Mae Sai post reopens after 3-year hiatus

Officials opened the checkpoint -- at the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province -- for the first time since March 23, 2020, following a ceremony presided over by Chiang Rai deputy governor Somwang Boonrayong and Tachileik governor U Min Nai.

The operating hours of the Thai-Myanmar checkpoint are 6.30am to 6.30pm. Before the closure, the checkpoint was open until 9pm, and reports have said an extension will follow soon.

An earlier attempt to reopen the checkpoint failed due to concerns over political conflicts in Shan State. However, authorities from Tachikeik and Chiang Rai successfully arranged a private meeting to facilitate the return of border crossings.

The three-year suspension of Checkpoint 1 had slowed tourism along both sides of the border while the Mae Sai Permanent Border Checkpoint 2 remained open for cargo transport only.

Mr Somwang said the reopening brings back hope for locals in Mae Sai district and Tachileik town as they can cross the border conveniently again.

He said travellers could apply for a border pass at the Mae Sai district office or show their passport at the Immigration checkpoint to cross to Tachileik town in Myanmar.

"However, travellers from Thailand are required to show a vaccine certificate or a Covid-19 rapid test, while travellers from Myanmar can enter Thailand without them," said Mr Somwang.

Mae Sai district chief Narongpol Kid-an added that Myanmar authorities only accept hard copies of vaccine certificates.

The measure would be endorsed for one month before being reconsidered for travellers' convenience.

Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce's vice chairwoman Pakaimas Vierra said that the reopening of Mae Sai Permanent Border Checkpoint 1 would ease the flow of small cargo trucks which had earlier depended on Checkpoint 2.