1 hour ago, 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.

You also have to factor in the cost of a Cambodian visa.

Just to add how innocent a border run is, one of the passengers spoke perfect Thai so 3 of the assisting girl crew walked him hand in hand through the whole process, they were so impressed.

 

Didn't matter much though as he still had to wait for us illiterate heathens to get through before the van could leave 😀

26 minutes ago, kidneyw said:

You also have to factor in the cost of a Cambodian visa.

I've also heard that people trying to do it on their own can have trouble coming back to Thailand on the same day. The Cambodian border officials actively discourage them.

36 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Just embarrassing.

The sole reason I respond to some of your posts is to point out to others to not have any regard to your posts.

Look at replies to your posts in this thread and others along with emojis.

Not just mine.

 

 

You really think other people need your wisdom?

 

It seems your whole life revolves around this sub-forum. You reply to most of my posts within a few minutes. You really need to get out more or if you really have nothing better to do with your life, at least learn to disagree in a polite manner.

Just now, JensenZ said:

I've also heard that people trying to do it on their own can have trouble coming back to Thailand on the same day. The Cambodian border officials actively discourage them.

 

Yes, this has been the case for a long time. You used to be able to pay a 300 baht bribe to Cambodian officials for same-day re-entry but then there were reports last year of guys paying I recall 2,700 baht at the Thai side of the border for an agent to take their passport and do everything on the Cambodian side. It would be interesting to hear if there have been recent experiences of independent visa runs without paying for that "service".

4 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

You really need to get out more or if you really have nothing better to do with your life, at least learn to disagree in a polite manner.

I'm currently on Koh Samed after fireworks festival at Pattaya.

Actually just back from 2 trips to Vietnam and Oz in between.

I have no particular interest in your posts however have assisted you a few.

This threads is prime example of you side tracking OP and despite many negative replies from OTHERS you continue.

Stick to pub forum 

56 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

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?

 

You seem to have taken my posts way too personally. There's nothing wrong with my hygiene standards and I'm sure yours are fine. I'm just making the point that early morning visa runs are not for everyone, especially not in Pattaya which is known mainly for its nighlife.

1 minute ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

Yes, this has been the case for a long time. You used to be able to pay a 300 baht bribe to Cambodian officials for same-day re-entry but then there were reports last year of guys paying I recall 2,700 baht at the Thai side of the border for an agent to take their passport and do everything on the Cambodian side. It would be interesting to hear if there have been recent experiences of independent visa runs without paying for that "service".

You keep going on with all this rubbish about corruption and payoffs. 

 

This thread is simple, pay 3700 for a nice comfortable 6 seater van ride to get another Thai entry stamp, or don't. Your choice, no need to keep attacking everyone who thinks it's a nice easy solution 

Just now, DrJack54 said:

I'm currently on Koh Samed after fireworks festival at Pattaya.

Actually just back from 2 trips to Vietnam and Oz in between.

I have no particular interest in your posts however have assisted you a few.

This threads is prime example of you side tracking OP and despite many negative replies from OTHERS you continue.

Stick to pub forum 

 

None of your posts have been of any assistance to me at all.

 

There's nothing wrong with disagreeing with people as long as it's polite. Your replies to me are so constant and impolite that you are just stalking me so I am politely asking you to stop. I didn't reply to any of your post for a long time but it's become impossible to ignore you. Please respect my wishes and stop stalking me.

5 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

You keep going on with all this rubbish about corruption and payoffs. 

 

This thread is simple, pay 3700 for a nice comfortable 6 seater van ride to get another Thai entry stamp, or don't. Your choice, no need to keep attacking everyone who thinks it's a nice easy solution 

 

When have I attacked anyone? I agree, it's a personal choice but to make that choice you need to consider all the facts. What's your problem with that?

2 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

Please respect my wishes and stop stalking me.

On ignore.

One last request.

Stop polluting threads.

This thread prime example.

Even the OP has pointed this out.

Being ignorant of visa matters only gives so much slack.

9 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

You keep going on with all this rubbish about corruption and payoffs. 

 

This thread is simple, pay 3700 for a nice comfortable 6 seater van ride to get another Thai entry stamp, or don't. Your choice, no need to keep attacking everyone who thinks it's a nice easy solution 

He's got a bit of a bowel fetish, very strange. 

2 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

When have I attacked anyone? I agree, it's a personal choice but to make that choice you need to consider all the facts. What's your problem with that?

What's your point. Thread gives a 3700 solution to getting a comfortable and easy re-entry to Thailand, all legal.

 

You decide you need to say it's all illegal with corruption.  What's your problem?

10 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

Yes, this has been the case for a long time. You used to be able to pay a 300 baht bribe to Cambodian officials for same-day re-entry but then there were reports last year of guys paying I recall 2,700 baht at the Thai side of the border for an agent to take their passport and do everything on the Cambodian side. It would be interesting to hear if there have been recent experiences of independent visa runs without paying for that "service".

I would definitely prefer roughing it with 5 other people who haven't taken a shower or had a bowel movement than messing around with that LOL. You know the price - the job gets done - no unforeseen drama.

 

BTW, if they force or entice you to pay extra for what should be free, it's not a bribe. A bribe suggests the traveler is corrupt, and that's not the case here.

1 hour ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

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

 

Lots of people get up early and play golf in Pattaya all the time. Maybe its just the guys you knock around with who drink all night and dont wash when they wake up.

7 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

I don't have a problem. Do you? Thailand is a corrupt country where it's very common to pay tea money to "expedite" a process as you have done. If that's your choice fine but let's be honest about it. Why does that upset you so much?

Mainly because you're a person who sprouts nonsense about everything in Thailand is corrupt without understanding any of it. Why are you even commenting in this thread?

 

Isn't there a rule about someone purposely derailing a thread with their own beliefs? Go away and make everyone happy for it

3 hours ago, 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.

I almost did the run the op is referring to years ago. It was so pricey that I flew to Siem Reap from Bangkok instead and made a vacation out of it. Airfares were probably cheaper then.

 

I'm not one of those guys that needs to be back in Soi 6 that evening.

 

I think that's one of the reasons I eventually ended up living in Cambodia later on. It also helped get me out of Pattaya as a newbie which was probably a good thing looking back on it.

12 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Mainly because you're a person who sprouts nonsense about everything in Thailand is corrupt without understanding any of it. Why are you even commenting in this thread?

 

Isn't there a rule about someone purposely derailing a thread with their own beliefs? Go away and make everyone happy for it

 

You've misrepresented what I wrote. I said Thailand is a corrupt country which is widely regarded to be the case. See for example the Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International. That's not the same as saying "everything in Thailand is corrupt". What have I misunderstood exactly.

 

Why am I commenting? Well, I'm replying to your replies. If you stop replying, I'll have nothing to reply to. This is the way a discussion forum works. I'm not "derailing" the thread, I'm just replying to you. If you don't want me to do that, why on earth do you keep replying to me?

5 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

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 

I wrote this about last year, you can get a service bus from Pattaya to Bangkok Ekama bus station on Sukhumvit, or road or Morchit  Northen bus terminal, then another service bus down to Aranyaprathet, then best way is a motorcycle taxi down to the border, then have lunch may be a late one, then do the return journey.

It might be longer in time than a minibus, but you should be able to do the whole journey for 1000-12000 baht, for service bus information call the call center 1490.

16 minutes ago, kickstart said:

I wrote this about last year, you can get a service bus from Pattaya to Bangkok Ekama bus station on Sukhumvit, or road or Morchit  Northen bus terminal, then another service bus down to Aranyaprathet, then best way is a motorcycle taxi down to the border, then have lunch may be a late one, then do the return journey.

It might be longer in time than a minibus, but you should be able to do the whole journey for 1000-12000 baht, for service bus information call the call center 1490.

Silly idea. Ignore this post. 

Also you have mentioned the worst possible border crossing to deal with.

 

Everyone should ignore this advice.

The OP posted correct advice from Pattaya to Cambodia border.

Also using company is sound advice.

 

23 minutes ago, kickstart said:

I wrote this about last year, you can get a service bus from Pattaya to Bangkok Ekama bus station on Sukhumvit, or road or Morchit  Northen bus terminal, then another service bus down to Aranyaprathet, then best way is a motorcycle taxi down to the border, then have lunch may be a late one, then do the return journey.

It might be longer in time than a minibus, but you should be able to do the whole journey for 1000-12000 baht, for service bus information call the call center 1490.

"It might be longer in time" is an understatement. Including the wait for the next buses at Pattaya North and Ekamai Stations, you've killed at least 6 hours already and possibly more, the total return trip time of the border run from Pattaya... and you're still only in BKK.

30 minutes ago, kickstart said:

I wrote this about last year, you can get a service bus from Pattaya to Bangkok Ekama bus station on Sukhumvit, or road or Morchit  Northen bus terminal, then another service bus down to Aranyaprathet, then best way is a motorcycle taxi down to the border, then have lunch may be a late one, then do the return journey.

It might be longer in time than a minibus, but you should be able to do the whole journey for 1000-12000 baht, for service bus information call the call center 1490.

 

You've conveniently left out the cost of the visa for Cambodia that most nationalities require. Add another 1000+ baht for that, maybe another 300 baht for Cambodia's immigration to allow you to exit without staying overnight.

 

Once you've done that, you're then facing Thailand's worst land border for border bounces at Aranyaprathet. Depending on your history, they might well refuse to let you back in.

 

Sounds like pretty much the worst plan possible to me.

A better look at the seat. If you get one of the back two they lay almost flat so sleeping was very easy

12 hours ago, kickstart said:

I wrote this about last year, you can get a service bus from Pattaya to Bangkok Ekama bus station on Sukhumvit, or road or Morchit  Northen bus terminal, then another service bus down to Aranyaprathet, then best way is a motorcycle taxi down to the border, then have lunch may be a late one, then do the return journey.

It might be longer in time than a minibus, but you should be able to do the whole journey for 1000-12000 baht, for service bus information call the call center 1490.

More adventurous
Rent a motorcycle: head to Chanthaburi, than north to Pong Nam Ron, cross there ( voa for Cambodia $30) and back. there and back in a day 

 

15 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

 

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)

 

It depends where you go. It's a while now but I did ME visa for 6 years and went to Ban Laem as the Pattaya mini buses went to Ban Pakard. Can't ever remember having to wait to get stamped out,usually straight to the window. Passport & 200 baht to the guy at the table, 20 minutes in duty free and back into Thailand within half hour. Got held up a bit one time coming back in, IO asked my wife to help her put some carpets in the back of her car.

 

which border point did you use?

 

i have a mate on a multiple entry doing a border bounce from bangkok and heard the aranyapraphet/poipet border may be dodgy?

44 minutes ago, it is what it is said:

which border point did you use?

 

i have a mate on a multiple entry doing a border bounce from bangkok and heard the aranyapraphet/poipet border may be dodgy?

I honestly have no clue what the border place was called? I did take a screen shot on the way if that helps, but probably not lol

 

Edit: it had a casino hotel right on border

 

22 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

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

 

 

Anyone know what's the deal with the single & double entry tourist visas they are offering in Cambodia? I thought double entry tourist visas were all done & dusted so many years ago when the METV came into effect:

 

 

2 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

Anyone know what's the deal with the single & double entry tourist visas they are offering in Cambodia? I thought double entry tourist visas were all done & dusted so many years ago when the METV came into effect:

 

 

This is a cut & paste from their website:

 

TOURIST VISA

MONDAYS

Single Entry: 8,500 Bt All Inclusive

Double Entry: 9,500 Bt All Inclusive

Day one

• 0330Hrs Pick up from your hotel
• 0600Hrs Arrive Cambodian Border
• 0700 Hrs Check in hotel
• Our agents processes your passport & visa application

 

Day Two

• 1700 Hrs - 1730 Hrs Check out hotel
• 1800 Hrs Collect passport with visa
• 2100 Hrs - 2200 Hrs Depart for Pattaya with drop off at your hotel.

30 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

I honestly have no clue what the border place was called?

 

What does it say on your entry stamp? In the case of Ban Laem or Ban Pakkard, it would be "Pong Nam Ron".