Big A

At Immigration/saphan pla pier, don't pay more than B800 for a return trip and a $10 note/bill to a boatman.

OH! and take an umbrella in case of extreme heat or rain, and don't be tempted to bring back contraband. Once you buy some stuff, the Thai cops (tipped off) will be waiting for you. There's somewhere in this forum that someone got arrested for Viagra.

And there's really nothing to see in the small Burmese town. Just get stamped in, out and return empty handed.

You'll be fine.

Pay the 2100 baht it is so much hassle doing the run yourself

Agree 100% especially if it's your first (or even second or third)

Upon arrival in Ranong, you have to check in at Thai immigration (Saphan Pla) to get stamped out. Just bring your passport and a photocopy of your passport. Photocopies are available beside the immigration office. However, DO NOT RELY ON THIS SERVICE. GET A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR PASSPORT BEFORE YOU GET TO IMMIGRATION They seem to be too lazy at times to help you.

After you’ve received your exit stamp you have to cross the bay to get to Burma. The dock is a 5-10 minute walk from Immigration and there are plenty of boatmen lining up at outside Immigration or at the pier itself to take you across. They are generally OK. The boat trip costs about 300 baht, whether there is one person going or five. They will also sell you a US$10 note/bill at a slightly inflated rate. This is OK because if you try and get your own from a bank, it will have to be in MINT CRISP CONDITION to be accepted at the Burmese Immigration. I have heard of people getting rejected because of old or torn or creased or frayed notes. As I said, the boatmen will rip you off, but only slightly!!!

There are 4 stops to make along the way. The first stop is at another Thai immigration where your exit stamp is checked. No need to get off the boat here. 2nd stop is a Burmese Immigration outpost on stilts. They'll check your passport here. Again, no need to get off the boat here. Keep your $10 on you here. The 3rd stop is off the boat and on Burmese soil where you will give the cash, get an entry stamp and an exit stamp at another counter. The last stop is at Thai customs in the middle of the bay. Nothing to do here!

Back in Ranong pier, don't forget to return once more to Immigration to get your entry stamp.

In Ranong, you have 3 choices

1. Do it yourself by catching a long tail boat.

2. Go by the Andaman Club visa run ferry. http://www.andamanclub.com/

3 Organised tour from Chumphon. http://www.chumphon-kohtao.com/

I have done all 3, and the best is the Andaman Club IMHO. It costs a bit more, but worth it.

Do you have a CD of an alien, space shooting game called 'Space Junkie'? It is a 15 level alien shooting game which I accidently damaged and my son is going ballistic. I have to get another one and I will pay well for it.

HELP!!

Please PM me.

April 2001 Nissan Big M Frontier King Cab Pickup

Mileage: 42,500 kms

Engine: 4-Cyl. 2.7 Litre Diesel

Transmission: 5 Speed Manual, 2 wheel drive

Colour: Black

Cab: 2 door King Cab

Owners: 1 (from brand new)

Extras: Bull bars,anti-roll bars, running boards/sills, wind deflector on bonnet, slightly tinted windows (not on windscreen), windguards on driver's and passenger's windows, wheel arches, tarpaulin and rubber tray mat.

Excellent condition and used by a non-smoking, UK driver. Tyres still have over quarter of inch tread. Still has all original parts. Electric windows and central locking. Full Nissan service history from new (has just been recently serviced: April ’08) and taxed for a full year. Complete with never-used spare tyre, jack and wheel brace. Bangkok number plates. Never been in an accident. Only used at weekends.Can be inspected/test driven at anytime.

If interested, please PM me.

Come on, Emperor....we're waiting for you with bated breath!!!

A quickie (but a true one)

A few years back, I was driving along the Hua Hin by-pass (between Phetchaburi and Pranburi) and was flagged down by a lone cop in the middle of the road. He told me that 2-3 kms back, he had seen me overtake in the left/inside lane. I asked him how he possibly could have seen that, and he replied 'by our satellite'!!

I stared at him, and said you 'don't have any satellites' and kept on glaring at him with a don't you dare lie and try to extort me look.

I was waved on!!

Thanks to all for your input.

Can't people stay away from their cell phone .....

You can't eat peacefully anymore, people screaming to their cell phone at every table

You risk your life while driving because the car in front of you is swaying ... the driver is on the cell

People shouting at nothing in the street ... they talk on their cell

etc.. etc..

And now on the plane ! ... please give us a break ... what is so important to talk about constantly, beats me!

Well said!

I have never owned, nor will ever own, a mobile phone. I detest them.

take drugs expect to die ,its that simple

What an absolute nonsense you guys are posting!

People take drugs to enjoy them and not to die.

This Irishman had a girlfriend and family back home who loved him. This is a terrible way to go, 10,000 km from home.

RIP to the family.

RIP to the family???

I would rather express my sympathy's for their loss - the dead guy.... RIP.

So, the reason for the apostrophe is....................?

.... would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Yeh, and I'm Robert De Niro

So, this road is an unbroken dual carriageway/highway all the way from the 41 junction (at Phunphin) right into Krabi town?

Just wondering why it is so quiet and unused 'cos it links 2 major towns!

Only 30? It looks a lot more!! But thanks for your help.

Thanks, LivinginKata. Is this not a bit of a roundabout way?

Hi all

Although I have driven from Bangkok to Chumphon many many times, I am not sure of the best route from Chumphon to Phuket.

Basically, I can see 2 main ways:

1. From Chumphon, down the main 41 route (to Hat Yai), and then turn right at Phunpin/Suratthani junction and through Phanom on the 401.

2. From Chumphon, go along the windy route 4 via Ranong.

Any experiences?

Thanks.

Big A

PS This has also been posted in the Phuket Forum as well.

Hi all

Although I have driven from Bangkok to Chumphon many many times, I am not sure of the best route from Chumphon to Phuket.

Basically, I can see 2 main ways:

1. From Chumphon, down the main 41 route (to Hat Yai), and then turn right at Phunpin/Suratthani junction and through Phanom on the 401.

2. From Chumphon, go along the windy route 4 via Ranong.

Any experiences?

Thanks.

Big A

PS This has also been posted in the Southern Thailand Forum as well.

I hope you're not going to marry just so as you can stay in the country!!

It really pisses me off when I see 'holier-than-thou people ' with their yellow/royal ties and royal badges demonstrating that they love their king and country on the one hand, while plundering and pillaging the country on the other.

These people love one person:- THEMSELVES.

Perth and Brisbane are reputed to be visa friendly.

Hi Cerulean

I presume you know there's a Thai consulate in Ballsbridge, Dublin? They accept postal applications only. http://www.thaiconsulateireland.com/

You may be better off with a tourist visa.

........On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays the traffic would travel clockwise; while on Tuesdays and Thursdays it would travel counter-clockwise. The plan would not operate on weekends...........

........"Many drivers already have trouble telling their left from their right." .............

Now, THIS is gonna be entertaining.

Actually, when I said the above, I was thinking of being entertained by the amount of people who would fall for this!! I didn't believe it myself!!

Ahem.

I think I'll slink off, now.

^^

DOH!!!

You actually caught me out, too. Good 'un!!

Good God. Somchai in charge of a nuclear reactor!!