Day Visa for Tachilek, Myanmar

[ehs818]

Some friends and I will go to C Rai next month. We were wondering about going across to Tachilek from Mae Sai for 1 afternoon. Is a full $50 Visa required for day trips? Or can we just go over and come back that same day without any hassles? Thanks.

[TheSiemReaper]

No Myanmar visa is required but... you cannot leave Thailand on a visa-exemption and then come back in on another visa-exemption. It's fine to activate another entry on a current visa though.

[sceadugenga]

There is the possibility of being granted a VIP pass for a day visit, take two copies of your passport and ask at the border office.

The cost is 100B and you leave your passport with Thai immigration.

You pay the $10/500B to the Burmese as normal.

There's some talk on ThaiVisa that people have been refused recently but I've not checked it personally but had no problems about a month ago.

[phuketrichard]

make sure its a crisp unfolded $10 bill

[sceadugenga]

They're not keen on them at all but have been known to accept them.

[phuketrichard]

thinking about the new law, i wonder if they will still ask for the $10?

'The Central Bank of Myanmar has withdrawn all foreign currency exchange license for businesses including Hotels, Restaurants, Airlines and Souvenir Shops. Starting from 01 November 2015, institutions such as the ones named will not be allowed to accept payments in US dollars. Tourist can bring US-Dollars and change it into local Kyats or withdraw local currency at any ATM

[boomerangutang]

The day-pass a.k.a. VIP-pass is not an option right now (for October). I was told by Thai border officials that it may be possible in November. Emphasis on the word 'may' .....meaning they don't know for sure. They get directives from Bangkok, and things change depending on how paranoid and anti-farang the junta leaders feel.

If you get a proper visa from a Myanmar embassy, then no problem crossing over into Tachilek. Same for multi-entry issued by Thai Imm on top of a real Thai visa.

However, if you have visa-exemption entry into Thailand, it is possible to leave and re-enter, however it depends on how many days you have left. If you're within the first half of the 30-day or 15-day visa-exemption, you're ok on leaving - IF it's your first renewal. If it's 2nd or 3rd renewal, it's v. doubtful they'll let you across. Similarly, if it's in the latter half of the allotted days, then it's almost certain they won't allow you to cross. Instead, the border officials will direct you to their Imm Office 1 km south, and you're compelled to apply for a short-term Thai visa which costs Bt.1,900 - and which allows you some days (two weeks?) to sort out your visa situation.

I know it all sounds complicated, but that's how Thai bureaucracy works (or doesn't work). They want to make things complicated and difficult for farang. They also don't mind the extra money we're compelled to pay from the new rules.

The confusing and restrictive policies are also anathema for Thai and Burmese vendors on both sides of the border. But hey, do you think Imm officials give a crap about sidewalk vendors? Ha, no way.

[boomerangutang]

thinking about the new law, i wonder if they will still ask for the $10?

'The Central Bank of Myanmar has withdrawn all foreign currency exchange license for businesses including Hotels, Restaurants, Airlines and Souvenir Shops. Starting from 01 November 2015, institutions such as the ones named will not be allowed to accept payments in US dollars. Tourist can bring US-Dollars and change it into local Kyats or withdraw local currency at any ATM

Interesting. However, the quote appears to address business dealings and not to government/borders.

My feeling is us$10 will still be accepted, in lieu of Bt.500, at the Burmese side of the Tachilek crossing, as has been the case for years. easier to get them to take $10 for a regular crossing with passport, than for a day-pass. Thus far, all the problems with that border crossing have stemmed from Thai authorities, not from the Burmese. The Burmese guards posted there are always personable and good-natured. Not so for Thai authorities, who also hide behind windows. The heavily tinted windows have small openings which allow the visitor (who doesn't bend way down) to see the lap of official. Similarly, the official can only see the farang up to breast level. Bending down low is required for any eye contact. Go figure.

[boomerangutang]

There is the possibility of being granted a VIP pass for a day visit, take two copies of your passport and ask at the border office.

The cost is 100B and you leave your passport with Thai immigration.

You pay the $10/500B to the Burmese as normal.

There's some talk on ThaiVisa that people have been refused recently but I've not checked it personally but had no problems about a month ago.

Scea, I'm sure you don't want to create any problems for anyone. But what if a bunch of folks go up to the border wanting to do a day trip, and find the policy is same as it's been for October? That would be a whole lot of wasted time and money, plus it may <deleted> up their travel plans re; visa renewals and such.

If Thai officials enact reasonable rules again, which again allow day-trips, then fine. But right now, none of us know for sure.

[millwall_fan]

I would think the V.I.P. pass will return once the substantial income stream from Tachilek's casinos, knock off DVDs and handbags and the duty free shops has been adjusted to take account of the new regime in Bangkok.......

I do hope so - a really good range of Single Malts and at prices about 1/3 what they are in Thailand!

[ardokano]

So now have day pass?

Any try last time?

[millwall_fan]

So now have day pass?

Any try last time?

Que?

[ardokano]

So now have day pass?

Any try last time?

Que?

i want go next week.

I don't want to waste time. If now it didnt work.