Best Pattaya Visa Border Run Service Now?

[tropo]

Never knew jack golf did visa runs from pattaya,thought they were bangkok based.Where was the meeting point supposed to be?

Late last year I noticed Jack Golf even had a VIP lounge adjacent to the casino in Ban Laem. I don't know if it's still there, but I suspect the 200 baht "transporation vouchers" they sell you at Ban Laem made it easier for visa exempt entries than Poipet where you needed to show proof of onward travel.

[deejah]

good thread

thanks all for your input

more phone numbers to cover all companies mentioned would be helpful if at all possible

also would be helpful to know which border they go to

do they all go to ban laem? (spelling)

or do some go to aranyapattat? (spelling)

is one border quicker?

from bangkok aran was quicker travel time, not sure from pat

bench seats are great if the van is not full

can stretch out and sleep

however this may be hard to predict

i will need to re up an O-A M visa come Nov/Dec for one more year in LOS

unfortunately that will be high season i think

plus going on the weekend

i used to do visa runs from Bangkok and knew a lot

fineday was good but went out of biz i think

now i will be starting over from patters

thanks again

[patrickq]

I'll support 1st Class Visa runs as being excellent. They are now running from The Queen Vic in Soi 6, although I think you can still book your run at Witherspoons until the end of September - sorry don't have a number to hand.

I've used a couple of other firms and for last 3 runs been with 1st Class.

Plus points for me are that they set off, on time, from The Queen Vic, without having a trip around Pattaya picking up passengers. Every driver so far has been safe (certainly by Thai standards). They show a couple of DVDs each way, with a short pee/fag/coffee break half way. The movie soundtracks play through personal wireless headsets, so you don't have to listen to a movie that you're not interested in. There are 6 large comfortable seats, so really no worries about being cramped, wherever you sit. The breakfast before and meal on return are added bonuses, that I don't use. I reckon it is worth paying the extra few hundred baht over some other companies to go with them.

[billdo2000]

I'll support 1st Class Visa runs as being excellent. They are now running from The Queen Vic in Soi 6, although I think you can still book your run at Witherspoons until the end of September - sorry don't have a number to hand.

I've used a couple of other firms and for last 3 runs been with 1st Class.

Plus points for me are that they set off, on time, from The Queen Vic, without having a trip around Pattaya picking up passengers. Every driver so far has been safe (certainly by Thai standards). They show a couple of DVDs each way, with a short pee/fag/coffee break half way. The movie soundtracks play through personal wireless headsets, so you don't have to listen to a movie that you're not interested in. There are 6 large comfortable seats, so really no worries about being cramped, wherever you sit. The breakfast before and meal on return are added bonuses, that I don't use. I reckon it is worth paying the extra few hundred baht over some other companies to go with them.

1st Class Visa Runs is exactly that...1st class.

I came to thailand for surgery in '07 and stayed there for six months. I was concerned about the effects of the 30 day VOA rule that was starting to be enforced in October '06 (only 90 days allowed in any 180 day period). I thought I had to go to Malaysia for a 60 day tourist since I had already gone 86 days on my VOA (and extentions). I even went into Witherspoons asking to go to Malaysia for the 60 day tourist visa (I was not totally aware of the exact rules). The wonderful girl with 1st Class set me strait (on the rules) and told me that I was able to make a normal Cambodian visa run.

To make a long story short, they saved me at least 10k THB and helped me get my visa sorted quickly and correctly.

Knowledgeable on the rules, excellent experience. I will do my visa business with no other service.

[deejah]

it may have been mentioned

not sure:

who / when / where can i find a big bus from pattaya (not van) to do a border run???

thanks

[TEFLMike]

I always use Key on Soi LK Metro, I find them just fine. It includeds ice cold water and a meal in the Casino, although I never bother with the Casino, it is just the food I have. The food is ok.

[pattaya_girl]

I always use Key on Soi LK Metro, I find them just fine. It includeds ice cold water and a meal in the Casino, although I never bother with the Casino, it is just the food I have. The food is ok.

I agree with the above - lovely buffet at the border - no messing around, gets u there and back quite quickly.

[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

[jellymeister]

where exactly on soi buakhow is Cambodia Inter

[monekyface]

anybody know what time and where exactly the vans leave from Chanthaburi to Prum? My gal is Filipina and her stamp is done on the 30th; do Filipinas always get a 30 day stamp? Thanks a bunch for your help. If all else fails we can do a visa run from Pattaya but I have been told that somewhere in the market area in Chanthaburi (not far from the water fountain) is a place that does the run to Prum.

[tropo]

anybody know what time and where exactly the vans leave from Chanthaburi to Prum? My gal is Filipina and her stamp is done on the 30th; do Filipinas always get a 30 day stamp? Thanks a bunch for your help. If all else fails we can do a visa run from Pattaya but I have been told that somewhere in the market area in Chanthaburi (not far from the water fountain) is a place that does the run to Prum.

Why all the hard work? Just get on a visarun from Pattaya and be done with it.

My girl is Filipino and she pays 600 baht (visa run) + 250 (stamp fee at the border) + 200 (transportation ticket necessary at Ban Laem if you don't have an air ticket to show). This is with Cambodia Inter on Soi Buakhao. Other services charge Filipinos more.

She will get 30 days like the rest of us subject to the 90 days in 6 months rule. Her visa run is cheaper because Filipinos don't require the Cambodian visa.

[MeetJohnDoe]

I have been partial to 5-Star visa runs for the past few years (run out of Witherspoon's Pub) on Bua Khow. Their van is very comfortable (very comfy individual recliner type seats) with a max of 6 passengers. The included breakfast and early dinner on return were also hearty and good. However, my most recent run with them a few weeks ago from their new base at the Queen Vic Pub on soi 6, I can no longer recommend them. The personnel and van are still the same...very friendly and comfortable but the meals offered at the Vic were inadible to me. The standard brekkie of eggs bacon and sausage were disgusting and greasy beyond belief. It was also more than rediculous that I could not have the eggs scrambled...they HAD to be fried!

On my next run, I shall be giving the service run out of the Sportsman Pub a try.

[gk10002000]

Ive also used Cambodia Inter, and Key Visa for Visa runs, both very good service for a cheaper price..

With Key Visa, you get a Free buffet lunch in the Casino.

I just made a 30 day visa run with Key Visa. Routine except for the gas smell in the van! Some container in back was leaking I think. The little casino is a nice break along with the little bridge and moat and the shopping area if you want to buy any smokes or drinks.

Left hotel at 0630 was back in Pattaya at 1500.

I would have to ask if traffic would now be a problem with the U Tapao situation. Not sure how much of the same road is shared on the visa run. Heck, I am not even sure what little town we stopped at on the border.

[MeetJohnDoe]

One other thing I liked with 5-Star is that they use the Sa Dao border post rather than Poipet. Sa Dao is much easier to negotiate vis-a-vis undergoing the in/out formalities and there is also duty-free shop there as well.

[Meg_2003]

One other thing I liked with 5-Star is that they use the Sa Dao border post rather than Poipet. Sa Dao is much easier to negotiate vis-a-vis undergoing the in/out formalities and there is also duty-free shop there as well.

Dont they all go there?

Ive used several visa run services and in the last few years I have never been to Poipet.. They all go to Soi Dao, or as in the passport "Pong Nam Ron"

[MeetJohnDoe]

One other thing I liked with 5-Star is that they use the Sa Dao border post rather than Poipet.

Dont they all go there?

The reference in one post to lunch being served in a casino led me to believe at least that service still used Poipet. To my knowledge, there are no casinos at the Sa Dao border checkpoint.

[Meg_2003]

Yes, Im sure its the same place you're referring to,

Very close to the boarder I see "Soi Dao" on the signs. The stamp in the passport is "Pong Nam Ron" and the Casino is kind of hidden, past all the little shops selling Cigarrettes/Alcohol.

Ive never been to Poipet for years. However, I eat in a casino on every Visa run.

[Meg_2003]

Its also known as Ban Laem..

[tulipgirl]

Cambodia Inter, Soi Boakao, 1.800 baht.

He's increased the price then?

Anyone have a number or can tell me how to catch the Cambodia Inter bus in the am tomorrow (monday )?? Their office is not answering the phone... or someone might have a mobile number for them? Can I just show up at their office in the morning? And what time?

You will have to book it first as their office is not open in the mornings when the bus is leaving. You should go to book it tonight if you need to go tomorrow. You're leaving it a little late. You can call Nisan at 0870069789 if you can't contact him on the office phone.

Can anyone give me office number of Cambodia Inter. I called Nisan to book a seat. He didn't ask for my name and number but said they will pick me up from home at 6.30 for 1800. Is this the way they work?

Thanks... Tulip

[thesyndicate]

Since this post is a bit old does anybody have updates on the prices and quality of service?

[dogleg]

Since this post is a bit old does anybody have updates on the prices and quality of service?

Prices are the same. The buses are a year older though.

[thesyndicate]

right and the food even more fatter and the dollar lower, any new players in the market?

[thaitero]

Any updates?

I usually do not need these services so i am not looking the cheapest service..

[syd barrett]

Any updates?

I usually do not need these services so i am not looking the cheapest service..

IMHO the service from 'The Sportsman' pub, Pattaya Soi 13 Beach Road is still the best.

[tropo]

Any updates?

I usually do not need these services so i am not looking the cheapest service..

The cheapest services are not always the worst. Apart from a few extra expensive services in the 2500 range, most of the rest are with the same company although various booking agents charge different prices. On my visa runs which cost 1800 there are others in the same van who pay from 2000 up to 2200. The price difference depends on the booking agents commission. There are not as many visa run services as people think.

[tropo]

Since this post is a bit old does anybody have updates on the prices and quality of service?

Prices are the same, but the trip is a little shorter now because they all go to Ban Pakkad instead of Ban Laem.

[RabC]

Any updates?

I usually do not need these services so i am not looking the cheapest service..

The cheapest services are not always the worst. Apart from a few extra expensive services in the 2500 range, most of the rest are with the same company although various booking agents charge different prices. On my visa runs which cost 1800 there are others in the same van who pay from 2000 up to 2200. The price difference depends on the booking agents commission. There are not as many visa run services as people think.

Tropo where do you book your service if you don't mind telling? I am after a visa run and really dont care about a meal or breakfast being included.

Cheers

[Jayman]

I too am looking for updated info. The food is not a key issue but rather the total time involved and the price. I called key visa but they could barely give me any information on the phone. Just kept telling me to come down to the shop. It sounds like lunch is included but not really sure what that entails.

[thaibeachlovers]

Good informative post.

As I have a double entry visa, I don't need to buy another visa. In fact, do I even need to enter Cambodia?

Can I get a reduced price if I use the Visa run services?

Sorry if confused, as haven't had to do a Visa run before.

Thanks.

[Jayman]

Even with a multiple entry visa you still need to completely leave Thailand which entails stamping into a diff country. The costs are the same. I doubt you would get a discount as many folks on these runs already have visas for Thailand or are getting visa on arrival (free). If you find out different, please let us know as I'm sure a lot of folks (me included) could use the discount.