I'm a US citizen in Pattaya, currently on a 30 day extension to my 45 day exempt stay. I was planning to go to Koh Lipe for a few days via Malasia and return for another 45 days, but those plans fell through, so I'm considering other options. I might end up just doing a very quick border bounce. In your opinion, which is the fastest, which is the cheapest, and which is the most convenient border bounce from Pattaya?

Malaysia just introduced testing for all arrivals and you'll be put in quarantine if you show any fever or other flu/COVID symptoms.

 

Not sure Channel News Asia is allowed to be linked here - but go to their website and it's right near the top - Breaking news.

27 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

Malaysia just introduced testing for all arrivals and you'll be put in quarantine if you show any fever or other flu/COVID symptoms.

Thanks very much for the warning. Ko Lipe and Bali out for sure then.

41 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

Malaysia just introduced testing for all arrivals and you'll be put in quarantine if you show any fever or other flu/COVID symptoms.

 

....and apparently the testing for all arrivals is "temperature testing" only at this stage, and presumably those with a fever would then be subjected to additional testing.

Take a visarun van from Pattaya. Done in a day.

If I go by air, can I stay in-transit and not pass through customs until I return to Thailand?

45 minutes ago, leosmith said:

Thanks very much for the warning. Ko Lipe and Bali out for sure then.

It's just temperature screening (like we used to have in 7-elevens) so no reason to say "out for sure".

 

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-china-covid19-border-health-checks-not-discrimination-3182191

26 minutes ago, leosmith said:

If I go by air, can I stay in-transit and not pass through customs until I return to Thailand?

No

1 hour ago, leosmith said:

Thanks very much for the warning. Ko Lipe and Bali out for sure then.

Bali is in Indonesia.

1 hour ago, tomazbodner said:

Malaysia just introduced testing for all arrivals and you'll be put in quarantine if you show any fever or other flu/COVID symptoms.

So, one will get tested on arrival? Any info on the costs?

14 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

So, one will get tested on arrival? Any info on the costs?

From what I understand they have thermal cameras and anyone above 37.5 gets pulled away and given ATK. My colleague in Malaysia says nobody mentioned any costs of that test itself, but if positive, then person would get RT-PCR test and if confirmed positive, would be quarantined, which is charged for. But many details are lacking in their media as well so it's not really clear what happens.

 

So issue is only if someone has fever on arrival, or is showing visible symptoms of flu - which would lead to testing, and only if positive, costs may occur. Didn't get the answer to question whether one has an option to leave the country instead of going through quarantine if positive.

Border runs from pattaya are pretty easy and pain free,.I done 1 a few weeks ago 3000 baht(fair price)pick up from condo 5am and back late afternoon around 4.pm.

19 hours ago, leosmith said:

If I go by air, can I stay in-transit and not pass through customs until I return to Thailand?

Passing through customs is the whole point.

 

you cant re-enter thailand until you have been admitted and checked out of another country.

9 minutes ago, n00dle said:

Passing through customs is the whole point.

 

you cant re-enter thailand until you have been admitted and checked out of another country.

If could, you just check out and check in at Airport, right? And show your unused cheap tickets out and back in while you slept in one of the lounges. 

1 hour ago, Daithi85 said:

Border runs from pattaya are pretty easy and pain free,.I done 1 a few weeks ago 3000 baht(fair price)pick up from condo 5am and back late afternoon around 4.pm.

Can your share which company? Thx

34 minutes ago, zekelin said:

Can your share which company? Thx

I'll send you the phone number of the driver later in a PM.

Fastest is a border bounce at Aranyaprathet/Poipet (you can use a comfortable casino bus run). However, do not do that if you have an even remotely extensive immigration history in Thailand. That crossing can be seriously bad news.

 

Convenient and fairly fast is the service provided by border run companies in Pattaya. These are typically uncomfortable, leaving you wedged into a van with a bunch of other foreigners.

 

You might consider a weekend in Ho Chi Ming City or Siem Reap. If wanting to avoid airport immigration, Vientiane is nice enough, returning via the Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai and flying from Udon Thani back to Bangkok.

7 hours ago, Hummin said:

If could, you just check out and check in at Airport, right? And show your unused cheap tickets out and back in while you slept in one of the lounges. 

These days, Immigration will know whether you actually took the flights. Read up on APIS (Advance Passenger Information System) which is the system used by airlines to send passenger lists to Immigration, potentially receiving back instructions telling them not to board some passengers. When you arrive at Immigration, the official is told as soon as he scans your passport details whether you were expected on the flight. In fact, there is a very good chance they will immediately ask to see your boarding pass for the return flight to Thailand. I have twice seen idiots unsuccessfully trying what you suggest, once even before APIS existed.

5 minutes ago, BritTim said:

These days, Immigration will know whether you actually took the flights. Read up on APIS (Advance Passenger Information System) which is the system used by airlines to send passenger lists to Immigration, potentially receiving back instructions telling them not to board some passengers. When you arrive at Immigration, the official is told as soon as he scans your passport details whether you were expected on the flight. In fact, there is a very good chance they will immediately ask to see your boarding pass for the return flight to Thailand. I have twice seen idiots unsuccessfully trying what you suggest, once even before APIS existed.

I know, and my reply was in context to the one I replied to. 

question here is... whats your intensions? you want to live in thailand? are you retired, working or married with a thai national? if the answer is yes then i tihnk you already know what to do.

 

if the answer is no... well.. i suggest you thai cooking classes

On 1/5/2023 at 9:00 PM, BritTim said:

Fastest is a border bounce at Aranyaprathet/Poipet (you can use a comfortable casino bus run). However, do not do that if you have an even remotely extensive immigration history in Thailand. That crossing can be seriously bad news.

Really? Others have told me it wouldn't be a problem in my case. I've been visiting Thailand as a tourist once a year (except Covid years) since 2003, about 3 months/visit. Never overstayed, and no intention to live here; I'll return to the US after the 45 days. 

On 1/5/2023 at 9:00 PM, BritTim said:

Fastest is a border bounce at Aranyaprathet/Poipet (you can use a comfortable casino bus run). However, do not do that if you have an even remotely extensive immigration history in Thailand. That crossing can be seriously bad news.

pong nam ron would be shorter, quicker and i would say easier

6 hours ago, leosmith said:

Really? Others have told me it wouldn't be a problem in my case. I've been visiting Thailand as a tourist once a year (except Covid years) since 2003, about 3 months/visit. Never overstayed, and no intention to live here; I'll return to the US after the 45 days. 

With your history, you shouldn't have a problem anywhere. Assuming that you already have your return ticket, take that with you in case your plans are being questioned.