As the title says, I just arrived home after leaving at 6:20am this morning to do the 3 month border run on my multiple Non - O visa. I was a little worried at first as I have never been to this crossing before plus my wife did not want to have to fill in the forms so she could come over the bridge with me. I know she is a lazy bugger but to be fair she was not needed. I got out of my mother-in-laws car, bless her she drove me to the border point, and proceeded to the arch building at the start of the bridge. A nice gentleman I presume was a immigration officer not in full dress tells me to go to booth number nine. The place is deserted so I walk right upto the window and one of the most friendliest immigration woman officer takes my passport and notices I have a multi entry and she asks if this is just a go over and come back, which I said yes. She tells me to walk over the bridge on the otherside cross over the road as it is opposite to Thailand and go into the office for foreign nationals. When back on the Thai side just go to booth 12 across the road from where she is. Very nice lady. I cross the bridge which is not long about 350 metres but with sciatica it took it's toll a little. I was surprised how many beggars there were on the bridge and as I had had a nice experience so far a dropped some coins into a few of their bowls. On the other side I went to the office and the guy took my passport and asked if I was going straight back over and I said yes. He stamped me in and out with no forms to fill or pics taken. I gave him a thousand to pay the 500 baht fee and he gave me the perfect change back. Second bonus of the day. I left the office and a guy who I guess works in the taxi area asked if I wanted a lift over the bridge, so I asked how much, 20 baht. No problems for that. He stops a friend of his who was just about to go over and tells me to jump in. On the other side I ask the driver how much and he just waved me away saying he did not want anything. 3 bonuses in a day. The last part was the fill in form and hope you get the right dates stamped into your passport. Perfectly done by another nice immigration officer. Today was my most relaxed, easiest and most pleasant crossing EVER!!! After 10 years of living here!

Edited July 26, 201510 yr by Eddy B

My wife is from Mae Sot. Never had to do a border crossing there, but we visit several times a year and it is always very relaxing and pleasant. People there are quite laid back and very friendly still. If it weren't for the need for good schools for our young daughter we would probably settle there now.

I travelled from Phetchabun to get a visa stamp at Mae Sot as an alternative to Nong Khai. This was before the Ta Li crossing opened near Loie. It was a pleasant experience compared to Nong khai, which always seemed very busy. Added to this was the in/out Laos visa and the waste of a couple of passport pages with the big embossed visa stamp. Mae Sot is far less hassle, cheaper and requires less paper wastage.

I have done this crossing many times, and have had nothing but positive experiences on both sides of the bridge.

I would recommend both the Thais and the Burmese for their excellent hassle free service.

Yes when we go maesot to visit gf family, I always pop over into myawaddy for the day to the casino.

Never had a prob with immigration either side.

A relaxing day esp if I've won on the roulette machine

We have also had good experiences in Mae Sot border crossing. Mae Sot also has very nice shopping and good Thai restaurants. The only draw back is the road from Tak to Mae Sot, curvey mountain road, but since first trip in 2001 the road has been greatly improved. Watch out on the blind curves, some of the drivers don't mind passing on them.

I did a second 60day entry there last week; in fact I have been going to Mae Sot to do the visa-crossing for years,mainly because the Immi crew on both sides are always great, in fact one of them fell in love with me last week, and a few years back I jokingly said 300days please and she said if you marry me yes; jokingly of course.

Sometimes you expect a bad day and a lot of hassle and everything goes smooth,....it becomes a wonderful day.....this to is T.I.T......(This Is Thailand too)

Sorry to intrude. I thought I'd logged on to the Thai Visa forum that I receive regular emails from but with the noticeable absence of negativity and Thai bashing in this thread I know now that I must have been mistaken.