Can I do a land crossing at Mae Sai as an American without an eVisa?

Mar 20, 2020
5 years ago
Geoff *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My Visa is ending. I've tried to fly to Vietnam (original plan), then I tried to fly to Cambodia.

Now I'm thinking of taking the Green bus to Mae Sai. I've read about getting the evisa, but it seems to indicate that I would need to fly into Yangon or two other places.

My question is: can I (as an American traveling on a USA passport) do my first land crossing at Mae Sai with, or without, the evisa?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question concerns whether an American citizen can make a first land crossing into Myanmar at Mae Sai without obtaining an eVisa. Several comments indicate that the Mae Sai border is currently closed to non-nationals due to restrictions. There are suggestions to explore options like visa extensions or flying out to another country before returning to Thailand, but overall there's a consensus that getting into Myanmar from Thailand at this time is not feasible.
Benjamin ******
I'm going to shut down this thread, for now. I'm going to see what options exist for returning to Thailand from Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. I want to help people stay here in Thailand if possible and reasonable.

I agree, it doesn't look good, but there may be a few loopholes that can be used.

I'm closing commenting for now.
Gregor **********
i would hope that the moderators post my words on the TOP of the page: It is over boys & girls. Go home or hole up
Gregor **********
c'mon boys and girlz, it is over, Thailand has "factually" cosed its borders for ANY entry. You can get holed up and hold out until your country ships you back, or try to CATCH a flight back home NOW quick and fast. Go to the airport BKK and go on stand-by . Stop dreaming about the covid19 certificate and how to do it in a timely manner
Gregor **********
if one prefers to get stuck in Laos, go get the Laos visa
Gregor **********
why you still offer such solutions like "get a visa for Laos" is out of my level of understanding. As he CANNOT get back into Thailand from Laos any more without the two proofs
Benjamin ******
I'll do some more research on this. I know people who are in Malaysia right now with a valid Thai visa can enter Thailand, for example.
Gregor **********
it is factually becoming impossible to travel or "return" to Thailand from just anywhere. There is no way to get the required "covide-fre" certificates and the insurance. His ONLY way out is BACK HOME to Kansas
Benjamin ******
Here's something you can try. You can enter Thailand, I think, as normal, by land.

TRY getting a single entry visa from the nearest Lao consulate. According to:

********************************************************************************************************


"Issue visas for visitors who intended to visit the Lao PDR with non tourist purposes only. Visitors will have to submit requisite information on their health and related documents to the Lao diplomatic missions *in the country they are resident* for approval before the intended date of travel."

I DO NOT know what the bolded part means. If they do sell you a single entry visa, THEN get a medical certificate, and fly into Vientiane International. Once you're in Vientiane, cross back into Thailand via Friendship bridge.

That's the only option I can think of.
Ellie *******
Non tourist purpose?
Gregor **********
Ben you forget that for returning to Thailand from Laos, is now factually impossible
Tod *********
@Geoff ********
you're stuck then. 

Sadly (for you) You are about two days late trying to do anything like bounce out and back at ANY land border.

Trying to wring the most time you can out of the stamp you had bit you hard :(

Not much choice but to fly out (IF you can find a country to fly IN to) and then fly back to get a new 30 day visa exempt entry (AND be mindful of the requirements to get IN to another country and back IN to thailand)
Tod *********
Did you already get a 30 day extension for 1900baht at the immigration office on your current stamp?
Tod *********
Perhaps I should also ask what VISA are you here on now?
Tod *********
Mae Sai is CLOSED, Mae Sot is CLOSED. you cannot get out at those borders with burma.
Joe *********
No. Mae Sai border is closed to anyone not Thai or Myanmar nationals.
Ross ********
Go home?
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