Just Got Back From Cambodia Visa Run

[junkofdavid2]

Just got back from Cambodia (Poi Pet) for my visa run.

Unlike before when there were long lines, now there were only about 5 people in front of me when exiting Thailand, and ZERO people in front of me when re-entering Thailand. Was also more comfortable than before, as the Thai Immigration cue is in an airconditioned building now.

Lines in Cambodia immigration were about the same, and the the Cambodian immigration guy still asked for 200 baht grease money since I was leaving the same day.

I just hopped randomly on an airconditioned double-decker Casino Bus on Rama 4, in between HSBC and Lumpini, cost me only 200 Baht Round Trip.

(the 200 baht is ROUND TRIP if you go back to BKK using the same bus company, even if it's a different bus at a different return schedule. Just ask the bus lady for some sort of ticket for the return bus, and it'l state the time and license number of the buses you can use returning to BKK, at no extra cost from the 200 Baht initially paid.)

This also INCLUDES buffet lunch at the Casino Hotel (again, you just have to politely ask for it from the bus operator)

Total cost of my visa run?

Trip to Lumpini: 13 Baht (bus ride from where I am)

Casino Bus: 200 Baht (Round Trip)

Cambodia Visa: (1,000)

Grease Money to Cambodia Immigration: 200

Casino Bus Back to BKK (Free, same bus company)

Hotel Buffet Lunch: FREE

Trip back to my apartment: 13 Baht (public bus)

Total Cost: 1,226.

Comment: Would've cost me 800 Baht more if I took a "VIP" service bus ride for 2,000 Baht. (I prefer to call it "VIP Farang Price" bus)

The VIP service would've lined up for me, but there was hardly any line! And I still got the buffet lunch at the hotel!

Note: if it's your first time to do a visa run, maybe you should only do what i did if you're the type who knows how to "figure things out" on your own.

(I already did it this way even when it was my first time and had no problems, and also no problems with my friends who did it this way the first time. However, other posters suggest that it's better to do the "VIP Farang Price" Bus if it's your first time).

Edited March 11, 2007 by junkofdavid2

[bkkmadness]

What did you have to grease the Cambodian officials for?

[chickin]

What did you have to grease the Cambodian officials for?

It was paid because if they ask you how long you are staying and you say right away they ask you to pay 200-300 baht, you do not have to pay this, simply tell them you may stay 30 days and that its up to you. You also don't have to pay them 1000 baht for your visa. The sign says "20 US dollars", so that is what I pay them, yes they complain and say that I have to get baht next door, I simply refuse and ask them to read the sign. I have been through many times, more than a dozen in the last two years, and they always let me through. So when I go for a visa run the cost break down to

0 baht- trip to Rama 4 ( I walk as I livenear by)

200 baht- bus trip, there and back

700 baht- visa ($20 X 35baht)

900 baht total!!!

Give it a try, works everytime!

[Maestro]

I have seen it mentioned on this forum that the Cambodian visa requires you to stay in Cambodia for a certain minimum number of days – three, I believe – but looking at the visa in my passport now I see that it says no such thing.

I tried to look for information on the web and the Bangkok embassy of Cambodia (Kampuchea) does not seem to have a site. Tried to look for their embassy in Switzerland, too, and cannot find anything. The trouble with some of these countries is that one can never be sure what they call themselves at the moment. I tried “Cambodia OR Kampuchea OR Cambodge”. No joy!

--

Maestro

[junkofdavid2]

What did you have to grease the Cambodian officials for?

It was paid because if they ask you how long you are staying and you say right away they ask you to pay 200-300 baht, you do not have to pay this, simply tell them you may stay 30 days and that its up to you. You also don't have to pay them 1000 baht for your visa. The sign says "20 US dollars", so that is what I pay them, yes they complain and say that I have to get baht next door, I simply refuse and ask them to read the sign. I have been through many times, more than a dozen in the last two years, and they always let me through. So when I go for a visa run the cost break down to

0 baht- trip to Rama 4 ( I walk as I livenear by)

200 baht- bus trip, there and back

700 baht- visa ($20 X 35baht)

900 baht total!!!

Give it a try, works everytime!

Yup, I'm aware of the cheaper and more "legal" option, as I'd done this before when the lines were still long and some American dudes would argue and not have to pay the 200, etc.

I just wana play it "safe" and not agitate these Cambo extorting officials because if they don't gimme my stamp, I won't be able to re-enter Thailand, even if I have a 1-year B visa!

Important point: Despite my more expensive "safe" option, still save 800 Baht compared to the "VIP Farang Price" bus. But yeah... would love to save 1,100 like you instead!

Well... I've got 90 days to decide.

Edited March 12, 2007 by junkofdavid2

[visarunner]

There are different Rules/Charges for various Nationalities.

Please be carefull as a VisaRun might carry hidden cost , especially nowadays with the new rule .

In the last couple of weeks I have seen many of mine friends coming back from Aran with all kind of stamps,marks in the passport.

Some of them misunderstood the rule , etc . Some of them have used up the 90days and are stuck in Cambodia , have to go to PP for a Tourist Visa.

Philipinos , S'porean , Malay ,Laotian are usual charged THB 200.- for the stamp.

There is no official announcement about this , but there is no way around.

For all the rest the Camboian Visa Fee at a Landborder is normally THB 1,000.- , officially USD 20.- only.

Edited March 12, 2007 by visarunner

[rak sa_ngop]

I just hopped randomly on an airconditioned double-decker Casino Bus on Rama 4, in between HSBC and Lumpini, cost me only 200 Baht Round Trip.

Can you give us a bit more info about this bus please.

Is there a regular bus schedule?

Which side of the road do you catch the bus: HSBC is on one side and Lumphini park is on the other side, or do you mean Lumphini MRT. Is there a recognised stopping point or do you flag it down?

Do you have to look like a "high roller" heading out to lose his/her shirt at the casino?

Thanks

[aussiestyle1983]

Yes, more info on the bus/ van please. Exactally where and when to get if from..............

I was gonna go with a visa run company Wednesday as usual, but as this will be my last visa run, im tempted to do it myself if it will save money.

Usually the visa run company gets my cambodia visa for me, so if I do it this way, where exactally do I get the cambodia visa from?

Also, does the casino bus take you right to the border?

Edited March 12, 2007 by aussiestyle1983

[junkofdavid2]

You can catch the bus on either side of the road. It doesn't matter. There are many buses from competing companies all parked there on the road (there is no "official" bus terminal... they just park on the road itself until about 6 am, just before traffic starts).

They are right below the pedestrian footbridge in front of HSBC/Lumpini Park. As long as you're not "late", don't panic if you see no buses there... as a few will eventually pass by an "dock".

You do not have to look like a high roller at all, and you do not have to misrepresent yourself as a gambler either. They know you're going for your visa run. In fact, a big chunk of their customers (at least before the December crackdown) were the Filipino nannies who couldn't afford the VIP Farang Priced bus.

They're usually very friendly and I don't recall ever being cheated by them. The other people in the bus are mostly middle-aged or older Thais heading to the casino to gamble.

They tend to be friendly too and some even help (and like to practice whatever english they have) talking to you and "translating' for you and the bus conductor. Some are even "excited" and happy to have a foreigner along. Nope, they're not after your money... they're worth more than you! These are high-rolling grandmas with bundles of 1000 THB bills in their handbags.

By the way, regarding the buffet coupons... some of them don't give coupons, but they'll tell you what time to meet them and at which casino, so that the bus conductor can meet you there and the hotel that you're with their group and you can eat at the buffet. Unfortunately, in this situation, he has to speak a little english and you have to speak a little thai so that you can understand each other. Moreover, you'd have to wait quite a bit because they'll meet up with you much later than your entry into the casino. Why? Because they have to wait for their Thai passengers, and the Thais have to cue in a much longer line than you Farangs. Another way to get around this is to buy chips, get your buffet coupon, and then later on (even if you haven't played a cent) refund your chips in another casino window. I don't guarantee that'd work because I've never done that personally, but I have quite a few friends who said they did it that way.

As for the Cambodian visa... as soon as you exit Thailand immigration, go on walking and stay on your right and there will eventually be some sort of Visa application office with a waiting shed. You'll see other farangs sitting down in that shed, waiting for their visas to be processed. Follow the cue and do what they do... or you can ask those waiting farangs what they did and at which window, etc.

Disclaimer: Again: If you're unsure, then other posters may suggest that it's better to go with the visa run company, or go with someone else who's done this before. I'm only speaking for myself and many of my friends who've done it on our(their) own the first time without any major problems. Or, you can ask the other farangs you meet there in the Cambo Visa shed... In all my trips, there were always other experienced farangs there doing it whom anyone could talk to (No guarantees though).

Yes, the visa takes you right to the border. No need to take any "extra rides". Just follow your fellow passengers walking towards the border immigration outpost.

Edited March 12, 2007 by junkofdavid2

[stament]

Just got back from Cambodia (Poi Pet) for my visa run.

Unlike before when there were long lines, now there were only about 5 people in front of me when exiting Thailand, and ZERO people in front of me when re-entering Thailand. Was also more comfortable than before, as the Thai Immigration cue is in an airconditioned building now.

Lines in Cambodia immigration were about the same, and the the Cambodian immigration guy still asked for 200 baht grease money since I was leaving the same day.

I just hopped randomly on an airconditioned double-decker Casino Bus on Rama 4, in between HSBC and Lumpini, cost me only 200 Baht Round Trip.

(the 200 baht is ROUND TRIP if you go back to BKK using the same bus company, even if it's a different bus at a different return schedule. Just ask the bus lady for some sort of ticket for the return bus, and it'l state the time and license number of the buses you can use returning to BKK, at no extra cost from the 200 Baht initially paid.)

This also INCLUDES buffet lunch at the Casino Hotel (again, you just have to politely ask for it from the bus operator)

Total cost of my visa run?

Trip to Lumpini: 13 Baht (bus ride from where I am)

Casino Bus: 200 Baht (Round Trip)

Cambodia Visa: (1,000)

Grease Money to Cambodia Immigration: 200

Casino Bus Back to BKK (Free, same bus company)

Hotel Buffet Lunch: FREE

Trip back to my apartment: 13 Baht (public bus)

Total Cost: 1,226.

Comment: Would've cost me 800 Baht more if I took a "VIP" service bus ride for 2,000 Baht. (I prefer to call it "VIP Farang Price" bus)

The VIP service would've lined up for me, but there was hardly any line! And I still got the buffet lunch at the hotel!

Note: if it's your first time to do a visa run, maybe you should only do what i did if you're the type who knows how to "figure things out" on your own.

(I already did it this way even when it was my first time and had no problems, and also no problems with my friends who did it this way the first time. However, other posters suggest that it's better to do the "VIP Farang Price" Bus if it's your first time).

Great post, very informative - thanks

Incidentally, how long is the bus journey on one of those casino buses and how regular do they run?

[junkofdavid2]

Trip is about 2 and a half to 3 hours in the morning, and on the way back, about 3 and a half to 4 hours.

They run every morning, 7 days a week, from 4am to 6am (to be sure). There are some buses which still occasionally "dock" at that location until 7am but you'd have to wait for them, and you'd probably panic if you're not experienced and you'll think that you've been "left behind" by all of them.

[aussiestyle1983]

Thanks for that info. Very helpful.

Ive done the visa run companys afew times, just because its hassel free, but I might give it ago on my own. I was just not sure how to get the Cambodia visa, cause the people on the bus usually take my passport and do that for me at the consulate in Sa kaew before we arrive. Thanks for clearingf that up.

[Pattaya46]

Trip to Lumpini: 13 Baht (bus ride from where I am)

Casino Bus: 200 Baht (Round Trip)

Cambodia Visa: (1,000)

Grease Money to Cambodia Immigration: 200

Casino Bus Back to BKK (Free, same bus company)

Hotel Buffet Lunch: FREE

Trip back to my apartment: 13 Baht (public bus)

Total Cost: 1,226.

Sorry but for me it make... 1,426 bahts not 1,226...

And some VIP Visa-Run companies ask only for 1,700 bahts.

Does worth the less than 300 bahts difference.

Pattaya46

[junkofdavid2]

Trip to Lumpini: 13 Baht (bus ride from where I am)

Casino Bus: 200 Baht (Round Trip)

Cambodia Visa: (1,000)

Grease Money to Cambodia Immigration: 200

Casino Bus Back to BKK (Free, same bus company)

Hotel Buffet Lunch: FREE

Trip back to my apartment: 13 Baht (public bus)

Total Cost: 1,226.

Sorry but for me it make... 1,426 bahts not 1,226...

And some VIP Visa-Run companies ask only for 1,700 bahts.

Does worth the less than 300 bahts difference.

Pattaya46

Sorry about that, haha

Anyway, it would be good to post those 1,700 baht visa companies here so that others may opt to use it. As for me, I'd still like to save 300 to 600 per trip coz that's a lot of meals (or beers!) in Bkk.

Cheers!

[Naam]

Total cost of my visa run?

Trip to Lumpini: 13 Baht (bus ride from where I am)

Casino Bus: 200 Baht (Round Trip)

Cambodia Visa: (1,000)

Grease Money to Cambodia Immigration: 200

Casino Bus Back to BKK (Free, same bus company)

Hotel Buffet Lunch: FREE

Trip back to my apartment: 13 Baht (public bus)

Total Cost: 1,226.

wouldn't walking to and from Cambodia be cheaper?

[rb3]

I thought I add my Casino bus experience also since everyone is so generous to help me save some $$.

Poi pet is pretty depressing, but it was an adventure since it was my first visa run to the border and am using the non-farang ways.

06.00 AM: Arrived in Rama IV, all the busses seems to be parked on the Lumpini side (there is a crossing bridge right HSBC to the other side)

06.15 AM: Bus left Lumpini, All the Thais passport are collected by the staff, they filled out the form for the Thais and didnt ask for foreigners passport. We were given buffet/bus going back coupons when they are collecting the 200 THB fee.

09.15 AM: Bus stopped in front of the bridge, by sirikorn? bank(the green ones). You have to walk through the bridge to go to Thai Departure gate. They blocked the Thais going over, but as foreigner you can skipped this and just go through the gate to the foreigner lane.

09.20 AM: Left BKK officially

09.21 AM: Went over to the Cambodia Visa Office. Like the previous poster stated, there is a money changer RIGHT by the office, just get your $20 here, the rates are not too bad. Bank on the other sides opens around 10 AM, so you can either wait or just change your bath here. I paid 710 THB for 20 USD.

09.22 AM: Some guys loitering around in front of the visa app office started being friendly and giving the applications. I took the app, ignore them and filled it up. When I passed them the application back with $20, they started to say they only accept 1000 THB, so I kept on pointing the Visa fee listed on top of the office, it's $20. I was ignore and they stopped being friendly...

09.25 AM: Uniformed officer approached and tried the same thing, so I told them I have no money, so they finally give in with 100 thb, at this point I cant be bothered to argue so I gave them the 100 thb along with $20 and my app and my 4x6 photo.

09:35 AM: Visa app is done, they gave me gruntled looks when giving me back my passport.

09:40 AM: Another walk to the arrival gate, keep to the right. Get the arrival card from, fill it up and line up. This was pretty easy, nobody asked for grease money. Just in case, I wrote I was staying there for 3 days

09.45 AM: Cross over to the other side to the departure gate, give them the card. Again no hassle. They stamped my passport took the dep card.

09.46 AM: Left Cambodia officially

The Casino bus schedule to leave 2.30 PM and I was planning to check the casino out and do some shopping on the other side, so I didnt mind waiting. I saw a schedule for public bus in the parking lot (from the bridge arriving in BKK, it's on the right hand side) if some people wants to go back to BKK faster.

Casino are so so, comparable to Genting(Malaysia), low minimum though, it was great!! 10 THB on roullette table... They have plenty of bacarrat table, some big/small, black jack and also slots. Redeem your buffet coupons on the front desk. Food is so so, but is ok - no tummy ache yet.

Shopping: fruits are cheaper, many used clothings here and cheap knock off bags. (North face duffel for 650thb, it's 900+thb in MBK)

Going back to BKK border is pretty easy, fill up the arrival/dep card, stand in line, get your entry stamp all in less than 5 minutes. (going back make sure you use the left walkaway)

2.20 PM: Walk over to the parking lot(by the Siam Bank? purple colour) get on the Casino bus.

2.30 PM: Left Aran border

5.20 PM: Arrive in Lumpini safely sound and bloody tired.

Cost = 900 THB, well 1500 if you count my losses at the casino

Give it a try, highly recommended. Thanks again for the previous posters who were willing to share this tip!!

[visarunner]

I thought I add my Casino bus experience also since everyone is so generous to help me save some $$.

Poi pet is pretty depressing, but it was an adventure since it was my first visa run to the border and am using the non-farang ways.

06.00 AM: Arrived in Rama IV, all the busses seems to be parked on the Lumpini side (there is a crossing bridge right HSBC to the other side)

06.15 AM: Bus left Lumpini, All the Thais passport are collected by the staff, they filled out the form for the Thais and didnt ask for foreigners passport. We were given buffet/bus going back coupons when they are collecting the 200 THB fee.

09.15 AM: Bus stopped in front of the bridge, by sirikorn? bank(the green ones). You have to walk through the bridge to go to Thai Departure gate. They blocked the Thais going over, but as foreigner you can skipped this and just go through the gate to the foreigner lane.

09.20 AM: Left BKK officially

09.21 AM: Went over to the Cambodia Visa Office. Like the previous poster stated, there is a money changer RIGHT by the office, just get your $20 here, the rates are not too bad. Bank on the other sides opens around 10 AM, so you can either wait or just change your bath here. I paid 710 THB for 20 USD.

09.22 AM: Some guys loitering around in front of the visa app office started being friendly and giving the applications. I took the app, ignore them and filled it up. When I passed them the application back with $20, they started to say they only accept 1000 THB, so I kept on pointing the Visa fee listed on top of the office, it's $20. I was ignore and they stopped being friendly...

09.25 AM: Uniformed officer approached and tried the same thing, so I told them I have no money, so they finally give in with 100 thb, at this point I cant be bothered to argue so I gave them the 100 thb along with $20 and my app and my 4x6 photo.

09:35 AM: Visa app is done, they gave me gruntled looks when giving me back my passport.

09:40 AM: Another walk to the arrival gate, keep to the right. Get the arrival card from, fill it up and line up. This was pretty easy, nobody asked for grease money. Just in case, I wrote I was staying there for 3 days

09.45 AM: Cross over to the other side to the departure gate, give them the card. Again no hassle. They stamped my passport took the dep card.

09.46 AM: Left Cambodia officially

The Casino bus schedule to leave 2.30 PM and I was planning to check the casino out and do some shopping on the other side, so I didnt mind waiting. I saw a schedule for public bus in the parking lot (from the bridge arriving in BKK, it's on the right hand side) if some people wants to go back to BKK faster.

Casino are so so, comparable to Genting(Malaysia), low minimum though, it was great!! 10 THB on roullette table... They have plenty of bacarrat table, some big/small, black jack and also slots. Redeem your buffet coupons on the front desk. Food is so so, but is ok - no tummy ache yet.

Shopping: fruits are cheaper, many used clothings here and cheap knock off bags. (North face duffel for 650thb, it's 900+thb in MBK)

Going back to BKK border is pretty easy, fill up the arrival/dep card, stand in line, get your entry stamp all in less than 5 minutes. (going back make sure you use the left walkaway)

2.20 PM: Walk over to the parking lot(by the Siam Bank? purple colour) get on the Casino bus.

2.30 PM: Left Aran border

5.20 PM: Arrive in Lumpini safely sound and bloody tired.

Cost = 900 THB, well 1500 if you count my losses at the casino

Give it a try, highly recommended. Thanks again for the previous posters who were willing to share this tip!!

Thanks for sharing , what about the Ticketissue?

Did you have a 30day visa exempt stamp or where you renewing a Yearly Visa(90days)?

[rb3]

I have renewing visa, sorry not sure re flight back.

Another note, if you dont want to deal with the hassle of getting visa on the border, you can apply for Cambodian visa online for $25, here is the website www.mfaic.gov.kh

1 question. Since they dont stamp the Thai passport at all, is it necessary for the Thai nationals to check in and out of Cambodia?? Can they just check out from Thailand Border and Check back right in??

[junkofdavid2]

I thought I add my Casino bus experience also since everyone is so generous to help me save some $$.

Poi pet is pretty depressing, but it was an adventure since it was my first visa run to the border and am using the non-farang ways.

06.00 AM: Arrived in Rama IV, all the busses seems to be parked on the Lumpini side (there is a crossing bridge right HSBC to the other side)

06.15 AM: Bus left Lumpini, All the Thais passport are collected by the staff, they filled out the form for the Thais and didnt ask for foreigners passport. We were given buffet/bus going back coupons when they are collecting the 200 THB fee.

09.15 AM: Bus stopped in front of the bridge, by sirikorn? bank(the green ones). You have to walk through the bridge to go to Thai Departure gate. They blocked the Thais going over, but as foreigner you can skipped this and just go through the gate to the foreigner lane.

09.20 AM: Left BKK officially

09.21 AM: Went over to the Cambodia Visa Office. Like the previous poster stated, there is a money changer RIGHT by the office, just get your $20 here, the rates are not too bad. Bank on the other sides opens around 10 AM, so you can either wait or just change your bath here. I paid 710 THB for 20 USD.

09.22 AM: Some guys loitering around in front of the visa app office started being friendly and giving the applications. I took the app, ignore them and filled it up. When I passed them the application back with $20, they started to say they only accept 1000 THB, so I kept on pointing the Visa fee listed on top of the office, it's $20. I was ignore and they stopped being friendly...

09.25 AM: Uniformed officer approached and tried the same thing, so I told them I have no money, so they finally give in with 100 thb, at this point I cant be bothered to argue so I gave them the 100 thb along with $20 and my app and my 4x6 photo.

09:35 AM: Visa app is done, they gave me gruntled looks when giving me back my passport.

09:40 AM: Another walk to the arrival gate, keep to the right. Get the arrival card from, fill it up and line up. This was pretty easy, nobody asked for grease money. Just in case, I wrote I was staying there for 3 days

09.45 AM: Cross over to the other side to the departure gate, give them the card. Again no hassle. They stamped my passport took the dep card.

09.46 AM: Left Cambodia officially

The Casino bus schedule to leave 2.30 PM and I was planning to check the casino out and do some shopping on the other side, so I didnt mind waiting. I saw a schedule for public bus in the parking lot (from the bridge arriving in BKK, it's on the right hand side) if some people wants to go back to BKK faster.

Casino are so so, comparable to Genting(Malaysia), low minimum though, it was great!! 10 THB on roullette table... They have plenty of bacarrat table, some big/small, black jack and also slots. Redeem your buffet coupons on the front desk. Food is so so, but is ok - no tummy ache yet.

Shopping: fruits are cheaper, many used clothings here and cheap knock off bags. (North face duffel for 650thb, it's 900+thb in MBK)

Going back to BKK border is pretty easy, fill up the arrival/dep card, stand in line, get your entry stamp all in less than 5 minutes. (going back make sure you use the left walkaway)

2.20 PM: Walk over to the parking lot(by the Siam Bank? purple colour) get on the Casino bus.

2.30 PM: Left Aran border

5.20 PM: Arrive in Lumpini safely sound and bloody tired.

Cost = 900 THB, well 1500 if you count my losses at the casino

Give it a try, highly recommended. Thanks again for the previous posters who were willing to share this tip!!

It's good you had a good experience. Generally it's good and with no problems, but a few (first time) runners seemed to have encountered some extortion of about 500 baht by Cambodian immigration officers who didn't wana stamp them out. Don't piss off anyone.

As for going back to the bus at 220 for the 230 departure, I suggest going earlier because sometimes the bus leaves ahead of time!!!!

[yllorco]

I just got back from Aranyaprathet/poipet Cambodia border for a 30-day stamp before my work permit and non-immigrant B visa expire today. A note was given to the foreigners saying "The aliens entering kingdom with no visa must present ticket or travel documents that have been paid already or confirmed to exit the kingdom and must not exceed 30 days upon the date of entrance to the kingdom."  I was told that the new requirement has been for a month already.  I was told by an officer that I needed to produce such document/ticket, and said that there was an agent who came to help everyone solve this pr

blem.  I couldn't wait after 15 minutes, so the officer pointed me "Sumnang Travel Service" next to Star Grill.  I went straight ahead to that agency and I saw people

waiting in line to buy tickets.  An Australian guy negotiated that the show-off ticket would be one way to Malaysia for about 3,000 Baht plus.  Eveyone was promised that the said ticket to Malaysia postdated July 25, 

007 wouldn't give some problems and that it could be used twice the next time you come 

or a visa run to Cambodia.  I was actually charged 3,900 Baht. But when I went to the Thai immigration counter, a woman officer told me that it's not possible to use a postdated ticket beyond 30 days of entrance to Cambodia.  So I went back to Sumnang Travel Service to date of the ticket changed to May 27, 2007.  The agents made some kind of acting and said that it was very hard to do that.  One of them called the Airasia office, I presumed, and explained to me that it's possible on condition that I pay 1,000 Baht more.  I was almost furious, but thinking that it might not help solve the problem, I kept myself and showed them that it's a big headache to me.  I was running out of time so I added 1,000 Baht, to make it 4,900 Baht all.  After that, it was sure through the Thai immigration officers in the departure area, and the Thai immigration officers at the arrival counter also asked the same ticket.

My advice to those visa runners to Cambodia:

1.  Buy ticket online in advance with the nearest route, that is BKK--Kuala Lumpur (one way only), for about 800-1,800 Baht only from Airasia.  An html printed copy of the purchased ticket will do.

2.  The departure date of the ticket must not exceed 30 days from the entrance to the kingdom.

3.  Beware of travel agencies who extort money in any form, with no assurance.

[junkofdavid2]

"The aliens entering kingdom with no visa must present ticket or travel documents that have been paid already or confirmed to exit the kingdom and must not exceed 30 days upon the date of entrance to the kingdom."

But didn't you say that you have a Non-B visa which was not yet expired?

Edited April 30, 2007 by junkofdavid2

[yllorco]

"The aliens entering kingdom with no visa must present ticket or travel documents that have been paid already or confirmed to exit the kingdom and must not exceed 30 days upon the date of entrance to the kingdom."

But didn't you say that you have a Non-B visa which was not yet expired?

I did, but of no avail.  The male officer asked me to buy ticket despite I reasoned out that I still have the non-immigrant B visa.  He just replied that I would lose it anyway since my passport would be stamped for 30 days.

[Firefan]

Huh!? You held a valid non-em B visa but they decided not to honor it!? Something does not sound right here.... If that happened to me on a grand fathered investment visa I would be in deep s...! Can you clarify a bit more? Cheers!

"The aliens entering kingdom with no visa must present ticket or travel documents that have been paid already or confirmed to exit the kingdom and must not exceed 30 days upon the date of entrance to the kingdom."

But didn't you say that you have a Non-B visa which was not yet expired?

I did, but of no avail.  The male officer asked me to buy ticket despite I reasoned out that I still have the non-immigrant B visa.  He just replied that I would lose it anyway since my passport would be stamped for 30 days.

[cali4995]

"The aliens entering kingdom with no visa must present ticket or travel documents that have been paid already or confirmed to exit the kingdom and must not exceed 30 days upon the date of entrance to the kingdom."

But didn't you say that you have a Non-B visa which was not yet expired?

I did, but of no avail.  The male officer asked me to buy ticket despite I reasoned out that I still have the non-immigrant B visa.  He just replied that I would lose it anyway since my passport would be stamped for 30 days.

you have to at least entertain the possibility that they have a little scam going-on here with kickbacks from the local travel agency. aranyaprathet seems to be the only checkpoint where this requirement is enforced. and very erratically at that, truly sad.

[yllorco]

Huh!? You held a valid non-em B visa but they decided not to honor it!? Something does not sound right here.... If that happened to me on a grand fathered investment visa I would be in deep s...! Can you clarify a bit more? Cheers!

"The aliens entering kingdom with no visa must present ticket or travel documents that have been paid already or confirmed to exit the kingdom and must not exceed 30 days upon the date of entrance to the kingdom."

But didn't you say that you have a Non-B visa which was not yet expired?

I did, but of no avail.  The male officer asked me to buy ticket despite I reasoned out that I still have the non-immigrant B visa.  He just replied that I would lose it anyway since my passport would be stamped for 30 days.

My Non-Immigrant B was a day (April 30) to its expiration last Sunday, April 29 when I was on a visa run.  It's understood that when it expired on the 30th, I wouldn't have Non-Immigrant B visa anymore, but had to leave the country and come back with either another non-immigrant B or tourist visa.  It was in Aranyaprathet, so it was a 30-day tourist stamp.  And since Thai Immigration officers in Aranyaprathet wanted to make sure that the tourists visit Thailand for tourism, and not for a job, they require tourists an airfare ticket/travel document that shows that tourists indeed visit Thailand for that purpose, and have to leave the country by the date permitted to stay.  The date of departure stated in airfare ticket shouldn't go beyond 30 days from the holder's exit to Cambodia and entrance to Thailand on the same day.  I doubt that only Thai immigration officers in Aranyaprathet have this rule, but not among other officers in other borders.

Edited May 1, 2007 by yllorco