Hi guys.  At the end of May I will have been in Thailand 3 months on a SETV + extension.  I want to stay longer and was planning on doing a visa run to Penang (as that's where a lot of these visa run companies take you).

 

Is this a safe option?  I was in Thailand last December for 2 weeks, then returned 1st March and have been here since.

Are the visa run companies a good idea?  Been quoted 5500 bht + 2000 for the new SETV for a 2 day run.  How much cheaper will it be if I sort everything out myself?

 

Any other advice welcomed.  If you need more info happy to provide

A SETV is 1000 Baht only.  With only one SETV in your passport, you would likely get one in Penang OK.  If you have a longer history of Thai stays in your passport, maybe not.  You would apply the morning of your first day in Penang, and pick up the next afternoon. 

 

I don't know the costs of travel from Samui, but the Train from Penang through Pedang Besar would be a good way to return to Thailand, even if you fly down, bus, or whatever.

I've been doing a visa run to Malaysia from Samui, but its some years ago now – using a visa run service, taking me to Kota Bharu in Kelantan, almost just across the border for a Non-Immigrant "O" visa. One night in Kota Bharu.

 

Worked fine and I felt safe, however many military check points on route when passing the southern Thai provinces. That has probably not changed.

 

Apart from a relative long minibus ride, and a boring evening in Kota Bharu, it was an Okay trip and service, and recommendable.

????

9 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

A SETV is 1000 Baht only.

The fee is 150 MYR which is a little more than 1000 baht and probably the 2000 baht includes agent fees.

I did it a few times with Easy Way in Maenam, very relaxing and save!