Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(NH5; admission $2 or K2000; 9am-4pm Tue-Sun)
Like most of Myanmar's regional mu-
seums, this vast hall is home to a disproportionately scant selection of dusty local relics
and the usual display of mannequins wearing ethnic costumes, of which few have any
English-language explanation.
GETTING TO THAILAND: TACHILEIK TO MAE SAI
As of 2013, Tachileik is one of Myanmar's newly 'open' land borders for foreign
tourists. But there are a few caveats, and the following information is liable to
change, so be sure to check the situation locally before you travel.
Getting to the border
The border is a short walk from 'downtown' Tachileik, or just
over a mile (2km) and a 20B truck ride or a K1500/50B motorcycle taxi ride from
the town's bus station.
At the border
If you've arrived in Kyaingtong or Tachileik via air from elsewhere in
Myanmar, you can freely exit the country at Tachileik. The Myanmar border post is
open from 6am to 6pm, and upon crossing to Thailand, the Thai authorities will is-
sue you permission to stay in Thailand up to 15 days, or you can enter with a Thai
visa obtained overseas. Likewise, if you're crossing from Thailand and have already
procured a Myanmar visa, you'll be allowed to proceed to Kyaingtong and/or Mong
La, or by air to other destinations in Myanmar.
If you're approaching from Thailand and 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 visa and permission to visit Kyaingtong and/
or Mong La. The
Thai immigration office
(
05 373 1008) is open from 6.30am to
6.30pm.
After taking care of the usual formalities, cross the bridge and head to the Myan-
mar immigration office. There, you must pay a fee of 500B and your picture is
taken for a temporary ID card that allows you to stay in town for the day; your pass-
port will be kept at the office.
If you'd like to visit Kyaingtong and/or Mong La, proceed directly to the MTT of-
fice. 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 during this time, and you're expected
to exit Myanmar at Tachileik. It's also obligatory to hire a guide for the duration of
your stay. Guides cost 1000B per day. 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 the dur-
ation of your stay. Recommended Kyaingtong-based guides include Sai Leng, Fred-
die and Paul (see boxed text on
Click here
for more their details). Note that if you're
