I may have to use this in coming months. I seldom (Actually never) see topics for this. I am thinking about People who has information or know links provide them

I'm looking at doing the run on Wednesday and started researching last week. You might want to read this thread;

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=179330

One piece of advice I'd give yourself and others is; don't encourage corruption by bribing immigration. This includes accepting demands to pay in Thai Baht so that they can make FX profits. You might not be able to be part of the solution to corruption and extortion, but you can refuse to be part of the problem. Forget the idiots on here who think it's cool to be able to say they've bribed government officials or say "when in Rome".

If I learn anything new on Wednesday, I'll post here.

Before you go make sure you get a new 10 dollar bill from one of the bank foreign exchange counters, you will get it for the current exchange rate. If you don't it will cost you 500 baht from the boat operators. The 10 dollars is the fee for the Burmese stamp.

I would recommend the Andaman Club, the all in cost including boat is 850 baht and you don't need the 10 dollars. The immigration and boat departure are all in one place and they take care of everything for you. If you go on one of the organized visa buses they also include lunch in the hotel for around 1500 baht all-in.

I went last week if you need any more information please PM me.

Ok, did my run yesterday. It'll be the last time I ever use one of the Myanmar borders. I've used all three now and am absolutely fed up with the aggression and constant attempts to scam me. Telling me my US notes are no good and that I must pay in Thai Baht (at a ridiculous exchange rate of course). Being told I require a photocopy of my passport, being way overcharged for the photocopy and then refused change when I didn't have exact money. Being told to fuc_k off back to Thailand by the Immigration guy was good advice and I certainly took it.

I'd rather spend the extra time on a sleeper train to the Malaysian border and know that it's going to be a breeze.

Nice feedback, tiger.

I may go to Nakorn Si or Ko samui. From the map, going to ranong and to Malaysia seemed about equidistant. I enquired with a number of Thai ladies while I was learning Thai at a school in BKK. They however told me that trips down south are dangerous, that many thais have moved out from the south already, that it is better to go to ranong. Hmm..seems now Ranong is not that good a place either.

But one more thing before I consider..is the boat ride rough in choppy seas? I get seasick even if its almost normal waters after about 5 hrs.

hey,

ive done the ranong visarun couple of times and everytime has been easy and hasslefree. i dont know where in thailand you are but i bought a visarun trip from the east coast to burma and back for 1600baht i think it was. and that was including the 10 dollar fee. walk in the immigration office in ranong, get stamped out, get a boat to burma (no rough sea), get stamped in and out, then boat back to thailand and get a stamp in. no problem with 10 dollar note, in fact i never even saw it. my passport got taken off me in thailand, and got it back in burma with entry and exit stamps in it. most people i know use the same service and no one has never complained.

just to let you know of a different experience.

oh, and the boat trip is only about 30 minutes. no rough, its pretty calm river. stinky tho.

Edited April 17, 200818 yr by reissuun

Hey

Have done the 'run' to Ranong for several years. Can highly recommend the Andaman Club. They have their own immigration office (nothing like the nasty one at the pier), duty free (cheap). restaurant, casino etc. You get there on a small aircond. boat and stay there for about 50 mins.

They cannot handle overstay.

Good to book in advance, but if you come from Samui, KPN or Tao on the (morning) Katamaran to Chumporn, you can usually book it at the Lomprayah pier.

I think it's Kiat Travel (077 502 127, 08 1893 4152) in Chumporn that does Andaman club.

Good luck

Can I book with the Andaman Club directly? Or do I go through any agents in Ranong?

I'll be doing a visa run this weekend, coming from south of Ranong.

Ok, did my run yesterday. It'll be the last time I ever use one of the Myanmar borders. I've used all three now and am absolutely fed up with the aggression and constant attempts to scam me. Telling me my US notes are no good and that I must pay in Thai Baht (at a ridiculous exchange rate of course). Being told I require a photocopy of my passport, being way overcharged for the photocopy and then refused change when I didn't have exact money. Being told to fuc_k off back to Thailand by the Immigration guy was good advice and I certainly took it.

I'd rather spend the extra time on a sleeper train to the Malaysian border and know that it's going to be a breeze.

I must be very lucky as I always use Mae Sot/Myawaddy and have found the officials on both sides of the bridge extremely friendly, helpful and willing to offer and give advice. At 500 Bht on the Burmese side I consider it very cheap especially compared with the cost of a visa etc when entering Cambodia.

why would you want to go to burma at this time after what has happen there???........

there are other options.......

why would you want to go to burma at this time after what has happen there???........

there are other options.......

Mae Sot/Myawaddy is unaffected by the cyclone and is the most convenient border crossing for where I live.

I did a border run to burma via mae sot recently,one of many over the years,& i have to say the burmese immigration guy was very polite,& didnt have an attitude problem.Mae Sai was abit different though the last time i went,not that proffessional & the guy seemed to have a chip on his shoulder.

If i remember right the last border run i did to ranong a few years back (from the pier in ranong),they actually take your passport to burmese immigration so you dont even have to leave the boat.

Using the Andaman Club is the easiest and is not an unpleasant option. Just pay the 850 which includes the boat trip and Junta fee. The boat trip is by airconned boat and takes maybe 30 minutes to get across. For the return trip make sure that you are waiting at the casino entrance 20 minutes before the departure time, otherwise the boat will have gone without you and then you have to wait another hour.

Another option is by longtail, 200-300 Baht MAX for the boat. So find another foreigner and you should not pay more than 150 Baht each. If the boat driver dumps a few Burmese or Thai into the boat as well, then complain if you feel it is necessary. Make sure you have a pristine USD 10 note and all will be fine. Avoid the <deleted> who hang around the main immigration office and find your own boat driver. There is a quick stop on the way out, where the Thai immigration puts a small piece of paper with an extra exit stamp in the passport.

Or use the all inclusive guys from Phuket.

I would strongly recommend the Andaman Club option, especially in the monsoon season from May to October. The extra 300 odd Baht is more than set off by the convenience and comfort. Bring back a few bottle of duty free wine (180 Baht upwards), or fags and you are quids in.

If the weather is nice you can even spend an hour or two around the pool, or gambling the slot machines. Last time I tried to get to the the real gambling, but they wanted me to exchange 20,000 Baht in chips. Also check out the mens urinals, must be the only place you can relieve yourself admiring a magnificent view across the Andaman sea to the islands.