Practicalities of Kanchanaburi-Phu Nam Ron border run

[edwardandtubs]

I'm going to spend a few days in Kanchanaburi so I'm in no hurry to use a visa run company. There have been a few reports of paying 920 baht or something which includes a minivan and 500 baht for Burmese immigration so does that mean you can pay 420 baht for the minivan and $10 to Burmese immigration? And where exactly does this minivan leave from? Are there public transport options from Kanchanaburi? If not, can anyone recommend a visa run service from Kanchanaburi (and price)?

[darrendsd]

The fee is all in and the van is straight after Immigration, I doubt if you use the van which you really don't have much choice about that they will allow you to pay separate

 

Give Day a call on 0924199265, he is based in Kancha and will give you a price to run you to the border and back

 

There is also bus transport that runs from the bus station in Kancha to the border but I don't know about times and prices, 

[ubonjoe]

The transport across no mans land starts after you clear Thai immigration and ends after you return to the Thai side of the border.

There is local transport from Kanchanaburi to Ban Phu Nam Ron.

[edwardandtubs]

Thanks, I get it now. It works out more expensive than the other Burmese options like Ranong where you can make your own way there and pay $10.

[Khun Jean]

Is there a certain time that the 'transport across no mans land' is available.

I did this about 5 months ago and the only way was to walk!!!

I was there around 12:30.

 

There is a guy offering the surface (on facebook) starting from Kanchanaburi bus station for 2500. That price is i think a bit much. Going to the border is about 60-80 baht with a minivan. So there is not much added value when going across no mans land is about 900.

 

I plan to go in about 10 days and would like to hear recent experiences and what the best time would be to go there.

[edwardandtubs]

1 hour ago, Khun Jean said:

Is there a certain time that the 'transport across no mans land' is available.

I did this about 5 months ago and the only way was to walk!!!

I was there around 12:30.

 

There is a guy offering the surface (on facebook) starting from Kanchanaburi bus station for 2500. That price is i think a bit much. Going to the border is about 60-80 baht with a minivan. So there is not much added value when going across no mans land is about 900.

 

I plan to go in about 10 days and would like to hear recent experiences and what the best time would be to go there.

That same guy offers an all-in price of under 2000 baht from Bangkok with a group on Saturdays.

[dictater]

Just rent a bike and ride there, it's 60 k's from town, if your willing to wait around a bit once you've stamped out you can get a moto for a 100 baht round trip and ten bucks to immigration on the Burmese side. I do it in about an hour every three months. 

 

[edwardandtubs]

10 minutes ago, dictater said:

Just rent a bike and ride there, it's 60 k's from town, if your willing to wait around a bit once you've stamped out you can get a moto for a 100 baht round trip and ten bucks to immigration on the Burmese side. I do it in about an hour every three months. 

 

Can you recommend anyone who rents out a motorbike without taking your passport as a deposit? And why do you need to wait around a bit after you've stamped out?

[Khun Jean]

Also curious as the last time i just walked (got a lift) as nobody was there. When i got back then i did not get a arrival card, had to get that on the side where you stamp out. Cost me 500 baht. I know this is not needed but they have this little scheme set up pretty good as when you not do it you just not get an arrival card and thus no entry stamp. Making a scene was not in my best interest so i just did it.

How did you prevent paying the 500 baht? You have a stack of arrival cards in reserve. ?

 

[darrendsd]

8 minutes ago, Khun Jean said:

Also curious as the last time i just walked (got a lift) as nobody was there. When i got back then i did not get a arrival card, had to get that on the side where you stamp out. Cost me 500 baht. I know this is not needed but they have this little scheme set up pretty good as when you not do it you just not get an arrival card and thus no entry stamp. Making a scene was not in my best interest so i just did it.

How did you prevent paying the 500 baht? You have a stack of arrival cards in reserve. ?

 

"i just walked (got a lift)"  

 

You couldn't have done both, did you walk or get a lift? If so how much was your lift?

 

The 500 Baht is the fee Burmese Immigration charge for your entry

[watcharacters]

6 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

"i just walked (got a lift)"  

 

You couldn't have done both, did you walk or get a lift? If so how much was your lift?

 

The 500 Baht is the fee Burmese Immigration charge for your entry

 

 

 

Expensive ink,  I'd reckon. 

 

 

[Khun Jean]

If you want to know the very fine details:

I started walking as there was no one around with a van or motorcycle. I expected there to be but there was none.

After waiting about a half hour i decided that instead of waiting longer i started to walk. While i was walking, about 3rd of the way a car stopped and gave me a lift. For free as they were just being helpful.

Got my in and out stamp at the myanmar immigration for 400 baht. The i started walking back as again nobody there, completely deserted. Somewhere along the way there is a little building that stops and checks cars and they arranged someone to bring me back to the Thai border, again for free. They smiled probably thinking i was some stingy farang, but my pretty normal looks and decent clothing made them hesitate to come to a real conclusion.

At the Thai border i presented my passport and was asked why i did not have an arrival card. I said i expected that he would give one to me as i was 'arriving'. He laughed and asked how did you go to the myanmar immigration, i told him i walked (and a lift) and he smiled some more and shook  his head. He pointed to the building on the opposite side of the road and told me to get an arrival card there. So i did, but i first had to pay 500 baht, when i asked why the pretty girl answered for the arrival card. I then knew it was just a little setup and choose not to make a scene. So she filled in my arrival card, gave it back to me and the i got my new stamp.

 

Now when i read that it cost 900 baht to do the little trip to myanmar immigration i guess 500 baht is for the Thai side for 'rendered services'.

 

If i left out a tiny non-critical detail please inform me so i can try to recall it and add it to the post.

[darrendsd]

Your posts don't make much sense however FYI if people use the minivan that takes them to the Myanmar side and back they pay a total of 900 Baht for the trip and Myanmar Visa

 

You also paid a total of 900 Baht

 

I very much doubt that you have paid 500 Baht for a arrival card, arrival cards are free, the hut where you were sent to is not manned by Immigration, it is manned by the minibus staff and people who take people to the border and back , this 500 was for your lift there and back

 

"gave me a lift. For free as they were just being helpful."

 

No they were not,  you were charged for this lift

 

People who use the minivan pay a total of 900 baht, transport and visa cost.

You also paid 900 baht, transport and visa cost.

 

Nothing is for free at that border, you were charged and by the sounds of it charged full price even though you walked a lot of the way

[Khun Jean]

So you mean the man who gave me a lift with his pickup loaded with pig food was in on the game.

Wow, incredible.

 

Maybe it is time to read my posts again after you are sober.

[darrendsd]

16 minutes ago, Khun Jean said:

So you mean the man who gave me a lift with his pickup loaded with pig food was in on the game.

Wow, incredible.

 

Maybe it is time to read my posts again after you are sober.

People who use the minivan pay 900 Baht total

 

You paid 900 Baht total, 

 

It's not difficult to work out you paid for that  "lift For free as they were just being helpful" it's not difficult to work out as you paid the same as everyone else pays

 

The staff at the transport point are not stupid, they want that 500 Baht no matter if you walked it or not and that's why you were directed to that hut by Immigration for your arrival card who Immigration are also in on the cut of all transport costs

 

Yes agreed, if you have your own arrival card you "may" get away without paying the transport costs

 

So it seems you walked halfway there and halfway back for nothing, nevermind

 

 

 

 

 

[Khun Jean]

So you choose to skip this part of the post:

I started walking as there was no one around with a van or motorcycle. I expected there to be but there was none.

After waiting about a half hour i decided that instead of waiting longer i started to walk. While i was walking, about 3rd of the way a car stopped and gave me a lift. For free as they were just being helpful.

 

[darrendsd]

1 minute ago, Khun Jean said:

So you choose to skip this part of the post:

 

 

 

No I have quoted it in 2 of my posts

 

"For free as they were just being helpful."

 

As I have already said in 2 of my posts, people who use the transport pay a total of 900 Baht

 

You paid a total of 900 Baht

 

What exactly did you get for free?

 

Because if you paid the same as everyone else it seems nothing, you actually got less than everyone else as you walked some of the way there and back, whilst people who pay the same as you get the full journey

 

 

 

[edwardandtubs]

14 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

No I have quoted it in 2 of my posts

 

"For free as they were just being helpful."

 

As I have already said in 2 of my posts, people who use the transport pay a total of 900 Baht

 

You paid a total of 900 Baht

 

What exactly did you get for free?

 

Because if you paid the same as everyone else it seems nothing, you actually got less than everyone else as you walked some of the way there and back, whilst people who pay the same as you get the full journey

 

 

 

You're being very argumentative for no reason. Maybe you could be helpful instead and suggest a way of getting an arrival card without paying for it. Also how do you manage to rent a motorbike without leaving your passport as a deposit?

[darrendsd]

1 minute ago, edwardandtubs said:

You're being very argumentative for no reason. Maybe you could be helpful instead and suggest a way of getting an arrival card without paying for it. Also how do you manage to rent a motorbike without leaving your passport as a deposit?

I'm not being argumentative, I am simply stating the fact that they did not get the transport for free, they paid like everyone else does

 

Arrival cards are free at every border in Thailand, there is no need to pay for them, who says you do?

 

Who mentioned renting a motorbike without leaving your passport as a deposit? Not me

[edwardandtubs]

2 hours ago, darrendsd said:

I'm not being argumentative, I am simply stating the fact that they did not get the transport for free, they paid like everyone else does

 

Arrival cards are free at every border in Thailand, there is no need to pay for them, who says you do?

 

Who mentioned renting a motorbike without leaving your passport as a deposit? Not me

 

Oh, it was dictater who said that. Hopefully he can come back in and share his experience. 

 

I've never been charged for an arrival card but at this border they seem not to be freely available, so if anyone knows how to get round that perhaps they can share it.

 

Apparently the 500 baht wasn't for transport as Khun Jean wasn't driven in the minivan but in private vehicles, so it's not really clear what went on there.

[darrendsd]

2 hours ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

Oh, it was dictater who said that. Hopefully he can come back in and share his experience. 

 

I've never been charged for an arrival card but at this border they seem not to be freely available, so if anyone knows how to get round that perhaps they can share it.

 

Apparently the 500 baht wasn't for transport as Khun Jean wasn't driven in the minivan but in private vehicles, so it's not really clear what went on there.

She paid for the transport, whether it be a plane, a tandem or a truck that was used

 

Minivans are not the only form of transport that is used at that border

 

If the 500 Baht wasn't for the transport what was it for? 

[edwardandtubs]

1 hour ago, darrendsd said:

She paid for the transport, whether it be a plane, a tandem or a truck that was used

 

Minivans are not the only form of transport that is used at that border

 

If the 500 Baht wasn't for the transport what was it for? 

 

Khun Jean has said she asked the woman what the 500 baht was for and was told it was for the arrival card. The woman didn't say that it was for the pickup truck full of pig feed. If the money was for the transport why didn't the woman just say that?

 

Personally I would have refused to pay but that's a different issue.

[darrendsd]

6 hours ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

Khun Jean has said she asked the woman what the 500 baht was for and was told it was for the arrival card. The woman didn't say that it was for the pickup truck full of pig feed. If the money was for the transport why didn't the woman just say that?

 

Personally I would have refused to pay but that's a different issue.

Yes and we all know that some Thais don't lie in order to get some money don't we ?

[Khun Jean]

Well, nothing useful seems to come out of this topic. and again this part of my post was ignored.

I started walking as there was no one around with a van or motorcycle. I expected there to be but there was none. 

After waiting about a half hour i decided that instead of waiting longer i started to walk. While i was walking, about 3rd of the way a car stopped and gave me a lift. For free as they were just being helpful. 

And no you can not use only the last short sentence.

If i stated there was no one around that really means there was NOBODY THERE.

I would not mind paying 500 baht for a ride and some assistance but THERE WAS NOBODY THERE.

Waiting for someone to finally show up was what i did, until more then a half hour passed. The minivan that goes from the Kanchanaburi bus station to the border was scheduled to drive back soon, so what to do? Wait an unknown time or just start walking.

 

The ride i got was just from someone who transported goods or maybe even bought some in Thailand to sell in myanmar. I don't know. But i was happy they stopped and offered me a ride. and yes I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

 

Only when i got back to enter Thailand i was asked for the 500 baht, no transport offered because I ALREADY HAD THE STAMPS FROM MYANMAR. But i DID NOT GET AN ARRIVAL CARD, had to pay the 500 baht, and YES I KNOW THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE.  But if you are caught in no mans land, what do you do. Complain? We all know how that will work out. Ask why, i did that and the answer was for the arrival card. AND YES I UNDERSTAND THAT NORMALLY INCLUDES THE TRANSPORT BUT THEY WERE NOT THERE WHEN I NEEDED IT. So they just wanted the 500 for the arrival card, which should be free. Little scam going on but what can you do. stay in myanmar and complain.

 

Sorry for the caps, but there are some that do not understand english very well, and maybe they can concentrate on those.

 

So the question now is, how to obtain an arrival card without paying 500 baht. (Transport included or not).

[Denim]

I was there last week and it's all change again.

 

After getting stamped out ( of Thailand ) the Thai immigration officer told me to follow a Thai guy hovering nearby.  I looked at where the cafe used to be but it was closed so I followed the Thai guy.

 

He led me to a hut around the back and it was the same deal as before. Hand over your passport and the 980 fee then take a seat and wait

( outside the hut but under shelter ).

 

After 20 or so minutes nobody had come to take us ( there were three others waiting ) to the van for the run over to Burma. I asked how much longer I would have to wait. The girl in the hut said that my passport had already left and would be back shortly !  She gave a wink and said it was new way....not worry.

 

So after anoth 30 minutes I was again told to follow a Thai guy who led me away from the hut to a quieter spot and returned my passport which now had the enter and exit Burmese stamps. All i had to do then was cross the road and get my Thai re entry stamp.

 

I was given no choice about all this or told nothing. Clearly illegal but Thai immigration obviously  aware of what is going on.

 

Worth knowing is that apparently there is now a primitive casino on the Burmese side so the car park on the Thai side was full to overflowing. Also have to pay to park your car ( 10 baht ) 

 

This crossing is clearly going to get a lot busier in future and it looks as though the whole procedure could change from week to week. I would definitely think twice about going on a weekend as it was busy enough when I went mid week.

 

 

[Khun Jean]

I think i will just take the plane to Kuala Lumpur. Cost maybe a 1000 baht more but then it is way more comfortable and does not support corrupt officials.

[edwardandtubs]

Interesting update Denim. Going back to what dictater said, it seems if you have your own transportation and spend some time on the Burmese side, it's hard to see how they could justify charging you for the arrival card.

[RocketDog]

I drove there 3 weeks ago from chaam in a car. I got there and immediately encountered a guy who led me to a room where I paid 960baht. A woman filled out the arrival/departure card from my passport and made a passport copy page. The man then took me to the real Thai departure IO office with a window and I was stamped out, no further cost. He then drove across the border, gave my papers to an old man in a shanty hut. A young lad came back in a few minutes with all the Burma stamps. The guy drove me back in his truck and dropped me at the Thai IO arrivals  office window. They gave me my 1 year non - A extension and I walked back to my car.

I detailed it in a forum post with Kanchanaburi in the title just recently. Use a forum search for details.

It was apparently all good because I went today to my local IO office in Thayang and did my 90 day report and a re-entry permit for my upcoming trip back to the states. In and out in 20 minutes.

From the other posts here I gather I was paying 400 Baht for the Burma immigration office work and the other 560 went for my friendly 'facilitator' and friends with the pickup truck.

It was worth the cost to not walk and the whole thing went seamlessly.

[zhangxifu]

12 hours ago, RocketDog said:

I drove there 3 weeks ago from chaam in a car. I got there and immediately encountered a guy who led me to a room where I paid 960baht. A woman filled out the arrival/departure card from my passport and made a passport copy page. The man then took me to the real Thai departure IO office with a window and I was stamped out, no further cost. He then drove across the border, gave my papers to an old man in a shanty hut. A young lad came back in a few minutes with all the Burma stamps. The guy drove me back in his truck and dropped me at the Thai IO arrivals  office window. They gave me my 1 year non - A extension and I walked back to my car.

I detailed it in a forum post with Kanchanaburi in the title just recently. Use a forum search for details.

It was apparently all good because I went today to my local IO office in Thayang and did my 90 day report and a re-entry permit for my upcoming trip back to the states. In and out in 20 minutes.

From the other posts here I gather I was paying 400 Baht for the Burma immigration office work and the other 560 went for my friendly 'facilitator' and friends with the pickup truck.

It was worth the cost to not walk and the whole thing went seamlessly.

Sounds like a nice service for easy visa run over there. BTW, why did you do a 90-day report to local immigration if you just entered the kingdom three weeks ago?

 

I was looking for some travelling advice and found this thread. It's good to know border is open and operational but my plan was to ride my own bike from BKK and do things by myself over there. So, the question is, will I usually be able to ride my own bike all the way to Burma immigration or will I be forced to leave the bike behind to thai side anyway? Will there be something to see on the Burma side, a teahouse, market ? How far will I be or will not be let advance on the Burma side during the day? What is there to see on Thai side? Could someone link me to more info on Phunamron on this forum please? Cos if this border serves just as an automated rubber stamp might be easier for me to fly KL or SGN. Thanks!

[Briggsy]

1 hour ago, zhangxifu said:

Sounds like a nice service for easy visa run over there. BTW, why did you do a 90-day report to local immigration if you just entered the kingdom three weeks ago?

 

I was looking for some travelling advice and found this thread. It's good to know border is open and operational but my plan was to ride my own bike from BKK and do things by myself over there. So, the question is, will I usually be able to ride my own bike all the way to Burma immigration or will I be forced to leave the bike behind to thai side anyway? Will there be something to see on the Burma side, a teahouse, market ? How far will I be or will not be let advance on the Burma side during the day? What is there to see on Thai side? Could someone link me to more info on Phunamron on this forum please? Cos if this border serves just as an automated rubber stamp might be easier for me to fly KL or SGN. Thanks!

You need to leave your bike on the Thai side.

 

You will be taken over by the Thai chap that works with immigration in his pick-up truck. On the Burmese side, there are a few huts with wooden tables selling "duty-free" and other stuff like instant noodles and honey. You will be there for 10 or 15 minutes. You will not advance into Burma. There is little to see at the Thai border but you can do a side trip to Meuang Singh or many other attractions in Kanjanaburi.