Cambodia - border run Ban Laem today(21.3)

[alocmrlj]

Just came back from doing a border run in Ban Laem. Got VOA for Cambodia with no problems, EU citizen(Slovenia). Activated new entry on my METV(60 days).

[thecyclist]

Did you do it with an agency or on your own? 

[alocmrlj]

On my own

[ubonjoe]

Info I have seen states Ban Laem is now closed (https://www.thaivisaservice.com/).

It appears the only crossings open are Aran/Poi Pet, Hat Lek/Koh Kong and Sa Ngam (Surin/Sisaket) as of yesterday.

[alocmrlj]

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Info I have seen states Ban Laem is now closed (https://www.thaivisaservice.com/).

It appears the only crossings open are Aran/Poi Pet, Hat Lek/Koh Kong and Sa Ngam (Surin/Sisaket) as of yesterday.

It appears that Cambodian evisa to enter at Poi Pet is still available. Are you aware of any reports of someone trying that. As far as I can see, it is the only possible remaining way of doing a border bounce. [I am assuming that visa on arrival at Poi Pet will definitely not be available.]

 

Of course, using the Poipet/Aran crossing is hazardous at any time in view of the horrible reputation of Thai Immigration at that border. However, when there is no alternative, what is one to do?

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

It appears that Cambodian evisa to enter at Poi Pet is still available. Are you aware of any reports of someone trying that. As far as I can see, it is the only possible remaining way of doing a border bounce. [I am assuming that visa on arrival at Poi Pet will definitely not be available.]

The evisa apparently is still available if you are not on the list of restricted countries (France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Spain or USA). I can recall a post of person applying for one but it was he was informed it was not availa to him since he was from one of them even though he was here already.

I have seen nothing official that states that visas on arrival have been canceled.

[Tounge Thaied]

I wouldn't travel at all... This just in. And it appears that overstay allowances are in the works...

THAILAND - published 20.03.2020
Items 1 and 2 are effective 00:00 local time 22 March 2020:
1. Nationals of Thailand must have a 'FIT TO FLY' medical certificate issued by a Thai Embassy or Consular.
2. All passengers other than nationals of Thailand must have:
- a Health Certificate and Lab Test COVID-19 to prove they are free from Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Health Certificate and Lab Test COVID-19 must be valid for not more than 72 hours prior to departure, and
- a medical insurance with coverage of 100,000 USD.

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm

[ubonjoe]

26 minutes ago, Tounge Thaied said:

I wouldn't travel at all... This just in. And it appears that overstay allowances are in the works...

Not just in. It has been known since the 20th.

Since it did not start until last night we do not know if it will be applied at border crossings.

There is no overstay allowances. Immigration has issued a memo about 30 day extensions. If on a tourist visa or visa exempt entry you can apply for 2nd 30 day extension without a letter from your embassy.

[visarunner]

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Info I have seen states Ban Laem is now closed (https://www.thaivisaservice.com/).

It appears the only crossings open are Aran/Poi Pet, Hat Lek/Koh Kong and Sa Ngam (Surin/Sisaket) as of yesterday.

Aran will close tomorrow. Pictures from Ban Laem this morning.

[visarunner]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no overstay allowances. Immigration has issued a memo about 30 day extensions. If on a tourist visa or visa exempt entry you can apply for 2nd 30 day extension without a letter from your embassy.

You have that in writing. I would need that to inform our customer, now everyone in panic.

 

[thecyclist]

4 hours ago, BritTim said:

It appears that Cambodian evisa to enter at Poi Pet is still available. Are you aware of any reports of someone trying that. As far as I can see, it is the only possible remaining way of doing a border bounce. [I am assuming that visa on arrival at Poi Pet will definitely not be available.]

 

Of course, using the Poipet/Aran crossing is hazardous at any time in view of the horrible reputation of Thai Immigration at that border. However, when there is no alternative, what is one to do?

You could enter at Poipet and exit at another point, but with Ban Laem closed now, that would require a long trip through Cambodia. 

[ubonjoe]

48 minutes ago, visarunner said:

You have that in writing. I would need that to inform our customer, now everyone in panic.

 

I have posted a topic with a copy of the memo for download.

[Burma Bill]

8 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Info I have seen states Ban Laem is now closed (https://www.thaivisaservice.com/).

It appears the only crossings open are Aran/Poi Pet, Hat Lek/Koh Kong and Sa Ngam (Surin/Sisaket) as of yesterday.

For information from today's Mahakhmer news:- (translation into English not 100%, but I am sure you will get the gist)

 

From March 23 ( tomorrow Monday), 2020, Thai authorities shut down all border checkpoints to restrict anti-retroviral measures 19 at Poipet International "Airport" ~ Banteay Meanchey, Kandal Province, Sa Kaeo with permission to access only large trucks. .

Speaking on the morning of March 22, 2020 between Banteay Meanchey   Provincial Governor HE Oum Nara and the Governor of Sras Keo Kingdom of Thailand, HE Vora Phan Sovannon , Mr.WORAPHAN SUWANNUS at the Thai Customs Office, Poipet International Border Gate.

The meeting stated that the Thai side is allowed to enter only the trucks, other than that for the people, tourists, tourists, freighters etc. is not allowed within 14 days from the date March 23, 2020. 

 

Basically, the land crossing between Aranyaphratet and Poi-Pet (no airport by the way) is CLOSED other than to trucks delivering supplies to Cambodia. 

 

[kkpat]

Hat Lek also closed.

[theVenerable]

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I have posted a topic with a copy of the memo for download.

Where is the topic sir?
This is very important news.
Doe this mean even if I'm British I can get a second extension at the immigration office too? Or Don't Brits qualify due to the flights home still being available?

[alocmrlj]

10 hours ago, theVenerable said:

Where is the topic sir?
This is very important news.
Doe this mean even if I'm British I can get a second extension at the immigration office too? Or Don't Brits qualify due to the flights home still being available?

 

[ubonjoe]

10 hours ago, theVenerable said:

Doe this mean even if I'm British I can get a second extension at the immigration office too? Or Don't Brits qualify due to the flights home still being available?

There is no requirement to show that the flights have been canceled.

[Grayowl]

Good morning, 

i have a multiple entries visa that i did in my home country, now that the borders are closed for a while, what it means about this kind of visa, would I get 2 month entry in the immigration office in bkk ? Same as in borde crossing,  or only 1 month at a time, which means I have lost the expensive multiple entries visa , if they  will not give me 2 months inside the country immigration office. 
 

Also in the borders I not need to pay, would I need to pay in immigration office,  after already paid enough for this visa ? 
 

Need to understand the situation to plan right now, if need to live the country,  or can continue getting my visa in immigration office. 
 

Thank you very much benny .

[steve187]

12 minutes ago, Grayowl said:

Good morning, 

i have a multiple entries visa that i did in my home country, now that the borders are closed for a while, what it means about this kind of visa, would I get 2 month entry in the immigration office in bkk ? Same as in borde crossing,  or only 1 month at a time, which means I have lost the expensive multiple entries visa , if they  will not give me 2 months inside the country immigration office. 
 

Also in the borders I not need to pay, would I need to pay in immigration office,  after already paid enough for this visa ? 
 

Need to understand the situation to plan right now, if need to live the country,  or can continue getting my visa in immigration office. 
 

Thank you very much benny .

easy really,  a multi entry tourist visa gives you a 60 day stamp each entry. can not be used at local immigration office only at a border, you can get a 30 day extension at local immigration office, on that 60 day entry   giving you 90 days in country, maybe further 30 days will be given due to the virus, each extension is 1,900 thb, i don't think you will be able to do any border hops for a while

[Grayowl]

On 3/22/2020 at 8:33 AM, ubonjoe said:

Info I have seen states Ban Laem is now closed (https://www.thaivisaservice.com/).

It appears the only crossings open are Aran/Poi Pet, Hat Lek/Koh Kong and Sa Ngam (Surin/Sisaket) as of yesterday.

 

21 minutes ago, steve187 said:

easy really,  a multi entry tourist visa gives you a 60 day stamp each entry. can not be used at local immigration office only at a border, you can get a 30 day extension at local immigration office, on that 60 day entry   giving you 90 days in country, maybe further 30 days will be given due to the virus, each extension is 1,900 thb, i don't think you will be able to do any border hops for a while

Hi Steve,  how are you and thanks for try to help,

i not new in Thailand and I had this visa many time, so not need to explain me please the visa rules ????.  
 

My question is only about the current crises,  and what will be now as long as the borders is close, 

regarding people that already  have visa, is the immigration will give special attention here, and take care the visa problem the same as in the border. 
 

Please only!! People that understand the question and know the answer,  to respond.  
 

And by the way Steve as long as people will not have flight home or the borders is close they will give extension,  not only 1 time, they will not stuck people here without a visa, the big questions is,  how long the borders will be close, if people need to pay regular price or not, and what will they say to people that have already visa and paid on it, if they help and change rules or not . 
 

This is Thailand no doubt  ????,  but they also understand the need of flexibility in crises time,  and the concept of returning customers,  and the need to make it right with people that have already visa and paid for it. 
 

Stay healthy everyone. 

[steve187]

2 minutes ago, Grayowl said:

i not new in Thailand and I had this visa many time, so not need to explain me please the visa rules

if you have been here many times then you know a visa can not be used within Thailand, (other than a conversion to non imm) only at a border, why do you think that has changed, the rules are the rules, the only change to the rules due to the virus has been an option to receive additional extension, above and beyond the norm, 

your op reads as if you didn't know the rules.

[Grayowl]

25 minutes ago, steve187 said:

if you have been here many times then you know a visa can not be used within Thailand, (other than a conversion to non imm) only at a border, why do you think that has changed, the rules are the rules, the only change to the rules due to the virus has been an option to receive additional extension, above and beyond the norm, 

your op reads as if you didn't know the rules.

Hi Steve,  please lets not get into an agreement,  yes I know the rules very well, and sorry if my first op was indicating that maybe I not, but I am.

my personal view, is that they should change the rules about extended  the visa in the immigration office inside the country for people that have already multiple entry visa, and not make them loos this visa and more money,  this is the justify way for a government to handle this situation in a crisis,  but this is Thailand and it probably will not be like this, but I hope it will.  Or that until I need new entry the borders will be open again. 
 

Anyway I hope your answer to me as of someone with current knowledge from immigration officers and not your opinion. 
 

As I understand there is a forum visa matters administrator,  I hope he knew the answer.  
 

All the best benny .

[Bluetongue]

living in a village close by Ban Laem, we were told over the loudspeakers that Ban Leam would close Sunday 22 March. Also I've noticed most of the Cambodian fruit pickers and farm laborers have gone, although this is about the time they usually go anyway. 

[StayinThailand2much]

16 hours ago, alocmrlj said:

 

Any reports of people having received such a second 30-day extension (without an embassy letter)?