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myawaddy mae sot burma thailand border
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For the last article on this 2014 stay in Burma, I will detail the return trip to Thailand via the land border of Myawaddy-Mae Sot. Border opened only since 2013 following the stabilization of the region.

A bridge actually connects Burma to Thailand, the two countries being separated at this point by a small river.

Important note:

The road from Hpa An to Myawaddy goes through the mountains, the road is narrow and in poor condition, and due to heavy traffic, it is only open in one direction or the other depending on the day of the week and month.

Here is the direction of traffic in the year 2015 direction Hpa An to Myawaddy (to be checked on site anyway, on the Lonely Planet guide, they indicate that departures normally take place on odd days):

  • January / April / May / August / November / December: even day of the month
  • February / March / June / July / September / October: odd day of the month

[EDIT August 2015: I recently learned that the road has now been resurfaced, therefore the system of going or returning depending on the date no longer applies because the new road allows traffic in both directions!]

Taxi between Hpa An and Myawaddy

As a reminder, it was December 2014, so the trip to Myawaddy had to be on an odd day. We had therefore booked our tickets 2 days earlier accordingly and were leaving on December 13th.

These books are collective taxi which takes you to the border for 8 kyats per person. At first we thought we would be alone and finally 2 Burmese joined us from here at the start, which in our case was at 8am.

As we had to be ready before, we got up early to have breakfast, because we didn't know if we would be able to eat again. In doing so we witnessed a beautiful sunrise (after all it's not so often), a nice goodbye before our next visit to Burma.

sunrise hpa in burma

Hello sun!

sunrise morning hpa an burma

taxi hpa an mae sot burma thailand

Here we are at our taxi.

We're off for a 5 hour drive. The journey was particularly long on the first part. The road was quite bumpy and above all our travelling companions were very talkative, speaking quite loudly, without stopping... We stopped several times during the journey, including once for quite a long time in a village in the middle of nowhere (I think it was Kawkareik, just before the mountains) in order to load things and drop someone off.

Please note:

  • There is information circulating that a new road, called Asean Highway, is supposed to be ready by early 2015. This road is supposed to improve trade relations between Thailand and Burma, and in general, to participate in the economic development of the countries included in Asean, a sort of Asian Europe (see list of countries included below). According to our observations, from December 2014, I have little hope that this new road will be finished soon. We had indeed been able to see work but nothing very advanced or major construction sites.See the update above, I was wrong and the road was well and truly operational a few months later… I leave the article as is as a “testimony” of this past “adventure”]

ASEAN-member-countries

Then the mountains appeared in the distance, then we began the climb. The road, until then tarmacked (even if in poor condition) becomes really bad with for the most part, just stones and dust.

Only motorbikes travel in both directions. The journey through the mountains takes just over an hour, the time to go up, cross and come back down on the other side.

taxi hpa an myawaddy burma

The flag of Burma is next to that of Karen State.


taxi hpa an myawaddy burma

During our stop in a village.


taxi hpa an myawaddy burma

Pebbles and signs of future expansion.


taxi hpa an myawaddy burma

Approaching the mountains.


hpa journey to myawaddy burma

During the climb.


hpa journey to myawaddy burma

During the crossing.

The next stop is for … washing the taxi. And obviously, it's the same ritual for everyone, practically at the foot of the mountain on the other side and more than a few dozen kilometers from Myawaddy, we see a whole bunch of cars parked on the side taking a wash, while the occupants wait patiently, sometimes nibbling or sipping something from the eateries offering something to refresh their bellies.

hpa journey to myawaddy burma

hpa journey to myawaddy burma

Border crossing between Burma and Thailand (Myawaddy – Mae Sot)

The transition is done in several stages as follows:

  1. Arrived by taxi near the border, you are dropped off. There, they will offer, and I would even say, impose on you, via another car to take you to the border post on the Thai side, after the bridge. Don't get fooled like we did! It is quite possible to do this journey on foot, the distance between the 2 posts being less than 500 m, the "friendship bridge" connecting the 2 countries having a sidewalk. You will then find local transport to connect the border with Mae Sot, located a few kilometers away. The rate that was "extorted" from us was abusive, a huge 500 bahts just to go 10 kilometers (to the Mae Sot bus station)! More expensive than the taxi ride from Hpa An !!!)
  2. So go to the border post, on the Burmese side. They will check your passport, make you fill out a document, and have your portrait taken. It takes place in a small office and it is pretty badly designed if there are people and you have to queue... In our case it was okay, we arrived just before a group of Vietnamese...
  3. Once you've done this, you're officially out of Burma! Now cross the bridge that spans the river for about 300 meters
  4. Arriving at the border post on the Thai side, I assume that either you already have a visa, or you are happy with a visa exemption, giving you 30 days, then you do not have to queue up in front of you, it is mainly the Burmese wishing to return to Thailand (to work). There is a special counter for foreigners just after.
  5. Give your passport, small photo too and it's done in 2 minutes

Here you are in Thailand!

myawaddy mae sot burma thailand border

Heading towards the Myawaddy border post.


myawaddy mae sot burma thailand border

We are parked haphazardly at the start of the bridge, in the no man's land between Burma and Thailand.


myawaddy mae sot burma thailand border

On the bridge of friendship.


myawaddy mae sot burma thailand border

Thailand border post.

Once at the bus station, we inquired about the timetable and the price. It was not even 14pm and the next bus was not until 21pm. We booked our seats for the bus Mae Sot – Bangkok at the price of 428 baht per person. We took advantage of this free time to go to the local supermarket (Tesco Lotus), eat and rest a little by sitting in a cafe. To get there, take a motorbike taxi from the bus station, it is 40 baht per person.

bus mae sot thailand

We see that the Thais know the habits of the Burmese...

We arrived in Bangkok after a 6 hour drive, including a short 30 minute stop around midnight, or around 30 in the morning...

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When I discovered Thailand in 2006, I certainly didn't expect to settle down there 2 years later! Since then, I've been based in Bangkok and regularly travel throughout the country (especially in the north!). I share my stories, photos, and tips to help plan your trip to Thailand and other Asian countries. This blog is for anyone who wants to discover the land of smiles, who's looking for a bit of adventure, and those who dream of Asia.

Comments:

  • Food

    22/02/2015

    Hello Romain,
    I am interested in leaving Burma by land but I was wondering how to get a visa for Burma without proof of exit (plane ticket)… How did your visa application go for you? Thank you

  • Laura

    23/02/2015

    Hello Romain!

    Useful article… but you can also specify that you must check your passport carefully when re-entering Thailand…
    A kind officer gave mine back to me after I entered and exited Burma at the counter, without stamping my passport for the visa.
    I realized this 16 hours into the journey. It's a known scam!
    (and it got me into some incredible adventures at immigration, at the embassy and quite a bit of expense)

    Laura

  • Anne Sophie

    25/02/2015

    Hello. I would like to know if it is possible to arrive in Burma by plane (to Rangun) and leave by land (to Tachilek)?
    Thank you

  • martine

    27/05/2015

    Hello,
    I know that you can get a visa for a few days and for a limited perimeter by crossing from Thailand to Burma through the Mae Soy border post. What scares me is leaving my passport there. Has anyone had this experience?

  • martine

    27/05/2015

    In fact, I will be traveling to Thailand (my means do not allow me to spend 3 weeks in Burma), and I was planning to make only a getaway there by going to spend a few days in Kengtung……

  • florian

    12/08/2015

    Super nice 🙂 For my part we are leaving for 3 months from January to April. When we arrived in Bangkok we planned to quickly branch off to Laos then Cambodia then Burma before returning to Thailand. It remains to be seen in what order and it is interesting to know more about this land border!
    Moreover, is this project coherent with regard to time and countries (and their order in fact especially ;p)
    Thanks in advance,
    Florian

  • Camellia

    14/08/2015

    read today on the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/emportlora/?fref=nf
    “Information regarding the Myanmar/Thailand border and vice versa, from the south to Myawaddy/Mae Sot…
    It's finally OVER the story of crossing the border on an even or odd day of a given month in one direction or the other!!!!! The way is clear in both directions every day!! » (Alex Spcs post of August 12)
    the road would have been redone.

  • pauline

    19/10/2015

    Hello, my partner and I are leaving for Southeast Asia at the end of November. We are landing in Bangkok, and we want to reach Burma by land and go through the Mae Soy border post. We are getting our visa for Burma before we leave. However, many people tell us that we absolutely have to book our guest houses before we leave because when we enter Burma they will ask us for an address in Burma. Is this true? Also we are wondering if it is ok that we do not have an exit date from the territory? We are thinking of staying for about 20 days.
    Thank you in advance for your answer

  • Christophe

    26/10/2015

    Hi, I plan to cross Burma by bike, entering through Mae Sot.
    Is the border area still dangerous? Info Ministry of Defense

  • Amber

    28/10/2015

    Hello Romain,
    Great article, thanks for the info.
    Do you know if it is possible to go from Burma to Laos by land or do you have to go back through Thailand? Besides, is it possible to make "as many" entries as you want into Thailand in a month, like Thailand - Burma - Thailand - Laos...?
    Thank you for your feedback 🙂

  • Vanessa

    04/11/2015

    Hello,

    I am writing to you in desperation because I can't easily find information! I read your comments above... We are leaving for Yangon on January 6, we are traveling for 2 months and want to spend 3 weeks in Burma, 2 weeks in Laos and 2 weeks in Thailand. Is it possible to take the land border between Burma and Thailand in the North, spend a few days towards Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai, then enter Loas and return via the south of Laos to Thailand? In order to make a loop?

    Thank you in advance for this valuable information. If this is not possible, is it better to go through the southern border and thus go to Thailand before Laos?

  • Edwige

    13/01/2016

    Hello,
    We are in the same case, we would like to cross the border between northern Thailand and Burma. What is the solution you found?
    The thank you box
    Edwige

  • Alexandre

    27/01/2016

    Hello Romain
    Edwige seems to be talking about the border in the North of Thailand and not in the South as you talk about in your article... I was just asking the same question: Where can we cross the border in the North of Thailand?

    Thank you

    Alexandre

  • Oriane Lié

    06/02/2016

    Hello Romain,

    I apologize in advance if my question is often asked but it is very difficult to have an objective opinion on the safety of a land passage between Thailand and Burma via Myawaddy-Mae Sot. The diplomacy-government website indicates this entire area as formally not recommended, and for beginner travelers like me it is a bit scary ... You seem to say that it is without risks. Could you confirm this to finally calm my doubts? ^^
    Thank you for your advice and for taking the time to share your experiences :)

    Oriane

  • 18/02/2016

    Hello Romain and thank you very much for your article.
    Is it cheaper to cross the Burma-Thailand land border than to take a Yangon-Bangkok flight?
    Thanks in advance 🙂

  • 09/03/2016

    Thanks for the info Romain. I was wondering if I should take a flight to Bangkok and cross the land border rather than arriving directly in Burma. The price from Montreal is really expensive if you go there directly. If the border crossing is now easier, I think I will consider this method 🙂

  • yosr

    25/03/2016

    Hi Romain,

    It's great to come across your route. It allows you to have an idea, well before departure.
    I'm leaving in 3 months to do my end-of-studies internship in an association in Mao Sot that takes care of Burmese refugees. Do you happen to know if it's very difficult to go to Bangkok on the weekend? I'd like to make this professional experience a personal experience and take advantage of my free time to travel around Thailand. Does that seem possible to you or not?

    Good to you

  • valou

    15/09/2016

    Hello,
    Having recently crossed the land border in southern Thailand and Myanmar (Mae sot- Myawaddy) and knowing that there is still little information on the internet, I wanted to share my experience with you.
    First of all, I got my visa from the Myanmar Consulate in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 800bats (20/25euros) in 3 working days. The simple name of a hotel is enough for the address in Myanmar (Ex: the little Yangon hostel in Rangoon or Soe Brother's in Hpa An).
    Originally, I wanted to reach Myanmar by crossing the northern border at Tachileik. But this border post only gives access to a restricted area of ​​the country. You need special authorization to reach the rest of the country or take a plane. Basically, it's an ideal border post to do a visa run, but not to travel within the country. So I embarked on a long bus ride from Chiang Rai to Mae Sot (for Thai bus schedules: http://www.greenbusthailand.com/website/).
    My bus was delayed by the rain, so I preferred to spend the night at the border on the Thai side (I recommend a brand new hostel that is very good starting at 200bats, the Sleep Nest). The border post is open between 6am or 6:30am and 18pm or 18:30pm.
    Departure the next morning for the Friendship Bridge (border) on the back of the hostel owner's scooter (free please). Honestly, with what I had read on the internet, I had some apprehensions about crossing the border alone...but there is no danger. After the Thai post, I was immediately greeted by faces whitened with tana (traditional cosmetic powder used by locals to protect themselves from the sun), and above all big smiles and very curious but benevolent looks. In 5 minutes, I fell under the spell of this magnificent country and the great kindness of its inhabitants. A local who spoke good English helped me with the administrative formalities and for transport. Be careful, they tell you that there is no bus station in Myawaddy, but it is false...on the other hand, I did not find it. But for the price, a collective taxi is just as advantageous. (Note: I was told about a direct bus to Rangoon around 8/9am). So I took a shared taxi to Hpa-An (nearly 3 hours of travel thanks to the new road) for 10 Kyats. I could have easily negotiated it to 000 kyats, but my intermediary was so nice and helpful that I didn't insist (that gave him his com/tip). Shared taxis run all day, although it's best not to arrive too late in the evening, because everything closes early in Burma. Bring cash because the ATMs are often out of order at the border.
    For good tips and information for traveling to Myanmar, you have the group on Facebook: bacpackers Myanmar (burma)
    There you go...this country is great and the locals are trustworthy people...really (at least for now)!! Enjoy it!

  • pageantry

    08/10/2016

    based in Chiang mai, we are used to visa runs in tachilek and thus get 30 extra days (for the french it is 30 but for the belgians for example it is 15 – maybe G 20 rather than CE ???) But can we do the same thing in Mae sot ??? We do not plan to stay in Myanmar, just do the 8 for the visas…
    pageantry

  • Carole

    18/10/2016

    Hello everybody

    Has anyone had the opportunity to cross the Thai border with Burma at Phu Nam Ron/Htee Khee recently (it's October 2016)? Does the E-Visa allow you to cross this border today? I would like to compare the entry conditions with Mae Sot-Myawaddy. Thanks to Valou for all the information she gave on the latter 🙂 ! Have a good trip everyone and thanks Romain for your blog.

  • Tanranska

    27/10/2016

    Hello,
    I just read all the posts but I don't see an answer to this question I'm asking myself: Can I get a visa from the embassy in France (28 days if I understand correctly) enter Burma by land, spend the 28 days then exit by land to Thailand and ENTER Burma AGAIN by land? In this case, will I be able to get 28 days again?
    Thank you for the info !

  • nico

    29/10/2016

    Hello, since September 1, 2016, 3 land posts are possible including that of Mae Sot which I have just passed with the visa.
    The exchange rate is rotten at the border 1200 for 1 euro.

    It is becoming very easy to come and travel to Myanmar and the backpacker accommodations are still as pitiful.

  • Carole

    29/10/2016

    Thanks Nico. If the exchange rate is so bad in Mae Sot is it possible to pay for the transport to Hpa An in Thai baht or dollars and only change once you arrive in Hpa An?

  • Tanranska

    31/10/2016

    Oh yeah… the visa restriction… I hadn’t really thought about that. Thanks for the info anyway.

  • Phil

    01/11/2016

    Hello,
    I am planning to cross the border by bike at Phu Nam Ron/Htee Khee in January. Is it possible to change money (Euros) at the border?

  • Cindy

    02/11/2016

    Hi Romain! You seem like a regular in Asia! I spent 2 months in Thailand at the beginning of the year, and I'm going back there and to Myanmar this time. Do you know anything about visas? I imagine that I will need a multiple entry Thailand visa since I arrive there, then I go to Myanmar and come back to Thailand at the end. I saw the E-visa for Myanmar on the internet. Is it reliable and correct to go there? I'm not sure given the simplicity of this request, is it better to wait once I'm there for the Myanmar visa, or to have it before even leaving Canada?

    Thank you !!! 🙂

  • Niki

    12/11/2016

    Hello Romain! Thank you for this article! However, I still have a few questions.. I am going to Burma very soon and I would like to cross the Myawaddy-Mae Sot border at the end of the 28 days to then reach Bangkok. If I understand correctly, it is currently possible to do so. The total travel time is about 12 hours for 20 euros? Do I have to get a visa for Thailand beforehand? Or is it possible directly at the border? If I choose this option, would I have a 28-day visa in Thailand or only 15?
    Thank you very much in advance! 🙂

  • Gaetan

    07/12/2016

    Hello everyone,
    I thank you for all this information given, I have read everything carefully, however I have a small question about prices. I am currently in Bangkok and I would like to go to Burma via Mae Sot-Myawaddy overland in the next few days so I looked at the prices and for the e-visa they ask me 89 dollars and in an agency 2200 baht are these prices correct or can I find my dear? I thank you already for your answers
    Kind regards, Gaetan

  • Carole

    07/12/2016

    Hi Romain, I will be crossing the same border on December 12th or 13th with an e-visa purchased in France for €50. If you go before, can you please leave a comment on the transport options, their prices and schedules in Myiwaddi?
    To get to Hpa-an? I managed to get a few kyats in Bangkok at a currency exchange office in anticipation because I don't know if you can pay for the shuttle at the border in baht...

    Thank you and have a good crossing?

    Carole

  • Carole

    08/12/2016

    Yessss! Thanks Romain for your answers they will be useful to me I leave Shukhotaï for Mae-Sot in three days, Gaetan should cross before me. I will leave a comment on my passage. Carole

  • tanguy

    27/12/2016

    I just read your message and for my part I will already be in Burma and I will return to Thailand.
    Is the land visa for Thailand 30 days with a French passport or 15???

    Please enlighten me…I absolutely need a 30 day visa

  • Romain P

    03/01/2017

    Hello,

    Happy New Year 2016, just one question we are arriving in Chiang Rai (Thailand) and then we are going to Burma via land.
    But we didn't take a Visa, we can do them directly at the border post right?

    Goods.

    cordially

    Roman

  • Romain M.

    11/01/2017

    Hello Romain!!
    My name is Romain (lol) – Gallic too – anyway lol
    is it possible to communicate via email or Fb because I have a lot of questions, with friends, we plan to leave one month during June and try to do Burma/Laos/Cambodia
    I'll let you come back to me when you can.
    have a good day

  • Sophie

    18/01/2017

    Hello Romain,

    I am planning a 4 month trip and plan to visit Thailand, Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and maybe Indonesia.
    Can we contact each other by email? I have a lot of questions, especially regarding these visa formalities 🙂

    Thank you in advance for your feedback.

    Sophie

  • Lucile

    06/02/2017

    Hello! For the visa application at the Burmese embassy in Thailand Do I need to give a photocopy of my plane tickets? I plan to cross the land border so I do not intend to buy plane tickets.. Thank you in advance

  • I ss

    08/11/2017

    Bonsoir
    I would like to do Burma / Thailand / Laos / Cambodia.
    Do you have any itinerary advice knowing that I am not limited in time except that I have to be in Thailand on 20/02.
    and that I do not necessarily wish to go through air borders (e.g.: going by plane and returning by land)
    I am a girl who travels alone with a backpack.
    I take all the advice, information and maps 😉
    Thank you

  • Ange

    08/08/2018

    Thank you very much for this itinerary Romain, it's really exactly what I wanted! I plan to do exactly this itinerary from mid-September to mid-December (4 months).
    Are these border posts still in place? Do you need Proof of Onward Travel (return plane tickets)? For the 4000 Islands border, I think getting the visa in advance and just showing it at the border is less stressful and cheaper!
    Thank you and lots of kisses!
    Ange

  • Jean-Michel

    17/08/2019

    Hello everyone,
    Plans to cross into Burma in early January 2020 via Mae Sot and head straight to Yangon.
    Is the e-visa accepted without any problem? Is it easy to find a bus to Yangon, a bus arriving in Myawaddy?
    Thank you for your answers
    Hope
    Jean Michel

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