Border run at Chong Chom/O Smach (Surin)

[Baz Erckens]

I would like to do a border run at the "Chong Chom/O Smach" border in Surin.

Netherland Passport. This would be my first border run.

 

Questions:

1. What is currently the amount of days one receives via visa on arrival at a land border coming from Cambodia, 15 or 30?

2. I am not planning on using an agent as that border is pretty small and I am not doing those typical border runs you have from BKK, Pattaya etc.

I am just conveniently in Surin at that time and I just need to leave the country. What other documents are needed except my passport?

3. What total costs can I expect?

4. Is there any specific date or time I should prefer or aviod doing the border crossing?

5. Am I able to extend that visa at immigration for another 30days?

 

Thanks.

Edited June 12, 2023 by Baz Erckens

[buick]

i've spent some time in buriram over the years.  pre covid, i crossed the border into o'smach several times (2015 to 2018).  never a long wait to get through the border on entry or exit.  mostly thais going over to gamble at the casinos.  to go and come back the same day (you say 'border run' so i assume you mean same day entry/exit) was an extra fee of 300thb.  i'm pretty sure that was paid to the cambodia 'officials' but it has been awhile and i'm not 100% sure, might of been when coming back to thailand.

 

as far as your specific #'s.

 

1.  i got 30 days on a US passport, not sure on netherlands.

2. i brought a passport photo and the cambodia visa fee is less expensive if paid in US dollars rather than thai baht.  but not a big difference.  but you need a good quality USD note, old worn notes might not be accepted.  not a big deal to use baht and 'overpay'.

3.  i think the only cost will be the visa for cambodia (assuming a netherlands passport requires a visa) and the fee they may ask for to do a same day arrival and departure.  otherwise the costs are variable, will you go to a casino or spend some time on the cambodia side doing something that would cost money ?  i guess you have to get to the border from Surin so that could be a cost.

4.  you should able to go anytime w/o a large queue at the border on either side.

5.  coming in visa exempt via a land border is fine in terms of getting a 30 day extension at an immigration office in thailand.  i did that after a border run at o'smach.

[Red Phoenix]

1. With a Netherlands passport you will receive a 30-day VisaExempt entry-stamp in your passport from Thai border-Immigration when entering Thailand again

2. Basically you only need your passport (without a Re-Entry Permit for your current Permit to stay).  You might bring 2 pass-photos with you, although Cambodian border-immigration now have those picture-snappers, but just in case they would be out of order.

3. The cost of a Cambadian Visa (think it's 35 US $ now) which can be paid in US $ dollar as that is the accepted currency in Cambodia, or in THB - but at a not very good exchange rate.

You might also be nudged to pay a 10 US $ fee in order to be allowed to return immediately or same day to Thailand (normally you need to stay at least 24 hours in Cambodia, but that is as good as nowhere enforced).

4. Maybe other posters can provide info on preferred days/times to do a border-run there.  Note; In case there are large crowds crossing the border, you could consider driving 60 kms more East and take the friendly Chong Sa Ngam border-crossing, which is in the middle of nowhere (but a beautiful scenery to get there) and is as good as always almost deserted. 

5. Yes, you can apply for a 30-day extension of that 30-day VisaExempt entry at any Thai Imm Office (cost 1.900,- THB).

Edited June 12, 2023 by Red Phoenix

[Baz Erckens]

Perfect, thanks guys. Quick and detailed answers.

Yes, I plan on do same day return. Just exit Thailand, enter Cambodia, leave Cambodia and reenter Thailand.

Pretty much instantly do a u-turn once I exit cambodia immigration.

[zzzzz]

Cambodian tourist visa $30  thai baht 1,200 baht
Cambodian immigration MIGHT ask for a 300 baht donation if in an out
great border, been using it since 2010

[superal]

13 hours ago, zzzzz said:

Cambodian tourist visa $30  thai baht 1,200 baht
Cambodian immigration MIGHT ask for a 300 baht donation if in an out
great border, been using it since 2010

I have used this crossing many times when on a tourist visa and I seem to remember a cost of 1900 BAHT if in & out of Cambodia the same day . When approaching the Thai immigration there are often visa agents . They typically charge 100 BAHT + for their service which is well worth it . They will fill in the forms and also get you to the front of the queue . Making it an easy event . I also used to go to the casinos every couple of months but with the covid everything stopped  . When all back to normal we went again to the casinos and my Thai family paid 50 BAHT each to cross into Cambodia . But for me 1500 BAHT . Never again will I go . Pre covid it cost me about 800 BAHT to go to the casino .

Be prepared , your passport will be hit with a full page Cambodia visa ( not a small stamp )

[buick]

2 hours ago, superal said:

When approaching the Thai immigration there are often visa agents . They typically charge 100 BAHT + for their service which is well worth it

are you sure you don't mean the Cambodian side for Cambo immigration ?  the first time i went i did pay a guy 100thb just to show me where the Cambo immigration office was.  it wasn't obvious after coming through from the thai side.  you need to do a form for the Cambo visa.  when i was using the border to go to the casino, i didn't have to do anything at the thai border, just show my passport (they did have TM6).  that was leaving thailand and coming back.  i've used the crossing a half dozen times but it was 2105-2018 timeframe, never a queue of more than a few people.  i was also a bit drunk once and forgot to get stamped out of cambo before going to the thai side.  didn't make that mistake again.  beers were 20thb at the shop in casino !!

[Baz Erckens]

I was wondering, do I even have to enter Cambodia? Once I have left Thailand and have the exit stamp for Thailand, could I not just switch the side of the road and just reenter Thailand without ever having entered Cambodia in the first place?

 

What about the Casinos? Are they worth visiting? What do they offer?

Edited June 13, 2023 by Baz Erckens

[superal]

22 minutes ago, buick said:

are you sure you don't mean the Cambodian side for Cambo immigration ?  the first time i went i did pay a guy 100thb just to show me where the Cambo immigration office was.  it wasn't obvious after coming through from the thai side.  you need to do a form for the Cambo visa.  when i was using the border to go to the casino, i didn't have to do anything at the thai border, just show my passport (they did have TM6).  that was leaving thailand and coming back.  i've used the crossing a half dozen times but it was 2105-2018 timeframe, never a queue of more than a few people.  i was also a bit drunk once and forgot to get stamped out of cambo before going to the thai side.  didn't make that mistake again.  beers were 20thb at the shop in casino !!

Agents were Thai side , waiting like vultures . I reckon the casino bosses do not know the I.O. are trying to pocket 1500 baht from farangs iust to go to no mans land casino . Greedy xxxxxs

[superal]

13 minutes ago, Baz Erckens said:

I was wondering, do I even have to enter Cambodia? Once I have left Thailand and have the exit stamp for Thailand, could I not just switch the side of the road and just reenter Thailand without ever having entered Cambodia in the first place?

 

What about the Casinos? Are they worth visiting? What do they offer?

The casino up the hill offers slots with jackpots up to 4 million baht . Also there are table games such as poker , roulette etc and some weird Asian games . The one at the lower level has mostly slots , not sure if there are games rooms . Your unlikely to win money but I have on the odd occasion  . MIL won 400,000 baht 5 years ago. Think she has given it all back by now . I use to go for the entertainment and never took more than I could afford to lose . Stopped going there because of the 1500 baht 

[Caldera]

31 minutes ago, Baz Erckens said:

I was wondering, do I even have to enter Cambodia? Once I have left Thailand and have the exit stamp for Thailand, could I not just switch the side of the road and just reenter Thailand without ever having entered Cambodia in the first place?

You need to enter and exit Cambodia in order to get stamped in at Thai immigration again. They will not stamp you in if you don't get those Cambodian stamps.

[zzzzz]

3 hours ago, superal said:

Agents were Thai side , waiting like vultures . I reckon the casino bosses do not know the I.O. are trying to pocket 1500 baht from farangs iust to go to no mans land casino . Greedy xxxxxs

casinos are in Cambodia>> NOT no mans land
if u have not been in a Cambodian casino, worth a visit Once

[superal]

18 hours ago, zzzzz said:

casinos are in Cambodia>> NOT no mans land
if u have not been in a Cambodian casino, worth a visit Once

Really ? Yet there are check points about 50 meters after the Thai immigration . Next to the Cambodian immigration offices . I thought that was the entry into Cambodia . 

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, superal said:

Really ? Yet there are check points about 50 meters after the Thai immigration . Next to the Cambodian immigration offices . I thought that was the entry into Cambodia . 

In spite of the position of the immigration office and check point, it is true that the casinos are regarded as part of Cambodia. Officially, you must check out of Thailand to visit them, and will not be allowed back into Thailand if you do not have stamps indicating that you entered Cambodia.

[superal]

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

In spite of the position of the immigration office and check point, it is true that the casinos are regarded as part of Cambodia. Officially, you must check out of Thailand to visit them, and will not be allowed back into Thailand if you do not have stamps indicating that you entered Cambodia.

Thanks Brit Tim . I was wondering if any of our readers still use the casinos at O-smach ? Also I think a levy is imposed by the Cambodian immigration if you do not stay in Cambodia for at least 1 day .

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, superal said:

Also I think a levy is imposed by the Cambodian immigration if you do not stay in Cambodia for at least 1 day .

It is understandable that they would because (with some exceptions that do not apply to most) Cambodian law mandates an overnight stay.

[zzzzz]

19 hours ago, superal said:

Really ? Yet there are check points about 50 meters after the Thai immigration . Next to the Cambodian immigration offices . I thought that was the entry into Cambodia . 

yes really, u are stamped into Cambodia,  ( so your IN Cambodia) than the casinos are on ur left as u head down, i've entered here many times going back to 2010
the check point is for cars/motorcycles and i've been stopped only once 

 

Quote

Cambodian law mandates an overnight stay.

not exactly true although Cambodian immigration  (specifically at poi pet) will tell you it is so and charge you 300 baht ( pre covid) 
the visa run companies include this "gift" in their price 

Edited June 15, 2023 by zzzzz

[BritTim]

4 hours ago, zzzzz said:

not exactly true although Cambodian immigration  (specifically at poi pet) will tell you it is so and charge you 300 baht ( pre covid) 

It is exactly true with only two exceptions: (i) if you enter with a multiple entry business visa, the law does not apply; and (ii) the law does not apply to those transiting through Phnom Penh airport.

[buick]

i've been to both casinos in o'smach multiple times.  unless there have been significant changes since 2018, the casino on the left as you enter from the thai side is nicer than the one on the right (right side has red roof).  i'm a little confused as one poster mentioned casinos (plural) on the left, but i think there is only one on the left and one on the right.  another poster mentioned a casino up the hill, i don't recall a 'hill' at all.  but maybe that is the one on the right w/red roof. i played roulette in the casinos.

[superal]

1 hour ago, buick said:

i've been to both casinos in o'smach multiple times.  unless there have been significant changes since 2018, the casino on the left as you enter from the thai side is nicer than the one on the right (right side has red roof).  i'm a little confused as one poster mentioned casinos (plural) on the left, but i think there is only one on the left and one on the right.  another poster mentioned a casino up the hill, i don't recall a 'hill' at all.  but maybe that is the one on the right w/red roof. i played roulette in the casinos.

"The one up the hill" is what I said and you get there in a free pickup mini bus . Sure is a hill or or incline . Been there many times pre covid but now the Thai immigration want 1500 baht to allow you to go to the casinos and not stamp your passport . Before covid it was 500 baht to Thai immigration and 300 to Cambodian . Cannot see many takers for that , unless you know otherwise ? Talk about greed and shoot yourself in the foot .

BTW did you ever win ?

[buick]

On 6/15/2023 at 2:32 AM, superal said:

"The one up the hill" is what I said and you get there in a free pickup mini bus . Sure is a hill or or incline . Been there many times pre covid but now the Thai immigration want 1500 baht to allow you to go to the casinos and not stamp your passport . Before covid it was 500 baht to Thai immigration and 300 to Cambodian . Cannot see many takers for that , unless you know otherwise ? Talk about greed and shoot yourself in the foot .

BTW did you ever win ?

i did win one time.  so that was probably one win out of five visits.  i won about $400.  normally i was willing to lose $200 before calling it a day.  i took frequent breaks to drink 20thb beers.  so i'm still down overall.  it is fun, i got a couple hours of gaming on most trips.  i also had to bankroll a thai lady once with another $200 and that was lost also !!!

[superal]

3 hours ago, buick said:

i did win one time.  so that was probably one win out of five visits.  i won about $400.  normally i was willing to lose $200 before calling it a day.  i took frequent breaks to drink 20thb beers.  so i'm still down overall.  it is fun, i got a couple hours of gaming on most trips.  i also had to bankroll a thai lady once with another $200 and that was lost also !!!

You have the same approach as me . I take what I can afford to lose , then that is that but I do not back others only my lady and mil . Also get to eat in the buffet for free or complimentary but sure paid for it on the gambling losses . I used the casinos as entertainment and a few  times have walked away with 4 or 5 thousand baht win but mostly lose . The mil took the jackpot a few years ago , 400,000 baht but she must have given it back by now . 

I would think that the only farangs that use the casinos now , have probably visited Cambodia and coming back to Thailand . I will not pay the 1500 baht that the Thai I.O. want . Before covid it was 800 baht . Talk about shooting yourself in the foot .

[buick]

my ex-GF is from buriram.  her mom isn't in buriram anymore but she was there for at least a decade and she went to the casinos a couple times a week.  it was crazy.  she would beg for 500thb and that was all she needed.  she'd often have to borrow cash at the casino and leave her phone behind as collateral.  i gave her 500thb many times.  it was worth it to get her out of the way !!!  her and her friends would load up in a van and off they went.  she even spent the night there w/o a room, many times.  tough old lady !!!

[Bday Prang]

not sure if you have been and done it yet, I was there last week, 1500bt for cambodian visa and 300 baht to cambodian immigration for a same day return , you need 1 passport photo. You will get 30 days visa exempt. 

There are guys hanging round who will fill the forms in for you for 100 bt if you can't be bothered to fill them out yourself but to describe them as "agents" is stretching things a bit

once you have left Thailand bear to the right hand side for your visa (ist window) and entry stamp with 300bt fee (second window)  and then to the left hand side for the exit stamp

When returning to Thailand bear left (when facing Thailand) for the way back in ( they still use the old tm6 forms)

As another poster said its a really good border post, very laid back on both the Thai and Cambodian sides, I've also used it for years without any problems at all. 

Parking can be challenging, there is a carpark about 500m from the actual border and motorcycle taxis will take you up to the border, used to park in a carpark right at the checkpoint but they appear to have stopped that now. I get the mrs to drop me off there and phone her to pick me up when i return. Avoid weekends if possible as can be busy with casino visitors, but generally very quiet monday to friday

[Baz Erckens]

31 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

not sure if you have been and done it yet, I was there last week, 1500bt for cambodian visa and 300 baht to cambodian immigration for a same day return , you need 1 passport photo. You will get 30 days visa exempt. 

There are guys hanging round who will fill the forms in for you for 100 bt if you can't be bothered to fill them out yourself but to describe them as "agents" is stretching things a bit

once you have left Thailand bear to the right hand side for your visa (ist window) and entry stamp with 300bt fee (second window)  and then to the left hand side for the exit stamp

When returning to Thailand bear left (when facing Thailand) for the way back in ( they still use the old tm6 forms)

As another poster said its a really good border post, very laid back on both the Thai and Cambodian sides, I've also used it for years without any problems at all. 

Parking can be challenging, there is a carpark about 500m from the actual border and motorcycle taxis will take you up to the border, used to park in a carpark right at the checkpoint but they appear to have stopped that now. I get the mrs to drop me off there and phone her to pick me up when i return. Avoid weekends if possible as can be busy with casino visitors, but generally very quiet monday to friday

Thx for the 'guide'. I plan to go in August.

Btw, offtopic, or maybe I should start a new thread, any 'insider' tipps where to find girls (bars, brothels, anything) in Surin Town or surrounding area? ????

[Bday Prang]

1 hour ago, Baz Erckens said:

Thx for the 'guide'. I plan to go in August.

Btw, offtopic, or maybe I should start a new thread, any 'insider' tipps where to find girls (bars, brothels, anything) in Surin Town or surrounding area? ????

             Surin town center is a lively place plenty of bars in the town center around the Tongtarin hotel which is only 5 min from the bus station  Haven't had a night out their since before covid but there is a "tawandaeng" place with live music, always fun and often jam packed with totty many student types in there too. there's a whole strip of bars  in the same area some are owned and frequented by westerners, there even  used to be a couple of gogo bars too but I'm not sure if they reopened after covid

               You won't have to look hard to get a drink   there's a Thai saying  "bai surin gin surah tae mai dai gin surah mai dai bai surin"  if you go to surin drink alcohol, if you didn't drink then  you haven't really been to surin"  there is a bit of a drinking culture in surin which is quite well known in Thailand

      I don't really know of any actual brothels as such, I'm sure they exist but will be set up to cater for Thais ask a tuk tuk guy if you are looking. They will probably be more expensive than Pattaya though!

       Plenty of "massage" parlours / karaoke type places but they tend to come and go just look for the usual flashing fairy lights

        On the way to the border and about 25km from surin center is Prasat,  there's a few farang bars there and a few "happy endings to be had in the "meung mai" area, just outside the town center, which gets quite busy on a friday night

         And a bit of pay for play is available on the cambodian side of the border in O'smach just ask a taxi guy or one of the touts who will be offering to help you with your visa. They all speak pretty good english and will be only to willing to help, probably going to offer you some viagra anyway, they usually do 

            There is also the casinos  I never went in the casino but I've seen some nice looking girls going in there  Cambodian by the look of them (slightly bigger tits) 

             On the whole you can expect to have fun, and you may well get some more info if you start a new thread, 

[Baz Erckens]

8 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

             Surin town center is a lively place plenty of bars in the town center around the Tongtarin hotel which is only 5 min from the bus station  Haven't had a night out their since before covid but there is a "tawandaeng" place with live music, always fun and often jam packed with totty many student types in there too. there's a whole strip of bars  in the same area some are owned and frequented by westerners, there even  used to be a couple of gogo bars too but I'm not sure if they reopened after covid

               You won't have to look hard to get a drink   there's a Thai saying  "bai surin gin surah tae mai dai gin surah mai dai bai surin"  if you go to surin drink alcohol, if you didn't drink then  you haven't really been to surin"  there is a bit of a drinking culture in surin which is quite well known in Thailand

      I don't really know of any actual brothels as such, I'm sure they exist but will be set up to cater for Thais ask a tuk tuk guy if you are looking. They will probably be more expensive than Pattaya though!

       Plenty of "massage" parlours / karaoke type places but they tend to come and go just look for the usual flashing fairy lights

        On the way to the border and about 25km from surin center is Prasat,  there's a few farang bars there and a few "happy endings to be had in the "meung mai" area, just outside the town center, which gets quite busy on a friday night

         And a bit of pay for play is available on the cambodian side of the border in O'smach just ask a taxi guy or one of the touts who will be offering to help you with your visa. They all speak pretty good english and will be only to willing to help, probably going to offer you some viagra anyway, they usually do 

            There is also the casinos  I never went in the casino but I've seen some nice looking girls going in there  Cambodian by the look of them (slightly bigger tits) 

             On the whole you can expect to have fun, and you may well get some more info if you start a new thread, 

Thx, that is all great info. I think I might just start a new thread.

[Baz Erckens]

8 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

             Surin town center is a lively place plenty of bars in the town center around the Tongtarin hotel which is only 5 min from the bus station  Haven't had a night out their since before covid but there is a "tawandaeng" place with live music, always fun and often jam packed with totty many student types in there too. there's a whole strip of bars  in the same area some are owned and frequented by westerners, there even  used to be a couple of gogo bars too but I'm not sure if they reopened after covid

               You won't have to look hard to get a drink   there's a Thai saying  "bai surin gin surah tae mai dai gin surah mai dai bai surin"  if you go to surin drink alcohol, if you didn't drink then  you haven't really been to surin"  there is a bit of a drinking culture in surin which is quite well known in Thailand

      I don't really know of any actual brothels as such, I'm sure they exist but will be set up to cater for Thais ask a tuk tuk guy if you are looking. They will probably be more expensive than Pattaya though!

       Plenty of "massage" parlours / karaoke type places but they tend to come and go just look for the usual flashing fairy lights

        On the way to the border and about 25km from surin center is Prasat,  there's a few farang bars there and a few "happy endings to be had in the "meung mai" area, just outside the town center, which gets quite busy on a friday night

         And a bit of pay for play is available on the cambodian side of the border in O'smach just ask a taxi guy or one of the touts who will be offering to help you with your visa. They all speak pretty good english and will be only to willing to help, probably going to offer you some viagra anyway, they usually do 

            There is also the casinos  I never went in the casino but I've seen some nice looking girls going in there  Cambodian by the look of them (slightly bigger tits) 

             On the whole you can expect to have fun, and you may well get some more info if you start a new thread, 

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