Visa run from Bangkok: do and don't

[Caldera]

19 minutes ago, norbra said:

Air Asia x BKK KUL BKK 3000THB If you are looking for returning visa exempt.

Dep Suv 2pm return 10am next day

 

Airport immigration at Suvarnabhumi won't be happy about such an OUT-IN "bounce".

 

They probably tolerate it for someone who doesn't have a lot of history of staying in Thailand as a tourist, but it would be a risky thing to try for anyone who does.

[impulse]

On 6/12/2024 at 1:57 PM, DrJack54 said:

Fly Bangkok to Udon Thani and short run to friendship bridge. 

 

Out of curiosity, is that any cheaper than flying out of the country and flying back in?  It's been awhile since I flew anywhere domestic, but I recall domestic flights inside Thailand were often more expensive than nearby int'l flights.  I always figured that was because of competition with int'l airlines.

 

 

[DrJack54]

49 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Out of curiosity, is that any cheaper than flying out of the country and flying back in?  It's been awhile since I flew anywhere domestic, but I recall domestic flights inside Thailand were often more expensive than nearby int'l flights.  I always figured that was because of competition with int'l airlines.

 

 

The suggestion I made re flying was down to OP ruling out minivans and also stated BKK to Udon Thani was too expensive. (It's under 2k return) 

For folk without  significant recent history in Thailand, I often suggest mini holiday to Saigon.

The OP stated that his plan was to go to Da Nang.

Don't know why changed that plan. 

The OP favours train.

The fastest express train to Nong Khai is approx 9hrs one way. More than flight BKK to Melb Oz

No Thanks

[jednakropka]

On 6/12/2024 at 12:31 PM, Tod Daniels said:

Just curious when you last did this bargain basement, I'll bounce myself run to Aranyaprathet/Poipet?
I usually get a couple messages a week from people stuck on the Cambo side who got denied entry comin' back in at that border. AND they hadn't used their two entries a year, by land, OR had extensive entry/stay histories

 

 

 

Would you be so kind to reply my question as you seem to know this topic very well, unfortunately I cannot say the same thing to some people who reply here to others.

I have history of staying longer in Thailand on tourist visas, though I have a new passport (only visit to Lao).

Never overstayed, never was denied entry but I were stopped twice in the past for a talk (once at Aranyaprathet 6 years ago)
 I am going to stay in Siem Reap for 10 days and then return to Thailand  
I have Multiple Entry Thai Visa now.
May I have a problem at Aranyaprathet/ Poipet ?
I was also thinking about Don Muang but I am not sure it's better. I think they have similar reputation.

 

 

 

[Phillip9]

On 6/13/2024 at 3:04 PM, DrJack54 said:

The fastest express train to Nong Khai is approx 9hrs one way. More than flight BKK to Melb Oz

No Thanks

 

There is a comfortable overnight ac sleeper on that route.  I've done it.  It's really not so bad.  I'd much prefer it to any mini van border run from bangkok.

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

 

There is a comfortable overnight ac sleeper on that route.  I've done it.  It's really not so bad.  I'd much prefer it to any mini van border run from bangkok.

To each their own.

I wouldn't do either.

From Bangkok I would choose flight to Udon Thani.

 

Off topic: can you consume alcohol on train you mention?

I'm aware that it was banned on line Bangkok to hua Hin 

 

[Phillip9]

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

can you consume alcohol on train you mention?

Sorry, I'm not sure about that.

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

16 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

can you consume alcohol on train you mention?

Sorry, I'm not sure about that.

 

Alcohol on Thailands Railways was banned in 2014 after the assault and murder of a 13 year old girl on a train by a drunk railway employee.

 

This month the SRT proposed the idea to reintroduce alcohol on trains.

 

 

So... in answer to your question - officially no, alcohol is not permitted on trains in Thailand.

 

Realistically, you should be ok to take your own on the train, just be discrete.

 

We were going to have a 'lads and Dads trip up to Chiang Mai... Train up, do a trek...  then fly back a few days later...    I wasn't planning on doing that train journey without a night-cap !!.. 

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

I wasn't planning on doing that train journey without a night-cap

Yes, I recall that very sad event in2014.

Of course in places such as Japan...

(Shinkansen) Bullet trains you can chill with a drink + food.

 

Back to thread ....thinking the options all covered and discussed.

[ultramarine]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes, I recall that very sad event in2014.

Of course in places such as Japan...

(Shinkansen) Bullet trains you can chill with a drink + food.

 

Back to thread ....thinking the options all covered and discussed.

Aside from Aranyaprathet, would you still say that land borders are a safer bet than flying into DMK or BKK?  I have to do a second consecutive visa exempt entry early in the New Year and am weighing the relative benefits of Udon and VTE (or Nakhon Phanom and Thakek) vs. a visa run service to the Cambo border. 

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

am weighing the relative benefits of Udon and VTE (or Nakhon Phanom and Thakek) vs. a visa run service to the Cambo border. 

Where are you located.

Assume Bangkok? 

[ultramarine]

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Where are you located.

Assume Bangkok? 

Actually in Chachoengsao so easy trip to BKK or Pattaya

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

Actually in Chachoengsao so easy trip to BKK or Pattaya

In that case a border bounce to Cambodia would be good option.

One option would be mini break.

Go to Pattaya and combine a visit to Pattaya with minivan company.

Here is good report: 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1312731-border-run-pattaya-to-cambodia/

[ultramarine]

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

In that case a border bounce to Cambodia would be good option.

One option would be mini break.

Go to Pattaya and combine a visit to Pattaya with minivan company.

Here is good report: 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1312731-border-run-pattaya-to-cambodia/

Cheers.  Thanks Jack.  So I gather there is greater risk doing the DIY land border crossing at Vientaine or Nakhon Phanom.  I was hoping to combine the DIY border bounce with a visit to a buddy who lives near the border up there.  Oh well.  It could be a separate trip. 

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

Cheers.  Thanks Jack.  So I gather there is greater risk doing the DIY land border crossing at Vientaine or Nakhon Phanom.  I was hoping to combine the DIY border bounce with a visit to a buddy who lives near the border up there.  Oh well.  It could be a separate trip. 

I was not aware of that.

 

If using Nong Khai friendship bridge I'm not aware of any issue there without "agent=minivan  to bounce same day.

@Tod Daniels is in the loop with current situation border bounces. 

[ultramarine]

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I was not aware of that.

 

If using Nong Khai friendship bridge I'm not aware of any issue there without "agent=minivan) " to bounce same day.

@Tod Daniels is in the loop with current situation border bounces. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good to know.  I'd be happy doing the Patttaya visa run option but just wondering about possibility of DIY without an agent if doing consecutive 60-day visa exemptions.  My preference would be to go up to Isaan and cross a friendship bridge on my own.   In theory, there shouldn't be a problem since they are now "unlimited" but in practice who knows.  Thanks again. I'll get in touch with Tod Daniels.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

My preference would be to go up to Isaan and cross a friendship bridge on my own

Don't think you will have an issue.

Just one person's opinion...I would do the bounce to Cambodia as per my previous post.

If flying to Udon Thani for bounce at friendship bridge that would also be good option. 

[ultramarine]

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't think you will have an issue.

Just one person's opinion...I would do the bounce to Cambodia as per my previous post.

If flying to Udon Thani for bounce at friendship bridge that would also be good option. 

Thanks I appreciate your knowledge.  So there are vans at the Udon Thani airport that only go as far as the bridge and then turnaround and go back to UT?

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

Thanks I appreciate your knowledge.  So there are vans at the Udon Thani airport that only go as far as the bridge and then turnaround and go back to UT?

There are vans at Udon Thani  airport but that's just transport to friendship bridge.

 

The issue is they wait for van to fill.

 

A taxi airport to bar area Udon Thani just behind Centra Plaza is option for mini break.

Minivans leave regularly from front Central plaza to Nong Khai. 

 

[Caldera]

11 hours ago, ultramarine said:

My preference would be to go up to Isaan and cross a friendship bridge on my own.

 

The busiest Friendship Bridge is the one linking Nong Khai to Vientiane, and many people have been doing border bounces there without any issues. That's probably the easiest and most convenient one for a DIY border bounce, as there are so many transport options (trains, busses, flights to Udon Thani).

[jednakropka]

On 6/12/2024 at 12:38 PM, Tod Daniels said:

I tell you that Aranyaprathet/ Poipet border was bad BEFORE the countries closed during covid and since that border re-opened it's only gotten worse. 

It's so bad even border run companies that lug foreigners to the border every day will not use that crossing.

 

Which borders (Thailand / Cambodia)  usually use visa run companies?

 

 

[Caldera]

27 minutes ago, jednakropka said:

Which borders (Thailand / Cambodia)  usually use visa run companies?

 

Ban Laem and Ban Pakkard.

[jednakropka]

19 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

Ban Laem and Ban Pakkard.

 

Thank you.

Is Chom Chong still good for DIY visa run?

[Caldera]

2 minutes ago, jednakropka said:

Thank you.

Is Chom Chong still good for DIY visa run?

 

Yes. It's definitely one of the friendliest border crossings. Too out of the way to be overrun with border bouncers, which makes it pleasantly relaxed.

[jednakropka]

22 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

Yes. It's definitely one of the friendliest border crossings. Too out of the way to be overrun with border bouncers, which makes it pleasantly relaxed.

 

Thank you very much.

Usually when visa run companies go through a specific boarder it usually means there are many ways to "reach an agreement " there even if someone does visa run on its own and has a problem..

They already became accustomed to..

 

If you don't mind may I ask you last question.

If going from Siem Reap to Chiang Mai through Don Muang I  guess I still will go through the inner immigration check point at Don Muang (no Chiang Mai) and that immigration will not be any more friendlier than the one we deal when we end our travel in DM airport.

 

 

 

 

 

[Caldera]

5 minutes ago, jednakropka said:

If going from Siem Reap to Chiang Mai through Don Muang I  guess I still will go through the inner immigration check point at Don Muang (no Chiang Mai) and that immigration will not be any more friendlier than the one we deal when we end our travel in DM airport.

 

Yes, if you transfer planes at Don Mueang coming from Siem Reap, you will need to clear immigration at Don Mueang Airport. Not recommended if you've spent a lot of time in Thailand visa exempt or on tourist visas.

[thai006]

3 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

Yes, if you transfer planes at Don Mueang coming from Siem Reap, you will need to clear immigration at Don Mueang Airport. Not recommended if you've spent a lot of time in Thailand visa exempt or on tourist visas.

i'm planning to go to da nang for one week , and i want to come back on a 60 days exempt

i leave thailand this year in march and i came back on 2 November   do you think i will have problem when i back in don muang ??

thank you 

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, thai006 said:

i leave thailand this year in march and i came back on 2 November   do you think i will have problem when i back in don muang ??

Clarify.

You returned to Thailand Nov 2.

Meaning more than 7 months out of Thailand back to March.

So your current permission of stay stamp it to ~jan 2 next year? 

Then you plan an exit and reenter visa air. Is that the plan? 

[Upnotover]

19 minutes ago, thai006 said:

i'm planning to go to da nang for one week , and i want to come back on a 60 days exempt

i leave thailand this year in march and i came back on 2 November   do you think i will have problem when i back in don muang ??

thank you 

I think no problem but you probably will need an onward ticket out of Thailand within 60 days when checking in in Danang.

[jednakropka]

On 11/23/2024 at 7:42 PM, Upnotover said:

I think no problem but you probably will need an onward ticket out of Thailand within 60 days when checking in in Danang.

 

Since you can extend this visa by 30 days can an onward ticket be within 90 days?