Visa Run

[loiner100]

I am hoping to visit Pattaya for three or four days at the end of November.

I need to do a visa run soon.

Please can anyone recommend a company with safe drivers who do the border run to Cambodia from Pattaya and how long does it take?

[sweetchariot]

I've been with several firms, as well as driving myself, but the best one was the last one. I booked through Witherspoons on Soi Bukhao (not sure of the name - maybe A1 Visa Runs?? It's part of Witherspoons anyway). Tel 038 415249

They were a bit more expensive at 2,400 baht, but you get breakfast and an evening meal on your return. Whilst I wasn't really interested in the food, I felt it was worth the extra 400 baht to have a comfy seat (the food however was quite good). They only have 6 seats per minibus so you have loads of room in a big leather armchair, and you can watch a movie too.

As for the driving I didn't really pay much attention as I was watching DVD's (better that way). The total trip was about 8 hours, but that can vary depending on the traffic, and the queues at the border crossing. We set off just after 7am, and were tucking into roast beef by 3.30pm.

You have to make your own way there in the morning, but I think it's better that way, as the time before I was being picked up at the end of my soi and the bus had a crash and killed a motorcyclist BEFORE they picked me up, so I was left stood at the side of the road for 1 1/2 hours.

[RotaryClubSamui]

Thanks for that sweetchariot, I will give them a try.

[Pattaya46]

Hi,

I come back from my Visa Run less than... 45 minutes ago

I used again Cambodian Inter on Soi Buakhao.

It's only 1,700 bahts and once again very satisfied of the service.

They took me at my condo at about 7h and I was back just after 15h.

Very fast this time. Nearly nobody at Ban Laem Immigration. No have to wait.

Pattaya46

[loiner100]

Yes, thanks for your help guys, will give one of them a go.

[tropo]

Hi,

I come back from my Visa Run less than... 45 minutes ago

I used again Cambodian Inter on Soi Buakhao.

It's only 1,700 bahts and once again very satisfied of the service.

They took me at my condo at about 7h and I was back just after 15h.

Very fast this time. Nearly nobody at Ban Laem Immigration. No have to wait.

Pattaya46

I'll second that. Great service and careful drivers. If you don't need a cooked breakfast at 6am, they're the way to go.

[Meg_2003]

Hi,

I come back from my Visa Run less than... 45 minutes ago

I used again Cambodian Inter on Soi Buakhao.

It's only 1,700 bahts and once again very satisfied of the service.

They took me at my condo at about 7h and I was back just after 15h.

Very fast this time. Nearly nobody at Ban Laem Immigration. No have to wait.

Pattaya46

I'll second that. Great service and careful drivers. If you don't need a cooked breakfast at 6am, they're the way to go.

Another Cambodia inter fan here! Great service, best price in Pattaya!! Although I do wish they would stop doing the 'Pick ups and drop offs' as you are sometimes riding around Pattaya for up to an hour picking people up, and then dropping them back off when getting back to Pattaya. One time we got out of Pattaya at 9am because the minibus run out of gasoline! However I have had nothing but smooth runs for the last year or so with them...

[Loosescrew]

I'm here to throw flowers at Cambodia Inter on soi Buakow. I had heard a 2 stamp tourist visa was possible in Laos. So I went to see Nissan at Cambodia Inter and he has booked me a door to door (taxis, hotel, visa, flight) from Pattaya to Vientiane for 15,000 all included.

Now I'll be covered for the next 6 months. I'll happily do it again in November.

I've used this shop for many travels near and far and I recommend them too.

[basjke]

Hi,

I come back from my Visa Run less than... 45 minutes ago

I used again Cambodian Inter on Soi Buakhao.

It's only 1,700 bahts and once again very satisfied of the service.

They took me at my condo at about 7h and I was back just after 15h.

Very fast this time. Nearly nobody at Ban Laem Immigration. No have to wait.

Pattaya46

where on soi buakhao is their office?

[edwardandtubs]

Last time I used public transport and spent the night in Koh Kong but a 1700 baht minibus probably works out about the same price all told. Is that minibus very spacious (like the 6 person per minibus one) or do they cram more people on?

What I don't understand is the OP saying "I need to do a visa run soon" but that "I am hoping to visit Pattaya for three or four days at the end of November". Doesn't make much sense.

[funfun]

I've been with several firms, as well as driving myself, but the best one was the last one. I booked through Witherspoons on Soi Bukhao (not sure of the name - maybe A1 Visa Runs?? It's part of Witherspoons anyway). Tel 038 415249

They were a bit more expensive at 2,400 baht, but you get breakfast and an evening meal on your return. Whilst I wasn't really interested in the food, I felt it was worth the extra 400 baht to have a comfy seat (the food however was quite good). They only have 6 seats per minibus so you have loads of room in a big leather armchair, and you can watch a movie too.

As for the driving I didn't really pay much attention as I was watching DVD's (better that way). The total trip was about 8 hours, but that can vary depending on the traffic, and the queues at the border crossing. We set off just after 7am, and were tucking into roast beef by 3.30pm.

You have to make your own way there in the morning, but I think it's better that way, as the time before I was being picked up at the end of my soi and the bus had a crash and killed a motorcyclist BEFORE they picked me up, so I was left stood at the side of the road for 1 1/2 hours.

Tim nice to see you back mate, you been on holiday?

anyways, what what a great firm to recomened, "by the way they killed a guy on a bike on the way to drive me somewhere in the same bus!!!!!!!!!!!!"

yeah you got there no!!!!!, no wonder you bin on holiday, ere you round for footie tom?

well for what its worth, sportsman soi 13 off beech rd, free breckie at 6am, bus goes 6.30am, not there, tuff, none off that driving around patters for 2 hours waiting until everyones brushed there teeth!

thanks, thats my bit!

[lemel]

Sportsman for me, early start with English Brekkie, only 6 to a bus, big reclining seats, 2 new movies with headset going, quick in and out the border, free lunch and drink provided, 2 movies on the way back and with a stop each way for the smokers etc. Can recommend to anyone and as funfun says, not there then tuff(sic)!!!

[Kerryd]

I used to use 5 Star Visa at the Sportsman as well. Never had a complaint about the service itself (some of the other visa runners though kinda made you wish the Immigration Police would stop us on the way and pull them out).

5 Star is more expensive than this other one (Cambo Inter ?). But you get breakfast before, no hassle ride there and back, pretty good service and, from what I recall, they started a "Frequent Runner" program.

You get a card that gets stamped every time you do a run. After so many runs, you can use the card to get a discount on the next run (but then you have to start building up stamps again).

Or, after so many runs (5 ?) your next one is free.

Not sure if they still do that or not. That was back in 2006, before they started enforcing the 90/180 day rule.

Just a note for future visa runners (using any of the visa run companies). Show up early. Show up SOBER. Have a SHOWER and change of clothes BEFORE showing up. Have enough MONEY in YOUR pocket to pay for YOUR overstay.

Oh yeah, last thing, if you are so STUPID you can't fill out a simple piece of paper with your name and passport number, please walk across the border into Cambodia and just keep on walking.

[funfun]

"Oh yeah, last thing, if you are so STUPID you can't fill out a simple piece of paper with your name and passport number, please walk across the border into Cambodia and just keep on walking" and buy a bar in snooky it "the next pattaya"