Myanmar/Burma Opening Up.

[Banjo]

Myanmar’s Chiang Rai-Tarchileik Boarder Crossing Granting Country Wide Visa’s

CHIANG RAI – Myanmar will allow visitors using the border crossings of Tarchileik, Myawady and Kawthaung via Thailand to go anywhere except restricted areas starting in August, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Information.

The allowance aims to increase the arrival of foreign travellers. In the announcement, the Ministry of Information stated that visitors can go anywhere except where there are security concerns and depart from any exits which the government allows.

According to the bilateral agreement between Myanmar and Thailand for border crossing, the official entrance and exits are Tarchileik-Mae Sai, Myawady-Mae Sot and Kawthaung-Ranong.

Aung Win Thein, Department Head of Immigration Administration and National Registration of Myawady district said that as the government reduces the restriction, the job opportunities and tourism industry will show a good signs of improvement.

www.chiangraitimes.com/news/18170.html

I was up there with Banker a couple of years back and it's very interesting country and there appears to be a window opening to have a look before the tourists take over.
I've heard nothing about long stay visas yet though.

[Denis-NFA]

Thank you for that information Banjo.

Its always interesting for me to hear other peoples experiences in SE Asia.

[zorro1]

Banjo. I need to do a Border hop in 10 days time.
This sounds interesting and is an option but how do I get to the border? Fly to chang Rai and then what and how far is it?

[Banjo]

You can fly to Chiang Rai, the morning flight, Air Asia or Thai, then I pick you up from the airport and take you straight up there.
It's about 60kms, less than an hour.

[zorro1]

Deal! Thanks for the ride in. How does the 21st sound? Im not really fussed about Burma I just need a stamp not a visa so I was thinking go to the border and back and spend I night in a hotel Chang Rai and buy you dinner, What do you think?

[Banjo]

Sure, see what happens.
Send me a PM when your organised.
Remember Chiang RAI not Chiang MAI or you'll be another 200kms away.

[zorro1]

Okay will do. I gather I will need to organize a Visa from The Burma Embassy, do you know by any chance if they hand them out at the border?

[Banjo]

If you just intend to get a 15 day visa exemption you pay 500B at the Burmese side for a stamp then you can either do a little shopping... pirate stuff like DVDs, watches and iPhone knock offs... some cheap booze... or walk straight back over the bridge to Thailand. The Thais then give you 15 days.

If you have a 60 day tourist visa that you want to activate another 30 days on then I THINK... you have to go to the main immigration office just before the border.
I'll find out.