Getting a Myanmar Visa in Bangkok

So, do you want to go to Myanmar via Thailand? First you need to get your visa squared away in Bangkok. I went to the embassy with three passport photos. Now, you must initially go between 8:00am-12:00pm to apply for the visa (I made the mistake at arriving at 12:15 the previous day). I filled out the application, which has more or less the standard questions that Asian countries ask (i.e. parents professions, father's name, etc.) and waited in 'line' for about fourty minutes. By line, I really mean pushed and shoved until I got to the window. Some more clueless souls, reluctant to get in on the pushing and shoving, didn't seem to move much the entire time I was there! Be aggressive, it pays off. But I digress.

Once you're at the front of the line you are given a card with a number on it and told to wait in another line. I waited in this line for two hours. Finally, when it was my turn I was asked if I wanted a same-day or two-day processing time for my visa. I asked for the same day, and although the official regulations that are posted require having proof of a plane ticket for this particular visa, smiling and flirting with the old heavyset Burmese woman behind the counter when she asked for the ticket worked wonders for me. Other travelers without the plane ticket who weren't so keen on this tactic and found themselves rejected for the one day visa because of 'time issues'. Smile and don't loose face; it'll get you far in Southeast Asia!

Now, you give them your passport and return at 5:30pm the same day to pick it up. I liked my motorcycle driver, so while waiting I agreed to go to a bunch of shops so he could rack up commission money. I don't recommend you do this unless you know what you're in for and have time to kill. He agreed not to charge me for the long trip to the Burmese embassy in exchange for going to six shops. I didn't have much else on the docket, so I agreed and we went to the dozen or so commission-giving shops scattered around Bangkok. Not a traditional way of seeing the city, but it was fun and although my trusty driver didn't speak English, he did show me the sights. Plus, a number of the silk shops give you free beer, so why not? 

After riding all around Bangkok, we returned to the embassy. It was easy and fast getting my passport. Afterwords, my driver took me to his house, introduced me to his family, and his wife fed me an amazing dinner.