Thread: New Myanmar border opens at Singhorn

GOOD NEWS FOR BORDER RUNNERS
New Myanmar crossing opens Wed

The Singkhorn temporary pass in Prachuap Khiri
Khan's Muang district will be opened as a new
permanent checkpoint between Thailand and
Myanmar on Wednesday, May 8, 2013.

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: -- The Singkhorn temporary checkpoint on the border with Myanmar has been upgraded and will be opened as a new permanent pass on Wednesday.

Provincial governor Veera Sriwattanatrakul said the opening had been confirmed by both countries. It would be marked at a ceremony on Wednesday at Singkorn pass.

Singkhorn, in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Muang district, is opposite Mortong town in Myanmar. It is one of three checkpoints to be upgraded as permanent crossings to boost trade between the two countries.

The checkpoint connects Thailand with Mergui, one of the major towns in Myanmar.

The other two passes to be upgraded are Three Pagodas Pass in Kanchanaburi and Myanmar's Phayatongsu town, and Ban Nam Pu Ron in Kanchanaburi and Myanmar's Tiki town.

The plan was approved at talks between between Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Myanmar President Thein Sein on April 25 on the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Brunei.

If true, this border will get very popular very quickly. A nicer alternative to Ban Laem and a lot nearer than Mae Sot. Might even cancel my wedding plans !

Originally Posted by Bangyai

If true, this border will get very popular very quickly. A nicer alternative to Ban Laem and a lot nearer than Mae Sot. Might even cancel my wedding plans !

Mae Sot/Takleet is the cleanest border town this poster has ever been to anywhere.

The one at Aranapratet/Poipet is about the filthiest I've ever seen.

Originally Posted by Bangyai

Ban Nam Pu Ron in Kanchanaburi and Myanmar's Tiki town

I can't find that on google maps.
Is it the one on Highway 3272 that passes alongside the lake and used to be kept shut by the military ? Some nice scenery up there.

Found it now
It's Highway 3512
Nice scenery and a good road

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Originally Posted by Bangyai

Ban Nam Pu Ron in Kanchanaburi and Myanmar's Tiki town

I can't find that on google maps.
Is it the one on Highway 3272 that passes alongside the lake and used to be kept shut by the military ? Some nice scenery up there.

Yes, pretty well opposite Prachuab Khiri Khan town..

I just got back from Mae Sot for the umpteenth time and although it is , as Boon Mee says, pretty clean and quick, for me at least, the novelty has pretty well worn off. Dito with Ban Laem.

This new border would be a sweet 3 hour drive for me with plenty of beaches to choose from for a mini break. Save a fair bit on petrol too.

I'm in Prachuap now.
I'll go take a look.

Originally Posted by Bangyai

Yes, pretty well opposite Prachuab Khiri Khan town..

Actually I was talking about the one in Kanchanaburi

Any idea what they mean by upgrade.
Are Farangs able to pass through into Myanmar now.
Can they get a day pass at the border?

Just been out there, this is not a crossing Farangs can use. Thailand wants it, Burma is not ready. Maybe after ASEAN they said.

Originally Posted by Bangyai

Yes, pretty well opposite Prachuab Khiri Khan town..

Unfortunately this lovely little town will come to the attention of copious amounts of Visa runners and be thrust into the spotlight.

Real bummer as it was one of those sleeper towns that somehow avoided mass tourism.

Originally Posted by terry57

Originally Posted by Bangyai

Yes, pretty well opposite Prachuab Khiri Khan town..

Unfortunately this lovely little town will come to the attention of copious amounts of Visa runners and be thrust into the spotlight.

Real bummer as it was one of those sleeper towns that somehow avoided mass tourism.

You're probably right although its nearness to Bangkok might well encourage a lot of visa runners to return to the big mango straight away, or at least backtrack to Hua Hin.
Cha Am is a lot nearer Bangkok and yet is has survived as a nice place despite the fact. Time will tell ..Tel.

^ no, time won't tell.
It's upgraded as permanently open as a trade crossing.
Farangs cannot use it.

^

Great news then, the Visa runners wont use it. Brilliant.

Originally Posted by Necron99

^ no, time won't tell.
It's upgraded as permanently open as a trade crossing.
Farangs cannot use it.

Oh well, the weddings back on then

Although....never say never. When I first arrived in Thailand the land crossings with Kampuchea and Laos were all closed. The only option for a cheap visa run was Penang.

Human nature and greed being what it is, I would think that if the political situation in Myanmar continues to improve ( whilst simultaneously bumping off muslims ) then a time will come when these borders will open to falangs.

I agree with Terry, it will not do Prachuab much good but then Thailand is pretty fooked as it is so it will just be history repeating itself.

Old news now but :

Four Thai-Myanmar border crossings to be opened on August 28

Published on Sunday, 25 August 2013 17:0913






hhhh
So following the above link it appoears there is a new border crossing in Kanchanaburi ( not the 3 pagodas )lllll

Myawady border gates which is one of Myanmar-Thai border checkpoints (Photo/EMG)

Myanmar and Thai citizens, as well as foreign tourists, will be allowed to pass thro

Myawady border gates which is one of Myanmar-Thai border checkpoints (Photo/EMG)

Myanmar and Thai citizens, as well as foreign tourists, will be allowed to pass through four Thai-Myanmar border checkpoints, including Myawady, starting from August 28, an official said.
"We have received instructions to allow Thai citizens and foreign tourists to pass through all four border checkpoints on August 28. The remarkable thing is that Myanmar citizens with visas and passports will also be allowed to visit [Thailand] through the border crossings," said an official from the Immigration and National Registration Department of Myawady District.
The four checkpoints include Tarchileik-Mae Sai, Myawady-Mae Sot, Kawthaung-Ranong and Htee Khee-Sunaron. Fine will be imposed if their visa expired.
Foreign visitors using the border crossings can depart from Myanmar through any official gateways including Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, and Mandalay.
The government has amended its list of restricted areas after an improvement in rules of law and stability in the country
ugh four Thai-Myanmar border checkpoints, including Myawady, starting from August 28, an official said.
"We have received instructions to allow Thai citizens and foreign tourists to pass through all four border checkpoints on August 28. The remarkable thing is that Myanmar citizens with visas and passports w
The government has amended its list of restricted areas after an improvement in rules of law and stability in the country

So reading the above link ( which failed to copy and paste ) it seems there is a new border crossing in Kanchanaburi ( not the 3 pagodas ) called Htee Khee - Sunaron...which is not far to the North West of Kanchanaburi town and only about 3 hours from Bangkok.

Nothing new about this border crossing ( or any of the others ) as they have been marked on my old A-Z of Thailand which I bought over 10 years ago. Whats new is that they are apparently now open for onward travel into Burma ( visa needed and not obtainable on arrival ) to Thais and other nationalities.

Not heard of anyone who has succeeded in doing a visa run here yet but I'll try it myself in October unless I hear its not yet possible.



More about this here :

More cross-border points between Myanmar and Thailand