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

[black tabby12345]

As long as the current relaxed visa waiver scheme goes on, not much point to spend extra money on the broker.

 

In the past, I have relied on those agents a few times though.

After September 2006, Thai immigration started to become much less friendly toward the long term visa-waiver(visa run) expats. Saying no continuous stay more than 90 days out of 180 in a year(in case of visa-free entrants).

 

Then a lot of peoples started to switch to Tourist Visa(from Thai embassy in the neighboring countries).

Eventually, Thai embassies started to limit the numbers of the Tr Visas they issue to one foreigner.

I actually know someone who got No More Tourist Visa To You Stamp on his passport back in 2013.

 

And it turned even worse after military takeover in the summer of 2014.

Visa-waiver entry was allowed only Twice in One  Calendar Year.

They also started to demand additional papers to apply for the Tr Visa at their embassies as well(return ticket, hotel reservation etc).

That practice went on till the end of its regime in 2023.

 

Compared to the 2008-2023 period, their visa policy changed completely as you can see today...

 

[raz0r21]

4 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

 

Compared to the 2008-2023 period, their visa policy changed completely as you can see today...

 

 

That is true, but nowadays the land borders have been tightening up a lot. Many of them require overnight stays, or even two night stays outside of Thailand before you can re-enter. With a visa agent you don't need to worry about this requirement, or any other new "rules" they come up with. 

[DrJack54]

2 hours ago, raz0r21 said:

That is true, but nowadays the land borders have been tightening up a lot. Many of them require overnight stays, or even two night stays outside of Thailand before you can re-enter

Along with reports of some io asking for flight out of Thailand within 60 days and accommodation details.

Not long ago some people shouting from rooftops the new "Unlimited" land border entries.

Perhaps not so Rosey now

[black tabby12345]

8 hours ago, raz0r21 said:

 

That is true, but nowadays the land borders have been tightening up a lot. Many of them require overnight stays, or even two night stays outside of Thailand before you can re-enter. With a visa agent you don't need to worry about this requirement, or any other new "rules" they come up with. 

 

Hello, I read your reply.

Thanks for your updated info.

So do they started  to ask the border hoppers to stay outside this kingdom for 1-2 days, before their visa-waiver re-entry(by land)  is allowed?

Even though I don't need to do any more  visa-run(after I got retirement Non-O), I felt the current situation very interesting.

Hope you can continue to enjoy your hassle-free stay here.

Have a good day.

[raz0r21]

15 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

Hello, I read your reply.

Thanks for your updated info.

So do they started  to ask the border hoppers to stay outside this kingdom for 1-2 days, before their visa-waiver re-entry(by land)  is allowed?

Even though I don't need to do any more  visa-run(after I got retirement Non-O), I felt the current situation very interesting.

Hope you can continue to enjoy your hassle-free stay here.

Have a good day.

 

Some borders require this now, but not all. My guess it will keep expanding though, probably to stop people doing visa runs by themselves to stay in Thailand. Best to use a visa service to avoid problems, even if it comes with a cost. 

[Kinok Farang]

Border bounces are an excellent way to explore other countries for a change.

Going to the border and back in one day is like having toothache,a real pain.

Do it yourself and stay in the country a few days and treat it as a few days break.

[CLW]

1 hour ago, Kinok Farang said:

Border bounces are an excellent way to explore other countries for a change.

Going to the border and back in one day is like having toothache,a real pain.

Do it yourself and stay in the country a few days and treat it as a few days break.

But still, that isn't a guarantee you can enter Thailand without any problems. These agencies send a photo of your passport to the relevant border points and clear you before taking the border run.

[norsurin]

I used a visa agent during the covid period..the agent picked up my passport at my hotel..i paid cash 5000 baht and afrer few days my passport was returned with new stanps andl 60 days more.

A friend of me contacted the same visa agent in December last year for a 60 day exemption andl now they asked 50.000 Bahr.Crazy!!!!I wil cross the border myselv andl not pay this greedy agents.

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, norsurin said:

I used a visa agent during the covid period..the agent picked up my passport at my hotel..i paid cash 5000 baht and afrer few days my passport was returned with new stanps andl 60 days more.

Would suggest to anyone reading this post I quoted to never consider doing that. 

Granted was common place MANY years ago.

HIGHLY illegal.

Even with a minivan border run with agent you will still physically cross the border and be stamped out etc..

[NoshowJones]

On 1/14/2025 at 2:26 AM, driveout said:

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!

I remember doing the border run before the Chinese virus and it costs around 2000bt. I have always wondered how it now costs 3,500bt. some people coining it in?

[black tabby12345]

7 hours ago, raz0r21 said:

 

Some borders require this now, but not all. My guess it will keep expanding though, probably to stop people doing visa runs by themselves to stay in Thailand. Best to use a visa service to avoid problems, even if it comes with a cost. 

 

In other words,  Brokers and the local immigration offices might have a form of secret agreement?

 

Imposing Unofficial Requirement for the Frequent Border-Bouncers  to expend some extra money in order to get Kick-Backs from the Middleman behind the scene.

Easy to imagine.

 

Looks like a Hidden Scheme behind their current practice: Unlimited Border-Run grant.

If immigration men can constantly get income supplement in a Brown Envelop from the tourist dollars, they will gladly continue to give foreigners welcome stamp on their passport.

 

Resultingly, boosting more tourist arrivals...

[Caldera]

2 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

I remember doing the border run before the Chinese virus and it costs around 2000bt. I have always wondered how it now costs 3,500bt. some people coining it in?

 

Sure, you remember it well and there's no other explanation for the price hike. If I had to guess, its probably more a case of immigration getting greedier than those border run services.

 

I think it's still a good deal though, especially nowadays with those 60-day visa exempt stays.

[driveout]

18 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

I remember doing the border run before the Chinese virus and it costs around 2000bt. I have always wondered how it now costs 3,500bt. some people coining it in?

I sat with a guy from Laos and asked him how much he paid for the border bounce. He told me 2000 baht. We did pay 3500. Farang always pay more! 😆

[Caldera]

9 hours ago, driveout said:

I sat with a guy from Laos and asked him how much he paid for the border bounce. He told me 2000 baht. We did pay 3500. Farang always pay more! 😆

 

Lao citizens don't need a visa for Cambodia ($30), which accounts for most of that difference. 

[Rob Browder]

At a border near Chiang Rai, one report indicated they were demanding (of non-agent customers only) the overnight (or 2) in Laos, a flight "back to your passport country" and proof of payment for it, to bypass the "rent a ticket" system.  

 

Anyone flying-solo on border-bounces should be prepared for a "worst case" - a fully-refundable ticket to one's passport-country + rental-accommodation for the next stay in Thailand + staying a couple nights in the border-country.

 

On 1/16/2025 at 7:39 AM, Kinok Farang said:

Border bounces are an excellent way to explore other countries for a change.

Going to the border and back in one day is like having toothache,a real pain.

Do it yourself and stay in the country a few days and treat it as a few days break.

This is what I always did (now on retirement).  I often stayed overnight somewhere mid-way in Thailand on the way back, as well. 

 

Getting up at 4AM for a high-speed minivan ride at 5AM is not my cup of tea - makes me nauseous.  If they did them at a reasonable hour, it would be more appealing.  If I had to do this in the future, I'd make my own way to the border-crossing the day before, spend the night, then meet the agent-van at 10AM at the border.