Chiang Rai to Mae Sai to Tachileik (Myanmar)

Chiang Rai to Mae Sai to Tachileik (Myanmar), April 2011 I started my trip in Chiang Rai Bus Station Buses depart every 30 mins or so for Mae Sai. The fare is 39 baht for the 65 Km trip that takes about 1 ½ hours. Buses are quite basic but depart on time, leaving half full but quickly filling up along the way. On arrival in Mae Sai there are Songthaew waiting to take you to the Myanmar border. A Songthaew cost 15 Baht to the bridge and border crossing into Myanmar There is a busy market area around the border crossing on the Thailand side. A steady flow of assorted vehicles passes from Thailand into Myanmar. The Immigration process on the Thai side is straight forward, then a short walk over the bridge to Myanmar Immigration. Half way across the bridge the traffic flow changes from left to right. Myanmar Immigration is not as well sign posted or organised. The entrance to Immigration is hidden behind a curtain under the Passport Only sign. You fill in the forms and pay US$10 and are issued with a temporary entry and your passport kept. The main market area in Tachileik is immediately to the right, after the bridge, and has an enormous range of goods are available. A lively market, popular with Thai's and Farang tourists Counterfeited goods are very popular. Lots of mobile phones, watches and handbags. The handbags were very good copies and about 1/4 the cost to Bangkok (at MBK). When it's time to leave, head back over the bridge again, follow the signs wind along the path to where you exchange you temporary visa for your passport. Cross the bridge again and head back into Thailand, remembering that Thailand issues only 15 day entry permits at land crossings.