DTV Border Bounce from Pattaya via van - 5,700 baht. Why are DTV border bounces more costly?

[bbi1]

Why are van companies charging way more for DTV border bounces? The Soi 6 Queen Victoria Inn would normally charge 3,900 baht but for a DTV they charge 5,700 baht. They said since it's a 180 day visa, the border officials require more money. Are all you who have border bounced with a DTV also been charged way more than a normal border bounce person on a visa exempt or SETV/METV?

[Liquorice]

6 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

Why are van companies charging way more for DTV border bounces?

Because they know you couldn't extend your stay, so you're held to ransom for a border bounce.

So happy I stuck with the 1-year extension, less hassle and more cost-effective.

[Briggsy]

@bbi1

 

Thanks for the information.

 

Posts like this are valuable to others.

 

I am on a DTV but I don't know why they should more. As the previous poster said, they are likely simply passing along a cost rather than price-gouging. If so, I very much doubt Immigration are going to give you a breakdown of the backhanders they expect. So, we will never know.

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

Why are van companies charging way more for DTV border bounces?

Seems you may be referencing

https://thaivisaservice.com/border-bounce-to-ban-laem-cambodia 

 

The charge is correct. 

Out of interest you could run it by  border run companies in Pattaya. 

Think result will be same. 

It's not the minivan run companies upping the cost. 

It's "service fee" at border. 

You could consider a mini break using flights. 

 

[bbi1]

25 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Seems you may be referencing

https://thaivisaservice.com/border-bounce-to-ban-laem-cambodia 

 

The charge is correct. 

Out of interest you could run it by  border run companies in Pattaya. 

Think result will be same. 

It's not the minivan run companies upping the cost. 

It's "service fee" at border. 

You could consider a mini break using flights. 

 

No, it's the one by 1st Class Visa Runs on Soi 6.

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

No, it's the one by 1st Class Visa Runs on Soi 6.

Nonetheless same price 5700b 

 

There is thread describing border bounce from Pattaya to Cambodia. 

VIP van 3700b this is prior to DVT and also changes to borders in general.. 

By way of example what has occurred at Nong Khai. 

 

IMO DTV holders would be playing  victim card if a exit/reenter every 6 months to Obtain new 6 month stamp was a bridge to far. 

You have it easy. 

[at15]

Why spending all this money??  Go the dark side of pattaya to the train station. Its a twice a day service,  you go bkk first then to Aranyaprathet the poi pet border for about 80 baht total. Dont listen to the outdated fear mongering online about poi pet. Get your stuff organized and know what your doing you will be fine.

[DrJack54]

20 minutes ago, at15 said:

Dont listen to the outdated fear mongering online about poi pet

Possibly the worst suggestion I have read regarding a border bounce from Pattaya to Cambodia. 

[Caldera]

7 hours ago, at15 said:

Why spending all this money??  Go the dark side of pattaya to the train station. Its a twice a day service,  you go bkk first then to Aranyaprathet the poi pet border for about 80 baht total. Dont listen to the outdated fear mongering online about poi pet. Get your stuff organized and know what your doing you will be fine.

 

That could go horribly wrong. 

[Caldera]

9 hours ago, bbi1 said:

Why are van companies charging way more for DTV border bounces? The Soi 6 Queen Victoria Inn would normally charge 3,900 baht but for a DTV they charge 5,700 baht. They said since it's a 180 day visa, the border officials require more money. Are all you who have border bounced with a DTV also been charged way more than a normal border bounce person on a visa exempt or SETV/METV?

 

They explained it to you. They see you less often than other border bouncers, so they see the need to extract more money from you whenever they do see you. That the process to extend your stay within Thailand is so convoluted helps them big time.

 

And yes, that is the going rate.

[hovercraft]

I don't understand why you even need a visa run company to do this? It's not like you are abusing tourist visas or visa exempt stamps, I thought that's what the DTV visa is for...

[Rob Browder]

14 hours ago, bbi1 said:

Why are van companies charging way more for DTV border bounces? The Soi 6 Queen Victoria Inn would normally charge 3,900 baht but for a DTV they charge 5,700 baht. They said since it's a 180 day visa, the border officials require more money. Are all you who have border bounced with a DTV also been charged way more than a normal border bounce person on a visa exempt or SETV/METV?

If willing to spend 1-night-out of the country (maybe 2 - depending on the border), I don't see why not just DIY it.  The DTV is literally what Immigration recommend for under-50s on longer stays, now.

 

The only place I see being a potential problem is Aranya/Poipet - simply because they are infamous for creating problems for travelers, and sky-high extortion charges. 

[Rob Browder]

12 hours ago, at15 said:

Why spending all this money??  Go the dark side of pattaya to the train station. Its a twice a day service,  you go bkk first then to Aranyaprathet the poi pet border for about 80 baht total. Dont listen to the outdated fear mongering online about poi pet. Get your stuff organized and know what your doing you will be fine.

This is like telling someone to go into the most dangerous part of town to buy a pack of cigarettes, at a store where patrons are routinely robbed. 

[sandyf]

12 hours ago, Caldera said:

Go the dark side of pattaya to the train station. Its a twice a day service,

You are having a laugh.

Twice a day, yes, one coming and one going.

I only ever went on it once, took about 4 hours from Chonburi, that would be about 5 hours from Pattaya. It was dark by the time we  got to Bangkok and with only 3rd class all the windows were open. Carriage full  of all flying wildlife known to man.

No wonder it is a free service to the locals, foreigners are charged as they would never find the same experience elsewhere.

 

[MadAtMatrix]

They have to call ahead to their handlers and give all of your information so that they guarantee you are going to get back in. In case you didn’t know, they have to grease some palms. 
 

Take the chance and fly out yourself. But you are going to encounter the exact same thing with immigration returning to the country as you did at Jomtien immigration. They want to know that you still meet all of the requirements as when you applied. 
 

The agency is going to know that if they take you, you WILL be coming back with them. Hence the extra cost. If 2000 baht more than the others pay that are in the van will break you, then maybe you will have to cut out your entertainment costs for a month and use the agent that assures your return. 
 

This visa was issued by the MFA when you were outside of the country. Every extension is now with RTP immigration, and as you have found out, they are two different agencies with different interpretation on how they will process the extension. 

[Ralf001]

21 hours ago, at15 said:

Why spending all this money??  Go the dark side of pattaya to the train station. Its a twice a day service,  you go bkk first then to Aranyaprathet the poi pet border for about 80 baht total. Dont listen to the outdated fear mongering online about poi pet. Get your stuff organized and know what your doing you will be fine.

 

 

Yeah, 19hr train trip each way sure sounds like fun !

[Briggsy]

1 hour ago, MadAtMatrix said:

Take the chance and fly out yourself. But you are going to encounter the exact same thing with immigration returning to the country as you did at Jomtien immigration. They want to know that you still meet all of the requirements as when you applied. 

Are you sure? That may hold up the queue at Suwannaphum for about 45 minutes.

 

1 hour ago, MadAtMatrix said:

The agency is going to know that if they take you, you WILL be coming back with them. Hence the extra cost. If 2000 baht more than the others pay that are in the van will break you, then maybe you will have to cut out your entertainment costs for a month and use the agent that assures your return. 

I have read this more than once and still can't understand it. The VE border bouncers are paying 1900 Baht less and they WILL be coming back in the same van. I think that was the OP's point.

[Captain Flack]

Off topic discussion on retirement extensions removed.

[Chalky0w]

2 hours ago, MadAtMatrix said:

 

Take the chance and fly out yourself. But you are going to encounter the exact same thing with immigration returning to the country as you did at Jomtien immigration. They want to know that you still meet all of the requirements as when you applied. 

I’ve flown in and out a few times on my DTV and never been questioned.  
 

Are you speaking from experience or hearsay?  
 

I could prove my company is legit, still have financials, etc. if needed but wouldn’t have printouts of everything with me (only electronic via laptop or some on phone).  I can’t imagine many people would.
 

No idea if any of the following make a difference on why I’ve never been questioned previously:

- Not stayed in Thailand for full 180 days or anywhere close to it on any occasion 

- Originally got the visa from home country (UK) rather than regional embassy

- Always stay out for at least a week or more

- Never had a volunteer visa, ed visa or covid extension which I’ve heard are red flags to IO

- Luck / appearance / other random factor

Off topic but used to use METVs and never questioned on entering with those either.

 

 

[MadAtMatrix]

2 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Are you sure? That may hold up the queue at Suwannaphum for about 45 minutes.

 

I have read this more than once and still can't understand it. The VE border bouncers are paying 1900 Baht less and they WILL be coming back in the same van. I think that was the OP's point.

They pull you aside, to an office or a desk. They don't make others behind you wait. 
 

1 hour ago, Chalky0w said:

I’ve flown in and out a few times on my DTV and never been questioned.  
 

Are you speaking from experience or hearsay?  
 

I could prove my company is legit, still have financials, etc. if needed but wouldn’t have printouts of everything with me (only electronic via laptop or some on phone).  I can’t imagine many people would.
 

No idea if any of the following make a difference on why I’ve never been questioned previously:

- Not stayed in Thailand for full 180 days or anywhere close to it on any occasion 

- Originally got the visa from home country (UK) rather than regional embassy

- Always stay out for at least a week or more

- Never had a volunteer visa, ed visa or covid extension which I’ve heard are red flags to IO

- Luck / appearance / other random factor

Off topic but used to use METVs and never questioned on entering with those either.

 

 

This is a visa agent who has spoken about the DTV. I have queued it up to the time where he discusses DTV and immigration. 

 

[sikishrory]

Flights to surrounding countries are cheap and not much different.

Personally I would rather fly to anywhere and make a nice weekend of it than go through one of these visa run ordeals again.

 

[Chalky0w]

11 minutes ago, MadAtMatrix said:

They pull you aside, to an office or a desk. They don't make others behind you wait. 
 

This is a visa agent who has spoken about the DTV. I have queued it up to the time where he discusses DTV and immigration. 

 

Don’t think this says what you think it does -  he says that extending in country requires documentation to still be available but officers at the border aren’t checking.

 

Also basically a sales plug saying that if you want to use an agent (to get a DTV illegitimately), use his that will provide “after sales” support. 

[Chalky0w]

3 minutes ago, sikishrory said:

Flights to surrounding countries are cheap and not much different.

Personally I would rather fly to anywhere and make a nice weekend of it than go through one of these visa run ordeals again.

 

Agree. 180 days is plenty in Thailand in one go! DTV is aimed at under 50s who are working so I’d have thought most get itchy feet before time is up or maybe that’s just me

[frank83628]

You're being ripped off. No extra cost at ranong

[MadAtMatrix]

2 hours ago, Chalky0w said:

Don’t think this says what you think it does -  he says that extending in country requires documentation to still be available but officers at the border aren’t checking.

 

Also basically a sales plug saying that if you want to use an agent (to get a DTV illegitimately), use his that will provide “after sales” support. 

So does that mean that they won't be checking at the border in the future?

How many times have you been asked to show 20,000 baht to an immigration officer upon entry? It is the law, but they don't ask everyone.

What makes you think that they won't start pulling people aside to ensure they still meet the criteria to hold the DTV? Not sure how long you have been here, but things change daily, and pretty much every immigration division makes up their own rules. 

Here is what is required to extend in country, so one should probably have all of these things available upon entry in case they are asked. 
 

[Chalky0w]

1 hour ago, MadAtMatrix said:

So does that mean that they won't be checking at the border in the future?

How many times have you been asked to show 20,000 baht to an immigration officer upon entry? It is the law, but they don't ask everyone.

What makes you think that they won't start pulling people aside to ensure they still meet the criteria to hold the DTV? Not sure how long you have been here, but things change daily, and pretty much every immigration division makes up their own rules. 

Here is what is required to extend in country, so one should probably have all of these things available upon entry in case they are asked. 
 

So you’ve changed from telling OP that border immigration WILL want evidence to they MIGHT change policy to want it in the future.
 

I guess they MIGHT want people on marriage visas to bring marriage certificates, bank books, etc. with them in the future as well. 

 

Think I’ll wait for an official announcement or regular reports of problems before I start generating stacks of paperwork every time I come and go.

😂🤣😂

[MadAtMatrix]

33 minutes ago, Chalky0w said:

So you’ve changed from telling OP that border immigration WILL want evidence to they MIGHT change policy to want it in the future.
 

I guess they MIGHT want people on marriage visas to bring marriage certificates, bank books, etc. with them in the future as well. 

 

Think I’ll wait for an official announcement or regular reports of problems before I start generating stacks of paperwork every time I come and go.

😂🤣😂

go read the FACEBOOK group that people are getting DTV's for - Botany courses, "Nature courses". It is only a matter of time that they crackdown on this visa. As you can see it is all "anonymous poster XXX" over there, as they know it is only a matter of time that they have their balls in a sling. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1828879247635023/

Feel free to do what you want, your choices don't affect me. 

[Chalky0w]

4 hours ago, MadAtMatrix said:

go read the FACEBOOK group that people are getting DTV's for - Botany courses, "Nature courses". It is only a matter of time that they crackdown on this visa. As you can see it is all "anonymous poster XXX" over there, as they know it is only a matter of time that they have their balls in a sling. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1828879247635023/

Feel free to do what you want, your choices don't affect me. 

I don’t disagree that DTV is too easy to get.
 

I’ve said before it would make more sense if it was split in two:

- Soft power for 1 year that can be extended if reason still ongoing

- Remote worker with minimum provable income

 

This is purely my opinion and not at all based on what will happen.
 

I don’t think you should be spreading misinformation based on your opinion of what might happen in the future (you’re not the only one)

[DrJack54]

Trolling post hidden

[Presnock]

On 5/1/2025 at 1:29 PM, DrJack54 said:

Possibly the worst suggestion I have read regarding a border bounce from Pattaya to Cambodia. 

And note, this is one of the best experts on the visa activity in Thailand!