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Can I get a 30-day tourist visa at Mae Sai and what are the best transport options from Chiang Mai?

ED Visa Visa Exempt Entry Mae Sai Border Run Tourist Visa Visa Services Chiang Mai Transportation to Mae Sai Green Bus Chiang Mai Visa Run Visa Extension

Oct 22, 2018

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello All!

Need some help asap. Long story short. Here are the specifics. 

- I hold a American passport. 

- I study in Chiang Mai

- My ED visa ends on 10/25 (2 days from now)

- I am still awaiting my new ED visa which may be longer than 4 weeks

- I have not used any exemptions this year

I would like to make a border run that is cheap and gets me atleast 30 days. My questions are:

1. Does Mae Sai give 30 day tourist visas for border crossing?

2. Does anyone know of some good Visa service companies running vans to Vientiane or Mae Sai?

Thank you!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user, holding an American passport and currently studying in Chiang Mai, is seeking assistance regarding a border run to secure a 30-day visa before their current ED visa expires. They inquire specifically if Mae Sai provides a 30-day tourist visa and request recommendations for reliable visa transport services from Chiang Mai. The discussion clarifies that while there is no specific tourist visa for border crossings, a 30-day visa exempt entry can be obtained at the Mae Sai border at a cost of 500 baht. Participants also suggest transport options such as the Green Bus and specific van services, highlighting the pros and cons of each.

Tod *********

Also keep in mind that once you get the 30 day visa exempt entry stamp IF you need more time you can always go to the immigration office and get a 30 day extension for 1900baht. (Just in case your documentation doesn't come thru in 4 weeks and you need more time ;) )

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Tod *********

you are confusing a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp to thailand (which is always FREE) with getting a 30 day extension at the immigration office (which costs 1900baht) ;)

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Tod *********

Gregor your information about bouncing out and in at the Mae Sai Tachiliek border is FALSE >:(

You do NOT need a visa to burma to bounce out and back in at Mae Sai - Tachiliek, :/

It's FREE to get stamped into thailand for 30 days.

You pay the 500 baht to get stamped in and out of burma

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Biff *******

I’m just the man who was there last week 😂

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Aaron ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

you're the man!

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Gregor **********

cool, many XXX

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Biff *******

Parking is to the left of the huge queue of traffic actually driving over the border. Up the hill on the left again through the market there are various car parks all with attendants.

No charge on the Thai side once you cross the border. ฿500 to the Myanmar officials who keep your passport and give you a day pass. You get your passport back with the Myanmar in-out stamps on your way back to Thailand.

Grab a new arrival card from the little kiosk in the middle before you get in the queue for your back in to Thailand stamp or you’ll queue up twice.

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Aaron ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Is the initial exemption at the border 1900 baht? Do I need to show a bank statement?

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Gregor **********

there will be a guarded private car parking for some small fee available at the border, as all Thai Land borders i have seen in 24 years have one😊

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Aaron ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Perfect! One more question, is there a good place to park at the border checkpoint when I walk over?

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Aaron ********

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Tod *********

I'd say as far as companies that will lug you to the border and back that google is your friend OR post in a Chiang Mai related group.

Unfortunately this is just a visa advice group, not a how to get from here to there group :( Sorry about that.

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Aaron ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

No worries! Thank you again!

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Aaron ********

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Tod *********

you could use the "green bus" to get from Chiang Mai to Mae Sai

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

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Tod *********

there is no such thing as a 30 day tourist visa :/

You COULD get a 30 day visa exempt entry at the Mae Sai - Tachiliek border with burma. It costs 500 baht to get stamped in and out of burma so you can get stamped into thailand on a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp.

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Valère *************************

@Scott *********

it was not directed at you personally. Fb tagged you automatically and I did not pay attention to that. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

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Scott **********

@Valère ************************

I understand your comments. I will not say your comments about a mini van service are wrong but there are also disadvantages to the bus as well. I think it is a personal choice. The OP asked about a mini bus service so I pointed that out first but also mentioned the bus service option.

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Tod *********

I totally agree with

(y) The green bus is the way to go.

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Valère *************************

@Scott *********

Minibus or van is very uncomfortable and unsafe compared to the luxury (space) of green bus.

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Scott **********

There is a mini bus service I have used once that can be found at

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

Many people choose the less expensive alternative of the Green bus.

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Tod *********

they went back to 30 day visa exempt entries by land borders back on Dec 31st 2016, but that's also the date they put a limit of TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year.

Seeing as you haven't used any of your visa exempt entries by land you're okay bouncing out and in.

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Aaron ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Good catch, sorry I was being far to succinct there. I appreciate the info. A lot of people have been telling me it is only 15 days so I thought I would ask. Thank you for the info Tod.

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Aaron ********

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