Answered4 years ago
Is it possible to cross the border at Measai into Myanmar with a single entry visa and what are the requirements?
I’m planning to cross the border in Measai.
I’ve got a single entry in my passport unused.
Is it possible and if so what are the requirements?
Planning to stay a week.
I’ve got a single entry in my passport unused.
Is it possible and if so what are the requirements?
Planning to stay a week.
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around crossing the border at Measai into Myanmar with an unused single entry visa. Various comments highlight the recent changes in immigration rules, as well as specific requirements such as proof of vaccination or a COVID-19 negative test, which can be obtained from a nearby hospital. Additional costs for a Burmese permit and necessary passes are mentioned, indicating a complex process to enter Myanmar. It is also suggested that staying in Tachilek may be limited to day trips unless further permits are acquired.
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Mai ********
OPOkay,update:
For going to Tachilek, Myanmar.
At the border ( Mea Sai) they warned me that at Birmese side they require proof of vaccines or negative test.
Because I didn’t have that and I’m not vaccinated they said to go to the hospital.
So I went ,it’s 1.9 km from the border on the right side.
Kasemrad hospital .
The test costed 250 Baht and took one hour.
A test done outside,a nurse in a cabin who sticks her hand through a long kind of plastic glove and squeezes a stick into your nose.
Then I went back to immigration.
They needed 1 copy and the Birmese side also needed one.
So I had to get out again and directly right of the immigration is a copy shop.
2 copies : 6 Baht.
Back to immigration they stamped my passport and let me go.
Crossed the bridge and was awaited by 2 nurses and 3 guys who needed my proof of vaccines or the negative test at some testing area.
So they took one copy.
Next they stopped me and asked how long I was going to stay.
I said one week and they showed me in a small office where they took my passport and printed a Burmese permit of stay.
They also took a picture which ended up in that Birmese “ pasport”.
It costed 500 Baht.
Then I went out and a bit further I had to show my Birmese “ pasport”..
It was a bit messy and they took my suitcase through some kind of x ray portal,like they have in airports.
They asked me to open my suitcase and looked a bit in it,and was free to go.
The last part there were police in front of their office who wanted to see my “passport “….
again!
I gave my Burmese one,and they asked for my real one.
To my big shock I couldn’t find it.
They must have kept it in the office,i said.
Oh yeah,no problem.
Pfffft.
Then in the end ,I was in Myanmar.
Took like half an hour from Thai to Birma maximum.
Mingelaba!
For going to Tachilek, Myanmar.
At the border ( Mea Sai) they warned me that at Birmese side they require proof of vaccines or negative test.
Because I didn’t have that and I’m not vaccinated they said to go to the hospital.
So I went ,it’s 1.9 km from the border on the right side.
Kasemrad hospital .
The test costed 250 Baht and took one hour.
A test done outside,a nurse in a cabin who sticks her hand through a long kind of plastic glove and squeezes a stick into your nose.
Then I went back to immigration.
They needed 1 copy and the Birmese side also needed one.
So I had to get out again and directly right of the immigration is a copy shop.
2 copies : 6 Baht.
Back to immigration they stamped my passport and let me go.
Crossed the bridge and was awaited by 2 nurses and 3 guys who needed my proof of vaccines or the negative test at some testing area.
So they took one copy.
Next they stopped me and asked how long I was going to stay.
I said one week and they showed me in a small office where they took my passport and printed a Burmese permit of stay.
They also took a picture which ended up in that Birmese “ pasport”.
It costed 500 Baht.
Then I went out and a bit further I had to show my Birmese “ pasport”..
It was a bit messy and they took my suitcase through some kind of x ray portal,like they have in airports.
They asked me to open my suitcase and looked a bit in it,and was free to go.
The last part there were police in front of their office who wanted to see my “passport “….
again!
I gave my Burmese one,and they asked for my real one.
To my big shock I couldn’t find it.
They must have kept it in the office,i said.
Oh yeah,no problem.
Pfffft.
Then in the end ,I was in Myanmar.
Took like half an hour from Thai to Birma maximum.
Mingelaba!
Paul *******
For the Covid test, I think a spit test using your own antigen test, remotely supervised, would have been an option too
Paul *******
@Mai *******
Fantastic write up! You've now confirmed it's possible to spend a week (possibly 2) in Tachilek on a border pass. Do you know whether transit to Chiang Tung (Kengtung) is allowed? Just the other day I read that Thais are allowed to travel to Kengtung. Presumably foreigners too, but not confirmed so far.Mai ********
OP@Paul ******
it’s possible,you need to get a permit again to go to Kiangtung on Tachilek.I’ll inform and be back on that if I know more .
Paul *******
@Mai *******
Great! That's what I thought and I understand a guide is needed for travel to kengtung too, but as long as they let us go there, it's all good!Mai ********
OP@Paul ******
Birmese visa is for 2 weeks!Paul *******
You only receive this brown border pass at the Tachilek border and only if you don't have a Burmese visa in your passport.
Giorgio ******
@Mai *******
for once it's clear .and yes we've known for 3 years how they make the covid test , surprising some people are still astonished to discover the technik , wonder where they've been living for the past 3 years . and it is nothing new for the burmese immigration to keep your home passport at their border . it's been like this for over 20 years in Tachilek . they usually give it back when you exit their beloved country . in exchange of your passport they give you what is internationaly known under the french word :" laisser passer" . which you'll find in dictionaries of different languages including english
Paul *******
Thais are now permitted to visit Kengtung again according to several sources. No word on whether this also applies to third country foreigners. Thais need to hire guides at the border, reportedly this costs 1000 Baht a day.
Kool *******
Once you cross there, you can not go overland to anywhere else in Myanmar except in very expensive situations booked through the government tour agency, Myanmar Travel and Tours. You will get bored very fast if you plan on staying there a week, as it is designed for day trips.
Mai ********
OP@Kool ******
I’ve been there many times,traveling all around Shan state .I’ve got family living there so I won’t get bored .
Once you get a Birmese temporarily passport you can travel only in Shan state.
Giorgio ******
@Mai *******
there used to bea cool guy at immigration in Tachilek . from indian descent , he looked like an eagle , long sharp nose , and the sharpest eyes you've seen !! if he is still there , he might be nice enough to get you a " laisser passer " . free of any charge . you might want to try ...good luck !!
Tom *********
Do yourself a favour an go to Vientiane instead ! "I’ve got a single entry in my passport unused." Yes, if it's within the validity timeframe you can use it.
Paul *******
@Tom ********
the biggest drawbacks to Burmese travel at the moment are the lack of safety and security, the restrictions on where you can go and stay, the lack of functioning ATMs, poor to non-existent medical facilities, travel insurance being invalidated due to government travel warnings (the Australian government warns against visiting Myanmar altogether, while the US embassy recommends avoiding all of Myanmar except Yangon).Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
err...actually I DO care about the bureaucracy and restrictions, so do most other foreign travelers, which is why hardly anyone is visiting Myanmar at the moment. Of course, the violence, fighting, chance of stepping on a landmine or getting blown up by a bomb (there were several explosions in Tachilek last Monday, not far from the bridge) are also serious considerations, which explain the lack of tourists and business travelers in Myanmar at present.Paul *******
@Tom ********
I've never had a Burmese official try to steal my money and I must have been to Myanmar (or Burma) over 50 times, mostly by land (and I'm talking a combination of day trips and using Burmese visas).Paul *******
@Tom ********
don't believe everything you read in the media. The Burmese are wonderful people. I don't care for their bureaucracy and restrictions on travel and freedom though, but I can understand it in light of the complex political situation, fighting and violence. They don't want foreigners getting caught up in a skirmish or blown up by a mine or something like that.
It does irk me though that they seem overly conservative and don't easily allow overland access like they did pre Covid and why they think it's safe to allow Thais into some areas but not other foreigners.
Perhaps they believe that westerners could be spies, don't believe that Thais could be working for western spy agencies or just generally bad relations between Myanmar and the west.
Tom *********
@Paul ******
"The Burmese are wonderful people. " I did not say a single word about "The Burmese" in general..., was talking about the Burmese scumbags in uniform only too eager to steal your money... Big difference!Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
you don't care if the bureaucracy ( what a word to name what is overthere ) .when you'll know many peoplewho got killed including members of your family ,you might tzlk an other policaly correctness .and yes MAE SAI , and it's area on both sides is a great place to discover . you can spend ,weeks there ,not getting bored ...it is one of richest , .area in Thailand ,culturally and diversity talking . .....
tourists don't know about this . let them go to the beaches , when they have the same in their own country,will it be Florida or Côte d'Azur 5555555555t5t
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t5tPaul *******
@Giorgio *****
they're border towns. I've been grilled for correctly pointing out that Poipet isn't in Thailand just because some posters are too dumb to figure out that Aranyaprathet, which is often shortened to "Aran" is the name of the border crossing on the Thai side.Paul *******
@Mai *******
I'd go to Tachilek just for the adventure factor. It's not a place a lot of westerners go to (especially not now) so if the intention is to go somewhere different that not many people visit then why not. Of course in your case you have family there so I can assume your wife is a Burmese citizen?Mai ********
OP@Paul ******
yepMai ********
OP@Tom ********
I have family living in Tachilek,that’s why.Tom *********
@Mai *******
I see. As others have pointed out: lot of uncertainties, corrupt Burmese cunts eager to steal your money, besides supporting a government that brutally oppresses it's citizens... are the drawbacks.Mai ********
OP@Giorgio *****
I see now. Correct,I meant TachilekGiorgio ******
@Marc ******
read it over and over ... I asked you " stay a week where"?
and your answer was really clear ,,,,yess
.... you answered Maesai ...tell me if I'm wrong 🤣
Marc *******
@Giorgio *****
For me his question is very clear. Just read it!Mai ********
OP@Giorgio *****
question is clear,I’m just posting some pics from Myanmar.nobody’s exposed.They chose to be pictured.
Giorgio ******
@Mai *******
in the same village as your family ! you either say too much or not enough to clear up the situation .
how do you wish to get a clear answer from people who might want to help , but don't quite understand what you're asking .
you say you have family there and you illustrate this saying with the picture of a PADAUNG lady ....., to any body with some sense it means she is your family .
bit no !!!, she just lives in your family's village ! it is understandable to any intelligent person you don't want to expose a member of your family BUT then how do you dare to expose a PADAUNG neighbour ..????????
Mai ********
OP@Giorgio *****
no,but these live in the same villageGiorgio ******
@Mai *******
your family is Padaung ???Brandon ************
No one can answer you. Unlikely that many, if any, have done it. It just reopened on a trial basis and has very high requirements. You'll also need to purchase a pass from Thailand from the district office as well as a pass from Myanmar (I heard it's $50) on top of the visa costs. You'll need a printout of proof of vaccination as well since they won't accept a digital copy.
Mai ********
OP@Brandon ***********
thanks,this is what I found,hopefully it will be back to normal soon.Tons of people crossing already,but no news from 1 foreigner yet…
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84/mae-sai-tachilek-bridge-reopensBrandon ************
@Mai *******
they said the trial period will be at least a monthGiorgio ******
stay a week ?? where ???
Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
you are just repeting exactly what I said . I just remind you , this topic started from a guy wandering if he could stay a week in MAE SAI . He never named TACHILEK . that's why I said previously it is innacurate ,and evrntually offensive . to mix the two different places .I don't see why you have to remind me what I said before .
I traveled the world long enough , to never mix two sides of a border
Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
no one knows how long you're allowed to remain in Tachilek now. Almost no farang coming on a border run would spend the night there even before Covid/the coup and thus better times. Myanmar immigration had allowed stays of up to 2 weeks in town, up until March 2020. Whether they're only allowing day visits or longer ones up to 2 weeks now, is not yet known.Mai ********
OP@Paul ******
Mai Morris I crossed the border in Mae Sai today and managed to enter Myanmar and back to thailand without issuesThink was yesterday!
Mai ********
OP@Paul ******
this was another person,I’m gonna go tomorrow,keep you posted.Paul *******
@Mai *******
How long did you spend in Tachilek? So you were permitted to roam around the city? Are they issuing 2 week passes?Giorgio ******
@Mai *******
precise as usual !! what date was that ??? what date was yesterday ??Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
it's pretty simple. Use the proper name for the place you're describing. If someone referred to San Diego as Tijuana that would be pretty offensive not to mention grossly inaccurate.Mai ********
OP@Paul ******
the post was quiet clear ,want to cross the border ,to stay one week.Obviously in Myanmar.
Giorgio ******
@Mai *******
it was so clear that's why you answered Mae Sai when I asked . 🤣🤣🤣 and that's why later you said
" sorry I meant Tachilek" .and now you pretend it was clear . I can see the Thai spirit highly got into your brain ..
good for you 🤣😍stay that way .. 🤣🤣🤣 ofcourse you think you'll go bye , by deleting the post where your answer was clearly written "MAE SAI"
Scot *******
Offensive to who, and why?
Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
same thing happens all the time on this group when people call Aranyaprathet "Poipet". Sorry, one is on the Thai side, the other is on the Cambodian side. If someone says they're coming through Poipet I'm going to assume their comment or enquiry relates to the Cambodian side.Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
okie . I try to understand this logic . what you mean is like when I say Chiang Kong , , I actually mean Huay Xai.. very easy if we say we meet in chiang kong at 12!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣 :if I am in the U S , so when I mention SAN DIEGO , I actually mean TIJUANA . when I am in Washington state , I actually mean British Columbia ?🤔🤔🤔😒🤔??????sorry I come from a country where when we say NO it doesn't mean YES ...
I am now aware that for some people this logic doesn't work. 🤣🤣🤣😍😍
Paul *******
@Mai *******
I'm told that access to Kengtung will be permitted effective late March and in May, a Thai overlanding tour company will be running a tour to Kengtung, meaning they're confident access will be permitted by then.How long are they allowing tourists to remain in Tachilek now? I hear you can also drive a vehicle across like was the case before Covid, but only around town for now.
Mai ********
OP@Giorgio *****
I see sorry,I meant TachilekGiorgio ******
@Mai *******
Who could guess you mean Tachilek when you write MAE SAI ??? Then no wonder it all gets messed up !!!! writen words have a meaning
... anyway I don't see any clear answer to your " question" except in the crystal ball that nobidy can read.
next time write the exact question this way you'll get only 2 answers : one YES and one NO , as usual , because everybody wants to talk even when , and specufikly when they don't know the beginning of the beginning of the answer 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😍😍😍😍
Mai ********
OPIt is busy
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Mai ********
OP@Giorgio *****
in measai,sorry,TachilekGiorgio ******
@Mai *******
a week in Mae Sai is a good idea !!! there is a lot to do and discover in Mae Sai and around .!!! but people don't know , so nobody does it !! don't tell them .one thing though not much animation at night . and limited choice of restaurants .
I ❤ Mae Sai !
Giorgio ******
@Mai *******
right now every body knows that .Mai ********
OP@Giorgio *****
I’m planning to stay in Tachilek one week,I know it’s impossible to go to Mung La or even KiangtungGiorgio ******
@Brandon ***********
Mae Sai has always be on the thai side .. on the other side of the bridge there is a city which name is TZCHILEK ,where I doubt he could stay a week 🤣🤣🤣🤣 . nowadays.as the question wasn't precise at first , answers can't be clear either . is the guy clear about what he is asking 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
Giorgio ******
@Mai *******
which city are you talking about . it's getting confused . Mae Sai is in Thailand ! you can stay as long as you want ....
On the other side of the border , it is Tachilek . where they won't let you stay for a week . no a chance to reach Mongla nowadays !!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Brandon ************
@Giorgio *****
as long as it's on the Thai side then fineGiorgio ******
@Brandon ***********
he talks about a week in MAE SAIMai ********
OP@Giorgio *****
it’s been closed,all the way to Mung-La ,getting a bit better but probably impossible to leave the city,but that’s ok!Brandon ************
@Mai *******
that won't be possible. There's still a civil war. The Mae Sot border they only let a foreigner walk as far as the border station to get their stamp and leave. There were rumors of a possible day pass at some borders. But not a chance you'll get a week in Myanmar.Giorgio ******
h
if you're into a Shan trip , can't miss HIN-TAEK / TOED THAI !!!
@Mai *******
q not sure that's the major criteria !🤣🤣 . but one can consider that .if you're into a Shan trip , can't miss HIN-TAEK / TOED THAI !!!
Mai ********
OP@Giorgio *****
yep,whole Shan area is amazing.Activity
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