The Thai - Burmese Border Gate
The Thai - Burmese Border Gate
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chutotoro
365 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Interesting to see thailand's Northern most border town. Saw the bridge between Thailand and myanmar. Lots of activities around the place and cheap souvenirs. Even if you didnt intend to cross over the Myanmar, it is still worth's visit to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the town .
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam Nicholson
Bury, UK20 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Amazing experience entering Myanmar for one day. Absolutely no issue entering through the border as a foreigner (United Kingdom) for one day. Entered at 10am returned at 14:30. Had printed out proof of vaccination as recommended but wasn’t required when I went, however still worth having just incase. Still the 500 baht fee for entering as expected. Highly recommended to anyone who’s in the Chiang Rai area to see some of Myanmar!
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo-Ann
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia17,186 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
Surprisingly it was an easy procedure. My friend and I decided to try and pay Myanmar a visit. We walked across the bridge from Thailand and entered Myanmar’s immigration. The officers asked us how long we were staying and we said only for a few hours. It was 500 Baht for the visa to enter Myanmar. The officers kept our passports and we were to collect them when we exit Myanmar. The officers were nice and easy going. No fuss.
Written August 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marhas m
Phuket Town, Thailand76 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
Until now international tourists could not travel to other regions in Myanmar, when they crossed the border between Mae Sai and Tachilek. This has changed on August 28. Myanmar now
allows international tourists to enter the country at the for checkpoints of
Mae Sai / Tachilek, Mae Sot / Myawaddy, Phunaron / Htee Kee and Ranong / Kawthoung. Of course you have to have the visa stamp already in your passport, because there are no visa on arrival. Read more about this decision: http://myanmarinsider.blogspot.ch/2013/09/myanmar-opens-border-with-thailand.html
allows international tourists to enter the country at the for checkpoints of
Mae Sai / Tachilek, Mae Sot / Myawaddy, Phunaron / Htee Kee and Ranong / Kawthoung. Of course you have to have the visa stamp already in your passport, because there are no visa on arrival. Read more about this decision: http://myanmarinsider.blogspot.ch/2013/09/myanmar-opens-border-with-thailand.html
Written September 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoverTreks
Thailand1,651 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
If you want to set foot in Burma just to say you did it, and you don't have time to spend much time in the country, you might find this border crossing to your liking. That’s because Burmese immigration will allow you to cross over into their border city of Tachilek for a daylight hours only stay from Mae Sai, Thailand and back the same day without requiring you to get a 30-day visa. You’ll get a 1-day visa.
Typically, those travelers doing this are shopping or sightseeing. It’s a surreal experience. You walk across the bridge from Thailand into Burma as if you are walking from Checkpoint Charlie in old West Germany into East Germany. You leave the quiet, polite, tactful Thai’s behind. And as you get nearer the Burmese checkpoint, you’ll note hoards of vendors and street scammers waving and calling at you trying to get you to spend money on just about anything they think they can interest you in.
How To Get There:
The easiest way to get to Mai Sai is to drive. It’s in the far north of Thailand. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can find a bus to take you there.
When you enter the main drag of the city, follow it right up to the Thai-Burmese border. You’ll know you’re at the border when you see a tall blue arching structure dead ahead and ending the main street in Mae Sai at the river crossing between both countries. And you’ll see the border well off into the distance. At rush hour the traffic will be backed up for about ½ a mile.
How To Cross Over and Back
You check in at the Thai immigration office on the Mae Sai side of the border. They’ll take your departure card once you fill it out, and clear you from Thailand. You’ll walk across the bridge --- perhaps 250 feet or so to the Burmese side and stop at their immigration office. You’ll sit down for 5 or 10 minutes while an immigration officer reviews your passport, carefully enters four stamps in it, and asks you to pay 500 Thai baht (per person). They’ll also take your picture. You’ll be told to stay in the immediate area of Tachilek and to leave the city by 5 pm to make sure you’re out before the border closes for the day. They’ll give you back your passport with a departure stamp in it. All you’ll have to do is walk back over to the Thai immigration on departure.
Once back on the Thai side, you’ll fill out an entry card, stand in line while they take your picture and review your passport, and stamp in your entry, and insert a departure card (for your future departure). They’ll also note the day 90-days forward by when you must check in with Thai immigration again.
That’s it!
What’s Tachilek like? It’s a border town. You’ll note the Burmese are not as well off as the Thai’s. You’ll notice the comparative run down nature of Tachilek from Mae Sai as you cross the bridge. And the gawkers, vendors, and beggars are quite aggressive as you cross the bridge and after you leave the Burmese immigration office.
You’ll enter a round-a-bout at Tachilek after you clear the bridge and the Burmese immigration office. Right away, motorbike “taxi” drivers will hit you up with offers to take you about town. Negotiate the price before you go so you’re not surprised later.
This is a novelty trip but well worth taking for just a few hours.
Typically, those travelers doing this are shopping or sightseeing. It’s a surreal experience. You walk across the bridge from Thailand into Burma as if you are walking from Checkpoint Charlie in old West Germany into East Germany. You leave the quiet, polite, tactful Thai’s behind. And as you get nearer the Burmese checkpoint, you’ll note hoards of vendors and street scammers waving and calling at you trying to get you to spend money on just about anything they think they can interest you in.
How To Get There:
The easiest way to get to Mai Sai is to drive. It’s in the far north of Thailand. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can find a bus to take you there.
When you enter the main drag of the city, follow it right up to the Thai-Burmese border. You’ll know you’re at the border when you see a tall blue arching structure dead ahead and ending the main street in Mae Sai at the river crossing between both countries. And you’ll see the border well off into the distance. At rush hour the traffic will be backed up for about ½ a mile.
How To Cross Over and Back
You check in at the Thai immigration office on the Mae Sai side of the border. They’ll take your departure card once you fill it out, and clear you from Thailand. You’ll walk across the bridge --- perhaps 250 feet or so to the Burmese side and stop at their immigration office. You’ll sit down for 5 or 10 minutes while an immigration officer reviews your passport, carefully enters four stamps in it, and asks you to pay 500 Thai baht (per person). They’ll also take your picture. You’ll be told to stay in the immediate area of Tachilek and to leave the city by 5 pm to make sure you’re out before the border closes for the day. They’ll give you back your passport with a departure stamp in it. All you’ll have to do is walk back over to the Thai immigration on departure.
Once back on the Thai side, you’ll fill out an entry card, stand in line while they take your picture and review your passport, and stamp in your entry, and insert a departure card (for your future departure). They’ll also note the day 90-days forward by when you must check in with Thai immigration again.
That’s it!
What’s Tachilek like? It’s a border town. You’ll note the Burmese are not as well off as the Thai’s. You’ll notice the comparative run down nature of Tachilek from Mae Sai as you cross the bridge. And the gawkers, vendors, and beggars are quite aggressive as you cross the bridge and after you leave the Burmese immigration office.
You’ll enter a round-a-bout at Tachilek after you clear the bridge and the Burmese immigration office. Right away, motorbike “taxi” drivers will hit you up with offers to take you about town. Negotiate the price before you go so you’re not surprised later.
This is a novelty trip but well worth taking for just a few hours.
Written November 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MatthewJomtien
Sattahip, Thailand29 contributions
Nov 2017
IF, you want to say you have crossed the border to Burma, do it... Otherwise I would not go to the trouble.. For What? Sometimes it will cost you 500thb to get the Stamp and sometimes it wil be free,, sometimes your Passport will be detained until you return, somtimes it will not! IF, you do cross over into Burma and go to the markets (no choice) watch out for pick pockets, especially the kids.
Written May 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dean S
Doncaster, UK4,828 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
I came to Mae Sai to do a border run and to visit Myanmar for the 1st time. I stayed at the Yunnan hotel which is only 20 minutes walk from the border. I exchanged 330 Baht for a 10 USD note. You will also be told by the Thai border guard (and the Lonely Planet) to pay 500 Baht to the Burmese border guard but 10 USD will also do the trick and save you money. You pass through the Thai passport control walk along the bridge (cross to the other side). Once at the Myanmar passport check put the crisp 10 USD note into your passport. You will be asked to sit inside an office. They will take down your details and the money and take your passport. You will get a receipt. I'm not sure how long you can spend in Tachiliek but I think it's until the border closes. I spent 2 hours there. You are free to wander around Tachiliek .I just wanted to see a new country and do a border run. Just after the border bridge there are some stairs on the right. There are market stalls selling cheap cigarettes etc etc. They kept trying to sell to me but I'm a non smoker. They are not aggressive at all. Just politely say no (or yes, upto you). At the end of the market street, the street on the left has a couple of duty free alcohol places, so I stopped and had a cheap Burmese beer for 35 Baht (everywhere accepts Thai Baht that I could see). I sat outside the shop, they have seating and chilled out. They were also selling Leo for 20 Baht so I had one of those.I didn't want to spend too long in Tachiliek as I was a bit nervous about my passport. I shouldn't have been worried. I crossed back over the bridge, handed over the receipt (my passport had magically gone to the other side of the bridge :-) and got my passport back. On the Thai side of the bridge I had to fill in a new departure card and got a new 30 day stamp in my passport. Both directions only took about 5 minutes I think. Border guards on both sides were very friendly and the experience was painless. 10 USD to visit a new country and to extend my stay in Thailand for 30 days, worth every penny :-)
Written December 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth H
Adelaide, Australia2 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We were staying in Mai Sae in Thailand and wanted to go to Myanmar to visit a pagoda and go to the markets just for the day. We are travelling on Australian passports. We walked across the bridge in Mai Sae and went through the Thai immigration. They collected our departure slip which was stapled into our passports and stamped us out. Then we walked a little further over the bridge and explained to the Myanmar authorities thst we only wanted to enter the country for a day. They collected our passports and gave us a slip of paper and sent us on our way plus we did have to pay $US10 each. It was nerve racking leaving our passport there but it is what you have to do. We completed our activities in Myanmar and enjoyed our 3 hours over there. On the return our passports were returned to us and then we had to do new entry/exit departure forms for Thailand. Then we were stamped back in to Thailand and given a months visa from that date. This crossing is often used by people who want to extend their Thai visa.
Written July 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark U
San Diego, CA78 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
Going across into Myanmar (Tachilek) is something I would definitely recommend if you are in the area. As of the writing of this review you no longer need to have a visa in advance, you don't need to leave your passport with the staff at the immigration and it's incredibly quick and easy crossing.
Once you get across you are really in a very different place than Thailand. I know very well that it's "Just a border town" and I also know from others that it's not "The real Burma" but with that said it's just a new and different world. The people there act very unlike the Thai people. I can't say that I think that they act better or worse - it's just that they are very different and it makes a really interesting day trip.
If you do it like we did (we didn't have an advance visa, we came through Chiang Mai and walked across the bridge) there is a limit to what you can do - it really consists of - checking out the market and taking the tuk-tuk tour that all of the guys are selling. It's the same tour - it takes you to several temples and if you want to they will take you to a "hill tribe" - which is like the canned "hill tribes" in Thailand. We opted to skip that part - but - the temples are very different than Thailand and its really interesting to see the difference. The one Golden temple they take you to gives you a really nice overview of the city and the more local/village temple they take you to is an interesting and different experience.
After (or before that) wandering around the market there's certainly a lot of junk but there is some interesting stuff too. In addition you can get a couple of bottles of wine for a lot cheaper than in Thailand if you are so inclined. A lot of people post that the liquor is "fake" but if you go into one of the actual liquor stores it seems pretty hard to imagine that all of the types of wine that they are selling are all faked. We got a couple of bottles of a Chilean wine that we are very familiar with and if it was a fake I don't actually care - they did one heck of a job faking a chilean Sauvignon blanc - kudos to them.
Lastly eating in one of the local restaurants gave us the opportunity to try Burmese style of chili. We walked a few blocks away from the tourist market up a hill and found a place where we were the only white people. While I am sure they get decent number of tourists who find the place (it wasn't too far away) I can also say that they were absolutely thrilled to have us there for lunch.
BTW - One of my most enjoyable things was watching the absolute mayhem of the autos and trucks crossing the bridge because in Myanmar they drive on the right while Thailand is on the left - well - they haven't actually built a system to have the cars switch in an orderly fashion and boy was it entertaining to watch (from the safe sidelines).
All in all it was a great day - the only word of caution which you probably already know is that when you walk back across you get a shorter term visa than when you fly in - oddly for us it wasn't 14 days but a random 20 days - still - make sure you know how long you will be in Thailand afterwards otherwise make it a go!
Once you get across you are really in a very different place than Thailand. I know very well that it's "Just a border town" and I also know from others that it's not "The real Burma" but with that said it's just a new and different world. The people there act very unlike the Thai people. I can't say that I think that they act better or worse - it's just that they are very different and it makes a really interesting day trip.
If you do it like we did (we didn't have an advance visa, we came through Chiang Mai and walked across the bridge) there is a limit to what you can do - it really consists of - checking out the market and taking the tuk-tuk tour that all of the guys are selling. It's the same tour - it takes you to several temples and if you want to they will take you to a "hill tribe" - which is like the canned "hill tribes" in Thailand. We opted to skip that part - but - the temples are very different than Thailand and its really interesting to see the difference. The one Golden temple they take you to gives you a really nice overview of the city and the more local/village temple they take you to is an interesting and different experience.
After (or before that) wandering around the market there's certainly a lot of junk but there is some interesting stuff too. In addition you can get a couple of bottles of wine for a lot cheaper than in Thailand if you are so inclined. A lot of people post that the liquor is "fake" but if you go into one of the actual liquor stores it seems pretty hard to imagine that all of the types of wine that they are selling are all faked. We got a couple of bottles of a Chilean wine that we are very familiar with and if it was a fake I don't actually care - they did one heck of a job faking a chilean Sauvignon blanc - kudos to them.
Lastly eating in one of the local restaurants gave us the opportunity to try Burmese style of chili. We walked a few blocks away from the tourist market up a hill and found a place where we were the only white people. While I am sure they get decent number of tourists who find the place (it wasn't too far away) I can also say that they were absolutely thrilled to have us there for lunch.
BTW - One of my most enjoyable things was watching the absolute mayhem of the autos and trucks crossing the bridge because in Myanmar they drive on the right while Thailand is on the left - well - they haven't actually built a system to have the cars switch in an orderly fashion and boy was it entertaining to watch (from the safe sidelines).
All in all it was a great day - the only word of caution which you probably already know is that when you walk back across you get a shorter term visa than when you fly in - oddly for us it wasn't 14 days but a random 20 days - still - make sure you know how long you will be in Thailand afterwards otherwise make it a go!
Written February 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cookiesasia
Ko Samui, Thailand21 contributions
Jul 2013 • Solo
i dont know why so many people think this is a boring place and just go to get their stamp on the mae sai border and go back to Thailand. Tachileik, holds many attractions like the replica of the Shwedagon pagoda, other unique temples like the Enrobed Elephant Temple. There is the Peace golden land nunnery where you can stay and do vipassana meditation for free. The local markets are also filled with goods that are dirt cheap and a real steal compared to the neighboring countries. It is also the best place to sample myanmar food which has more flavor but a bit too oily for my taste.
Downside: I paid a hefty fee of THB120 to visit the long neck village and see the dance but there was nothing of the sort and only saw a few people in a small compound with some souvenir shops... that was it.
However, DO spend some time in this place and get a taste of Myanmar, it was totally worth it!!!
Downside: I paid a hefty fee of THB120 to visit the long neck village and see the dance but there was nothing of the sort and only saw a few people in a small compound with some souvenir shops... that was it.
However, DO spend some time in this place and get a taste of Myanmar, it was totally worth it!!!
Written August 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
質問、失礼いたします。
来月、メーサイからタチレクに越境したいと考えております。
これまでの「日帰り国境エントリーパス」制度が利用できず、「e-VISA」なら越境できるという認識で大丈夫でしょうか。
Written June 30, 2024
Hi how much was it to cross from Thailand to Myanmar? anyone from the UK done it?
Written February 26, 2020
It cost 500 bahts each and they only take bahts.
Written February 27, 2020
Hi Jo-Ann,
Would just like to confirm if you need to pay the 500Bhat even if you are from ASEAN country? I've read you can pay 10USD, which is cheaper than the 500Bhat? Were you able to go to the pagoda? How much will it cost to ride the tuktuk? Will 3 passengers fit in the tuktuk? Thanks in advance.
Written November 22, 2019
Hey everyone,
I wanna cross the border from Myanmar to Thailand and then going on to Laos. Has anyone experience in crossing the border from this side?
And how was it with your Myanmar visa? was ok just saying you cross the border there?
Written August 14, 2019
Wanting to know how it works. Just wanting to do a visa run, wether it be for the day or for a night :) how does it work?
Written July 8, 2019
I apologize for not checking my box. The answer that I find very useful from the gentleman names Josh did a great job on Mae Sai border. I thank him in advanced. You have to know where you travel from.. Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or Bangkok to Mae Sai / Tachiliek Border? There are Green buses ( air condition ) direct from Chiang Mai to Mae Sai. ( 5 hours ) and it takes 2 hours from Chiang Rai to Mae Sai. Now Ching Rai has an Uber and I am not sure it goes to Mae Sai?? You can find out from Trip adviser Forum. You have to check Uber ahead of time if you fly from Bangkok. So it will be ready when you land. The Green bus will not take all the way through the Border. The Bus terminal in Mae Sai is 3.10 miles from the Border so you have to catch the Song Thaews. It will cost 15 Baht per person..not sure the price now since 42 million Tourists had visiting Thailand in 2019. The new Visa Run for 6 months is in Chiang Mai. Sure?100% but go early to avoid a long line. James Hunt has a story about location independent. I Thank him in advanced. If you are in Thailand and get lost then ask around by using translate Page. The Thais are friendly and they will not hesitate to help. My opinion.
Written September 12, 2019
I caught a bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (about 3 hours) and then a local bus from CR to Mae Sai. Catch the Blue 9 minivan for 50 Baht with aircon rather than the local bus for 39 Baht. The local bus is slower and just has fans. I stayed overnight in Mae Sai and walked across the border. It's 10 USD or 500 Baht. Easy. The sellers in the market place weren't aggressive. Just say no once and that's fine. I did the same in reverse because I like Chiang Rai and I like to break up the journey. Steve S, you paid too much. 10 USD per person is fine and they were happy with my 10 USD, just don't flash it around.
Written December 19, 2018
I am wondering if it is possible to cross border from Thailand to tachilek and then fly from tachilek to heho.
Any information would be much appreciated!
Written November 15, 2017
I am in Tachileik, I have my own motorcycle, I want to cross border tomorrow. I have all papers. Will I have no problems crossing at immigration both sides.
Just not convinced yet.
I'm UK citizen.
Thx Derek
Written October 11, 2017
If you have the paperwork correctly filled out and endorsed, you should have no problems.
Written October 11, 2017
I ll be in Mae Sai in two weeks. I plan on crossing over to shop. I was not aware you could get a boat to Laos from Mae Sai. Could you possibly provide more info on this? Where to get the boat and cost? Thanks Gary Brown
Written June 9, 2017
You cannot get a boat from Mae Sai because the Mekong does not flow here.
You need to go to Chiang Sai, which is about 30 km from Mai Sai, on the so-called Golden Triangle.
You will see the long boats waiting for fares as you start to enter the town.
An hour long trip up the river to Myanmar and across to Laos is 500 Baht.
At one point you are sitting (floating) on the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.
Enjoy.
Written June 10, 2017
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