burma land border crossings

[chorizo]

Can a farang cross over from thailang at Mae hongson to Burma. Or can u tell which points one can cross zt. Thanks

[LivinLOS]

You can cross (for a border hop, out and back) at any one of the international crossings.. Mae Sai, Mae Sot, Ranong are all international crossing.. Theres a few others which are ok for local crossings or are starting to internationalize Muang Na is one due to or recently opened.

However to continue on for free travel within Myanmar you must have a pre arranged Burmese visa and even then there are parts of the country off limits without special permitting, or on set times due to anti government forces still being active. The Rd from Tachilek into Keng Tung etc was operating one day in each direction last I heard, with military escorts of convoys.

[Tomtomtom69]

Interesting report, LivingLOS.

There are 4 Thai-Myanmar international crossings, the main one where most tourists cross is Mae Sot-Myawady. There is a new two-way road allowing everyday travel there. The other three are Phu Nam Ron/Htee Khee in Kanchanaburi province, Ranong/Kawthoung and of course Mae Sai/Tachilek in Chiang Rai province.

The Mae Sai-Tachilek crossing allows overland travel as far as Mong La on the Chinese border, with or without a visa. In the latter case you get a 14-day pass purchaseable at the border for US$10 but must return the same way you came. If entering on a visa, you can stay the maximum length permitted (28 days for a tourist visa and 70 days for a business visa) but must either get a permit and driver for an expensive drive across the Shan to Taunggyi, or for about 1/10 of the price or less, you can fly to nearby Heho or Mandalay and continue your overland travels from there, exiting at another border. I've never heard of the Tachilek to Keng Tung road being one way, when did you last travel that way?

The Mae Hong Son crossing near Khun Yuam is supposed to be upgraded to international status soon.

That would probably become the nearest and most accessible one to Chiang Mai once that happens, but in the meantime, Mae Sot is probably the best crossing, though it depends where you wanna go, for what purpose and how long. If just a visa run, Mae Sai is the closest but they are quite strict about one day crossings unless you already have a Thai visa. Mae Sot is strict too but not as strict. However, with a Myanmar visa you don't have to worry in either case.

[northernjohn]

Interesting report, LivingLOS.

There are 4 Thai-Myanmar international crossings, the main one where most tourists cross is Mae Sot-Myawady. There is a new two-way road allowing everyday travel there. The other three are Phu Nam Ron/Htee Khee in Kanchanaburi province, Ranong/Kawthoung and of course Mae Sai/Tachilek in Chiang Rai province.

The Mae Sai-Tachilek crossing allows overland travel as far as Mong La on the Chinese border, with or without a visa. In the latter case you get a 14-day pass purchaseable at the border for US$10 but must return the same way you came. If entering on a visa, you can stay the maximum length permitted (28 days for a tourist visa and 70 days for a business visa) but must either get a permit and driver for an expensive drive across the Shan to Taunggyi, or for about 1/10 of the price or less, you can fly to nearby Heho or Mandalay and continue your overland travels from there, exiting at another border. I've never heard of the Tachilek to Keng Tung road being one way, when did you last travel that way?

The Mae Hong Son crossing near Khun Yuam is supposed to be upgraded to international status soon.

That would probably become the nearest and most accessible one to Chiang Mai once that happens, but in the meantime, Mae Sot is probably the best crossing, though it depends where you wanna go, for what purpose and how long. If just a visa run, Mae Sai is the closest but they are quite strict about one day crossings unless you already have a Thai visa. Mae Sot is strict too but not as strict. However, with a Myanmar visa you don't have to worry in either case.

"The Mae Sai-Tachilek crossing allows overland travel as far as Mong La on the Chinese border,"

Take plenty of Chinese money. They wouldn't take my Thai or Burmese money. I had enough Chinese money for the trip but I had not planned on a deposit for the hotel keys. They refused my Thai and Burmese money but fortunately I had a $100 American bill. On the way I had a hard time getting them to take my Burmese money they wanted Thai. Maybe it was the one hotel we stayes at going in and coming out.

[jobin]

Use Chinese money in Burma? Or in China? Did you enter China, John, or stay in Burma?

If you know, can a traveler obtain a Chinese visa in CM, cross over to Burma at Mae Sot on a 14 day stamp (or Burma visa, also obtainable in CM), travel thru Burma to Mong La, cross the Chinese border at Daluozhen and continue thru China? Would be nice to visit Xishuangbanna, a world wildlife hot spot.

[northernjohn]

Use Chinese money in Burma? Or in China? Did you enter China, John, or stay in Burma?

If you know, can a traveler obtain a Chinese visa in CM, cross over to Burma at Mae Sot on a 14 day stamp (or Burma visa, also obtainable in CM), travel thru Burma to Mong La, cross the Chinese border at Daluozhen and continue thru China? Would be nice to visit Xishuangbanna, a world wildlife hot spot.

Had to use Chinese money even though it was in Burma. I imagine you could get a Visa at the Chinese Consulate here in Chiang Mai. Not sure you would have to check it.

I was not feeling well and passed up a chance to go into China on a motorbike over some trails.

[cubism001]

A border hop into Mae Sai is only good for 14 days? Or would they give me a 30 day stamp for $10?

Thanks.