Mae Sai Border Run-March 17 2017 The Scoop!

[ChakaKhan]

Greetings all!

 

Well after reading all the latest and not so greatest on the forums about visa troubles, it was my turn to

test the waters yesterday.  Heads up on my formatting as im using a crappy netbook

 

Lets begin shall we?..I arrived via plane to BKK on Jan 18 2017 via shanghai and was met with the

horrid immig lines and pushy chinese, but that is another story in itself and can find that thread :)

 

Thus the grumpy officer gave me the 30 day EXEMPT STAMP--no visa mind you newbies here, thus

allowing me to tour the kingdom visa free for 30 days. I then made my way to CM where i read about

the "FREE VISA" posting and the EXTENSION thru AUGUST 2017..i was surprised and delighted so

i decided to extend my STAMP another 30 days at CM immig (1900 bt) and put of my LAOS visa run.

 

Fast forward and we all know now that "free visa" is no longer free at all...Welcome to Thailand-TiT etc.

After my unsurprised reaction and cussing to myself i started to assemble my back up plan-always needed here.

Reading the forums and the everchanging visa rules it seemed one could do the BURMA border 2x a year by LAND.

 

Would i be able to do this, i dont work, i a legit tourist who likes to spend a few months here, and though having

worked and volunteered here its just not worth the hassles, so i just chillout, so i should be in the clear right?..

 

Being in the past i have ALWAYS gone to laos for my visa i simply dread the bus from CM..im too poor to fly,

and the hassles of it all, laos visa i use for 48 hrs, VN is $$$, boring, long bus back, etc...done it dozens of times.

So this would be my first attempt at staying here 4 months WITHOUT a actual paper visa in my passport. yikes!

 

So after doing my homework and reading up on the forums (kudos to Ubon Joe) i decided to go for it--after all

im legit toursit--not a zero dollar tourist--i play by the rules--no overstays--and i was a bit curious as well about it.

 

So booked my bus ticket via GREEN bus co..one of the few i feel somewhat safe on, from CM to MAE SAI with a

stop off in C.Rai---3 hrs to CR--90 mins to MS...the guy got us there on the minute--depart CM @1230pm and

arrive in MS at 510pm..please NOTE im lazy and HIGHLY suggest taking a EARLIER BUS BY ALL MEANS-more later

 

Arrived at MS at 510pm friday...NOTE border closes at 600PM..but also note i did this at this time on a FRIDAY in

a attempt to RUSH my passport thru, thinking they wanted to close up and get the hell outta there and go home!

And it may have worked!..my first problem being that i was expecting mbike taxis or tuk tuks at MS bus station

and there were ZERO--first time i only say red trucks..so it was a longer trip and i was getting pissy as he did his

usual drive thru of tesco as im counting the seconds..then not one..but 4! people buzzing off along the short trip!

 

I was tempted to get off as i could see the immig office and i was stresses as i had to catch the returning BUS at 600pm!

AGAIN...this was the LAST bus out of MS-so i blame myself for taking the late bus...book a earlier bus by ALL means!

 

Ok..im at border-pay the guy 15 bt for red truck which he stiffed me 10 bt but i took off for the bridge...as soon as i entered

lane 2 a older woman took my pp and studied it, as i waited i saw a NEW SIGN..NO MORE VISA RUNS!!!! oh shiiii#####T!!

BUT it DOES state what others have said..YOU will need to show proof--rental lease--hotel--20k in hand baht--onward travel.

I had all those things so i was ready..my only concern at this point was missing the damn 6pm bus....she slowly stamped me OUT

 

One done--2 to go!....i smile--say kop khun krup and take off for burma across the bridge--dodging beggars and tourists alike,

pulling at my pants as ive lost 5kg here already....so that didnt help, my pc bag bouncing all around as well as i make my way

across the gauntlet of ppl..MUST>>HURRY>>MUST>>MAKE>>BUS>>>...i get into burma passport office and theres tourists!

 

There was some old crazy western lady arguing over lord knows what and maybe 3 others waiting to process...most ive ever

seen there and im nervous about my time more so...Note i also had my USD $10...i smiled --said just stamp--hurry please as i

need to catch my bus at 6--id say it was 540pm at this point.....not good....sidenote the burma guys seem nicer these days-I

can only guess due to the money scam going on....they inspect my 10 and argue its too old--ugh--they ask for another--i smile

and say sorry its all i have...they finally accept it--whew...THEN ...they walk me across the bridge to "exit"??? side and the

guy reaches in and grabs the stamp BAM! done...5 mins!!  I smile again and thank him saying have a great weekend sir!!!!

 

Kazaam! Im off again..dodging the chinese and selfie sticks, pulling at my pants back to THAI side..the time!!! the BUS!!!!!!

I scramble for a entry slip and scribble on it like a 5 yr old would rushing to catch my bus--its now 545pm..holy crap....hurry

 

Im nervous but ready with all paperwork etc but again im mad at myself for not getting here earlier--but ALSO it IS 545 on

a friday and im sure they wanna get outta there so this WAS part of my plan.just wish the last bus OUT of MS wasnt at 600pm

 

So there was a officer just hanging outside the booth--he waved me in and was a older thai man--i smiled-said sawasdee krup

and hello...ok here we go.......he inspects my entry form and i say sorry its sloppy as im late for my bus..he nods grumpily..

then comes the flip thru of pages!!!! yikes...is he gonna see i just LEFT 10 mins ago?????..i prepare to show my paperwork..

 

NOTHING!!!..i see him reach for holy grail--stamp and WHAM!!.....the another..WHAM!!! IM IN?!!!!   sure looked that way...wooo!

He hands it back and does the "hand brush" go away thing...and i smile once again and thank him MR Chanaporn by his badge

and make a break for it with a quick stop by customs..i guess they didnt see me with porn dvds..sex toys--or bottles of fake booze

 

-S>U>C>C>E>S>S thats the way u spell success!!! At least for today...So while i had the rental papers--i had bank book--i had 20k in baht

cash..i had departure info and i didnt even have time to change into my touristy plam tree cuban shirt..i looked like a bum really...

 

Was it that it was 10 mins away from closing on a friday and they didnt want to bother checking?..maybe..they sure werent friendly

but asked NO questions either which is fine with me...so i WAS prepared, as ALL should be, BUT i showed NONE of it to anyone...

 

US passport..not overstays..no paper visa --been here 60 days already on exempt stamp and extension and NOW i will take this

SECOND exempt and EXTEND that for 1900 , thus making my first stay here WITHOUT a visa 4 months total, which will take

me to the wire expiring on my last day here as my ticket out is booked..may even have to stamp out before 1200am at airport.

 

Total time left CM at 1230pm..to CR then MS right on time 510pm..tix on green bus smaller seats in air con with toilet and snacks

but i would get the vip seats next time as it was tight...205x2 plus booking agent fee 450 rt for bus...440 hrs each way and even

got back to cm a little early...poor driver drove the whole way but seemed aware and nice enough as i thanked him for not killing me

 

OH! Almost forgot...as soon as i zip out of border office i spot the moto taxis--where the hell were u folks earlier when i needed them

at BUS station..anyhoo i just grab the first one.. a lady assuming she may not drive as crazy--ha sib baht-50 back to bus-done-hurry!

woman as its 550pm!!!!!!! we had 10 mins to get my butt on that same tiny seat on the same bus--last row--corner seat--godspeed!!!!

 

Vrrrom--zip---beep---swoosh--red light!!!!!! agggghhhh..tick tock 43--42--41..dammit!!! was like a race with the devil...if i miss that

bus its game over--im stuck here in MS or try to find a way to CR to catch the last one out at 730pm....pedal to the metal lady!!!!!!

 

Arrived MS bus at 557pm......just under the wire.....man..talk about a close call---one slight delay and i would have missed it--one

question..show paperwork--process at burma---one thing and it would have been a tragic ending to a good effort--i made it back!!!

 

Fast forward another 4+ hrs..police checkpoints--shakedown of burmese etc...pit stops--driving crazy on dark back woods as im sure

the driver just wanted to get the hell out of that seat as much as i did..i did spot some small fires along the way too and the perps!

 

A long day none the less but half the time of a laos trip and only $10 for burma--little over 10 for bus tickets--thats my budget...

 

Proof that it CAN be done---i think it still luck of the draw...imo it is all factors..do they like you?..like your country?..are u nice?

are they nice?..they having a good day or not..the day..the time?...its kind of like vegas--luck be a lady tonight!  Roll the dice!

 

PS I was prepared to go to chiang kong too and maybe slow boat down to VN-laos for a real visa if they denied me--always plan!

[4evermaat]

So to make a long story short, you sucessfully did an Out-In border run at Mae Sai with USA passport. You did not have to show any paperwork (hotel booking, POOT, 10-20K THB equivalent, etc), but you were prepared.

Good job and thanks for the report.

As a side comment, with the twice yearly limit, i'm not too surprised Mae Sai and other borders that were hesitant towards non-ME Visa holder Out-IN will start doing them again.

Is Poi Pet (Aranyaprathet) still off limits, even if you have a visa?

[ChakaKhan]

I had all needed paperwork-cash--etc--departure info

Didnt show ONE things....in and out without a hitch

Results MAY vary--and knowing thais id say yes.....

[clonetom]

Can confirm that the Mae Sai / Tashilek border visa run is open as of 27.04.2017.

 

Had all suggested documents prepared (flight booking, rent contract, bank book, 20k cash), but they didn't want to see anything. Beware that the Burmese will only accept pristine US Dollar notes. I arrived early ~10am from Chiang Mai and was in/out in less than 20 minutes.

 

EU/German passport, no prior in/outs via Mae Sai.

[Ape1983]

Does anyone know if you have extended visa in Thailand can you still do a border bounce at Mae Sai. Also doe you get a Burma stamp in passport and if you do how big is it.

 

The visa trips to Laos have swallowed most of my passport already.

 

cheers people.

[Mark123456]

Two negative comments about Chinese tourists and one about yourself not being a 'zero-dollar tourist', yet you're too poor to pay a ฿1,000 visa application fee apparently, or to fly anywhere. I would respectfully suggest you may be less desirable as a tourist in Thailand than the Chinese people you seem to scorn.

[Mark123456]

6 minutes ago, Ape1983 said:

Does anyone know if you have extended visa in Thailand can you still do a border bounce at Mae Sai. Also doe you get a Burma stamp in passport and if you do how big is it.

 

The visa trips to Laos have swallowed most of my passport already.

 

cheers people.

I did a border run in Mae Sai after extending 2 or 3 visas in a row. The 2 Burmese stamps are roughly the same size as the entry/exit ones in Thailand - no one-page visa sticker.

[ubonjoe]

12 minutes ago, Mark123456 said:

I did a border run in Mae Sai after extending 2 or 3 visas in a row.

How did you extend a visa at a border crossing. You can only get a new entry from a visa at a border crossing.

[Cletus]

On 3/18/2017 at 2:08 PM, ChakaKhan said:

NEW SIGN..NO MORE VISA RUNS!!!! oh shiiii#####T!!

BUT it DOES state what others have said..YOU will need to show proof--rental lease--hotel--20k in hand baht--onward travel.

 

Does this apply for the 30 days visa exempt entry only?

 

I've got a METV and going to Mae Sai this week to do a border out/in and get my 60 days.

 

Should I better have all the three requirements (20k baht - proof of address - onward ticket)?

 

I already have the first two with me but I thought the onward ticket was not necessary.

 

Someone please advice, thanks.

[ubonjoe]

27 minutes ago, Cletus said:

I've got a METV and going to Mae Sai this week to do a border out/in and get my 60 days.

 

Should I better have all the three requirements (20k baht - proof of address - onward ticket)?

 

I already have the first two with me but I thought the onward ticket was not necessary.

That sign has been up for ages.

It will not be needed.

If you read more of the OP he didn't need it for his visa exempt entry.

[Mark123456]

23 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

How did you extend a visa at a border crossing. You can only get a new entry from a visa at a border crossing.

Where did I say that I extended a visa at a border crossing?

 

First, I extended 2 visas that I had obtained outside the country, then, I made a border run to Mae Sai. The intention of my post was to reassure Apel1983 that having previously extended a visa in country is no bar to obtaining a 30-day visa-exempt entry at Mae Sai. Nowhere did I suggest that I had ever extended a visa at Mae Sai or any other border post.

[ChakaKhan]

On 5/2/2017 at 2:46 AM, clonetom said:

Can confirm that the Mae Sai / Tashilek border visa run is open as of 27.04.2017.

 

Had all suggested documents prepared (flight booking, rent contract, bank book, 20k cash), but they didn't want to see anything. Beware that the Burmese will only accept pristine US Dollar notes. I arrived early ~10am from Chiang Mai and was in/out in less than 20 minutes.

 

EU/German passport, no prior in/outs via Mae Sai.

Had a semi pristine 10 usd and they asked if i had a better one--i said sorry no--and they took

it...guess its better than a 500 baht bill.....so mine got thru......but yes i agree new is best...

[ChakaKhan]

On 5/8/2017 at 4:47 AM, Ape1983 said:

Does anyone know if you have extended visa in Thailand can you still do a border bounce at Mae Sai. Also doe you get a Burma stamp in passport and if you do how big is it.

 

The visa trips to Laos have swallowed most of my passport already.

 

cheers people.

i thought my post answered that...i did 4 months with NO VISA--just stamps

[ChakaKhan]

On 5/8/2017 at 4:52 AM, Mark123456 said:

Two negative comments about Chinese tourists and one about yourself not being a 'zero-dollar tourist', yet you're too poor to pay a ฿1,000 visa application fee apparently, or to fly anywhere. I would respectfully suggest you may be less desirable as a tourist in Thailand than the Chinese people you seem to scorn.

why should i pay 1000 when my post just explained why i didnt need to....add in bus to and

back 900 each way---2 days in a GH..food--a LAOS visa and a THAI visa..comes to about 5000

 

And since thais make it near impoosible to work or make a decent income i only have savings

and the main reason i live here is basic human needs--housing--decent food-healthcare

 

If u have a problem with my character as a quality tourist take it up with immigaration--i pay a

thai rent--i pay thais for food--i pay thais daily--i contribute.....maybe do a search about the zero

dollar tours and where that money goes and go ask the thais what THEY think about chinese..

 

[ChakaKhan]

On 5/8/2017 at 7:16 AM, ubonjoe said:

That sign has been up for ages.

It will not be needed.

If you read more of the OP he didn't need it for his visa exempt entry.

correct--i jumped to burma and came right back into thai--30 days -then extended

 

i had ALL documents ready--they asked for NONE....but have it just in case

[Mark123456]

11 hours ago, ChakaKhan said:

why should i pay 1000 when my post just explained why i didnt need to....add in bus to and

back 900 each way---2 days in a GH..food--a LAOS visa and a THAI visa..comes to about 5000

 

And since thais make it near impoosible to work or make a decent income i only have savings

and the main reason i live here is basic human needs--housing--decent food-healthcare

 

If u have a problem with my character as a quality tourist take it up with immigaration--i pay a

thai rent--i pay thais for food--i pay thais daily--i contribute.....maybe do a search about the zero

dollar tours and where that money goes and go ask the thais what THEY think about chinese..

 

When I stayed in the Movenpick hotel near Pattaya a few months ago, it was full of Chinese tourists. At ฿4,000+ per night (about the same as the visa trip you can't afford)  I'd imagine they were making a much more substantial contribution to the local economy than someone who can't afford a visa or a flight anywhere.

 

I don't have a problem with your 'character as a quality tourist' I simply despise racists. If you're a financial failure I can sympathise with you but perhaps you should do something about it instead of spouting your bigoted nonsense on here. 

[JackThompson]

18 minutes ago, Mark123456 said:

When I stayed in the Movenpick hotel near Pattaya a few months ago, it was full of Chinese tourists. At ฿4,000+ per night (about the same as the visa trip you can't afford)  I'd imagine they were making a much more substantial contribution to the local economy than someone who can't afford a visa or a flight anywhere.

 

I don't have a problem with your 'character as a quality tourist' I simply despise racists. If you're a financial failure I can sympathise with you but perhaps you should do something about it instead of spouting your bigoted nonsense on here. 

The 4000 Baht was your rate.  They were likely on a package rate for a fraction of that.  But those you saw are a tiny-segment of Chinese tourists - not the vast majority for whom the "free visa" offer has been extended, because that extra 1000 Baht will make their trip to Thailand affordable. 

 

I don't oppose encouraging less-affluent Chinese (or others) to visit Thailand, btw.  Anyone who comes here and spends foreign-sourced capital into the Thai economy is a net-benefit (we foreigners get nothing 'for free' here).  But it is a bit duplicitous to have a "there goes the neighborhood" attitude towards less-affluent Western foreigners with back-packs, but roll out the red-carpet to those with even less to spend, coming in from other countries.

[ChakaKhan]

39 minutes ago, Mark123456 said:

When I stayed in the Movenpick hotel near Pattaya a few months ago, it was full of Chinese tourists. At ฿4,000+ per night (about the same as the visa trip you can't afford)  I'd imagine they were making a much more substantial contribution to the local economy than someone who can't afford a visa or a flight anywhere.

 

I don't have a problem with your 'character as a quality tourist' I simply despise racists. If you're a financial failure I can sympathise with you but perhaps you should do something about it instead of spouting your bigoted nonsense on here. 

I agree with Mr Thompson....as for you would you like me to forward the 70 reviews on my

website where i help tourists for free...and 99% of those tourists are chinese(couchsurfing)

 

Please forward my exact "bigoted" words as i dont recall using any....zero dollar tourists???

might want to go complain to the thais as that wasnt a term i came up with either.....

 

Are they loud in groups?...pushy in 7-11 lines?...walk in the street and ignore horns?..spit and

leave trash..(try a chinese airplane)...hmmmm must just be ME....perhaps you are right...

 

Does this mean we arent going for beers tonight?.....being an observer of rude behavior=bigot?

 

[jimster]

Note to the OP the Mae Sai border checkpoint now closes at 9pm Thai time, not 6pm (6.30pm actually) like it used to. These changes were made on 1 Jan 2016 and are now permanent.

[MrKFC]

I'm here on a 60 day US Tourist visa, arrived late Sept, planning to stay 6 months, want to do the 1st land entry to extend 30 days via Mae Sai.

 

I have a return flight booked and a receipt for my apt in Chiang Khong.

 

The return is booked for March, so I'm planning to go to Vientiane for another 60 day visa when the one I plan to get at Mae Sai expires, then a 30 day extension at the Immigration Office in Chiang Khong. 

 

Had quite a lot of dental work done in Chiang Mai on my last visit including a couple implants, need to do a couple more checkups this time, have the receipts, can show adequate cash.

 

Any one see problems with the plan? 

 

Thanks,

DS

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, MrKFC said:

I'm here on a 60 day US Tourist visa, arrived late Sept, planning to stay 6 months, want to do the 1st land entry to extend 30 days via Mae Sai.

Have you extended that 60 day entry for 30 days yet. 

No problem to do a border hop for a visa exempt entry as long you have not already done 2 at a land border crossing this year.

[MrKFC]

Nope, this will be the first on this visit. Last one was Nov 11, 2016. 

 

I get two land border crossings in a 12 month period, right?

 

So # 2 will be at Nong Khai, end of Dec ... planning to get another 60 day tourist visa at Vientiane.

 

DS

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, MrKFC said:

I get two land border crossings in a 12 month period, right?

That is only for visa exempt entries. If you have a visa for entry there is no limit.

[MrKFC]

OK ... this is something I keep seeing that I do not understand ...  'visa exempt' ... ?

 

I just got the 'usual' 60 day tourist visa ... I've been here several times but am still fairly clueless about some of these terms and regulations.

 

Would is say "Visa Exempt" clearly on it?

 

I'll have a look right now ...

[MrKFC]

The departure card is just stamped Sept 27, I don't see anything like 'visa exempt'  in the passport ...

 

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, MrKFC said:

Would is say "Visa Exempt" clearly on it?

You get a 30 day visa exempt entry if you don't have a visa if you are from a country that qualifies for one. See: http://www.consular.go.th/main/th/customize/62281-Summary-of-Countries-and-Territories-entitled-for.html

If you have a visa you have not entered visa exempt.

[Mattd]

5 minutes ago, MrKFC said:

The departure card is just stamped Sept 27, I don't see anything like 'visa exempt'  in the passport ...

 

It is simple to be able to tell regardless, as if entering on a visa exempt you would be stamped in for 30 days, plus, surely, you should know if you are using a visa or not?

The visa category is usually written in ink on the top of the entry stamp where it says visa class, might state VE or similar if exempt.

Edited November 23, 2017 by Mattd

[MrKFC]

sez 'employment prohibited'  but that's all ...

 

[Mattd]

Just now, MrKFC said:

sez 'employment prohibited'  but that's all ...

 

That is on the visa, not the entry stamp.

[MrKFC]

Yeah, it just says Tourist Visa, single entry