Visa Run Companies From Pattaya

[torrenova]

With a cancelled trip to Singapore, I now have to hit the border before 21st. My usual options of 1st Class and 5 Star are both full so I need to look at other options, something I have never had to do before.

As I don't relish the cramped vans (the above 2 have retrofitted 6 seats in a Toyota Commuter with DVD), I would be particularly interested in the big bus option. I used to see one advertised on TV but I cannot remember who.

Anyway, please add any information you have to this list. Much appreciated.

1st Class Visa Runs (from Witherspoons Pub, Soi Buakhow) - 086 147 1618

Bt2400, 6 seat van with DVD, breakfast and dinner upon return.

5 Star Visa Runs (from The Sportsman, Soi 13) - 038 146 088 (5*) 038 710 609 (The Sportsman)

Bt2400, 6 seat van with DVD, breakfast and packed lunch on return.

[tropo]

Cambodia Inter on Soi Buakhao.

1,700 in minivan (perhaps a bus if they have enough people on the day).

No breakfast, no packed lunch. They stop at a roadside restaurant on the way back.

Good drivers, comfortable van with no frills.

Usually get back around 3pm.

I've done 5-star and it's not worth the extra 700 baht. The breakfast was mostly local baked beans.

With my GF who also needs to do border runs, I save 1,400 baht.

Edited December 18, 2007 by tropo

[naka]

Sea Air Land Tours, beach end of soi Post Office, daily minibus trips

and big bus trips a couple of times a week.

Naka.

[torrenova]

Apparently no big bus with SAL anymore.

[pattaya_girl]

I do the same as Tropo. Value for Money and the cheapest in Pattaya.

[torrenova]

OK, but I don't want the cheapest, I wan the easiest and that is Witherspoons but they have no space. Crammed like sardines in a tin to save Bt500 or so over 8 hours is not value for money IMHO.

[pattaya_girl]

Ok i understand. When i was looking for a Visa run shop, i saw loads on soi bouakao and also there are quite a lot on Pattayaklang between Topps and 3rd road. Most of the visa runs drive in convoy anyway. never seen the Big Bus for a long time, maybe its stopped now.

[torrenova]

Booked for 21st with SAL on Soi Post Office. Bt2500 but I think the bus is 9 seats but only 6 people. They offer to pick you up and drop you off but they won't come out as far to collect me yet no reduction. Doesn't seem like there is any food either so a potential rip off at the price but I'll post back tomorrow about my experience.

[tropo]

OK, but I don't want the cheapest, I wan the easiest and that is Witherspoons but they have no space. Crammed like sardines in a tin to save Bt500 or so over 8 hours is not value for money IMHO.

I don't believe I said anything about being crammed like sardines did I? We're not talking about a cheap service, but a very good value for money service.

The vans are comfortable and often my girl gets to sleep across 2 or 3 seats. It's also quicker than the breakfast + packed lunch runs, and you get to choose a decent lunch at a roadside restaurant that is infinitely more enjoyable than the packed lunches.

You ask for advice, and when good advice is given you start talking it down. Have you been on a Cambodia Inter run?

If money is no object as you're indicating here, why not hire a limo to take you on your own. You could have 5 star breakfast at a top class restaurant before you go. If you have the money to spend then there's no real advantage going on a visa run with a company.

[torrenova]

As the visa companies pay over Bt1200 for the inclusive visa service (this was the amount when the $20 visa cost Bt850+, now Bt660), Bt1700 fare leaves only Bt500 for transport. Having 9 people in the same area as 6 quasi business class seats as per Witherspoons and 5* is not comparable. I understand that SAL use the same Toyota Commuter but it is standard 9 seat configuration but not occupying all seats.

As for stopping at a restaurant, that just adds time. Neither of the two options I initially quoted stop anywhere apart from toilet breaks and you can have you breakfast, meal when you get back or eat your packed lunch (5*) if you choose or not.

Thanks to all who contributed.

[tropo]

As the visa companies pay over Bt1200 for the inclusive visa service (this was the amount when the $20 visa cost Bt850+, now Bt660), Bt1700 fare leaves only Bt500 for transport. Having 9 people in the same area as 6 quasi business class seats as per Witherspoons and 5* is not comparable. I understand that SAL use the same Toyota Commuter but it is standard 9 seat configuration but not occupying all seats.

As for stopping at a restaurant, that just adds time. Neither of the two options I initially quoted stop anywhere apart from toilet breaks and you can have you breakfast, meal when you get back or eat your packed lunch (5*) if you choose or not.

Thanks to all who contributed.

This requires reply because you continue to make statements that are not true.

I've done 5 star and SAL, and both of them took longer than Cambodia Inter. I mentioned 3pm as the return time just to be safe, but I usually get back at 2:30pm.

You keep harping on how the service must be inferior because of the price, yet you have not been on the run. If price indicates the quality of the service, then your decisions will always be easy...just take the most expensive service.

Don't kid youself that they pay 1200 baht for the Cambodia visa. That's just a way to justify their price. I pulled them up on this (5 star) last year when I queried why they were charging 1,200 for the visa. They just gave me an evasive answer.

[torrenova]

I am real sorry that you continue to have a go when you don't know the facts and I do. I know the owners of 1st Class Visa Runs and we are friends. We often meet for a night out. So when I say that it comes from the horse's mouth, it is not some wild guess but a statement of fact that they pay Bt1200 over from their Bt2400. Assistance is provided with the service and though I agree that the price paid is OTT and even more so since the USD's decline, it remains at that level.

As to SAL which I took the other day, it is a rip off and very poor quality in comparison. Bt2500 for a 9 seater bus, though only 7 people accommodated, no movies, only a can of pop at the border and some skanky meal of crap at some roadside place on the way back. They offer pick up but not if you actually live outside of the hotel zone so that was no good. They were late getting started. You have to wait on the street with all the wierdos out at 6am on Beach Road.

All in, it was terrible. Cannot recommend and if that is worth Bt2500 then 1st Class is worth another Bt500 on top.

[tropo]

I am real sorry that you continue to have a go when you don't know the facts and I do. I know the owners of 1st Class Visa Runs and we are friends. We often meet for a night out. So when I say that it comes from the horse's mouth, it is not some wild guess but a statement of fact that they pay Bt1200 over from their Bt2400. Assistance is provided with the service and though I agree that the price paid is OTT and even more so since the USD's decline, it remains at that level.

You can say you're friends with 1st Class visa runs if you like...and I'll take your word for it right now, but a Cambodian visa costs only US $20. That's around 670 baht. You're saying that they pay someone an extra 530 baht...for what? I suggest your friend is not being up front with you.

But anyway, it doesn't really matter what they tell you and what they pay, the bottom line is that you end up paying an extra 700 baht for a service that is no better except you get a cut lunch (not the best) and a breakfast heavy on local baked beans.

You mentioned the time factor. With your breakfast service you get up earlier so you can have a breakfast and spend some time with a prepared lunch at the border. With Cambodia Inter you spend 15-20 minutes at a road side restaurant. Please explain how your service is faster? I'll bet you point to point your service is slower.

You're the one asking for information about visa alternatives. Don't be so quick so slag good suggestions just because you have the mistaken belief that you get what you pay for.

[JimmyTheMook]

Q: Are these trips smoke free runs ? or do you need to book special days for that ?

[torrenova]

Smoke free but they stop for a fag / toilet break on the way there and on the way back.

[torrenova]

You mentioned the time factor. With your breakfast service you get up earlier so you can have a breakfast and spend some time with a prepared lunch at the border. With Cambodia Inter you spend 15-20 minutes at a road side restaurant. Please explain how your service is faster? I'll bet you point to point your service is slower.

You're the one asking for information about visa alternatives. Don't be so quick so slag good suggestions just because you have the mistaken belief that you get what you pay for.

So for sheer speed, anyone who stops for food is going to be slower than someone who does not, agreed ? On that basis, 1st Class and 5* would be quicker as they do not stop on the way back except for a toilet break. 5* offer a packed lunch whilst 1st Class offer a meal upon your return, which you could decline if you wanted to.

I agree that the Bt500+ now garnered over the true visa fee is reason enough to do it oneself but you must be aware that the Cambodians want Bt1000 and not $20. I have seen them tear a $20 note and refuse to accept it just to get the Bt1000. I always presumed that the visa companies were effectively paying the Bt1000 and Bt200 service fee for fewer questions asked and less formalities.

The Cambo and Thai robbers wanted a ticket on the invisible bus (Bt200) for those coming back on 30 day stamps.

As for breakfast, then it is no Marriot comparison but it is something and something more than I got with SAL who were Bt100 more at Bt2500.

You know, if I had known where on Soi Buakhow this Cambodia Inter was and if my truck had not been in the garage, then I would probably have gone to see them. I still doubt I would have booked as I suspect they pack the van with a body on every seat and that does nothing for me. However, at a maximum price difference of Bt700 or so, it is about Bt8 per day over a 90 day cycle.

[tropo]

When I was making a time comparison I was including the time it takes to get there earlier for breakfast (with your expensive first class services), and for some reason even then the Cambodia Inter service makes it back earlier. Do your services arrive back before 2:30pm? 7 am till 2:30 pm is the time it takes.

I did explain that on the times that I did my visa runs my girl was sleeping across 3 seats. I've never been on a full bus yet. At present, with tighter visa regulations the amount of people doing border runs has reduced considerably.

The bogus bus ticket is a bonus. It's preferable to having to arrange onward travel and a cost I'm happy to pay.

[clip]

Sea Air Land Tours, beach end of soi Post Office, daily minibus trips

and big bus trips a couple of times a week.

Naka.

sea air land tours used to be the best in pattaya ,everybody met at end of soi post office great drivers and were usually home by 2:00 2:30 , but now they decided to pick people up at their residents which makes the trip just awfull now ,as some trips dont get back till 4:00 4:30 most of the time , almost every trip someone invaribly sleeps in or just completly forgets that they booked , had to wait 35 minutes for one guy at his residents who slept in.and when he got in the van didnt even appoligize ha ha not recomended!!!

[sniffdog]

Jack Golf

[deejah]

has anyone taken inter recently?

I need to go soon

but prefer to not be packed full in a van

much more comfortable if you have space to rest

I also read about the casino bus

and that it is not usually full

that sounds comfortable and cheap

if anyone is driving I would like a ride soon and can pay

thanks

[tropo]

has anyone taken inter recently?

I need to go soon

but prefer to not be packed full in a van

much more comfortable if you have space to rest

I also read about the casino bus

and that it is not usually full

that sounds comfortable and cheap

if anyone is driving I would like a ride soon and can pay

thanks

I always take Cambodia Inter. Except on one occasion when they used a brand new van that hadn't been refitted yet (asian seats to be taken out), their vans all have 3 rows of 3 with a space in between the 3. How packed the vans will be depends on how many visa runners there are on any particular day. These seats recline and are comfortable.

They normally have them full because a number of visa run companies book seats in the same vans. I found this out when I was talking to another person in my van who paid 2,100 for the same service I had paid 1,800 for with Inter.

[grahamdarwin]

I used Sportsman last year,breakfast,packed lunch,no smoking bus, 6 seats and a free beer on return...Good service,good driver i think 2400 baht.

P.s. I like local beans

[tropo]

I used Sportsman last year,breakfast,packed lunch,no smoking bus, 6 seats and a free beer on return...Good service,good driver i think 2400 baht.

P.s. I like local beans

lol

I gave Sportsman's a miss because of too many local beans for breakfast. If they'd offered imported bakes beans I may have stayed with them lol.

[JimmyTheMook]

I used Sportsman last year,breakfast,packed lunch,no smoking bus, 6 seats and a free beer on return...Good service,good driver i think 2400 baht.

P.s. I like local beans

lol

I gave Sportsman's a miss because of too many local beans for breakfast. If they'd offered imported bakes beans I may have stayed with them lol.

That heavy bean breakfast must make for an enjoyable 4 hours cramped in close quarters with each other.

Sounds like a delight (anyone light a fart?)

[jellymeister]

I tend to side with Tropo here...there is nothing wrong with shopping for a good deal.....btw on that note what is the cheapest visa run available(please don't say hitchhiking etc)

Not to pick on any company but the whole euphemistic use of "first class/five star/aristocratic/ + visa run" is kind of humorous...I mean it is a pretty humiliating experience....

here are some other possible names that might more accurately reflect the actual experience

down and out visa runs

vagabond visa runs

dog's <deleted> visa runs

stateless expat visa runs

etc I am sure that someone out there can come up with a funnier one

OK, but I don't want the cheapest, I wan the easiest and that is Witherspoons but they have no space. Crammed like sardines in a tin to save Bt500 or so over 8 hours is not value for money IMHO.

I don't believe I said anything about being crammed like sardines did I? We're not talking about a cheap service, but a very good value for money service.

The vans are comfortable and often my girl gets to sleep across 2 or 3 seats. It's also quicker than the breakfast + packed lunch runs, and you get to choose a decent lunch at a roadside restaurant that is infinitely more enjoyable than the packed lunches.

You ask for advice, and when good advice is given you start talking it down. Have you been on a Cambodia Inter run?

If money is no object as you're indicating here, why not hire a limo to take you on your own. You could have 5 star breakfast at a top class restaurant before you go. If you have the money to spend then there's no real advantage going on a visa run with a company.

Edited November 22, 2008 by jellymeister

[tropo]

I used Sportsman last year,breakfast,packed lunch,no smoking bus, 6 seats and a free beer on return...Good service,good driver i think 2400 baht.

P.s. I like local beans

lol

I gave Sportsman's a miss because of too many local beans for breakfast. If they'd offered imported bakes beans I may have stayed with them lol.

That heavy bean breakfast must make for an enjoyable 4 hours cramped in close quarters with each other.

Sounds like a delight (anyone light a fart?)

It's not quite as bad as it seems because most punters don't like the local beans and leave them on the plate.

Edited November 22, 2008 by tropo

[ubonjoe]

Not to pick on any company but the whole euphemistic use of "first class/five star/aristocratic/ + visa run" is kind of humorous...I mean it is a pretty humiliating experience....

here are some other possible names that might more accurately reflect the actual experience

down and out visa runs

vagabond visa runs

dog's <deleted> visa runs

stateless expat visa runs

etc I am sure that someone out there can come up with a funnier one

Calling them a visa run is a misnomer anyway. Just going to the border and back you are not getting a visa. Thats why I prefer to call them border runs.

A true visa run is going out of the country and getting a visa at a consulate.

A better name would be: Alien Re-entry Runs

[stat]

Not to pick on any company but the whole euphemistic use of "first class/five star/aristocratic/ + visa run" is kind of humorous...I mean it is a pretty humiliating experience....

here are some other possible names that might more accurately reflect the actual experience

down and out visa runs

vagabond visa runs

dog's <deleted> visa runs

stateless expat visa runs

etc I am sure that someone out there can come up with a funnier one

Calling them a visa run is a misnomer anyway. Just going to the border and back you are not getting a visa. Thats why I prefer to call them border runs.

A true visa run is going out of the country and getting a visa at a consulate.

A better name would be: Alien Re-entry Runs

Any other companies doing Big Bus (safety issues are my reason) or at least Pick up from East pattaya?

Big question for me is why do the Visa runs start so early in the morning? 9 pm would be Ok for me :-) Any companies that have such timetables...

Edited March 26, 2011 by stat

[tombkk]

If money is no object as you're indicating here, why not hire a limo to take you on your own. You could have 5 star breakfast at a top class restaurant before you go. If you have the money to spend then there's no real advantage going on a visa run with a company.

Limo, ha! TG flies from Suvarnabhumi to Phnom Penh in the morning, arrival 9am. You'll have the whole day in the city, can eat what you want, and departure is at around 9pm. Since you return within 24 hours, the TG staff at check-in in BKK will already issue the boarding pass for your return flight, so you don't need to wait for the TG counter to open before you go to the lounge, because you are of course a Gold Card member or fly business class. Or both.

Breakfast on the way there, food and free beer in the lounge and on the flight on the way back, and no visa fee for Cambodia because you have a one-year multiple-entry business visa for that country. But then, you could also fly to Singapore, for which you might not even need a visa.

If you have the money to spend, that is. In which case you probably won't make day-trips but take the opportunity and spend a week in Bali, for example.

SCNR.

[tropo]

If money is no object as you're indicating here, why not hire a limo to take you on your own. You could have 5 star breakfast at a top class restaurant before you go. If you have the money to spend then there's no real advantage going on a visa run with a company.

Limo, ha! TG flies from Suvarnabhumi to Phnom Penh in the morning, arrival 9am. You'll have the whole day in the city, can eat what you want, and departure is at around 9pm. Since you return within 24 hours, the TG staff at check-in in BKK will already issue the boarding pass for your return flight, so you don't need to wait for the TG counter to open before you go to the lounge, because you are of course a Gold Card member or fly business class. Or both.

Breakfast on the way there, food and free beer in the lounge and on the flight on the way back, and no visa fee for Cambodia because you have a one-year multiple-entry business visa for that country. But then, you could also fly to Singapore, for which you might not even need a visa.

If you have the money to spend, that is. In which case you probably won't make day-trips but take the opportunity and spend a week in Bali, for example.

SCNR.

You're replying to a 2007 post. If I flew to Phnom Penh I'd still have to take a taxi from Pattaya to the airport so the time spent getting to the airport, waiting for flights and transport to the Embassy would cancel out any advantages of flying.