myanmar citizen travel to thailand

Thailand Visa » Travel to Thailand » eVisa to Travel from Myanmar to Thailand

eVisa to Travel from Myanmar to Thailand

To travel to Thailand from Myanmar, passengers may need a Thai visa . This depends on the nationality and circumstances of the traveler.

When planning a trip to Thailand from Myanmar, it is important to get the right documentation to enter.

Eligible travelers can take advantage of the convenient Thailand eVisa , which can be obtained online .

Who Needs a Visa to Travel from Myanmar to Thailand

Many travelers require a visa when arriving in Thailand from Myanmar. Any of the following categories of passengers must have a visa:

• Foreign nationals visiting both Myanmar and Thailand
• Burmese nationals traveling by land or sea
• Burmese nationals who are permanent residents of certain other countries

Citizens of eligible countries can get a Thailand tourist visa online thanks to the convenient eVisa system. This is considered the easiest way to get a Thailand visa from Myanmar.

The eVisa is particularly useful for tourists and backpackers visiting multiple countries in Southeast Asia, who are currently in Myanmar and plan to visit Thailand soon. Especially for people from India, as they need the thailand eVOA for Indian citizens to be able to travel to the country.

International travelers coming to Thailand from Myanmar for the following reasons must get a visa at an embassy , regardless of their nationality:

• Stay long-term

Do Burmese Need a Visa for Thailand?

Burmese nationals living in Myanmar must have a valid Thailand visa to enter the country by land or sea.

However, they do not need a visa to visit Thailand for up to 14 days if arriving by air .

Citizens of Myanmar who are a permanent resident of other countries may need to get an eVisa before traveling.

In this case, “permanent residence” refers to having a residence visa or permit allowing you to live in a foreign country for over 6 months.

For example, Burmese passport holders living in the UK or US will need a Thailand eVisa to enter the country.

How to Apply for a Thailand Visa from Myanmar

The simplest way to get a tourist visa for Thailand from Myanmar is to apply online . The eVisa allows eligible travelers to visit the country for up to 30 days.

The handy online system allows you to complete a short Thailand visa application form using a computer or device . There is no need to go anywhere in person and no paperwork to fill out by hand.

The Thailand eVisa application from Myanmar involves the following steps:

• Complete the online application form
• Pay a small processing fee to submit the application
• Receive the Thailand eVisa by email

Applications for Thai eVisas from Myanmar typically take no more than 4 days to be processed. In many cases, they are approved even sooner.

Documents Required to Travel from Myanmar (Burma)

The requirements for travel to Thailand from Myanmar depend on the traveler’s nationality, residence, and their reason for visiting .

All passengers must have a valid passport .

They may also need one of the following :

• Thailand eVisa
• Thailand embassy tourist visa
• Non-Immigrant Visa-B (Business)
• Non-Immigrant Visa-B (Working)
• Non-Immigrant Visa-O-A (Long Stay)
• Non-Immigrant Visa-O-X (Long Stay)
• A different type of Thailand visa

Documents required to apply for the Thai eVisa from Myanmar

Travelers with a passport issued by an eligible country can take advantage of the handy eVisa system to get a tourist visa online without the hassle of applying at an embassy or consulate.

To get the eVisa online, there are a few basic Thailand visa requirements to meet. These include providing the following items :

• Valid passport issued by an eligible country
• Passport-style photographs of the applicant
• Payment method (credit/debit card)
• Email address to receive the eVisa

The reason for visiting Thailand must be tourism if you are entering the country from Myanmar with an eVisa.

How to travel to Thailand from Myanmar with the eVisa

The Thailand eVOA can be used to enter the country by air only . When going to Thailand from Myanmar, you can use the eVisa to enter at the following airports:

• Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)
• Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
• Phuket International Airport (HKT)

There are various land checkpoints between Myanmar and Thailand, although the eVisa cannot be used at these .

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Myanmar citizens among those granted 45 days of visa-free stay in Thailand

Tuesday, 04 Oct 2022

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Myanmar passport holders will also be granted 45 days of visa-free stay in Thailand.

YANGON (Eleven Media News/Asia News Network): Thailand has announced the extension of a visa-free stay period for foreigners to 45 days effective from October this year, allowing Myanmar citizens to enjoy such a privilege.

According to bilateral agreement, Myanmar passport holders will also be granted 45 days of visa-free stay in Thailand.

While the Thai government granted up to 30 days of visa-free stay to foreigners entering the country, Myanmar citizens had the right to enjoy only 14 days, but could stay for 60 days with tourist visas.

The latest announcement was issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, on Sept 30. However, the Thai Embassy in Myanmar has not released such an announcement.

Some tour companies in Yangon city released news about the 45 days of visa-free stay for Myanmar citizens, instead of 14 days.

“We have learnt that for Myanmar citizens going to Thailand, they will be granted a 45-day visa-free stay. But the Thai embassy has not announced yet,” said an official from tour agency.

The State-owned Myanmar National Airlines has announced that with daily flights from Yangon to Bangkok, a one-way ticket for Bangkok-Yangon can be available for US$95.

Tags / Keywords: Myanmar , Thailand , visa-free

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Latest Thailand Entry Requirements

After two years of dealing with Covid, international travel is returning to normal. To help welcome visitors back to the Land of Smiles, the Thai government lifted its final restrictions on July 1st, 2022.

From July 1st, the following changes have been implemented for all international travelers.

• Foreigners do not need to show proof of Covid Insurance.
• All mandatory hotel quarantine has been removed.
• Thailand Pass is no longer required for foreign travelers entering Thailand.
• Vaccinated travelers do not need to provide proof of vaccination to Thai authorities before arriving.
• Unvaccinated travelers (including children traveling with unvaccinated parents) will need to complete an RT-PCR or Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK) 72 hours before departing for Thailand. Proof does not need to be uploaded before traveling.
• Airlines and Thai Immigration will do random checks to confirm travelers meet Covid prevention requirements (vaccination or Covid test).

Below is a full list of what international travelers need before entering Thailand.

Required Documents for Travel to Thailand

Please have the following documents ready.

• Passport with at least six month validity
• Visa or visa exemption qualification
• Buy Thailand Travel Insurance
• Boarding pass to be presented at Passport Control
• Hotel booking confirmation if asked by Immigration Officer
• Note: Vaccination record no longer required

Incorrect documents will delay the entry screening by rules from the Thai immigration bureau and its Thai immigration officials.

Buy Your Insurance Now

Passport Validity / Visas

The first thing to check before planning to travel to Thailand is the validity of your passport. International travel requires that your passport is not expiring within six months of your travel date. If you have less than six months left on your passport, you cannot enter Thailand.

If you are planning to travel in the future, check your passport early so you know if you need to apply for a new one or not. It is best to check with your local embassy about how long it will take to receive your new passport. As people look to travel again, passport departments are swamped with new applications and this is causing a backlog in many countries.

There are several visas available to foreigners who are planning to visit Thailand. The visa you need will depend on where you are from, your purpose of travel, and how long you intend to stay.

Visa Exemption

A foreign visitor may enter Thailand under the Visa Exemption Program . Nationalities under the Visa Exemption Program may enter Thailand without a visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate.

Upon arriving in Thailand, most nationalities who are part of the Visa Exemption Program may stay for up to 30 days. Certain nationalities can arrive as part of this program, but for a shorter time. It is best to check the country exemption list and confirm how long you can visit Thailand without needing to apply for a Visa.

Tourists arriving under visa exemption are eligible to extend their stay for up to a further 30 days by visiting a local Thai Immigration Office. The cost to extend is approximately 2000 baht.

There is often confusion about Visa Exemption and “Visa on Arrival”. Visa on Arrival is a 15-day visa for travelers from India,  China, and 16 other countries. If you do not find your country on the Visa Exemption list, it is best to check the Visa on Arrival list.

There are some important things to note for Visa on Arrival:

• A passport must be valid for at least 30 days.
• The purpose of the visit is strictly tourist.
• A visitor must show an address in Thailand where they will be staying.
• A traveler must have a confirmed return flight.
• Must show proof of funds to the value of 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht for a family.
• A fee of 2000 baht is paid on arrival. The fee must be paid in cash and in Thai baht.

Tourist Visa and Special Tourist Visa (STV)

Foreigners may also apply for a Tourist Visa from a Thai embassy or consulate. There is the normal 60-day tourist visa that can be extended for additional 30 days, or the 90-day Special Tourist Visa (STV), which can be extended for 90 days twice at a local immigration office. There are certain requirements needed for the STV, but it allows a visitor to potentially stay in Thailand for 9 months. The Special Tourist Visa is currently scheduled to halt applications in September.

Contact your local Thai Embassy to verify what documents are needed to complete the process. When your visa is approved, the Embassy will place a sticker on your passport, so allow time for potential postage.

For those entering Thailand for a different purpose of stay, they need to obtain a Thai visa from their local Thai Embassy or Consulate prior to coming to Thailand.

Non-Immigrant Visa

Foreigners may apply for a wide range of long-term non-immigrant visas:

• Non-immigrant B Visa – for conducting business or employment
• Non-immigrant O visa – for visiting Thai spouse and family
• Non-immigrant ED visa – for students of recognized institutions in Thailand and their Parents or Legal guardian
• Non-immigrant O retirement visa – for those who wish to retire in Thailand
• Non-immigrant OA and OX visa – for those who wish to obtain a Thailand retirement visa for a long stay (it differs from type O visa)

The above visas can be organized at a local Thai Embassy or Consulate. The paperwork can be quite involved, but there are companies that can help.

Siam Legal International is a reputable company in Thailand that has offered visa assistance to foreign visitors for years. They are well versed in Thai immigration policies and processes. If you would like to streamline your long-term stay in Thailand, it is worth contacting them.

Thai Elite Visa

If you wish to make Thailand easily accessible for many years to come or are perhaps thinking of relocating permanently, it is worth having a look at the Thai Elite Visa.

The Thai Elite Visa allows foreign citizens to live in Thailand for 5, 10, or even 20 years. Thai Elite members do not need to worry about some of the eligibility criteria that are needed when applying for other long-term visas.

The Thai Elite visa is an exclusive visa that offers a host of benefits to holders. If you want to enjoy “Thai life” for the long term, you can read more about the Thai Elite Visa .

Proof of Vaccine or Testing

How a visitor enters Thailand will still depend on their vaccination status.

Vaccinated Travelers

Vaccinated travelers do not need to provide proof of vaccination to Thai authorities before arriving. A vaccinated traveler will need to have a copy of their vaccination certificate either printed or on a digital device and be able to present it if asked.

Thailand does not require visitors to have had a third booster shot. 2 shots (1 shot for Jansen) is considered fully vaccinated and accepted.

Unvaccinated Travelers

Unvaccinated travelers will need to complete an RT-PCR test or Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK) within 72 hours before boarding a flight in their departure country. They will need to have a copy of the test result and be able to present it if asked.

The RT-PCR and Pro-ATK test must be completed by a medical professional and a test report received. The home ATK (RAT) self-test is not acceptable for entering Thailand.

Vaccination and Testing for Children

The testing requirement for children under 18 depends on the vaccination status of their parents. Children traveling with vaccinated parents do not need to complete any RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test before entering Thailand. Children traveling with unvaccinated parents will need to complete the same test as their parents within 72 hours of departing their home country.

It is important to note that many airlines are still asking for proof of vaccination or a Covid test before boarding flights. If you cannot produce one of these documents, you might not board the flight.

Though foreigners no longer need to provide evidence of testing or vaccination prior to arriving in Thailand, they are still required. Thai authorities are conducting random checks of international passengers and if a vaccination certificate or test result cannot be shown, a visitor will not be allowed to enter Thailand.

Insurance has become a dirty word during Covid. Seasoned travelers have always understood the importance of having comprehensive Travel Insurance when traveling abroad. Travel insurance protected travelers from unexpected incidents like:

• Medical emergencies
• Personal injury & accidents
• Missed or delayed flights
• Damage to belongings
• Lost luggage

It was one of those things that people hoped they would never need but regretted not having when needed.

During the Pandemic, proof of insurance became mandatory when visiting countries like Thailand. Over time, people stopped referring to insurance as “Travel Insurance” and always referred to it as “Covid Insurance”. Because you had to have it, it was another hoop to jump through.

The good news is that you no longer need to provide proof of “Covid Insurance” to enter Thailand. But it is recommended because all the things listed above can still happen, and Covid has not disappeared completely.

Foreign visitors are not eligible for free medical care in Thailand if something should happen. Whether it be an accident or personal injury, if a visitor needs medical help, or has a canceled flight, they will need to cover any expenses themselves. Depending on the severity, this could be hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

Buying good Travel Insurance shouldn’t break the bank. Protecting yourself is cheaper than medical bills, new flights, and replacing lost luggage.

You can buy Travel Insurance from many companies. But if you are looking for coverage that is designed for Thailand, is trusted by Thai authorities and medical institutions, and offers a helpline with people who speak the local language and know the country’s procedures, it is worth checking out AXA Thailand .

Their policies are well priced, straightforward, offer many benefits to its customers, and can be approved in minutes.

Get your travel insurance here: https://u.axa.co.th/Sawasdee_Siamlegal

Hotel and Proof of Address Updates

Previously, a foreign visitor would complete an Arrival Card (TM6) before entering Thailand. This requirement has been temporarily removed as part of a new initiative by the Thai government.

A visitor no longer needs to provide proof of a hotel booking before departing their country, but will still need to provide an address when passing through Passport Control in Thailand. This address can be a hotel, home, or friend’s address.

This is especially true with people arriving on a pre-approved visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate.

From July 1, travelers are no longer required to book a SHA+ hotel and undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival. Most hotels have removed their SHA+ quarantine packages, but you will still see the SHA+ badge displayed on hotels.

It is recommended to browse hotels in Thailand on Agoda.com before arriving as it is easier to organize transport to your first night’s rest if pre-booked.

Thailand Pass

From July 1st, 2022, foreign travelers no longer need to apply for a Thailand Pass before entering Thailand. The system is still in place but is now a platform where visitors can notify the Thai authorities and medical facilities if they are diagnosed positive for Covid during their stay.

If you need to access the Thailand Pass system while in Thailand, please visit https://tp.consular.go.th/ and register by filling in your personal details on the Thailand Pass registration page.

International Arrivals

Travelers do not need to provide any proof of flights before leaving their home country.

There is a lot of discussion about whether a return flight needs to be booked when entering Thailand. Technically, all visitors should have a return flight booked. However, you will not always be asked to present evidence of a return flight.

If a visitor is entering Thailand with a pre-approved visa, or Visa on Arrival, they will often be asked to present details of their exit flight. Sometimes a visitor did not have a return flight and had to book a flight on the spot before being processed through Passport Control. To avoid this, it is best to book an exit flight that can be changed. You can always change your plans once in Thailand.

Domestic flights

There are no longer any restrictions on domestic flights and travel. When entering Thailand at an international terminal, a traveler is free to transit to a domestic flight right away. “Sealed” flights have been removed.

Domestic airlines will not always ask for proof, but it is best to have your vaccination certificate or Covid test result on hand in case you are asked to show it.

Siam Legal has received reports from potential clients that some hospitals are creating difficulties for them until full payment is made for their medical expenses. Also, foreigners have allegedly been threatened with lawsuits for not settling their medical bills before being discharged. Using out-of-country policies can be problematic. We recommend using insurance providers headquartered inside Thailand with a proper cover to avoid any undesirable outcomes.

Siam Legal International, a premier law firm in Thailand, recommends purchasing the proper insurance and so endorses AXA Insurance for your travel to Thailand insurance needs.

HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT POINTS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING TRAVEL INSURANCE

• Please review the details of any insurance before purchasing to understand if the policy has adequate cover. Cheap policies with inadequate levels of cover can lead to significant personal liability, and scenarios where policy holders incur hundreds of thousands of baht in out-of-pocket medical expenses have been reported. There are significant financial risks to being underinsured during your stay in Thailand.
• These policies do not cover medical costs from accidents (like motorcycle accidents) or common unexpected illnesses (common fever or food poisoning). Best to pay a few baht more for the peace of mind that comes from having proper coverage.
• AXA covers medical expenses (outpatient and inpatient) for accidents and illnesses, including COVID-19. Other insurance coverage might not.
• AXA also covers telemedicine and teleconsultation, which may be required during the quarantine period of any traveler.

Thai hospital staff are familiar with AXA cover, which should prevent any inconvenience during hospital admission or medical treatment from your hotel room. AXA Thailand also offers 24/7 local support during your stay in Thailand.

You can buy your Thailand Travel insurance today at:

https://u.axa.co.th/Sawasdee_Siamlegal

List of approved covid-19 vaccines.

As of December 1, the MoPH has approved the following vaccines:

• Pfizer–BioNTech or Comirnaty
• Janssen or Janssen/Ad26.COV2.S
• AstraZeneca or Covishield
• Sinopharm or COVILO
• CoronaVac or SinoVac
• Sputnik Lite

How to Obtain Travel Insurance

Though COVID-19 insurance is no longer mandatory for entry to Thailand, it is recommended to have comprehensive Travel insurance for the duration of your stay. Good travel insurance covers not only medical expenses relating to Covid but also accident cover, personal damage, loss of possessions, and missed or delayed flights.

It is best to purchase insurance before you travel. The easiest way to buy your policy is online through a reputable insurance provider. The insurance company will provide you with the all-important certificate of cover that you can present to authorities or medical professionals if you need to make a claim.

You may also be asked to present this certificate to the airline before they will allow you to onboard. It’s quick and easy to do online. You can choose your length of policy from 7, 15, 30, 60 days, and 180 days. Just make sure that the policy covers your entire period of stay in Thailand as foreigners are not eligible for free medical care in Thailand and insurance companies will not cover claims for existing conditions.

You may purchase AXA COVID-19 travel insurance within a few minutes. Check them below.

You can buy budget insurance here: https://www.siam-legal.com/axa-insurance

How to Open a Bank Account in Thailand

Siam Legal offers and provides aid for a smooth and hassle-free way to open up a Thai bank account.

• You will receive help in opening a savings/current bank account
• You will receive a Bankbook and a debit/ATM card
• Online Banking (Thai mobile number is required)

Requirements

• Guarantee letter (to be provided by Siam Legal)
• The applicant may book our service online.
• Our staff will prepare the application and necessary documents for the bank and arrange an appointment with the applicant.
• The applicant will collect the application form and documents from the Siam Legal Bangkok office and proceed to the specific bank branch. Opening the account at the bank takes 1 to 2 hours.

Service Fee

Our service fee is 150 USD for opening a Thai savings account in Bangkok.

City Travel Guide

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Useful Links

• Best COVID-19 Insurance for Foreigners  
• Thailand Elite Visa – long term visa option for Thailand
• How to Travel to Thailand in 2022 – Your Ultimate Guide

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7,000 Myanmar citizens seeking Thai visas

Thousands looking to flee as military junta prepares to impose mandatory conscription

PUBLISHED : 22 Feb 2024 at 16:12

UPDATED : 22 Feb 2024 at 18:52

WRITER: Online Reporters

More than 7,000 Myanmar nationals have applied for visas with the Thai embassy in Yangon as mandatory conscription looms in the military-ruled country, figures from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs show.

Spokeswoman Kanchana Patarachoke said the embassy had doubled the number of online queue tickets available to 800 a day: 400 issued by the embassy and another 400 by VFS Global, an outsourcing and services company used by diplomatic missions worldwide.

Places are fully booked until March 1, and the number of applications is expected to keep rising, she said on Thursday.

Ms Kanchana said Myanmar citizens could enter Thailand without visas under the Asean agreement, but the maximum stay is just 14 days.

But thousands of Myanmar nationals have been rushing to leave the country since the military junta announced that it planned to call up young people for mandatory service starting in April.

All men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 would be required to serve in the military for at least two years, it said.

When asked whether the rush for visas was prompted by mandatory conscription, Ms Kanchana said there was no clear information that the two developments were linked.

Two people were killed in a crush outside a Myanmar government passport office in Mandalay on Monday, a rescue worker told AFP, as thousands queued to get documents.

Three years after seizing power in a coup, the military is struggling to crush widespread armed opposition to its rule.

Around 13 million people will be eligible to be called up, a junta spokesman said earlier this month, though the military only has capacity to train 50,000 a year.

Thai authorities have been bracing for an influx of people from Myanmar, and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has warned against illegal entry .

“They are welcome if they enter the country legally. But if they sneak into the country illegally, legal action will be taken against them. I have already discussed the matter with security agencies,” Mr Srettha said.

An opposition MP has called on the government to help Myanmar citizens who are fleeing to Thailand on humanitarian grounds.

Kannavee Suebsang of the FAIR Party said the Myanmar junta had suspended exports of labourers to Thailand via legal channels under the mutual agreement between the two countries.

Previously, 700 to 800 workers from the neighbouring country were crossing the border legally on a daily basis and being sent to employers in various provinces, said Mr Kannavee, who visited the border town of Mae Sot in Tak province this week.

“I am not sure whether the suspension of (legal) migrant workers has anything to do with the situation in Myanmar,” he said.

If the two issues were linked and Thailand sat idle or acted to push Myanmar nationals back to their country where they could become conscripts, this would become a big issue, said Mr Kannavee.

With the provision of legal Myanmar workers on hold, Thailand should draw up a plan to deal with the labour situation in the first six months of this year. This could include allowing Myanmar nationals who had fled because of conscription fears to seek work in Thailand, he said.

• Military coup
• Myanmar workers
• Conscription

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Citizens of Myanmar are permitted to stay for up to 14 days under the Bilateral Agreement with Thailand if entering via international airports only.

Currently, Siam Legal visa services do not cover the local citizens and permanent residents of Myanmar.

Please note that you must be in possession of the following if you wish to visit Thailand:

You will need a passport valid for at least 6 months following your departure date. It is also recommended that your valid passport have at least 2 remaining unused pages for any necessary entry and exit stamps that may be issued.

• A confirmed travel itinerary
• Proof of funds and accommodation.

For citizens of Myanmar who are residing and staying in the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and some EU countries, please contact our 24/7 Customer Support or email us to find out how you qualify for other Thai visa options.

We may be able to assist you when you meet the eligibilities on the following:

• Tourism purposes only, not for business or employment purposes.
• Duration of stay for 30 or 60 days.
• Extension allowed for another 30 days.
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• Term visa of 90 days travel (single entry) and then 1 year travel to Thailand (multiple entries).
• Conduct business or employment by Thai company.
• Married to Thai national.
• Income of THB 40,000 or bank account of THB 400,000, or combination.
• Must be 50 years or older.
• Pension of 65,000 THB or 800,000 THB in Thai bank, or combination.
• Dependent or immediate family of foreigners holding non-immigrant visas.
• Guardian or immediate family of a Thai child or student foreign child.

Local citizens and/or foreign nationals settled in Myanmar who wish to apply for any type of visa mentioned above must apply in person at the nearest Royal Thai embassy or consulate in Myanmar. Please note that application procedures and fees may vary depending on your location.

Embassy Information:

For the information about requirements for other types of non-immigrant visa and for other purposes not listed above, kindly contact the Royal Thai embassy or consulate.

Thailand Embassy, Myanmar No.73, Manawharistreet Dagon Township Yangon Myanmar Phone: +95-1 224647 +95-1 224550 +95-1 224507 Fax: +95-1 225929 Email: [email protected]

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Travel Advisory July 24, 2023

Thailand - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Thailand. Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Reconsider travel to:

• Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces due to  civil unrest associated with ongoing insurgent activities.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Thailand.

If you decide to travel to Thailand:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.   
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .   
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Thailand.
• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla Provinces – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Periodic violence directed mostly at Thai government interests by a domestic insurgency continues to affect security in the southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla. In Songkhla, the insurgency is most active in the districts of Chana, Thepha, Nathawat, and Saba Yoi. U.S. citizens are at risk of death or injury due to the possibility of indiscriminate attacks in public places.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these provinces as U.S government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these provinces.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

6 months from date of entry required

One page is required per entry stamp; please note endorsement pages are not considered blank passport page

No, if your stay is less than 30 days

Yellow fever may be required if arriving from certain countries with yellow fever

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Bangkok 95 Wireless Road Bangkok 10330 Thailand Telephone: + (66) (2) 205-4049, 02-205-4049 (within Thailand) Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(66) (2) 205-4000, 02-205-4000 (within Thailand) Fax: +(66) (2) 205-4103, 02-205-4103 (within Thailand) Email:   [email protected]

CONSULATE 

U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai 387 Witchayanond Road Chiang Mai 50300 Thailand Telephone: +(66) (53) 107-777, 053-107-777 (within Thailand) Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(66) 81-881-1878, 081-881-1878 (within Thailand) Fax: +(66) (53) 252-633, 053-252-633 (within Thailand) Email:   [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Visit the Royal Thai Embassy website for the most current visa information.

• U.S. citizen tourists entering Thailand for fewer than 30 days do not require a visa.
• We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your arrival in Thailand to avoid possible denied entry.
• Thai immigration officials or airline staff may ask for your onward/return ticket.
• Business travelers, U.S. government employees travelling on official business, teachers, retirees, and those planning to stay longer than 30 days should check with the  Royal Thai Embassy about visa requirements .
• If you overstay your visa, you will be fined. Depending on the length of overstay, you may also be arrested, detained, deported at your own expense, and banned from re-entering Thailand.

We strongly recommend you carry a copy of your U.S. passport identification page and current Thai visa to help avoid detention by the Thai immigration police.

Thailand’s entry/exit information is subject to change without notice. For the most current information, please see  The Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau .

You can find detailed information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the  CDC website . 

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Thailand. However, these restrictions are generally not enforced. Please verify this information with the Royal Thai Embassy before you travel.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

COVID-19 Requirements: There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens. 

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

For more information, see our Terrorism page.

Periodic acts of violence in Thailand remain a concern.  In August 2019, several small explosions and related arson events occurred in various locations throughout Bangkok resulting in no deaths but some injuries and minor property damage. Several small-scale bombings occurred near some tourist locations in the far Southern provinces in August 2016 and December 2018. In August 2015, an explosion near the Erawan Shrine in downtown Bangkok killed at least 20 people and injured more than 100. The U.S. Department of State assesses there is a continued risk of terrorism in Southeast Asia, including in Thailand.

If a protest or demonstration is expected to pass near the U.S. Embassy or Consulate facilities,  Embassy and Consulate entrances and functions may be restricted. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok’s  website ,  Facebook,  and  Twitter  sites and the U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai’s  website ,  Facebook , and  Twitter  sites post information about local events that may affect Embassy functions. Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive security and safety messages.

Far Southern Thailand:  Periodic violence directed mostly at Thai government interests by a domestic insurgency continues to affect security in the southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla. U.S. citizens are at risk of death or injury due to the possibility of indiscriminate attacks in public places. Martial law is in force in this region.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these provinces. Travel to this region by U.S government employees must be reviewed and approved in advance. For more information on terrorist threats against U.S. citizens worldwide and steps to take as a result of these threats, please see the  Worldwide Caution .

• Crimes of opportunity,  such as pick-pocketing, bag-snatching, and burglary, occur in Thailand.
• Violent crimes  against foreigners are relatively rare. However, murders, rapes, and assaults against foreigners do occur.
• Sexually motivated violence,  committed by either Thai citizens or foreigners, is most likely to occur after time spent at bars, clubs, and parties, on beaches, or in remote/isolated areas. The Thai police response will differ from an investigation in the United States; investigating officials have publicly discredited people who have reported being the victim of crimes . In addition to making a report at the police jurisdiction in which the crime occurred, we advise contacting the Embassy and engaging a local attorney if you are a victim of an assault.
• When traveling alone,  exercise caution, stay near other travelers, and ensure friends or family know how to contact you.
• Taxi and “tuk-tuk”  drivers may attempt to charge excessive fares or refuse passengers. You should either request the driver use the meter or agree on the fare beforehand.
• At the airport  use only public transportation from the airport’s official pick-up area, cars from the limousine counters, or a car from your hotel.
• Rental scams  do occur in Thailand. Many rental motorbike, jet ski, and car companies will hold your passport until you pay for real or fictitious damages. We advise against using your passport as collateral.
• Exorbitant bar tab scams  occur in Thailand. Some bars and entertainment venues will charge exorbitant prices for drinks or unadvertised cover charges and threaten violence if you don’t pay.
• Other scams  involving gems, city tours, entertainment venues, and credit cards are common, especially in tourist areas.

International Financial Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Thailand. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include:

• Romance/Online dating
• Money transfers
• Grandparent/Relative targeting
• Free Trip/Luggage
• Work permits/job offers

Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of crime are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. Report crimes to the local police by calling 191 or the Tourist Police at 1155 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +66 (0) 2-205-4049 or Consulate at +(66) (53) 107-777. Remember that only local officials have the authority to investigate and to prosecute a crime.

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. Report crimes to the local police by calling 191 or the Tourist Police at 1155 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +66 (0) 2-205-4049 or Consulate at +(66) (53) 107-777. Remember that only local officials have the authority to investigate and to prosecute a crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on  insurance providers for overseas coverage . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Conditions at the Bangkok Immigration Detention Center (IDC):  Conditions in immigration detention centers (IDCs) where authorities detain foreign nationals who violate immigration laws remain poor and most are overcrowded. IDCs, administered by the Immigration Police Bureau, which reports to the Royal Thai Police (RTP), are not subject to many of the regulations that govern the regular prison system. U.S. citizen detainees often complain of stark, austere living conditions, overcrowding, and unhealthy conditions. Personal security is poor. In addition, the main IDC in Bangkok does not dependably provide adequate medical or mental health care. In 2019, two U.S. citizens died while in custody at the Bangkok IDC. Deportations are self-funded and it may take up to two weeks for Thai authorities to process a case before deportation. Detainees must have funds to purchase a phone card and do not have access to the internet. Prior approval and a security escort are required to visit a Western Union or an ATM machine.

• Please see the  Immigration Act B.E. 1979  for more information about Thai Immigration violations.
• Please see the  Department of State’s Report on Human Rights Practices for Thailand  for further information.

Lèse majesté (Royal Insult):  Thais hold the monarchy in the highest regard. Making a critical or defamatory comment about the royal family is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 15 years per offense. As an example, purposely tearing Thai bank notes, which carry an image of the King, may be considered a lèse majesté offense.

• Prostitution is illegal in Thailand.  Serious consequences include criminal conviction and imprisonment, particularly in the case of child prostitution. 
• Commercial surrogacy is banned.
• Personal use of even non-lethal military equipment, such as protective vests and night vision scopes, is prohibited.
• Illegal drugs  carry severe penalties. Expect long jail sentences under harsh conditions, heavy fines, or even execution for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs.
• Shoplifting  can result in large fines and lengthy detention followed by deportation.
• Domestic Issues:  Local police are reluctant to become involved in domestic issues. You may call the Family Services Emergency hotline by dialing 1300 from any Thai phone.
• Possessing counterfeit or pirated goods is a crime in Thailand.  For more information see the  intellectual property section of the U.S. Department of Justice website .

Customs  may enforce strict regulations on Buddha images, firearms, bullets and/or bullet casings, bullet-proof vests, night vision devices and other para-military type equipment, explosives, drugs, radios, books, and recordings, which might be cultural property and/or considered harmful to the public interest.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: There are no known legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Thailand. However, LGBTI groups report that in the case of sexual crimes, police tend to downplay sexual abuse claims from LGBTI victims.

See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance. Sidewalks and street crossings are not suitable for travelers with mobility issues. Newly constructed buildings, facilities, and transportation equipment should be accessible by law for persons with mobility issues. However, enforcement of these provisions is not uniform.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: Some victims of sexual assault or domestic violence find that Thai authorities do not handle such cases with as much sensitivity or consideration for privacy as they would expect in the United States. See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

Ambulance services are:

• not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas except for Bangkok and other major cities.
• Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

Medical treatment  is generally adequate in Thailand’s urban areas. In Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya, good facilities exist for routine, long-term, and emergency health care. Basic medical care is available in rural areas, but English-speaking providers are rare.

Medical tourism  is an established and rapidly growing industry. You should consult with your local physician before traveling and also  refer to information on medical tourism from CDC.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Medicine for personal use  is allowed as long as the amount does not exceed a 30-day supply and you bring the medicine with you. Do not mail medicine to Thailand without first confirming it will be allowed into the country.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with  Thailand Customs  and the  Thailand Food and Drug Administration  to ensure the medication is legal in Thailand. Always, carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. 

The following diseases are present:

• Chikungunya
• Japanese encephalitis
• Tuberculosis:
• Hepatitis A and B
• Melioidosis         

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air Quality:  The air quality in Thailand varies considerably and fluctuates with the seasons, but seasonal smog is a problem. In recent years the air quality in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Nan, and Samut Sakhon have exceeded Thai and U.S. government daily standards for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) for a portion of the year. In Chiang Mai and other northern provinces, annual agricultural burning, approximately February through late April, and forest fires cause days with unhealthy to hazardous air quality based on the U.S. index. In Bangkok environs, airborne dust and auto pollutants are prevalent in the cooler, dry period (December-February). Anyone who travels where pollution levels are high is at risk. People at the greatest risk from air pollution exposure include:

• Infants, children, and teens
• People over 65 years of age
• People with lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema;
• People with heart disease
• People who work or are active outdoors

For Bangkok and Chiang Mai, U.S. Mission Thailand is reporting the U.S. EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI) calculated from PM2.5 data captured by monitors owned and maintained by the Royal Thai Government. The information and advice on health protection measures to take is available

Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Health facilities in general:

• Adequate health facilities are available in Bangkok and other major cities but health care in rural areas may be below U.S. standards.
• Hospitals and doctors require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not always available.
• Medical staff at public hospitals may speak little or no English.
• Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery:

• Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. People seeking health care overseas should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations. Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling and visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on Medical Tourism.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.
• Your legal options in case of malpractice are very limited in Thailand.
• Although Thailand has many elective/cosmetic surgery facilities that are on par with those found in the United States, the quality of care varies widely. If you plan to undergo surgery in Thailand, make sure that emergency medical facilities are available and professionals are accredited and qualified.

Pharmaceuticals:

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration websites for more information.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy:

• If you are considering traveling to Thailand to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page .
• Surrogacy is illegal for foreigners in Thailand, subject to complex local regulation. For additional information, visit the Government of Thailand’s website for information on foreigner surrogacy.
• If you decide to pursue parenthood in Thailand via assisted reproductive technology (ART) with a gestational mother, be prepared for long and unexpected delays in documenting your child’s citizenship. Be aware that individuals who attempt to circumvent local law risk criminal prosecution.

Water Quality:

• In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

Adventure Travel:

• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel .

COVID-19 Testing: For the most current list of COVID-19 testing locations in Thailand approved by the Ministry of Public Health, please visit:  http://service.dmsc.moph.go.th/labscovid19 .  Testing is paid for by U.S. citizens.

The Ministry of Public Health provides a list of 44 laboratories approved to conduct COVID-19 testing found  here .

Please Note : Same-day Covid-19 testing is available at most private hospitals throughout Thailand.  Please reference this list of testing locations and contact the provider directly to inquire about COVID-19 testing options, scheduling, cost, and other information.

COVID-19 Vaccines:  The COVID-19 vaccine is available for U.S. citizens to receive in Thailand.   According to Thai authorities, both private and public hospitals are providing COVID-19 vaccines. More information on a list of hospitals in Thailand is available  here .

The Bang Rak Vaccination and Health Center, the Institute of Dermatology, and the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute are currently providing free bivalent vaccines to non-Thai citizens on a walk-in basis.

Visit the FDA's website to  learn more about FDA-approved vaccines  in the United States.  

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:

• Traffic accidents are common in Thailand.  According to the  World Health Organization , in 2018, Thailand had one of the world’s highest traffic-related fatality rates. Bangkok and some parts of Chiang Mai have heavy traffic.
• Reckless driving:  Speeding, reckless passing, and failure to obey other traffic laws are common in all regions of Thailand. Traffic moves on the left. Some drivers move illegally against the traffic. Scooters and motorbikes commonly drive on the sidewalks during rush hour and other periods of heavy traffic. Commercial drivers commonly consume alcohol, amphetamines, and other stimulants.
• Accidents involving motorcycles can be deadly . Riders may incur serious injuries when they are not wearing helmets or proper clothing and footwear. According to the World Health Organization, in 2016, 74 percent of traffic fatalities involved riders of 2-and 3-wheeled vehicles. Use of motorcycle helmets is mandatory, but this law is sporadically enforced. 
• Use a pedestrian bridge  to cross the road where one is available, including in front of the U.S. Embassy on Wireless Road and on Sukhumvit Road, where many pedestrians have been killed and several U.S. citizens seriously injured. Look carefully in both directions before crossing streets, even when using a marked crosswalk. 
• If you have a traffic accident,  you should contact your insurance company for guidance in dealing with the other party and the police.
• Emergency vehicles:  Congested roads and a scarcity of ambulances can make it difficult for accident victims to receive timely medical attention

Traffic Laws:

• Driving under influence is punishable by law . If you are found to be intoxicated, you could be jailed for a minimum of two years and subject to a fine.
• Bribes are illegal.  If you are found guilty, you could be imprisoned up to five years, face severe fines, or both.
• Lack of ID.
• Not obeying traffic laws and traffic signals.
• Driving slowly in regular lanes of traffic.
• If you are involved in a traffic accident, you should contact your auto insurance company for guidance . 

Public Transportation:

• Mass transit:  In Bangkok, the BTS elevated "Skytrain," “Airport Rail Link” mass transit, and the underground MRT systems are reliable, inexpensive, air conditioned, and often faster than Bangkok traffic.
• Bus system:  Bangkok also has an extensive bus system, but buses can be overcrowded and are often driven with little or no regard for passenger safety.
• For hire vehicles:  Cities outside of Bangkok typically have only rudimentary public transportation and usually do not have metered taxis. In many cases, motorcycle taxis, tuk-tuks, bicycle-powered rickshaws, and pick-up trucks will be the only options available for travelers without their own transport.
• Smartphone-based for-hire vehicle service  exist in Bangkok and other large cities. Those affiliated with registered taxis, such as Grab Taxi, Line Taxi, and All Thai Taxi are legal, but their affiliated car services are under legal review.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Thailand’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Thailand should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Thailand . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Get a 60-Day Thai Visa in Yangon – Visa Run Thailand Guide

Let me tell you a secret (but don’t tell everyone else). Get your 60-day tourist visa for Thailand in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)! The entire process is easier than in other popular visa run cities . Add to that the fact that Yangon is a lovely place to visit for a few days. Make the most of it!

Where is Yangon?

Yangon used to be called Rangoon and is the gateway for most tourists visiting Myanmar. Myanmar used to be called Burma and the capital city was Rangoon. But the capital of Myanmar is now Naypyidaw.

Confused? If not, you will be. The airport codes (RGN), language (Burmese) and currency denomination (Burmese Kyat) reflect the previous city and country names. Get your head around that in a hurry!

Getting to Yangon is easy. But first, you need a visa to enter Myanmar.

How to get a Visa for Thailand in Myanmar

I’ll explain how to get the Thai visa for people already in Thailand or based in Bangkok . This is a visa run ‘how to’. But the information is valid for anyone who wants to get the 60-day tourist visa . Yangon is a great destination and one of the best places to get a Thai Visa.

Myanmar Visa Online

Myanmar tourist visas cost a little more than the visa for many other SEA countries. However, the visa process is easy and Yangon is a city worth visiting.

Closed to foreigners until the 90s, the country now welcomes tourism. Myanmar is one of the few countries in the world to offer eVisas to tourists. Even Thailand, with its economic dependence on tourism, doesn’t have an eVisa program.

Visit the official government eVisa site here .

Fill out the form and upload a passport style photo with the following dimensions: 3.8cm width and 4.6cm height. Scan or take a photo of your passport photo. That should work fine but make sure to eliminate glare and take a photo of the passport photo in natural light. (yes, this is high-tech, folks)

Snap2Pass helps digital nomads and long-term travelers take passport and visa photos from anywhere, at any time. It guarantees regulations-compliant photos with just a smartphone. There’s a money-back guarantee if your photo is rejected by the passport or visa authorities.

Once you’ve uploaded the mug shot, completed the application form, pay the fee with a credit card. You will get an automated response email informing you that your visa application is being processed. The actual visa process time is up to 3 days . I received mine within 24 hours.

Print out the letter of acceptance . This is important. Mentioning the visa number or showing the immigration officials your iPhone won’t cut it. A paper copy is all they will accept.

Myanmar Tourist Visa in Bangkok

If you don’t want to go down the eVisa route or you prefer not to use your credit card there is an alternative. Head to the Embassy of Myanmar in Bangkok and apply for the visa in person. The address is 132 S Sathorn Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Sathon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120 . The closest BTS is Surasak . The Embassy is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily but applications for visas must be made between 9 am and 12 pm.

Bring your passport, a passport photo (I recommend having a couple as backup), 2 passport photos, and your address in Myanmar. Your address in Myanmar should be a hotel or similar. Book a hotel before you visit the embassy and bring the hotel booking receipt as proof. Myanmar visa photos are of different dimensions to those of Thailand visa photos. Make sure you get the correct sizes.

Stick one photo on the tourist visa application form and have the other ready to give to the immigration officer.

It’s cheaper to head to the embassy and do the paperwork there. Same day visas cost THB 1260. That’s around USD $38, $12 cheaper than applying online. But once you factor in the time spent at the embassy and the travel costs it looks less appealing. A next-day visa costs THB 1000. That’s around USD $30, but it will mean travelling to the embassy twice.

The advantage of getting your visa in Bangkok (or from any embassy of Myanmar) in person is that you can cross land borders to enter the country. The eVisa only works for flights to Myanmar.

Know the Thai Public Holidays

Make sure you’re up to date with the holiday closing times for public offices. Ignoring this step could cost you. Before you book any flights, check the embassy’s opening hours and days on the public holiday calendar . I’ve been moments away from booking flights and hotels before remembering to check if the embassy or consulates of Thailand would be open.

Check for public holidays in Thailand here .

This is the official Thai holiday list from the Yangon office.

Flights from Bangkok to Yangon

If you plan on doing the shortest visa run possible you’re in luck. AirAsia flies from DMK to RGN at 07:15, arriving at 8 am Myanmar time. Note that the time difference is 30 minutes.

If for some reason, you forget to print out your documents there is a printing service in the Amari Hotel across the motorway from DMK airport. You can cross over via a bridge and the service is available from 6 am.

Flights should cost you less than $100 but use Momondo, or Google Flights to find the best deal and set up some flight alert notifications.

Immigration checks at the airport can take some time so expect to be walking out the front doors at around 9 am. Grab a cab at the airport and go directly to the embassy. The fare to the Thai embassy is USD $8 but if you pay in the local currency (Burmese Kyat) the fee is 8000, which converts to around $6 USD. So it, er, pays to pay in the local currency.

If you decide to do the airport-embassy direct run, keep in mind that you might have a problem checking into your hotel. The Thai Embassy holds your passport for visa processing. That means you won’t have your passport until the next day. Many hotels in Myanmar require a passport to check in. A way around this is to carry a high quality photocopy. But this might not work every time. Check with the hotel in advance.

Traffic is horrendous in Yangon so if you must go to the hotel before the embassy, make sure you have enough time to circle back before 11 am . With one two-lane road in and out of the airport, it’s impossible to avoid delays. Pick a hotel near the embassy and the sights that you want to see. Otherwise, you’ll spend a lot of time sitting in a car or using a lot of leg power.

On the return journey remember to leave with plenty of time for catching your flight back. AirAsia flies from Yangon to Bangkok daily at 17:30 . This flight schedule gives you enough time to get your passport at the embassy, do a little more sightseeing or have lunch, and then head to the airport. If you plan to spend only one night in Myanmar then this flight is very convenient.

The airport in Yangon is lovely, by the way. It’s one of the most modern, airy, and spacious airports I’ve been in. Nobody ever mentions it but don’t be afraid to head to the airport early to catch your flight back. It’s a pleasant place to kill a few hours.

Thai Visa Process and Requirements

The Thai visa application ritual goes like this:

• Arrive between 9 am and 11 am. Queue with your documents and hope you have all the right papers
• Submit your application and receive a number
• Return to the embassy the following day between 1 pm and 3 pm and collect your passport with, hopefully, a 60-day visa stamp.

In Laos, this process is long and tedious and made more difficult by the inconvenient flights from Bangkok. In most cases, you’ll need to fly to in the night before, stay 3 nights and fly out the day after you collect your visa. Queueing on the first day might take 2-3 hours. In the hot season, this can be rather uncomfortable. The following day involves more standing around waiting while the huge queues are processed.

The embassy shuffle in Yangon, on the other hand, is much easier.

I arrived at 9.15 to a small queue of maybe 20 people. 15 minutes later I was at the desk handing over my documents. They didn’t ask for any onward tickets, proof of residence, flights out of Thailand, or anything else. By 9.20 I was outside the embassy and looking for breakfast.

The following day I returned at 1 pm and by 1.10 pm I had my passport and visa.

Most of the people in the queue looked to be Burmese. I was the only non-Asian. Even a chicken joined us in the queue.

The Thailand visa photo requirements are as follows. Two colour photos of 3.5cm by 4.5cm. You can get visa photos in some BTS stations in Bangkok. Don’t attempt to make your own with some Photoshop manipulation. Overexposed or underexposed photos and badly lit photos might be rejected.

Full details of the requirements can be found on the official website of the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon , Myanmar.

The embassy office is located at No.94, Pyay Road, Dagon Township Yangon .

Visa fees for the 60-day single entry stamp cost USD $40 in crisp, unmarked, wrinkle-free notes. Ask the currency exchange people to give you the best notes they have. Don’t use the dollar bills that have been sitting in your wallet for months. And they won’t accept Thai Baht or Burmese Kyat.

Things to do in Yangon

Yangon is a worthwhile place to visit for a few days. The relaxed atmosphere, food, friendly people, and beautiful temples deserve your attention. If you’ve been travelling around SEA for a while or you spend a lot of time in Bangkok, Temple fatigue might have set in. The temples in Yangon, however, are well worth seeing. During the months of the rainy season, very few tourists travel to the city, so it’s a great time to go. The rain might hamper efforts to get that perfect Instagram temple shot, but if you can live with that, Yangon has some wonderful things to see.

You’re going to need real cash money, so use an ATM at the airport if you can. Despite the ATM withdrawal fees, it’s a better way of getting cash for Yangon. Changing money at the airport exchange counters will leave you poorer.

Most of the men wear sarongs and sandals in daily use, in contrast with Bangkok where people wear western clothes. The women wear long figure hugging dresses that are quite beautiful and even sexy. Burmese women are beautiful(can’t comment on the men) and have a predisposition for smiling. Even after having lived in Thailand, the land of smiles, Myanmar feels a lot more smiley and friendly.

Downtown is a mix of colonial buildings, which are mostly run down, and faceless low-rise apartment blocks and stores. There isn’t much in the way of nightlife or bars but you can find some gems.

The food and the Coffee are delicious. I’m not a fan of the coffee in Thailand but in Myanmar, or at least in Yangon, the coffee is strong and full of flavour. Don’t miss the local food, which can be spicy, but is delicious and inexpensive.

Visit Yangon the next time you’re planning a visa run. It’s a fascinating place full of warm people that appear genuinely interested in foreigners. The visa process was one of the least stressful travel visa procedures I’ve experienced. What more do you need?

Why Yangon is a Better Choice Than Vientiane

The Internet is full of Thailand visa advice. And people seem to agree en masse on Vientiane as  the destination for the 60-day Thai visa run. The belief is that it’s easy and less complicated than anywhere else.  Entering the country, getting the two-month Thai tourist visa, and returning to Thailand quickly are apparently easiest done in Thailand’s neighbour to the north-east.

But I don’t buy this. In my experience, the Laotian capital is an inconvenient destination for a visa run. I believe that a few travel bloggers perpetuated this information and the rest have just followed along without questioning it.

Myanmar, or its capital, Yangon is a better bet for your Thai Visa Run.

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15 thoughts on “Get a 60-Day Thai Visa in Yangon – Visa Run Thailand Guide”

Excellent article Keith… Much thanks for the info!

While all still very true the Thai embassy in Yangon has gotten a bit stricter. They just required a plane ticket to and from Bangkok though this can be emailed to them… They’ll give you the email address at the embassy.

Good to know, thanks. Anyway, I wouldn’t apply for a 2 month visa without having flights booked. I should probably make that more clear on these visa run posts. You could always use a service like this: http://www.onwardflights.com/ or this: https://bestonwardticket.com/

Hi. What do you mean flight booked? Your flight out of Bangkok after your 60day? Your flight out of Burma after 1 day? Thank you

Flights out of Bangkok after 60 days. The Thai embassy doesn’t care about your time in Burma or when you arrive in Thailand. They only want to know when and how you plan on leaving Thailand.

Why proof flight out of Thailand after 60 days when you can extend 30 days = 90 days ?

Also, I’ve been to Savannakhet and it was the most easier place I’ve been so far for the 90 days visa (60+30 days).

Just wanted to let you know.

Thx in advance for the response on my question above.

Those are the rules. They don’t always ask for an onward flight but it’s actually part of the requirements. I know what you mean about the visa extension but it doesn’t really matter. You might have trouble at immigration without an onward flight. I had the same problem myself and they tried to force me to buy a flight to my own country right there.

Can I get 60 days and extend for 30 more days in Savanakhet How much will I pay ?

You can get the 60-day visa in Savanakhet, Laos. The cost is 1000 THB. But you’d need to go to immigration in Thailand to extend it.

I just did an effortless visa exempt run to Myranmar after a diffucult one to Cambodia. Now it was nice not to pay a visa fee for Myranmar as I did in Caqmbodia to stay an hour. I would pay in Laos to stay an hour, too.

If I go to Yangoon for a Thai tousist visa, do I need to buy a Myranmar visa for these few hours at the Thai Embassy?

It depends on where you’re from. But generally speaking, yes. You will need to buy a tourist visa to spend any time in Myanmar.

Is it easyer to get thai Visa in Myanmar or in laos? What docs do they ask now?

Depends on how you define easy. Quicker, less queuing, cheaper, more transport options, better flight connections, nicer officials, etc.

Thank you very much for your information. It is really helpful for my visa run next month.

Glad I could help, KC. Best of luck!

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About 1,300 people from Myanmar flee into Thailand after clashes broke out in a key border town

People cross the Moei river as they flee Myawaddy township in Myanmar to Thailand’s Mae Sot town in Thailand’s Tak province, Saturday, April 20, 2024. More than a thousand people have fled from eastern Myanmar into Thailand on Saturday as fresh fighting erupted near the border of the town that has recently been captured by guerillas from the Karen ethnic minority, officials said.(AP Photo/Warangkana Wanichachewa)

A Thai military armored vehicle takes a position with sounds of explosions and gunshots along the Moei river, under the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot in Thailand’s Tak province Saturday, April 20, 2024. About 1,300 people have fled from eastern Myanmar into Thailand, officials said Saturday, as fresh fighting erupted near a border town that has recently been captured by ethnic guerillas. (AP Photo/Warangkana Wanichachewa)

People cross the Moei river as they flee Myawaddy township in Myanmar to Thailand’s Mae Sot town in Thailand’s Tak province, Saturday, April 20, 2024. About 1,300 people have fled from eastern Myanmar into Thailand, officials said Saturday, as fresh fighting erupted near a border town that has recently been captured by ethnic guerillas. (AP Photo/Warangkana Wanichachewa)

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BANGKOK (AP) — About 1,300 people have fled from eastern Myanmar into Thailand, officials said Saturday, as fresh fighting erupted at a border town that has recently been captured by ethnic guerillas.

Fighters from the Karen ethnic minority last week captured the last of the Myanmar army’s outposts in and around Myawaddy , which is connected to Thailand by two bridges across the Moei River.

The latest clashes were triggered in the morning when the Karen guerillas launched an attack against Myanmar troops who were hiding near the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, a major crossing point for trade with Thailand, said police chief Pittayakorn Phetcharat in Thailand’s Mae Sot district. He estimated about 1,300 people fled into Thailand.

Thai officials reported people had started crossing since Friday following clashes in several areas of Myawaddy.

The fall of Myawaddy is a major setback for the military that seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. Myanmar’s once-mighty armed forces have suffered a series of unprecedented defeats since last October, losing swathes of territory including border posts to both ethnic fighters, who have been fighting for greater autonomy for decades, and pro-democracy guerrilla units that took up arms after the military takeover.

The clashes, involving drone attacks from the Karen forces and airstrikes by the Myanmar military, had subsided by noon Saturday compared to the morning, but Mae Sot police chief Pittayakorn Phetcharat said he could still hear sporadic gunshots. He said Thai authorities would move people fleeing into a safer area.

Footage from the Thai border showed Thai soldiers maintaining guard near the bridge with sounds of explosions and gunshots in the background. People with children waded across the river with their belongings and were received by Thai officials on the river bank. Several are seen taking shelter in buildings along the river bank on the Myanmar side.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin wrote on the social media platform X on Saturday that he was closely monitoring the situation at the border.

“I do not desire to see any such clashes have any impact on the territorial integrity of Thailand and we are ready to protect our borders and the safety of our people. At the same time, we are also ready to provide humanitarian assistance if necessary,” he wrote.

In March, Thailand delivered its first batch of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar for about 20,000 displaced people.

Nikorndej Balangura, a spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters on Friday that Thailand is currently working to expand its aid initiative.

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Fighting rages at Myanmar’s border with Thailand as rebels target junta troops

Thousands of civilians flee as resistance fighters fight to flush out soldiers holed up at eastern bridge border crossing

Fighting raged at Myanmar’s eastern border with Thailand on Saturday, both governments said, forcing 3,000 civilians to flee as rebels fought to flush out Myanmar junta troops holed up for days at a bridge border crossing.

Resistance fighters and ethnic minority rebels seized the key trading town of Myawaddy on the Myanmar side of the frontier on 11 April, a blow to a well-equipped military struggling to govern and facing a test of battlefield credibility.

Witnesses on the Thai and Myanmar sides of the border said they heard explosions and heavy machine gun fire near a strategic bridge from late on Friday into Saturday.

Thai broadcaster NBT, in a post on X, said resistance forces used 40mm machine guns and dropped 20 bombs from drones to target an estimated 200 junta soldiers who had retreated from a coordinated rebel assault on Myawaddy and army posts since 5 April.

Myanmar’s state-run MRTV in its nightly newscast said the militias and ethnic minority rebels had used excessive shelling and bombing to attack junta troops, and government forces had responded with airstrikes to try to maintain stability. It said rebels retreated having sustained many losses.

Reuters could not immediately verify the accounts of the fighting.

Thailand’s prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, said he was closely monitoring the unrest and his country was ready to provide humanitarian assistance if necessary.

According to figures compiled by Thailand’s military and the provincial authority, 3,027 people had on Saturday crossed the border to seek temporary refuge in the town of Mae Sot.

Myanmar’s military is facing its biggest challenge since taking control of the former British colony in 1962, caught up in multiple, low-intensity conflicts and grappling to stabilise an economy that has crumbled since a 2021 coup against Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s government.

The country is locked in a civil war between the military on one side and, on the other, a loose alliance of established ethnic minority armies and a resistance movement born out of the junta’s bloody crackdown on anti-coup protests.

Srettha said he had instructed all Thai agencies to prepare for all situations and would visit the border area on Tuesday.

The Thai PM said on X: “I do not desire to see any such clashes have any impact on the territorial integrity of Thailand and we are ready to protect our borders and the safety of our people.”

The capture of Myawaddy and surrounding army outposts is a significant setback for a junta that has been squeezed by western sanctions, with the town a key tax revenue source and conduit for more than $1bn (£810m) of annual border trade.

Thailand’s foreign ministry said it hoped the situation would normalise soon and had urged Myanmar’s government to ensure fighting did not spill over the border.

Thai ambassador Nikorndej Balankura said: “We have notified Myanmar’s embassy in Thailand for Myanmar to exercise caution so as to not violate Thai sovereign territory and airspace and affect the safety of people at the border.”

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Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty

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What’s Happening In Myanmar’s Civil War?

By Hannah Beech and Weiyi Cai

• Why did the military stage a coup?
• Who is fighting back?

How successful have the rebels been?

How are civilians affected, who lives in the country, is it myanmar or burma, will myanmar hold together.

Myanmar’s military staged a coup in 2021, strangling democratic reforms and jailing much of the country’s civilian leadership. Three years on, the Southeast Asian nation is teetering on the brink of failed statehood. Insurgent groups, including pro-democracy forces and ethnic militias, are battling the junta’s soldiers. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, and millions more are displaced.

The resistance now controls more than half of Myanmar’s territory

Areas of control

Largely military junta control

Largely resistance control

Bay of Bengal

Source: The map is a simplified adaptation based on an effective control map produced by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M). The original map provides more granular details of the situation of control.

The fighting, in forests and towns across Myanmar, gets little of the international attention claimed by the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Yet a decade ago, this nation wedged between India and China was touted as a rare example of a country peacefully transitioning from military dictatorship toward democratic rule. The army putsch ended any illusion of political progress. Myanmar has returned to a military reign of terror and the fractured reality of civil war. The lawlessness that thrives in conflict areas has radiated outward, with transnational crime networks using Myanmar as a base and exporting the products of their illicit activity worldwide.

Soldiers from 8th Battalion of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, an armed insurgent group, during their graduation ceremony in Karenni State in February.

Adam Ferguson for The New York Times

Why is there a civil war in Myanmar?

The short answer: The military coup was met by widespread peaceful protests. Then the junta, led by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, quickly reverted to its old playbook: jail, terrorize, kill.

Pro-democracy forces took up arms, joining with militias that for decades had been fighting for the rights of ethnic minorities.

The longer answer: Myanmar has been in turmoil practically since gaining independence from British rule in 1948. Some of the world’s longest-running armed conflicts have simmered in the country’s borderlands, where ethnic militias are seeking autonomy or simply freedom from the Myanmar military’s repression.

A brief period of political reform, with a civilian government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate, did not make life much better for many ethnic minorities. After her political party trounced the military-linked party in Myanmar’s 2020 elections , a junta grabbed full control of the country again.

Myanmar’s decades of political turmoil

colonial rule

Gained independence, but ethnic rebels soon began insurgency.

Parliamentary rule

Military coup

Nearly five decades

of military rule

Widespread pro-democracy protests followed by bloody military crackdown.

Elections were held, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s party won. But the military junta ignored the result.

A democratic uprising led by Buddhist monks called for political change.

Military began political reforms.

Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party won elections in a landslide.

Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party

scored another victory.

civil unrest

Military coup ended power sharing

with civilian government.

Parliamentary

ended power

with civilian

government.

Nearly five decades of military rule

Military coup ended

power sharing with

civilian government.

A common goal of overthrowing the junta has led to unity between pro-democracy militias and armed ethnic groups. Together, these resistance forces have claimed significant territory from the Myanmar military. On April 11, they captured a key border town from the junta’s forces, their biggest victory yet.

Who exactly is fighting the Myanmar military?

Hundreds of pro-democracy militias, ethnic armies and local defense forces. The sheer diversity of resistance groups battling the junta makes Myanmar the most fractured country on Earth, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which tracks 50 high-level conflicts worldwide. Complicating matters, some of the rebel groups fight one another, too.

More than 20 militias representing various ethnic minorities have been fighting for autonomy for decades. Some of these insurgent groups control territory in Myanmar’s resource-rich periphery.

Ethnic militias exert control in different parts of Myanmar

Independence

Myanmar National

Alliance Army

Karen National

Liberation Army

Ta’ang National

Pa-O National

Karen Benevolent

Karenni National

People's Liberation

Chin National

Mon National

Bamar People’s

Democratic Alliance

When ousted politicians and democracy advocates fled arrest after the coup, they found sanctuary in these ethnic rebel-held areas and formed a shadow authority called the National Unity Government.

Tens of thousands of young people — among them doctors, actors, lawyers, teachers, models, Buddhist monks, D.J.s and engineers — escaped from the junta-held cities and formed more than 200 People’s Defense Forces, pledging allegiance to the shadow government.

Often trained by the ethnic militias, the P.D.F. is now fighting in more than 100 townships across the country.

Hundreds of militias groups make up the People’s Defense Forces

There are 89 such groups in the Sagaing Region alone.

Source: Myanmar Peace Monitor

Since an alliance of three ethnic armies, backed by the P.D.F., began an offensive on Oct. 27, the resistance has gained significant ground. Rebels now control much of Myanmar’s border region, including a strategic trading town that was captured on April 11. A few days later, they fired rockets at the nation’s top military academy. Some of the fighting is taking place within striking distance of Naypyidaw, the bunkered capital that the generals built early this century.

This year could be a turning point in Myanmar’s war, military analysts say. With each week, the junta’s forces abandon more outposts. Myanmar’s military is overstretched and underprovisioned. Even at the best of times, its biggest asset has been numbers, not expertise. In February, the military brought in a draft, signaling its desperation for fresh recruits.

Resistance soldiers riding in the back of a pickup truck in southern Karenni State in January.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project says that the war in Myanmar is the most violent of the 50 conflicts it tracks. Since the coup, at least 50,000 people have been killed there, including at least 8,000 civilians, the group says.

The military’s deadly attacks against civilians

Excessive force against protesters

Other attacks

An airstrike killed 60 at an outdoor concert.

The military fired artillery rounds into a camp for displaced persons.

The military bombed a

large gathering in​ the

Sagaing Region last

April, killing more than

150 people.

The military shot dead protesters in Mandalay on March 27, 2021.

The military

tortured and

burned over 30

fleeing civilians.

The military bombed

a large gathering in​

the Sagaing Region

last April, killing more

than 150 people.

An irstrike killed 60 at an outdoor concert.

The military shot dead

protesters in Mandalay

on March 27, 2021.

Note: Data as of March 15

Source: The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project

More than 26,500 people have been detained for opposing the junta, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), a rights group.

Myanmar’s military has bombarded the country with airstrikes on over 900 days since the coup, according to the Myanmar Peace Monitor, an exile group that tracks the war. Since the rebels’ October offensive, there has been a fivefold increase in aerial bombardment, according to Tom Andrews, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar.

By the end of last year, more than 2.6 million people had been driven from their homes in a country of about 55 million, according to the United Nations human rights office. Nearly 600,000 of those internally displaced people fled after the fighting intensified in October. More than 18 million people are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, according to the United Nations, which says that a million had required such aid before the coup.

Each month, hundreds of thousands of people are displaced by the fighting

200,000 people displaced

Note: Data as of April 2

United Nations investigators say that the junta’s forces should be investigated for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and they cite reports of organized sexual violence, village burnings and the indiscriminate use of landmines. Such abuses predate the coup. In 2017, the military conducted what the United States says was a genocidal campaign against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

Myanmar is an extraordinarily diverse nation whose borders were shaped by British imperialism rather than ethnic boundaries. Officially, 135 ethnic groups live in the country, and practically the only thing they agree on is that this figure is wrong.

Myanmar has extraordinary ethnic diversity

Ta’ang

Bamar (majority)

Note: The Karenni are also known as the Kayah, the Karen as the Kayin, the Rakhine as the Arakan, and the Ta’ang as the Palaung.

Source: General Administration Department, Myanmar

Some ethnic minorities have more in common with people in China, India and Thailand than with the Bamar, Myanmar’s largest ethnicity. Others come from princely states that were not under the full authority of a central administration until the middle of the last century. Still others, such as over a million Rohingya, have been rendered stateless because the military refuses to recognize them as rightful inhabitants of the country.

What Myanmar’s ethnic minorities, particularly non-Buddhist ones, share is a long record of persecution by the military.

Myanmar’s ethnic diversity is concentrated in the foothills of the Himalayas and the forested border regions that cradle the delta and lowlands through which the Irrawaddy River flows.

In 1948, the Union of Burma declared independence from British rule. In the Burmese language, the root of the words Burma and Myanmar are the same. In 1989, a year after the violent crushing of a pro-democracy movement, a junta renamed the country internationally as Myanmar, the name by which it is known locally. The generals argued that Myanmar was a more inclusive name, because it was not so explicitly linked to the nation’s Bamar ethnic majority.

Nevertheless, the pro-democracy front, led by Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, tended to refer to the country as Burma to show opposition to the military regime. Ethnic minority groups often called the country Burma when speaking English. The United States still officially calls the country Burma, but most foreign governments use Myanmar. After the 2021 coup, some exiled politicians and other pro-democracy activists who once called it Myanmar switched to Burma with an international audience.

Most people, however, still refer to Myanmar.

There is no commonly accepted word for the inhabitants of the country. Some refer to the Burmese of Myanmar, which seems a usage at cross-purposes. In Myanmar, the citizens are generally referred to as Myanmar, the word serving as both a nation and a nationality.

Three years after the coup, the center of Myanmar remains mostly under junta control, but the rest of the country is a kaleidoscopic array of competing influences, fiefs, democratic havens and drug-lord hideouts. Ethnic armed groups govern some areas. Administrators aligned with the National Unity Government have set up schools and clinics in others. No one is in charge in still other parts of the country, leaving residents lacking basic services and vulnerable to life in the margins.

A soldier from the Pa-O National Liberation Army was treated at a secret hospital in Karenni State in January.

The junta forces’ widespread use of landmines has made parts of Myanmar off limits. Within areas under the regime’s control, more than 100,000 civil servants refuse to turn up for work as part of a long-running civil disobedience campaign. Many of Myanmar’s most educated people are in exile or living in the jungles. Others are in prison.

The military is still the country’s largest and most influential institution, and a militarized culture pervades many areas that ethnic minorities control. The question is whether the Myanmar military will jettison Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, its supreme commander, if he is judged to be an impediment to the armed forces’ survival — Myanmar’s history is filled with military men being pushed aside for other military men. With more and more of its soldiers dying, the military is facing an existential threat.

It’s possible that a junta, perhaps not even the current one but a new coterie, will try to negotiate cease-fires with the many armed groups arrayed against it. But given the Myanmar military’s history of turning its guns against its own people, trust will be difficult to find.

The future of Myanmar will likely remain fractured, with no single authority in charge. Such a splintered state is likely to breed more chaos that will not be contained by national borders. Myanmar is again the world’s top opium producer , displacing Afghanistan. Some ethnic armed groups survive by churning out methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs. And the country is at the center of a cyber-scam industry that steals billions of dollars from unsuspecting people and kidnaps others to forcibly work the cons.

An earlier version of a map with this article transposed the labels of the Lahu and Naga ethnic minority groups. The Lahu are in the east of Myanmar, and the Naga are in the north, not the other way around.