Visa Run To Ban Laem

[bigbadthaijohn]

Hey everyone. It's been a while since I've done a visa run to Ban Laem. Are they checking for the 20,000 baht proof of funds? I know that the rules say that you have to have it, but I mean has anyone actually been checked recently?

Thanks.

BBTJ

[tropo]

Hey everyone. It's been a while since I've done a visa run to Ban Laem. Are they checking for the 20,000 baht proof of funds? I know that the rules say that you have to have it, but I mean has anyone actually been checked recently?

Thanks.

BBTJ

No, they don't check.

Unless you have a valid onward air ticket you will be required to buy a 200 baht bogus bus ticket in Cambodia. It was the quantity of bogus air tickets that they were receiving ealier this year that prompted this scheme, so if you have an air ticket you will be required to leave them a copy.

I've been there twice in the last 5 weeks and I can tell you that it's clean sailing right now.

[bigbadthaijohn]

Thanks a lot. Good news.

[phil2]

how do I get to Ban Laem from Chantaburi?

[retiredusn]

how do I get to Ban Laem from Chantaburi?

Head towards SaeKaew and the signs will be approx. 35min. out of town

[phil2]

how do I get to Ban Laem from Chantaburi?

Head towards SaeKaew and the signs will be approx. 35min. out of town

I actually meant by public transportation from Chantaburi.

[cali4995]

Phil2, I think they have mini-buses from Chantaburi. Maybe easier

to write it down (บ้านแหลม) Ban Laem. Ask at the bus station.

[h5n1]

calli is right - they run to 2 small casinos. this place is really dire and all the thais return sad, angry and broke. the casinos are pathetic places to lose ones money.

if you go by public transport, dont go to ban laem you take a mini bus to the border (b20 moto from bus sta) runs when full. i forget the thai side but the khmer side is pailin.

pailin is nothing, border side.

its a slow go and many hops from pattaya. same time as to go to poipet by yellow bus. the return visa rayong takes forever and the bus stops every 50m.

most likely you will have to come up with a little bribe for the khmer. it may not be has rough as koh kong or pp but its really venal.

whisky is a bit more than at bl, not much.

[gonzobrains]

Hi,

I had to make a visa run recently. My Thai friend drove me to Ban Laem, and we walked across the border. Stamping out of Thailand was easy. You walk across a small footbridge to the Cambodia side. But actually you are in this sort of middle-area where a casino and some shops are located. To actually enter into Cambodia for reals you have to walk through and immigration checkpoint.

Upon crossing the footbridge there is an office to the left (where you stamp out of Cambodia) and to the right is a small hut where you buy your Cambodia visa. It's really unprofessional. It's just a small wooden hut with two guys hanging out, namely a plain-clothes visa seller and the uniformed immigration official (without shoes however). The visa man gave me a form to fill out. I filled it out, and gave him my passport. He gave me a visa and then handed the passport to the official, who asked me a few stupid questions but really didn't understand English enough to know what I responded with.

The visa guy asked me for 1000 baht. My friend and I both tried to explain in Thai and English that the price of the visa was 20 USD, which he refused when I tried to pay him with it. He spioke English poorly, and didn't speak Thai at all, but tried to explain in English that at this border crossing they take baht and not dollar. I can only assume this is because the dollar is not doing well at this time. Having only one day left on my visa, and coming here on my own without a visa run company, I decided not to argue and paid the 1000 baht.

I walked out of the hut and further ahead to the right is a few dingy buildings. One side is full of shops selling booze, smokes, sex drugs, and (probably copied) perfumes. On the other side appeared to be small offices and apartments. One of these turns out to be the infamous travel agency when you have to buy a fake bus ticket (more on this later).

There is also some kind of Jack's VIP Golf shop or whatever. I didn't visit there and proceeded ahead to the casino. This has got to be the worst casino I have ever been to. I was uneasy just going in to use the toilet. Thais must be very desperate (or not rich enough to go to Macau) to want to gamble here.

Someone mentioned two casinos. I only saw one. Where is the second casino?

Anyway, going back towards the border crossing I saw on the Cambodia side a small street market. I tried to cross through to the Cambodia side via the walkway all the laborers use to cross, but was denied. Two border police stopped me and my friend asked for my passport. They didn't seem to care at all about her (Thai) passport. I have one of those new style American passports, which they didn't seem to have ever come across before. They looked at me with suspicion and asked what I wanted to do. I said I wanted to go shopping and that I already purchased a visa. They said I could not go into Cambodia. I got really pissed off, and started to complain. They said I could "go shopping" on the other side for 10 minutes provided I let them hold my passport.

I did this, because I wanted to check out the mobile phone shop and currency exchange on the other side. But now that I think about it I am a bit worried that during that time they copied my passport inside the immigration office (for forgery purposes).

After I finished, I returned the the checkpoint and retrieved my passport. I went back to the shops/offices on the way to the casino to buy the bullshit fake bus ticket you need to show the Thai authorities as proof you will leave the country. You need this if you want them to let you back in to Thailand (considering you cannot technically enter Cambodia, I assume no want wants to stay in that neutral casino la-la zone forever). The ticket costs 200 baht, and doesn't really indicate that you are going anywhere. I wonder if you could actually get a bus from there, assuming they would let you cross the border to catch it.

I walked back to the office near the footbridge to stamp out of Cambodia. The official told me I had to pay 100 baht fee to "stamp out". I know this was bullshit, but again I wasn't in a position to fight over I find it funny they stamp you in and out at the same time while departing. Everything I experienced indicated this border crossing is really just a visa-run money maker and place for the cheap labor to cross into Thailand. It's not really a full-fledged gateway to Cambodia.

Has anyone else tried to get into Cambodia from this border (not just go and return same day for a visa run)? I think if I want to go to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh I will go to a "proper" border crossing.

You know, I think I am in the wrong business. If I was a immigration officer receiving 100 baht "tip" per person per day for, say, 50 people a day, each month I would be making 150,000. That's a lot of cashola considering the cost of living in a border town like Ban Laem/Duang!!!

[tropo]

I wonder if you could actually get a bus from there, assuming they would let you cross the border to catch it.

The "transportation ticket" you bought is not valid for any travel. They'll even tell you this straight if you ask them.

It is indeed a genuine bogus ticket.

[jfchandler]

I've done visa runs (through a BKK company) a couple times to Ban Leam, including the latest last month.

For me holding a multi entry B visa, there was no income requirement or proof of onward travel required. But if I didn't have a multi entry visa, I believe I would have needed to purchase the bogus onward bus ticket (as others in my group were doing).

When I go there, I don't go for the casino(s) or shopping. I just go to renew my visa and get back home as quickly as possible. For that purpose, BKK to Ban Leam is a good move. I've never had to wait more than a few minutes at the border.

There's also a reason to use one of the reputable visa run companies, so you avoid YOU getting hassled up and down the line for the various payoffs.

[sweetchariot]

I've been there numerous times, both driving myself and with visa companies.

I have never had to make any payoffs etc, it has always been (for the last 2 1/2 yrs) 1,000 for the visa, and 100 for the exit stamp.

What I don't understand is that the Thai's don't get anything, all the payments are on the Cambodian side. It would make alot more sense if they allowed those of us on non-immigrant visas to do 90 day reports the same as retirees/ married extensions, this would add some much needed funds to the Thai coffers, whilst saving us alot of hassle.

Oh sorry, that would involve using some common sense and business accumen - never gonna happen.

[funfun]

Hey everyone. It's been a while since I've done a visa run to Ban Laem. Are they checking for the 20,000 baht proof of funds? I know that the rules say that you have to have it, but I mean has anyone actually been checked recently?

Thanks.

BBTJ

never been asked myselfe and took loads of people, follow advice (on here) go smart dealing with any imigration, just shows a bit of respect and that you maybe have funds, might help!

on the last vist approx 30 days ago my car was searched under seats boot etc for cigs ill presume, many were and ive never had it before, luckily i saw them doing it on the way in!

"What I don't understand is that the Thai's don't get anything, all the payments are on the Cambodian side."

yeah tim but look at the visa run, its a total industry, shops agents everywhere, petrol stns, minibus's, food, shops market! all that would close overnight if we all did not go!

arnt saying its right or wrong, just away of life!

chris

[gonzobrains]

I wonder if you could actually get a bus from there, assuming they would let you cross the border to catch it.

The "transportation ticket" you bought is not valid for any travel. They'll even tell you this straight if you ask them.

It is indeed a genuine bogus ticket.

so i take it you've been there before? did they allow you into cambodia?

[gonzobrains]

I've been there numerous times, both driving myself and with visa companies.

I have never had to make any payoffs etc, it has always been (for the last 2 1/2 yrs) 1,000 for the visa, and 100 for the exit stamp.

What I don't understand is that the Thai's don't get anything, all the payments are on the Cambodian side. It would make alot more sense if they allowed those of us on non-immigrant visas to do 90 day reports the same as retirees/ married extensions, this would add some much needed funds to the Thai coffers, whilst saving us alot of hassle.

Oh sorry, that would involve using some common sense and business accumen - never gonna happen.

I always thought the 100 for an exit stamp *was* a "payoff"

[Tim207]

Your problems were of your own making I believe. You said that they stamped you in and out at the same time when you were leaving. Obviously Cambodian immigration is not going to let you enter freely if you do not have an entry stamp yet. They were being nice by giving you the option to enter if you left your passport as a form of collateral to insure you returned. If you want to enter Cambodia you must first be stamped in and you must also be VERY CLEAR that you do not want to be stamped out at the same time. Very few people enter Cambodia here so it is assumed you are just going to go straight back to Thailand, especially if you don't indicate a longer stay than one day on your immigration form. Since they moved the main market outside of town there really isn't much reason to walk around Duang anymore anyway.

As for the "bribes", it is standard at all Cambodian borders to charge the unofficial rate of 1000 baht for a visa and although I have not been up to the Aranyaprathet crossing in years they also charged an extra fee for anyone there just to stamp in and out. I believe they were charging 200 or 300 baht up there. Don't bother trying to negotiate for the $20 rate, you are just talking to the little fish who are following orders. That extra money gets divided up all the way up the chain of command. As one immigration officer put it to me, "If I don't get it from you my boss will get it from me" and I am sure his bosses boss will get it from his boss if he doesn't get it from the guy that didn't get it from you.

The onward bus ticket is not really needed, at least I never needed it. I just supplied a copy of my outbound flight ticket. They never bothered to check the dates which were nowhere near the 30 days it was supposed to be. Anything would probably work, including a copy of someone elses ticket or an old ticket as long as you don't give them reason to look closely.

Edited May 7, 2008 by Tim207

[tropo]

The onward bus ticket is not really needed, at least I never needed it. I just supplied a copy of my outbound flight ticket. They never bothered to check the dates which were nowhere near the 30 days it was supposed to be. Anything would probably work, including a copy of someone elses ticket or an old ticket as long as you don't give them reason to look closely.

Your assumptions could lead to trouble.

Firstly, the bus ticket is not an onward ticket. It cannot be used for travel.

They were absolutely insisting on the bogus "transportation ticket" in the early days after the rules changed (after October 1, 06) because all the visa run companies were printing out fake tickets for their customers to satisfy this requirement. They had enough of this and started the bogus ticket program.

More recently they started allowing people to show their own onward travel tickets again, but they insisted on keeping a copy.

Why? I would say it's so they can do a random check on the tickets at a later time.

If people insist on using their own tickets to get back in on a visa-exempt 30 day entry I would recommend using genuine tickets just incase they are checked. If they did check a ticket and found it to be fake, it become a big problem for that person.

Edited May 8, 2008 by tropo

[Thanh-BKK]

Hello

I have in the past done a number of border runs at Ban Laem, i always preferred it over Poi Pet because the procedure itself was so much faster. I have used Jack Golf and the other one that leaves at Ekkamai (can't remember the name tough, it's been a while) and each time was very happy with the outcome. That was before the "bogus ticket" <deleted> started tough, the 30-day runners were required to show air tickets.

Once i actually crossed into Cambodia at Ban Laem, no hassle at all. I had the impression that the border guys were actually happy that *someone* really wanted to GO to Cambodia, not just get a stamp. As i don't gamble or drink i have no interest in anything the "no-man's-land" can offer, instead i wanted to stay a night with a friend of mine (Cambodian) who works for Jack Golf. He has a place nearby, on the Cambodian site, but as his whole family lives there i had to rent a room for a night and he stayed with me there. It was shabby but cheap, type "cockroach hotel" but they even had (pirated) UBC which went out between 9 and 10:20 PM

When i crossed back into Thailand next day to take the bus back i wasn't asked a single question either from the Khmer not the Thai immigration guys, no ticket, proof of money or anything was asked (i was on a non-.

Granted i was there only one night but i liked it - the food there is delicious (type streetside noodle shop) and cost 10 Baht, the Khmer seem curious as to "how come Farang come here" (Cambodian side!) and shy, and best - there are ZERO beggars there! On that trip i bought a pair of walkie-talkies, the same which cost 2.500 Baht per ONE in MBK, for 1.900 Baht a PAIR, i got those at that phone shop that was already mentioned, right across the checkpoint. Oh, and they really don't take Dollars there, only Baht. Even for a Mobitel refill card (i've got a Cambodian prepaid SIM card in one of my phones) which comes in Dollar value one can only pay in Baht.

With best regards......

Thanh

[funfun]

"there are ZERO beggars there!"

[Kerryd]

"there are ZERO beggars there!"

I think Thanh was referring to those little urchins that patrol the no-mans land between the borders, and swarm the tourists going each way.

I'be been through Ban Laem about 9 times. 5 (6 ?) of those trips were "on my own" without the help of a visa run company. Very quick, very easy and no hassles (back then).

The first time on my own, after I got the Cambodian Visa I was directed to that little office by the visa hut. The officer stamped me in and out of Cambodia and told me it was 100 baht. I asked why. He said if I was going to stay in Cambodia for a day (or more) there wouldn't be a charge, but as I was just there for the sake of returning immediately to Thailand, they added a 100 baht surcharge.

Obviously things could be different now (especially on the Thai side, as far as presenting "proof" is concerned).

But if paying 1,300 baht (1,000 - visa, 100 - entry/exit stamps, 200 - bogus ticket) is too much for some to handle, then perhaps those folks should try an alternative method. Like say, fly to Penang ! Or drive to the Burmese crossing at Mai Sai ! Oh wait, those options cost money too !

<long winded rant deleted before I started saying how I really feel>

[jfchandler]

The going rate now with the Visa Runner service from Ekamai is, I believe, 2000 baht all-inclusive assuming you have some kind of multiple entry visa and don't need anything else. I believe it's a bit more if they need to provide you with the bogus bus ticket as proof of onward travel.

[gonzobrains]

Your problems were of your own making I believe. You said that they stamped you in and out at the same time when you were leaving. Obviously Cambodian immigration is not going to let you enter freely if you do not have an entry stamp yet. They were being nice by giving you the option to enter if you left your passport as a form of collateral to insure you returned. If you want to enter Cambodia you must first be stamped in and you must also be VERY CLEAR that you do not want to be stamped out at the same time. Very few people enter Cambodia here so it is assumed you are just going to go straight back to Thailand, especially if you don't indicate a longer stay than one day on your immigration form. Since they moved the main market outside of town there really isn't much reason to walk around Duang anymore anyway.

As for the "bribes", it is standard at all Cambodian borders to charge the unofficial rate of 1000 baht for a visa and although I have not been up to the Aranyaprathet crossing in years they also charged an extra fee for anyone there just to stamp in and out. I believe they were charging 200 or 300 baht up there. Don't bother trying to negotiate for the $20 rate, you are just talking to the little fish who are following orders. That extra money gets divided up all the way up the chain of command. As one immigration officer put it to me, "If I don't get it from you my boss will get it from me" and I am sure his bosses boss will get it from his boss if he doesn't get it from the guy that didn't get it from you.

The onward bus ticket is not really needed, at least I never needed it. I just supplied a copy of my outbound flight ticket. They never bothered to check the dates which were nowhere near the 30 days it was supposed to be. Anything would probably work, including a copy of someone elses ticket or an old ticket as long as you don't give them reason to look closely.

Well, I simply followed what they told me to do. After getting my visa, they guided me towards the casino, not towards any immigration booth. I had no idea where I was supposed to get an "in stamp" anyway. I logically concluded that I would get this at the immigration booth where they wanted to hold my passport. How else could I have gotten it any time prior to that?

I don't plan on entering Cambodia from there again, but if I had to I would go to the office where I was stamped in and out and ask for an in stamp first. I guess I needed to go to that office and not to the immigration booth near the border gate.

[gonzobrains]

Hello

I have in the past done a number of border runs at Ban Laem, i always preferred it over Poi Pet because the procedure itself was so much faster. I have used Jack Golf and the other one that leaves at Ekkamai (can't remember the name tough, it's been a while) and each time was very happy with the outcome. That was before the "bogus ticket" &lt;deleted&gt; started tough, the 30-day runners were required to show air tickets.

Once i actually crossed into Cambodia at Ban Laem, no hassle at all. I had the impression that the border guys were actually happy that *someone* really wanted to GO to Cambodia, not just get a stamp. As i don't gamble or drink i have no interest in anything the "no-man's-land" can offer, instead i wanted to stay a night with a friend of mine (Cambodian) who works for Jack Golf. He has a place nearby, on the Cambodian site, but as his whole family lives there i had to rent a room for a night and he stayed with me there. It was shabby but cheap, type "cockroach hotel" but they even had (pirated) UBC which went out between 9 and 10:20 PM

When i crossed back into Thailand next day to take the bus back i wasn't asked a single question either from the Khmer not the Thai immigration guys, no ticket, proof of money or anything was asked (i was on a non- .

Granted i was there only one night but i liked it - the food there is delicious (type streetside noodle shop) and cost 10 Baht, the Khmer seem curious as to "how come Farang come here" (Cambodian side!) and shy, and best - there are ZERO beggars there! On that trip i bought a pair of walkie-talkies, the same which cost 2.500 Baht per ONE in MBK, for 1.900 Baht a PAIR, i got those at that phone shop that was already mentioned, right across the checkpoint. Oh, and they really don't take Dollars there, only Baht. Even for a Mobitel refill card (i've got a Cambodian prepaid SIM card in one of my phones) which comes in Dollar value one can only pay in Baht.

With best regards......

Thanh

Where is the shop where you bought walkie talkies? And why are there so many currency exchange kiosks near the shops?

As for mobitel refill cards, all the shops I saw there accepted dollars. At the time, a sim card costs $9 for a "normal" sim and $15 for a "aesthetically pleasing, pretty-looking" number.

[gonzobrains]

"there are ZERO beggars there!"

there were at least a dozen child beggards on the wood bridge when I went there.

[tropo]

"there are ZERO beggars there!"

there were at least a dozen child beggards on the wood bridge when I went there.

It's hard to believe there was ever a 'ZERO beggar day' there.

[Thanh-BKK]

Hello

I bought the walkie talkies at the mobile phone shop just across the street on the Cambodian site of the border (NOT in the "shopping area" that leads to the casino!)

And when i said "zero beggars" that ALSO referred to the CAMBODIAN side. There's millions of them on the Thai side and in the "no-man's-land" but none whatsoever on the Cambodian site, i.e. nehind the Cambodian checkpoint.

As i mentioned, i was actually in Cambodia, even tough just a few hundred meters

Best regards......

Thanh