New Border-Crossings

[yieldman]

Following Apetly's instructions I readily found the Ban Nam Pu Ron.

From U-Thong direction, do not enter Kanchanaburi but turn right on the 323 towards Say Yok, bypassing Kanchanaburi and keep following it past the Erawan turn off. Turn left after about 10 km along the 3229 to Ban Kao (Past the overpass in front of the university). For a nice break have a look at the Wat Tham Phu Wha which opens up into a series of caves (about 3 km along the 3229, turn left at Red portal and follow the windy road).There is a sign to the Ban Nam Pu Ron (also shown as Ban Phu Nam Ron) border crossing just where the 3229 merges with 3445. About 200 meters after the junction take a right turn and its about 10kms to Ban Phu Nam Ron.
There was just a 50 meter section of roadworks replacing a bridge but the road is excellent. The border crossing is 4 km from Ban Phu Nam Ron. The sealed road turns sharply left (The road straight ahead is unsealed), follow the sealed road.

There is a coffeeshop and a couple of porta cabins.

A gentleman at the border assisted with all the relevant stamps (Exit, Myanmar and re entry stamp) while I had a coffee at the coffee shop. About 20 minutes in all, 500 baht Myanmar entry fee and 200 baht for the assistance.

[NewlyMintedThai]

Did you actually cross over? Anything of interest on the other side?

[apetley]

I had a look at the border crossing but didn't go over. Talking with a guy there you can actually book a tour to Dawei. Was told 1800bht but another guy told me he paid 1000 bht for a van ride there.

The cook in a small restaurant nearby said there is a small casino somewhere nearby. Also mentioned that it was not a good idea to go wandering around alone.......'very dangerous' but wouldn't elaborate.

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[Tomtomtom69]

I had a look at the border crossing but didn't go over. Talking with a guy there you can actually book a tour to Dawei. Was told 1800bht but another guy told me he paid 1000 bht for a van ride there.

The cook in a small restaurant nearby said there is a small casino somewhere nearby. Also mentioned that it was not a good idea to go wandering around alone.......'very dangerous' but wouldn't elaborate.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Sounds like the usual scaremongering. The Myanmar government wouldn't have opened that border crossing and the road access if it didn't feel it was safe. It is safe, certainly compared with other regions of the country and much, much safer than the 3 southernmost Thai border provinces bordering Malaysia. In the international media Kachin State, Rakhine State and to a lesser extent parts of Shan State are the ones to be careful in, but the most dangerous areas in those parts of the country are restricted anyway. I have not heard of any incidents, any insurgents anything in the whole southern part of Myanmar in recent times - the Kayin/Karen insurgency is about the only exception, but even that is coming to an end. The Mon insurgents have also mostly disappeared and there is virtually no mention of them even in the most informed Myanmar news outlets.

[apetley]

Entirely agree with you as have not heard of any incidents in that area. Myself think it is just a story to keep you on the Thai side and spend your money there:-)

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[davetrout]

stay thai

[Lakegeneve]

Following Apetly's instructions I readily found the Ban Nam Pu Ron.

From U-Thong direction, do not enter Kanchanaburi but turn right on the 323 towards Say Yok, bypassing Kanchanaburi and keep following it past the Erawan turn off. Turn left after about 10 km along the 3229 to Ban Kao (Past the overpass in front of the university). For a nice break have a look at the Wat Tham Phu Wha which opens up into a series of caves (about 3 km along the 3229, turn left at Red portal and follow the windy road).There is a sign to the Ban Nam Pu Ron (also shown as Ban Phu Nam Ron) border crossing just where the 3229 merges with 3445. About 200 meters after the junction take a right turn and its about 10kms to Ban Phu Nam Ron.

There was just a 50 meter section of roadworks replacing a bridge but the road is excellent. The border crossing is 4 km from Ban Phu Nam Ron. The sealed road turns sharply left (The road straight ahead is unsealed), follow the sealed road.

There is a coffeeshop and a couple of porta cabins.

A gentleman at the border assisted with all the relevant stamps (Exit, Myanmar and re entry stamp) while I had a coffee at the coffee shop. About 20 minutes in all, 500 baht Myanmar entry fee and 200 baht for the assistance.

very good geographically informative report.

Just a note that I assume as all other Burma land border crossings that the official entry fee is the normal US$10-. Or 500 baht which is of course over US$16.50-. Some people don't care but the official entry fee is preferable to pay in US$ thus creating less of an expectation in the future that everyone will pay the higher thai rate. (People should note that the Burmese immigration have been using an exchange rate of 50 baht from the late 90s)

While I understand that you wanted to relax and have a coffee you essentially payed 700 baht total when the cost is $10- or 300-310 baht)

It always pays to have a few new US small notes for these border crossings be it Burma, Cambodia or Laos as the entry/Visa fees are set in US $ but the baht rate is always as it is a much higher fee and the immigration staff exchange it to US dollars thus pocketing the difference (eg. Cambodia it is US$20 or 800 baht, even 1000 baht at one crossing is asked if you don't have US$)

This excludes any other non official 'processing' or 'assistance' fees which officials and 'helper's may ask.

One of the reasons that Aran-Poipet border crossing is know as of the worlds best scam borders crossings is that even with all of the info available most people still get taken for a ride. Currently, with the number of tour groups esp Russians, Koreans & Japanese crossing there the operators all charge the 800 baht fee plus the so called 100 baht processing fee' thus ensuring that every person pays 30% more to cross into Cambodia (and indeed a 100 baht 'processing fee' when they exit Cambodia). A nice little earner for the tour operators and immigration staff when one considers the numbers crossing at that border.

Thnakfully, the Burma crossings have never got that bad due to the low numbers and stricter rules. However, with huge number of tourists about to become a deluge into the country over the next 10 years the propensity is high. Hence, disseminating clear info and advising most to avoid the higher rates and

whatever other extras fees pop up over time will assist in creating a less corrupt, more transparent and painless crossing experience for the future....one at least hopes !

[NewlyMintedThai]

What is the fee for Thai nationals to cross there, if any? And how far into Myanmar can you travel without a Burmese visa?

Anyone know?

[Tomtomtom69]

What is the fee for Thai nationals to cross there, if any? And how far into Myanmar can you travel without a Burmese visa?

Anyone know?

I'm not exactly sure about the Phu Nam Ron crossing, but given it's now one of 4 international crossings that allow full access to Myanmar, I would highly recommend a Thai holds a valid visa before travelling there because they may get in trouble for wandering too far on just a border pass - also a passport is very easy to get and a Myanmar visa is also very easy, you just fill out a form, attach 2 photos and pay the visa fee. A border pass is intended to be used only for very localized travel, but I have heard that a limited border pass is allowed to be used for travel for Thai citizens only, for travel from the Dan Singkorn Pass to Myeik. However, once that crossing becomes upgraded to an international crossing, expect greater scrutiny and possibly the usual visa in advance required, unless either visas on arrival or visa exemptions become available by then. Many areas in border regions check the documents of travellers, including in the Myawaddy-Kawkareik corridor so sticking to the requirements of being in possession of a valid passport and Myanmar visa is best. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure a border pass is only valid for travel within Myawaddy but should anyone know otherwise I'm happy to be corrected. Similarly for Kawthoung and Tachilek - can't leave the city limits without a valid passport and visa.

[rixalex]

Following Apetly's instructions I readily found the Ban Nam Pu Ron.

From U-Thong direction, do not enter Kanchanaburi but turn right on the 323 towards Say Yok, bypassing Kanchanaburi and keep following it past the Erawan turn off. Turn left after about 10 km along the 3229 to Ban Kao (Past the overpass in front of the university). For a nice break have a look at the Wat Tham Phu Wha which opens up into a series of caves (about 3 km along the 3229, turn left at Red portal and follow the windy road).There is a sign to the Ban Nam Pu Ron (also shown as Ban Phu Nam Ron) border crossing just where the 3229 merges with 3445. About 200 meters after the junction take a right turn and its about 10kms to Ban Phu Nam Ron.

There was just a 50 meter section of roadworks replacing a bridge but the road is excellent. The border crossing is 4 km from Ban Phu Nam Ron. The sealed road turns sharply left (The road straight ahead is unsealed), follow the sealed road.

There is a coffeeshop and a couple of porta cabins.

A gentleman at the border assisted with all the relevant stamps (Exit, Myanmar and re entry stamp) while I had a coffee at the coffee shop. About 20 minutes in all, 500 baht Myanmar entry fee and 200 baht for the assistance.

Many thanks for those instructions. Will be attempting to make a visa run there next week. Would like to be able to input the crossing into my Garmin. Can anyone suggest a name place i can enter that it is likely to recognise? Have tried Ban Nam Pu Ron and Ban Phu Nam Ron, but no joy.

[blorg]

N 13.92140 E 99.06219

As to what happens if you go too far in on a border pass without a visa, they just turn you back, it's no big deal.

[BruceBayliss]

this crossing is the closest point to Bangkok where you can get an extension, it its only 200km by car. or you can bus to kanchanaburi and then catch the morning bus to Phu Nam Ron 67km cost 70 bhat.

i have done it twice now and one time went all the way into myanmar (interesting place). full travel blog with prices aand times on the link below.

http://www.southernmyanmar.com/transportation/phu-nam-ron-border-crossing-blog/

hope its useful

[lembit]

Is this place; Ban Phu Nam Ron OK

also for a doubble entrystamp, or just a

15 day extension? With all problems there will be with now

in Bangkok, it would be great to go there instead of Cambodia....

[lembit]

Sorry for my terrible spelling, I can't

see what I'm wrighting, it's just white....

[NBD]

If all you need to do is leave the country and re-enter then yes, you can do that at Phu Nam Ron, and even from Bangkok it's a much nicer trip than Aranya. No duty frees though.

[lembit]

That's great, I'm going from

Suphanburi the 27th, so no longer

going to BKK 06:00 and back home 23:00

[NBD]

It is a bit of a faff to find if you're driving, but a much nicer trip than Aranya.

[Lakegeneve]

this crossing is the closest point to Bangkok where you can get an extension, it its only 200km by car. or you can bus to kanchanaburi and then catch the morning bus to Phu Nam Ron 67km cost 70 bhat.

i have done it twice now and one time went all the way into myanmar (interesting place). full travel blog with prices aand times on the link below.

http://www.southernmyanmar.com/transportation/phu-nam-ron-border-crossing-blog/

hope its useful

Thanks, there is some good info in that blog (though a little unprofessional of the site not to link the origin of the blog or credit you/the writer).

This info read with yieldman's excellent report should give everyone enough info about using this crossing....

From Kanchanaburi buses leave from the main bus stop several times daily to Phu Nam Ron . The trip takes just under 2 hrs and costs 70 baht.

Earliest bus : 10:30 clock – there are also buses at 11:30 clock and 12:30 in the afternoon. But if you take the 10:30 clock , since its still another 5 hours on the road until you arrival to the coastal town of Dawei . An accommodation option between border crossing and Dawei does not exist!

After logging out from Thailand 6 km no man’s land I came to the Myanmar border! You should ensure to take a motorcycle taxi that drives you to the other side for 50-60 baht, as for me I hitched a ride in a truck which worked too. The moment you pass into Myanmar is very apparent, Htee Khee is only a new town of a gas station, a small handful of houses and a small immigration office for stamping .Both exit (Thailand ) and entry (Myanmar ) ran smoothly .

[angsta]

How easy is it to get to the border once you get to Phu Nam Ron? I only want to walk across and come back. Is it easy to find a bus back to either Kanchanaburi or Bangkok?

[NBD]

I drove the car right up to the Burmese immigration technically inside Burma so no need if you're driving up there. If not, I think you can get a van there all the way from Kanchanaburi. It's pretty remote and I wouldn't imagine you'd have much luck with taxis but you'd probably find a motorbike/tuk tuk in the village. It's only 1km or so up to the border.

[NBD]

Anyone know about going onwards into Burma from Nam Phu Ron? Ideally by car but I'm nearly sure this is too difficult and expensive, motorbike is a possibility, or could just be by bus/pickup whatever is available.

Is it possible with a visa? On the map it looks like no distance to Dawei and the coast, and I would be very interested to have a poke around. Anyone done this yet?

[NewlyMintedThai]

Another report said 5 hours by hired van from the border to Dawei.

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[Lakegeneve]

Anyone know about going onwards into Burma from Nam Phu Ron? Ideally by car but I'm nearly sure this is too difficult and expensive, motorbike is a possibility, or could just be by bus/pickup whatever is available.

Is it possible with a visa? On the map it looks like no distance to Dawei and the coast, and I would be very interested to have a poke around. Anyone done this yet?

The trip report linked by BruceBayliss on the previous page describes travelling to Dawei with enough basic info , did you read that?

[NBD]

Nope, completely missed that! Thanks.