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Can you use the Mae Sai border for visa-exempt entries, and is 20k baht required?
Mae Sai borderThailand visa rulesvisa exemptionmulti-entry visaborder bounce30-day visa exemptThai immigration policyVisa requirements for Thailand
Sep 6, 2017
9 years ago
Selina *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi all! Saw some mixed things and was hoping to get clarification - can you only use the Mae Sai border if you have a multi entry visa? You can't use it as one of your two by land visa exempts? If you can do that, do you need to show 20k baht on hand ?
TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, you can use the Mae Sai border for visa-exempt entries, allowing for up to two border-bounce entries per year, as long as you haven't reached the limit of two visa-exempt land entries. You can also activate another entry on a multi-entry visa at this border. There's no requirement to show 20,000 baht upon entering the Mae Sai border, but you may need to pay a small fee (e.g., $10 or 500 baht) to Myanmar immigration. The border has become more accessible for these entries since the rule changes implemented in late 2016.
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Nèwēy *******
What time does this border close? And can I get a return taxi from the airport?
Nèwēy *******
Yes
Mark *******
Which Airport? Chiang Rai?
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Mark *******
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Nèwēy *******
I was hearing conflicting reports too. Glad to know we can do 30 day bounce. I might go on Friday 👍
Ivan ************
VIP is really worth it, very comfortable only 80B more
Mark *******
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Mark *******
Price varies depending on whether it's VIP but, about 300 baht each way.
Selina *******
ORIGINAL POSTERGood to know! Do you happen to know how much it is?
Mark *******
Green bus is easy and comfortable. You can buy tickets online and pay for them at 7-11. I typically take the 8 am bus there and the 2:30 bus back. There's a 15 baht song theaw that takes you from the Mae Sai bus station to the border...easy easy.
Charlotte *******
Green bus (VIP) is super easy.
Selina *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you
@Char*****
!Selina *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ma**
I'll be driving up with another person. How is going via the green bus?Charlotte *******
@Selina ******
I'm going Tuesday! (3rd time on METV). It's dead easy.Mark *******
I am probably doing a bounce there on Monday. How are you going Selina? I usually do the green bus VIP.
Selina *******
ORIGINAL POSTERNice! Going next Thursday
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Selina *******
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Tod *********
since they went back to giving 30 day visa exempt stamps on Dec 31st 2016, the Mae Sai - Tachiliek border re-opened for 30 day visa exempt entries. There's NO problem going there on a border-bounce to get either a 30 day visa exempt entry (as long as you haven't done two land entries already visa exempt) or to activate another entry on a multi-entry visa.
Selina *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you!
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Selina *******
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Amornrat **********
From my understanding you can use only Mae Sai for OUT/IN on multiple entry Thai visa. The only border that makes it difficult is Aran/POI Pet at Thai-Cambodian border.
Ivan ************
I did two visa-exempt out-in entries at Mae Sai (back to back) this year. I know they stopped it a few years ago, and there is even a sign on the immigration booth leaving Thailand saying "no more visa runs" but they started allowing it again I think at the start of the year when the 2 max rule came in.
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Ivan ************
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Ivan ************
Like
@Ma**
says. I have done two visa-exempt "bounces" there this year, most recently a little over a month ago (extended). On my return on the second they gave me a piece of paper explaining the "two maximum" policy. 20k baht was not required.Selina *******
ORIGINAL POSTERGreat! Thanks for the info!
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Selina *******
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Mark *******
Used to be only multi-entry but it has since changed and you can do a border bounce there to get 30 day exempt entry (limit 2 per year by land crossing).
I have not heard of anyone having to show 20k baht upon entering at that border.
You will need $10 US or 500 baht for the Myanmar immigration officials to stamp you in/out.
I have not heard of anyone having to show 20k baht upon entering at that border.
You will need $10 US or 500 baht for the Myanmar immigration officials to stamp you in/out.
Selina *******
ORIGINAL POSTEROkay, great. Thank you!
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Selina *******
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