Northern Thailand - Thailand - page 629

GETTING TO MYANMAR (BURMA): MAE SAI TO TACHILEIK

As of 2013, Tachileik is one of a handful of Myanmar's newly 'open' land borders for foreign tourists. But there
are a few caveats in crossing here, and the following information is liable to change, so be sure to check the situ-
ation locally before you travel.
Getting to the Border The border and Thai immigration office are a short walk from most accommodation in
Mae Sai.
At the Border The Thai immigration office is open from 6.30am to 6.30pm. After taking care of the usual form-
alities, cross the bridge and head to the Myanmar immigration office. If you've already procured a Myanmar visa,
you'll be allowed to proceed by land to Kyaingtong (also known as Kengtung) or Mong La, or via air to other
points in Myanmar.
If you haven't already obtained a Myanmar visa, it's relatively straightforward to cross to Tachileik for the day
and slightly more complicated to get a two-week border pass to visit Kyaingtong and/or Mong La.
Day-trippers must pay a fee of 500B for a temporary ID card; your passport will be kept at the border. There is
little to do in Tachileik apart from sample Burmese food and shop - the prices are about the same as on the Thai
side and everyone accepts baht. There's an interesting morning market and it can be fun to hang about in the
teashops.
Moving On If you'd like to visit Kyaingtong and/or Mong La, but haven't already received a Myanmar visa, pro-
ceed directly to the Myanmar Travels & Tours (MTT) office. There you'll need to inform the authorities exactly
where you're headed, and you'll need three photos and US$10 or 500B to process a border pass valid for 14 days;
your passport will be kept at the border ensuring that you return the way you came. It's also obligatory to hire a
guide for the duration of your stay. Guides cost 1000B per day, and if you haven't already arranged for a
Kyaingtong-based guide to meet you at the border, you'll be assigned one by MTT and will also have to pay for
your guide's food and accommodation during your stay. Recommended Kyaingtong-based guides include Leng (
[phone]; [e-mail]) , Freddie (Sai Yot; [phone];
[e-mail]) and Paul (Sai Lon; [phone], [phone]) .
Kyaingtong is a sleepy but historic capital for the Shan State's Khün culture - the Khün speak a northern Thai
language related to Shan and Thai Lü, and use a writing script similar to the ancient Lanna script. Places to stay
include the Princess Hotel ( [phone]; [e-mail]; 21 Zaydankalay Rd; r incl breakfast

$50; ) and the budget-oriented Harry's Trekking House ( [phone]; [e-mail];

132 Mai Yang Rd; r incl breakfast $7-20; ) .
Mong La, on the Chinese border and under the control of the United Wa State Army, was formerly associated
with the drug trade, casinos and prostitution. At press time, foreigners were not allowed to cross to China from
Mong La. In Mong La, the Kai Xuan Hotel ( [phone]; no roman-script sign; r Y220-260, ste
Y580-680; ) is the town's least grubby accommodation option.
Buses bound for Kyaingtong (K10,000, five hours, 7.30am and 12.30pm) depart from Tachileik's bus station,
which is 2km and a 20B sŏrng·tăa·ou ride or a 50B motorcycle taxi ride from the border. Alternatively, you can
charter a taxi from the same station for about K50,000, or if you're willing to wait until it's full, get a front/back
seat in a share taxi for K15,000/12,000.
There are no direct buses from Tachileik to Mong La.
For more details on Kyaingtong and Mong La, refer to Lonely Planet's Myanmar (Burma) guidebook.

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