Can I do a border run to Myanmar to get a new visa exempt stamp in Thailand?

Visa Exempt Border Run Myanmar Visa Rules Tourist Visa Mae Sai Tachiliek Crossing Immigration Thailand Border Crossings

Dec 4, 2017

7 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Can I do a border run to Myanmar to get a NEW visa exempt stamp? 

My tourist visa expired and I need 30 more days. Have heard that you can only do the land run to Myanmar as a re-entry on a 6 month multi entry visa. 

So if I just need to cross the border to get a new visa exempt, is Myanmar and option by land right now?

And which border crossing should I use?

Many thanks!!! 🙏🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Yes, you can do a border run to Myanmar to obtain a new visa exempt stamp. However, not all border crossings allow this, and it is often recommended to use the Mae Sai - Tachiliek border for a smooth process. Crossing here typically costs $10 (with a perfect bill) or 500 baht, and it can grant you an additional 30-day visa exempt entry stamp. Note that there is a limitation of two 30-day visa exempt entries by land per calendar year.

Ry**

Mae Sai / Tachiliek is super easy. Most laid-back border crossing I've ever done.

7 years ago

Krystal *********

@Kristen ******

when do you have to do your run? I have to go on the 23rd!

7 years ago

Kristen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you!!! Super helpful :) Nav Aulakh read this thread! :)

7 years ago

Mark *******

@Kri****

, I use Green Bus there and back... typically I depart 8:00 (VIP seat) from Chiang Mai and take the 14:30 bus back. That gives you about 2 hours in Mae Sai to get to the border via song Theaw (15 baht), stamp out, stamp in/out of Myanmar, stamp into Thailand, get some lunch and song theaw back to the bus station. You are permitted to go into Myanmar for a little shopping if you have the time and want to look around. The agent at the border will ask you if you plan to go shop (in which case they will keep your passport and give you a receipt to retrieve your passport on the way out) or, just head back into Thailand.

Bus tickets can be purchase on the Green Bus website (recommend you use VIP seats) and you can pay for the bus ticket at 7-11. The 7-11 receipt is your ticket. Just make sure you go to the correct bus station (Arcade Bus Station East of the city).

7 years ago

Ry**

@Kristen ******

bus station. Easy and cheap. I think I took GreenBus to Chiang Rai then transferred to a more local bus to get to Mae Sai then a songtaew to the border.

7 years ago

Kristen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Haha awesome. :) Do you recommend an agency to get a van with? I used to go to ramvel tour, not sure if they still exist ...or do you just go to bus station

7 years ago

Ry**

@Kristen ******

be warned though - the last bus leaving Mae Sai back to CM leaves pretty early (I forget exact time. But I think it's well before 9pm) so just make sure you know the time and play it safe. ...Unlike me who missed the last bus by 30 minutes and had to stay in Mae Sai which was a boring waste of time and money.

7 years ago

Terry **********

correct on all counts and its enjoyable and hassle free

7 years ago

Kristen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

awesome thanks ryan!!! :D

7 years ago

Reply to

Kristen *******

Tod *********

From Chiang Mai you can go to the Mae Sai -Tachiliek border with burma and bounce out and back in for a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp. It costs $10USD (the bill has to be perfect) or 500baht to get stamped in and out of burma

7 years ago

Tod *********

did you already extend your 60 day tourist visa by 30 days at the immigration office for 1900baht?

Not all border crossings with burma let people bounce out and back in for 30 day visa exempt entry stamps. What border are you thinking of using?

There is a limit of TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year

7 years ago

Kristen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Chiang Mai

7 years ago

Tod *********

@Kristen ******

how about saying where you are in thailand? Because that's gonna make a difference as far as what border is close to you

7 years ago

Kristen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes already extended. Have been here 90 days. And will go to whichever border they allow visa exempt stamps!! Do you know which one?