Bangkok To Poipet Entry/re-entry & Train

[MrPlum]

I am travelling to Poipet from Bangkok by train to get the stamp in my passport. My Visa is a 1yr multi-entry business type.

Can anyone advise if...

1. There are different sections for the Visa renewals/Tourist visas... and the simple re-entry?

2. What the costs are? i.e. $25 duty, plus ???

3. How long the turnaround time is.. the train arrives in Aranyaprathet at 11.20 and returns at 13:05 (don't want to miss the return trip)

4. I have heard if you are not stopping overnight in Cambodia, they charge more. Is this correct?

5. Do I also need to show my work permit?

Thanks.

MP

[MrPlum]

I am travelling to Poipet from Bangkok by train to get the stamp in my passport. My Visa is a 1yr multi-entry business type.

Can anyone advise if...

1. There are different sections for the Visa renewals/Tourist visas... and the simple re-entry?

2. What the costs are? i.e. $25 duty, plus ???

3. How long the turnaround time is.. the train arrives in Aranyaprathet at 11.20 and returns at 13:05 (don't want to miss the return trip)

4. I have heard if you are not stopping overnight in Cambodia, they charge more. Is this correct?

5. Do I also need to show my work permit?

Thanks.

MP

Just to clarify, the questions relate to the process at the border.

[naka]

No different 'sections'.

Cambodian visa is 1,000 Bt.

1 hour and 25 minutes does not sound doable. Surprised you are even contemplating it.

Naka.

[lopburi3]

You must exit Thailand, obtain visa and enter another country, exit that country, enter Thailand. Just the same as if you were leaving for good. As this border can often have long lines I agree you probably stand a zero chance to do everything in the time you have allocated - but have never been there so could be wrong. You will not need your work permit but you should have 20k baht on your person if they decide to check you.

[s.pylos]

You must exit Thailand, obtain visa and enter another country, exit that country, enter Thailand. Just the same as if you were leaving for good. As this border can often have long lines I agree you probably stand a zero chance to do everything in the time you have allocated - but have never been there so could be wrong. You will not need your work permit but you should have 20k baht on your person if they decide to check you.

You will have more than enough time. I usually even have the time to have a meal and do some shopping at the local market.

I have never carried 20K baht with me, and have never been checked for that or heard someone being check for that, but I have my credit card. If you get stuck in Aranyaprathet there are bus to come back.

DON"T

- use the service of the numerous guys who will come to you and offer you help. You can do everything on you own. If you are lost ask any offcial of shop keepers around. The Tuk Tuk from the station should not charge you more than 80 baht, ask him to bring you close to immigration.They tend to leave you at the market where their friends wil want to take care of you!

- pay more than what you have to, i.e. there is no extra charge becasue you don't stay a night in Cambodia, you don't need an "health certifate" and you don't need to grass the custom official in Cambodia when you get out as you are not an illegal immigrant!

Just behave like someone who has done than 20 times and nobody will try to scam you.

Do take a big good book as the journey by train is VERY long but enjoyable, plenty of food and drinks sold on board!

And when you are done with it report your experience here for other !

[sandy]

Edited January 18, 2007 by s.pylos

[lopburi3]

And most people probably have not been checked - but you could be and people have been. As Aranyaprathet Immigration believe it important enough to print in red on home page of there web site I would be remiss if not pointing it out.

Immigration clarifies cash requirement rule

- According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 6 February B.E.2538 (1995), 8 December B.E. 2541 (1998) 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002) and 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002) , passport holders from countries do not require a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes if their stay in the Kingdom does not exceed 30 days.

- The applicant must possess instrument of means of living expenses 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly .

• 30-day “on arrival” visa: 10,000 baht (20,000 baht for families traveling together);

• 60 day tourist visa or non-immigrant visa: 20,000 baht (40,000 baht per family);

Children under 12 are exempted from the requirement.

[Barney_the_Dinosaur]

I don't think the turnaround time for the train is quite sufficient.

The station is some way from the border crossing

[aussiestyle1983]

Every time I have gone to PP, it has usually taken...................

10-15 mins to stamp out of Thailand.

5-10 mins to stamp in to Cambodia.

2-5 mins to stamp out of cambodia.

& now for the killer!!!

30-90 mins to stamp back into Thailand.

If you dont allready have a Cambodia visa, you will need to allow additional time to get that.

Add to that you travel times to and from the train station and walking through "no-mans land"

I seriously doubt you can make it back to the Train station on time.

Good luck!

[astral]

The Cambodians do have a habit of surcharging if you have not stayed overnight.

Not sure about Poipet, but they do at the border near Trat.

[MrPlum]

Every time I have gone to PP, it has usually taken...................

10-15 mins to stamp out of Thailand.

5-10 mins to stamp in to Cambodia.

2-5 mins to stamp out of cambodia.

& now for the killer!!!

30-90 mins to stamp back into Thailand.

If you dont allready have a Cambodia visa, you will need to allow additional time to get that.

Add to that you travel times to and from the train station and walking through "no-mans land"

I seriously doubt you can make it back to the Train station on time.

Good luck!

Thanks to all those that responded. Here's my brief 'trip report'.

1. I took the bus after reading, online, that 3rd class trains only go to Aranyaprathet and seats were wooden and uncomfortable. Being a skinny chap with little rear-end cushioning the prospect lacked appeal.

2. I took the public bus from Morchit (Northern Bus Terminal) at 0500. At the bus terminal go to the ticket windows inside the building, not outside. There is a large 'ARANYAPRATHET' window which stands out. Ticket was 212 THB one way. Seating was free rather than assigned.

3. Bus journey took 4 hours with approx half a dozen stops. We arrived at 0900. The bus was full except for 3 seats at the back of the bus. I was able to stretch out and doze.

4. The tuk-tuks were waiting at the Aranyaprathet bus station and charged 80 THB for the 8-10 minute trip to the border. I shared with some Koreans.

5. They dropped me before the border and 'touts' tried to put pressure on me to 'get your visa here' for 1500 THB, pointing to some police hut as if to confirm their bona fides. I thanked them but carried on walking to the main Thai Immigration building. If you are unaware it is easy to get caught out by these characters. Tell the tuk-tuk driver to take you to the main building.

6. The main modern building had a long queue outside but I was directed to the 'foreigner' lane/aisle with no queue and exited Thailand quickly. I needed a re-entry stamp so went to the 'Re-entry' desk (6). However, the immigration official directed me back to desk 3/4, who then directed me back to desk 6. Desk 6 sent me back to desk 4 and the issue/argument was settled by the Senior immigration officer who gave me the requisite stamp and I was on my way to the Cambodian Visa section.

7. I completed the form, gave them the photograph, paid 1000 THB to jump the short queue, since I needed to turnaround quickly to get the 1030 bus back to Bangkok, (despite more Koreans concern to protect my 'naivety'). Needless to say, I had the Visa in literally 2 minutes.

8. Next I needed to get the Visa stamped at another building. A helpful chap walked me to the building and mentioned the VIP service (for a fee of course) which I politely declined since there were few delays at such an early time in the morning. I got the stamp then was officially in Cambodia.

9. I exited and re-entered Cambodia (crossed the road). 2 people in the queue. 5 minutes.

10. Then it was into Thai Immigration again. I picked up the arrivals slip, completed the form quickly but the Immigration official, in the lane I chose to stand in, took twice as long as his colleagues. He was clearly enjoying his authority and knowledge.

11. I called the bus company and asked if they would hold the bus for me. I was 10 mins late. To my surprise they did. All in all, bus-to-bus, I turned it around in 1hr and 40 minutes.

Cost? I saved about 500THB on the typical mini-bus service. It was my first Poipet run. Previously I had always dreaded 8 hours on a bus and flew to Penang, KL, Phnom Penh and HK. This was costly and usually involved 2 overnighters.

Watch out for the young kids hassling you at the Thai Immigration side. They apparently are trying to steal your mobile, cash, purse, etc.. I shooed them away sternly.

No surcharge!

Would I do it again? Since I haven't done the Jack's Golf run, I have nothing to compare it to but being able to leave Bangkok every 30 mins on a public bus means I can depart at 0430 and be back by 1430 without being stressed. Any later arriving in Poipet might mean longer queues and a 2-3 hour turnaround. The bus was aircon and comfortable. I was able to pick up some Thai food at the bus station and eat lunch onboard. So, I would give it the thumbs up.

[aussiestyle1983]

Well done!

I will be going on Jacks bus tomorrow to PP.

I can't wait...........................

[junkofdavid2]

I am travelling to Poipet from Bangkok by train to get the stamp in my passport. My Visa is a 1yr multi-entry business type.

Can anyone advise if...

1. There are different sections for the Visa renewals/Tourist visas... and the simple re-entry?

2. What the costs are? i.e. $25 duty, plus ???

3. How long the turnaround time is.. the train arrives in Aranyaprathet at 11.20 and returns at 13:05 (don't want to miss the return trip)

4. I have heard if you are not stopping overnight in Cambodia, they charge more. Is this correct?

5. Do I also need to show my work permit?

Thanks.

MP

Yes, if you're only staying for a day, the cambodian guy will ask for 200 baht. He'll hold up his hand with a number 2 in sign language. Yeah, a few lucky people I know (like really old-looking people) are not asked for the grease money.

While Sandy says that there's "no need" to pay this (because it's true that this charge isn't "official") and there are a few who are not solicited from, would you really want to risk it?

Put it this way, if he get's pissed off and doesn't stamp you into Cambodia, your passport will not have a Cambodian stamp and you WILL NOT be allowed to go back into Thailand. (And you won't be in Cambodia either). You'll be stuck in "no man's land" with absolutely no way to go back to Thailand or any other country for that matter.

(Although there does seem to be some kind of river in between the 2 countries.. I dunno if it's legal to paddle your way back to your country using that route)

Some goodie two-shoes may say this is "immoral bribery", but it's not bribery at all. It's extortion and you are the victim. If you want, you can try taking it to some U.N. tribunal in the Netherlands or something.

I'm really pissed off to give 200 baht grease money and would prefer not to pay it.... but again, do you really want to risk it?

Up to you.

[Crossy]

6. The main modern building had a long queue outside but I was directed to the 'foreigner' lane/aisle with no queue and exited Thailand quickly. I needed a re-entry stamp so went to the 'Re-entry' desk (6). However, the immigration official directed me back to desk 3/4, who then directed me back to desk 6. Desk 6 sent me back to desk 4 and the issue/argument was settled by the Senior immigration officer who gave me the requisite stamp and I was on my way to the Cambodian Visa section.

Interesting that you can get a re-entry stamp at this land border.

You normally get your re-entry stamp BEFORE leaving the Kingdom, which is probably what caused the confusion.

BUT

If you needed one, and re-entered Thailand immediately, why did you need to do the border run in the first place? Just interested

[lopburi3]

6. The main modern building had a long queue outside but I was directed to the 'foreigner' lane/aisle with no queue and exited Thailand quickly. I needed a re-entry stamp so went to the 'Re-entry' desk (6). However, the immigration official directed me back to desk 3/4, who then directed me back to desk 6. Desk 6 sent me back to desk 4 and the issue/argument was settled by the Senior immigration officer who gave me the requisite stamp and I was on my way to the Cambodian Visa section.

Interesting that you can get a re-entry stamp at this land border.

You normally get your re-entry stamp BEFORE leaving the Kingdom, which is probably what caused the confusion.

BUT

If you needed one, and re-entered Thailand immediately, why did you need to do the border run in the first place? Just interested

Good question. That is exactly what he did not need if doing a 90 day visa run for a new 90 day stamp. He did not mention paying anything so suspect it must have been something else. If not he had best check his current permitted to stay stamp as he may be on overstay soon.

[guru]

Poipet is a funny old place and after being there several times I despise the place.

Theres usually 2 lines leading into the Thai exit hut, the left one for locals and the right one for foreigners but what annoyed me last time was that some non- uniformed local decided to man a gate leading to the foreigner entrance and pointed for me to queue with the rest. So off I went to the back of the very long line of locals where the friendly foes tried to offer their speedy services.

Luckily for me a local from near the front came and told me I didn’t have to queue and should go through the other entrance. So off I went to try again only to be told to queue up again by the same t###er. Thankfully the friendly chap and his mates told the t##t to let me through and he did.

The chap who gives out the arrival departure card in the Cambodian arrival hut used to ask for 200 bt and he would take the passport round the back to his mate who would take 100 bt.

I always ignored his requests and just queued and the chap who does the stamping would ask for 100 bt which I did give.

The funny thing is that on my last trip I had the money ready but to my surprise neither of them asked for anything so it stayed in my pocket.

The nightmare queues are on the return to Thailand and a western chap a few places in front of me was asked to show money. He didn’t have it and wasn’t stamped in. Dont know what happened to him as he was talking wih his TG when I left. Don’t know whether it was 10 or 20 K but the Cambodians in front of me were asked to show 10K each which they had.

I didn’t have the cash either but luckily wasn’t asked so it seems a bit random. Don’t know whether they accept credit cards as evidence there or not.

[MrPlum]

6. The main modern building had a long queue outside but I was directed to the 'foreigner' lane/aisle with no queue and exited Thailand quickly. I needed a re-entry stamp so went to the 'Re-entry' desk (6). However, the immigration official directed me back to desk 3/4, who then directed me back to desk 6. Desk 6 sent me back to desk 4 and the issue/argument was settled by the Senior immigration officer who gave me the requisite stamp and I was on my way to the Cambodian Visa section.

Interesting that you can get a re-entry stamp at this land border.

You normally get your re-entry stamp BEFORE leaving the Kingdom, which is probably what caused the confusion.

BUT

If you needed one, and re-entered Thailand immediately, why did you need to do the border run in the first place? Just interested

Maybe I've got my wires crossed. I have a 1yr Multi-entry 'O' Business Visa and need to leave the country and come back every 90 days.

Is this not re-entry?

[Crossy]

Maybe I've got my wires crossed. I have a 1yr Multi-entry 'O' Business Visa and need to leave the country and come back every 90 days.

Is this not re-entry?

Nope this is not a re-entry, it is a new entry each time.

A re-entry permit protects your current permit to stay so you can leave the country. On return you will be stamped to the original date.

Used if you have any form of extension of stay such as work, marriage, retirement etc. Otherwise your extension gets cancelled on exit and you're back to 30 day stamps

[MrPlum]

Maybe I've got my wires crossed. I have a 1yr Multi-entry 'O' Business Visa and need to leave the country and come back every 90 days.

Is this not re-entry?

Nope this is not a re-entry, it is a new entry each time.

A re-entry permit protects your current permit to stay so you can leave the country. On return you will be stamped to the original date.

Used if you have any form of extension of stay such as work, marriage, retirement etc. Otherwise your extension gets cancelled on exit and you're back to 30 day stamps

Ok. Many thanks. And the previous poster is correct. The re-entry desk was BEFORE leaving Thailand... really should make notes at the time