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What is the current situation with border crossings between Thailand and Myanmar?

ThailandMyanmarborder crossingvisaimmigrationMae SaiTachilekMae SotMyawaddyLao bordersCambodian bordersexpat travel advice
Jul 2, 2023
a year ago
Jeffrey **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anyone know anything about this ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent discussions among expats indicate that the Mae Sai/Tachilek border with Myanmar is currently closed for a week due to safety concerns, prompting travelers to consider alternatives like crossing into Laos. The Cambodian borders remain open but travelers are advised to proceed with caution when bouncing back to Thailand. Additionally, the Mae Sot/Myawaddy border is also closed. A traveler noted the instability in Myanmar and considered Laos a safer option. There are ongoing debates about the reopening of these borders, with some expressing doubt about their accessibility in the near future.
Paul *******
Don't expect this border crossing to reopen to foreigners anytime soon. The government has banned foreigners from flying domestic roures to/from Tachilek already since over a month now. I expect this border to remain closed to foreigners for months, possibly years.
a year ago
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Jon **********
Inconvenient that civil war is getting in the way of privileged people on permanent vacation.
a year ago
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Arthur ********
@Jon *********
 gormless comment.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Jon *********
Yeah fair enough and good points you've raised.
a year ago
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Tore *********
@Jon *********
 such a useful comment…..
a year ago
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Jon **********
@Tore *****************
 pretty good for a Sunday
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Jon *********
Dumb comment. Fact is, the Burmese need to sort their sh** out. 70 years of civil war and they still haven't achieved anything. Maybe if they embraced the same values as Thailand and Laos things would be better there.

Anyway, no westerner wants to go to Myanmar anyway. The lack of safety has scared off all but the most adventurous souls. Power cuts, ATM outages, periodic bombings/skirmishes, travel bans, dual pricing and a myriad of other issues ensures no one wants to go there, even if they could.
a year ago
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Jon **********
@Paul ******
 its a narco state, the main reason for keeping the war going is to cover the huge profits from drugs. No world problems were solved by drainbows living on KP
a year ago
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Jon **********
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Brian ***********
Interesting . Glad I went last week. I felt Myanmar was unstable . Was ready to go to Laos if needed.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Brian **********
Every official wore masks at Mae Sai-Tachilek when I was there recently. Not so at the Lao border (both sides).

Much easier at the Golden Triangle crossing.

Way too many touts at Mae Sai.
a year ago
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Paul *******
*none or at least few of them are. Can't seem to edit my comment.
a year ago
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Brian ***********
@Paul ******
 what is the cost of a Laos one day Visa ? And s boat ride ?

Mae Sai , $10 U.S. in and out .. and they broke a $50 for me.

Tachilek, no masks and always polite.

Golden triangle , I've been hussled on the boat ride , and really didn't enjoy the whole experience .
a year ago
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Brian ***********
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Paul *******
@Brian **********
Yeah with Laos so incredibly close (the Golden Triangle immigration checkpoint is just 33km away) I don't understand farang runners obsession with Mae Sai. Is it the border market? One can easily catch a boat to the Lao Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone and back and do it all within 30-45 minutes. Moreover, the Mekong River is more picturesque than the scruffy border town of Tachilek and that border crossing is far better organized.

Another interesting curiosity is how all Thai officials (and I understand most if not all Burmese ones too) are masked up at the Mae Sai crossing, but at the Golden Triangle (Sob Ruak, Chiang Saen) none, or at least of them are.

It makes Mae Sai feel like it's in a state of crisis, whereas the Golden Triangle is relaxed and largely back to normal.
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Brian **********
 was planning a Mae Sai / Techalek trip to Duty Free shop this week.

guess not !
a year ago
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Steve **********
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Henrik ****
The full annoncement from Tod Daniel in Thai Visa Advice:

The Lao borders are open like normal

The Cambodian borders are open like normal BUT we suggest you do NOT bounce out and back on your own (do so at your own risk)

This is the update on Burma;

The Mae Sai / Tachileik border with Burma in Chiang Rai is closed (they said for a week).

The Mae Sot / Myawaddy border with Burma in Tak is closed as well.

If you want to border bounce you can use the two borders with Lao in Chiang Rai province; Chiang Saen / Special Economic Zone <- where you cross in and out of Lao by boat across the Mekong or the Chiang Khong / Huay Xai border <- where you cross by bridge.

Also the Phu Nam Ron / Htee Khee border with Burma in Kanachanaburi is still not open for foreigners to exit/re-enter.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Henrik ***
Why would the Mae Sai border only be closed for a week? I asked them and they said they don't know. My feeling is it won't reopen to foreigners for months if not longer.
a year ago
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Samuel *********
@Henrik ***
 what is the problem about Cambodian border bounce?
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@Samuel ********
, that they might not let you back into Thailand...
a year ago
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Samuel *********
@Henrik ***
 thank you!

Only by land, right?

If you fly to Cambodia and come back with a single entry visa (2+1), you shouldn’t have any problem?
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@Samuel ********
, yes, it is the border stations to Cambodia being the problem on the Thai side.
a year ago
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Henrik ****
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Vernon *********
@Henrik ***
You forgot to mention Ranong border.
a year ago
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Henrik ****
@Vernon ********
, true: "At this time he only Burma border open is the Ranong / Kawthaung. "
a year ago
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Henrik ****
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Steve *******
I’d guess army activity that they’d rather no one was around to film.

Seems they’ve not heard of mobile phones…..
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Steve ******
Only like 5 westerners have been to Tachilek this year anyway. It's the Chinese who've been visiting in their hundreds or more but are currently barred from crossing over too.
a year ago
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Paul *******
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Richard ********
Because its not safe on the myanmar side?
a year ago
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Roberto *********
Yes reported by Tod Daniels in Visa Advice group yesterday
a year ago
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Bob **********
They say for 1 week
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Bob *********
Probably much longer. I doubt it will reopen within this year.
a year ago
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Paul *******
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