Ranong Visa Run Questions

[Aussietraveller]

Hi All,

I have a Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa.

I need to do a Visa run in about 30 days time.

I am considering driving up to Ranong and doing it there.

I have never been up that side of the coastline and have heard that it is quite scenic.

Can i go to Ranong and get a 90 day stamp there, or do they just give a 30 day stamp?

What is the driving time from Central Phuket to Ranong?

It is about 300km, so i assume 3 to 3 1/2 hours?

If i go to Ranong i believe that i need to get a boat to somewhere to cros the border?

Is this correct?

What costs are involved for the boat, border crossing, entry to Myanmar etc?

Any details on Ranong and what i need to do there would be appreciated.

[H2oDunc]

Hi All,

I have a Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa.

I need to do a Visa run in about 30 days time.

I am considering driving up to Ranong and doing it there.

I have never been up that side of the coastline and have heard that it is quite scenic.

Can i go to Ranong and get a 90 day stamp there, or do they just give a 30 day stamp?

What is the driving time from Central Phuket to Ranong?

It is about 300km, so i assume 3 to 3 1/2 hours?

If i go to Ranong i believe that i need to get a boat to somewhere to cros the border?

Is this correct?

What costs are involved for the boat, border crossing, entry to Myanmar etc?

Any details on Ranong and what i need to do there would be appreciated.

Hi, the journey up from Phuket is a nice run especially on a bike. You get stamped out at immigration then head down to the pier. Behind the PTT garage is where all the boats hang out. Walk down there and you will be accosted by numerous touts. You can get a longtail over to Myanmar for 50 baht. When you get there you get stamped in and out and its either 500 baht or a new 10 dollar bill. I then normally have a walk about have a bite to eat and a couple of beers. I pick p a bottle of good gin 35 baht and 200 smokes for the security gaurd at home 80 baht. Then just wander back down to the pier and again hop on a longtail going back again 50 baht. Back to immigration and you get your 90 days. Hope it helped

[jdinasia]

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

[H2oDunc]

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

[LivinginKata]

Do yourself a favour and travel the delux way by high speed air con ferry over to the Andaman Club. The Andaman club pier is to the north side of Ranong, has a hotel style check-in, airport style immigration services. About 200 baht more expensive, but well worth it as the Andaman Club (casio) handle all the formalities (Thailand & Myamar side) in the price.

I tried the longtail way once, it rained, we got soaking wet, quite choppy and scarey ride. It's a hassle to find the port immigration office (both sides). Once was enough for me.

Assuming you have a multi non imm you'll get a 90 day entry stamp when you get back into Thailand (Ranong Immigration).

[donna]

i agree with LivinginKata 100%. Andaman Club is the way to go. A much more pleasant all round experience.

[jdinasia]

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

[phuket Mike]

When does your entry stamp run out? I will be going to Ranong around the 25th July, I usually drive and have been there many times - both Andaman Club and nasty long tails. I would happy to share costs in my car or yours.

PM me if interested.

[Aussietraveller]

Hi all,

Thanks for the detailed responses.

Ranong sounds like the way to go and Andaman Club sounds pretty streamlined.

I have to go before 21 July.

Phuket Mike, i will send you a PM closer to the time....

[kudroz]

I didn't know about the Andaman Club, I'd like to ask a few questions to those who've been there already

- Do you need a reservation at the hotel/casino or a booking for their boat?

- What are the hours of operation? The website says the casino is 24/7 but the boat ride and immigration isn't 24/7 - is it?

- If I go there with the intent to come right back to Thailand, would they mind as I'm not gambling nor staying at their hotel?

- Do they have parking at the Pier so I can park my car there for the time i'll be traveling to the club?

[LivinginKata]

No reservation required - just show up

Ferries usully run every hour (on the hour) through the day. I heard that they cut back to every 2 hours at quiet periods.

No need to play the slots. or stay overnight at the hotel.

Huge car park with covered bays and security.

Note - it's a little had to find the pier the first time. Have to carry on the bypass until the north end of Ranong and look out for very small signs for Ananman Club, then along a small winding country road.

[KaronSteve]

Slightly off topic but.....

I also go to Ranong on the tri-monthly visa runs but have never bothered to stay over.

Is it worth it?

Is there any entertainment other than the ubquitous karaoke bars?

My ears are too sensitive to the cat mating screeching usually heard in them.

Also I don't gamble so the Casino holds no appeal.

If so can anyone recommend a decent resort or hotel?

[stuandchris]

Hi

Could you guys give more info on the Andaman Club please? Where to go in Phuket, cost, length of journey etc.

We have to do our first visa run next month and would be grateful.

[LivinginKata]

Slightly off topic but.....

I also go to Ranong on the tri-monthly visa runs but have never bothered to stay over.

Is it worth it?

Is there any entertainment other than the ubquitous karaoke bars?

My ears are too sensitive to the cat mating screeching usually heard in them.

Also I don't gamble so the Casino holds no appeal.

If so can anyone recommend a decent resort or hotel?

Ranong has very little to offer. Fine dining is out of the question, even at the better hotels. Stop over the night is worth it if you don't want a very long day, early start, late return. You can have a late start, have lunch, do the crossing, 17.00 check-in hotel, shower & spruce up , have dinner. Nice hotel breakfast and late start, home by early afternoon.

Hotels in Ranong are not much, but relatively cheap. There are some real cheap & basic place in the main town. I prefer to stay at one of the 'better' hotels on the bypass road (main highway). Princess is the best know, there are 2 more on the main highway (can't remember the names). I guess there are others in town, but I don't know. I've noticed a resort on the coast north of Ranong, but reviews are poor.

[LivinginKata]

Hi

Could you guys give more info on the Andaman Club please? Where to go in Phuket, cost, length of journey etc.

We have to do our first visa run next month and would be grateful.

I think you guys have a nice car ? You drive from Phuket straight up to Ranong (don't fork right to Krabi after you leave the island). Almost 300 km, takes about 3+ hours, good roads, but not dual highway.

You keep on the Ranong bypass (big dual high way) to the extreme north end of town, then turn left towards the coast. That's a small twisty country road, takes about 15 minutes, first time you will think you are lost.

If you have Earth Google, the turn off is 9 deg 58 70 N and 98 deg 38 38 E and the Andaman Club pier is 9 deg 58 50 N and 98 deg 36 04 E

The map detail of Ranong is terrific, can see all the buildings.

[LivinginKata]

Bit sloppy with my map reading. Precise coords

Turn off 9 58'49.17"N 98 38'38.77"E

Pier 9 58'48.08"N 98 35'56.15"E

I think ???

Earth Google is wonderful

Edited June 23, 2007 by LivinginKata

[KaronSteve]

LiK,

Thanks for the advice. I think I will give it a miss.

[stuandchris]

Thanks for the info livinginkata, I don't think I am brave enough to drive for the first one without help, if anyone has a run to make in the middle of July we would be happy to take them.

[LivinginKata]

Piece of cake.... it's easy. Better still, stay over in Ranong and have an easy drive up, and back down. Actually, we are showing a new guest the route about 6 July, and having lunch in Ranong while he crosses over, then relaxing dinner in Ranong. Back next day. You could follow us, or we could squeeze 6 into our MU 7. Need to clear that with the wife

[New2Chalong]

LivinginKata: I have a quick question for you since you seem quite knowledgable about the visa runs. I am back in Phuket after a long break from Thailand. I need to make a visa run around 7 July. We bought a new car but I guess we can not drive it to Ranong since it still has the red (temporary) plates on it. I am thinking that I probably should schedule myself on one of the visa run services around 6 or 7 July since I have never made the 90 day visa run to Ranong before. Any suggestions on which visa run company I should use and/or which ones to avoid? I live in the Chalong area. Thanks.

[LivinginKata]

I've never used any of the visa run services, so I can't answer that question.

No reason why you can't use a red plate car to go to Ranong. As far as I know the law states that a red plate can't be used from sunset to sunrise (hours of darkness), although that rule is rarely enforced. I've driven up to Pattaya & beyond with my new car on red plates, in day light hours.

Edited June 26, 2007 by LivinginKata

[New2Chalong]

Thanks for the info, LivinginKata. I will check into the red plate advice. That sure makes it easier. Thanks again.

[New2Chalong]

LivinginKata: I am going to use your advice about driving my own car up. That sounds like the way to go. I do have a couple of quick questions for you and/or others with experience with these visa runs to the Andaman Club. Here are my questions:

After I take the bypass road north of Ranong, is the turn off road to the Andaman Club pier marked? I do not have a GPS unit. Is there any Andaman Club signs on the bypass road?

How long does it take to take for the whole process with the Andaman Club take (boat ride over, immigration process, waiting period for the boat back, boat ride back)?

What does my wife and son do while I am taking the boat to/from the Andaman Club? Should I drop them off in Ranong or should they wait for me at the pier?

Other than my passport and some money (both USD and Thai baht), is there any other documentation/paperwork I need to take to get another 90 day stamp in my passport?

Thanks for the help.

[LivinginKata]

I recommend you study the Earth Google map (if you don't have it, get a free download) and get a basic idea of the geography. There were some small private signs last time I was up some years ago and it's not easy to find/see the turn off. Once you pass the main body of Ranong town, it's where the old road joins/slips onto the dual highway.

Time depends on how long you have to wait for the ferry. Ferries leave on the hour, but leave time for check-in and immigration formalities. The ride over is about 20 minutes and it is possible that you could catch the ferry on the next hour going back (assuming they are running every hour, at quiet times they run every 2 hours). Best tell your wife 2 hours and 20 minutes, and 10 minutes processing by Thai immigration.

There is nothing to do at the pier, except have a picnic, read a book, sleep. Best drop them off in Ranong Town. You can drive straight from town centre to the pier (look at the map).

You only need Baht. The Mayamar fees ($US) are included in Andaman Club's price.

Best you leave a spare day or 2 of you current stamp, in case you get delayed on the road.

[New2Chalong]

LivinginKata: Thanks for the information. I will download GoogleEarth and study the roads.

Good info on the boats and the time estimates.

It sounds like dropping them off in town is the best approach.

Thanks for the good information!

[smartecosse]

never done the casino boat but driven there a few times from Phuket to do a visa run for the g/f. The longtails are cheap but are also quite scary - not the most sea worthy of boats when there a swell etc

The "Big Boat" is alright though and you are there and back in under an hour. They also have a decent place for people to wait if they are not going over with you

[easy_jim]

It sounds like dropping them off in town is the best approach.

Or take them with you. Thais do not need a passport to visit the casino. They can get a border pass at the pier - about 200 baht.

[New2Chalong]

Thanks for the additional information.

[oMega69]

Helloo guys !! . . My turn also to get a new stamp ! . . . have done 2 Laos trips for tourist visa before and can not make more then 2 times in 1year period in Laos. And the trip to Penang is a bit expensive for my. . Iam living in Pattaya. And go to an ordinary visa run to Cambodia is impossibel if you not have a payed airline ticket out of the country between your new 30day period.

So i wounder if can get a ordinary 30 day stamp and not need to have a airline ticket as proof that iam going to leave thailand in 30days !!......

Is is cool just to get in and out and get the stamp hassel free in Ranong area border?... I have stayed here 2years now loots of stamps.......

Help me out plz............. going on july 25. if some one whant to join the trip over seas.

Have a nice day!!.............. Regards, Mr. David

[LivinginKata]

The 3 tourist visa (30 days) rule applies for ALL entries into Thailand, no matter the entry point into Thailand. I know that Thai immigration officers will seriously check all you entry stamps into Thailand over the past year.