Ranong Visa Run Questions

[globe]

After my last VOA stamp in Ranong I made the obligatory trip to Kuala Lumpur. 2 months single entry in hand proceeded to immigration in Phang Nga and was issued a 30 day extension stating: Application of stay is permitted up to 20 June 2007.

Ok, now it’s back to the “Run” to Burma to start the 30 day cycle all over. (I assumed. What’s the old saying? Assume makes an ass out of you and me)

The nice officer in Ranong informed me however; “You can not leave, that is you may leave but you need to stay in Burma for 4 days”. What am I going to do in this God forsaken harbor town for 4 days? I have a house, People and a dog to take care of. They sold me a 7 day visa for 1,800 Baht with the remark: “See you on the 27th. I hate this 3 hour drive to Ranong , scenic as it may be, but with all the nuts on the road I was now forced to do it again 7 days later.

On the 27th of June I did my thing again, but swore afterwards I would never do it another time, at least not in a long-tail boat. Halve way across the bay we entered a hellacious thunderstorm, encountering huge wind whipped waves and torrential downpours. I was soaked to the skin and scared out of my mind to boot.

I had heard about the only alternative which was a trip to the Andaman Club and casino, presumably very expensive. At this point in time I didn’t care how much it cost. Someone here in the forum posted a google satellite website which gave me a general idea where the place was.

After some erroneous turns prodigious swearing plus several U-turns (the entrance to the right road was blocked off with barricades) I did finally stumble upon their pier. Covered car park with attendant. Beautiful terminal. Customs on premises, friendly staff; I was in heaven. All of this for the measly sum of 850 Baht. My customary long tail driver charged me 800 Baht, ever since the US dollar went south, 300 for the trip and 500 for the saw-buck. Well, when it was $ 5.00 for the ransom at Burma it wasn’t that big a deal paying 300 Baht considering the trouble I had obtaining nice crisp $ 5.00 notes from any bank around here. (One bank even insisted on seeing my passport. What, to buy 5 dollars??) However, $ 10.00 US are now worth only around 350 Baht, not 500.

The boat was super. Luxurious interior, fast too, took only 15 Minutes. Burmese immigration on the other side smiling and helpful. After a leisurely lunch, not cheap comparative to what one pays in Khawtoung, it was back to Ranong and their in-house immigration officer. No long lines of creepy, smelly long-haired backpackers. (I always wondered the impression immigration in Ranong must acquire about foreigners, looking at these individuals day in and day out.) This is it for me from now on. Well one more time and then it’s back to Malaysia again. Were it not for some dishonest Thais as well as farang who cheated me out of more than 2 Million Baht 2 years ago, I would have had my retirement visa a long time ago.

But that’s another story.

[Ping]

Globe - maybe you could fly there?

[seonai]

A wee tip for those doing the longtail boat instead of Andaman Casino. When you get across to Burma, it's a writers paradise but it's also waaaaay dodgy. Groups of young men are in competion with each other to get your attention and sell you things - drugs, booze, tea etc and they are very persistant. Another TV member and I went once together and she proudly announced on stepping off the boat that she wanted to have a cup of tea. Next thing we know we were being swept towards some tea place up a side street by 5-6 teenage men and they all ordered what they wanted and we paid for it while we sat nervously guessing our ages and marital status etc. It wasn't a good experience and we felt intimidated. They even followed us to the toilets after tea and demanded 500 baht for the 'tour'. I said no but I was shaking as I've see these guys fight openly in the street to get customers and seen them being beaten by police in the street too. It's very sad.

[intoxicajun]

The Ranong Office is now closed at 4:30 pm. So you have to make it to Ranong and get stamped out by 2:30 at the latest.

I guess they want falangs to have to spend the night or something.

[LivinginKata]

The Ranong Office is now closed at 4:30 pm. So you have to make it to Ranong and get stamped out by 2:30 at the latest.

I guess they want falangs to have to spend the night or something.

If you do get stuck in Ranong overnight then 'hotel' rates can be as cheap as 100 Baht/night. Just last month we overnighted at Ranong and while walking down the 'high' street we noticed a sign for the cheapest room in town at 100 baht. Plenty of other Thai style guesthouses along that street at 200 baht.

We stayed at the Ranong Gardens on the main bypass road. I can completely recomend that place for service & value for money. I would rate it 2+ star, nice large air con rooms, toilet room with bath and high pressure hot & cold water (that's so unusual), fridge, very comfortable bed. All for about 600 Baht/night, including 2 American breakfast. The dining room/lounge is amazing. Really it's an upmarket men's club, with stage, disco light, and amateur singers. We checked out the menu beforehand and found they not serve wine. No problem, we bought a 2 Litre jug in town and the hotel put on ice. The table service was excellent, and a filet mignon steak wth trimming cost 95 baht. Not too bad, although Thai meat and a little bit tough. We had a great night. Will definately stay again.

[SamuiJens]

Nice concise answer H2O ..... but you worry me ... 'good gin' for 35 baht?

Cant fault it JD a nice schwepps tonic and a few ice cubes = rather nice refreshing drink. Dont forget we used to run the place atone time so we taught them how to make it just so

but 35 baht a BOTTLE? eeeeeeek

And Golden Triangle cigs. are soo bloody awful, that you can't smoke them, I gave them away, BUT I didn't loose much, so if The Gin is like that, I wouldn't drink it, unless you got a death wish!?

[g00dgirl]

What brand gin is that for 35 Baht?

How much can you legally bring back to Thailand?

[islandguy]

Looking at this old post I wonder if the information is still correct? I want to drive to Ranong in my vehicle from Samui and return the next day. I only need my 90 days exit/reentry stamps. The one time I went to Ranong before was with the visa run bus, usual problems much discussed already with speeding and obnoxious customers. We went over to the Burma side not in a long tail, but in a larger wooden boat with a cabin. Are the seas calm this time of year? Never went off of the immigration pier there, seemed interesting but the one poster made it sound pretty dodgy on the streets. The Andaman Club sounds like a reasonbable option, especially with secure parking. What is the price there now? Thanks for any help.

[LivinginKata]

I've had a look through this old topic and I would say that everything is still current. Don't know the price of the Andaman high speed ferry these days, I tried Goggle, but no fare schedule found. Biggest difference these days is that only 15 days VOA, but that does not affect you as you have a re-entry permit, suitable visa. For sure, I continue to recommend the Andaman Club ferry. The long tail option is a nightmare (parking/immigration/boat ride)...

[LivinLOS]

Andaman club 850 baht

Leaving Ranong

8:35

10

11:30

1

2:30

4

5

18:30

20

22

23:50

Leaving Club

7:45

9:30

11

12:30

2

15:30

16:30

17:30

18:45

21:30

23.30

077 830461

081894 2583

Where the touts now want 500 baht for a 10 USD note (and they mark them with yellow and give you a real hard time if using your own notes.. No that ones creased, and now your in Burma !!!) that means its a 350 baht price premium to have smiling immigration officers, an AC safe boat, and a all round pleasant experience verses what ?? 300 baht for the big boat service and the usual uptight customs office.

No question which one I will go on.

[islandguy]

Thanks for the good advice and information. While I would like to think it would be fun to stroll around a picturesque border town, it seems a lot more likely to have a bad experience than a good one. Being told a $10 bill was fine and then seeing that it was just another scam since they are never going to prefer it to a 500 baht note was pretty irritating as well. Andaman Club it is, and glad for it.

[Richie1971]

Hi,

I hear alot about special offers for the Andaman Club for accommodation (ie - 2500 baht for 2 nights) does anyone know how to get these deals? Surely they're not walk in rates? The online rates from their website look a bit hefty.

Any advice gratefully received

Cheers

[loubrockbank]

We did our visa run -andaman club with a company called eve - they are in the gazette somewhere i think. cost us 1800 baht, just ring them up and they pick you up in the morning (we got picked up at about 5am from the big tescos) they gave us a wake up call too incase we slept in

Just give them to money when you get on the bus and then off you go, I always take a pillow so i can sleep comfortably, and i try to sit towards the front or the back seats as you get more leg room.

They stop occasionally on the way at petrol stations. The ride was good with this company to the andaman club, ie the driver was only 90% crazy on the roads compared to the other services we used in the past ..seriously though he was ok

We didnt need to pay anymore money as the fee includes everything. They guide you through the whole thing ie o to that desk they stamp you out,in out etc. You get a boat accross to the hotel and you have lunch (u will select what you want on the mini bus on route) the hotel was lovely as was the food, and if you have time you can go to the casino.

I found it very good, and we were back at tesco for 5pm so not too bad