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What are the new visa requirements for crossing the Mae Sai - Tachiliek border?

Mae Sai BorderMyanmar VisaE-Visa Requirements
Mar 18, 2020
5 years ago
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
ATTENTION MEMBERS (Especially ones in the north west)

The land border at Mae Sai - Tachiliek has stopped allowing people to bounce out and back by buying a day pass (500baht/$10USD) and now require a person to hold a valid VISA to Myanmar BEFORE you can stamp out and back at that border.

This is the link to BUY an eVISA for Myanmar.

[members only]/

UNLESS you are from a country that gets visa free entry to Myanmar you CANNOT bounce at Mae Sai -Tachiliek without getting a visa to Myanmar before hand.

Thanx go to Charlie Brennan for this information. He was the FIRST foreigner turned away when they started the policy :O
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The Mae Sai - Tachiliek border crossing now requires travelers to hold a valid visa for Myanmar before crossing; day passes are no longer accepted. An e-Visa can be purchased online, unless the traveler is from a country eligible for visa-free entry. Users have reported mixed experiences at the border, emphasizing the need for advance planning and verification of current entry rules.
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
ATTENTION: Now Myanmar has taken Tachiliek OFF the list of entry points that an Evisa works for entry.

You must BUY a visa from the consulate of Myanmar here BEFORE you try to bounce at that border now..
5 years ago
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Robert *******
And why we close comments, this is one reason, after several comments and replies, nobody has any clue what is what:

So from a border checkpoint to Myanmar, we are now at needed passport pictures for a visa on arrival in Laos. I would say that is really on topic, but yes, you need.
5 years ago
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Eletherios *********
If I obtain this ‘e-visa’ solely to do the bounce, do I need any extra documents such as a medical certificate? Has anyone tried this method yet and been declined? British citizen. Thanks
5 years ago
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Michael ********************
Can you walk across the border at Chiang Khong and turn straight around like we used to do at Mae sai?
5 years ago
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Michael ********************
Also, if you have the Non - O based on Marriage ME visa and you go the immigration office and pay for the 60-day extension can you then do a normal border run after the 60 days.. I
5 years ago
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Michael ********************
Which I can get on arrival at the border right?
5 years ago
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Robert *******
No, but you may need a visa to enter Laos.
5 years ago
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Michael ********************
I mean, do you have to stay any set time in Laos ?
5 years ago
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Robert *******
Normally you need a passport and you need to be liable to get back into Thailand, but you can walk.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
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Myles *******
Is this the Andaman Club border?
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
No it is not; it's the one by Chang Mai.
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
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Chad ********
can anyone confirm that the ONLY thing necessary to get into burma at this time over mae sai boder is burma e-visa and valid passport? there is no need for a health certificate? I am immediately going back to thailand. can you also confirm if there is anything extra to get back into thailand after? health certificate? proof of outgoing flight? proof of insurance or income? thanks!
5 years ago
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Marco *******
somebody did the e visa already? the requestr to upload the health certifiecat online... i did not try yet.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
they are treating the bounces at that border just like they always have, no proof of funds, no onward travel, no nothing so far
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Caroline ******
ทีม ลอเว้อ
5 years ago
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Aaron ********
หล่อเว่อร์หรือ??
5 years ago
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Aaron ********
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Nicholas ********
I feel very grateful for this group. Thank you
@Tod ********
.
5 years ago
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Joanna **********
Filipinos can still do the Mae Sai border bounce without Evisa right?
5 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think not...
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The nearest OTHER open border up there is the Chiang Khlong crossing in Chiang Rai with Lao. Most countries need to buy a visa on arrival to stamp in and out of Lao BUT it's sold right at the border unlike the Mae Sai border with burma where you need to buy a visa to Myanmar before you go to the border.
5 years ago
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Biff *******
Couple of years ago now.
5 years ago
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Jake ********
@Tod ********
 thanks mate, how much is it?
5 years ago
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Jake ********
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Terry **********
I take it the only difference now is that you need to allow more time/planning and get the visa.
5 years ago
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Matt ********
@Jules *******
 fyi mate
5 years ago
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Justin **********
How about the Chiang Khong border to Laos just east of Mae Sai? Is that still an option for those in Chiang Rai? :)
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5 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
At this time Lao did not close the crossings in Chiang Rai.

BUT it has NOTHING to do with Mae Sai being closed wtihout a visa :/
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Lyndon ************
Phu Nam Ron was open for bounces without evisa yesterday, not sure about today. Perhaps someone can confirm.
5 years ago
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Mollie ********
How about the Laos border? Is that still open?
5 years ago
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Ian ***************
The closest land crossing to Laos from Chiang Mai which is open to international travelers is Chiang Khong / Huay Xai. But again you need a Laos visa which can be obtained on arrival for a fee.

But let's be absolutely sure about the Mae Sai / Tachilek thing first.
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
The major Laos borders are still open. The ones that are closed are those that I never heard of.
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
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Lily ******
so, just to confirm, we *can* still do the border run, just need this e-visa thing now? okay. so no need to panic.
5 years ago
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Albert *******
Can confirm definitely can't get in without a visa, thought I'd try since I'm only 5 minutes away. Immigration officer on Thai side was nice, said Myanmar just changed the rules 2 hours ago.
5 years ago
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Bobby ****
@Albert ******
 two people on this thread literally just couldn’t get in.
5 years ago
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Will *********
@Albert ******
 so it would be kinda safe to believe this applies at all Myanmar border crossings?
5 years ago
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Dominika *********
Albert Feher please update us as soon as you know
5 years ago
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Dominika *********
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Jake ********
Fuck, I almost went yesterday but told myself to hold

Off for a few days, whoops.
5 years ago
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Santeri ***********
basically me too.. How about the Mae Sot border?
5 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
yep that was a fail :( sorry about that
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Yeni *******
I’m at Ranong right now on my way to Burma. They said it would be okay, I guess it’s a new thing
5 years ago
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Justine ********************
@Sei ****
 OMG, we have to go soon, praying that it will stay all good.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
and the ranong border IS not the Mae Sai border so I guess you will find out when you get there if it is the water bounces you do down there too
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Terry **********
whoops...
5 years ago
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Aaron ********
I got my visa for them in 6 hours in January. Usually goes through quick. If it’s a “no” you’ll get it even quicker 😂
5 years ago
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Marike **************
The normal turn around time for their evisa is 3 days. Last week we had a mix up re my Thai daughter travelling to Hpa-an with me. Although their website said Thai nationals dont need a visa, turned out that's only true for air travel. Stranded in Mae Sot with my visa sorted but not hers, we WERE able to "pay extra for express e visa". 3500 baht. It took about 5 hours. Not saying that's always possible but if you're stranded it's worth asking discreetly
5 years ago
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Marike **************
Also worth noting that you CAN'T complete the burmese evisa application without the registration number & street address of the Myanmar govt approved guesthouse. You CAN choose one through booking.com without prepayment. Feels mean to the Burmese GH tho who will get all hopeful of eating next week, only to be cancelled.
5 years ago
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Marike **************
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Aaron ********
Kicker is you have to roll the dice to see if you get accepted. That’s a non refundable visa application fee
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
I imagine it's like applying for a visa on arrival to Thailand (when they were issuing it). Yes, the government CAN reject you, but the chances getting rejected are almost 0%; if you get rejected, you'd already know why before you apply.
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
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Bobby ****
I’m not doubting you, but where is the source for this news?
5 years ago
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Terry **********
wow been using that border for the last 5 yrs constantly..even seen tour groups of all nationalities with the agents and tour officials with wads of $$ and passports for day trips and if that has stopped they must be serious..
5 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby Bo, I deleted
@Cha****
's first post until I messaged him and he said he was standing at the Mae Sai - Tachiliek Crossing RIGHT NOW :O
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
From Tod Daniels post (above):

Thanx go to Charlie Brennan for this information. He was the FIRST foreigner turned away when they started the policy
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
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Bram ***************
Hope they don't start this at Pu Nam Ron.
5 years ago
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Jane **********
I go tomorrow.... We will see what happens
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
I hope not either, but my stamp isn't expired until May 18.
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
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Ninnete *********
Thank you for update
5 years ago
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Brett *********
Thanks for the update Tod
5 years ago
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Bobby ****
What???? $50?! What the heck.
5 years ago
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Bobby ****
All good my man
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
Their country, their rules :(
5 years ago
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Benjamin ******
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Darren ********
So basically
@Cha****
 was just the first person they didn't like 🤣

Damn Chazz you are a pioneer!
5 years ago
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Charlie *********
@Darren *******
 not laughing but yeah
5 years ago
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Charlie *********
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Caleb *****
What countries get visa free entry to Myanmar?
5 years ago
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Roland *******
You can find the list of countries that either get visa free entry or are eligible for an eVisa here:

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5 years ago
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Roland *******
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Jamie ***********
I JUST crossed there. They mentioned the e-visa but stamped me anyway.
5 years ago
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Matthew **********
I got there at 11:25. Part of the first group to get turned away.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
just as in how long ago? You must have squeaked thru :O
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Chris ******
Can I share this in relevant groups?
5 years ago
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Chris ******
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