lauren_s_kahn

This is a story about how I messed up and how I got out of it.

A big thank you is owed to the visa service at Julie's Guest House, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...-thailand.html

Silverswimmer

And in case anyone else makes the same error (easily done,but correct info is generally on travel forums)and you can't get to a Myanmar Embassy then the official Myanmar Government website turns around an evisa in 3 days, cost is $50,three times the Embassy price but at least you have got one
http://evisa.moip.gov.mm/

lauren_s_kahn

That is good information, silverswimmer. There is a lot of information online, but some of it bad.

khunwilko

Bear in mind that the law in Thailand requires you to carry ID at all times...in the case of a foreigner, that is your passport.
You might want to check on what to do if you are asked for ID by the police

lauren_s_kahn

I always have a copy of my passport with me. The original is left back at the condo at all times. When the passport was in Bangkok getting the visa for Myanmar, I carried the usual copy. I had a copy of the "face page" of the passport and the Thai visa page.

There is no reason to needlessly alarm people over this.

khunwilko

There were several pronouncements a few months ago about NOT carrying originals for ID - how you are treated seems to be largely up to the police who stop you........but you are of course leaving yourself open to demands for tea money.

at present there are reports from Bangkok of a "surge" in stop and search of foreigners - taking of urine samples etc...some apparently have had to pay for not carrying passports.

the official position in July was reported as this.....but things are as ever inconsistent....

"Deputy Commander Voravat confirmed that foreign tourists and expats do not need to carry their passports with them at all times.

He said that tourists can of course leave their passports locked in their hotel safe and enjoy their holiday in Thailand without worrying about the need to carry their original passport.

Deputy Commander Voravat also said that for expats living here, a Thai driving license or photocopy of your passport can be used as a form of identification.

However, if Immigration Police suspect an individual to be overstaying in Thailand or being involved in illegal activity, then the individual would be required to produce their original passport promptly."