Visa Run - Andaman Club, Ranong

[ParadiseLost]

In the Phuket forum, the Andaman Club is discussed. There are some good tips including a place to stay overnight.

There is some information missing imho; I found mention in another topic of a new rule that you need to visit the Immigration Office first, before going to the club's pier. That is to stamp out of Thailand, which means you can't do it at the pier any more.

Can anyone comment on this, please?

Edit: I will try to get the link right next time

Edited December 7, 2007 by ParadiseLost

[Lite Beer]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/f50.html

In the above Phuket forum link, the Andaman Club is discussed. There are some good tips including a place to stay overnight.

There is some information missing imho; I found mention in another topic of a new rule that you need to visit the Immigration Office first, before going to the club's pier. That is to stamp out of Thailand, which means you can't do it at the pier any more.

Can anyone comment on this, please?

The Ranong Immigration office is in the town. You stamp out there before you go to the pier to get the boat to Burma. Its always been like that. You get your stamp in Burma then you go back to the immigration office in Ranong town to stamp into Thailand. Have fun.

[ParadiseLost]

The links that got me started on this are these:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/lofiversion/...hp/t126579.html

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=108690 Exit Stamp

Oh yes, if you read the topic it does state 'Andaman Club'

[ParadiseLost]

Perhaps I should add that the Andaman club is a casino-hotel-golf course on an island in between Burma and Thailand.

I visited there some time ago, maybe 18 months. It is accessible only from their private pier and they (used to) have immigration officials at their pier offices. You were stamped out and handed your passport as you boarded the ferry (a real proper one!)

The trip over is 10-20 blissful mins. Then the hotel itself is pretty amazing, considering its neighboring cities/towns/hovels. Expensive to gamble, but perhaps that was my bad luck or poor blackjack skills.

It was very expensive to stay overnight, and the last boat back leaves late afternoon - not a late night gambling venue, unfortunately. The hotel did not look like it was geared up for entertainment at all, though.

I have been across the bay maybe 5-6 times, the best by far the Andaman trip.

[InspectorGadget]

I did the trip to the Andaman club two weeks ago for the first time. I was a little apprehensive as I'd read a lot about it but there seemed to be some conflicting information as you mention. Anyhow, it couldn't have been easier and there was no need to go to immigration in the town centre. Walk into the terminal at the start of the pier and hand over your passport to the staff at the entrance. They prepare your ferry ticket and then direct you to Thai immigration which is the next counter in the same building! Get passport stamped for leaving the country, get the boat over, leave passport behind at Burma immigration on the island, pay 850 baht for the entry visa, get the bus up to the casino and do some shopping (duty free wine - a lot cheaper than Thailand!), come back to the boat and pick up passport as you go back through immigration. On return to Thailand, go back into the terminal and get stamped back into the country. One thing though is that there isn't a boat back at 1.30pm during the week so if you miss the 12.30pm one, the next one is at 2.30pm...those extra two hours can make a difference if you've got a long journey.

[ParadiseLost]

I did the trip to the Andaman club two weeks ago for the first time. I was a little apprehensive as I'd read a lot about it but there seemed to be some conflicting information as you mention. Anyhow, it couldn't have been easier and there was no need to go to immigration in the town centre. Walk into the terminal at the start of the pier and hand over your passport to the staff at the entrance. They prepare your ferry ticket and then direct you to Thai immigration which is the next counter in the same building! Get passport stamped for leaving the country, get the boat over, leave passport behind at Burma immigration on the island, pay 850 baht for the entry visa, get the bus up to the casino and do some shopping (duty free wine - a lot cheaper than Thailand!), come back to the boat and pick up passport as you go back through immigration. On return to Thailand, go back into the terminal and get stamped back into the country. One thing though is that there isn't a boat back at 1.30pm during the week so if you miss the 12.30pm one, the next one is at 2.30pm...those extra two hours can make a difference if you've got a long journey.

Thanks Inspector, just what I wanted to know. 850 Baht is quite steep, especially when compared with the 'normal' visa run, or the 'strength' of the Baht vs USD , but savings on a few bottles of wine can make up for that! Now if only I can avoid the casino...

[magpie3]

Hi

I Wondered if anyone knows what the situation is regarding this visa run in relation to the 'troubles' in Burma?? Is the immigration checkpoint or the Casino still open. I heard a second hand comment that the Casino was closed. If so, is this likely to prevent travel there and/or the visa situation?.

Would be pleased to hear any comments or news.

[Mosha]

I was in immigration yesterday, it was packed, and the touts running around like crazy. If you go over alone Paradise, tell your wife to go up to the hot water springs just outside town. Well sign posted. A nice relaxing area, and plenty of good food within walking distance. Our favourite in Suan Sator (Spelling?)

[tartempion]

The Ranong Immigration office is in the town. You stamp out there before you go to the pier to get the boat to Burma. Its always been like that. You get your stamp in Burma then you go back to the immigration office in Ranong town to stamp into Thailand. Have fun.

Not so if you go to the Andaman Club, see inspectorGadget reply, OP question was about Andaman Club, not the dangerous small boat trip to Victoria Point.

The Andaman Club is a nice place to spend the night and lose your money in the casino, you might even get a free hotel night there.

[Mosha]

Free night. I never saw that mentioned when I was there. 150 Baht discount with your boat ticket, is all I recall. Or are you talking about for the club members?

[ParadiseLost]

I was in immigration yesterday, it was packed, and the touts running around like crazy. If you go over alone Paradise, tell your wife to go up to the hot water springs just outside town. Well sign posted. A nice relaxing area, and plenty of good food within walking distance. Our favourite in Suan Sator (Spelling?)

Thanks for this, I may well check it out. I also may land up staying at the club. Anyone know if you can stay in the casino all night? I have done it a few times in other places...

[Mosha]

I think a room is 1500 Baht, but I know Thais including my wife, who have gone over and slept in the foyer between gambling sessions. Not sure on the price as I haven't needed to do a run since changing to a family visa. They do Western and Thai food. No tobacco products in duty free.

Edit. I found this link http://www.andamanclub.com/

You might want to check with them, as the prices quoted are not what I saw in the foyer on my last run 9 months back.

Edited December 8, 2007 by Mosha

[simon43]

AFAIK, you only need to visit the immigration office in Ranong town if you are on overstay...

Simon

[donna]

i went there about two weeks ago. i was on the last day of my visa and thought that one had to have 3 days or so left if andaman was used as the exit point. i called them the day before and explained my situation to them and they told me it would be fine.

i went to the immigration point at the andaman club pier and all was well. took the boat over, had lunch, bought some australian cadbury chocolate (turkish delight, caramello, fruit and nut and peppermint) and got the next boat back.

could not have been easier.

[ParadiseLost]

i went there about two weeks ago. i was on the last day of my visa and thought that one had to have 3 days or so left if andaman was used as the exit point. i called them the day before and explained my situation to them and they told me it would be fine.

i went to the immigration point at the andaman club pier and all was well. took the boat over, had lunch, bought some australian cadbury chocolate (turkish delight, caramello, fruit and nut and peppermint) and got the next boat back.

could not have been easier.

I was also under the impression you needed a few days left - thanks for the info. I'm off in the morning so I will most likely be eying out the benches myself tomorrow night

Edited December 8, 2007 by ParadiseLost

[ParadiseLost]

I think a room is 1500 Baht, but I know Thais including my wife, who have gone over and slept in the foyer between gambling sessions. Not sure on the price as I haven't needed to do a run since changing to a family visa. They do Western and Thai food. No tobacco products in duty free.

Edit. I found this link http://www.andamanclub.com/

You might want to check with them, as the prices quoted are not what I saw in the foyer on my last run 9 months back.

I see the prices start around 4,000 a night

[donna]

plenny of fags in duty free too (the smoking kind, silly). wine (mainly french), chocolate (lots of it and a good time to buy some DECENT choccie for christmas).

[southbot]

There seems some confusion between going on private local boat to Victoria Point which needs you to stamp out and stamp back in at Ranong Immigration.

HOWEVER when you go to the Amdaman Club via the Andaman Club Pier outside Ranong, the stamp out and stamp in is done at their mini-immigration office at the pier.

The Andaman Club trip costs very little more than the local private boat out to the point but is a good deal more efficient, organised and comfortable. Costs very little IF you don't go blow lots of Baht on the pokies out there

I did the Andaman Club trip a couple weeks back, 1 and 2 of December, from Samui over to Ranong, then to Burma and back again.

Andaman Club is the choice of preference in my mind.

[TCA]

Has anyone made the run from Hua Hin recently and in a position to pass on any pointers re transportation and likely overnight accomodation given the travelling time? Any help appreciated for this first timer. Thanks.

[LivinLOS]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/f50.html

In the above Phuket forum link, the Andaman Club is discussed. There are some good tips including a place to stay overnight.

There is some information missing imho; I found mention in another topic of a new rule that you need to visit the Immigration Office first, before going to the club's pier. That is to stamp out of Thailand, which means you can't do it at the pier any more.

Can anyone comment on this, please?

The Ranong Immigration office is in the town. You stamp out there before you go to the pier to get the boat to Burma. Its always been like that. You get your stamp in Burma then you go back to the immigration office in Ranong town to stamp into Thailand. Have fun.

But this doesnt / didnt apply if you used the Andaman (you have used thier service ?? Fast boat / casino etc)..

The always had a far more convenient service on the pier as a perk.

EDIT :: Posted before finishing the thread.. Others already commented.

Edited December 11, 2007 by LivinLOS

[LivinLOS]

I did the trip to the Andaman club two weeks ago for the first time. I was a little apprehensive as I'd read a lot about it but there seemed to be some conflicting information as you mention. Anyhow, it couldn't have been easier and there was no need to go to immigration in the town centre. Walk into the terminal at the start of the pier and hand over your passport to the staff at the entrance. They prepare your ferry ticket and then direct you to Thai immigration which is the next counter in the same building! Get passport stamped for leaving the country, get the boat over, leave passport behind at Burma immigration on the island, pay 850 baht for the entry visa, get the bus up to the casino and do some shopping (duty free wine - a lot cheaper than Thailand!), come back to the boat and pick up passport as you go back through immigration. On return to Thailand, go back into the terminal and get stamped back into the country. One thing though is that there isn't a boat back at 1.30pm during the week so if you miss the 12.30pm one, the next one is at 2.30pm...those extra two hours can make a difference if you've got a long journey.

Thanks Inspector, just what I wanted to know. 850 Baht is quite steep, especially when compared with the 'normal' visa run, or the 'strength' of the Baht vs USD , but savings on a few bottles of wine can make up for that! Now if only I can avoid the casino...

Well normally you need a crisp perfect 10 USD not (that costs 500 baht from the scam system there) and then pay for the boat service.. Even if you crowd a hot long tail shared and take ages with all the stops it still has some cost..

The additional price for some comfort seems very low to me.

[sempronius]

I've done the visa run at the Andaman Club quite a few times.

There is a pretty good service from Chumphon (Fame Tours) leaving Chumphon around noon and back in Chumphon before 19

minibus, immigration (at the Andaman pier if you are not overstaying) aircon boat to the hotel.

Very practical and comfortable.

Can't remember the cost for it, but it is around 1000 baht including Burmese immigration fees (10$)

In addition to that the food at Fame restaurant (wich is just a few minutes walk from the train station) is absolutely great and the bread is the best I haver had in 20++ years in Thailand.

They have rooms there, not much but definitely cheaper than the Andaman Club and anyway you can find a good aircon room in Chumphon for 400-500 baht at Paradorn Inn, Morakot Hotel or Jansom Hotel.

What I do is to take the night bus from BKK to Chumphon, arrive there around 4.30 AM (Fame tours and restaurant is already open) so I go there for breakfast and take their morning visa run to Victoria point (back at noon) or the afternoon one to Andaman. Either way I can take the VIP bus back to Bkk at 21.30 if I don't spend the night in Chumphon.

I need to call Fame tours for a reservation because the minibus can be full and a couple of times I had to wait one day when I arrived there without reservation

081 6764900 guy name Akey