Driving into Myanmar?

[AjarnP]

On a recent trip to Mae Sai I was surprised to see milestones giving distances into Sipsongpanna and Chiang Tung in Burma, oops Myanmar.

Does this mean it us possible to drive into that country now?

Has anyone tried it?

Be great to hear the why and wherefores.

[khwaibah]

Basically no. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/542813-driving-own-car-in-burma/page-2#entry8097342

[AjarnP]

Basically no. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/542813-driving-own-car-in-burma/page-2#entry8097342

Thanks. Strange though, that link seems to me to err on the positive side. Maybe my cup is half full!

Methinks a trip up there to ask the dumb question is in order.

[tingtongfarang]

Basically no. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/542813-driving-own-car-in-burma/page-2#entry8097342

Thanks. Strange though, that link seems to me to err on the positive side. Maybe my cup is half full!

Methinks a trip up there to ask the dumb question is in order.

Go for it...i,m curious too.

[tingtongfarang]

I did do a lot of driving around yunnan but did,nt cross any borders, did it in a chinese jeep, but on the return i drove all the way to jinghong and a chinese friend took the jeep from there, interesting was that i met a bunch of young mixed nationality westerners doing a charity thing from berlin with 3 trabants,

They seemed to have managed all paperwork involved but of course coming across china to laos then through thailand with german plates.

[boomerangutang]

if you're a farang, like me, then I assume it's essentially impossible to get a vehicle over the bridge at Mae Sai. On the other hand, if you have Thai features, then plausible. So much is subjective and based on physical appearances - on both sides of the border.

In a similar vein: several years ago I rented a motorbike in Keng Tung (north of Tachilek, half way to China). It was illegal then, and it's illegal (and probably more difficult) now. Burma has changed the faces of its junta rulers a bit, but it's essentially as paranoid and restrictive as it was several years ago. A person with blanched skin and pointy nose and hairy arms (you and me, for example), is not allowed to travel north of Tachilek without restrictions - which are tighter now than several years ago when only top brass were running the country.

[CBR250]

I have a friend in Keng Tung, a monk. He claims we can easily come and visit him. Just need a visa from Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok and can cross at Tachilek.

I asked about driving in. He said maybe I would need to go with him if I want to use my own vehicle.

[ExpatOilWorker]

Basically no. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/542813-driving-own-car-in-burma/page-2#entry8097342

Thanks. Strange though, that link seems to me to err on the positive side. Maybe my cup is half full!

Methinks a trip up there to ask the dumb question is in order.

Go for it...i,m curious too.

Me too, a road trip in Myanmar would be AWESOME.

[boomerangutang]

Yes, a proper visa from Myanmar embassy will enable farang to enter at Tachilek and go to other parts. He will still need an approved guide (at Bt,1000/day) to go north to KT or Mengla, and is not allowed to go by bus to any other towns in Shan state. However, that rule can probably be bent. Going by hired car and driver is more feasible.

To get to other parts of Burma from Tachilek entails a plane trip, and there are two prices; One for Burmese and a higher one for farang. Again, only with proper visa, not visa-on-arrival. Either way, if you enter at Tachilek and want to go further north, you must tell the Imm police before they stamp your passport. It's best to talk (prior to getting passport stamped) to the travel biz folks in the tiny office next door to Imm police. They speak English.

[AjarnP]

That's useful information Boomerang. Thanks.