It looks like there are many Burmese making day trips to Mae Sai. Are there working visas for Burmese to work officially in Thai businesses, but who are just on day permits? How is this going to change with Asean?

Most of them are on day pass which don't allow them to work. Whoever has work permit will stay and work at Mae Sai.

Most of them are on day pass which don't allow them to work. Whoever has work permit will stay and work at Mae Sai.

that makes sense, thanks. If they have a work permit are they entitled to similar benefits as Thais? Like minimum wage for example?

Burmese can stay for 6 days in Mae Sai but usually go back daily coz they have nowhere to stay. They can't go south of Tesco.

They get paid less than Thai.

^^ this..Majority of them earn less

Burmese can stay for 6 days in Mae Sai but usually go back daily coz they have nowhere to stay. They can't go south of Tesco.

They get paid less than Thai.

Unless they have a passport and visa. Since Aug 28, Thais and other foreigners can enter Myanmar with a visa at Tachilek and travel to other parts of Myanmar overland (except via restricted overland routes), while Myanmar citizens can do the same in Thailand (except that Thailand does not have any travel restrictions, not even in the restive 3 southernmost border provinces).