Page 277 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

TACHILEIK INLE LAKE AND THE EAST 275
TACHILEIKMAE SAI BORDER CROSSING
The immigration offices on both sides of the border are open daily 6am–6pm. There are no
restrictions on foreigners crossing the border into Thailand from Tachileik; citizens of most
Western and many other countries are issued a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival. Travelling
into Myanmar, various options are available. Entering Myanmar on a full tourist visa is
straightforward (e-visas are also accepted), although you’ll need official permission to make
the onward journey by bus to Kengtung (see below). Full tourist visas are not issued at the
border, however, so you’ll need to organize one before you arrive if you intend to continue on 6
into Myanmar beyond Kengtung. A day pass to visit Tachileik on its own costs 500 baht, and
border officials will retain your passport for the duration of your visit. You can also stay
overnight in Tachileik (or indeed longer if you fancy) for an additional K10,000 per day on top
of the cost of a day pass. It’s also possible to travel on to Kengtung (but no further) even if
you don’t have a full Burmese tourist visa, although you’ll have to hire a local guide from the
tourist office next to immigration (500 baht per day, plus their transport costs), as well as
paying the 500 baht day-pass fee and K10,000 per day.
The pleasant Thai town of Mae Sai hugs up against the border. Small red buses make
the trip between the border and the bus station for 15 baht, while it’s more like 50 baht
by motorbike, or 90 baht by taxi. Mae Sai has regular connections to and from Chiang
Rai (1hr 30min), slightly less frequent ones to Chiang Mai (4–5hr), and others to destinations
across Thailand.

from the Thai border; if you’re in Thailand and intending to Tachileik you’ll need to get a seat in a shared taxi
fly from Tachileik to other parts of Myanmar, check latest (around K15,000), or hire one outright (from around
schedules before crossing the border, or you could be in for K70,000 depending on your bargaining skills). To make
a boring few days’ wait. the journey to Kengtung you’ll need official permission
Destinations Heho (5 weekly; 1hr); Lashio (1–2 daily; 1hr); from the tourist office by the immigration post; take
Yangon (3 weekly; 1hr 10min). your passport and bus ticket. The permission slips must
By bus or shared taxi Numerous companies have be photocopied three times for presentation at each of
daily services to Kengtung (5hr), all departing at either the checkpoints along the road – this can usually be
8am or 11am/noon. It’s best to buy tickets at the town’s done when buying the ticket, though you may have to
hotels, even if you’re not staying. If you arrive in the pay for the copies. The bus station itself is 2km from the
afternoon after all the buses have gone and want to centre on the Kengtung road, and easily accessible by
travel on to Kengtung without spending a night in tuk-tuk (around 100 baht) or motorbike (80 baht).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
In general, you’ll get far more bang for your baht by staying over the Thai border in Mae Sai instead. Baht’s the preferred
currency in Kengtung’s hotels, though they’ll accept kyat and (usually) dollars too.
Erawan Mahabandota Rd T012 892863. Just about the spacious and comfortable enough, with a/c, and there are
cheapest option in town, and good value for the price, with good views from the rooftop breakfast area. To reach it,
a range of clean, ample-sized rooms; you’ll pay extra for a/c follow the main road as it curves to the right into town
and a private bathroom. To get here from the Thai border, (about 1.5km from immigration), then head left down
turn right at the junction, then take the first proper road on Arrkazar Yone St. $40
Valentine Main Rd. A nice hi-hi or bye-bye to Burmese
the left (after the Ayeyarwady Bank). $10
Golden Cherry Arrkazar Yone St T084 52517, cuisine, just around the corner from the Thai border – turn
Wgoldencherryhoteltachileik.com. Right in the middle right at the junction, and it’s almost immediately on your
of town, this newish mid-range hotel is about as good as it right. They sell Thai and Chinese-style mains too (K2000–
gets in Tachileik, albeit no bargain. Rooms are plain but 2500), as well as Burmese-style tea. Daily 5am–9pm.
DIRECTORY
Banks There’s a KBZ Bank, with ATM, just a short walk there are more banks further up the same road. The
from the Thai border; with Thailand at your back, turn right exchange rate at the time of writing was roughly 1 Thai
at the junction, and you’re almost there. If that one fails, baht to K40.