Thailand Border Run to Myanmar via Mae Sai: Step-by-Step Guide + 2026 Update (Is It Still Possible?)

Learn how to easily do a Thailand border run from the Mae Sai border into Tachileik, Myanmar and back again.

Last updated: May 2026

This is a step-by-step guide to doing a Thailand border run by crossing overland at the Mae Sai border into Tachileik, Myanmar and returning the same day.

Most travellers entering Thailand by air, are granted a Thai 30-day visa-exempt entry stamp on arrival at the airport.

However, if you love Thailand and want to stay longer, Thailand border runs are a popular and quick solution for tourists and expats.

Due to their proximity to the Thai/Myanmar border, northern Thai cities such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or Pai, make Mae Sai border runs to Tachileik, Myanmar convenient, cheap and easy. 

When we spent 6 months living and travelling in Thailand, we first entered on a 30-day visa-exempt entry stamp. After we extended this entry stamp for 30 more days at the Chiang Mai Immigration Office, we had two further options to stay longer in Thailand:

• Either a Visa Run to Laos (or another country) to apply for a 60-day Tourist Visa
• Or a Mae Sai Border Run to get another 30-day visa-exempt entry stamp

We decided to do the Mae Sai border run now and leave the more expensive Laos visa run for later.

2026 Update: Is the Mae Sai Border Run Still Open?

SO…….

Border rules between Thailand and Myanmar have changed a lot in recent years.

As of this update (2026), many travellers report that the Mae Sai ↔ Tachileik crossing is either restricted or closed to foreign tourists due to the current situation in Myanmar.

Some travellers have still reported crossings being possible, while others have been denied entry. Rules can change quickly.

Before travelling to Mae Sai for a border run, I highly recommend checking:

• Thai immigration updates
• Current Myanmar border restrictions
• Recent traveler reports

The original guide below explains the exact process I personally used for the Thailand border run a few years ago, but this was before the Myanmar civil war.

Quick Border Run Status (2026)

Alternatives to the Myanmar Border Run

Because the Mae Sai to Tachileik border crossing can sometimes be restricted or unpredictable for foreigners, many travellers are now choosing other Thailand border run options instead.

The good news is that there are still several ways to leave and re-enter Thailand legally if you need a new entry stamp or visa exemption.

Laos Border Runs

Laos is one of the most popular alternatives for Thailand border runs, especially for travellers in Northern Thailand.

Common crossings include:

• Chiang Khong → Huay Xai
• Nong Khai → Vientiane

These crossings are generally more reliable for foreigners and are often used for Thai visa runs and visa applications.

If you’re based in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, a Laos border run is usually the easiest alternative to Myanmar.

And if you want to get a 60-day tourist visa for Thailand, read my guide on how to do a Laos visa run.

Cambodia Border Runs

Cambodia border runs are also very common, especially for travellers staying in Bangkok, Pattaya, or Southern Thailand.

Popular crossings include:

• Poipet
• Ban Laem
• Koh Kong

Some travellers use these crossings for quick same-day border runs, while others spend a night or two exploring Cambodia before returning to Thailand.

Malaysia Border Runs

If you’re travelling in Southern Thailand, Malaysia can be another convenient option.

Popular border crossings include:

• Padang Besar
• Sadao

Malaysia is often considered one of the smoother border run options because of its good transport connections and infrastructure.

Thai Visa Stamp Extensions

Before planning a border run, it’s also worth checking whether you can extend your current stay in Thailand instead. Because this option is way easier and faster.

In many cases, travellers entering Thailand on a visa exemption can apply for a 30-day extension at a local immigration office without needing to leave the country.

This is usually easier, cheaper, and less stressful than organising a same-day border run.

Important Things to Know About Thailand Border Runs

Thailand’s immigration has become stricter with repeated border runs over the years.

Doing too many back-to-back entries can sometimes lead to:

• Extra questioning at immigration
• Proof of onward travel requests
• Being denied entry

Rules can also change quickly depending on the border crossing and current political situations in neighbouring countries.

Always check the latest immigration information before making travel plans.

Border Run vs Visa Run: What’s the Difference?

Before we get into the Mae Sai border crossing process, it’s important to understand the difference between a border run and a visa run.

A lot of travellers use these terms interchangeably, but they’re actually two completely different things.

If you’re crossing from Mae Sai into Tachileik and then straight back into Thailand, you’re doing a Thailand border run, not a visa run.

What Is a Border Run?

A border run is when you briefly leave Thailand by crossing into a neighbouring country, then return to Thailand to receive a new visa-exempt entry stamp (or a Thai Visa on Arrival for eligible passport holders).

In most cases:

• You enter another country
• Turn around shortly after
• Re-enter Thailand the same day

A Thailand border run is usually:

• the quickest option
• the cheapest option
• possible to complete in one day

For this Mae Sai border run, you’ll cross from Thailand into Tachileik, Myanmar, before coming back into Thailand again.

What Is a Visa Run?

A visa run is completely different.

Instead of simply crossing the border and returning, you leave Thailand and apply for a Thai tourist visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in another country.

This could include applying for:

• a Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV)
• a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV)

Unlike a border run, a visa run usually takes a few days because you need to wait for your visa application to be processed.

This means:

• Accommodation costs
• Extra transport costs
• More planning
• More time outside Thailand

For travellers wanting a longer stay in Thailand, this can sometimes be the better option.

Important Things to Know Before Crossing the Mae Sai Border

Before travelling to the Thailand–Myanmar border, there are a few important things you should know first.

You cannot apply for a Thai Tourist Visa in Tachileik

Crossing from Mae Sai into Tachileik is a border run only. You cannot apply for a Thai tourist visa there.

Tachileik is simply a border town, and there is no Thai Embassy or Consulate available for tourist visa applications.

The nearest Thai Embassy is in Yangon, Myanmar.

Land Border Entry Rules in Thailand

Thailand currently limits travellers to:

• Two visa-exempt entries per calendar year by land border

This rule does not apply to entries by air.

The purpose of this rule is to:

• Reduce excessive back-to-back border runs
• Encourage travellers to get the correct Thai visa before arriving
• Prevent long-term stays using repeated visa exemptions

Border Runs Are Legal

If you’ve never crossed a land border before, the process can sound a little intimidating at first.

But most of the time, a Thailand border run is very straightforward.

You are simply:

1. Exiting Thailand
2. Entering another country temporarily
3. Returning to Thailand for a new entry stamp

Although immigration officers may become suspicious of travellers doing excessive back-to-back border runs, crossing the Mae Sai border legally is completely allowed.

Can You Be Refused Entry After a Thailand Border Run?

One thing you’ll probably hear while travelling in Thailand is that immigration officers can sometimes refuse entry to travellers doing too many border runs.

And yes — this can happen.

Traveller experiences vary massively depending on:

• The border crossing
• The immigration officer
• Your travel history
• How many times you’ve entered Thailand recently

Some borders have a reputation for being easier than others, and some travellers seem to sail through while others get questioned heavily.

When it comes to Thailand border runs, it’s best to think of entering Thailand as a privilege rather than a guarantee. 

And always have a backup plan.

Immigration rules can change quickly, and immigration officers have a lot of discretion.

My Best Advice for Thailand Border Runs

Over the years, this is the best advice I’ve personally been given — and the advice I always follow myself:

• Follow Thailand’s visa and entry rules properly
• Dress neatly and respectfully
• Be polite and honest with immigration officers
• Have your documents organised and easy to access
• Avoid acting argumentative or entitled

Border crossings can feel hectic and chaotic, especially around busy land borders, so keep your passport and valuables secure at all times.

Helpful Thailand Visa Resources

For official information, always check the Thai Embassy or Consulate website for your own country.

For traveller experiences, recent updates, and unofficial advice, the expat site Thai Visa or the Facebook group Thai Visa Advice can also be incredibly helpful.

You might also find these guides useful:

• My Thailand visa run to Laos guide
• My Thailand travel tips for first-timers post

Our Thailand Border Run Experience

At the time, we had been living in Chiang Mai for a couple of months and were about to head down to Bangkok for a month-long house sit we’d found through TrustedHousesitters.

We had already extended our original 30-day visa-exempt stamp once at the local immigration office for 1900 THB.

So next, we decided to do a Thailand border run.

This meant travelling from Chiang Mai to the northern border town of Mae Sai, briefly crossing into Myanmar, and then re-entering Thailand to receive another 30-day visa-exempt entry stamp.

How the Mae Sai Border Run Works

The Mae Sai border run is one of the quickest and cheapest border runs from Chiang Mai because:

• It can be done in one day
• There are no accommodation costs
• You don’t need to fly anywhere

The process is pretty simple:

Step 1: Travel to Mae Sai

Travel from Chiang Mai to the northern border town of Mae Sai.

Step 2: Exit Thailand

Go through Thai immigration and receive your exit stamp.

Step 3: Enter Myanmar

Cross the border bridge into Tachileik, Myanmar.

Step 4: Re-Enter Thailand

Return through immigration to receive a new Thailand visa-exempt entry stamp (or Visa on Arrival if eligible).

And yes, you can usually complete the entire process in a single day.

My Step-by-Step Mae Sai Border Run Guide

Below, I’ll show you exactly how we did this Thailand border run from Chiang Mai to Myanmar and back again using Green Bus Thailand.

At the time, this was:

• The fastest option
• The cheapest option
• The easiest same-day border run from Chiang Mai

And despite sounding stressful beforehand, the process itself was actually much easier than we expected.

⚠️ Important:

Immigration rules change frequently in Thailand and Myanmar.

Border crossings can open, close, or become restricted without much notice.

Always double-check current requirements before travelling.

Border run route from Chiang Mai to Mae Sai then into Myanmar

Step 1: Book the Green Bus to the Mae Sai Border

The easiest way to do this Mae Sai border run from Chiang Mai to Myanmar is by using GreenBus Thailand.

You’ll travel from Chiang Mai to the northern border town of Mae Sai, then cross the border on foot into Tachileik, Myanmar.

Although this is usually just a quick border hop for most travellers, Myanmar is actually a fascinating country and one of the cheapest Asian countries to visit if you ever decide to explore further.

Why We Used GreenBus Thailand

The bus company we used — and recommend — is GreenBus Thailand.

They are one of the main transport companies operating in Northern Thailand and run routes between major towns and cities.

GreenBus has a good reputation for being:

• reliable
• safe
• comfortable
• tourist-friendly

Thai locals use them as well as tourists, and they’re very familiar with travellers doing the Mae Sai border run.

How to Book Your Green Bus Ticket

You can either:

• Book in person at the Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal
• Book online through the GreenBus Thailand website or app

You can pay:

• Online with a credit or debit card
• Or reserve seats online and pay later at a 7-Eleven store

We reserved our seats online on the GreenBus website and paid later at a 7-Eleven store.

After reserving the seats online, you usually have around 2 hours to make payment at 7-Eleven.

Your 7-Eleven receipt then becomes your bus ticket, so make sure you keep it safe.

PRO TIP: Print Your Ticket Just in Case

Some travellers said showing the GreenBus reservation on their phone was enough when boarding.

However, others were asked for a printed ticket.

To avoid problems, leave yourself enough time at the Chiang Mai Bus Terminal just in case you need to print the ticket at the GreenBus counter before departure.

According to GreenBus Thailand, you can usually use any of the following as proof of booking:

• 7-Eleven counter service receipt
• Printed ticket from online booking
• Screenshot of the ticket with the GreenBus Thailand logo
• SMS booking confirmation

We used our 7-Eleven receipt as our booking confirmation.

Book the VIP / 1st Class Seats

I highly recommend paying a little extra for the VIP or 1st Class seats.

These seats:

• have more leg room
• are more comfortable
• make the 5-hour journey much easier

Especially if you’re doing the whole border run in one day.

Choosing Your Return Bus Time (Very Important)

When booking through the GreenBus app or website, you’ll need to choose:

• Your departure bus
• Your return bus

This part is important:

You need to leave yourself enough time to:

1. Cross into Myanmar
2. Complete immigration
3. Cross back into Thailand
4. Queue again at Thai immigration

Important: Thailand and Myanmar Have Different Time Zones

Don’t forget the time difference!

Myanmar is 30 minutes behind Thailand.

Thailand is 30 minutes ahead of Myanmar.

However, we had no idea of the 30-minute time difference between the countries and ended up getting caught in a huge immigration queue when re-entering Thailand.

We almost missed our departure bus back.

Because of this, I strongly recommend giving yourself extra buffer time where possible.

Border queues can move slowly, and delays definitely happen.

Our GreenBus Schedule

This is the schedule we booked:

This gave us around 3 hours to:

• cross the border
• complete immigration
• re-enter Thailand

So, leave yourself enough time when booking the return Greenbus, based on what you think you might do in Myanmar. If we had known the Thailand re-entry queue was going to be so long, we would have left the cafe a little earlier, for instance. 

[Show slideshow]

Things You Need for the Mae Sai Border Run

Apps & Websites

• GreenBus Thailand App (Android)
• GreenBus Thailand App (iPhone)
• GreenBus Thailand website
• 12GoAsia website

In fact, relying on the right travel apps makes trips like this so much easier. Check out my guide to the best travel apps I use on every trip.

Mae Sai Border Run Itinerary

More time is always better when dealing with immigration queues.

Border Run Costs

[Show slideshow]

Step 2: Starting the Journey From Chiang Mai 

On the day of our Mae Sai border run, we were staying in the Nimman area of Chiang Mai.

We got up early and gave ourselves plenty of time to book a Grab taxi to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal for our 07:15 departure.

Our Green Bus departed from Terminal 3, which is the standard terminal for buses heading to Mae Sai.

Getting to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal

Most Grab or taxi drivers in Chiang Mai already know where the Arcade Bus Terminal is.

But if there’s any confusion, simply tell them:

• You’re taking the Green Bus to Mae Sai
• You’re doing a border run

They’ll usually understand immediately.

What to Do When You Arrive

Once you arrive at Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal:

Step 1: Check Your Departure Platform

Head to the Green Bus counter to confirm where your bus departs.

Step 2: Print Tickets if Needed

If you booked online, this is also a good time to print your ticket if required.

Step 3: Join the Boarding Queue

After that, queue up and wait for boarding.

What the Green Bus Was Like

The Green Buses were actually pretty comfortable for the price.

Inside the bus, there were:

• Reclining seats
• Air conditioning
• Headrests
• Footrests
• Decent space overall

The VIP / 1st Class section is located in the first four rows and has significantly more legroom.

There was also enough room to comfortably store a couple of small backpacks near our seats.

A Few Things to Know Before the Journey

There were a few downsides, though.

Our bus did not have:

• WiFi
• Charging ports
• Onboard toilets

The air conditioning was also set to ‘absolutely freezing’ mode. And I mean arctic-level freezing.

Definitely bring:

• a jumper, a hoodie, or a jacket

You’ll be very glad you did.

Because it was such a long travel day, we also brought:

• Our Anker portable power pack for charging phones
• Mosquito repellent

Oddly enough, a few rogue mosquitoes had made their way onto the bus and spent most of the journey attacking everyone’s ankles.

Boarding the Bus

Before departure, the driver’s assistant:

• Did a head count
• Handed out free bottled water
• Gave everyone a small pastry snack

We departed right on time at 07:15 AM from Terminal 3 on:

• Route 619: Chiang Mai → Mae Sai

Things to Bring for This Part of the Border Run

• Green Bus ticket or booking confirmation
• Jumper or jacket
• Portable power bank
• Mosquito repellent

Journey Itinerary

Costs

Step 3: Green Bus Journey — Route 619 Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai → Mae Sai

The journey from Chiang Mai to the border town of Mae Sai takes around 5 hours each way, including all stops.

The route is:

• Route 619: Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai → Mae Sai

There are a few short stops along the way, but only one proper rest stop where you’ll realistically have enough time to use the facilities properly.

Bring Food and Snacks With You

I’d definitely recommend bringing food, snacks, and plenty of bottled water with you for the journey.

There aren’t any convenient cafés or 7-Eleven stores during most of the trip until you finally arrive in Mae Sai.

For our journey, we packed:

• wrapped sandwiches
• sushi
• bananas
• almonds
• chips
• bottled water

This covered breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the day.

We spent around 300 THB on food and snacks for two people.

Chiang Rai Bus Terminal Stop

Around two hours into the journey, the bus stops briefly at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal.

This rest stop is usually only about 10 minutes.

During this time:

• New passengers board the bus
• You can quickly use the toilets
• You can buy drinks or snacks

The schedule is fairly tight, so before wandering off, check with the driver or assistant to see how much time you actually have.

Facilities at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal

At Chiang Rai Bus Terminal, there were:

• Toilets
• a few Thai snack stalls

But there weren’t many other food options available.

I also didn’t spot any proper coffee shops, although there may have been a small iced coffee stand tucked away somewhere that I missed.

What the Journey Is Like

Most of the drive is through standard Northern Thailand countryside and jungle scenery.

There aren’t really any major landmarks or attractions along the route, but the scenery itself is still nice enough to watch from the window.

On our journey, the bus also made a few additional stops:

• Some for cargo drop-offs (which Green Bus Thailand also offers as a service)
• Some for police or security checks

During the security stops, Thai police occasionally boarded the bus and checked IDs.

It all felt pretty routine, though and wasn’t anything to worry about.

Things to Bring for the Journey

• Music, podcasts, books, or something to keep yourself entertained
• Food and snacks
• Bottled water
• Tissues or wet wipes for the bus terminal toilets

Journey Itinerary

Costs

Step 4: Arriving at the Mae Sai Border and Exiting Thailand

When you arrive in Mae Sai, the Green Bus will stop at Mae Sai Bus Terminal.

We arrived at around 12:35 PM, making the total journey time roughly 5 hours 20 minutes.

Before getting off the bus, make sure you take all your bags and belongings with you, as you may not necessarily return on the same bus later.

Getting From Mae Sai Bus Terminal to the Border

Once you step outside the bus terminal, head towards the car park area.

You’ll see lots of red trucks parked nearby — these are local Songthaews.

As soon as the drivers spot tourists with backpacks, they’ll usually ask:

“Border?”

These red trucks regularly transport travellers doing the Mae Sai border run, so the process is very straightforward.

You’ll probably notice other backpackers, expats, and travellers doing exactly the same thing.

Songthaew Cost and Journey Time

The Songthaew ride from Mae Sai Bus Terminal to the border cost us:

• 30 THB total for two people

The journey itself took around:

• 15–20 minutes

The timing depends on traffic and how many passengers are being picked up or dropped off along the way

The red truck drops you directly outside the Thai side of the Mae Sai border crossing.

From there, you continue the rest of the border crossing on foot.

👉 TOP TIP: Exchanging Money for the Myanmar Border Fee

If you plan to pay the Myanmar border crossing fee in USD, there’s a gold shop located on the left-hand side near the Mae Sai border gate where you can exchange Thai baht into US dollars.

Exiting Thailand at the Mae Sai Border

Once you arrive at the border gate:

Step 1: Walk Through the Border Entrance

Follow the signs and walk towards Thai immigration.

Step 2: Join the Immigration Queue

Queue up to receive your Thailand exit stamp.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

Before reaching the immigration desk, make sure you have:

• Your passport ready
• Your departure card is already filled out

This is the departure card you would have received when originally entering Thailand.

Thai Immigration Process

The process for exiting Thailand at Mae Sai was simple and fairly quick.

Once your passport is stamped, you officially exit Thailand and continue walking towards the Myanmar side of the border crossing.

Things You Need for This Step

• Passport
• Completed Thailand departure card

Journey Itinerary

Costs

Border gate at Mae Sai, Thailand side

Step 5: Crossing the Mae Sai Border Into Tachileik, Myanmar

Now that you’ve officially been stamped out of Thailand, the next step is crossing the border into Myanmar.

The process itself is fairly simple once you know where to walk.

Walking Across the Thailand–Myanmar Border

After exiting Thai immigration:

Step 1: Continue Through the Border Gate

Keep walking straight ahead and out through the Thailand–Myanmar border gate.

Stay on the left-hand side initially as you walk towards the bridge.

Step 2: Cross the Bridge

You’ll then walk onto the bridge connecting Thailand and Myanmar.

Once you’re on the bridge, cross over to the right-hand side of the road.

You should see:

• an “IN” sign (can be hard to see)
• The Myanmar entry gate ahead

This is the side you need to be on to enter Myanmar and receive your entry stamp.

Step 3: Enter Myanmar Immigration

Continue walking through the official Myanmar border gate.

The Myanmar Immigration office will be on your right-hand side.

By this point, you should now be walking on the right side of the road.

Finding the Immigration Office

When we crossed, there weren’t really:

• Proper queues
• Clear signs
• Obvious directions

So we mostly just followed the flow of people walking through the border crossing.

Eventually, one of the immigration officers noticed us and guided us into the small Myanmar border office to complete the entry process.

Walking into Myanmar through border gate – cross the road to the right side – where it says ‘IN’.

Step 6: Entering Myanmar at the Tachileik Border

Once you reach the Myanmar immigration office, the next step is getting your entry processed.

Myanmar Border Fee and Passport Check

The Immigration Officers will ask for:

• Your passport
• Payment of 500 THB (or USD 10) per person as the Myanmar border fee

👉 TOP TIP: Paying in USD: If you are paying in USD, make sure your notes are clean, crisp and undamaged. Old or worn notes are often rejected.

Entry Questions From Immigration

You’ll then be asked whether you are:

• staying in Myanmar, or
• just visiting briefly (for shopping)

If you’re staying overnight or longer, you’ll need to tell them:

• How long you’re staying
• Where you’re staying

If you’re only doing a border run and heading back to Thailand, you can simply say you’re:

• “shopping for a few hours.”

This is very common, and officers are used to tourists doing exactly this. They just need to issue the correct entry permission.

Get your Day Entry Permit (Important)

You will then be given a Day Entry Permit slip.

This allows you to:

• Enter the Tachileik border area
• Stay only within the designated border zone
• Not travel further into Myanmar

You will also be told that your passport will be held at the immigration office and collected when you exit.

At first, this can feel a bit uncomfortable (I definitely get twitchy when someone keeps my passport), but this is standard procedure, and your passport is returned when you leave.

👉 Make sure you:

• Keep your Day Entry Permit slip safe, as it’s matched to your passport on exit

Walking Into Myanmar

Once everything is processed, you simply:

• Leave the immigration office
• Continue walking forward
• Cross the rest of the bridge

At this point, you are officially in Myanmar (Tachileik)!

Can You Skip Exploring Myanmar?

Yes — and this is important.

If you don’t want to spend time in Tachileik, you can tell the immigration officer:

You’d like to re-enter Thailand immediately.

In many cases, they will simply direct you to:

• Turn around and go straight back to Thai immigration

We chose to stay for a couple of hours, but it is completely optional.

What Tachileik Is Like

Not too much to report here. There is a small border market area and a few cafés nearby, but there isn’t a huge amount to see unless you travel further into Myanmar.

We mostly used the time as a break after hours on the bus. We walked around the border market for about an hour before heading back.

We stopped at a café called The Circle Café. They had decent iced lattes, a bathroom and a chill seating area. They also accepted Thai baht, which is common in the border area.

Most shops and cafés around the market area will also accept Thai baht, so you usually don’t need to exchange currency for a short visit.

Things You Need for This Step

• Passport
• Myanmar border entry fee 500 THB (or USD 10) per person
• Crisp USD notes (if paying in USD)

TIP: Paying the border entry fee in USD can sometimes work out slightly cheaper depending on exchange rates.

Itinerary

Costs

Myanmar Border Day Entry Permit slip

Step 7: Re-Entering Thailand at the Tachileik Border for a New 30-Day Stamp

After you’ve finished exploring Tachileik, done some shopping, or simply spent time in the border area, it’s time to head back into Thailand.

This is where you receive your shiny new 30-day visa-exempt entry stamp (or Visa on Arrival, depending on your passport eligibility).

Walking Back Across the Border

Start walking back towards the bridge.

This time, stay on the right-hand side of the bridge (the opposite side to when you first entered Myanmar).

On your right-hand side, you’ll see a small Myanmar immigration office.

Returning Your Day Entry Permit

Go into the office and:

• Hand over your Day Entry Permit slip
• Receive your passport back

Once you’ve collected your passport, continue walking back along the bridge towards the Thai side of the border.

Re-Entering Thailand at Mae Sai

Once you reach the Thai border gate again, you’ll need to go through Thai immigration to receive your new entry stamp.

Arrival Card Requirement

If you are entering Thailand again on:

• a 30-day visa-exempt entry, or
• a Visa on Arrival

You will need to complete a new Thailand Arrival/Departure card.

You can usually find these at the immigration booth or ask staff for one if needed

Joining the Immigration Queue

Join the queue on the left side (non-Thai passport holders) and wait for your turn.

This queue is often the slowest part of the entire border run.

We ended up waiting close to an hour, which is why it’s so important to leave plenty of buffer time when planning your return GreenBus journey.

Border crossings can feel stressful, especially when queues move slowly, so try to stay patient and give yourself extra time for delays.

Proof of Funds Requirement (Important Note)

You may notice signs at immigration stating that travellers entering Thailand on a visa-exempt entry or a Visa on Arrival must be able to show proof of funds if requested.

We were not asked for this, and in most border-run situations like this, travellers are typically not required to show proof of funds.

This rule generally applies more to:

• First-time entries into Thailand
• Longer-term stays
• Cases where immigration officers request additional checks

Stamping or entering back into Thailand – walking back through the Thai Mae Sai border gate on the right side.

Thai Immigration Process

When you reach the counter:

• Hand over your passport (and Visa on Arrival form if applicable)
• Have your photo taken (this is done very quickly)
• Receive your new entry stamp

Your passport will then be returned to you.

Important Tip: Check Your Stamp Before Leaving

Sometimes the immigration officer will show you your passport before handing it back. They’re doing this to show you the stamp they’ve just given you.

If they don’t, make sure you:

• Check your passport carefully
• Confirm you have received a full 30-day stamp

If anything looks wrong or unclear, ask immediately before leaving the counter.

Final Steps Back Into Thailand

After immigration:

• Walk through the security scanner
• Collect your bag on the other side

Then continue through the Thai border gate back into Mae Sai.

And you’re done!

That’s it — your Thailand border run is complete!

You’ve successfully:

• Exited Thailand
• Entered Myanmar
• Re-entered Thailand with a fresh 30-day stamp

YAY!

Step 8: Thailand Border Run — GreenBus Return Journey to Chiang Mai

After finishing the immigration process and re-entering Thailand, we were running slightly behind schedule due to the long queue.

So as soon as we hit the street in Mae Sai, we quickly jumped onto the nearest red truck (songthaew) heading back to Mae Sai Bus Terminal.

The ride from the Mae Sai border gate to the bus terminal costs:

• 30 THB for two people

Depending on how much time you have left, you can easily grab a red truck back to the bus terminal — most drivers will know exactly where you need to go.

Getting Back to Mae Sai Bus Terminal

Once you arrive back at Mae Sai Bus Terminal, head straight to your return bus.

Make sure you board a Green Bus heading back to Chiang Mai.

If you’re running close to departure time, don’t stress too much — the drivers are usually aware that border delays happen.

We were late due to the immigration queue, but the driver gave us a nod, and we were able to jump straight on board.

Boarding the Return Bus

You may be asked to:

• show your ticket
• or confirm your booking number

However, in our case, because we were delayed at the border, the driver already understood the situation and let us board without much checking.

What the Return Journey Is Like

The return trip is very similar to the journey earlier in the day.

You can expect:

• a couple of security or ID checks along the way
• a short stop at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal (around 10 minutes)
• passengers getting on and off at various stops
• the same Route 619 back to Chiang Mai

It’s essentially the same journey in reverse, just with everyone heading home after a long day 

Things to Bring for the Return Journey

• Extra snacks
• More bottled water

At this point in the day, you’ll definitely appreciate having something to eat and drink for the ride back.

Itinerary

Costs

Once we arrived back at Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal, we jumped off the bus and then booked a Grab taxi straightaway to take us back into the Nimman area of Chiang Mai, so we could get to Maya Mall food court before it closed. 

Priorities when you’ve been surviving on bus snacks all day!

It was a LONG day, but so worth it for extra time in the Land of Smiles.

And that’s a wrap for this post on How to Do a Thailand Border Run: From Mae Sai Border to Tachileik, Myanmar.

I hope this step-by-step guide was helpful and answered any questions you have about the Mae Sai border run process.

Have you done this Mae Sai Border Run before? Let me know in the comments how it went for you.

Happy and Safe Travels.

Alial 🙂