Myanmar (Burma) – Our Run for the Border

Due to the number of expats living and working in Thailand, the “visa run” has become standard practice. People from most countries can get a 30 day visa on arrival in Thailand, after which time they must leave and re-enter the country to get a new visa. The amount of time (usually 15 or 30 days) you get on the second entry is not standardized and the rules are constantly changing. It seems to depend on which guy you get at the border and what kind of a mood he’s in at the time. Our visas expired on December 19th but we wanted to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Thailand, which is how we found ourselves en route to Myanmar (Burma) on a packaged tour “visa run” from Ko Tao. If you don’t know much about Myanmar, it is ruled by an oppressive military regime called the “junta”. For the most part, you can’t visit the country without a prearranged visa, except that they have opened a few stations along the Thai border to make money providing entry and exit stamps for the purpose of renewing a Thai visa. You buy a “day pass” to Myanmar, but ironically you can’t even enter mainland Myanmar from these entry points. Our experience was as follows: Took a catamaran from Ko Tao to mainland Thailand (which was so choppy that half the boat was seasick), took a bus across Thailand to a town called Ranong, got Thai exit stamp (provided alongside a new arrival card – they know the drill), took a ferry to a place called the Andaman Club in Myanmar. Handed passport to Myanmar officials upon entry. Got taken by bus to the Andaman Club, a deserted upscale casino resort (possibly a big money laundering facility?). Took some pictures with the numerous Santas and Christmas displays set up in the lobby (Random…). Picked up some cheap imported chocolate and a bottle of Bacardi at the duty free shop. Drank some free soda and won 40 baht at video blackjack in the casino. Headed back to pick up our now Myanmar stamped passports and reboarded ferry to re-enter Thailand. Our entire visit to Myanmar was approximately 45 minutes… Bizarre, huh?