The government announced last week that foreigners with e-visas can enter the country from Thailand at three border checkpoints, media reports said.
The decision, that applies from September 1 and enables e-visa holders to enter through the Tachilek, Myawaddy and Kawthaung checkpoints, was announced by the Minister of Labour, Immigration and Population on its website, the Democratic Voice of Burma reported.
Visitors holding e-visas could previously only enter Myanmar through the international airports at Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay.
The e-visas cost US$50 for a tourist visa valid for 28 days and $70 for a 70-day business visa, payable online by most credit cards.
The decision eliminates the need for travellers wanting to visit Myanmar to have to queue on consecutive days at its embassy in Bangkok to receive a visa.
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A representative of an adventure tour operator said the decision would see an increase in the number of travellers visiting Myanmar, the Bangkok Post reported on September 2.
“It’s certainly going to facilitate and increase arrivals,” Mr Mark Ord, of Britain-based tour company All Points East, that specialises in off-the-beaten-track tours in Myanmar, was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
“It’s a great initiative, though they seem to have omitted the Dawei crossing, which is the easiest from Bangkok,” he said.
The Bangkok Post said that a highway linking Dawei with the Thai border was still being built and that there were security concerns about the route because armed groups operated in the area.
