Kan.

Thanks. That helps.

I hear, the 3 Pagoda-Crossing will be open sooner than all others. But this is strtictly "Rumor-Based".

Cheers.

Sorry, missed the Kan Win post beforehand. Seems to confirm of what "I heard".

[Kan Win]

So all in all, should you wish to drive into Burma, please remember they Drive on the right-hand side and of course, we in Thailand like the UK and a few more countries drive on the correct side. However not all Thai's do it in their own Country do they?

Win

[apetley]

Wifey crossed at 3 pagoda just a few weeks ago on a visit to the market. On the way back into Thailand she asked about border runs and the answer was "soon".

Good news but then again it was about 6 years ago that one of the Immigration officers there told me it would only be 2-3 years before it was upgraded to full international status.

[swissie]

Wifey crossed at 3 pagoda just a few weeks ago on a visit to the market. On the way back into Thailand she asked about border runs and the answer was "soon". Good news but then again it was about 6 years ago that one of the Immigration officers there told me it would only be 2-3 years before it was upgraded to full international status.

Doesen't make my day.

But some food for thaught: The DAWEI deep water harbour is beeing pushed by the japanese consortium that is running the show. (They don'd fiddle around). As I see it, they are not only targeting Myanmar, but also Thailand by a "overland-route".

If the completion of this project should progeress faster than the" border-opening-procedure", they will find "diplomatic-avenues", to remedy that in no time at all!

So, chances are, that at least one official border-crossing will open in less than 2 years. My thingking.

Cheers.

[ignis]

Wish I could remember

Time of the floods went south, far south, down one side and back the west side, 6 weeks + a good few 1000 km.. Somewhere well north of Ranong, maybe 100+ km or so south of BKK was a border-crossing.... but where?? Google maps or the ones I have looked at are of little help.......

​Maybe someone has been or lives that way? so going north was told a interesting place to buy Orchards direct form the Burmese in the mountain's on the Boarder......... followed this road, I can remember a little Village and there was a small Immigration Office..... some km further was a small town and then starting to go up, big long area on the left had been cleared, and there was huts and covered area's with 100's of Burmese selling plants and orchids, very very cheap.. looking back towards the road was a good sized brick building Boarder Control, appeared the only thing using this was Trucks......... from the top where I was of the clearing in the woods, looking in a straight line I was well above this Boarder control [was I still in Thailand ?]

Any know where this was ? would it be soon or now a Boarder for everyone ? would be a lot closer for people needing a Visa run then Ranong or Mae Sot for people living west of BKK and south.

​Hope someone can help, have asked a few Thais around where I live, but blank looks no idea where it is.

On another note all the plants and orchards I bought that day [loads over 100] are doing very well, most have flowered at least once 3 are in flower now...

[apetley]

There are many crossing points between Thailand and Burma between Mae Sot and Ranong that can be used by locals for trading purposes. There aren't any, however, where you can do a visa run. Hopefully that will change in the not too distant future with the upgrading of the Nam Ron and Three Pagoda crossings.

As an aside when I went on a visit to Nam Ron last November wifey got talking with one of the locals there and learnt many Thais go to a small Burmese casino just across the border. I was also told farang were not allowed to cross.

In answer to Ignis's border post I was told there is a small local crossing due west of Ratchaburi. May fit the description.

Edited May 2, 2013 by apetley

[Tomtomtom69]

There are many crossing points between Thailand and Burma between Mae Sot and Ranong that can be used by locals for trading purposes. There aren't any, however, where you can do a visa run. Hopefully that will change in the not too distant future with the upgrading of the Nam Ron and Three Pagoda crossings. As an aside when I went on a visit to Nam Ron last November wifey got talking with one of the locals there and learnt many Thais go to a small Burmese casino just across the border. I was also told farang were not allowed to cross. In answer to Ignis's border post I was told there is a small local crossing due west of Ratchaburi. May fit the description.

The Mae Sot/Myawaddy crossing may now allow full overland crossings between Thailand and Myanmar, the only international crossing allowing this for now. Forget about these other "crossings" - I doubt your claim about "many" locals only crossings - the only ones that exist are Payathonzu/Three Pagodas Pass (about to change to an international one but not sure when), Phu Nam Ron (for access to Dawei but not yet as you have correctly stated), Dan Singkorn (to open "soon") and well that's all I can think of. Locals "crossings" like the ones mentioned would, if they are official though I doubt they are only be for traders and not for ordinary Thai citizens either, certainly not for people not resident in the local areas. Most of the time, Burmese traders can cross for the day and not more than a few hundred meters inside Thailand, Thais almost never do and third party nationalities are unfortunately not yet allowed across these borders. Edited May 2, 2013 by Tomtomtom69

[Tomtomtom69]

Wish I could remember

Time of the floods went south, far south, down one side and back the west side, 6 weeks + a good few 1000 km.. Somewhere well north of Ranong, maybe 100+ km or so south of BKK was a border-crossing.... but where?? Google maps or the ones I have looked at are of little help.......

​Maybe someone has been or lives that way? so going north was told a interesting place to buy Orchards direct form the Burmese in the mountain's on the Boarder......... followed this road, I can remember a little Village and there was a small Immigration Office..... some km further was a small town and then starting to go up, big long area on the left had been cleared, and there was huts and covered area's with 100's of Burmese selling plants and orchids, very very cheap.. looking back towards the road was a good sized brick building Boarder Control, appeared the only thing using this was Trucks......... from the top where I was of the clearing in the woods, looking in a straight line I was well above this Boarder control [was I still in Thailand ?]

Any know where this was ? would it be soon or now a Boarder for everyone ? would be a lot closer for people needing a Visa run then Ranong or Mae Sot for people living west of BKK and south.

​Hope someone can help, have asked a few Thais around where I live, but blank looks no idea where it is.

On another note all the plants and orchards I bought that day [loads over 100] are doing very well, most have flowered at least once 3 are in flower now...

Sounds to me like Dan Singkorn in Prachuab Khiri Kan province. Apparently this crossing is being upgraded to an international crossing that will allow full overland access to the country. Give it 1-2 years before this happens though.

[Tomtomtom69]

Wifey crossed at 3 pagoda just a few weeks ago on a visit to the market. On the way back into Thailand she asked about border runs and the answer was "soon". Good news but then again it was about 6 years ago that one of the Immigration officers there told me it would only be 2-3 years before it was upgraded to full international status.

I've crossed into Payathonzu 4 times this year but not officially. Just went to do business with some of the traders who live behind the market so really only went less than 50 meters into Myanmar. Apparently it's now possible to visit Payathonzu coming from the Myanmar side but crossing into Thailand is not yet permitted (but will soon be). I will post a link (if I find one) to confirm this.

[apetley]

There are many crossing points between Thailand and Burma between Mae Sot and Ranong that can be used by locals for trading purposes. There aren't any, however, where you can do a visa run. Hopefully that will change in the not too distant future with the upgrading of the Nam Ron and Three Pagoda crossings. As an aside when I went on a visit to Nam Ron last November wifey got talking with one of the locals there and learnt many Thais go to a small Burmese casino just across the border. I was also told farang were not allowed to cross. In answer to Ignis's border post I was told there is a small local crossing due west of Ratchaburi. May fit the description.The Mae Sot/Myawaddy crossing may now allow full overland crossings between Thailand and Myanmar, the only international crossing allowing this for now. Forget about these other "crossings" - I doubt your claim about "many" locals only crossings - the only ones that exist are Payathonzu/Three Pagodas Pass (about to change to an international one but not sure when), Phu Nam Ron (for access to Dawei but not yet as you have correctly stated), Dan Singkorn (to open "soon") and well that's all I can think of. Locals "crossings" like the ones mentioned would, if they are official though I doubt they are only be for traders and not for ordinary Thai citizens either, certainly not for people not resident in the local areas. Most of the time, Burmese traders can cross for the day and not more than a few hundred meters inside Thailand, Thais almost never do and third party nationalities are unfortunately not yet allowed across these borders.

I should have been a little clearer when mentioning local crossings. What I meant was those used by Thais and Burmese for local traffic and trading that is in no way 'official'. Thinking of places like Bong Ti and others in the Sai Yok area. I once strayed across the border in Thong Phaphum accidentally and had no idea until flagged down by a Burmese patrol. Still on a made road but no indication that the border had been crossed. I was a little worried as I was in a rental car and had given up my passport. A few questions from the platoon leader and I was on my way with a 'Get back into Thailand Mr Petley'. Found out later about 15 migrant labourers were found shot dead in a stream close by so a reminder of how lawless some of these areas are.

[Lakegeneve]

Wish I could remember

Time of the floods went south, far south, down one side and back the west side, 6 weeks + a good few 1000 km.. Somewhere well north of Ranong, maybe 100+ km or so south of BKK was a border-crossing.... but where?? Google maps or the ones I have looked at are of little help.......

​Maybe someone has been or lives that way? so going north was told a interesting place to buy Orchards direct form the Burmese in the mountain's on the Boarder......... followed this road, I can remember a little Village and there was a small Immigration Office..... some km further was a small town and then starting to go up, big long area on the left had been cleared, and there was huts and covered area's with 100's of Burmese selling plants and orchids, very very cheap.. looking back towards the road was a good sized brick building Boarder Control, appeared the only thing using this was Trucks......... from the top where I was of the clearing in the woods, looking in a straight line I was well above this Boarder control [was I still in Thailand ?]

Any know where this was ? would it be soon or now a Boarder for everyone ? would be a lot closer for people needing a Visa run then Ranong or Mae Sot for people living west of BKK and south.

​Hope someone can help, have asked a few Thais around where I live, but blank looks no idea where it is.

On another note all the plants and orchards I bought that day [loads over 100] are doing very well, most have flowered at least once 3 are in flower now...

Sounds to me like Dan Singkorn in Prachuab Khiri Kan province. Apparently this crossing is being upgraded to an international crossing that will allow full overland access to the country. Give it 1-2 years before this happens though.

A year ago Cabinet agreed to 5 new permanent immigration checkpoints between Thai and Burma to prepare for the Dewei development, the first 3 would be full international crossings;

1. Ban Phu Namron - Thiki (Dewei)

2. Singkhon - Mudong (Fisheries)

3. Three Pagodas (Dewei & Tourism)

4. Kiaw Phawok - Ponpayin, (Naypyidaw)

5. Huay Tone Nun - Mae Jae (Naypyidaw)

Ban Phu Namron will obviously be the main crossing for Dewei once the new 4 lane Hwy is built (was going to be 6 lanes) and will be very large to cope with the expected heavy freight traffic.

The timeframe for the 5 crossings was to be early 2015 with 3 Pagodas and Singkhon by mid 2014 but that does not mean much.

[Lakegeneve]

There are many crossing points between Thailand and Burma between Mae Sot and Ranong that can be used by locals for trading purposes. There aren't any, however, where you can do a visa run. Hopefully that will change in the not too distant future with the upgrading of the Nam Ron and Three Pagoda crossings. As an aside when I went on a visit to Nam Ron last November wifey got talking with one of the locals there and learnt many Thais go to a small Burmese casino just across the border. I was also told farang were not allowed to cross. In answer to Ignis's border post I was told there is a small local crossing due west of Ratchaburi. May fit the description.

The Mae Sot/Myawaddy crossing may now allow full overland crossings between Thailand and Myanmar, the only international crossing allowing this for now.

No it doesn't, foreigners are still prohibited to travel beyond the Myawaddy city limits. And Mae Sai does allows people to travel up to the Chinese border on the 14 day pass albeit with a govt registered guide. They still keep your passport at Mae Sai to ensure your return.

[CroBiker]

There are many crossing points between Thailand and Burma between Mae Sot and Ranong that can be used by locals for trading purposes. There aren't any, however, where you can do a visa run. Hopefully that will change in the not too distant future with the upgrading of the Nam Ron and Three Pagoda crossings. As an aside when I went on a visit to Nam Ron last November wifey got talking with one of the locals there and learnt many Thais go to a small Burmese casino just across the border. I was also told farang were not allowed to cross. In answer to Ignis's border post I was told there is a small local crossing due west of Ratchaburi. May fit the description.

The Mae Sot/Myawaddy crossing may now allow full overland crossings between Thailand and Myanmar, the only international crossing allowing this for now.

No it doesn't, foreigners are still prohibited to travel beyond the Myawaddy city limits. And Mae Sai does allows people to travel up to the Chinese border on the 14 day pass albeit with a govt registered guide. They still keep your passport at Mae Sai to ensure your return.

You have been misinformed lakegeneve. As recently as March 2013 we rode on bikes from Myawaddy to Kyaikhtiyo Golden Rock, capital city Naypyidaw, Bagan, Pyay, Bago, Mawlamyaing and back without any issues. Anyone can go with valid 4 weeks tourist visa and permit issued by Myanmar government.

At Shwe pagoda replica in Naypyidaw

Naypyidaw City Hall

Mae Sot border checkpoint

The only way thru is via Dawna Range

Bagan....

WW2 Allied soldiers cemetery, 27,000 graves..

Indian border not far from here

[Lakegeneve]

There are many crossing points between Thailand and Burma between Mae Sot and Ranong that can be used by locals for trading purposes. There aren't any, however, where you can do a visa run. Hopefully that will change in the not too distant future with the upgrading of the Nam Ron and Three Pagoda crossings. As an aside when I went on a visit to Nam Ron last November wifey got talking with one of the locals there and learnt many Thais go to a small Burmese casino just across the border. I was also told farang were not allowed to cross. In answer to Ignis's border post I was told there is a small local crossing due west of Ratchaburi. May fit the description.

The Mae Sot/Myawaddy crossing may now allow full overland crossings between Thailand and Myanmar, the only international crossing allowing this for now.

No it doesn't, foreigners are still prohibited to travel beyond the Myawaddy city limits. And Mae Sai does allows people to travel up to the Chinese border on the 14 day pass albeit with a govt registered guide. They still keep your passport at Mae Sai to ensure your return.

You have been misinformed lakegeneve. As recently as March 2013 we rode on bikes from Myawaddy to Kyaikhtiyo Golden Rock, capital city Naypyidaw, Bagan, Pyay, Bago, Mawlamyaing and back without any issues. Anyone can go with valid 4 weeks tourist visa and permit issued by Myanmar government.

Hey, I am more than happy to be corrected. The status of borders crossings do change (such as this one being closed for over a year from July 2010 to Dec 2011) and up to date info is always highly valued as it helps all.

However, I did actually cross here myself in Feb (I first crossed here back in 2002). At that time, I was advised that the situation was as it always has been that only a day pass was permissible with travel beyond the city limits prohibited.

Now, I have personally seen a 'tour' group such as yours crossing here in the past - specifically a 4WD group.

What I assume - and pls confirm your own situation - is that they have an issued visa from the embassy AND a letter, or permit as you state, from the embassy authorising said journey by said route. In those circumstances - and local security advice at the time of travel approving the journey - it would make sense that one can travel as your group did. However, you could not have done this by just turning up and crossing into Myawaddy. Pls do confirm.

So IF this is correct, it is still not a matter of turning up with a visa and stating that one wishes to travel beyond Myawaddy and this will not be allowed. This will all change in the near future but to my understanding there are still restrictions hence the need for the letter/permit.

PS. The international bike trip that your group did looks great. Have you not done so, may I encourage you to write it up a little with your pics on the SE Travel Forum - or make a short post linked to a blog of the trip. Nice for others to be informed and learn about it.

[Lakegeneve]

Wish I could remember

Time of the floods went south, far south, down one side and back the west side, 6 weeks + a good few 1000 km.. Somewhere well north of Ranong, maybe 100+ km or so south of BKK was a border-crossing.... but where?? Google maps or the ones I have looked at are of little help.......

​Maybe someone has been or lives that way? so going north was told a interesting place to buy Orchards direct form the Burmese in the mountain's on the Boarder......... followed this road, I can remember a little Village and there was a small Immigration Office..... some km further was a small town and then starting to go up, big long area on the left had been cleared, and there was huts and covered area's with 100's of Burmese selling plants and orchids, very very cheap.. looking back towards the road was a good sized brick building Boarder Control, appeared the only thing using this was Trucks......... from the top where I was of the clearing in the woods, looking in a straight line I was well above this Boarder control [was I still in Thailand ?]

Any know where this was ? would it be soon or now a Boarder for everyone ? would be a lot closer for people needing a Visa run then Ranong or Mae Sot for people living west of BKK and south.

​Hope someone can help, have asked a few Thais around where I live, but blank looks no idea where it is.

On another note all the plants and orchards I bought that day [loads over 100] are doing very well, most have flowered at least once 3 are in flower now...

Sounds to me like Dan Singkorn in Prachuab Khiri Kan province. Apparently this crossing is being upgraded to an international crossing that will allow full overland access to the country. Give it 1-2 years before this happens though.

A year ago Cabinet agreed to 5 new permanent immigration checkpoints between Thai and Burma to prepare for the Dewei development, the first 3 would be full international crossings;

1. Ban Phu Namron - Thiki (Dewei)

2. Singkhon - Mudong (Fisheries)

3. Three Pagodas (Dewei & Tourism)

4. Kiaw Phawok - Ponpayin, (Naypyidaw)

5. Huay Tone Nun - Mae Jae (Naypyidaw)

Ban Phu Namron will obviously be the main crossing for Dewei once the new 4 lane Hwy is built (was going to be 6 lanes) and will be very large to cope with the expected heavy freight traffic.

The timeframe for the 5 crossings was to be early 2015 with 3 Pagodas and Singkhon by mid 2014 but that does not mean much.

While we are on clarifications and corrections, Singkhon is actually opening tomorrow! That was quick!

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/637649-singkhorn-new-myanmar-border-crossing-opens-may-8-2013/?hl=+singkhon

[ignis]

Thanks and yes it is Singkhon, now open from today...

Appears many are waiting for the Kanchanaburi checkpoint to open soon

Edited May 7, 2013 by ignis

[Lakegeneve]

No it doesn't, foreigners are still prohibited to travel beyond the Myawaddy city limits. And Mae Sai does allows people to travel up to the Chinese border on the 14 day pass albeit with a govt registered guide. They still keep your passport at Mae Sai to ensure your return.

You have been misinformed lakegeneve. As recently as March 2013 we rode on bikes from Myawaddy to Kyaikhtiyo Golden Rock, capital city Naypyidaw, Bagan, Pyay, Bago, Mawlamyaing and back without any issues. Anyone can go with valid 4 weeks tourist visa and permit issued by Myanmar government.

Hey, I am more than happy to be corrected. The status of borders crossings do change (such as this one being closed for over a year from July 2010 to Dec 2011) and up to date info is always highly valued as it helps all.

However, I did actually cross here myself in Feb (I first crossed here back in 2002). At that time, I was advised that the situation was as it always has been that only a day pass was permissible with travel beyond the city limits prohibited.

Now, I have personally seen a 'tour' group such as yours crossing here in the past - specifically a 4WD group.

What I assume - and pls confirm your own situation - is that they have an issued visa from the embassy AND a letter, or permit as you state, from the embassy authorising said journey by said route. In those circumstances - and local security advice at the time of travel approving the journey - it would make sense that one can travel as your group did. However, you could not have done this by just turning up and crossing into Myawaddy. Pls do confirm.

So IF this is correct, it is still not a matter of turning up with a visa and stating that one wishes to travel beyond Myawaddy and this will not be allowed. This will all change in the near future but to my understanding there are still restrictions hence the need for the letter/permit.

PS. The international bike trip that your group did looks great. Have you not done so, may I encourage you to write it up a little with your pics on the SE Travel Forum - or make a short post linked to a blog of the trip. Nice for others to be informed and learn about it.

I'll just quote CroBikers reply on the other thread which makes it clear that a special permit is required and that it can take a few months to be issued. Thus, it can be done but takes much preparation, the required permit and extra expense of a govt authroised guide/minder.

I should have clarified: special permit needs to be obtained from Myanmar government. This takes from 2 to 12 months to get, depends on luck and who you know basically. Then with valid visa issued at Myanmar Embassy and this permit you can ride/drive across the country accompanied by official guides and government minders.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/637649-singkhorn-new-myanmar-border-crossing-opens-may-8-2013/page-3#entry6385238

[Kan Win]

Thanks and yes it is Singkhon, now open from today...

Full story on the below link

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/638232-singkhon-border-crossing-for-visa-runs-delayed-thais-only/?utm_source=newsletter-20130509-1521&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news

Sadly only for Thais and not Visa Runners

Win

Edited May 10, 2013 by Kan Win

[Tomtomtom69]

The Mae Sot/Myawaddy crossing may now allow full overland crossings between Thailand and Myanmar, the only international crossing allowing this for now.

No it doesn't, foreigners are still prohibited to travel beyond the Myawaddy city limits. And Mae Sai does allows people to travel up to the Chinese border on the 14 day pass albeit with a govt registered guide. They still keep your passport at Mae Sai to ensure your return.

You have been misinformed lakegeneve. As recently as March 2013 we rode on bikes from Myawaddy to Kyaikhtiyo Golden Rock, capital city Naypyidaw, Bagan, Pyay, Bago, Mawlamyaing and back without any issues. Anyone can go with valid 4 weeks tourist visa and permit issued by Myanmar government.

Hey, I am more than happy to be corrected. The status of borders crossings do change (such as this one being closed for over a year from July 2010 to Dec 2011) and up to date info is always highly valued as it helps all.

However, I did actually cross here myself in Feb (I first crossed here back in 2002). At that time, I was advised that the situation was as it always has been that only a day pass was permissible with travel beyond the city limits prohibited.

Now, I have personally seen a 'tour' group such as yours crossing here in the past - specifically a 4WD group.

What I assume - and pls confirm your own situation - is that they have an issued visa from the embassy AND a letter, or permit as you state, from the embassy authorising said journey by said route. In those circumstances - and local security advice at the time of travel approving the journey - it would make sense that one can travel as your group did. However, you could not have done this by just turning up and crossing into Myawaddy. Pls do confirm.

So IF this is correct, it is still not a matter of turning up with a visa and stating that one wishes to travel beyond Myawaddy and this will not be allowed. This will all change in the near future but to my understanding there are still restrictions hence the need for the letter/permit.

PS. The international bike trip that your group did looks great. Have you not done so, may I encourage you to write it up a little with your pics on the SE Travel Forum - or make a short post linked to a blog of the trip. Nice for others to be informed and learn about it.

A lot has changed, or is supposed to change, since March of this year. Right now, if you follow my post in the Myanmar section of this forum, there are plans to open the Mae Sot/Myawaddy crossing for foreigners (this includes Thais) for overland travel with a visa in your passport. It was first supposed to happen on April 1st - then they delayed it until roughly the 22nd of April and then late April/early May. Currently it is unclear when it will open (or if it has already opened) but according to a Thai TV report back in March, June 1st has been claimed. However, the opening of this road from the Thai side (you can already travel to Myawaddy from the Myanmar side and stay overnight there since March, without a permit) when it happens will only allow you to travel in a Burmese registered vehicle inside Myanmar as foreign registered vehicles, including motorcycles will still require permits for the time being even if ordinary foreigners won't anymore.

[NewlyMintedThai]

I was also told farang were not allowed to cross.

They can if they have a Thai ID card.

[Lakegeneve]

TTT69, it seems that your long mooted change is finally about to happen sometime this month?

Myanmar will allow visitors using the border crossings of Tarchileik, Myawady and Kawthaung via Thailand to go anywhere except restricted areas starting in August, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Information.

The allowance aims to increase the arrival of foreign travellers. In the announcement, the Ministry of Information stated that visitors can go anywhere except where there are security concerns and depart from any exits which the government allows.

http://elevenmyanmar.com/tourism/2921-myanmar-to-allow-visitors-crossing-from-thailand

[swissie]

TTT69, it seems that your long mooted change is finally about to happen sometime this month?

Myanmar will allow visitors using the border crossings of Tarchileik, Myawady and Kawthaung via Thailand to go anywhere except restricted areas starting in August, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Information.

The allowance aims to increase the arrival of foreign travellers. In the announcement, the Ministry of Information stated that visitors can go anywhere except where there are security concerns and depart from any exits which the government allows.

http://elevenmyanmar.com/tourism/2921-myanmar-to-allow-visitors-crossing-from-thailand

Lovely. All we need now are a few "Ginnie-Pigs" that will report back here.

- Myanmar will allow..................Do the Thai's allow re-entry into Thailand? Or in other words: Is Thai-Immigration present those locations? If not, those Border-Crossings are of no use to the Farang.

Except for Mae-Sot, I can not find any of those places on the map. Need 4 - wheel drive vehicle to get to those places?

Cheers.

[Lakegeneve]

TTT69, it seems that your long mooted change is finally about to happen sometime this month?

Myanmar will allow visitors using the border crossings of Tarchileik, Myawady and Kawthaung via Thailand to go anywhere except restricted areas starting in August, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Information.

The allowance aims to increase the arrival of foreign travellers. In the announcement, the Ministry of Information stated that visitors can go anywhere except where there are security concerns and depart from any exits which the government allows.

http://elevenmyanmar.com/tourism/2921-myanmar-to-allow-visitors-crossing-from-thailand

Lovely. All we need now are a few "Ginnie-Pigs" that will report back here.

- Myanmar will allow..................Do the Thai's allow re-entry into Thailand? Or in other words: Is Thai-Immigration present those locations? If not, those Border-Crossings are of no use to the Farang.

Except for Mae-Sot, I can not find any of those places on the map. Need 4 - wheel drive vehicle to get to those places?

Cheers.

Umm, they are all very established border crossings with busy roads leading to them and many people do visa runs at these crossings. A quick google search would have shown that.

Ignore the spelling mistakes

Tacheleik - Mae Sai

Myawadi - Mae Sot (as you have worked out)

Kawthoung - Ranong

[swissie]

TTT69, it seems that your long mooted change is finally about to happen sometime this month?

Myanmar will allow visitors using the border crossings of Tarchileik, Myawady and Kawthaung via Thailand to go anywhere except restricted areas starting in August, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Information.

The allowance aims to increase the arrival of foreign travellers. In the announcement, the Ministry of Information stated that visitors can go anywhere except where there are security concerns and depart from any exits which the government allows.

http://elevenmyanmar.com/tourism/2921-myanmar-to-allow-visitors-crossing-from-thailand

Lovely. All we need now are a few "Ginnie-Pigs" that will report back here.

- Myanmar will allow..................Do the Thai's allow re-entry into Thailand? Or in other words: Is Thai-Immigration present those locations? If not, those Border-Crossings are of no use to the Farang.

Except for Mae-Sot, I can not find any of those places on the map. Need 4 - wheel drive vehicle to get to those places?

Cheers.

Umm, they are all very established border crossings with busy roads leading to them and many people do visa runs at these crossings. A quick google search would have shown that.

Ignore the spelling mistakes

Tacheleik - Mae Sai

Myawadi - Mae Sot (as you have worked out)

Kawthoung - Ranong

This should not run under "new border-crossings", since above mentioned Border-Crossings are absolutely not new but have been established quite some time ago.

The "planned" border-crossing west of Kanchanabury would be of interest to me personally. (And all the Farangs living in the Kanchanabury region.) It's wait and see.

Cheers.

[Lakegeneve]

TTT69, it seems that your long mooted change is finally about to happen sometime this month?

Myanmar will allow visitors using the border crossings of Tarchileik, Myawady and Kawthaung via Thailand to go anywhere except restricted areas starting in August, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Information.

The allowance aims to increase the arrival of foreign travellers. In the announcement, the Ministry of Information stated that visitors can go anywhere except where there are security concerns and depart from any exits which the government allows.

http://elevenmyanmar.com/tourism/2921-myanmar-to-allow-visitors-crossing-from-thailand

Lovely. All we need now are a few "Ginnie-Pigs" that will report back here.

- Myanmar will allow..................Do the Thai's allow re-entry into Thailand? Or in other words: Is Thai-Immigration present those locations? If not, those Border-Crossings are of no use to the Farang.

Except for Mae-Sot, I can not find any of those places on the map. Need 4 - wheel drive vehicle to get to those places?

Cheers.

Umm, they are all very established border crossings with busy roads leading to them and many people do visa runs at these crossings. A quick google search would have shown that.

Ignore the spelling mistakes

Tacheleik - Mae Sai

Myawadi - Mae Sot (as you have worked out)

Kawthoung - Ranong

This should not run under "new border-crossings", since above mentioned Border-Crossings are absolutely not new but have been established quite some time ago.

The "planned" border-crossing west of Kanchanabury would be of interest to me personally. (And all the Farangs living in the Kanchanabury region.) It's wait and see.

Cheers.

Take the time to read through the thread - similar to your absent google search - and you'll understand why it was posted in direct response to an ongoing issue that TTT69 has been raising.

Cheers

[Tomtomtom69]

TTT69, it seems that your long mooted change is finally about to happen sometime this month?

Myanmar will allow visitors using the border crossings of Tarchileik, Myawady and Kawthaung via Thailand to go anywhere except restricted areas starting in August, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Information.

The allowance aims to increase the arrival of foreign travellers. In the announcement, the Ministry of Information stated that visitors can go anywhere except where there are security concerns and depart from any exits which the government allows.

http://elevenmyanmar.com/tourism/2921-myanmar-to-allow-visitors-crossing-from-thailand

Yes, it will. For further updates check back on the Myanmar forum. In any case I expect some slight delays on the opening due to the flooding situation and landslides in Kayin State and Mae Sot, but as long as everything is back to normal before the end of the month, then this report can claim to have been accurate. With any luck, the Mae Sai and Ranong crossings will open first (perhaps they already are, but I haven't heard of any confirmed trip reports) since the flooding in Mae Sai wasn't nearly as bad as in Mae Sot and I haven't heard of any flooding in the Ranong area or across the border in Tanintharyi division.

Edited August 9, 2013 by Tomtomtom69