Visa Run Using The Poipet Border.

[Thaiher2me]

If you're on a visa run from Thailand, and using the Poipet border you will almost certainly be asked to pay a "stamp fee" of as much as 400 baht when you receive your exit stamp. They claim this fee is for "using" their border to pull a visa run from Thailand, never mind you just purchased a 1000 baht visa that you really aren't using. Sometimes when you arrive at the immigration counter to get stamped in they'll ask you how long are you staying. Lie. Tell them you're going to Siem Reap for a week. When you are in the departure building you can also tell them you already paid however many baht it is they want when you got your entry stamp and they might believe you. Do try. If you're using the Koh Kong border for a visa run you'll be looking at a hefty fee for making a visa run and I imagine the other four crossings will do the same. There's not a whole lot you can do about it at these less common border posts as arrivals and departures are at the same window.

Source:http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-faq-legal.htm

Have a nice day

[bangkapiboy]

Good advice!

That's right never tell any official you are doing a visa run. They make up fees for you! I always say Siem Reap. Or at least say you are going to the casino! Also, I don't have any problem getting the $20 USD visa at the border. I just don't respond at all, just submit it. If I have to respond at all, I say that is my visa for $20. Eventually it appears! Or even show your previous visa stickers where it says $20 on the price of the visa.

You could pay more -- but why?

Edited September 15, 2007 by bangkapiboy

[the scouser]

Moved to the Thai visas and residency sub-forum.

Scouse.

[tropo]

Moved to the Thai visas and residency sub-forum.

Scouse.

There isn't much trouble taking a visa run to Ban Laem from Pattaya. You'll be asked to purchase a 200 baht bus ticket in Cambodia and that's about it.

They started forcing visa runners to buy these because the Thai Immigration were being presented with too many bogus air tickets.

They now accept air tickets again, but make sure they're geniune as they probably will check them. I'm not sure, but it's possible they'll only accept air tickets they can check because the one I presented (Thai AirAsia) was inspected thoroughly and they asked me for a photocopy.

If you are armed with an air ticket, the only extra charge you'll be paying is a surcharge on the $20 Cambodian visa.

[h5n1]

Just go thru Ban Laem, at least the mafia is organized

What you can do also is train to Padang Besar and minibus to border. You can make it back usually to Hat Yai to catch the last train. This will cost about b1750 all in (less meals and accom if you get stuck in HY).

Tips: you must have us20 (a US cash), if you can speak Khmer that's great. If not, use some Thai. Yes, lie - you are going to Siem Reap.

Bottom line: I gave up on the DIY visa run to Poipet as it takes so long from Pattaya, may miss the bus (now up to 6 hrs ea way, one per day).

There is also a border you can X below Ban LAem (to Pailin). You can go via Chantaburi. The Khmer there are very greasy but the mafia was not built up there and so some small money (I paid none) would work. Its takes about 5 hrs ea way or more becasue the ###### bus up to Pattaya stops every 20m!

[Agenda]

Asked in several agencies today, was told that every company runs to new Pailin border now (which doesn't accept e-viza). I want to order e-viza beforhand in order to save passport pages, but what the best option to go to PoiPet from Pattaya then?

Also, what outbound ticket is needed? Airticket from Thailand to any country during the new given month?

Do they really check those tickets? What they gonna do with a photocopy of tickets?