Visa Agencies vs. Self-Service Border Runs – Is There a Real Benefit?

[driveout]

Hello everyone,

I’m curious about the services visa agencies provide during a border bounce from Thailand to Cambodia and back. Last time, I used an agency and paid 3500 baht. However, after arriving at the border, I noticed that I had to go through the same process as everyone else: waiting in line, getting a number, and following the usual procedure. The van driver didn’t offer any special assistance beyond simply telling us where to line up, do these agencies prebook me in some kind of separate system, or am I on a special list they have connections with at the border?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining—I’m just genuinely wondering what exactly the agencies do that justifies the additional cost. If I did the process on my own, I believe it might cost around 2000 baht.

For sure, traveling in a comfortable van for a round trip is nice, but I can’t help but wonder how much it would cost to travel the cheapest way. For example, taking a bus from Bangkok to Pattaya costs only 130 baht, and that’s about a 3-hour ride covering 150 kilometers. The distance from Pattaya to the Cambodian border is around 250 kilometers, so I can’t imagine the cost being that much more.

I’d really appreciate some insight from those with experience on whether it’s worth using an agency or if handling the process solo is just as efficient.

Thanks in advance, and have a great day!

[raz0r21]

You can try by yourself, but I would not recommend it. The fee you pay is to make sure that you are pre-cleared and not hassled by immigration - before you even arrive at the border. They also mark your TM6 card with the Visa agency service sticker, and usually have you wear a little sign on your clothes that identify you as part of the group. 

 

If you want to do it yourself it is of course possible, but you might have issues returning the same day. They could ask you to stay in Cambodia a few nights, or you might be questioned if you have a long history of visa exempts/tourist visas in your passport. In the absolute worst case you will not be let back in at that border, and then you have to try to make your way back through another one. Not a fun time. 

[DrJack54]

OP, very good first reply above.

To add, it can depend on what stamp (status) you have in pp.

Many just having a visa exempt stamp and looking for another visa exempt entry.

Some having an extension or non O expiring and want another 60 days.

 

For me the advice would be to use a minivan border run company (agent) 

[Phillip9]

 

Many border crossings are now requiring people to stay a night or two outside of Thailand before allowing them to return if they don't use an agency.  The agency likely pays some extra "fees" at the border so you can do a same day bounce.

 

So best to either just continue using the agency if you want a same day bounce, or go somewhere you can take a mini holiday and spend a few days outside of Thailand before returning.

[Tod Daniels]

As people said, the real benefit is you get OUT and BACK without having to stay in the other country for as many days as the thai border guards say, without having to show proof you're leaving the country in 60 days (which more and more borders are asking for if you come in free stamp) and without having to show proof of lodging (another thing that borders are starting to ask for when people come in free stamp)

The services that bounce you out and back have "pre-greased" the wheels (the border knows your passport, nationality, etc BEFORE you get there as the service sends it to them) 

Of course you still have to "go thru the process"; stamp out of thailand, go to the cambodian side, get the visa stuck in, stamp in and out of cambodia then come back to thailand to stamp in. 
BUT
You did it without any issues and that's what you pay the service for