Mae Sot --> Myawaddy and back with METV

[somethingnice]

I'm planning a run to activate another 60 days of my METV.

 

Planning to go from Mae Sot to Myawaddy and turn arround and go back by the end of this month. I will travel on the last day of my current "Permitted to stay until".

 

Questions:
1) Can I still get the border-pass for 10$ / 500 THB? (I don't have Visa for Myanmar)
2) If yes: How does it works?
3) What are the opening hours on both sides?
4) How long is that border pass valid in case i'd like to take a look around in Myawaddy and maybe go to one of those casinos?

5) Does I need a onward ticket out of Thailand when I go back? Or is the 20,000 THB in cash enough?

6) Anything I thing i need to be aware of?

 

Anyone that did this recently and knows if its still possible and convenient?

 

Thanks :)

[BritTim]

1. Yes, border passes are available. I believe the price is unchanged.
2. You simply arrive at Myanmar immigration on their side of the bridge, and enter the office for foreigners. You tell them that you want a border pass.
3. My recollection is that the border is open from 5:30 am until 8:30 pm. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
4. It used to be the case that you must return the same day. However, if I interpret this article correctly, you can now stay up to 7 days: http://karennews.org/2016/10/myawaddy-mae-sot-temporary-border-crossing-permit-extended-from-one-to-seven-days.html/
5. You should not be checked for either an onward ticket or cash. However, it is probably prudent to have the cash in case immigration decides to play games.
6. Not that I can think of.

[jimster]

On 7/10/2017 at 10:20 PM, BritTim said:

1. Yes, border passes are available. I believe the price is unchanged.
2. You simply arrive at Myanmar immigration on their side of the bridge, and enter the office for foreigners. You tell them that you want a border pass.
3. My recollection is that the border is open from 5:30 am until 8:30 pm. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
4. It used to be the case that you must return the same day. However, if I interpret this article correctly, you can now stay up to 7 days: http://karennews.org/2016/10/myawaddy-mae-sot-temporary-border-crossing-permit-extended-from-one-to-seven-days.html/
5. You should not be checked for either an onward ticket or cash. However, it is probably prudent to have the cash in case immigration decides to play games.
6. Not that I can think of.

All correct but 4. is only for Thai and Burmese nationals. As the article states and adding a little extra info - Burmese can visit Mae Sot, Mae Ramad and Phob Phra for up to 7 days. Cars can only travel within Mae Sot but only during the day. Cars from Myanmar can't stay in Thailand overnight. For Thais - can only stay within the greater Myawady area for up to 7 days (not sure why they can't visit Hpa-an like at say Phu Nam Ron where border pass holders can travel to Dawei and at Dan Singkorn where Thais can travel as far as Myeik but Burmese only to Prachuab) Thai cars can't travel further than the trade zone 12km from the border and again, don't have permission to stay in Myawady overnight even if not planning on leaving the city. Therefore, Thai and Burmese visitors wishing to stay overnight in each other's respective border city need to travel by public transport. Strange rule, but it's always been this way - the Burmese came up with it decades ago and Thailand simply reciprocates, as it wouldn't be fair to be discriminated against by the Burmese while allowing them access. Makes sense if you ask me but is also typical of diplomacy - reciprocity is often demanded on such issues.

 

With a Myanmar visa, can go anywhere you want in Myanmar (might be worth checking out Mawlamyine or Hpa-an, just 4 and 2.5-3 hours respectively from the border crossing by car or minivan). Myanmar now offers an e-visa service, costs US$50 for a tourist visa, they send you the visa approval letter to your email usually within a couple of hours after you apply, provided it's a weekday. No need to visit the consulate all you need to do is print out the letter (easily done in Mae Sot). However, if you don't care about all of this and just want to do an in-out, pay the US$10 (much cheaper than paying in Baht just make sure your US$ notes are in pristine condition otherwise you'll be prompted to switch to Baht) if you can't get a hold of any US$ before arriving at the border, the Krung Thai bank money changer right next to the border crossing can sell you some US$ as can a number of money changers in Mae Sot town, including a brand new one opposite the mosque on the same street as Krua Canadian.

[somethingnice]

Trip Report:

- Arrived at the bridge

- Stamp out of Thailand - no questions asked - no que at all.

- Walk over the bridge (On the left hand side)

- On the other side you have to write your name and passport number on a list. 

- Tell them that you want a "one day" - go inside the next door.

- Pay the man behind the desk 10 USD, and he will ask if you wanna se Myawaddy - or just to go straight back. 

- He will complain that your 10 USD banknote is not good, and if you have anything else - but I just said, thats all i have - and he accepted it.

- Walk back to Thailand on the now right hand side. After the bridge i walk to the leftside, where the thailand arrival passport control is

- The first windows are for Myanmar citizens that wants to visit Mee Sot.

- Window number 4 is for Thai & Forigner.

- No que. I hand them my passport and arrival card, that i fill out in advance from home. No questions asked, and 60 days stamp in my passport.

 

My visa is METV, and i have 1x METV with now 2 entrys in my passport + 2x 30 days visa exempt + 1 extension of visa exempt from this year.

 

All the process took maybe 15-20 minutes.

 

No special dress - just normal t-shirt and shorts.