Visa-run Aranyaprathet/Poipet

[FRM-BKK]

For those interested or in a position of contemplating a visa-run, this was my experience this morning from Bangkok:

I choose to do my visa-run with Jack-Golf, from an advert in the Bangkok Post. Cost: 2000 baht all in.

I elected the 05.00am departure, as it is supposed to get back into Bangkok by 2.30pm.

As I arrived at Sukhumvit Soi 12 at 4.45am, the coach just turned up. Three Jack Golf assistants got to work.

They set out a table and chairs and asked all visa-runners to hand over their passport plus one photograph and sign some papers for cambodian visa and Thai Immigration cards.

All passports were checked for the status and visa validity of every visa runner. This I guess was done to avoid problems and diappointment on the border.

Once everybody was checked and ok, we all got on the coach.

The coach was very comfortable with reclining seats putting you almost horizontal, without disturbing the passenger in front or behind. Complimentary newspapers also available. Blankets are also given out.

Once on the way, the assistants explain the format and procedures of the visa-run. They warn about touts operating on the border and about children begging and pickpocketing if an opportunity arises.

Then they collect the fee for the service of 2000 baht, of which 1000 baht is the visa fee for Cambodia.

After that, the journey takes 3 hours to reach the border non stop, half an hour before the border the assistants give you back your passport and tells you to go through Thai Immigration and which lane to use.

When the coach arrives, a guide from Jack Golf takes the whole group (I think 12 of us this morning) to the immigration building, where you check-out of Thailand. This morning that took all of 5 minutes!! Once completed this process, the guide takes our passports again on the Cambodian side by now.

Once that is completed we are put into taxis, to take us up the road by about 300 mtrs. to a hotel, where we are served a buffet breakfast, included in the fee of 2000 baht. Not fantastic, but ok.

After 45 minutes in the hotel and breakfast, we go back into the taxis and back to the other Thai immigration building for entry into Thailand. As we get out of the taxis, our passports are handed back again, this time they (the Jack Golf assistants) have (whilst we were having breakfast) completed the immigration procedure on the Cambodian side. Passport now contains an entry-Visa for cambodia, an entry and exit stamp, ready for presentation to Thai Immigration.

Once we arrive at the Thai immigration office, there is a long line of people waiting to come into Thailand. All local people I guess.

Not us....... we are taken to the side, through a separate lane straight into the immigration office.

There we take an immigration card, but we do not need to fill this out, as Jack Golf assistants have already completed this process. This is kept hidden from the eyes of the Thai immigration officers. So we pretend to take a card and take it to the table to complete, but it is swopped for an already filled out card for us.

Back into line for entering into Thailand.

Five minutes later, all of us are back into Thailand and back on the coach, with our visas.

The coach leaves almost immediately for Bangkok and makes one stop half way at a gas station.

I was back in Bangkok (Asok) by 1.30pm

I found the whole experience easy and can only speak highly of the three guides/assistants who ran this morning's visa-run.

On this morning's experience, I would recommend this service to anybody in need to do a visa-run.

For those of you who might think that I am trying to advertise Jack Golf or get anything from them............ NO I am not and NO I am not getting anything from them!!

This is just my experience from this morning, which I thought was worth sharing with other readers.

FRM-UK now, Bangkok....

Edited January 14, 2008 by FRM-UK

[cali4995]

The actual Cambodian visa fee is $20. You can see this on the sticker they adhere

in your passport. At the current exchange rate this is approximately 660 baht.

Quite a bit of skimming going on. If they only used a fraction of those funds

to take care of their own disadvantaged. I would give it gladly.

[tropo]

For those interested or in a position of contemplating a visa-run, this was my experience this morning from Bangkok:

I choose to do my visa-run with Jack-Golf, from an advert in the Bangkok Post. Cost: 2000 baht all in.

Did you re-enter Thailand with a visa, or were you just going for the 30-day visa-exempt entry stamp?

I'm ask this because I'm curious as to whether or not they're (Thai Immigration) still asking to see evidence of onward travel.

[bkkperson]

If the OP was on the 5 oclock then he must have a non o/B as that they only llow those types of visa's on that time..they do another one 1 at 7 ish for everybody else..and they get round the onward travel by paying another 200baht for a non existent travel company in Cambodia

[Capantha]

Went out myself last week and no probs. I was suprised about the number of people still getting caught out on the 90 days in 180 rule. now I'm not talking about newbies who may not have done their homework, these folks were old hands to the world of visa running. C'mon guys, count your days! If you're too lazy to work it out you shouldn't bitch if it goes t1ts up at the border.

Cap.

[lopburi3]

Well perhaps they were counting 90 in 180 days - but the rule is not 90 in 180 days. It is 90 days in six months.

[Capantha]

Sorry, I stand corrected. Cheers lopburi.

Cap.

[bkkperson]

Well perhaps they were counting 90 in 180 days - but the rule is not 90 in 180 days. It is 90 days in six months.

It doesnt matter what they were counting,,once you've done your 3 30 days you've gotta get different visa so if they are turning up at the border trying to get more they are not going to...which is probably what is happening

[lopburi3]

Yes it does matter; the rule is not more than 90 days in six months on visa exempt entry. It is not visa entry and visa entry does not count against the 90 days.

[bkkperson]

I understand what your saying but im assuming by this little snippet here

Went out myself last week and no probs. I was suprised about the number of people still getting caught out on the 90 days in 180 rule. now I'm not talking about newbies who may not have done their homework, these folks were old hands to the world of visa running. C'mon guys, count your days! If you're too lazy to work it out you shouldn't bitch if it goes t1ts up at the border.

Cap.

that people are turning up after doing their 90 days and expecting to get more either that or they have done their 3x 30 days then got a 60 tourist visa extended then going back..but then again before i got my B and was doing that ...they were oky with people doing 3 x visa exempt then a 60 tourist extended then back onto visa exempt and thats not 90 days every 6 months thats 90days every 180..and to be honest if i think about it how can you clarify what the remainding time is as 6 months is different depending on what time in the calendar you start!!

I dunno the thai visa system...

[Lite Beer]

I understand what your saying but im assuming by this little snippet here

Went out myself last week and no probs. I was suprised about the number of people still getting caught out on the 90 days in 180 rule. now I'm not talking about newbies who may not have done their homework, these folks were old hands to the world of visa running. C'mon guys, count your days! If you're too lazy to work it out you shouldn't bitch if it goes t1ts up at the border.

Cap.

that people are turning up after doing their 90 days and expecting to get more either that or they have done their 3x 30 days then got a 60 tourist visa extended then going back..but then again before i got my B and was doing that ...they were oky with people doing 3 x visa exempt then a 60 tourist extended then back onto visa exempt and thats not 90 days every 6 months thats 90days every 180..and to be honest if i think about it how can you clarify what the remainding time is as 6 months is different depending on what time in the calendar you start!!

I dunno the thai visa system...

You can do as many Visa exempt entries as you want. There is no limit on the number of entries.

There is a limit on the number of days used. The limit is 90 days in a period of 6 MONTHS. Not the same as 180 Days.

[bkkperson]

You can do as many Visa exempt entries as you want. There is no limit on the number of entries.

There is a limit on the number of days used. The limit is 90 days in a period of 6 MONTHS. Not the same as 180 Days.

and how do you know that? as i have already explained when i did mine i did 3 x 30 days visa exempt then 1 60 day tourist visa then 1 extension of 30 days..and then i went back onto a 30 day visa exempt.......so tht equals 90 days out of 180 days

[lopburi3]

You either stayed out of Thailand several days or they did not catch you. If your first visa exempt was January 12 you should not be able to obtain more, after using 90 days, until six months later (July 12) and that would be more than 180 days.

[Lite Beer]

and how do you know that? as i have already explained when i did mine i did 3 x 30 days visa exempt then 1 60 day tourist visa then 1 extension of 30 days..and then i went back onto a 30 day visa exempt.......so tht equals 90 days out of 180 days

Without you giving any dates it is imposible to answer.

I expect that when you finished the schedule above it put you in a new 6 month cycle.

[bkkperson]

Well i have just looked at the offical site and it does say 6month period so ill hold my hands up...but i must have slipped through the net because my previous post's numbers are right!!

[Lite Beer]

Well i have just looked at the offical site and it does say 6month period so ill hold my hands up...but i must have slipped through the net because my previous post's numbers are right!!

Perhaps they need a bigger net.

[sniffdog]

Sad to see Jack had to increase their prices by 200 baht ... guess they didn't make enough money

[bkkperson]

Well i have just looked at the offical site and it does say 6month period so ill hold my hands up...but i must have slipped through the net because my previous post's numbers are right!!

Perhaps they need a bigger net.

No perhaps they need glasses

[Lite Beer]

Well i have just looked at the offical site and it does say 6month period so ill hold my hands up...but i must have slipped through the net because my previous post's numbers are right!!

Perhaps they need a bigger net.

No perhaps they need glasses

Glasses of what?

[FRM-BKK]

I am the original poster and recall that there were different passport and visa holders on my "run"

I have a NON O 1 year multiple entries.

There were about 4 Koreans, they get 90 days without visa of any kind.

Another two Europeans, one on a 60 day tourist visa, two on NON O and one on NON B

There were two girls, both on 30 day re-entry, they were asked to produce airline tickets, with the outward journey on the tickets before or immediately upon the last day of the 30 day period.

The jack Golf employees checked everybodies visa and immigration status and necessary paperwork (air tickets) prior to departure from Bangkok.

For those cheap Charlies who think that Jack Golf is expensive I say the following:

First of all they offer a service as a BUSINESS. There were 5 people (employees)involved all the way.

The service they offered was excellent, without ANY inconvenience to the customer (me)

They took all the waiting out of the process.

The actual time spent in-line out of and into Thailand was all together maybe 5 to 8 minutes.

No need to do anything on the Cambodian side, all done whilst we were having breakfast in the hotel (included in the fee)

I did not have to drive, saving petrol I and could sleep both ways.

In my opinion well worth the money!

FRM-UK now Bangkok

[GungaDin]

Jack Golf has been providing a good service since I 1st used them in early 2002.

2000bt fee hasn't changed since then.

[TAWP]

Indeed. And last trip I found it nice to see that they got a new VIP bus, with even more space between the seats (makes it possible to recline the chairs a lot without bumping into anyone). But we where some 20-25 people on that tour.

[tropo]

Yes it does matter; the rule is not more than 90 days in six months on visa exempt entry. It is not visa entry and visa entry does not count against the 90 days.

I know we've covered this a lot over the last year, but I've seen evidence of a guy being knocked back in Ban Laem using the 90/180 count.

You keep saying it's a 6 month period and I know the official site talks of 6 months, but it makes a period calculation difficult for some dates.

for example:

1. 29 August to 28 February

2. 30 August to 28 February

3. 31 August to 28 February

There's a number of other problematic "6-month" periods too, but the above illustrates the point well.

My theory is that in practice they use 180 days in their calculations.

Either way, it's difficult to guarantee anything at the border, and in the end what they give you is what you get.

[tropo]

If the OP was on the 5 oclock then he must have a non o/B as that they only llow those types of visa's on that time..they do another one 1 at 7 ish for everybody else..and they get round the onward travel by paying another 200baht for a non existent travel company in Cambodia

The 200 baht bogus transportation tickets are not available at the Aran/Poipet border. That's the caper at Ban Laem.

[lopburi3]

Yes it does matter; the rule is not more than 90 days in six months on visa exempt entry. It is not visa entry and visa entry does not count against the 90 days.

I know we've covered this a lot over the last year, but I've seen evidence of a guy being knocked back in Ban Laem using the 90/180 count.

You keep saying it's a 6 month period and I know the official site talks of 6 months, but it makes a period calculation difficult for some dates.

for example:

1. 29 August to 28 February

2. 30 August to 28 February

3. 31 August to 28 February

There's a number of other problematic "6-month" periods too, but the above illustrates the point well.

My theory is that in practice they use 180 days in their calculations.

Either way, it's difficult to guarantee anything at the border, and in the end what they give you is what you get.

And that is why i consistently urge travelers not to count on the visa exempt entry after they amass 60 days. It will be up to the math of the office and can change from person to person.

[tropo]

And that is why i consistently urge travelers not to count on the visa exempt entry after they amass 60 days. It will be up to the math of the office and can change from person to person.

That's good advice. I always like to keep 30 days up my sleeve when I apply for a tourist visa.

[Eugen]

The actual Cambodian visa fee is $20. You can see this on the sticker they adhere

in your passport. At the current exchange rate this is approximately 660 baht.

Quite a bit of skimming going on. If they only used a fraction of those funds

to take care of their own disadvantaged. I would give it gladly.

It has always been the rule that you pay at least THB 1,000.- for the cambodian visa at any landborder.

[Eugen]

Indeed. And last trip I found it nice to see that they got a new VIP bus, with even more space between the seats (makes it possible to recline the chairs a lot without bumping into anyone). But we where some 20-25 people on that tour.

I have to correct you, the 3 buses Jacks is using ,are getting old,one got new seats only.

Many of my friends have been on these 3buses which broke down frequently.

Most of my friends have changed to quickthaivisarun and thaivisaservice.

[Maigo6]

The actual Cambodian visa fee is $20. You can see this on the sticker they adhere

in your passport. At the current exchange rate this is approximately 660 baht.

Quite a bit of skimming going on. If they only used a fraction of those funds

to take care of their own disadvantaged. I would give it gladly.

It has always been the rule that you pay at least THB 1,000.- for the cambodian visa at any landborder.

I paid with a 20$ Bill and had no problems, that equals less than 1000 Baht.

Where do you come up with the rule that has always stated that you must pay at least 1000 Baht ?

Edited January 17, 2008 by Maigo6

[tropo]

...I paid with a 20$ Bill and had no problems, that equals less than 1000 Baht....

Can you tell us more about how you paid with a $20 bill. I've read numerous reports on here from people attempting to pay with a $20 bill and ending up with problems.

One guy said they discretely tore his bill and handed it back asking for another. Another reported how they went really slow with his visa after paying with a $20 bill and he had to wait a long time. Others were threatened with a long wait but relented and paid with baht.

If it's so easy, could you help the rest of us with some advice on the correct way to go about it.

$20 is worth about 650 baht right now, so I'm sure a lot of people would like to save the 350 if it is easy to do.

Edited January 17, 2008 by Maestro
Reduced quoted text. No need to quote multiple, nested posts - Maestro