Best 30 Day Re Entry Option

[crock]

A big ask!

Have 30 day 'stamp' that falls 8-9 days short (very late flight back to UK)

May be able to get a 7 day extention (although this will still fall 1-2 days short?) Consulate in UK said unlikley 'depends'

Please advise which is the best option on a fairly tight budget.

I understand that I just need a 'stamp' over a border not a visa.

Chiang Mai - Laos

Chaing Mai-Burma border (Mae Sai Border) at Chaing Rai

(Have hotel booked in BK, would have to move if possible)

Bangkok - Cambodia.

Koh Samui- Malaysia

(Thought the train down? or run from travel shop Although warned by somebody in BK that there can be trouble on the border?)

Phukets - (but leaving it late)

[lopburi3]

Whatever border you are close to. Malaysia you do not need visa so no charge. Burma only about a $10 charge. Laos about $30 charge. Not sure of Cambodia but full cost from Bangkok for everything is only 2-2,200 baht currently.

[Mario2008]

You could also go to Mae Sod and cross the border there. Only about 8 hours from Bangkok by bus, on the way to Chiang Mai. Can even take the night bus and save you a hotel.

[funfun]

"Please advise which is the best option on a fairly tight budget"

"May be able to get a 7 day extention" 1900 bhat then you would have say 2 days overstay fee 500 a day so say 2900

or

"Bangkok for everything is only 2-2,200 baht currently." lop

chris

ps

Consulate in UK said unlikley 'depends'??????? what did they say that about?

[lopburi3]

It is 7 days extension of stay if you can show a ticket out during that period - but in his case he can not show such a ticket so Consulate was right.

[bjhabal]

The shortest and cheapest way to do it from Bangkok is via Aranyaprathet / Poipet boarder to Cambodia.

Cambodian Visa:

You can either get the visa at the border for B.1000, and it will be done in five minutes or from the Embassy in Bangkok and the cost will be: US$ 20.00 if you collect your passport 2 days later or B.1100-1200 if you want your visa same day afternoon.

Transportation:

Train: It is really not very convenient but the cheapest (B.49) one way, depart about 6.00 o’clock morning and arrive about 12.00 noon. From the station you got to take either a local bus (B.10) or Tuk-Tuk (B.80-100) to the border (6 km). But remember that going back by train could not be possible because the departure is around 2.00 o’clock, which leaves you with only two hours to do your border run (in older days this used to be more than enough) therefore you have to comeback either by a casino’s contracted bus or normal intercity bus.

Bus: you have two options: the first one is the tour bus contracted with the casinos; those buses do not have a fixed station but many main stops such as Lumpini Park, Victory Monument, Big C Laphrao, etc.; the cost is (B200) one trip or round trip and drops you at the border (it taks 3 hours to arrive). The second is the normal intercity bus from Monchit station, the cost is a little over B200 per trip and the station in Aranyaprathet is next to the train station, which means you still have to take other transportation to the border.

Minivan: will drop you at the border but the cost is much higher.

Fees:

Cambodian immigration might ask you to pay B.200 for going back same day, but if you insert B.100 in your passport in advance, they will think you are a regular visitor and will accept it, (that is what I do always).

Return ticket:

I presume you already have an air ticket, though I have never been asked at that border to present one, it is required by rule and I always make sure that I have one, as I might be denied re-entry without it; however in case you do not have one, then a train ticket to Malaysia cost you B.1200 would be sufficient, and you can refund it back later loosing 20% of it’s value.

Hope this will help you a bit and good luck.

Bishop