Cambodia Visa Run

[thaitanic]

Any good recommendations for a fast visa run from Bangkok to Cambodia next Tuesday?

I've heard Jack's visa run are OK. A guy from this operator just told me there are 3-hour queues (150 people) at Poipet

Most important this time is to get back to Bangkok as early as possible. I don't mind how early I leave. I have a non-immigrant B visa and work permit but I will also have an outbound flight ticket for 2nd June if they need to see that as well.

Thanks!

[Tomkagai]

If you have a Non-imm B and work permit....why do you need to do a visa run ??....curious

[lopburi3]

Because a visa entry is for 90 days? Unless you qualify for one year extensions of stay you have to leave/return every 90 days or less.

[Tomkagai]

Ok....didnt realise that....been 6 years on WP and never had to do a visa run, but obviously because of the reason you mention

Thanks for the info...

[jdinasia]

I have used JackGolf several times and been pleased each time. I personally would not do Cambodia alone... things just change far too fast

The last couple of 90 day runs I have done have been at Mae Sot (I drove) ... Super friendly fast and courteous service!

[thaitanic]

Yes I have a multiple entry non-B and I don't get 1-year extensions so I have to leave every 90 days.

I will try Jack's. Just that the other one advertises getting back earlier.

Any more recommendations?

[Big A]

I have used JackGolf several times and been pleased each time. I personally would not do Cambodia alone... things just change far too fast

The last couple of 90 day runs I have done have been at Mae Sot (I drove) ... Super friendly fast and courteous service!

Really? I didn't know you could do a border run to Mae Sot. How long for a round trip in your own car?

Edited March 20, 2008 by Big A

[jdinasia]

I have used JackGolf several times and been pleased each time. I personally would not do Cambodia alone... things just change far too fast

The last couple of 90 day runs I have done have been at Mae Sot (I drove) ... Super friendly fast and courteous service!

Really? I didn't know you could do a border run to Mae Sot. How long for a round trip in your own car?

about 5 hours 1 way maybe? but we don't go flat out .. and we stop to eat. mae Sot is a great little town. There's a Canadian guy with a resraurant there that is pretty good. Lots of youngish farang around (volunteer workers in the refugee camps as well as some trekkers) nice drive through the mountains from Tak to MaeSot (gas up in Tak if you are low) Pine forests up that high!

Some funky little cheap hotels in town

This last time we stayed at a place that looked like absolute crap on the outside! and was all hand carved Teak on the inside .. at a whopping outrageous 450 a night. The seafood there is amazing ... (who'd have thunk it? but just across a narrow strip of Myanmar is the Andaman)

The immigration staff have been super nice and the 500 baht fee in Myanmar is well worth it since it is hassle free and fast. No issue to just do the turn around, they expect it as there just does not appear to be anything worth crossing to see!)

[lapamita]

i was a week ago in baan laem, i got my 30 days stamp, but would not go back to this boarder.

there is only one word to stay, except one friendly guy, who ckeck a lot but speak nicely, the rest was very very s............ avoid this boarder

[medegen]

Any good recommendations for a fast visa run from Bangkok to Cambodia next Tuesday?

I've heard Jack's visa run are OK. A guy from this operator just told me there are 3-hour queues (150 people) at Poipet

Most important this time is to get back to Bangkok as early as possible. I don't mind how early I leave. I have a non-immigrant B visa and work permit but I will also have an outbound flight ticket for 2nd June if they need to see that as well.

Thanks!

Yeah I went last month and had to wait almost 3 hours getting back to the Thai side. Coming into Cambodia wasnt bad, but coming out the line stretched all the way out into the street where the guys with the motorbikes were. Oh and of course it rained..... They opened up 4 booths? I think its 4....anyways, as soon as they opened them they told everyone to get in line for the 4 windows and then they closed 2 of the windows right as everyone from the single long line split off for the other windows. So now about 100+ people got cut out of the line.......It was my 4th time there and I have never seen it like that. It was crazy. I'm going to Laos in a few days and going to try for the X2 Tourist Visa's. I will update the current situation from the embassy there in the other thread.

[rak sa_ngop]

i was a week ago in baan laem, i got my 30 days stamp, but would not go back to this boarder.

there is only one word to stay, except one friendly guy, who ckeck a lot but speak nicely, the rest was very very s............ avoid this boarder

I did Ban Laem 2 weeks ago with Jack Golf and found it to be a relatively stress-free almost pleasurable experience. Took a bit longer to come back across the border than expected (about 20 mins queueing) so arrived back about 5.30 p.m. Had a buffet lunch and lounged around at Jack's premises for almost 2 hours. Not exactly sure why you would want to avoid this compared to other border crossing horror stories.

[lapamita]

yes ,to pass the boarder was quickly, no waiting time , i was the only farang there about 15h afternooon. costs low 20 USD for visa plus the obligatory 2x100.- corruptionmoney to the cambodian police.

i was not doing any boarder run since middle of 2006,,, before all immigrationstuff was nice,, today hmmmm.....

maybe on this day, it was so suspect to theimmigration,,that i have a 30 day entry stamp expire 25.3 and i leave thailand for a visarun on 14.,3 and still have an unused TR visa in passport.

i was leaving bcs i was having time and go to kochang as well this day and my next trip out is 10.4 so my 30 day stamp was not covering it , thats why i renew. and even dont want to use the tr visa when i return................. it was cleard out by a nice guy,,,,,, but the rest of the people there,,very bad,,,maybe its bcs now no money under table compare to the cambodian side ( i think ow the police on the cambodianside have more income like the thaicounterpart.)

i was feeling on the boarder

"" please please please let me go inside , my only poor farang""

[visarunner]

Yes I have a multiple entry non-B and I don't get 1-year extensions so I have to leave every 90 days.

I will try Jack's. Just that the other one advertises getting back earlier.

Any more recommendations?

Based on there own Webside they have decided to go to PoiPet only.

Many faragns have switched to use either www.thaivisaservice.com or www.thaivisarun.com for their VisaRun.

Owners of both companies know the rules and both go to Ban Laem.

[visarunner]

yes ,to pass the boarder was quickly, no waiting time , i was the only farang there about 15h afternooon. costs low 20 USD for visa plus the obligatory 2x100.- corruptionmoney to the cambodian police.

i was not doing any boarder run since middle of 2006,,, before all immigrationstuff was nice,, today hmmmm.....

maybe on this day, it was so suspect to theimmigration,,that i have a 30 day entry stamp expire 25.3 and i leave thailand for a visarun on 14.,3 and still have an unused TR visa in passport.

i was leaving bcs i was having time and go to kochang as well this day and my next trip out is 10.4 so my 30 day stamp was not covering it , thats why i renew. and even dont want to use the tr visa when i return................. it was cleard out by a nice guy,,,,,, but the rest of the people there,,very bad,,,maybe its bcs now no money under table compare to the cambodian side ( i think ow the police on the cambodianside have more income like the thaicounterpart.)

i was feeling on the boarder

"" please please please let me go inside , my only poor farang""

I have never seen a positive comment about Thailand from you.

I personally think that the Thai Immigration in Ban Laem are very correct.

[Big A]

Yes I have a multiple entry non-B and I don't get 1-year extensions so I have to leave every 90 days.

I will try Jack's. Just that the other one advertises getting back earlier.

Any more recommendations?

Based on there own Webside they have decided to go to PoiPet only.

Many faragns have switched to use either www.thaivisaservice.com or www.thaivisarun.com for their VisaRun.

Owners of both companies know the rules and both go to Ban Laem.

What?? Have Jacks pulled out of Ban Laem? Their website still says they go there.

[jdinasia]

Yes I have a multiple entry non-B and I don't get 1-year extensions so I have to leave every 90 days.

I will try Jack's. Just that the other one advertises getting back earlier.

Any more recommendations?

Based on there own Webside they have decided to go to PoiPet only.

Many faragns have switched to use either www.thaivisaservice.com or www.thaivisarun.com for their VisaRun.

Owners of both companies know the rules and both go to Ban Laem.

What?? Have Jacks pulled out of Ban Laem? Their website still says they go there.

I think Mondays is PoiPet only .. bus maintenance day?

[tropo]

i was a week ago in baan laem, i got my 30 days stamp, but would not go back to this boarder.

there is only one word to stay, except one friendly guy, who ckeck a lot but speak nicely, the rest was very very s............ avoid this boarder

Which border post is best to use will depend a lot on your location. There's no way I'm going to travel any further than I have to.

Apart from that, I've been to the Ban Laem border post many times and found it ok and it has the added advantage that people needing a 30 day visa-free entry can purchase a 200 baht "transportation" ticket to take care of the onward travel requirements.

I didn't find the immigration officers any less friendly than anywhere else in Thailand. I don't expect them to be friendly anyway, so this doesn't concern me in the slightest.

[mel2surf]

When we say Ban Laem are we talking about the Pailin area border?

The one that Pattaya visa runners use right? I've never had problems there,and like Tropo

said,have gotten a "bus ticket" in a matter of minutes to satisfy onward requirement.

No food though last time...bummer...but anyway,I just want to get in,get out and get home

lickety split.

[mazuntex]

Just a quick note. We were in Phnom Penh last month. Got new Thai 60 day visa...almost no questions asked. Very easy. Then crossed back in on the bus from Siem Reap. Hassle free. Does anyone know if a one year, multiple entry, visa in Phnom Penh is just as easy?

[dcychan]

Any good recommendations for a fast visa run from Bangkok to Cambodia next Tuesday?

I've heard Jack's visa run are OK. A guy from this operator just told me there are 3-hour queues (150 people) at Poipet

Most important this time is to get back to Bangkok as early as possible. I don't mind how early I leave. I have a non-immigrant B visa and work permit but I will also have an outbound flight ticket for 2nd June if they need to see that as well.

Thanks!

You are already holidng a non imm B visa and work permit so why do you need to do a visa run?

What you need is to submit a 90 day report at any immigration office in BKK or Hua Hin, phuket wherever you may be working

This is a must because Immig need this report to keep record of your place of residence. No need to leave thailand.

However,please remember to apply for a re-entry permit should you need to leave Thailand for business trip or short vacation.

leo

[lopburi3]

A visa entry is for 90 days - he therefore must exit Thailand and return for his next 90 day entry.

Yes I have a multiple entry non-B and I don't get 1-year extensions so I have to leave every 90 days.

[mizzi39]

I have used Jacks golf from Bkk. to Poipet 3 times so far and never had a problem. Bus leaves Sukumvit soi 12 (in front of 7-eleven) at 0500 and returns at around 1300-1330. 3 hours to the border, 2 hours at the border, and 3 hour return. They shuttle you to a casino and comp. you breakfast while Jacks' staff handle your visa affairs. easy and painless.

[sniffdog]

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I've heard Jack's visa run are OK. A guy from this operator just told me there are 3-hour queues (150 people) at Poipet

================================================================

Not anymore .... Jack Golf has a VIP service now .... no need to wait in line or show a air ticket.

I would say no other service beats them .....

[amrishtony]

Good information from ur thread.

Can I get the contact details of Jacks????

[sniffdog]

http://www.jackgolf.com

You get the contact details too from their website.

[visarunner]

================================================================

I've heard Jack's visa run are OK. A guy from this operator just told me there are 3-hour queues (150 people) at Poipet

================================================================

Not anymore .... Jack Golf has a VIP service now .... no need to wait in line or show a air ticket.

I would say no other service beats them .....

I wonder how they solve the problem with the 90day ruling, which they are still not able to controll.

Many of my friends who used Jacks in the past had problems at the border because Jack's were not able to calculate correctly.

Be carefull .

[Lynnx]

http://www.jackgolf.com

You get the contact details too from their website.

Poipet is he-ll on earth, be careful!

[beme]

What?? Have Jacks pulled out of Ban Laem? Their website still says they go there.

Yes, they did pull out. Strange move, I like Ban Laem better than the other border.

[lapamita]

somebody know something about BAAN HAT LEK,, before baanlaem was opend and always was going there.before the rule changed they was very friendly and even a night in the new kinkon hotel was nice.

next time if, i try this boarder ( even driving from pattaya is mor nice, as go to baanlaem only its about 100 km more, but nice street)

[thaitanic]

So I used Jack Golf to go to Poipet.

They used a big bus which left promptly at 5am from outside 7-eleven. I suggest being there 4.45am at the very latest as you sign some paperwork before boarding the bus.

It took something like 3 hours to get to the border with a couple of stops in Bkk on the way to pick up a couple more people.

I was told on the phone this would be a VIP service costing 2200 baht, meaning all immigration matters are dealt with by them, but in fact it was only a normal service costing 2000 baht. But the queue at Thai immigration leaving Thailand was not so bad. 15 minutes perhaps. And very fast on the way back. All the Cambodian immigration stuff was dealt with by the Jack staff.

The buffet meal in the hotel in Cambodia was fine and then there was a wait in the foyer of perhaps 30-60 minutes while the passports were sorted.

There was very little hassle from kids. Just a couple holding an umbrella over me asking for money.

The bus got back to Asok at 13:50.

However for me it was still a very uncomfortable trip. Although there is loads of leg room seats are designed for someone much smaller than me (I'm 6' 1") so the head restraint actual came below my shoulder blades and the position was very uncomfortable. But much worse than that, the bus was uncomfortably hot on the way back. I don't know if the air conditioning was broken or what but it was like an oven and everyone was looking hot and bothered. So I can't really recommend it because of that. I think I will fly somewhere next time.