Mae Sot-Myawaddy border crossing: Confirmed that non-Thai foreign nationals can't cross at present. Was told by one of the Burmese nationals who works for Thai immigration that the Burmese side stopped allowing us across roughly on or shortly after April 7, when major skirmishes close to Myawaddy caused thousands of locals to briefly flee across to the Thai side.

Strangely, the two Thai customs officials i initally spoke with didn't know this and directed me first to the office where Thai immigration works on the outbound side but because both officials were busy stamping border passes, they finally led me to the inbound side where i was able to receive confirmation from said Burmese immigration helper.

Was also told that contrary to what I had previously thought- foreigners were in fact allowed to spend the day in Myawaddy township just like Thais, as long as they returned back to the bridge to pick up their passports before 6pm Myanmar time. So it wasn't true that you were forced to turn around immediately and couldn't enter town.

This confirms what my Burmese colleague told me when he contacted an official there, who said foreigers are welcome to travel around Myawaddy, just can't leave town and must return to Thailand the same day. Obviously said official wasn't made aware that Myanmar immigration quietly decided to ban us altogether a few weeks ago.

Otherwise, why wouldn't Burmese immigration allow that system now? They could make money off of us by charging for the stamp and send us straight back. So clearly right now they feel it's too dangerous to allow us across even just to their side of the bridge.

Strangely, they don't believe it's too dangerous for Thais to come across for the day. On the other hand, obviously Thais have a need to load/offload goods and conduct trade related activities, which doesn't apply to third country nationals.

Hoping that the bridge will reopen to us foreigners soon, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

For the people that were asking about the Ranong - Kawthaung (Myanmar) border run, here’s my experience of today:

Arrived at the pier by car, were driving around slowly looking for a sign to confirm we were in the correct location and a parking spot. A guy knocked on my window, asked if we were going to Burma and we agreed then and there to go on his boat (THB500 return trip per person), he helped us park, make copies of our passports and guided us to immigration.

Stamped out, got on the boat, it stops at 2 additional checkpoints on the Thai side and one on the Myanmar side. Docked in front of immigration, had to pay US$10 plus THB100 (the $ has to be new and unfolded). We decided we wanted to have a look around town so immigration kept our passports (“pick them up on your way out”) and agreed an additional THB500 with the boat guy for his time waiting for us.

Walked around a bit, bought some refreshments using THB, no problem. After an hour went back, got our passports, went back by boat (stopping again at 2 out of 3 checkpoints).

Upon arrival in Ranong, you have to ‘buy’ a TM6 (arrival) card for THB100, fill it in and hand your passport to immigration. Got stamped in no questions asked (despite a gazillion stamps, (covid) extensions, etc) and off we went.

On the Myanmar side I asked some questions about staying/going further into the country, this is what they told me:

You can stay for up to 2 weeks, but are limited to a 20km radius from the immigration office.

You CAN go further into Myanmar, including the Mergui archipelago but only with a visa. At the moment there is no diving, only snorkeling possible. There is fighting ongoing about 60km from Kawthaung, so caution is required.

He also said a liveaboard boat has illegally entered the Mergui archipelago and was apprehended by the navy and is now chained there with 19 ppl on board.

Any questions, let me know!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼