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klongmaster

With only one page left in my passport and needing a three-month stamp, I headed to Mae Sot because they use a stamp which gives me six in and outs per page instead of the whole page like in Cambodia and Laos.
I live near to TDs own ‘Bangyai’, but a little nearer the Rama 5 bridge, so followed his excellent advice on his recent thread and took the 340 through Saphan Buri and onto the 1 near Chai Nat. From there it’s straight on to Tak and thence to Mae Sot.



Unlike Bangyai, I was travelling on my own, so allowing for one pitstop along the way, it took 5 hours 15 minutes from home to Mae Sot.


It was a Monday and there was very little traffic on the road so you can set your own pace. I noticed that Thai drivers are incapable of driving at a steady speed and along the way I was passed by guys doing 140kms and 15kms later I’d pass them ambling along on the inside lane doing about 80kms. I like to drive at a steady 120kms and can do this all day if the traffic allows.


You Pass through some nice looking towns along the way which have very wide main streets.




One of the good things about driving in Thailand is that you always know where you are with excellent signs like this one welcoming you to Chai Nat.


Next on the list was Uthai Thani which I recognized as the home province of a rather delectable ‘pretty’ in one of the restaurants that I frequent.


Once I saw the sign welcoming me to Tak I felt better as I’d half intended to stay the night here. However, despite not leaving home until midday it was only 4:15 when I arrived in Tak so decided to press on the Mae Sot.


For those of you who are driving, the last 20 kms into Tak are very rough. The road has broken up in all lanes as I’ve tried to show you here. However, driving in the Northern Territory of Australia where the roads are badly corrugated, I’ve learnt that you’re better to fly across the bumps at a decent speed rather than descend into the hollows at your peril!


Just before Tak you can turn left onto the 105 which will take you across the mountains to Mae Sot. This is a very picturesque drive and can be done with care in about an hour.


There are plenty of passing lanes throughout the windy sections so no need to take risks and pass in dodgy places. You do see some hair-raising things along the way though.




Once things flatten out you’ll come to a round-a-bout and if you only want to go to the border go all the way around. If, like me, you want to go in the town, take the first exit. I was surprised with the size of the town because they actually have two streets running parallel, where most border towns are just single streets.




Surprisingly, for a Monday, both the First Hotel and DK Hotel (of DK Books fame) were full. DK Hotel has 50 rooms and when I asked the receptionist why, she assumed it was because the receptionist was so beautiful. Have to stay there next time. They recommended the Porn Phen Hotel and that’s where I stayed. No pics as it was a doss hole and at 450 Baht I should have known better.
I really hate these guys who go up in the lift with you touting girls. I suppose I should have listened to him, but have always seemed to find my own way around. The thought of banging one of his younger sisters just didn’t do it for me.

I went exploring and found a rather nice restaurant called – funnily enough – MaeSot Restaurant. The staff were all from Myanmar and were very friendly. They insisted on entertaining me with their karaoke skills. Personally I have never understood the fascination people have with this medium of torture. Let’s face it, most people cannot sing and even though I’m virtually tone-deaf I can still pick up on their constant flat notes. Anyway they were good company.


Next morning I went on out to the border which is about 6kms out of town. If you driving you can park on the right of the border post. Immigration on both sides of the border were far friendlier than I have experienced in other places. Five minutes and I was stamped out.


You have to walk over the bridge and when you arrive at the Myanmar Immigration area you want to go in the door on the right where the motor bike is parked. The official inside greeted me with a friendly ‘rest yourself in one of our chairs’. 500 Baht for the visa. No photo and no back-hander for going straight back. Unbelievable.


Also, on the Thai side no photo is required as it is at Cambodian borders. I think they make the rules up as they go along. The Thai immigration point for foreigners is on the left side on the building, so don’t join the queue of locals getting border stamps.

The Thai immigration official asked me where my village was in Nonthaburi and when I started to explain he told me he was just kidding as he had never been there!

Just so you know where you are they have a nice sign beside the river. This is as far west as you can go.


Not everybody bothers with the formalities. I mean why pay good money to immigration officials when you can simply climb aboard a rubber ring and float across the river.


Immediately on your left as you exit Thai immigration is the aptly named ‘Heaven’ coffee shop. Here they make a very acceptable latte and toast. I passed on the condensed milk and sugar on the toast!


In all, a pleasant enough trip, albeit the actual visa process occupied about 20 minutes in total, while the drive was 10 hours.
On the way back I missed the turn to Chai Nat during a blinding thunderstorm and continued on the main road towards Ayutthaya. Having done this before I exited on to the 347 and then on to the 9 which goes directly to the Rama 5 Bridge. Exactly 500 kms from the border to my house and I was home in five hours and six minutes.

Oh. Almost forgot. I only saw one other 'farang' at the border and he got himself stamped out of Thailand and promptly jumped the wall and crossed the road to get himself stamped back in again. The nice man at Thai immigration carefully explained to him that he had to cross the bridge and get his passport stamped in Myanmar before being allowed back into Thailand again.

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The Fresh Prince

Nice visa run. Looked easy. Surprised you didn't get pulled over by the plod for taking so many pictures whilst driving.

Bangyai

Glad you found the place I have breakfast, I couldn't remember the name of it. As you say, its all so easy and hassle free here it can actually work out not much more expensive than going to Cambodia and a bit less stressful. Nice pics too.

Got my own visa run coming up but will be going to Ban Laem this time as we want to check out some beaches in Rayong before my mother gets here for a months visit.

somtamslap

..and there is a shite load of plod between Tak and Mae Sot..

Nice report..

klongmaster

There is a Ban Laem Sai beach but it's in Samui...The Ban Laem border crossing is an alternative to Poi Pet...

Of course you could go to Hat Lek (Visa Run: Bangkok to Ban Hat Lek/Koh Kong) and this would give you an excellent opportunity to check out the beaches along the way...

Wayne Kerr

Great pics and story mate ... I'd love to be there doing something a similar right now.

Yep ... the Uthai ladies are indeed quite beautiful I think

Bangyai

Sorry, I meant the Ban Laem border crossing. From that border crossing we can head south then turn up the coast towards Rayong. I agree, the beaches around Hat Lek are worth checking out but I'm a bit pushed for time so I won't be able to go that far this time around. Thanks for the reminder though.

tonymargetts

Thanks for a good account of this trip, i will use this next time as I live in Phitsanulok

Begbie

Any hassles on the way back with police checkpoints ?

klongmaster

nope although they did have a look in the car to see if I had any girls tucked away...

147SAG

Very good post, thank you.

pasko

klongmaster,

That was a Solid TR!

Thanks for putting that together and posting...Great Photos!

I can't resist mentioning that your comment regarding the "touting" of women, I too have never liked that and always say no thanks!!

Last time this happened I was in Pattaya and I just told the hotel employee, " I'm too old". I'm 56. and this kid just nods his head and agrees with me!!! Ouch!

Your comments regarding those KTVs were "spot on", I don't see the attraction.

sagegong

Hi, Do I understand you went to Maesot and got a 3 month visa stamp?? I usualy go to Vientiane and get a 2 month visa and then 1 month extension localy in Korat, altogether cost me B2900 plus Laos visa B1400, not to mention travel and accommodation. Could you please clarify to me,
thank's mate.

klongmaster

^I have a one year NonB visa which requires a three monthly exit...

sagegong

Klongmaster, please replay and let me know if that 3 month stamp you got at Mae sot is the same as a 2 month visa with one month extention localy, thank you,
sagegong

sagegong

Klongmaster please note also I have a tourist visa which I normaly renew every 3 month in Vientiane, were I get a 2 month visa and then I go to my local Immigration and get an extra one month extension, thank's
sagegong.

shunpike

Nice TR. Looks like a better alternative to Poipet, especially if you have a car. Thanx!

klongmaster

Not the same...I have a Non Imm-B Visa which allows me to work for one year but requires three-monthly exits during that year...