Ban Laem today.

[overherebc]

Multi O run.

Arrived there 11am. Ignored the car parking signs and drove up almost to the Imm' offices. Parked no problem/no charge. Crossed the road and up a couple of steps turn right and stamped out of Thailand.

Walked over to Cambo arrival and first question he asked was how long will you stay in Cambodia? I answered only 2 hours shopping, cannot he replied, must stay one night. I replied that my wife was waiting for me in the market but he was adamant on the one night stay.

No bad tempered back and forth just smiles for a couple of minutes with neither wanting to give way.

After this exchange another guy appeared next to me and said in very good english if you want to go back today it's 1900 baht and takes 10 minutes.

We walked back across the little bridge almost to the departure side in Thailand and just to the right. Handed my passport over with 1900 baht and a photo while sitting at a big table, he made some copies and took my passport to a little booth, you can see it go in and come out with a Cambo visa and in/out stamps.

Up the steps to Thai arrival, next to departure, 2 minutes and another 90 days stamped in.

All in about 40 minutes start to finish.

[overherebc]

Forgot to mention neither of us saw any other expats all the time we were there. It was very busy with Thai's and Cambodians going back and forth.

[JackThompson]

Ouch - that's about 600 Baht more than the usual $30 USD + 300 Baht for same-day return (100 Baht if not same-day return).  If that's how they are playing things now, I'll be using Myanmar for border-bounces, if I wind up with a Non-O-Multi (approx same distance-travel for me).

[darrendsd]

OP you've been scammed

 

I always go there with a visa run company, never have this issue, they target those who do the trip themselves

[overherebc]

11 hours ago, darrendsd said:

OP you've been scammed

 

I always go there with a visa run company, never have this issue, they target those who do the trip themselves

Won't argue that point. Never used BL before, generally we just go somewhere by plane for a weekend.

Not a fan of the minivan journeys, tried only once. ??

In reality probably paid 300 ?more than normal so not exactly the end of the world.

Thai side had no objection to the out/in, that came from the Cambo side.

[Briggsy]

I have done this trip solo a number of times.

 

The Cambo visa is $30. That is 983 Baht. Thus the OP has paid bribes and unofficial filling in form fees of 917 Baht.

 

I empathise both with those who say, "never mind, just pay it, it is hassle-free," and those who say, "that is way too much." It depends on one's situation and view of life.

 

I can tell the OP that if he had stood his ground (I know it is stressful) that 917 Baht could have come down to about 300-400 Baht in 10 minutes. However, as soon as he went with the form-fillers his fate was sealed. To get the 300-400 Baht he must go and get his Cambo visa himself. I aim for $5 bribe for the visa so the visa is $35 and 50 Baht or $2 for the U-turn fee. So I try for about $7 in bribes. It seems a nice compromise of delay of only around 10 minutes and bribes of only $7. Pay in $1's very slowly and keep cool.

 

In a moment, someone will come along and say they never pay a bribe and tell everybody how they faced down the Cambo Immigration Officers. Maybe it is possible, but try that and you may well have yourself a very long unpleasant wait.

 

[overherebc]

21 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

I have done this trip solo a number of times.

 

The Cambo visa is $30. That is 983 Baht. Thus the OP has paid bribes and unofficial filling in form fees of 917 Baht.

 

I empathise both with those who say, "never mind, just pay it, it is hassle-free," and those who say, "that is way too much." It depends on one's situation and view of life.

 

I can tell the OP that if he had stood his ground (I know it is stressful) that 917 Baht could have come down to about 300-400 Baht in 10 minutes. However, as soon as he went with the form-fillers his fate was sealed. To get the 300-400 Baht he must go and get his Cambo visa himself. I aim for $5 bribe for the visa so the visa is $35 and 50 Baht or $2 for the U-turn fee. So I try for about $7 in bribes. It seems a nice compromise of delay of only around 10 minutes and bribes of only $7. Pay in $1's very slowly and keep cool.

 

In a moment, someone will come along and say they never pay a bribe and tell everybody how they faced down the Cambo Immigration Officers. Maybe it is possible, but try that and you may well have yourself a very long unpleasant wait.

 

Remember one guy from USA at Pakard?? a few years ago refusing to pay 20 baht for the medical cert',  they pointed a temperature thingy at you, think it was a bird flue time.

He was getting loud about the whole thing.

Anyway, everyone just paid got passports submitted and returned and headed back while he just kept getting told wait wait passport done soon.

Not sure how long it took but they sure didn't rush it.

[overherebc]

46 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

I have done this trip solo a number of times.

 

The Cambo visa is $30. That is 983 Baht. Thus the OP has paid bribes and unofficial filling in form fees of 917 Baht.

 

I empathise both with those who say, "never mind, just pay it, it is hassle-free," and those who say, "that is way too much." It depends on one's situation and view of life.

 

I can tell the OP that if he had stood his ground (I know it is stressful) that 917 Baht could have come down to about 300-400 Baht in 10 minutes. However, as soon as he went with the form-fillers his fate was sealed. To get the 300-400 Baht he must go and get his Cambo visa himself. I aim for $5 bribe for the visa so the visa is $35 and 50 Baht or $2 for the U-turn fee. So I try for about $7 in bribes. It seems a nice compromise of delay of only around 10 minutes and bribes of only $7. Pay in $1's very slowly and keep cool.

 

In a moment, someone will come along and say they never pay a bribe and tell everybody how they faced down the Cambo Immigration Officers. Maybe it is possible, but try that and you may well have yourself a very long unpleasant wait.

 

To be honest situations like this don't get me stressed.

I always have an idea about how long it can take or how short a time it can take.

I believe it's a rule in the Cambo' rules and reg' book that you should officially stay one night when you enter so paying a little bit extra to 'get around' that rule doesn't get me all bitter and twisted.

 

[overherebc]

21 hours ago, overherebc said:

To be honest situations like this don't get me stressed.

I always have an idea about how long it can take or how short a time it can take.

I believe it's a rule in the Cambo' rules and reg' book that you should officially stay one night when you enter so paying a little bit extra to 'get around' that rule doesn't get me all bitter and twisted.

 

Just a point that came to mind on the Cambo visa.

At the arrival side it was the IO who flatly stated if he issued the visa 1000 baht then I would not be allowed to leave that day. There was obviously no negotiation being offered. It was just a statement 'if you give me your passport you will get a visa but you can't leave until tomorrow.'

Maybe if you are one of a group using the van services it will be different.

I used BL because Poipet seems to be a no go on out/in so perhaps other crossings for individual 'runners' are adopting the same idea. Just thinking out loud not saying it's so.

Would be interesting if anyone else posts on very recent or near future runs to here as a solo, not with a visa run company.

[overherebc]

Been searching as much as I can on required minimum stay in Cambodia and the only two references I can find on the min' 24 hour stay rule apply to the online E visa and visa on arrival at Phnom Penh airport.

I can't find anything that states 24 for border crossings but because I can't find it doesn't mean it exists or doesn't exist.

Even if it's not required at the border crossings it's not something I would argue with the IO who says it does.

[EcigAmateur]

so it means that you didn't know that you have to pay 300 thb to leave the country the same day ?

 

I hope that 1900 included your visa ? Then it means that you have been scammed only 600 thb !

 

Visa to Cambodia is $35 including bribe, then 300 more to come back.

 

[EcigAmateur]

On 11/21/2017 at 7:45 PM, darrendsd said:

OP you've been scammed

 

I always go there with a visa run company, never have this issue, they target those who do the trip themselves

 

YOU have been scammed also ! By using a ridiculous visa company

Because of course they include the Cambodia fee in your price.

 

 

[EcigAmateur]

On 11/22/2017 at 7:15 AM, Briggsy said:

I have done this trip solo a number of times.

 

The Cambo visa is $30. That is 983 Baht. Thus the OP has paid bribes and unofficial filling in form fees of 917 Baht.

 

I empathise both with those who say, "never mind, just pay it, it is hassle-free," and those who say, "that is way too much." It depends on one's situation and view of life.

 

I can tell the OP that if he had stood his ground (I know it is stressful) that 917 Baht could have come down to about 300-400 Baht in 10 minutes. However, as soon as he went with the form-fillers his fate was sealed. To get the 300-400 Baht he must go and get his Cambo visa himself. I aim for $5 bribe for the visa so the visa is $35 and 50 Baht or $2 for the U-turn fee. So I try for about $7 in bribes. It seems a nice compromise of delay of only around 10 minutes and bribes of only $7. Pay in $1's very slowly and keep cool.

 

In a moment, someone will come along and say they never pay a bribe and tell everybody how they faced down the Cambo Immigration Officers. Maybe it is possible, but try that and you may well have yourself a very long unpleasant wait.

 

 

You never paid only $30 for visa.

Even online it's $37 with fee.

 

You also never paid 50 thb to come back the same day. It's "officially" 300 but I was able to reduce it to 200 and nobody has ever paid less.

 

 

 

 

[darrendsd]

Just now, EcigAmateur said:

 

YOU have been scammed also ! By using a ridiculous visa company

Because of course they include the Cambodia fee in your price.

 

 

Why have I been scammed exactly? They provide a good service for a fee, that's how the world works, if you want a service it needs to be paid for

 

I live in Hua Hin and don't drive, how exactly do you want me to get there and if I did go by myself get scammed like the OP did?

 

No thanks and stop talking rubbish

[EcigAmateur]

On 11/22/2017 at 8:07 AM, overherebc said:

To be honest situations like this don't get me stressed.

I always have an idea about how long it can take or how short a time it can take.

I believe it's a rule in the Cambo' rules and reg' book that you should officially stay one night when you enter so paying a little bit extra to 'get around' that rule doesn't get me all bitter and twisted.

 

 

Nobody in the world can force you to stay at least 1 night in any country ! How can somebody could even imagine that it is a written rule ? Ridiculous.

 

 

[darrendsd]

3 minutes ago, EcigAmateur said:

 

You never paid only $30 for visa.

Even online it's $37 with fee.

 

You also never paid 50 thb to come back the same day. It's "officialt" 300 but I was able to reduce it to 200 and nobody has ever paid less.

 

 

 

 

I have, I pay for the visa only, it seems it's YOU that has been scammed

[darrendsd]

3 minutes ago, EcigAmateur said:

 

Nobody in the world can force you to stay at least 1 night in any country ! How can somebody could even imagine that it is a written rule ? Ridiculous.

 

 

But you still paid whether you believe it or not, scammed

[EcigAmateur]

2 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

But you still paid whether you believe it or not, scammed

 

200 thb is the minimum that anybody as good as me will pay. Others pay more , including people stupid enough to use over dangerous vans with retarded drivers.

 

 

[darrendsd]

12 minutes ago, EcigAmateur said:

 

200 thb is the minimum that anybody as good as me will pay. Others pay more , including people stupid enough to use over dangerous vans with retarded drivers.

 

 

No they don't, they pay the visa fee and THAT IS ALL THEY PAY

 

"Anybody as good as me" Haha, admits he got scammed but thinks he is great because he paid 100 Baht less than everyone else, you still got scammed even if you "only" paid 200, not that good are you?

[BritTim]

49 minutes ago, EcigAmateur said:

Nobody in the world can force you to stay at least 1 night in any country ! How can somebody could even imagine that it is a written rule ? Ridiculous.

You can believe it or not. There are two exceptions to this Cambodian immigration law:

• It does not apply if you enter the country by air.
• It does not apply if you have a multiple entry business visa.

In all other cases, the law says you must spend at least one night in Cambodia. It is a longstanding  rule, dating back at least 20 years. Believe me, if immigration want to prevent you leaving they can. In practice, this is a law that is widely flouted, often with some financial inducement to the officials.

[BritTim]

59 minutes ago, EcigAmateur said:

You never paid only $30 for visa.

Even online it's $37 with fee.

 

You also never paid 50 thb to come back the same day. It's "officially" 300 but I was able to reduce it to 200 and nobody has ever paid less.

It is over a year since I last did a Cambodia border hop. However, I can assure you that at Poi Pet and Ban Laem, I never paid more than the official price for the visa on arrival. I have also never paid the same day return fee, though I have needed to use a little subterfuge to avoid it. I also paid regular price, longer ago, at Hat Lek (Koh Kong) but there you must be an expert and willing to spend a lot of time to achieve that. I never tried a same day return at Koh Kong, but it is probably difficult without paying off Cambodia immigration.

[Briggsy]

59 minutes ago, EcigAmateur said:

You never paid only $30 for visa.

The official visa fee is $30. If you fly into Phnom Penh, you will pay just $30.

 

I don't understand your comment as I never claimed to have paid only $30. Perhaps you misread. I said I aim for $35. This is possible.

 

I note you are quoting prices in Baht. If you pay in US$ in which the visa is officially priced, you will make savings.

1 hour ago, EcigAmateur said:

You also never paid 50 thb to come back the same day. It's "officially" 300 but I was able to reduce it to 200 and nobody has ever paid less.

Again you appear to have misread. Be aware you need to pay off 2 counters. First the visa counter who also stamp you in. Then, second, the departures counter, who enforce the U-turn fee. 50 Baht is entirely possible at this second desk (departures) at Ban Laem. Their starting bid is 100 Baht! The larger bribe is the first counter, the visa on arrival and stamp in. I believe you have confused the visa bribe + the U-turn bribe with just the U-turn bribe. All up $7 would be a good result, $5 at the first desk (visa and stamp in) and $2 at the second desk (departures). The only reason to amalgamate the two bribes would be if you used the "form-filling service". Use them and you will pay at least 1700 Baht including the visa price. You need to separate out the two separate bribes.

[overherebc]

200 baht, 300 baht 600 baht. I've dropped more running for bus in UK.

Normally we fly somewhere for 3 or 4 days, if more than 4 hours flight we'll go business.

Nice hotels etc etc.

We stayed in a nice hotel on the way back, had a nice dinner, no corkage on the MOET which was nice.

Do any of you guys think I was posting about about getting some sort of bargain or what?

I just posted to make people who have never done a border run to BL to know what to expect.

I paid so I didn't have to sit among the great unwashed for too long and spend time arguing over the cost of a couple of beers.

Who the hell gets off on boasting about sitting in a death trap for 4 hours each way and thinks they're Jack the Lad because they paid 50 baht less than the guy on the next bar stool.

[darrendsd]

2 minutes ago, overherebc said:

200 baht, 300 baht 600 baht. I've dropped more running for bus in UK.

Normally we fly somewhere for 3 or 4 days, if more than 4 hours flight we'll go business.

Nice hotels etc etc.

We stayed in a nice hotel on the way back, had a nice dinner, no corkage on the MOET which was nice.

Do any of you guys think I was posting about about getting some sort of bargain or what?

I just posted to make people who have never done a border run to BL to know what to expect.

I paid so I didn't have to sit among the great unwashed for too long and spend time arguing over the cost of a couple of beers.

Who the hell gets off on boasting about sitting in a death trap for 4 hours each way and thinks they're Jack the Lad because they paid 50 baht less than the guy on the next bar stool.

Nobody is knocking you, it was only when EcigAmateur got involved things started to get silly

[Briggsy]

2 minutes ago, overherebc said:

200 baht, 300 baht 600 baht. I've dropped more running for bus in UK.

Normally we fly somewhere for 3 or 4 days, if more than 4 hours flight we'll go business.

Nice hotels etc etc.

We stayed in a nice hotel on the way back, had a nice dinner, no corkage on the MOET which was nice.

Do any of you guys think I was posting about about getting some sort of bargain or what?

I just posted to make people who have never done a border run to BL to know what to expect.

I paid so I didn't have to sit among the great unwashed for too long and spend time arguing over the cost of a couple of beers.

Who the hell gets off on boasting about sitting in a death trap for 4 hours each way and thinks they're Jack the Lad because they paid 50 baht less than the guy on the next bar stool.

I appreciate that.

 

I mentioned in my earlier post, there will be people from every point on the spectrum doing this. The financial spectrum, people with a net worth of $5 million dollars and people living from week to week on their teaching income. The personality spectrum, those who dish out tips in Thailand like money grew on trees and those who hate giving money to the undeserving.

 

See this conversation as an opportunity to spread facts which will help others whatever their financial circumstances or personality type.

[Briggsy]

3 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

Nobody is knocking you, it was only when EcigAmateur got involved things started to get silly

Well said

[overherebc]

53 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

Nobody is knocking you, it was only when EcigAmateur got involved things started to get silly

I haven't done a border run for years and the main reason for doing this one was because our little group like to spend a weekend on a beach somewhere now and then, sit about, have a few drinks and just enjoy the fact that the 3 SWMBO's have a few days with no housework etc etc.

We decided to do the run then scope out a few quiet beach resorts rather than just go on the websites and the photos.

Turned out to be interesting as not one of them stood up to the standards advertised.

Places with so called private beaches looking wonderful had nice beaches but the usual litter and plastic and staff sitting about playing on mobile phones etc.

Obviously can't post names locations etc.

Just disappointed to see the real thing.

Hotel we stayed in was really nice, clean and excellent staff etc.

Next border run, maybe Finland or UK, not sure yet.

 

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, darrendsd said:

Why have I been scammed exactly? They provide a good service for a fee, that's how the world works, if you want a service it needs to be paid for

 

I live in Hua Hin and don't drive, how exactly do you want me to get there and if I did go by myself get scammed like the OP did?

 

No thanks and stop talking rubbish

You could do what we usually do and fly to somewhere for a couple of nights, HCMC, Burma,

stay in a nice hotel and relax for a couple of nights etc.

?

[darrendsd]

10 minutes ago, overherebc said:

You could do what we usually do and fly to somewhere for a couple of nights, HCMC, Burma,

stay in a nice hotel and relax for a couple of nights etc.

?

Cost and a few other factors prevent that i'm afraid, On visa runs I like to get there, get it done and get back ASAP, I treat Visa Runs as just that, visa runs although of course I understand other people see them as a chance for a little break

[EcigAmateur]

6 hours ago, Briggsy said:

The official visa fee is $30. If you fly into Phnom Penh, you will pay just $30.

 

I don't understand your comment as I never claimed to have paid only $30. Perhaps you misread. I said I aim for $35. This is possible.

 

I note you are quoting prices in Baht. If you pay in US$ in which the visa is officially priced, you will make savings.

Again you appear to have misread. Be aware you need to pay off 2 counters. First the visa counter who also stamp you in. Then, second, the departures counter, who enforce the U-turn fee. 50 Baht is entirely possible at this second desk (departures) at Ban Laem. Their starting bid is 100 Baht! The larger bribe is the first counter, the visa on arrival and stamp in. I believe you have confused the visa bribe + the U-turn bribe with just the U-turn bribe. All up $7 would be a good result, $5 at the first desk (visa and stamp in) and $2 at the second desk (departures). The only reason to amalgamate the two bribes would be if you used the "form-filling service". Use them and you will pay at least 1700 Baht including the visa price. You need to separate out the two separate bribes.

 

Wrong. Did it dozens times and only paid at 1 counter. And many people that I know also.

Never ever heard people paying at 2 desks. So I repeat that I managed to pay only 200 and only at one desk. I do not use visa services, I am not 100% retarded yet :-)