Border run Pattaya to Cambodia

[Pattaya57]

I needed another 30 days so I looked around for a van running to Cambodia and back. I found 9 seater vans for 3000 but went with a much more comfortable 6 seater van for 3700. Price was all inclusive so nothing else to pay (even lunch on way back was free)

 

Agent asked to only see passport. They said no need for onward travels or hotel booking in Thailand so that was cool. They took a photocopy of passport and had me sign the two blank TM6 departure/arrival cards. They then filled out all paperwork and sorted the Cambodia visa when at border.

 

Pick up was 05:40, arrived at border at 09:10 after 15 minute break half way. Took 2 hours to get through immigrations and then back to Pattaya by 2:40 (lunch half way)

 

I was a bit worried due to many reports of dangerous minivans but this was a pretty relaxed day with sleep easy in the reclined "business class" seats. Good safe driver and good roads. 

 

For background history, I just completed 90 days on Tourist visa (60 + 30 extension) so this will make 150 days straight with the 30 exempt + 30 extension. I also had 75 days earlier this year.

 

Another passenger did his 3rd visa exempt back to back (1 Air and 2 Land) so he will end up doing 180 days straight without staying 1 day out of Thailand 

[vangrop]

  On 11/27/2023 at 6:35 AM, Pattaya57 said:

Another passenger did his 3rd visa exempt back to back (1 Air and 2 Land) so he will end up doing 180 days straight without staying 1 day out of Thailand 

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but he lost 1 day travelling

[vangrop]

  On 11/27/2023 at 6:35 AM, Pattaya57 said:

Pick up was 05:40, arrived at border at 09:10 after 15 minute break half way. Took 2 hours to get through immigrations and then back to Pattaya by 2:40 (lunch half way)

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Honestly leaving 05.40, you had to wake up so early or maybe didn't sleep. what a <deleted>ty organization

[Pattaya57]

  On 11/27/2023 at 6:46 AM, vangrop said:

Honestly leaving 05.40, you had to wake up so early or maybe didn't sleep. what a <deleted>ty organization

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All vans I looked at did pick-ups between 05:30 and 06:00. I preferred it so that back in Pattaya around 2:30 pm so not missing much.

[JimTripper]

Don't do evening or late night minivan trips. I had one where the driver was nodding off at the wheel. I think sometimes it's not just one trip, rather they drive back and forth.

[Pattaya57]

  On 11/27/2023 at 6:52 AM, JimTripper said:

Don't do evening or late night minivan trips. I had one where the driver was nodding off at the wheel.

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Why would anyone do a late night border run?

[JimTripper]

  On 11/27/2023 at 6:53 AM, Pattaya57 said:

Why would anyone do a late night border run?

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I have no idea, sorry 🤷🏻‍♂️

[d4dang]

So you liked the service but you do not name the company.  Who are they?

[DrJack54]

  On 11/27/2023 at 7:10 AM, d4dang said:

So you liked the service but you do not name the company.  Who are they?

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Was a positive report.

Name company good idea. 

[Pattaya57]

  On 11/27/2023 at 7:10 AM, d4dang said:

So you liked the service but you do not name the company.  Who are they?

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I wasn't sure if allowed. It was 1st Class Visa Runs that operate out of Queen Vic on soi 6

 

My mate told me about it as there's no advertising out front of Queen Vic that I could see and I had to ask bar staff. She has a desk in the back corner

 

[Pattaya57]

This was my first border run so I had to laugh when I finished my entry to Cambodia and literally moved to the next window less than 5 metres away to exit Camboda 😀

[edwardandtubs]

I don't know why people don't just rent a car and go there themselves. It works out cheaper than 3,700, you set your own hours and it's a lot more comfortable.

[Pattaya57]

  On 11/27/2023 at 9:48 AM, edwardandtubs said:

I don't know why people don't just rent a car and go there themselves. It works out cheaper than 3,700, you set your own hours and it's a lot more comfortable.

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First not more comfortable when somone else is driving and I'm in a very comfortable leather reclined seat sleeping.

 

Another reason is that they process each van group as one. We were all given the same number tag to clip on our shirt. All 4 Immigrations points then called each number to proceed in line. I saw people with no number being asked to step aside. Also agent processed Cambodia Visa, we did nothing but wait to be handed our passport

 

Unless 3700 is considered expensive to you. I mean a 30 day extension is 1900 baht so not much more and how much is the rental car and fuel (it's 37 baht a litre so fuel at least 1000 baht)

 

[PJ71]

  On 11/27/2023 at 9:48 AM, edwardandtubs said:

I don't know why people don't just rent a car and go there themselves. It works out cheaper than 3,700, you set your own hours and it's a lot more comfortable.

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The only reason i can think of is the mini bus company has contacts at the border that fast track you thru?

[DrJack54]

  On 11/27/2023 at 9:48 AM, edwardandtubs said:

I don't know why people don't just rent a car and go there themselves. It works out cheaper than 3,700, you set your own hours and it's a lot more comfortable.

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The OP posted what suited him.

Seems reasonable deal imo especially with pick up.

I have a car and would still consider a service as outlined in the OP. 

To each their own. 

[edwardandtubs]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:04 AM, PJ71 said:

The only reason i can think of is the mini bus company has contacts at the border that fast track you thru?

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Any people feel happy encouraging corruption in this way?

[edwardandtubs]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:03 AM, Pattaya57 said:

 

First not more comfortable when somone else is driving and I'm in a very comfortable leather reclined seat sleeping.

 

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To each his own. Sharing a small van with 7 other people (6 customers + the driver and agent?) doesn't sound very comfortable to me, especially not at 5 am when no one has had time to empty their bowels and shower.

[Pattaya57]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:18 AM, edwardandtubs said:

 

Any people feel happy encouraging corruption in this way?

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This is why I didn't want to post agent name and have the usual agent BS. Please read my post 5 above this. No corruption just easing the process by doing stuff for us.

 

Corruption would be if we illegally crossed the border and came back somehow. In this case just normal process expedited and simplified

[DrJack54]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:20 AM, edwardandtubs said:

 

To each his own. Sharing a small van with 8 other people (plus the driver and agent?) doesn't sound very comfortable to me, especially not at 5 am when no one has had time to empty their bowels and shower.

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What are you banging on about.

 

MANY folk take minivan for border bounce. 

Especially Pattaya to Cambodia.

Obviously many do not have cars or simply prefer a company to provide a complete service.

 

The OP outline a very positive experience (for him).

Others can use that option or not. 

[DrJack54]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:18 AM, edwardandtubs said:

 

Any people feel happy encouraging corruption in this way?

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Your posts are ridiculous.

How is this corruption.

Please explain.

It's a border run.

You still need to be stamped out of Thailand and back in.

Your knowledge of visa matters is extremely limited. 

[impulse]

Great to hear a positive review about the driving habits and skills. 

 

My experience with mini vans has been so bad that I avoid them like the plague.  But that's probably the difference between well run visa runs catering to foreigners (with fixed seating) and a mini van that caters to locals where they pack the van at the origin then stop along the way to pack it even tighter.  The first time I took one (Kanchanaburi to BKK) was so bad I thought it had to be a fluke.  My 2nd trip was the last time I ever set my butt into a kamikaze van.  It was as every bit as bad as the first.  Glad to hear there's a comfortable visa run option.

 

 

[Pattaya57]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:20 AM, edwardandtubs said:

To each his own. Sharing a small van with 7 other people (6 customers + the driver and agent?) doesn't sound very comfortable to me, especially not at 5 am when no one has had time to empty their bowels and shower.

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Why on earth would you not have time to empty your bowels or have a shower for a 0530 pick-up? Do you not do that on early flights too

 

There were 6 people in van in airline equivalent business class seats, plus driver. All agent help was provided by a crew of people at the border.  So pretty comfortable drive if you are capable of emptying your bowels and having a shower before you leave 😉

[roo860]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:20 AM, edwardandtubs said:

 

To each his own. Sharing a small van with 7 other people (6 customers + the driver and agent?) doesn't sound very comfortable to me, especially not at 5 am when no one has had time to empty their bowels and shower.

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Ridiculous reply, you go around checking if people have moved their bowels? Weird. 

[edwardandtubs]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:22 AM, Pattaya57 said:

This is why I didn't want to post agent name and have the usual agent BS. Please read my post 5 above this. No corruption just easing the process by doing stuff for us.

 

Corruption would be if we illegally crossed the border and came back somehow. In this case just normal process expedited and simplified

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And why do you think it is "expedited"? You think the agent and the immigration officials who let you jump the queue (or in your words asked others "to step aside") are just good mates or something? Clearly the agent is bribing the immigration officials.

[edwardandtubs]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:32 AM, DrJack54 said:

Your posts are ridiculous.

 

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Why are you constantly stalking me with comments like this? It seems most of my posts on this forum get a reply like this from you. If you don't like my posts, fine ignore them. I don't value your opinion at all and if you don't value mine, is it not better if we just ignore each other?

[Pattaya57]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:54 AM, edwardandtubs said:

 

And why do you think it is "expedited"? You think the agent and the immigration officials who let you jump the queue (or in your words asked others "to step aside") are just good mates or something? Clearly the agent is bribing the immigration officials.

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Every van has a group number and are processed accordingly (felt like 99% of people). Suggest you go after 11:30 when all the vans have left to go back to Pattaya

[edwardandtubs]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:56 AM, Pattaya57 said:

Every van has a group number and are processed accordingly (felt like 99% of people). Suggest you go after 11:30 when all the vans have left to go back to Pattaya

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Maybe but these vans are in fact paying bribes to immigration officials. Do you really think they would let them run this service without taking their cut?

[edwardandtubs]

  On 11/27/2023 at 10:35 AM, Pattaya57 said:

Why on earth would you not have time to empty your bowels or have a shower for a 0530 pick-up? Do you not do that on early flights too

 

There were 6 people in van in airline equivalent business class seats, plus driver. All agent help was provided by a crew of people at the border.  So pretty comfortable drive if you are capable of emptying your bowels and having a shower before you leave 😉

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Great to hear about the immaculate hygiene standards and propensity for early morning starts among Pattaya residents these days.

[Pattaya57]

  On 11/27/2023 at 11:01 AM, edwardandtubs said:

 

Great to hear about the immaculate hygiene standards and propensity for early morning starts among Pattaya residents these days.

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Maybe you should be more worried about your own hygiene standards since you don't seem able to have a crap or shower before 5am?

[roo860]

  On 11/27/2023 at 11:01 AM, edwardandtubs said:

 

Great to hear about the immaculate hygiene standards and propensity for early morning starts among Pattaya residents these days.

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You OK hun? 😆