Dharma Drama: Visa Run Karma

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A September 2008 trip to Thailand by SeenThat

Old Sukhothai Photo - Sukhothai, Thailand

Quote: Visa runs and government changes are an integral part of a traveler's routine in Thailand.

22 Photos

1. Dharma Drama

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Bangkok's Protests Photo - Bangkok, Thailand

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September 2006: On the Plane from Taiwan to BangkokI was watching the advancing line slowly attempting to connect Taiwan with Bangkok on the small screen in front of me. Suddenly, the channel was automatically changed to the BBC, where a "Breaking News" red bar highlighted the screen: a coup d'état had replaced Thaksin Shinawatra's government in Thailand with yet another military junta. Shortly after, I saw for the first time tanks on Bangkok's streets.September 2008: After Visiting the Royal ThroneHaving collected the data I needed for a ...Read More

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2. Tic Tac to Tak

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Mo ChitMo Chit is Bangkok's northern bus terminal; it serves destinations in the north, northeast and parts of Thailand's eastern coast. It is located away from the Skytrain and Metro stations of the same name, but can be approached with bus number three from near Khaosan Road and taxis. The terminal is divided into three zones. One serves buses traveling within Bangkok...Read More

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3. Muddy Myawaddy

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One Day Earlier: BangkokAware of Burmese peculiarities, I entered the main branch of one of the main banks in the country. "I want to exchange money," I told the clerk approaching me. She directed me to an available desk."I want to buy a new note of ten dollars for the immigration fee," I elaborated."How much?""Ten dollars.""Do you have your passport?""No."She left the desk and formed an ad hoc committee with her superior; after considering the issue she returned."It's OK, please fill this form," she said while giving me a form in four copies.While fillin...Read More

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4. Mae Sot

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Back in Mae Sot, I decided to spend a couple of hour here and then to leave toward Tak; having been here in the past, it was pointless to stay; but it is always interesting to see how a place evolves along time.The Western EndEighty-six kilometers west and uphill from Tak, Mae Sot sits next to the River Moei, the border between Thailand and Myanmar. This is one of the few towns in Thailand that is larger than its provincial capital, Tak in this case. With around forty thousand inhabitants, it is roughly twice the size of Tak, this is...Read More

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5. Back to Tak

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Visa runs are usually a linear affair. I had visited in the past Mae Sariang and was not inclined to return and make a whole loop in northern Thailand through Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai. Thus returning to Tak after I got my visa extension was inevitable. I used the opportunity to get better acquainted with this beautiful rural town.Tak TalkTak is a province in the lower north of Thailand. In the past i...Read More