Visa Run To Aranyaprathet [ Back Same Day ]

[Chan_inbangkok]

My friend has 1 year non -0 visa. He has just found out today that even so he has 1 year visa. He still has to leave the country every 90 days. He is planing to go to aranyaprathet tomorrow and come back same day.

Does he need to pay for Cambodian visa as well ? If so how much?

or he just have to go through thai immigration and left the border quickly then come back without visiting cambodia immigration.

thanks

[lioness]

My friend has 1 year non -0 visa. He has just found out today that even so he has 1 year visa. He still has to leave the country every 90 days. He is planing to go to aranyaprathet tomorrow and come back same day.

Does he need to pay for Cambodian visa as well ? If so how much?

or he just have to go through thai immigration and left the border quickly then come back without visiting cambodia immigration.

thanks

He needs to get stamped in and out of Cambodia, make sure he has a passport photo with him as they charge as much as they can get away with. It can cost around 2,000 all up depending on how he goes about it. The people at this border are all about getting as much money as possible.

[ubonjoe]

Yes he needs to get a visa it is about 1100 baht if I remember correctly. He will get the visa on the Cambodia side of the border after going through Thai immigration.

He would not be allowed back in to thailand without entry/exit stamps from Cambodia.

[kriswillems]

If you buy a visa-run package it will cost about 2000 B (from Bkk or pattaya), this includes the transportation cost, the Cambodian visa, food, and money for corrupt officers. If you do it by yourself it might be slightly cheaper or more expensive (depending on your luck). I will never do it by myself again because I had a bad experience with a Cambodian officer (that was totally corrupt).

[astral]

I believe the Cambodia visa is $25, but they will choose the worst possible rate

as you have to pay in Baht.

Some border posts have a "surcharge" for those who return the same day.......

Entering Cambodia is essential. Without the entry stamp you

will not get back into Thailand.

[Maestro]

I believe the Cambodia visa is $25, but they will choose the worst possible rate

as you have to pay in Baht.

USD 20.00 at the border, as described above. If a traveler insists in paying in dollars and he has a new banknote, the Cambodian officer will find other ways to extract some extra money from him or otherwise make life difficult for him, eg long delay in issuing the visa.

USD 25.00 for the e-visa, ie the electronic visa obtainable by email.

--

Maestro

[Robby nz]

When I went to Cambodia earlier this year I read the requirements and saw that a visa on entry to Cambodia cost $us20 or 1200B.

At the time $20 was worth about 650B so I changed money into $$ before I went.

At the border I was asked to pay 1300B and told them I had no Baht only US$. I was told go over there, way over there and when all the others who were on the bus with me had their Baht extracted I was called into a room where they accepted my 20US$ and told severely "next time you come bring Baht" Yes sir.

People arriving by air from other countries surely cant be asked to pay in Baht so it is only those who arrive from Thailand who get this special treatment.

A little aside; when I left the immigration post on a motorcy taxi I was told "give the policeman 10B" I was asked why and told just give it and there will be no trouble. So it seems the cops are in on the act.

No such crap when I came back to TL, no cost as I had a multy entry visa. At AP there is an outfit close to the immigration post on the left as you head to the food stalls that grabs every falang going past and sells them tickets on a bus to BKK or wherever, the prices are jacked up. The bus station is a bit farther down and turn right there you can get a bus for the uninflated price.

[bjhabal]

There are two visa offices to Cambodia, one in Aranyaprathet, beside the last check point for entering Thailand, and one on the right side out side the check out from the Thai immigration. both will issue you the visa in less than 5 minutes for B1000; apart from that when you check in at the Cambodian immigration, just insert B100 in your passport (in case you are coming back same day otherwise do not), and every thing will be fine. If you forget to insert B100 in your passport before giving it to the officer, he will ask you for 2 or 3 hundred Baht, the same amount as the Filipinos and some other Asian countries have to pay any way.

For transportation, you either take a tour bus, normal bus from Monchit station, train (leave 5.55 morning and arrives about 12) or special casino tour bus, which start at 5.00 am till 3.00 pm daily from many places, such as Lumpini Park near chula Hospital, Victory Monument, Big C Latprao, etc.

Bishop

[tropo]

When I went to Cambodia earlier this year I read the requirements and saw that a visa on entry to Cambodia cost $us20 or 1200B.

At the time $20 was worth about 650B so I changed money into $$ before I went.

At the border I was asked to pay 1300B and told them I had no Baht only US$. I was told go over there, way over there and when all the others who were on the bus with me had their Baht extracted I was called into a room where they accepted my 20US$ and told severely "next time you come bring Baht" Yes sir.

People arriving by air from other countries surely cant be asked to pay in Baht so it is only those who arrive from Thailand who get this special treatment.

A little aside; when I left the immigration post on a motorcy taxi I was told "give the policeman 10B" I was asked why and told just give it and there will be no trouble. So it seems the cops are in on the act.

Basically you're messing with their system when you refuse to pay the "tea money" of about 300 baht.

They're not going to rush you through if you don't pay them. Why should they if everyone else is paying it?

At Ban Laem my Filipino gf has to pay 250 baht for her stamp because she doesn't need a Cambodian visa. I know it stinks, but I couldn't be bothered trying to circumvent their system to save 250/300 baht.

[Chan_inbangkok]

Thank you all for your reply.

Chan

[bjhabal]

It is not because your gf does not need a visa, it is a custom started some times before the 90D/6M rules was implemented, maybe because many Filipinos started using the border runs method than getting proper visas.

My wife is Singaporean and does not need a visa too, but she never paid them more than one hundred baht, though sometimes they demand that she pay 2 hundred, but she always refuses and tell them that she was paying this amount for a long time and it is not a required fee, rather than just a tea-money, and they always accept the offer.

You can refuse to pay anytime and demand to see the boss, but I do not see it worthy for the trouble you may face it sooner or later, especially in this part of the world.

Bishop

[sjaak327]

When I went to Cambodia earlier this year I read the requirements and saw that a visa on entry to Cambodia cost $us20 or 1200B.

At the time $20 was worth about 650B so I changed money into $$ before I went.

At the border I was asked to pay 1300B and told them I had no Baht only US$. I was told go over there, way over there and when all the others who were on the bus with me had their Baht extracted I was called into a room where they accepted my 20US$ and told severely "next time you come bring Baht" Yes sir.

People arriving by air from other countries surely cant be asked to pay in Baht so it is only those who arrive from Thailand who get this special treatment.

A little aside; when I left the immigration post on a motorcy taxi I was told "give the policeman 10B" I was asked why and told just give it and there will be no trouble. So it seems the cops are in on the act.

Basically you're messing with their system when you refuse to pay the "tea money" of about 300 baht.

They're not going to rush you through if you don't pay them. Why should they if everyone else is paying it?

At Ban Laem my Filipino gf has to pay 250 baht for her stamp because she doesn't need a Cambodian visa. I know it stinks, but I couldn't be bothered trying to circumvent their system to save 250/300 baht.

I do, rest assured that I pay 20 USD and not a penny more, it's time that they stop these bullshit extortions at these two borders, as for instance when you cross into Cambodia from Vietnam, you get away with paying 20 USD for a tourist visa and 25 USD for a business visa, as you also do at Siem Reap airport and Phnom Penh Airport. And these are the official, publicised rates for such Visas. So I don't see any reason to pay more, unless of course during a weekend, then I'm willing to be a bit extra, as is usual practice along at most Lao border crossings.

I see that the bullshit stamp fee for visa free citizens has gone up as well, used to be 100 baht...

[bjhabal]

You are completely right, the visa fee is $20 and it is published at the visa office in Poipet too, but the thing is that when the embassy,which should be the model, mess up with the visa fee, then no body will care more about adding a little extra money to have their visa done in less than five minutes, instead of arguing for another half an hour. The Cambodian embassy in Bangkok for example, will issue you the visa for $20 but will give your your passport back after 2 days, if you want it the same day you have to pay B.1200

and collect your passport after 4pm, which means you have to go and come back again. So B.1000 in Poipet for 5 minutes visa is not really too bad.

Bishop

[tropo]

It is not because your gf does not need a visa, it is a custom started some times before the 90D/6M rules was implemented, maybe because many Filipinos started using the border runs method than getting proper visas.

That's not the reason at all. It's because we go on a visa run with a visa run operation and that's what they expect us to pay. They grab all the passports at one time and process them according to their long established system. The 250 baht equals the "bonus" they get from the 1000 baht Cambodian visas.

If we went on our own, we would not pay the 250 baht.

[tropo]

I do, rest assured that I pay 20 USD and not a penny more, it's time that they stop these bullshit extortions at these two borders,

Rest assured that if you go with a visa run group, the "tea money" is incorporated into the price of the visa run so you will pay it whether you like it or not.

[bjhabal]

It is not because your gf does not need a visa, it is a custom started some times before the 90D/6M rules was implemented, maybe because many Filipinos started using the border runs method than getting proper visas.

That's not the reason at all. It's because we go on a visa run with a visa run operation and that's what they expect us to pay. They grab all the passports at one time and process them according to their long established system. The 250 baht equals the "bonus" they get from the 1000 baht Cambodian visas.

If we went on our own, we would not pay the 250 baht.

If you go alone you still have to pay the 200 Baht, and this is not for the visa, rather for the immigration officer who stamp your passport in; and even if you lies and say you are not going back same day, the have a special code among them and they will demand you to pay 300 Baht when you exit out (same day).

I know many Filipinos, and I observed them doing that in both exit and entry windows of the immigration.

Bishop

[tropo]

It is not because your gf does not need a visa, it is a custom started some times before the 90D/6M rules was implemented, maybe because many Filipinos started using the border runs method than getting proper visas.

That's not the reason at all. It's because we go on a visa run with a visa run operation and that's what they expect us to pay. They grab all the passports at one time and process them according to their long established system. The 250 baht equals the "bonus" they get from the 1000 baht Cambodian visas.

If we went on our own, we would not pay the 250 baht.

If you go alone you still have to pay the 200 Baht, and this is not for the visa, rather for the immigration officer who stamp your passport in; and even if you lies and say you are not going back same day, the have a special code among them and they will demand you to pay 300 Baht when you exit out (same day).

I know many Filipinos, and I observed them doing that in both exit and entry windows of the immigration.

Bishop

Thanks for clearing that up. I've never heard of Filipinos going alone and what happened if they did.

Is there a rule saying you can't enter then immediately exit, or are they just making that one up for the "tea money"? I suppose if someone held their ground and refused to pay they'd have to let them go. I'm sure it's all bluff.

[bjhabal]

It is not because your gf does not need a visa, it is a custom started some times before the 90D/6M rules was implemented, maybe because many Filipinos started using the border runs method than getting proper visas.

That's not the reason at all. It's because we go on a visa run with a visa run operation and that's what they expect us to pay. They grab all the passports at one time and process them according to their long established system. The 250 baht equals the "bonus" they get from the 1000 baht Cambodian visas.

If we went on our own, we would not pay the 250 baht.

If you go alone you still have to pay the 200 Baht, and this is not for the visa, rather for the immigration officer who stamp your passport in; and even if you lies and say you are not going back same day, the have a special code among them and they will demand you to pay 300 Baht when you exit out (same day).

I know many Filipinos, and I observed them doing that in both exit and entry windows of the immigration.

Bishop

Thanks for clearing that up. I've never heard of Filipinos going alone and what happened if they did.

Is there a rule saying you can't enter then immediately exit, or are they just making that one up for the "tea money"? I suppose if someone held their ground and refused to pay they'd have to let them go. I'm sure it's all bluff.

It is not bluff, every body has to pay, but the price is not the same as I mentioned before. If you insist of not paying and demanded to see the boss, and even managed to exit, can you be sure that you can enter Cambodia again from the same border? I certainly do not know, but I am not willing to try for saving a hundred or even 3 hundred Baht.

Bishop

[tropo]

It is not bluff, every body has to pay, but the price is not the same as I mentioned before. If you insist of not paying and demanded to see the boss, and even managed to exit, can you be sure that you can enter Cambodia again from the same border? I certainly do not know, but I am not willing to try for saving a hundred or even 3 hundred Baht.

Bishop

Either way, it will not be of much concern to me in the future because I won't be doing border runs for a 14 day stamp. We can take solace in the fact that these corrupt border officials will be on reduced "salaries".

[lapamita]

visa is 20 usd, but this xxxxxxxx are even not happy with my payment of 20 usd plus 200 baht for xxxx corruption,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,they want 1200.............i told them this is more than enough an other idiot come inside office and said,,,dont come back to this border not get visa more..

this was 4 month ago at baan laem

[tropo]

visa is 20 usd, but this ------ are even not happy with my payment of 20 usd plus 200 baht for ---- corruption,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,they want 1200.............i told them this is more than enough an other idiot come inside office and said,,,dont come back to this border not get visa more..

this was 4 month ago at baan laem

In a situation like that you really are caught between a rock and a hard place (and literally between Thailand and Cambodia ).

Immigration officers have the right to refuse entry to their country if they so wish and if you come across with an attitude they very well might. They could make your life very miserable indeed and if you were on your last day on your Thailand stamp, where would you go? Who would you see? Who would you complain to? They hold all the cards.

Ban Laem/Daung is probably exclusively a border run outpost for foreigners (does anyone go there for any other reason?), so you're best going with the plan than trying to buck the system.

This is something you learn from experience. Trying to save a few pennies is not always worth the aggravation.

[FlorC]

If you have the time and are staying in Bangkok, it is better to get the 20$ visa at the embassy. I crossed the border end of July in AranyaP and didn't have to pay anything.

Nor did they ask if I returned the same day. It was so muddy from the rain, you couldn't walk. You would expect from all the tourist visa money, they would at least have some concrete road! I happily returned to Thailand after 30 minutes. If Thailand is getting to you, just cross the border, and you 'll be glad to be back!

[bjhabal]

If you have the time and are staying in Bangkok, it is better to get the 20$ visa at the embassy. I crossed the border end of July in AranyaP and didn't have to pay anything.

Nor did they ask if I returned the same day. It was so muddy from the rain, you couldn't walk. You would expect from all the tourist visa money, they would at least have some concrete road! I happily returned to Thailand after 30 minutes. If Thailand is getting to you, just cross the border, and you 'll be glad to be back!

If you are not a frequent border runner from one place, or you do not have many Cambodian visas in your passport, the immigration officer will assume that you are a genuine tourist or a backpacker and not mark your passport, for not paying the extra charges which only applicable on border runners who use Cambodia as a bridge without spending any money in Cambodia.

That's why if you spend one night even in the no man land (The casinos) you do not pay that extra charge.

Bishop

[pon2007]

Did visa run last Friday to Poipet.

MoChit bus station 221 baht to Aranyapathet, 6:30AM - 11AM, 1 police (89km from A.) and 1 military check (29km from A.) on the bus for ID less passengers. Took motorcycle to border 6km - 50 baht.

Thai out - 10 minutes

Cambodia in - demanded 1,000baht, I told them I have 20USD. Sent to other office. Sign says 20USD, but again they demanded 1,000baht. The border agent told me at this border the fee is 1,000 baht, not 20 USD. Either pay 1,000baht or go back to Thailand (not an option). After 5 minutes, made a deal for 20USD and 200baht. Visa done in 3 minutes. Stamped in without any problems.

Cambodia out - 20 minutes, as a big tourist group stood in line. No tea money.

Thailand in 10 minutes, had multiple non-B visa.

Motorcycle 50baht to Aranyapathet bus station.

12:30pm bus 221 baht to MoChit, arrived at 17:00. One military checkpoint with officers boarding the bus, looking for ID less passengers 29km after Aranyapathet.

Total visa run cost 742baht (bus, motorcycle,tea money) + 20USD(visa). 6:30AM - 17:00

With jack the golf 2200baht 5AM - 14:30

[tropo]

Total visa run cost 742baht (bus, motorcycle,tea money) + 20USD(visa). 6:30AM - 17:00

With jack the golf 2200baht 5AM - 14:30

So that's 1442 including the visa.

I get 1800 ex Pattaya including lunch. 7:00 - 15:00

It's definitely worth paying the little extra with my visa run group.

[farangfool]

With the new 15 day rule, do they still ask for an airline ticket out of thailand within that 15 day period (as they did before with the 30 day period)?

[ubonjoe]

They normally don't ask for tickets out at border checkpoints

In reality it is only the airlines that inforce the ticket rule for airport entries which are 30 days.

Edited December 24, 2008 by ubonjoe

[farangfool]

They normally don't ask for tickets out at border checkpoints

In reality it is only the airlines that inforce the ticket rule for airport entries which are 30 days.

Yes, but the Thai checkpoints on the Cambodian border have or had different policy.

I was asked for onward airtickets when I did runs at the Trat and Aran checkpoints earlier this year. This was never the case at Burmese or Laotian check points. So my questions is, if anyone has done the run since the new rule came into effect. And: Did they ask for a ticket.

[bjhabal]

They do not ask for ticket at Aranyaprathet border, I have crossed this border hundreds of times, and the last one was yesterday. However if they would, then they will warn you before leaving the country, and usually a train ticket is sufficient.

Bishop

[farangfool]

They do not ask for ticket at Aranyaprathet border, I have crossed this border hundreds of times, and the last one was yesterday. However if they would, then they will warn you before leaving the country, and usually a train ticket is sufficient.

Bishop

Great thanks. I had presented my tickets in Trat and Sisaket border checkpoints. Aran had a sign posted when I left through there.

You posted a lot on the Kanchanaburi border crossings. Never returned through there but went on further to Pailin etc. They had that bus ticket scam going on. Is that still active? (I assume you're there regularly.)