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:
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.
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”]
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.
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.
Border crossing between Burma and Thailand (Myawaddy – Mae Sot)
The transition is done in several stages as follows:
- 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 !!!)
- 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...
- Once you've done this, you're officially out of Burma! Now cross the bridge that spans the river for about 300 meters
- 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.
- Give your passport, small photo too and it's done in 2 minutes
Here you are in Thailand!
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.
We arrived in Bangkok after a 6 hour drive, including a short 30 minute stop around midnight, or around 30 in the morning...
71 Comments
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
Hello Mat,
In my case I was short of time, so I didn't ask myself the question and I made the request online via the official website: http://evisa.moip.gov.mm/, it's fast and there was no need to justify an exit by plane. The disadvantage is that it is more expensive ($50 against $30 if done at the embassy) and in your case you simply won't be able to because the e-visa can only be used upon arrival at an international airport (Yangon, Mandalay and Nap Pyi Taw)... In other words it's a bit of a lottery... in this case the best thing is to book a plane and make sure you can cancel it free of charge if you don't need it.
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
Hello Laura, thank you for this feedback, which I am sorry that you had to experience... in fact I did not specify it because for me it is an automatism and seems obvious to me but you are right, I will add it 😉
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
It is possible since that is what I saw, I had flown in via Yangon and out via Mae Sot.
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?
The perimeter is more than limited normally, why not take a proper visa?
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……
Hmmm, I admit that this is entering into an area that is unknown to me, having never done this kind of escapade...
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
Hello,
Concretely, 3 months to see 4 countries is too much, you generally have to count a month each, even if, depending on your priorities, Laos and Cambodia can be done more quickly (also a question of taste), but it could be a bit too much otherwise... Concerning the order, given the season it is not really important, note however that from March it is summer, so the waterfalls will be more or less dry and it will be very hot, so take this into account depending on the visits planned at that time.
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…
The whole thing about crossing the border on an even or odd day of a certain month, in one direction or the other, is finally OVER!!!!! The way is clear in both directions every day!! (Alex Spcs post from August 12th)
the road would have been redone.
Hi Camelia,
Yes, I saw the info and responded (I was the one who asked if they had redone the road 😉 ) I put an updated note on the article, thank you!
Hello, my partner and I are leaving for Southeast Asia at the end of November. We're landing in Bangkok and plan to travel overland to Myanmar, crossing into the country at Mae Soy. We're getting our Myanmar visas before our trip. However, many people are telling us that we absolutely must book our guesthouses before we leave because they'll ask for a Myanmar address when we enter the country. Is this true? We're also wondering if it's okay that we don't have an exit date from the country? We're planning to stay for about 20 days.
Thank you in advance for your answer
You normally have to provide an address when filling out the documents upon your arrival in Burma, to do this, you can simply put the address of a hotel indicated in your paper guide (Lonely Planet or other) or quickly look for an address on the net, no need for proof of reservation, to my knowledge (I crossed this border in the other direction..). I also did not have proof of exit since we had taken a taxi on the day of our departure, without prior reservation.
Have a good stay !
Hi, I plan to cross Burma by bike, entering through Mae Sot.
Is the border area still dangerous? Info Ministry of Defense
What a challenge! Dangerous? No, it can be unstable (it had temporarily closed a few days before my visit), but not dangerous either since now the route to Hpa An and Myawaddy is a new road allowing traffic in both directions, armed hitches have become more than rare.
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 🙂
Hello,
It is not possible to cross the land border between Burma and Laos at this time, you will have to go through Thailand. In the context you mentioned, there is no problem in returning to Thailand after several days elsewhere.
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?
Hello,
It is a priori possible to reach the northern border (I imagine that you are referring to Tachileik) but it seems that you need to obtain authorization from the authorities beforehand because it is still a restricted area (to go there by road), for the rest it is quite feasible.
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
Hello,
In the article I explain having crossed from Burma to Thailand, if you ask for a solution, it is because you think there is a problem? To my knowledge, apart from checking before that the border is open there is nothing special other than going to the border post.
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
Hello Alexandre,
To my knowledge, the only land border that is (almost) problem-free is the Myawaddy-Mae Sot border, the northern border at Mae Sai only allows you to stay in the area close to the border but does not allow you to reach popular destinations like Mandalay etc.
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
Hello,
The area was previously not recommended because it was subject to random closures due to clashes with Karen rebels. Since the country opened up there has been a ceasefire and the border is functioning more normally, as such there is no danger for tourists.
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 🙂
Hello Jeremy,
I have never really calculated to make the comparison, I would say that it is mainly a question of time and route, since, by the border, it allows you to visit and stop on the road before arriving in Burma.
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 🙂
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
Hello,
It's not difficult to go to Bangkok on the weekend (and I don't see why it would be!), it will be quite possible to move around, transport is available from everywhere in Thailand.
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, I obtained my visa from the Myanmar Consulate in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 800 baht (approximately 20-25 euros) in 3 business days. The name of a hotel is sufficient for the address in Myanmar (e.g., Little Yangon Hostel in Yangon or Soe Brother's in Hpa-An).
Originally, I wanted to reach Myanmar by crossing the northern border at Tachileik. However, this border crossing only grants access to a limited area of the country. Special authorization is required to travel to the rest of the country or to fly. Basically, it's an ideal border crossing for a visa run, but not for traveling within the country. So, I embarked on a long bus journey 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.
The next morning, I set off for the Friendship Bridge (border crossing) on the hostel owner's scooter (free of charge, thank you!). Honestly, after what I'd read online, I was a little apprehensive about crossing the border alone… but there's no danger at all. After the Thai border post, I was immediately greeted by faces whitened with tana (a traditional cosmetic powder used by locals to protect themselves from the sun), and above all, by big smiles and very curious but kind looks. In five minutes, I fell under the spell of this magnificent country and the great kindness of its people. A local who spoke good English helped me with the paperwork and transportation. Be careful, they tell you there's no bus station in Myawaddy, but that's not true… I couldn't find one. But for the price, a shared taxi is just as good. (Note: I was told about a direct bus to Yangon around 8 or 9 am). So I took a shared taxi to Hpa-An (nearly a 3-hour journey thanks to the new road) for 10,000 kyats. I could easily have negotiated it down to 8000 kyats, but my intermediary was so friendly and helpful that I didn't insist (it was his commission/tip). Shared taxis run all day, although it's best not to arrive too late in the evening, as everything closes early in Myanmar. Bring cash because 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!
Hello,
Thank you for this rather complete and recent testimony! Indeed, Tachileik mainly serves as a border for visa runs and is not intended to enter Burma deeper. As mentioned in the article, the normal rate for a taxi is indeed 8000 kyats per person.
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
Hello,
This is possible unless you have a Burmese visa, since it is a normal border post (not like Tachilek which has a special status).
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.
Hello,
Without having been there, I can already answer you, the E-Visa is normally only valid for entry via an international airport. For land borders, you must have your visa in advance. You have the information on the official website.
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 !
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.
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?
Hello,
If the question is to do the equivalent of the Thai "visa run", no, it is not possible since you must have a visa in advance. If the question is about returning to Thailand, obtaining a new Burmese visa by going to the embassy and then returning to Burma, there are no answers because few have done it... I do not know the time restrictions between visas (3 months for the Thai visa for example).
Oh yeah… the visa restriction… I hadn’t really thought about that. Thanks for the info anyway.
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?
Hello,
Having never done it, I unfortunately cannot confirm whether or not it is possible... if anyone comes by here and has the answer...
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 !!! 🙂
Hi Cindy,
That's because I'm used to it, I live there so you can be sure 😉 It all depends on the length of your respective stays in Thailand, if each time it's less than 30 days, you don't even have to worry about visas. I've already used the e-visa for Myanmar, it's completely reliable. Until recently, it was only possible to use it via an arrival at an airport (basically Yangon or Mandalay), but apparently, it's starting to be possible to use it also via the land border of Mae Sot (among others, not sure about the other entry points)
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! 🙂
Hello,
I confirm that yes, the border is open so it is possible. If you cross the border you will be entitled to a visa exemption, 30 days if you are French, 15 days if you are Belgian.
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
Hello,
The e-visa normally costs around €50 so the agency's price seems correct to me, but $89 is a bit high...
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
Hello Carole,
I guess you were actually writing to Gaetan, right? I'm not about to go there... For transportation, I guess you can take the same taxis as from Hpa An, so with a similar rate (8000 kyats per person).
Otherwise to answer your question, it is possible to pay in baht at the border normally.
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
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
Hello,
A French passport is good for 30 days by land. No worries then 😉
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
Hello,
According to recent reports, yes, it seems possible, but not sure that it is possible from all borders (I am thinking of Mae Sai, being close to Chiang Rai, I imagine that is what you have in mind)
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
Hello,
I'll send you an email right away 😉
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
Hello,
Yes, you can contact me via the form on the contact page. Just like that, in passing, 5 countries in 4 months is already a lot, so I will reserve Indonesia (vast country) for next time rather than trying to catch a glimpse of everything 😉
Hello! For my visa application at the Burmese embassy in Thailand, do I need to provide a photocopy of my plane tickets? I plan to cross the border by land, so I don't intend to buy plane tickets. Thank you in advance.
Hello,
No, no need for a copy of plane tickets, they know very well that some come by land.
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
Hello,
When would the departure be? A fairly classic route consists of visiting Burma first, starting with Mandalay, then Bagan, descending towards Inle Lake with possibly the trek before from Kalaw (over 3 days in general). Passing through Yangon, Bago, Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (golden rock), Mawlamyine then Hpa An before joining Thailand via the border of this article.
Then first visit the north of Thailand, for example via Sukhothai then going up through Lampang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao, Thaton then Chiang Rai and joining Laos from the border of Chiang Kong / Houay Xai
Go down the Mekong to Luang Prabang, then Vang Vieng, Vientiane, go down to Thakek, there is a motorbike loop known for seeing caves, the most beautiful of which is Kong Lor. Finally, go through Pakse, Champassak, Bolovens plateau (motorbike loop over 4/5 days), the 4000 islands and go to Cambodia (border subject to scams… but I have never taken it myself so I can't say more except that if you don't pay the "extras", it can make you lose a lot of time).
In Cambodia, I admit I know less, you would either have to go to Siem Reap to visit the temples of Angkor, or go through Phnom Penh, go down to the south to see an island like Koh Rong, then possibly go through Battambang before returning to Thailand via Poipet.
Afterwards you can devote the rest of your trip to the south of Thailand.
Thank you so much for this itinerary Romain, it's exactly what I wanted! I plan to do this exact 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
Hello,
These border posts are still current yes. I could not confirm because in my case I did not have a tourist visa when I entered Thailand, so not sure if they ask for proof of exit but it is better to assume that yes.
For the border at the 4000 islands, for the visa you are talking about the visa for Cambodia? Because the one for Laos cannot be obtained in advance. In addition, it removes a little stress perhaps but does not prevent the common scam of imposing a so-called health check and a supplement just to stamp… (in the direction Laos to Cambodia). And the online visa is more expensive than on site.
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
Hello,
To my knowledge yes, the e-visa is accepted at this border. There are buses to go directly to Yangon but the schedules are limited, either in the morning at 9am or 10am, otherwise there are night buses leaving around 18pm and arriving around 3 or 4am.
You can book here: https://12go.asia/fr/bus/myawaddy-bus-station/yangon/?z=16406