Border run from Phuket trying to avoid minivans.

[Tim K]

Three of my friends went to KUL for a week trip, stamped out 23rd, returned 30th.
Thanks to my advice everyone got refundable return ticket to Russia ready, and everyone was asked for it.
They've been here since April 28th + 90 days.

One of them has been in Thailand only once before, in 2022 for 6 months (using covid extensions a few times).

So officers at HKT are still hunting for their prey, beware.

[BobDobbs]

Minivan to Hat Yai and then another to Butterworth. Enjoy the food and buildings. Return.

 

Trick with minivans is to take the Thai ones NOT the tourist ones.

 

The tourist minivans are often stuffed with people and on their last legs. No self-respecting tire whatever be expected to get into one of those jalopies

 

If you've no fear of entering via airport you can fly back from Penang to Phuket. By far enough ahead of time and these tickets are fairly cheap

[Katatonica]

28 minutes ago, BobDobbs said:

Minivan to Hat Yai and then another to Butterworth. Enjoy the food and buildings. Return.

 

Trick with minivans is to take the Thai ones NOT the tourist ones.

 

The tourist minivans are often stuffed with people and on their last legs. No self-respecting tire whatever be expected to get into one of those jalopies

 

If you've no fear of entering via airport you can fly back from Penang to Phuket. By far enough ahead of time and these tickets are fairly cheap

I've done all of these over the years: Penang the big ‘Thai’ buses are better (then change to taxi at Hat Yai) at least you can move around and there’s a toilet - not a very nice one but it’s there. And cheap.

Driven to Ranong a good few times, started off returning home same day but it’s a big day. Can stay in Ranong but last trip discovered Koh Phayam, ended up staying 4 nights, great place, no cars, like stepping back to the 80’s although it may have changed, was a while back. It’s just 30 minutes by speedboat from Ranong and there’s a cheap safe car park by the jetty. KL’s by far the easiest, but most boring.