Hundreds Of Foreigners Stuck On The Closed Myanmar Border

[Bananaman]

Anybody know what the current state of affairs is? ie. Are borders still closed? I need to do a 90 day renewal on a non-im B next week and Mae Sai is my usual option. If it's still closed I'd welcome any suggested alternatives.

[Heng]

Whether you like "those" people, or the new Taksin "vision" of Thailand don't like them, I can say after many years here that they are a cross section of tourists from all over, a few working illegally perhaps. Any BAD stories of what happens to any single one of them will makke the foreign media, and generally only BAD stories sell as big news, so it will be detrimental to Thailands' image...........rightly or wrongly.

Exactly. There are good and bad in all sections of society. Which means that in the end, all visa classes and policies should be scrutinized and reevaluated.

[geoffphuket]

Hundreds of foreigners stuck on the closed Myanmar border

PHUKET CITY: -- An Immigration officer based in Ranong confirmed by telephone this morning that it is still impossible to make “visa runs” to the Burmese port town of Kaw Thaung, across the bay from Ranong.

The officer, who said he had no idea when the border would reopen, suggested visa runners whose permits-to-stay are set to expire consider using crossings along the borders with Malaysia, Cambodia or Laos instead.

He recommended first checking with the foreign affairs ministries of those countries before starting out, however.

“It is beyond our authority whether Immigration officials in neighboring countries choose to close border checkpoints,” he warned.

A few hundred foreign tourists remain stuck on the Myanmar side of the border since the checkpoint closure, he added.

Myint Than, operator at the Andaman Club resort and casino complex on Thahtay Kyun Island in Myanmar, also opposite Ranong, this afternoon confirmed that the border checkpoint there remains closed.

“We don’t know when it will re-open,” she told the Gazette.

--Phuket Gazette 2006-09-21

am i missing something?

the article never said it was visa runners who got stuck in burma...?!

as far as i know: if you decide for the optional walk into burma when on a visa run, you are not supposed to leave the place anyway and have to go back to thailand the same day

(that was the case in myawaddy/mae sot, might have changed.)

i reckon these "100s of foreigners" are mainly tourists travelling SEA who could simply not cross into thailand

visa runners will be the lads that get stuck on the thai side of the border, right?

that might explain, too, why we dont hear from any of the few 100s that got stranded in burma, on this forum...?

Yep you missed something... have you read all the posts?

The immigration officer AT RANONG is refering to those stranded at Victoria point. This must also include guests, visa runners, and probably some staff at the Club Andaman on Thahtay Kyun Island.

[Starsky]

Does anybody have new information about Laos border (Vientiane's friendship bridge)?

I'm gonna be in Vientiane the day after tomorrow to get a new thai visa.

[PeaceBlondie]

Is everything that's published in the Phuket Gazzette always the truth?

[jdinasia]

http://maesaiimm.dyndns.org:82/Jview.htm <username =demo >

MaeSai looks closed

[Ned]

You'd reckon the Thai and Burmese authorities would open the border for an hour or so and let those stranded to return.

[pascharay]

what I really like is the better than thou attitudes by those people one step above being a loser.

Try to stop being such a buzzkill

sorry fella,

dont quite get your point here.?

are you saying that all the punters without work permits are losers. ?

a very harsh assesment if you are and untrue in fact. i know many people who operate this way who are very highly qualified professionals. ( diving industry people )

are you saying the ones with work permits are one step above the said losers. ?

dont quite make sense, but maybe someone can explain your profession's to me.

cheers

No what i'm saying is that those passing judgment without know anyone's situation are awfully highminded. we all came out here and stay because we like or love thailand. For people to say that you don't beong here, because you're not working is a buzz kill

Meaning they're bummers

Sorry for the confusion

[quikia]

Must be a figure of speech!. You can bounce back into Ranong on that 'ferry service'. Seen a lot of Myanmars workers slipped back home for the Hari Eid celebrations the last time I was there. They left or hid all their documents/confiscatable valuables on the Thai side and pretended to be day trippers. Most have had three years savings after their stinct in Malaysian constructon sites

...without the necessary immigrations endorsements...of course!

Edited September 23, 2006 by quikia

[Chivas]

Anybody know what the current state of affairs is? ie. Are borders still closed? I need to do a 90 day renewal on a non-im B next week and Mae Sai is my usual option. If it's still closed I'd welcome any suggested alternatives.

With the current state of political turmoil and visa problems the absolute best advice is to return to your home country surely ??

[jdinasia]

Anybody know what the current state of affairs is? ie. Are borders still closed? I need to do a 90 day renewal on a non-im B next week and Mae Sai is my usual option. If it's still closed I'd welcome any suggested alternatives.

I don't think anyone can answer for what next week might bring .... but a quick flight anywhere cheap should do you fine if it is just a 90 border run for a non-imm visa

Edited September 23, 2006 by jdinasia

[easy_jim]

Hundreds of foreigners stuck on the closed Myanmar border

PHUKET CITY: -- An Immigration officer based in Ranong confirmed by telephone this morning that it is still impossible to make “visa runs” to the Burmese port town of Kaw Thaung, across the bay from Ranong.

The officer, who said he had no idea when the border would reopen, suggested visa runners whose permits-to-stay are set to expire consider using crossings along the borders with Malaysia, Cambodia or Laos instead.

He recommended first checking with the foreign affairs ministries of those countries before starting out, however.

“It is beyond our authority whether Immigration officials in neighboring countries choose to close border checkpoints,” he warned.

A few hundred foreign tourists remain stuck on the Myanmar side of the border since the checkpoint closure, he added.

Myint Than, operator at the Andaman Club resort and casino complex on Thahtay Kyun Island in Myanmar, also opposite Ranong, this afternoon confirmed that the border checkpoint there remains closed.

“We don’t know when it will re-open,” she told the Gazette.

--Phuket Gazette 2006-09-21

am i missing something?

the article never said it was visa runners who got stuck in burma...?!

as far as i know: if you decide for the optional walk into burma when on a visa run, you are not supposed to leave the place anyway and have to go back to thailand the same day

(that was the case in myawaddy/mae sot, might have changed.)

i reckon these "100s of foreigners" are mainly tourists travelling SEA who could simply not cross into thailand

visa runners will be the lads that get stuck on the thai side of the border, right?

that might explain, too, why we dont hear from any of the few 100s that got stranded in burma, on this forum...?

Yep you missed something... have you read all the posts?

The immigration officer AT RANONG is refering to those stranded at Victoria point. This must also include guests, visa runners, and probably some staff at the Club Andaman on Thahtay Kyun Island.

No you didn't miss something.

There is no mention that the people stuck are visa runners. Your assumption that that these people are SEA tourists is a much more likely scenario. There is no way there are hundreds of visa runners stuck in Myanmar.

[jdinasia]

Hundreds of foreigners stuck on the closed Myanmar border

PHUKET CITY: -- An Immigration officer based in Ranong confirmed by telephone this morning that it is still impossible to make “visa runs” to the Burmese port town of Kaw Thaung, across the bay from Ranong.

The officer, who said he had no idea when the border would reopen, suggested visa runners whose permits-to-stay are set to expire consider using crossings along the borders with Malaysia, Cambodia or Laos instead.

He recommended first checking with the foreign affairs ministries of those countries before starting out, however.

“It is beyond our authority whether Immigration officials in neighboring countries choose to close border checkpoints,” he warned.

A few hundred foreign tourists remain stuck on the Myanmar side of the border since the checkpoint closure, he added.

Myint Than, operator at the Andaman Club resort and casino complex on Thahtay Kyun Island in Myanmar, also opposite Ranong, this afternoon confirmed that the border checkpoint there remains closed.

“We don’t know when it will re-open,” she told the Gazette.

--Phuket Gazette 2006-09-21

am i missing something?

the article never said it was visa runners who got stuck in burma...?!

as far as i know: if you decide for the optional walk into burma when on a visa run, you are not supposed to leave the place anyway and have to go back to thailand the same day

(that was the case in myawaddy/mae sot, might have changed.)

i reckon these "100s of foreigners" are mainly tourists travelling SEA who could simply not cross into thailand

visa runners will be the lads that get stuck on the thai side of the border, right?

that might explain, too, why we dont hear from any of the few 100s that got stranded in burma, on this forum...?

Yep you missed something... have you read all the posts?

The immigration officer AT RANONG is refering to those stranded at Victoria point. This must also include guests, visa runners, and probably some staff at the Club Andaman on Thahtay Kyun Island.

No you didn't miss something.

There is no mention that the people stuck are visa runners. Your assumption that that these people are SEA tourists is a much more likely scenario. There is no way there are hundreds of visa runners stuck in Myanmar.

ummm re-read the article ... and realize that this was to a reporter for the ENGLISH LANGUAGE newspaper the Phuket Gazette

[Backpack_thailand]

There's a deafening silence from these "hundreds of people" who are stranded. Are you telling me that amongst this group of people not one has a mobile phone with them to contact friends in Thailand...!!!

Something a bit silly about this story!

[Thaising]

There's a deafening silence from these "hundreds of people" who are stranded. Are you telling me that amongst this group of people not one has a mobile phone with them to contact friends in Thailand...!!!

Something a bit silly about this story!

Well you got a point or might it be both side of the military just jammed the phone lines.

Edited September 23, 2006 by Thaising

[Samuian]

life is a trade off and these dive industry people have had a very nice life operating as visa runners but the party is over.

it certainly does'nt put them above the law and nor should it.

cheers

See, it's what I basically meant - whatever dogooders they might be, how much cash ever they might have injected into the local economy - there are laws to be followed up - that's all.

If the handcuffs rattle - there will be big gnashing of teeth!

It's illegal and NOTHING makes it in any way legal.

That was my point, regarding VOA and their endless 'extensions', that's all.

[jdinasia]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz there was nothing illegal about the border hopping visa-runners ....

[johnnynmonic]

So regarding the original topic - are the Burmese borders open yet (sat. 23rd?) seems like they would be losing a lot of money to keep them closed this long, at 10 USD per head. My visa (a real one, not airport 30 day stamp) is up monday... Usually go to Ranong....

[tracer0]

Gambling at the casino. Since it's a gamble when the border opens again. Sorry for the Runners there

If I travel I take as little as possible with me. Too many people get robbed. Suggest if you get stuck you tell them you havent got money for extended stay and maybe if there are enough they will run a boat to Thailand...I always thought that damned casino was owned at least partly by taksin, if true let him pay..

[tracer0]

There's a deafening silence from these "hundreds of people" who are stranded. Are you telling me that amongst this group of people not one has a mobile phone with them to contact friends in Thailand...!!!

Something a bit silly about this story!

They can call but I wouldnt pay one baht to any of them.

Responsebility of travel office.

In short my standard solution: someone screws up who doesnt accept resposibility, keep sitting,. in the end they HAVE to feed you and get you a place to sleep and much better if you havent got money. Afterall you have a ticket to and from that Casino, their task to sort you out, including food. They donot, when back home complain to all visiting farangs about lousy service and remember any customer you convince costs them at least 2500 to 5000 baht. They will pay. Besides I heard that Taxin is part owner...

[tracer0]

life is a trade off and these dive industry people have had a very nice life operating as visa runners but the party is over.

it certainly does'nt put them above the law and nor should it.

cheers

See, it's what I basically meant - whatever dogooders they might be, how much cash ever they might have injected into the local economy - there are laws to be followed up - that's all.

If the handcuffs rattle - there will be big gnashing of teeth!

It's illegal and NOTHING makes it in any way legal.

That was my point, regarding VOA and their endless 'extensions', that's all.

Ok do you live in Phuket??

I donot dive (I tend to float).

However what most of you are forgetting is that there are many dive instructors here legally and,nobody in his right mind goes with a Thai company if they donot speak fluent English or your local language.

Look it up on the Phuket Gazette: speedboat killed employee. Wasnt a speed boat. was a Thai diving vessel which started to run while Thai employee was under water. What happened?? Nothing.. oops, sorry, one employee chopped into pieces... Do that in Europe and captain is in Jail.!!!

Several other Thai employees got killed elsewhere same way, ignorence but I cannot tell how. Ask and someone may tell you how they lost a bunch of divers in boatlagoon..

I myself if I wanted and I donot ,might go with Dutch or English company but you give me 1000000 baht, NO Thai company. Or Chinese, Korean or what else.

You are clearly not diving... Your live depends on them organising things. If they screw up, you are DEAD.

[tracer0]

Does anybody have new information about Laos border (Vientiane's friendship bridge)?

I'm gonna be in Vientiane the day after tomorrow to get a new thai visa.

Sorry, I live in Phuket and our opinion (ie of many expats here) is that they have too many Thais who donot know what they publish.

Check for yourself is the best solution as if you get stuck, donot blame the gazette.

Whatever in a case like this take money you need, make sure you have money if you return and be a VICTIM of whoever closed things down. You have money, you pay, sure, never see it back.

You have no money, likely you get to Thailand at some time. If you doubt, donot go....

[geoffphuket]

Please keep this thread on topic. Personal replies can be made by PM

Cheers,

geoffphuket

[tracer0]

You'd reckon the Thai and Burmese authorities would open the border for an hour or so and let those stranded to return.

o, o, I would imagine that the Thais likely told them to CLOSE it to get rid of Burma runs....

Burmah gets no money out of it, only that damned casino and do you Gamble???

Putting money in a casino except as owner is throwing it in the water...

Thats why I say sit, do nothing, problem will get worse and somebody HAS to do something....

You may not like what they do but thats the consequence of the trip. I have travel insurance and it covers revolutions... PLEASE lock me out in a nice place...

[george]

Burma Allows 100 Tourists To Cross Back To Thailand

Read more:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=84962

[chonabot]

Just a quick reminder to those of you not sure of the recent restrictions placed upon Thai related websites since the coup.

BANGKOK: -- The Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) yesterday issued an announcement ordering the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry to control the distribution of all information media deemed harmful to the provisional military council now in control of the country. It said the ministry must control, stop, block and destroy any information in the form of articles, statements, wording of any sort, that are published and sent through any media that would be harmful to democratic reform.

However, a source at the ICT Ministry said that so far it had not blocked any website known to support the former regime, adding that some had already shut themselves down temporarily.

--TNA 2006-09-21

NOTE TO OUR MEMBERS:

All media was today ordered by ICT to exercise censorship of any news critical of the coup-makers and the new military regime. Offenders face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to Bt10,000, or both.

This also prohibit Thaivisa to publish such content. We kindly ask our members to refrain from posting sensitive political content. We reserve the rights to delete content that could be dangerous for the operation of our website. We have to do a bit of self-censorship here so we don't get into trouble. Thanks for your understanding.

/Admin

[tommay]

At present there are a lot of people in trouble (including myself!) - as they need to cross the border, but don't know where?

It would be VERY HELPFULL to get updated information from persons who performed a visa run during the last days and/or persons who got CONFIRMED! facts concerning a specific border crossing.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Most of us need to know about the present situation at

MAE SAI (THAILAND-MYANMAR)

CHIANG KHONG (THAILAND - PDR LAOS)

MAE SOT ((THAILAND-MYANMAR)

NONG KHAI-VIENTIANNE (THAILAND-PDR LAOS)

RANONG (THAILAND-MYANMAR)

ARANYAPRATHET (THAILAND-CAMBODIA)

HATYAI (THAILAND-MALAYSIA)

Please folks reply if you have done a crossing - lets say within the last 3 days - and report your knowledge. Most important is - "Is a border crossing possible/permitted?

...again - from all of us - thanks a lot in advance!

[george]

All Laos, Cambodian and Malaysian border crossings are open.

[tommay]

All Laos, Cambodian and Malaysian border crossings are open.

First of all thanks for your reply.

But that is definately not the case!

Chiang Khong was closed at least till yesterday (even for Laotians!).

I called a british friend (who is working at a four-star hotel at the Golden Triangle) yesterday and he told me that they tried to get two Laotions employed. When they got to Chiang Khong with all requested paperwork nowbody was allowed to get out of Thailand/get in into PDR Laos.

When they went to Chiang Saen (Thailand-Myanmar) they found themself in the same situation.

Question: Have you confirmed information about Nong Khai?Vientanne. Where crossing at the friendship bridge possible? What is the source of your information (- the immigration at Nong Khai itself?).

Please spend some time to clarify (I will not cause inconvinence, but think if people decide to get to Nong Khai - based on your posting - and than find themself at closed border gate..).

PLEASE! Again to all of you out there - has anyone personally done the trip to nong Khai during the last 3 days? Please share your knowledge with us - thanks.

[wmkl]

Hello all,

I'm new to this Forum.

Can someone update if the border for the following is open:

RANONG (THAILAND-MYANMAR)

I'll be crossing from Ranong to Mynamar next week. Will be most glad to receive some updates.

Many Thanks in advance.