Safety deposit box, trip to Doi Tai Deng

[thailandsgreat]

Hi

I am slowly exploring the possibilities to travel via Mae Hong Son (Pang Mapha) and just across the Burmese border to Doi Tai Deng (on the map it says Loi Tai Leng).

My guesthouse has a Burmese Shan girl employee who says she can help. But I have only started looking into it.

I don't know so much about the area, but I have never heard it is dangerous with kidnappings or the alike. But it is still territory controlled by an independent army.

So my questions are

1. Does anyone know anything about travelling into this part of Burma? I will probably just cross the border and not go deeper into Shan state/Burma.

2. I thought I would leave my valuables in Chiang Mai, independent of my guesthouse. I have yet only read about the difficulties obtaining a safety deposit box at a bank. (I have a Bangkok bank account.)

So I though maybe I can hire that service in some other way. Maybe I can deposit my valuables at a law firm or big hotel? Does anyone have any idea where to deposit valuables. (It is nothing special, just credit card, a little cash etc.)

Thanks

Edited October 22, 2015 by thailandsgreat

[thrilled]

I would be careful leaving big money at A hotel safe.And banks you can't get A box unless you have A million baht or more in their bank.There is A place in Bangkok ,Silom area that has A business of safe deposit boxes only.It's not cheap.

[Johpa]

Unless you have people on the ground in the area that you know and who know you, I would not recommend venturing illegally across the border into Burma. Certainly knowing a Burmese worker at a guest house in Chiang Mai does not qualify. And given that you are inquiring here on TV I can only say to enjoy the area around Pang Mapha but give up any ideas of crossing the border. The situation on the other side is, to say the least, unstable.

[aircut]

I would be careful leaving big money at A hotel safe.And banks you can't get A box unless you have A million baht or more in their bank.There is A place in Bangkok ,Silom area that has A business of safe deposit boxes only.It's not cheap.

I have a safe deposit box in the main branch of SCB in Bangkok. All you need is to have an account in the same branch you want the deposit box so they can deduct the yearly fees. this options is open to all regardless the amount of cash deposited....as long they have a vacant slot.

[thailandsgreat]

Thanks for your replies. I agree that hotel safes are not good. They can usually be opened with master key, master code or often even a not too skilled slight of hand. I was thinking of trying to leave my valuables for a receipt at a big hotel reception desk. Of course I will have to pay something, or stay one night etc.

Good to hear that boxes are not always as difficult to get as I got the impression from the Internet.

Well. I have to go slowly on this. My Shan friend is asking around and I know two pagodas where Shan people meet. I will go there and talk to them. My impression is though, that the situation has improved in the area. A peace treaty has been signed.

For the time being I can make my visa run to Tachilek and Kentung. Yesterday I learnt that a Myanmar consulate has opened in Chiang Mai this year. Unfortunately today is holiday. But I hope to get a visa over day on Monday so I have some time in Tachilek and Kentung before my Thai visa second entry expires.

Edited October 23, 2015 by thailandsgreat

[Oscar2]

I would be careful leaving big money at A hotel safe.And banks you can't get A box unless you have A million baht or more in their bank.There is A place in Bangkok ,Silom area that has A business of safe deposit boxes only.It's not cheap.

I have a safe deposit box in the main branch of SCB in Bangkok. All you need is to have an account in the same branch you want the deposit box so they can deduct the yearly fees. this options is open to all regardless the amount of cash deposited....as long they have a vacant slot.

that is not the case in Chiang Mai. most banks require 2-5 million THB on deposit or 1 million + a life insurance policy.

[thrilled]

If you noticed air cut stated about having A safe deposit box in A bank in Bangkok.He stated if they have an empty slot.

I'm willing to bet the people have read this and went to get A safe deposit box at that bank that all the slots are filled.

And now in the future you will need to have at least 1 if not multiple millions of baht in their bank to get A safe deposit box.

[thailandsgreat]

I can just add that I am back from Loi Tai Leng. It took a while to find out how to go. But basically one should contact the organization RCSS/SSA, that runs the place. Ask around, especially where Shan people are, of course.

What could happen to other travellers I can naturally not say. But during my visit they were very helpful, caring for security, providing food etc to the highest level possible. My impression is that they are most interested in keeping a visitor safe and content.

Edited December 13, 2015 by thailandsgreat

[Mickeem]

I can just add that I am back from Loi Tai Leng. It took a while to find out how to go. But basically one should contact the organization RCSS/SSA, that runs the place. Ask around, especially where Shan people are, of course.

What could happen to other travellers I can naturally not say. But during my visit they were very helpful, caring for security, providing food etc to the highest level possible. My impression is that they are most interested in keeping a visitor safe and content.

I tried to visit Doi Tai Leng back in February via the highway 1226 and was prevented from going any further at the Army checkpoint before the road runs along the border. This road actually goes to 2 Thai villages Ban Mai Lun and Ban Pang Kam. I told the soldiers I wanted to visit these villages but there was no way they would let me go and took my photo.

Looks like they let Mr Google go through though as the road is on street view

I'm not expecting you to tell us how you got there, but even with a Burmese visa I understand all that border area is off limits to tourists from Tackelik all the way down. You are at risk of being arrested by the Burmese military and their various allied militias such as the Wa and Lahu

Maybe I will give it another go via another route I know from the Thai side

[thailandsgreat]

I can just add that I am back from Loi Tai Leng. It took a while to find out how to go. But basically one should contact the organization RCSS/SSA, that runs the place. Ask around, especially where Shan people are, of course.

What could happen to other travellers I can naturally not say. But during my visit they were very helpful, caring for security, providing food etc to the highest level possible. My impression is that they are most interested in keeping a visitor safe and content.

I tried to visit Doi Tai Leng back in February via the highway 1226 and was prevented from going any further at the Army checkpoint before the road runs along the border. This road actually goes to 2 Thai villages Ban Mai Lun and Ban Pang Kam. I told the soldiers I wanted to visit these villages but there was no way they would let me go and took my photo.

Looks like they let Mr Google go through though as the road is on street view

I'm not expecting you to tell us how you got there, but even with a Burmese visa I understand all that border area is off limits to tourists from Tackelik all the way down. You are at risk of being arrested by the Burmese military and their various allied militias such as the Wa and Lahu

Maybe I will give it another go via another route I know from the Thai side

So Google Street view got through! Their harvesting has no limits.

I agree with all you write. But there is no way to do it alone. Even if you would know the unofficial hiking route to Loi Tai Leng it would not be advisable to just set off. (Unless you already have information and connections.)

There are 4 Thai military checkpoints. One before Ban Pang Kam and three after (as I remember their locations). None of them will ever let a foreigner travelling alone, through.

The only advisable way I know, is to ask around where there are Shan people. Find representatives for RCSS/SSA. They can maybe arrange for an official visit passing the checkpoints by car, officially.

There is a ceasefire between SSA and the Burmese army since 2011. The frontline with Wa and northern Shan State army are days walks away. If you do Facebook and want to visit, I could send your Facebook to SSA contacts and they contact you. Maybe you could send your email or Facebook to me in some way.

I am not sure what other route you describe?

The Burmese visa has no bearing in Loi Tai Leng. If you just go alone you could be arrested by Burmese army, Thai army or get into trouble with Wa, northern SS army etc. Therefore you must go officially with SSA. It is in their interest to make the visit safe.

Edited December 19, 2015 by thailandsgreat

[thailandsgreat]

When I don't need a safety deposit any more, the opportunity just falls on me

http://i.imgur.com/rwPXefS.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/UnBSgrO.jpg

5 min walk from Tuk Com, on Soi Buakhao, Pattaya

I think AA also run hotel and apartments. How safe it is I can't say, though. Judging by the general standard here, I can just guess it would be ok to use?

Edited April 3, 2016 by thailandsgreat