Mai Sai 14Day Exemptions-Any Updates

[chiangrai]

Hi,

Last time I as in Mae Sai I was told that this was my last 14 day exemption and to go and get a Tourist visa,which I did.

Soon I will go back for more though and was wondering if the last refusal was just a temporary crackdown and have they started issuing more than 4 in a row again.

Any updates any one

[Tomtomtom69]

For some reason, Thai immigration at the Myanmar crossings make a big deal when crossing back into Thailand from Myanmar, despite knowing that up until now, they can't really refuse you as overland travel to Yangon etc. is not possible without a visa and special permit.

I'd suggest crossing into Laos instead (Chiang Khong is a mere 100km away from Mae Sai) and/or spending more time outside of Thailand than just half an hour. Go to Laos, spend a few days then come back and the Thais will be less likely to "threaten" you with "no more free 15 day visas". I believe you could even spend up to 14 days in Tachileik or Kengtung as an alternative - there is no need to come back the same day.

Despite the Thai authorities in Mae Sot telling me I won't get more than 4 consecutive entries there either, I pointed out that I wasn't making visa runs to Myawaddy but was going there for business as I went there 2 consecutive days in a row. Believe me, if it were already permitted to stay overnight in Myawaddy when crossing over from Thailand I wouldn't have needed to cross back and forth; so I argued my case and this was accepted. In any case, I hadn't reached the 4 crossings from Myanmar yet at the time but I wanted to point out that I wasn't spending 15 days in Thailand, crossing for a visa run then spending another 15 days in Thailand etc. but instead I was going to Myawaddy on business. Of course the Thai border guards in question didn't check the length of time I had stayed in Thailand before leaving for Myanmar, nor had they checked how many 15 day visa exempt entries I had in my passport - they just made that general comment thinking I would fall for it, which I didn't.

[lopburi3]

One troll post removed.

[ubonjoe]

Have you gotten a 30 day extension of your tourist visa yet (1900 baht ).

You should of went to Laos and gotten a 2 entry tourist visa which with extension would of given you almost 6 months without needing a new visa by doing the 2nd entry just before the visa expires.

Getting the tourist visa has broken the chain of exempt entries you had which should allow you to do 4 more.

[chiangrai]

Yes,

That's what I did.I got a double entry tourist visa in Laos.

I didn't extend it because I live near Mai Sai and it works out cheaper to go over the boarder

So I'm on my second 60 day entry,then I'am entitled to 4 fifteen day exemptions.

Because I live so near the boarder it's cheaper for me to keep getting 15 day exemtions.than to go to Laos.I have been doing this for 5 years.Only twice have i been told that I have to go to get a proper tourist visa.

The first time was just a temporary crack down,When my tourist visa ran out they gave me 2 more years of 15 day exemptions.

So I'm wondering if I can go back to my old way of driving up the road with a ten Dollar bill every two week or are they going to stick to the 4 in a row rule this time.

Any recent reports of people being refused more than 4 in a row in Mai Sai

[lopburi3]

Flame removed.

[RubbaJohnny]

FYI

If time is an issue the new bridge at Banjo Go near the mouth of the River Ing on AH3 was opened ceremonilly on 12/12/12 it is mooted by Chinese engineers to be ready soon. I've been across once on foot during building phase.

On poor surface 4x4 short cuts avoiding Phaya Mengrai it is 64 miles from C Rai airport allow 2 hours or 78 miles on main rds suitable for a sedan.

You will save on 2 Xhieng Khong Ferry fares a few bahts as a pedestrian and big $ for car.but the Lao visa is substantially higher for most but not all races usually in $30-42 range.

My wife who meets some of the engineers also said there is another planned crossng near theGolden Triangle casinos and forthcoming leftbank airport.

I do not foresee allowing my wife anywhere near a casino as a moneysaver

I will try and post when the new crossing is ope to foreigners as the immigration and customs sheds are advanced on Thai side

[Paul888]

I understand the OP's point.

We all know that extending at Immigration is the easiest and cheapest option for those who stay long term but it is a fact that if you are unable to extend at immigration for whatever reason, for many people in Chiang Rai, a short drive to Mae Sai, a 500 baht (or $10) fee and a little shopping in Myannmar before a short drive home every two weeks is the lesser of two evils when compared to even a once a year trip from Chiang Rai to Vientiane.

[ubonjoe]

A 30 day extension costs 1900 baht which is equal to two 15 day entries which for the entries to Burma would be 1000 baht total. I don't know what is cost to make the trip to the border costs but it wouldn't take a lot to equal the 900 baht extra for the extension. Plus the time spent doing 2 border runs verses one trip to immigration.

As for comparing border runs to getting a 2 entry visa if you just count the entries to Burma that would cost 6000 baht plus the time saved not doing border runs every 2 weeks makes the visa more sensible to me.

[Paul888]

You really ought to try the trip from Chiang Rai to Vientiane ubonjoe.

It's either

[a] a 12 to 14 hr bus ride to Udon, local bus to Nong Khai, tuk tuks, queues, buses across bridges, queues, Laos buses or taxis, at least one maybe two nights stay in Laos if you are not lucky enough that transport you cannot control gets you to the consul in time, and then the same thing going back, with the possibility of there being no seat on the Chiang Rai bus when you get to Udon. You could pre-book your seat of course, but you have to bank on there being no unforeseen circumstances that prevent you getting to the consul on time, or there not being too many in front of you that you get turned away. Then if you do get through that without issue you have to hope that you manage to make it back to Udon in time to get that bus. Admitedly this IS all doable, but not everybody manages it. With a prevailing wind and good fortune expect to lose around 72 hrs of your life doing this.

or

a flight from CR to BKK, an overnight stay and then on day 2 a flight to Vientiane (or Udon) which arrives too late to make the consul that day, day 3 trip to consul (hopefuly this is not a Friday) day 4 pick up passport and try to get home with minimal delay. Suddenly nearly a whole week has disappeared. Flight times really don't link up to make this a pleasant or even short trip from Chiang Rai.

NOTHING beats extending at Immigration, but a short trip to Mae Sai every 2 weeks for CR residents who aren't able to extend at Immigration is infinitely less unpleasant than a single trip to Vientiane. IN MY OPINION.

[chiangrai]

Yes,

I live up in the mountains and need to come down to civilization for shopping anyway.

If you buy10 American dollars for 350bht the Burmese will take that instead of 500bht.

350bht plus 50bht on gasohol and a trip to town that was necessary anyway,with a price difference of 800bht(2 trips) compared to 1900bht per month it makes sense if you live near the boarder because it's cheaper and there is no time wasting factor.

Still no reports on people getting told that this is the last 15 day exemption.

Two months ago they were telling this to everybody with more than 4.

Something tells me that it was just another temporary crack down like they did 2 years ago.

[fabianfred]

I heard that in Chiangmai you can get a minibus visa run to Vientiane...to the Thai embassy....and someone said it cost about 800 Baht...anyone know if that is true?

If true it would save messing with overnight bus to Udon then getting to the bridge etc..

[chiangrai]

I heard about those,they are available in travel agents.

They are for the young and robust types.

You get in a mini bus in the evening time and a Thai driver drives like a lunatic all night.

You take your life in your hands,not for me.

[mowgus]

I heard that in Chiangmai you can get a minibus visa run to Vientiane...to the Thai embassy....and someone said it cost about 800 Baht...anyone know if that is true?

If true it would save messing with overnight bus to Udon then getting to the bridge etc..

You would never catch me on one of those death traps. Even my buddy who is only 24 years old said it was a hell ride of crazy curves at 120 Km/h in a tin can jammed to capacity. He couldn't sleep at all for the entire journey. Partly due to comfort, partly due to fearing for his life.

[ubonjoe]

You can also fly from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani on Nok Air. From there it is short ride by mini bus to bridge in Nong Kai.