willfreeman Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 i have a double entry visa and need to exit the country on or before the 20th to activate the second entry, so recent changes are a non issue for me, my questions are: 1) is the border open 7 days a week? 2)is it still 500 baht on the burmese side? 3) can anyone recommend a company that does border trips safely? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 1. yes. 2. yes. 3. Sorry, don't know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat999 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Redride costs 1800 for a border run. If there is 2 of you it is 100% worth it. If there is 3 of you it would be idiotic to go any other way. You are driven in a clean car and can stop off at sights like the white temple. Even if I was alone I would consider doing it as the bus and vans don't sound pleasant. Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyecatcher Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 And the most comfortable and cheapest way is the green bus, I think 288bt each way 1st class, free drink and snacks. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieH Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 green bus is fine. pay a bit extra for the VIP seats and get lots more space and legroom. bus is airconned, has a lavvy on it and stops at about five bus stations on the way north so you can stretch your legs. it's not the quickest at about 4.5hrs each way but take a book and some music and movies and it's fine. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willfreeman Posted May 12, 2014 Author Share Posted May 12, 2014 the green bus goes from arket station? and i can get a return trip - be there and back in one day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyecatcher Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Get the 08.00am vip bus out of the arcade and get the 15.30pm return. It gives you a leisurely 2.5/3 hrs 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MESmith Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 (edited) I love the drive. Especially the Mae Suay to Mae Lao curves. Excellent wide road, loads of overtaking, no radar traps. Enjoy pushing your ride to the limit. Pretend you're Jeremy Clarkson That was before the earthquake.... Might be some unexpected slopes on the road, now Edited May 12, 2014 by MESmith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses G. Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 The Green bus in a VIP seat. I used to sleep most of the way and could not do that on any other transportation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger1999 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I think it's best to purchase a Green Line bus ticket in advance. If you wait until the day of travel the bus may be fully booked. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarpolo Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I know a native Thai who frequently has trouble at this crossing, so beware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNXBKKMAN Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Usd 10 for the Burma visa stamp. Cheaper than 500 baht. The VIP Green bus is less than 800 baht return and pretty safe. I have never had any problems at the border with a British passport but that was before the recent crackdown of the last few days. If you want to use the VIP green bus I would go to arcade at least 2 days before travel and prebook. You won't get a seat on the day. You will end up on non aircon slow bus to chiang rai only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbo123 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Visa trip today on sm motorbike, beautifull weather, road ok, no earthquake damage. Left home 7am, at 11.30 at border. (Made 2 short lunch/coffee) stops. Now in CR, tmrw morning back. Perfect! Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met behulp van Thaivisa Connect Thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konini Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I love the drive. Especially the Mae Suay to Mae Lao curves. Excellent wide road, loads of overtaking, no radar traps. Enjoy pushing your ride to the limit. Pretend you're Jeremy Clarkson That was before the earthquake.... Might be some unexpected slopes on the road, now Agreed - it is a really pleasant drive. More than one person, the cost of hiring a car and buying petrol is marginally more than the minibus with the bonus of stopping off as and when along the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MESmith Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I love the drive. Especially the Mae Suay to Mae Lao curves. Excellent wide road, loads of overtaking, no radar traps. Enjoy pushing your ride to the limit. Pretend you're Jeremy Clarkson That was before the earthquake.... Might be some unexpected slopes on the road, now Agreed - it is a really pleasant drive. More than one person, the cost of hiring a car and buying petrol is marginally more than the minibus with the bonus of stopping off as and when along the way. Stopping along the way? Get enough of that with all the traffic lights around Chiang Rai Ring road, underpasses please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willfreeman Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 i booked my green bus ticket for saturday, the lady said i could only go to chiang rai - does the bus go right to mae sai? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger1999 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 That's really odd. Normally I buy a ticket all the way to Mae Sai. Once you get to Chang Rai, however, you should have no trouble getting some kind of bus to Mae Sai, although it may be a slow one. If you have never done this trip before, please note that Chiang Rai now has two bus stations. The first one you will arrive at is new and feels a bit out of town. The second one is right in the middle of town. I would stay on the bus until you get to this one and look for another bus from this point. If you have the time, you can spend the night in Chiang Rai and head to Mae Sai the next day. I do that quite a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses G. Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 (edited) i booked my green bus ticket for saturday, the lady said i could only go to chiang rai - does the bus go right to mae sai? Did you ask for a particular time? Some do go all thee way to Mae Sai, but maybe not the one that you booked? Edited May 13, 2014 by Ulysses G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMKiwi Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 It is very odd....if you request the bus all the way to Mae Sai then that is where you should end up. I had done the trip heaps of times before I woke up and got a real visa about a year ago. VIP Green bus all the way thru and no problems.... just got a songteaw from the Mae Sai bus terminal to the border and job done. I hope they havent changed their route 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyecatcher Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 It maybe that after the minivans canceled the service to mai sai that there was a surge to get the green bus tickets and he simply missed out. As a rule I always get my ticket one week in advance to ensure I get the vip seats. OP you did ask for the 8.00 out and 15.30 return as suggested? Could be a very very long day now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarpolo Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Isn't there an issue with roads up there as well? does supply demand have an effect? asking a thai driver to go with an empty bus? do they do that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieH Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 i booked my green bus ticket for saturday, the lady said i could only go to chiang rai - does the bus go right to mae sai? that sounds unusual but there are other buses that connect chiang rai to mae sai. minibuses, local buses etc. i've done that before when short notice meant i could only get the green VIP bus from chiang mai as far as chiang rai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willfreeman Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 my apologies gentleman i got it wrong it goes to mae sai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iainiain101 Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 I love the drive. Especially the Mae Suay to Mae Lao curves. Excellent wide road, loads of overtaking, no radar traps. Enjoy pushing your ride to the limit. Pretend you're Jeremy Clarkson That was before the earthquake.... Might be some unexpected slopes on the road, now Agreed - it is a really pleasant drive. More than one person, the cost of hiring a car and buying petrol is marginally more than the minibus with the bonus of stopping off as and when along the way. Stopping along the way? Get enough of that with all the traffic lights around Chiang Rai Ring road, underpasses please Try the new Chiang Rai bypass. I am not sure it is officially open yet, but the section from the Duck hotel to the airport was last time I drove there in March. When you get to the Duck hotel junction (first traffic lights in CR), turn right heading towards Santiburi golf course. After about 1km you will see the new road on your left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emilp Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 ok. good luck guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarpolo Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 The fine print says as of August 12, even the airliner route will no longer be acceptable, they will now want Visa's from consulates, outside the country http://www.chiangraitimes.com/thailand-crackdown-on-visa-runs-create-headaches-for-expats.html Tourists looking to extend their time in the Kingdom will now need to exit the country to apply for a proper tourist visa or will need to fly out and back in every 30 days to obtain a new entry stamp. The latter will only be an option for a few more months, however. Visa runs by air will also be prohibited beginning August 12. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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