Prejudices fuel uproar over Myanmar border births
In late 2024, there was an outcry over claims that pregnant Myanmar women were flooding Thai hospitals in search of free deliveries and citizenship rights for their children. Although experts have debunked the claims, the situation has fueled deep prejudice and ultra-nationalist sentiment. The incident highlights the dangers of fake news and how an “us versus them” mentality continues to fuel ethnic discrimination.
'The perfume of red roses'
In the neon-lit chaos of Bangkok, Nandar walks every night with her baby and a bunch of roses. She hopes for pity, for a few coins, but above all for a way out. Amidst the tourists and their careless looks, she searches for something that can give her hope, while the city slowly swallows her up. A raw and compelling story about survival.
TB Immigration Infobrief No. 048/24: Travelling to Thailand's border countries (Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Myanmar)
On request a brief overview of what you need to take into account if you want to enter one of Thailand's neighboring countries. I deliberately keep it limited and more information about the details can be found in the attached link of the country. The most important thing is that since this year some countries have introduced an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization).
Six Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Laos and Malaysia, are considering introducing a joint tourist visa, similar to the Schengen visa. This visa should facilitate travel between the participating countries and attract tourists. The initiative would lead to a stronger tourism sector and boost the economy, while making the region more attractive to international visitors.
Mae Sot – more than a border town (video)
For many, Mae Sot will mainly be associated with a visa run, but this colorful border town has much more to offer.
In the past week, more than 5.000 Myanmarese have fled to Thailand because of the escalating violence in eastern Myanmar.
Thailand – Myanmar border crossing at Mae Sot reopened
The Thailand-Myanmar border crossing at Mae Sot has finally reopened after being closed for three years, both because of the pandemic and the tense political situation in Myanmar.
Thailand Visa question No. 019/23: Border run to Phu Nam Ron, is this border post open yet?
Can I do a borderline to Myanmar at Phunaron/Htee Kee via Kanchanaburi for another 90 day stay?
Just Chiang Rai
I have never made it a secret on this blog that I feel very much at home in Chiang Rai. In the city, yes, but much more so in the province of the same name; the northernmost in Thailand.
Does anyone know if the border to Myanmar at Ranong is open for foreign tourists? I ask this because I am 9 days short of visa days and if possible do not want to pay a 500 baht fine per day when I fly back to the Netherlands from Thailand. I have already used the 1 month extension.
Myanmar's nuclear ambitions
Myanmar: The markets of Mandalay
It was April 2015 and I took the night bus from Yangon to Mandalay. I swear by public transport, that's the closest you come into contact with normal life. It is still a journey of more than seven hundred kilometers. It was too cold from the aircon, I pulled a blanket over me. I woke up several times along the way. At seven o'clock, at sunrise, I arrived in Mandalay. Faint colors painted the eastern sky.
The events in Myanmar and the response in Thailand
A few days ago, four activists for democracy in Myanmar were executed. In addition, we already know how much atrocities the Tatmadaw (the army) commits in Myanmar. The question is: to what extent should Thailand interfere in this? Should they support the liberation movements or not?
Many international observers are increasingly questioning what they describe as 'Thailand's disappearing regional leadership'. During the Cold War and in its aftermath, Thailand played a central role in regional diplomacy, but in recent years it has declined significantly.
Cycling around Mae Sot (video)
You can also discover the border area between Thailand and Myanmar by bicycle as in this video.
Teak wood in Thailand
The teak forests in Thailand extend over large areas in the north along the border with Myanmar (Burma). Of course, the teak tree knows no border, so Myanmar also has an immense area of teak forests.
The Myanmarese are coming!
On various Thai forums yesterday I saw long queues of people from Myanmar waiting for border crossings in Northern Thailand. All came to the border because the border will open on November 1, they told the reporters present. On a video I saw hundreds of people waiting. Thai policemen took care of food for those waiting.
Drama in the making on the Thai-Burmese border
Almost immediately after the military coup in Burma/Myanmar, I warned of a possible new drama on the Thai-Burmese border. And I'm afraid I'll be proven right very soon.
Beauty queen on Myanmar massacre
Things are not going well in Myanmar, Thailand's neighbour, where a military junta is cracking down on protesting civilians after the February 1 coup d'état. Daily reports appear in the press and on social media about the demonstrations there and the many deaths they have caused so far.
Thailand Photo of the Day: Daily protests in Bangkok against military violence in Burma (Myanmar)
Thai and Burmese protest daily in Bangkok against the military violence and the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma. Army chief Min Aung Hlaing has taken over power in the country after a coup (the name Burma has been renamed Myanmar by the military).
Meanwhile in Burma
Last week's military coup in Burma also caused some commotion in Thailand. And that's not really surprising. In recent years, politically charged issues such as the territorial dispute over three islands in the mouth of the Kraburi River, the brutal persecution of the Rohingya and the influx of thousands of illegal Burmese workers into the Thai labor market have in any case caused relations between the two countries to suffer. created tensions.
Military coup in Myanmar
It's bumblebee with the neighbor of Thailand. The military in Myanmar has staged a coup and arrested government leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In addition, a state of emergency has been declared. Military commander-in-chief General Min Aung Hlaing will take over power for a period of one year, the coup plotters said in a TV broadcast.