Sa Kaeo visa run into Cambodia

[bbi1]

Anyone here recently done a visa run into Cambodia via Sa Kaeo? How is the border there into Cambodia? How many hours is the journey from BKK or Pattaya to this border crossing?

 

In particular, how is this border for Laos citizens to do what they need to do to stay here in Thailand? Do Laos citizens actually have to cross over the border and back into Thailand or just get the required stamps issued within Thailand?

Edited February 11, 2023 by bbi1

[zzzzz]

closest to Sa Kaeo is poi pet which is not an ideal border crossing> Bangkok- Border by train/tuk tuk 4+ hours,  bus 4 hours
in and out Cambodia will ask for  300-500 baht from you, PLUS the cost of the visa ($30) if you dont stay one night.

everyone needs exit thailand, enter Cambodia, and return>
what visa does the Laos citizen have?  

[bbi1]

6 hours ago, zzzzz said:

closest to Sa Kaeo is poi pet which is not an ideal border crossing> Bangkok- Border by train/tuk tuk 4+ hours,  bus 4 hours
in and out Cambodia will ask for  300-500 baht from you, PLUS the cost of the visa ($30) if you dont stay one night.
 

What is this 300-500 baht Cambodia borders ask for? Is this "tea money" donation?

 

6 hours ago, zzzzz said:

everyone needs exit thailand, enter Cambodia, and return>
what visa does the Laos citizen have?  

Apparently Lao passport holders get 45 days each time they enter Thailand, entering from any country in the world.

Edited February 12, 2023 by bbi1

[KhaoNiaw]

Laos citizens are stamped out of Thailand and then stamped back in. They currently get 45 days (though I think it's still scheduled to revert back to 30) and there are no limits on the number of entries they can make per year. This makes it easy for those who don't have the MOU visa and work permit to stay continuously in Thailand.
I'd imagine it's quite easy to do it under their own steam. But most in Bangkok use a van service, which picks them up at home and does the return journey for 900 baht. They don't pay any Cambodian border fee.

Edited February 12, 2023 by KhaoNiaw

[bbi1]

14 minutes ago, KhaoNiaw said:

Laos citizens are stamped out of Thailand and then stamped back in. They currently get 45 days (though I think it's still scheduled to revert back to 30) and there are no limits on the number of entries they can make per year. This makes it easy for those who don't have the MOU visa and work permit to stay continuously in Thailand.
I'd imagine it's quite easy to do it under their own steam. But most in Bangkok use a van service, which picks them up at home and does the return journey for 900 baht. They don't pay any Cambodian border fee.

I believe Laos passport holders can get stamped out of Thailand and stamped back into Thailand without leaving the country. Not sure if this is only using a van service company though.

Edited February 12, 2023 by bbi1

[KhaoNiaw]

7 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

I believe Laos passport holders can get stamped out of Thailand and stamped back into Thailand without leaving the country. Not sure if this is only using a van service company though.

Even with the van service they still have to get the Cambodian stamps in and out. But it's all done in a very close area and they don't have to go beyond the border officials into Cambodia. They're not usually there very long.  

[zzzzz]

4 hours ago, bbi1 said:

What is this 300-500 baht Cambodia borders ask for? Is this "tea money" donation?

 

Apparently Lao passport holders get 45 days each time they enter Thailand, entering from any country in the world.

yes tea money
 They get 30 day visa exempt , ( NOT 45) 
Unlimited by land or flying  or can get a normal 60 day tourist visa 
OR a 1 year NON L-A visa, ( used to be 2)  and wp if they have a job.
very affordable for Laos, Burmese and Khmers

Edited February 12, 2023 by zzzzz

[KhaoNiaw]

1 hour ago, zzzzz said:

yes tea money
 They get 30 day visa exempt , ( NOT 45) 
Unlimited by land or flying  or can get a normal 60 day tourist visa 
OR a 1 year NON L-A visa, ( used to be 2)  and wp if they have a job.
very affordable for Laos, Burmese and Khmers

They get 45 days at the moment. The agreement for the neighbouring countries was changed at the same time as the 45-day visa exempt entries for other nationalities. I assume it will either revert to 30 days at the end of March or be extended if that's done for other nationalities. 

[Xanthe]

5 hours ago, KhaoNiaw said:

They currently get 45 days (though I think it's still scheduled to revert back to 30)

Is not Laos citizens are visa exempted for 45-days based on Bilateral agreements? I think they won't go back to 30-day after March 31 for Laos citizens and other Bilateral agreement countries like Russia, Vietnam, etc. 

[KhaoNiaw]

22 minutes ago, Xanthe said:

Is not Laos citizens are visa exempted for 45-days based on Bilateral agreements? I think they won't go back to 30-day after March 31 for Laos citizens and other Bilateral agreement countries like Russia, Vietnam, etc. 

Yes, it's based on the bilateral agreements. Hopefully they won't change it but when the GF did her last run, they told her it will be going back to 30 days. 

[zzzzz]

1 hour ago, KhaoNiaw said:

They get 45 days at the moment. The agreement for the neighbouring countries was changed at the same time as the 45-day visa exempt entries for other nationalities. I assume it will either revert to 30 days at the end of March or be extended if that's done for other nationalities. 

FYI : Cambodia /Burmese is still only 15 days

Edited February 12, 2023 by zzzzz

[KhaoNiaw]

23 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

FYI : Cambodia /Burmese is still only 15 days

Thanks. I wasn't aware of that. The Department of Consular Affairs document included them as 45 days but it looks like only through airports.

DCA.pdf

[Burma Bill]

On 2/11/2023 at 2:21 PM, bbi1 said:

How is the border there into Cambodia?

From personal experience:

The land border crossing from Aranyaphratet (Thai) to Poipet (Cam) can be very busy and time consuming (especially from Cambodia back into Thailand - 4 hours queuing on one occasion). Once you leave Thailand, there are many "fixers/agents" who hassle you for obtaining a Cambodian visa - beware scams! There is a long walk from Thai to Cambodian Immigration Offices passing hotels/casinos in "no man's land". Officially, you apply for a Cambodian tourist visa valid 30 days, cost 30US$. Present completed form with passport, cash and a current passport photo. Not ideal for Bangkok/Pattaya border runs, is the less hassle northern Cambodian land border crossing at O'Smach into Chong Chom (Surin Province, Thailand).

[zzzzz]

Personal experience, both these borders are easy as well:
Ban Pakard  Chantaburi to Phsar Prom Palin
Ban Laem Chantaburi to Daung Lem Battambang 
no scammers, no hassles

[BritTim]

12 hours ago, zzzzz said:

Personal experience, both these borders are easy as well:
Ban Pakard  Chantaburi to Phsar Prom Palin
Ban Laem Chantaburi to Daung Lem Battambang 
no scammers, no hassles

That was my experience years ago. However, there are multiple reports that things have changed.