Bangkok--June 28--TAT The popular border checkpoint between Myanmar and Thailand at Mae Sai-Tachilek was reopened on June 25 after a nearly five-month closure, paving the way for visitors to cross freely between the two countries. The reopening of this and a number of temporary border checkpoints (which are restricted only to citizens of the two countries) along the Thai-Myanmar border followed the recent visit to Yangon, Myanmar, by Thai Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra. The Thai Prime Minister discussed the issue with his Myanmar counterparts and urged the reopening of the border checkpoints in order to pave the way for a resumption of trade and tourism activities between the two countries. Minister to the Prime Minister s Office and Tourism Authority of Thailand Chairman H.E. Mr. Somsak Thepsutin commented, “As soon as the Mae Sai-Tachilek checkpoint reopened, there was an immediate improvement in trade and tourism activities between the two countries. “I am optimistic that the tourism industry will soon be back to normal. This will benefit citizens of both countries and help promote overland tourism between the two countries.” Myanmar and Thailand are linked by three international border checkpoints (Mae Sai-Tachilek in Chiang Rai, Mae Sot-Myawaddy in Tak and Ranong-Kawthaung in Ranong) and thirteen temporary border checkpoints located in Chiang Rai (1), Chiang Mai (1), Mae Hong Son (4), Kanchanaburi (3), Ratchaburi (1), Prachup Kirikhan (2) and Chumphon (1). Visitors can travel between Thailand to Myanmar only via the three international border checkpoints while the rest can be only used by citizens of the two countries. The Mae Sai-Tachilek international border checkpoint is open daily between 05:30|18:30 hours. Foreign visitors can obtain a one-day border pass after providing a copy of their passport and US$5. End-AN-