Phu Nam Ron border temporarily closed?

[Tomtomtom69]

According to a poster over on Lonely Planet's Thorntree, the Phu Nam Ron border is currently closed? I checked out his source on go-myanmar.com, but there is no information that corroborates his story there.

I wasn't intending on going there anytime soon, but when I do (in a few months) I'll be traveling with a Myanmar visa. Just wanted to know if anyone can confirm this traveler's claim or if maybe he was mistaken.

[ubonjoe]

I have seen no recent reports of it being closed.

Perhaps some outdated info or misleading info posted because they were not allowed to cross because they did not have a Thai visa for re-entry. They don't allow crossings for new visa exempt entries.

[forrwhat]

No I was just there 2 weeks ago. I have a multi entry visa so went back and forth to make my second entry. I don't know if they are doing 30day visas.

It is still the closest to Bangkok and the stamp is small not the multi-page deal you get in Cambodia. And it's 900thb

[darrendsd]

It was closed to Farags for a while last year if I remember right, you must be reading old news

[Tomtomtom69]

It was closed to Farags for a while last year if I remember right, you must be reading old news

Nope. It was never closed to "farangs" it was only closed if you wanted to go on a day trip (I remember reading about this on here last year). With a Myanmar visa, you were welcomed to Myanmar, while in other direction Thailand would grant you entry.

The story I read was published yesterday on the Lonely Planet Forum. Not old news. It had something to do with a Karen rebel army dispute near the border, but I have since received confirmation by a Myanmar travel agent that the border is operating as usual. Only the Indian and Chinese borders are actually closed with no permits being issued, but for different reasons.

[darrendsd]

It was closed for a time last year to all farangs no matter what visa they had, I remember it well as I was due to activate the last entry of my Tourist Visa and it was looking like I was going to have to make a trip to Ranong (I live in Hua Hin) to do this

2 days before my trip the border reopened and I was able to do it there

http://pattaya-funtown.com/thai-cambodian-border-closed-to-outin-visa-runners/

If you look at the article above in full it will confirm this

[Tomtomtom69]

Nope. It was only "closed" if you wanted to do a day trip (both the Myanmar and Thai sides implemented these restrictions for different reasons at various times). It was never closed to legitimate travelers wanting to cross into Myanmar with an embassy issued myanmar visa, or to those re-entering after having spent some time in Myanmar. Most travelers, when they reach a border crossing intend to cross that border and spend some time in the neighboring country, not just do an "in-out".

[darrendsd]

Your original post said

According to a poster over on Lonely Planet's Thorntree, the Phu Nam Ron border is currently closed? I checked out his source on go-myanmar.com, but there is no information that corroborates his story there.

I and others commented on the fact it isn't and I commented that it was last year

If you want clearer answers then post clearer questions

[DLang]

It wasn't closed for 'farangs' if they had a valid visa for Myanmar already.

That was for about 6 months.

I haven't heard of it closing in anyway for Westerners as long as they have a valid Visa to re-enter Thailand and aren't looking for a Visa-Exemption stamp.

[elviajero]

I haven't heard of it closing in anyway for Westerners as long as they have a valid Visa to re-enter Thailand and aren't looking for a Visa-Exemption stamp.

• You can get a visa exempt entry at that border if travelling from Myanmar.
• They won't allow same day out/in border hops for visa exempt entry. You have to spend at least one night in Myanmar.