Visa Exempt on a border run vs SETV. Which should I get.

[CanadianGeek]

Hi Guys, 

 

I need some help. 

My husband and I were in Thailand in January for 6 weeks on a SETV, then we went to several other countries. We came back in May from Malaysia by land and we extended our Visa Exempt for 30 days. We are doing our very first border run this week, and for various reasons we are staying in Thailand for at least three to four more weeks, before heading onwards. I am nervous of giving my passport  to an agent in Siem Reap to take to Phenom Phenh for me to get a SETV, for all the obvious reasons. Also, they want me to supply a copy of my bank statement and proof of onward travel.

 

Again I am nervous about giving my bank info to someone to take to Phenom Phenh as I never had to provide that before when applying for Thai SETV visas before.  We are flying to Cambodia, and taking the bus back in a week. We have already booked several tours in Siem Reap or we would have made time to go to Phenom Phenh. We have to be back on the 7th, as we have booked a couple of trips to Issan and up to Pai. 

 

I have heard so much conflicting info on here and other places. If I take the bus back and get across the Land border on a 30 day, will there be a problem? My husband booked this trip as a surprise for me and thought he could renew the visa in Siem Reap. We will have proof on onward travel when we come back because we have a flight already booked to Singapore at the end of July. Should we waste the money on an SETV at the current time since we know we are leaving Thailand at the end of the month or should we just get a Visa on Arrival? We are both Canadian citizens.  Also I should mention that this may change if my husband finds work as an ESL Teacher here. I am a digital nomad and I have my own work. Siem Reap is a rare week off for me, and I don't want to spend that time that was a birthday present from my husband to see something I have waited my life to see (History/arch major) on getting a visa, or worrying that my passport is being copied.

 

Thank you all for your help!

 

E.

 

 

[ubonjoe]

You should not have a problem getting a 30 day visa exempt entry when you return. It would be wise to have the equivalent of 20k baht in cash to show if asked.

But it will be the last one you can get at a land border crossing this year since the limit is 2 per calendar year.

[elviajero]

1 hour ago, CanadianGeek said:

Again I am nervous about giving my bank info to someone to take to Phenom Phenh as I never had to provide that before when applying for Thai SETV visas before.

It’s common practice in the region now to deter long term tourism.

 

1 hour ago, CanadianGeek said:

I have heard so much conflicting info on here and other places. If I take the bus back and get across the Land border on a 30 day, will there be a problem?

No reason why there shouldn’t be. They are mostly looking to stop people living the country, which you’re clearly not. 

 

 

[CanadianGeek]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

You should not have a problem getting a 30 day visa exempt entry when you return. It would be wise to have the equivalent of 20k baht in cash to show if asked.

But it will be the last one you can get at a land border crossing this year since the limit is 2 per calendar year.

Thank you. We were not wanting to put down the money for a visa if we didn't really need to, but we were worried about them denying us at the border. I am guessing as long as we have proof that we are leaving we shouldn't have a hassle.  Between giving my passport to a stranger, the cost due to the CAD going down, you can see why I didn't want to do it in Siem Reap. Thank you all!