Mae Sai, Thailand

[lucifier]

Originally Posted by trick

Bro lucifier,

Quote
May i know the rate of this hotel and compare to the standard at Wang Tong hotel at Mae Sai, are they on par?

thx alot bro.


cheers,
Bro TRick

Hi Bro Trick,

I remember that I did ask before but I forget liao. If I remember, should be in the 1500 bahts region.

I went to check on the Regina Golf and Country Club. They do provide free shuffle transfer service from Chiang Rai airport. And when I check the rate, it is just 1500 bahts for a superior rooms. If I not wrong, this hotel is quite near to the Allure Hotel standard. These 2 hotels are the hotels with casinos inside. This Regina look not bad. I visit the long-necked tribes which was hired by them to show-case to the tourist. There is also a golf range and other facilities like spa too. If you stay there, hope that you can visit the spa there and provide a FR. In fact, hope that you can provide us a FR there after you are back in Singapore. Refer to their website which also show the rates for the crossing of the border. Quite detail info.

http://www.regina-tk.com/english/sc.asp#bfee

Actually, I know a Thai gal who stay in Mae Sai and her mother owe a karaoke shop there. Her elder sis married a Malaysian as a second wife. I know there 2 sister quite well and has a good impression of the younger sister. Although the karaoke offers gals for sex, it seems that she is not involved in the shop. When I was there, she will just involve in the singing session. I guess that she has no choice as she lives above the karaoke and they are owe by her mum. She herself work in Doi Tung - the King's Queen Mother's villa near Mae Sai.

Hope that got chance to visit there. Guess that no chance to be with her as distance is a problem.

[MachoDevilX]

I have just came back from KengTung-Tachilek-Maesai. Here's some information that I find useful to provide for bros who are thinking of visiting these places in the future.

To cross over to Tachilek from Maesai
US$5 or 250baht for a single day entry
US$10 or 500baht for 2 weeks entry and allowable to travel until KengTung only

* Passport will be kept at the Custom and a temporary VISA will be given for people travelling into Myanmar via Maesai.

* There is no need to exchange FEC from Maesai to Myanmar.

* For Singaporean who have already apply VISA in SG through the Myanmar Embassy, a maximum of 1 month is allowed in Myanmar and the passport will not be kept at the custom. The 1 month VISA can be allowed to travel to anywhere in Myanmar and out of Myanmar. The VISA cost SGD$35.

* 50 baht will be charged by the "tour consultant" at the Tachilek border who will fill up the VISA form on your behalf. The "tour consultant" understands and speak english.
-----------------------------------------------"-------------------------------
Returning from Maesai
For those bros who are taking bus at Maesai-Tachilek (Town) border to the Maesai bus station, can wait along the road side for "Red TukTuk". It only cost 7 baht to travel to the bus station. And from the Maesai bus station, can take bus to Chiangmai, Chiangrai, BKK etc for flight to SG.


For other enquires, can either ask me in the forum or pm me.

[lucifier]

Originally Posted by MachoDevilX

I have just came back from KengTung-Tachilek-Maesai. Here's some information that I find useful to provide for bros who are thinking of visiting these places in the future.

To cross over to Tachilek from Maesai
US$5 or 250baht for a single day entry
US$10 or 500baht for 2 weeks entry and allowable to travel until KengTung only

* Passport will be kept at the Custom and a temporary VISA will be given for people travelling into Myanmar via Maesai.

* There is no need to exchange FEC from Maesai to Myanmar.

* For Singaporean who have already apply VISA in SG through the Myanmar Embassy, a maximum of 1 month is allowed in Myanmar and the passport will not be kept at the custom. The 1 month VISA can be allowed to travel to anywhere in Myanmar and out of Myanmar. The VISA cost SGD$35.

* 50 baht will be charged by the "tour consultant" at the Tachilek border who will fill up the VISA form on your behalf. The "tour consultant" understands and speak english.
-----------------------------------------------"-------------------------------
Returning from Maesai
For those bros who are taking bus at Maesai-Tachilek (Town) border to the Maesai bus station, can wait along the road side for "Red TukTuk". It only cost 7 baht to travel to the bus station. And from the Maesai bus station, can take bus to Chiangmai, Chiangrai, BKK etc for flight to SG.


For other enquires, can either ask me in the forum or pm me.

Hi bro,
thanks for the info. Any info. on the KengTung-Tachilek side. What about the info. on Keng Tung. Any cheong place or interesting place or things to do there. Will want to visit there, and maybe try to proceed on to Mong La from there.

Thanks a lot.

[Matthias]

Originally Posted by lucifier

Hi Bro Trick,

I remember that I did ask before but I forget liao. If I remember, should be in the 1500 bahts region.

I went to check on the Regina Golf and Country Club. They do provide free shuffle transfer service from Chiang Rai airport. And when I check the rate, it is just 1500 bahts for a superior rooms. If I not wrong, this hotel is quite near to the Allure Hotel standard. These 2 hotels are the hotels with casinos inside. This Regina look not bad. I visit the long-necked tribes which was hired by them to show-case to the tourist. There is also a golf range and other facilities like spa too. If you stay there, hope that you can visit the spa there and provide a FR. In fact, hope that you can provide us a FR there after you are back in Singapore. Refer to their website which also show the rates for the crossing of the border. Quite detail info.

http://www.regina-tk.com/english/sc.asp#bfee

Actually, I know a Thai gal who stay in Mae Sai and her mother owe a karaoke shop there. Her elder sis married a Malaysian as a second wife. I know there 2 sister quite well and has a good impression of the younger sister. Although the karaoke offers gals for sex, it seems that she is not involved in the shop. When I was there, she will just involve in the singing session. I guess that she has no choice as she lives above the karaoke and they are owe by her mum. She herself work in Doi Tung - the King's Queen Mother's villa near Mae Sai.

Hope that got chance to visit there. Guess that no chance to be with her as distance is a problem.

Rimkok resort is one of the best resorts in chiang rai. Excellent breakfast - has a BIG garden. Deluxe rooms from 1800Baht++

Location's abit off though but should be alright if you drive. Like me.

[Matthias]

Originally Posted by trick

Bro lucifier,

Quote
Another one i saw is called Maekhong River View Hotel a few kilometres (I think less than 2 kilometres) from the border. Actually quite near. If you take their taxi - like those Thailand's pickup taxi called songthew, it is just a few minutes away. It is just like typically 3-star hotel, with its own restaurant, massage centre. At that time, i just look around and they show me the place - the facilities. Very friendly staff. But i find the hotel a bit dark. In fact, I find that the Burmaese shop are always so dark, especially in the day. Dun know why.


May i know the rate of this hotel and compare to the standard at Wang Tong hotel at Mae Sai, are they on par?

thx alot bro.


cheers,
Bro TRick

1500Baht per night. I would say 3 star service. Very ex. Hotel keeps 2000Baht as deposit in case "you break or damage anything". Quoted by the staff....extra towels - pay money. Anyway, FOR ANY EXTRA (exd girls) you got to pay money......HIGHLY not recommended............

I suggest you go to REGINA hotel. Good hotel, cheaper, better standard but further from custom but nearer to their BOOM BOX "So called" disco by the locals......try the superwine - it's nice....mades you mabok and wanna dance! Oh, BTW, the disco upstairs provides both ST and LT service. Never check rates though - my tirak around.!

[lucifier]

Originally Posted by thaivisitor

That was not the case each time I travelled to Kengtung (I call it Jintung). I had my passport with the Myanmar stamp on it.

thaivisitor

Hi bro thaivisitor,

Thanks for the information. Hope to clarify some things about the passport/visa issue. This apply only to the day trip (one day visa at Tachileik), according to my experience. This might apply to the 2 week visa or those who apply the visa in sillypore beforehand.


Option 1: Leaving your passport at the Thai custom.

Step 1: At the photocopy booth
This is quite a common way as seen from the crowd outside the photocopy booth near the Thai custom at Mae Sai. You pay a few bahts to photocopy your passport. The page with your photo attached. Look out for one young and beautiful gal who manned the booth. She normally wear those Thai university uniform. Look kawaii. (cute)

Step 2: At the Thai custom
After paying the 100 bahts to the custom. Deposit your passport at the Thai custom. They will give u some sort of "receipt" for that. Dun lost that as u might not get your passport back if u lost it. They will stamp the exit stamp on the photocopy version (A4 size paper) of the passport. Note that there will be no stamp on your actual passport.

Step 3: At the Myanmar custom
You present the photocopy version of the passport for the entrance stamp. You paid 250 bahts here.There you go at Tacheilek - the City of the Golden Triangle and the first thing that will greet you will be the touts asking you to join their short tour at the trishaw or moto-trishaw.



Option 2: Bringing your passport with you.

Step 1: No need to go to the photocopy booth. Straight to Thai custom. Present your passport for the exit stamp and pay the 100 bahts. Those who took these options could be either:
1. those on visa run - those who want to extend your stay in Thailand. Remember that once u exit Thailand, and re-enter Thailand at the end of the day (or maybe one hour), you had 30 more days visa at Thailand. Certainly cheaper that extending at the Bangkok immigration centre.
2. those who want to have the stamp at the passpert for souvenier. To show others that you had enter Myanmar maybe.

Step 2: At the Myanmar custom
Same as the previous option, including the 250 bahts. The only difference is that they stamp on your passport instead on the paper.


Further tips:
1. You could buy a A4 version (normal white paper) of the Tachileik map near the Myanmar custom.
2. For those who just want to visit Tachileik for the day, walk around the market just after the custom. There are a lot of DVD at 100 bahts (or cheaper)
3. Can take those moto-trishaw (or those non-motor-trishaw) to go around Tachileik (within 5km radius). Be sure to bargain.
4. For those who like rock songs, there is a lot of "live concert DVD" of bands e.g. Linkin Park, Rage Against the Machine. About 100 bahts.

Warning:
1. For those smoker: you might be tempted to buy those 100bahts (if i remember correctly) per carton (10 packs x 20 sticks) offers by the touts. Dun buy from them. They might open one pack for u to sample. That might be the only real pack as the other pack in the carton will be fake. Those Marlboro will be those make in Myanmar with the inferior quality. In addition, u could not bring in more than 2 cartons of cigerattes back to Thailand or else u will be fined heavily. Imagine paying for fake cigeratte and heavy fine. More expensive than in Sillypore.
2. Those mobile touts asking u to buy restricted VCDs. You will notice that after u buy them ,the actual VCD u bought will be different from what they had shown u before as they had switch it beforehand. Be careful. If want to buy, buy from those numerous shops. Just ask the shop owner and they will bring u to the back.

Hope my info. helps. Please up my points if u think i deserve it. Thanks.

[lucifier]

Originally Posted by thaivisitor

That was not the case each time I travelled to Kengtung (I call it Jintung). I had my passport with the Myanmar stamp on it.


You can only take a taxi from Tachilek to KengTung. The Taxi driver will need to filled up a form with all those on board his taxi. Along the way, he has to stop for periodic checks whereby the authorities will check (although always not physically) to make sure that the names correspond with the passengers. No one is allowed to drop off or board halfway.

The journey from Tachilek to Kengtung is double the normal usage time due to the terrible road conditions.

Along the journey, you can see some natives in their traditional clothes whereby people use to pay to take pictures with them in Thailand. There's also a very large hotspring but unfortunately, the Myanmese doesn't know how to capitalise on that.

In Kengtung, the so-called only attraction would be a large "Kuan Im" statute. Other than that, if you have no girlfriend with you, you have to PCC.

Oh! you can also visit a master there. He's call the "master with a hat" because he's always wearing a hat. He has helped a lot of people all over the world especially Asain and you can see the amount of gifts he has from them. Enough to open a shop.

The government only provide electicity to houses one day per month by rotation. When a particular house will have electricity is not fixed. So if a family is not at home when their house electricity, too bad. The rich will of course have their own generator.

Hotels are quite nicely built. There's only a few of them. They charge foreigners by per head, not per room, so don't go sharing with your frined in the same room. It's normally US$10.00 per head. Electricity in hotels (by generator) are only switch on during the evening about 7.00 pm to night about 11.00 pm. I remembered asking the hotel staff whether there is hot water for bathing, and she replied yes, showing me where the hot water tap is, but the fucking electricity is not on.

The owner and his family normally stays in a house beside the hotel (within the same compound). They will have a TV set in their house which controls all the channels in the hotel TVs. So you can imagine watching the TV in the hotel and sudeenly the channel keep changing because some fucking kid in the house keeps changing the channel according to what he/she wants to see.

If you need to stay, stay only for a night and get to Mongla or wherever you want to go or you might die of boredom there.

Cheers
thaivisitor

Hi bro thaivisitor,

Me again. Just need to clarify with you on your trips. Really appreciate your helps.

1. How long is the journey from Tachileik to Kengtung? How much did u pay for the taxi? Where did u book the taxi? Heard that the scenery along these route is very nice. Is it true?

2. What does that master do? Medical or fortune telling? Might want to visit him.

3. Where did u stay in Kengtung? Can tell me more on the cheong scene from what u had observed. I understand you had your tirak with you. Is the Shan gals there suay jing jing?

4. Do u have any knowledge of the trip to Mongla. What is the procedure. Is it possible for us to go anywhere in Myanmar after Kengtung or Mongla. Is there any limitation. Heard that there is a rule is that "From where we come from, we must exit from there". E.g. is if we enter by Tachileik, we must exit from there too. Cannot enter by Tachileik, travel around Myanmar, then back to Sillypore by plane from Yangon.

Really appreciate your help.

[forumer]

Originally Posted by lucifier

Option 1: Leaving your passport at the Thai custom.

The last time I was there, everyone leaving Thailand (angmos, etc) took their passports along with them and left for Tachileik. Din see anyone leaving their passport behind at the Thai custom.

Even on a 1 day visit to Tachileik, the passport is kept by the Myanmar immigration and returned upon your departure.

Originally Posted by lucifier

Step 1: No need to go to the photocopy booth. Straight to Thai custom. Present your passport for the exit stamp and pay the 100 bahts.

What is this 100 baht for? Din encounter this as well.

[lucifier]

Originally Posted by forumer

The last time I was there, everyone leaving Thailand (angmos, etc) took their passports along with them and left for Tachileik. Din see anyone leaving their passport behind at the Thai custom.

Even on a 1 day visit to Tachileik, the passport is kept by the Myanmar immigration and returned upon your departure.

I do not think that the passport is kept by the Myanmar. From my experience, it is kept by the Thai for the option 1. By the way, do you observe about 2 photocopy booths outside the Thai customs. I believe that the angmo and the others u seen might be going for a visa run to extend their stay in Thailand. For this method, they need to have the stamp on their passport. I had personnally tried the 2 options. On the last time I cross the border, the Thai custom officer insists that I photocopy my passport but I told them I want the stamp on my passport and they understand and let my passport to be stamp.

The photocopy version is useful (I think) for those Thai who do business at the Tachileik and need to go there often. If everytime they go to Tachileik and had to stamp their passport, the passport will be completed in no times. Maybe those Thai cusotm officer though I am a Thai. (in fact I look like one, with my dark complexation)

Originally Posted by forumer

TWhat is this 100 baht for? Din encounter this as well.

Refer to this website - http://www.regina-tk.com/english/sc.asp#bfee

It is referred to as Thai immigration fee. Maybe they know I am doing a visa run and this is a fee for that. I not sure. You are lucky that you dun need to pay that 100 bahts. Maybe if you follow a tour guide in, u dun need to pay for that. Can anyone here verify these.

Thanks.

[lucifier]

Originally Posted by thaivisitor

I seriously do not know how much as my biz partner paid for the taxi but I guess it should be within affordable range. There are many taxis in Tachilek. If you do not know any, just asked around and you'll be able to get one. The journey takes about half a day depending on the "standard" of the taxi. Sceneries are very subjective. Some may enjoy it, some not.


More on fortune telling type. In addition to normal details, you also need to know the day you were born. eg. Friday.


I stayed in a hotel, quite big as far as kengtung standard is concerned. Cannot remember the name, only that it all all wooden, kind of like a resort look. I cannot observe any cheong scene in Kengtung. Yes, Shan girls are suay jing jing, but there are also bad lookers too lah. And NBzzz, when I was there, I did not have my tirak with me leh..


Rules are set by the authorities manning the place. Money talks too, Generally, under normal circumstances, you can go to Mongla from Kengtung. There are some areas which you cannot go even if you want to pay "extra" so basically, the taxi will be able to know.

There is no rule that you have to exit from Tachilek if you enter from there. Just make sure you have your passport with the valid stamps. When I was there, there was a group of Singaporeans who entered thru Tachilek and made their way to Rangoon and fly to Singapore from Rangoon too.

By the way, getting to rangoon from Tachilek or the nearby provinces by road is near impossible. You will need to fly to Rangoon.

If you want more accurate information, I can refer you to a friend in Maesai who basically travels in and out of Myanmar and was also the one who brought me there to see the master. She has both countries legal citizenship.

Oh! Don't bother to have any dieas, she's 50 already.

Hi bro thaivisitor,

Really appreciate your effort in answering my question. Really the ultimate appreciate that. I really believe in the money talks thing here. One thing for the difficulty in moving from one place to another in Myanmar beside the transport infrastructure is the rebels presence. As some part are under rebel's control, the Myanmar government cannot guarantee your personal safety and that is one of the reason they always advise you to fly instead by land.

To me, I prefer to explore by land as you can see more thing. Anyway, when u travel, the most important aspect of it might not be the destination itself, it should be journey.

Let see how is my work schedule. I would really want to try the Mae Sai - Tachielik - Kengtung - Mongla - anywhere in Myanmar. Will post as much info. here as possible here once I had make that trip. I enjoy sharing my travel experience with all the bros here.

Thaivisitor, maybe we can exchange contact and meet up and share our travel experience. Any bros here who are interested can join us too.

Thanks.

[forumer]

Originally Posted by lucifier

I do not think that the passport is kept by the Myanmar. From my experience, it is kept by the Thai for the option 1.

Well, maybe its different for you. My friend's experience and my own experience crossing the border, we held onto our passports leaving Thailand, and deposited the passports at Myanmar Immig.

Originally Posted by lucifier

It is referred to as Thai immigration fee. Maybe they know I am doing a visa run and this is a fee for that. I not sure. You are lucky that you dun need to pay that 100 bahts. Maybe if you follow a tour guide in, u dun need to pay for that. Can anyone here verify these.

Thai Nationals who go to Tachileik Myanmar to do business do not need a passport. There is a border agreement between the 2 govts to allow their people to move freely between the 2 countries to do trade using a border pass for Myanmar and a piece of document on the Thailand side. The 100 baht would apply to the Thais, not the conventional passport holders.

[lucifier]

Originally Posted by forumer

Well, maybe its different for you. My friend's experience and my own experience crossing the border, we held onto our passports leaving Thailand, and deposited the passports at Myanmar Immig.

Maybe they have different standards, depending on their mood.I think it is more dangerous for the Myanmar side to keep our passport.

Originally Posted by forumer

Thai Nationals who go to Tachileik Myanmar to do business do not need a passport. There is a border agreement between the 2 govts to allow their people to move freely between the 2 countries to do trade using a border pass for Myanmar and a piece of document on the Thailand side. The 100 baht would apply to them, not the conventional passport holders.

Maybe the 100 bahts i pay is for their pocket money.

[forumer]

I dun think there is a fixed price for places like Thailand/Myanmar.

Different occassions, I paid different amounts for the entry fee to Myanmar, depending who is the Immigration Officer on duty.

[lucifier]

Originally Posted by forumer

I dun think there is a fixed price for places like Thailand/Myanmar.

Different occassions, I paid different amounts for the entry fee to Myanmar, depending who is the Immigration Officer on duty.

But I feel that they are more friendly toward Singapore than those ang-mo. When crossing the custom, they ask me where i from, i told them from Singapore and they let me through w/o hassle. Behind me is an ang-mo. Some more the ang-mo greet them hello in Burmaese (mi-la-ga-pa) and yet they had check his bag. They did not check my bags for the few times I had cross the border.

[forumer]

Originally Posted by lucifier

But I feel that they are more friendly toward Singapore than those ang-mo. When crossing the custom, they ask me where i from, i told them from Singapore and they let me through w/o hassle. Behind me is an ang-mo. Some more the ang-mo greet them hello in Burmaese (mi-la-ga-pa) and yet they had check his bag. They did not check my bags for the few times I had cross the border.

Maybe cos the angmo said wrongly. Supposed to be Min-Gala-Ba.