Cheers, all

I’m back.  Just received  the finest and the latest update regarding Tachilek Border crossing from Riccardo.  Here we go:

Hi Mike, I finally made my way back home from SE Asia.
As far as entering Burma via Tachilek, here’s what I experienced:

- you can obtained a 10US$ 2-week visa right at the border. Have 3 passport copies and 3 photo with you ready. I didnt have the 3 photo with me, so they allowed me to enter, go to the polaroid place at the end of the border street, turning right at the round square -open from 8am- take pics and go back to the border. I also had the 28-day visa from Myanamr embassy in Italy with me, but they didnt consider it. I think only if you enter via Yangoon you’ll need that.

- I took a bus to KengTung from the bust station (catch a taxi-scooter from the round square at the border to the station): its expensive, around 350 thai bath and it takes 5-6 hours. And its government managed… private taxis are 500 thai bath per person, but you can lower the price. I didnt take the taxi since they look like regular cars and I was concerned about safety and problems with the junta at checkpoints. All these things I realized the opposite after I spent few hours in Burma: awesome people, honest, sweet…acceptable taxis, no problems at all!

- keep in mind every time you travel by bus or taxi they keep your visa with them, so always bring id photocopies with you.

- travelling by air from KengTung to Mandalay is not possibile since you dont have your passport with you. Travelling by air from Mandalay to KengTung is possible, since you have your passport if entering via Yangoon. In this case Im not sure if you can exit at Tachilek. I met a couple that flew from Mandalay to KengTung round way on Air Mandalay with no problems. Check flight schedule well in advance since there are few fligts a week.

- I stayed at Harry’s trekking house. Book in advance to be sure you got a good spot, many big thai tours go there. Harry’s sadly passed away, but his wife is doing a great job, assisting you for anything needed. Trakking is awesome, the animist hilltribes and the views are incredible. Our trekking guide was David (Sai Tint Zaw Tun, or simply Sai Tun) good english and pleasant time. Bring him our for a beer or dinner at night, you’ll have a great time with him!

- KengTung seems to have a 10pm total corefew, I didnt get if it was imposed by the junta, or if it’s, quote “because there’s no money to spend for entertainment”.

Finally, I loved Buma, hope what I have been watching on TV these days will end in favour of burmese people and finally bring democracy, or at least the freedom to talk about whatever they wanna talk about at restaurants (right now they might tell you to shut up if there is anyone around…).

Please write me for any information,

Mingla-baa!