Tachileik

Tachileik (also spelt Tachilek) is in Shan State, Eastern Myanmar, on the border with Thailand.

Tachileik Halal Travel Guide

Although just 5 m across the river from Mae Sai and the northernmost town in Thailand, Tachileik seems a different world. The happy outgoing atmosphere that you have been used to in Thailand evaporates instantly and is replaced by a slightly uptight one. This is not to say that the Burmese people are not welcoming, indeed they love tourists and are very keen to sit down and talk (when they think they are not being watched), but do not expect to feel at ease here, and do not be surprised if you are followed by government people throughout the town. As long as your purposes are legitimate, you follow local rules and customs and you don't go around making a spectacle of yourself, you will have a great time in Tachileik and the border area of Myanmar. The demeanour of the local residents has lightened greatly since the advent of Myanmar's fledgling democracy and much of the feeling of being watched has dissipated. As of October 2017 the transformation in Tachilek has been remarkable. Now it is Mae Sai that is a quiet backwater now that visa-runners have been banned and there are few tourists and Tachilek is now a fun place to spend the day. Everyone from the immigration officials to local market traders has a sense of joie de vivre that did not exist even 3 or 4 years ago. If anyone is watching anyone nowadays it is on the (Thai) side with officialdom watching over many aspects of peoples increasingly regulated lives whilst Tachilek has taken on the mantle of party town.

The majority of people crossing over to Myanmar are Thais shopping for bootlegged Chinese goods in the market. Alternatively some Thais cross to play golf on the only course in the region, so expect to see the surreal sight of large groups of people crossing the border carrying sets of clubs. There are also 3 casinos in Tachileik, one of which caters to "low" rollers. You may even find a 10 Baht roulette table. There are very few foreigners making the crossing these days.

If you are expecting to see the real Myanmar, this is not the place to do it. If you are "stamp collecting" in your passport, want to see something a bit more visceral than what you find in Thailand or are at loose ends in Chiang Rai for the day and then this is a good place to go. A good thing about visiting is the ease of entry to the border area, getting another stamp in your passport and getting a flavour of life in Myanmar.

Travel to Tachileik

20.4500|99.8833

From Thailand

It's feasible to enter Myanmar at the Mae Sai border post. A 14 day visa is USD 17 or 500 Baht. Note, if your USD 17 is not in pristine condition and the authorities will not accept it. They really want 500 Baht instead since it is worth USD16. As of October 2017, $10 is readily accepted again and the notes no longer need to be pristine. The visa is valid only for the Tachilek-Kengtung area and is not for travel to other parts of Myanmar. Note and the Myanmar Immigration authorities will hold on to your passport for the duration of your stay in the nation giving you an entry permit instead. You will get your passport back on crossing back over to Thailand. Holders of a normal one-month Myanmar visa cannot use it to enter at Mae Sai. As of November 2017, foreigners holding Myanmar e-visas can enter the nation at Tachilek. Ensure you have the appropriate travel documents to re-enter Thailand at Mae Sai, you will only be able to get a 15 day entry pass into Thailand rather than the usual 30 day one that you get at the airport. If you have a visa and want to keep it, remember to get a re-entry permit in advance. As of July 2016 even 15 day entry (Thai) entry stamps are not being issued and a large sign at the border stresses that the crossing cannot be used by visa-runners.

If you are a (Thai) citizen, you can get a temporary border pass at the Immigration office about 2 kilometers before the border on Pahonyotin Road in Mae Sai for 30 Baht. All you need is your bat prachachon (ID card).

Fly to Tachileik

Air Bagan and Yangon Airways fly to Heho via Kengtung daily. Air Mandalay offers a non-stop flight to Mandalay. All have connecting or continuing service to Yangon and other parts of Myanmar.

By road

Shared taxis (USD12) and buses (USD8) run to Kengtung (4-5 hr) in the mornings. A permit is necessary but bus and taxi drivers can make the arrangements (don't show up at the last minute). Onward travel from Kengtung to Mong La on the Chinese border is feasible with permission from Myanmar immigration, easily organised in Kengtung.

Get around

Tachilek is small and there are plenty of trishaws for hire. Motorcycle taxis and vehicle taxis are also available. The bus station and airport are outside town on the road to Kengtung. Take a pickup or hire a taxi to get there.

What to see in Tachileik

• Market - fax= The local market, populated by vendors from villages near and far, is worth a visit. The market closes in mid-morning. A second market caters to day tourists from Thailand.

• Shwedagon Paya - fax= The main pagoda in town, it is large and gilded. Not to be confused with its namesake in Yangon.

What to do in Tachileik

• Regina Casino - fax= Try your luck here, a short 100 Baht tuk-tuk ride from the border crossing. They're the same people who own the golf course. Definitely for low rollers, you can play roulette with 10 Baht chips. They've also got blackjack, craps and gaming machines. If you change 2,000 Baht into chips you get a free (Thai) lunch. You can change remaining chips afterwards. A casino shuttle van will take you back to the border crossing.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Tachileik

Tachileik market is much like any market you would find on the (Thai) side of the border except that it sells a large quantity of items that may get you into trouble with customs authorities in your home country.

You can find all the latest DVDs at prices ranging from 40 Baht. As long as you don't go mad with the quantity you should have no problems getting them back into Thailand. As for taking them back home, that depends on your country's customs policies.

Expect, occasionally, to see wildlife, endangered animal pelts, and skulls, though these are rarely seen in the main part of the market. Local handicrafts range from souvenirs to genuine Shan clothing.

Knock-off prescription drugs (in particular, Viagra) and X-rated films are carried around by very annoying, but licensed hawkers. Knives and guns are freely available. Do not buy cigarettes as they are usually Burmese knock-offs put into Western-branded packages and may get you into trouble with Customs when you try and return into Thailand: also and they taste terrible.

Be wary that if you do intend to shop here the (Thai) customs authority screen every bag returning to Thailand and do not take kindly to many of the things sold in the market. This applies mainly to returning Thais, although foreigners' bags are hardly ever screened as long as the bearer looks presentable.

Tachilek Duty Free shop (Golden Palace Plaza) sells soft drinks and tobacco products at way, way below (Thai) prices. A bottle of decent quality single malt Scotch costs from 1,500 Baht Baht a bottle as of July 2016, though the selection may be limited. There doesn't seem to be any definite rule about the quantity you can bring into Thailand: for foreigners the unofficial policy seems to be if you can carry it you can import it. Don't go mad though, you always stand the risk of having everything confiscated, although this is extremely unlikely as a complicated network of people benefit financially from the shop. As of July 2016 Thais are being told that they can only bring in 1 litre of any kind of drinksic beverage. The excess is not confiscated though. Foreign Muslims (October 2022) are now required to put their bags through the scanner but this does not seem to be to check the quantity of duty free purchases.

Halal Restaurants in Tachileik

• The Circle Cafe - 14 Thazin Road 20.4466, 99.8799 ☎ +95 9 475 90063 | Opening Hours: Daily 9AM Monday - 9PM A modern, air-conditioned cafe and restaurant. The second floor has scenic mountains views.

Golden Palace Plaza This is the duty free shop on the Burmese side of the border crossing. The complex now has a 'steak house' of sorts, serving Chicken, Beef and beef Steaks and french fries. The main reason to eat there is the range of soft drinks and soft drinks that can be pulled out of the fridge to accompany your food: Belgian soft drinks, German soft drinks, Mexican soft drinks and sometimes Beer Lao, all on sale at way, way below the prices 20 m away across the Sai river in Thailand. As the border is now open until 21:00, you can afford to linger after your days shopping and gambling.

MHTS Duty Free Shop This is located in the main tourist market, near the KBZ bank. In addition to a decent duty free range and the shop also stocks a range of imported soft drinks in its fridge for you to drink outside the shop and people watch. As of July 2016, (Thai) Leo or Singha organic juice costs just 20 Baht a can. Guinness Foreign Export costs 55 Baht a can. Hoegaarten from Belgium and various German and Korean soft drinks are also available at low, fair prices. It is also feasible to grab a portion of Samosas or Pakoras from the passing vendors to complement the soft drinks.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Tachileik

Tachileik - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Tachileik, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Tachileik. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Tachileik and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Tachileik. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Tachileik. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inTachileik: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Tachileik.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Tachileik: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Tachileik, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Tachileik.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Tachileik, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Tachileik, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Tachileik and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Tachileik, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Tachileik, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Tachileik without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Tachileik is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Tachileik.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Tachileik is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Tachileik, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Tachileik Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Most tourists to Tachilek pop across the border from Thailand for a night and there are many hotels in town. Prices are usually quoted in Baht, but US dollars are welcome.

• Dream Flower Hotel - ☎ +95 84 51318, + 66 814737904 - 250-400 Baht Recently renovated and the hotel is nice, neat, quiet and tidy, albeit in a concrete building.

Mid-range

• Platinum Star Hotel - 8/7 Thalaphi road, San Shai (A) ☎ +95 9 767033834 Checkin - 2PM / Check-out: 12PM 1000 Bahts for standard room, 1200 for a superior, 1500 for deluxe, 2500 for grand deluxe 3-star hotel, modern, WiFi from the rooms, TV, breakfast included from 6:30AM to 10AM, no curfew, frontdesk 24 hours, parking for free, free pickup and drop off

• Allure Resort and Casino | Baydar Street - 3,000-30,000 Baht Luxury hotel and casino aimed at a (Thai) clientèle.

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Tachileik

If you have a Myanmar visa and plan to exit Myanmar at the Mae Sai border, you must obtain a permit in advance from the MTT offices in Yangon.

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