Crossing the border from Thailand to Myanmar

Thailand Myanmar Border

There are four Thailand-Myanmar border points that are open to visitors.

Thailand-Myanmar Border


In December 2015, we crossed from Mae Sai, Thailand into Tachileik, Myanmar (formerly Burma).

Mae Sai is the northernmost city of Thailand and the border crossing is it’s biggest attraction.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

The process of crossing the Thailand-Myanmar border is pretty straightforward. Simply follow the signs to immigration and present your passport.

Once they stamped your passport, walk across the flag-lined bridge.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

You’ll then pass through the entrance with the sign “The Republic of the Union of Myanmar”.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

Again, follow the signs to immigration and hand your passport to the Myanmar Immigration officers.

You will need a Visa to enter Myanmar which is available upon arrival. The cost is 500 baht/person.**

When you leave the immigration office you’ll enter the Myanmar town of Tachileik.

Thailand-Myanmar border

**IMPORTANT NOTES**

1) Please check the current Visa requirements prior to your trip. The requirements and cost can change at anytime.

2) When you cross back to Thailand you will be stamped with a 15 day Visa only. Please ensure that 15 days is enough to cover the rest of your holiday plans in Thailand.

3) Visitors can travel as far as Kyaing Tong in Myanmar. If you wish to travel further than this by land, you will need a permit.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

Tachileik’s economy is based on cross-border trade and tourism:

Thailand-Myanmar Border

Thai baht is the main currency at the market (not Myanmar kyat) so be sure to visit the bustling market if for nothing else but the experience.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

You’ll find a little bit of everything there including tuk-tuk drivers hoping to take you somewhere.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

Our guide negotiated a price and off we went!

The first stop was Phra Jow La Keng Temple, a Buddhist Temple:

Thailand-Myanmar Border

Despite the close proximity to the border, we were the only tourists there.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

Thailand-Myanmar Border

Our next stop was Tachileik Shwedagon Pagoda:

Thailand-Myanmar Border

It was built to resemble the Shwedagon Pagoda in the city of Yangon, the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar.

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Tachileik Shwedagon Pagoda was built high on a hill so it can be seen from all over the city.

It also offers beautiful views of the city:

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We met a few friends while we were there:

Thailand-Myanmar Border

Including this sweet girl who followed me around while holding an umbrella over my head hoping to protect me from the sun and heat.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

She also hoped to earn a few baht for her efforts, and she did.

Before leaving the pagoda, we spent some time talking with her and her family and then purchased a few of their souvenirs.

Our final stop was another Buddhist Temple, Township Dhammayon Tachileik.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

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There are several paintings on the wall inside the temple with teachings of Buddha and Buddhism.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

Although our visit to Myanmar was short, I really enjoyed seeing the highlights of the border town, as well as the people of Tachileik from the tuk-tuk.

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Crossing back into Thailand is just as straightforward as crossing into Myanmar.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

Remember: when you go back to Thailand you will be stamped with a 15 day Visa only. Before crossing to Myanmar make sure 15 days is enough time to cover the rest of your trip in Thailand.

Our adventure across the Thailand-Myanmar border was part of a full-day tour we went on with Travel Hub Chiangmai.

Thailand-Myanmar Border

Their full-day tour to the Chiang Rai province offered a lot of flexibility based on the things we wanted to do and see.

Other stops of the day were The White Temple, Karen Long Neck Village, and The Golden Triangle.

Until next time, Myanmar!

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