Time to part with another 10 USD but this time I want to stay at least one night in Tachileik and see what the place is like when the gates close in the evening.
Has anyone stayed overnight there recently and could you recommend a place to stay and at least one or two interesting activities to keep me and the Mrs amused for a few hours ?
I have been told that I am " not into the old gambling / scene " so I can rule that option out ( this time ).


Mods can you please leave this in the CM forum as people here are more likely to stay overnight at Tachileik / Mai Sai because of the journey times than those who live in CR as the border is just a morning trip.

Dont waste your time

Probably better off spending on the Thai side of the border. I sometimes use the Chinese hotel - same side as 7-11 and Tesco express, but before it (about 200 yards at most) - there is another one after the 7-11 which is the same but more expensive. Rooms are 5600 baht (sometimes 600 - they change it up and down with their underwear it seems - but always 5 or 6 hundred) - that's for a double or a twin (with bath and aircon). Also has a lift and parking around the back for cars or bikes. There's a new mall in Mae Sai now, and a limited number of bars - I only do it when my kids come with me as they don't like to do the long journey twice in the same day - wouldn't otherwise, its dead after 7pm. Some people stay in CR and do the mini-bus up and down to the border - much more to do in CR.

speaking to the locals can be amusing as well as educational and can easily eat up a few hours of your time....cant recommend any hotels burma side im afraid

they are a few little type guest houses along the road,that runs along the border.not much to do there really.but cheap enough to spend a night there and see for yourself.chiang rai is better to stay for a night I think

Sounds like it would be interesting for one night. If you do give us a report on it.

I have stayed on the Mai Sai side. Not much there either. As for staying in Chiang Rai why bother you have spent most of the day any how so you might as well come home. That is providing you don't want to spend a few days there. Over night would be a waste of time unless you are familiar with the town.

If I recall correctly they had an interesting temple there. Not sure what else is available. Maybe some window shopping. I have heard there is things for sale in some of the stores that are actually banned in Thailand.

If you cross without a visa how long is your stay permitted?

I haven't done border crossings for quite some time, but in my old passport the stamp entering at Tachilek says, "(DAY RETURN OLNLY)" on their entry stamp.

Dont waste your time

Agreed !!

I took a songthaew tour around the town and it was nice, people were really nice. I'd like to stay overnight too to see what it is like but as I haven't done so yet I can't recommend anywhere.

I believe the time limit for being on the Burma side is something like 5 days, that's what I read a while back. If you get a visa in advance you can now travel throughout Burma whereas before it was only within a very restricted area within a few hours of Tachilek.

Dont waste your time

Agreed !!

It's worth doing just for the novelty of it. There is a nice hotel that faces the river. Turn right after going across the bridge and down a couple blocks, it borders the river. 500 baht a night last time I was there. You can hear the water at night.

The locals in Tachilek, esp the young women, are much friendlier/but more shy then on the Thai side. If your thinking of doing more then talking, don't bother because it's not in the same league as Thailand and you can get into trouble with it. So either stay in your comfort zone, or better yet kick your arse back to the UK or wherever you came from.