Is the border crossing at Ranong open for a border bounce near Hua Hin, and what is the status of Kanchanaburi?

@Giorgio *****

I know a lot more than you do. It's virtually certain that only a border bounce will be permitted once this border reopens. It's too dangerous to go further and the Burmese government won't allow it.

@Paul ******

meanng you don't know

@Nathan ********

I see. Would be good to know. Did you see any evidence of foreign nationals going there with suitcases or bags suggesting they would spend the night?

@Stuart ********

No proof of covid jab needed for Savannakhet or Vientiane border run, right?

@Stuart ********

I just did this.

It cost me 1900 baht on the Thai side plus $10 plus 200 baht tip

@Stuart ********

At the Burmese borders there's a dual system. Visa or border pass, which allows you only limited travel from the border. I understand visas are not yet recognized for entry and exit at land borders in the post Covid period, mainly due to political reasons.

At Mae Sai, you can cross over and spend up to 2 weeks in Tachilek and/or Kengtung, but you have to apply for the on arrival border pass, not use a visa. Before Covid you had a choice and if you had a visa you could also continue your journey to other parts of Myanmar by flying from Tachilek or Kengtung to the interior and leaving the country at any international border.

My hunch is if Kawthoung does allow overnight stays like in the past, it's probably on a border pass only, with restrictions on how far you can go out of town (which is not very far). In any case, you're coming for the islands and there are several that can be visited using a border pass.

@Stuart ********

OK. Thanks for letting me know anyway. Would be good if someone that's been there or simply knows the rules could give us a heads up. If I do go to Kawthoung, it won't be for a border bounce, but I want to actually spend some time touring the area.

Stuart CummingOpen just for border bounces or can you spend the night in Kawthoung or one of the nearby islands? This border reopened for Thais back in November but when I enquired back in December whether 3rd country foreign nationals would be allowed to catch a boat to Bruer or Nyaung Oo Phee Island near Kawthoung, I was told these trips were currently available only for Thai nationals. Perhaps this has since changed? Do you know?