Answered9 years ago

Is it safe to do a Mae Sai border run given recent flooding concerns?

Mae Sai border run visa runs border crossing flooding issues immigration Thailand visa

Duncan *******

asked Aug 18, 2017

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This may be of interest to anyone doing a Mae Sai border run in the next few days - given the locations of the two markets on either side of the border this would presumably make crossing the border difficult as well.

Answer summary

Recent discussions highlight concerns regarding flooding affecting the markets on either side of the Mae Sai border crossing. While some commenters believe the flooding does not impact the actual border facilities, others express caution about the situation and share personal experiences with border runs, mentioning potential difficulties and fees at immigration offices.

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Malcolm *******

Is it still possible to do border runs the last time I did one they refused I have to go to the immigration office and pay 1.900 baht

9 years ago

Ivan ************

Like Mark says, the market is at substantially lower elevation than the actual border crossing and border bridge. I have been there more than once when the market has been completely under water, it doesn't come anywhere near the bridge or the actual border facilities. It would need to be well above the second storey in the market to cause any issues with crossing the actual border. This is from four years ago, for example:

9 years ago

Gene ********

New concept: border diving

9 years ago

Mark *******

Picture appears to have been taken from the bridge which is a lot higher than the markets. The Markets are a walk down from the main road so, I suspect the immigration offices are unaffected. Can anypne who went over the past 24 hours report?

9 years ago

Ivan ************

Duncan the water doesn't come anywhere near the actual border, I have been there when both the Myanmar and Thai side have been completely underwater but the actual border is a full storey above the markets either side, the water would have to be at the second storey at the markets for it to be covering the border.

It doesn't cover the approach to the border either, I cycled there from Chiang Rai and am actually particularly sensitive to not getting water into my hubs or bottom bracket (having ruined them before cycling through floodwater in Nepal).

9 years ago

Duncan *******

@mark Im not sure which markets you are referring to but there are markets either side of the bridge - heading north left hand side on thai side, right hand side on the Tachilek side. I know the Thai one dips down to the left on the road up to the friendship bridge in part - question is - is there water either side of the bridge itself and more importantly can the border songteaw from the bus station float if there is :)

9 years ago