Mai Sai visa run

[gregchambers]

Recently got the stamp on my multi-entry tourist visa at Mai Sai (or Mae Sai). Four hour run from Chiang Mai on VIP bus (310 baht) but did the up run to Chiang Rai and hotel as wanted to have a look around there - basically boring except for a few very beautiful young girls working the night market (vendors not whores).

 

Resticted timings on the air buses to MS from CR but the small buses do the trek every half hour (I think) for 30 baht, but a bit painful if long in the leg and no good if you are over 70kg's as seat space small. 90 minutes and then a baht bus at 8 baht to the border (have to get off half way if Thai girl with you to get her ID copied and confirmed by police and then another baht bus trip).

 

Usual THai border post and then cross over to the right side of the bridge for the little tourist office on the Burma side (very short bridge not like Laos). 250 baht but no forms to fill in (amazing!) but they retain your passport and give you a receipt. Then wander out and first right down into the market - loads of cheap junk - silver foil wrapped around plastic inner masquerading as jewellery, for instance. Aim for half any price quoted. Indian viagra is 250 baht but find a pharmacy rather than buying off touts.

 

About an hour more than enough for the market. Food reputedly dubious so didn't indulge. Back over the bridge on the right side flashing the recipet then back into the office on the other side for the passport. Burmese police all smiles and seem happy enough.

 

Have to say I saw maybe half a dozen Burmese gals who were totally stunning selling stuff in the market!

 

Then wander back to the Thai side where there is a big notice saying 10,000 baht needs to be shown for 30 day visas and 20,000 baht for longer visas - bloody hell, I only have 10K. Short queue but it takes eons to process the guys in front and the one next to me has to show money (he was going on about how he'd never had to show money before and not to worry about it!). Hah! They didn't ask me or anyone else.

 

Overall, ambience much more civilised than expected, though some of the vendors followed me around for ages - told one guy we didn't smoke cigarettes but he could not get his head around it.

 

Low season now and had no problem getting the VIP bus buying ticket an hour before its departure (2.15) but it was full by the time it left. Bus stopped twice by police checking ID cards but they didn't really check passport.

 

Only thing I did not like, dodgy looking Indians in silly turbans planning god knows what.

[samak]

very interesting! i did my sole visa run i ever had to do here in Mae Sai a couple of years ago. at the boarder they refused to give me a exit stamp; i had to go back around 1 km to another office to get the stamp for leaving the country (imagine people at Don Muang airport could not get this stamp there and have to go back!!!); is this still in place or can you get the stamp at the boarder now?

Takilek (the town on the burmese side) is one big market for cheap goods. many Thais go shopping there. they do not have to spend 250 THB for crossing boarder as you have! it's freeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[pattaya127]

I saw maybe half a dozen Burmese gals who were totally stunning selling stuff in the market!

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Yep, I confirm that was indeed Burma you had crossed into!

One thing I like about thai vendors, ambulant too. they do not try too hard to sell you something.

 

If you don't watch yourself, an indian can sell you a toilet seat (the whole 20 pds thing), convincing you this is exactly what you need now! Joking, but these guys are good.