Voa Suggestions?

[Dawoofer]

I am considering doing a VOA border run next week instead of getting a 30 day "extension" to my current tourist visa -- my stay in thailand expires March28.

I've never done a border run so please forgive my "newbie" status on this forum but I have a few quick questions.

I have a US passport. Ive seen a number of bus companies in the bangkok post which offer a border run (i assume to cambodia) where you leave in the morning (say 5am or 7am) and return in the afternoon (like 4pm). Cost is around 2000 baht including lunch.

1. What Im confused about here is don't I need a visa to enter cambodia also? Is this an additional expense? Or with these types of arrangements is it that they don't actually enter through immigration in cambodia -- i.e. they go thru thai immigration, hang out in the 'no mans land' between thai and cambodia immigration, then return thru thai immigration?

2. Is it a scenic trip? Ive not traveled by bus through thailand this far, so I'm just wondering if its worth making a day trip like this or for a 1900 baht extension just go to immigration in bankok and get it over and done with much quicker.

3. Any recommendations on which bus company to take? Ive seen one leaves from soi 12 near asoke, and another from Ekkamai near eastern bus terminal. Just wondering if anyone had good or bad experiences.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bill

[Crossy]

If you go with one of the big names eg Jack Golf, the Cambodia visa is included in the 2000 Baht

You cannot 'hang about in no mans land' Thai immigration will want to see entry and exit stamps from Cambodia.

Depends what you mean by 'scenic', if you've not been outside BKK by ground transport it's worth a look but not exciting.

On the rare occasions I've needed a border run I've used the one from Ekkamai (quickthaivisarun) as good as any other. All these services want you to book, give them a call a day or two before

[jeebusjones]

1. You do need a visa for Cambodia. The fee is technically $20, but they usually charge 1,000 baht.

2. It's not a very scenic route, especially at this time of year. Lots of brown fields and little green trees. It may be interesting if you've never been in the Thai countryside, but you'd probably be much better off just getting the extension in Bangkok. Price will be the same as most visa run services charge 2,000 baht.

3. I've used the one from Ekkamai many times. I think it's www.thaivisarun.com. Very efficient service with loud hollywood movies on the bus ride and free fried rice. 2,000 baht. Leaves at 9.30am and returns around 6.00pm.

Edited March 18, 2007 by jeebusjones

[Sophon]

I am considering doing a VOA border run next week instead of getting a 30 day "extension" to my current tourist visa -- my stay in thailand expires March28.

I've never done a border run so please forgive my "newbie" status on this forum but I have a few quick questions.

I have a US passport. Ive seen a number of bus companies in the bangkok post which offer a border run (i assume to cambodia) where you leave in the morning (say 5am or 7am) and return in the afternoon (like 4pm). Cost is around 2000 baht including lunch.

1. What Im confused about here is don't I need a visa to enter cambodia also? Is this an additional expense? Or with these types of arrangements is it that they don't actually enter through immigration in cambodia -- i.e. they go thru thai immigration, hang out in the 'no mans land' between thai and cambodia immigration, then return thru thai immigration?

2. Is it a scenic trip? Ive not traveled by bus through thailand this far, so I'm just wondering if its worth making a day trip like this or for a 1900 baht extension just go to immigration in bankok and get it over and done with much quicker.

3. Any recommendations on which bus company to take? Ive seen one leaves from soi 12 near asoke, and another from Ekkamai near eastern bus terminal. Just wondering if anyone had good or bad experiences.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bill

You won't be making a "VOA" border run, as there is no such thing as a visa on arrival for a U.S. passport holder. What you will be making is a "visa exempt entry" border run.

1. Wou will need a Cambodian visa, as you will have to enter end leave Cambodia. Thai immigration will not stamp you in again if you have no Cambodian entry/exit stamps in your passport. However, the fee for the Cambodian visa will almost certainly be included in the quoted price of THB 2,000, and the company that arange the visa runs will get the visa for you. You won't have to do anything yourself.

2. The scenary isn't worth the trip. If you arrived on a 60 day tourist visa, I would definitely save my visa exempt entries for later and get an extension (at about the same cost) in Bangkok instead of making a border run.

However, if you currently are in Thailand on a visa exempt entry you will at most get a 7 days extension, and in that case I would do the border run instead (or go somewhere else and get a new tourist visa if you intend to stay more than 30 days).

3. Sorry, I haven't done a border run from Bangkok.

Sophon

[Dawoofer]

Thanks guys -- appreciate the quick response, very helpful!

rgds

Bill