Help / Advice On A Visa Run

[johndpoole]

I have been in Thailand most of the last year on a visa but screwed up and left without getting a re-entry permit. So, I am not here on a Visa Exempt with is up on Wednesday. I was going to do a visa run to Laos w/company that does runs Sunday and Wednesday and get a Tourist Visa. However, there are not running this week because of a holiday up there and potential problems here in BKK this week.

So, rather than pay 1900 Baht for a 7 day ext. at immigration. I figured a 15-day border run would probably be cheaper and give me more leeway in timing.

Any clues on the best way to get there?

Anything I need to be concerned with?

and anything else that i need to prepare for?

Really appreciate any advice or recomendations asap as I am cutting this very close.

[SeanMoran]

From Bangkok. hire a motorbike for two days and go to Chanthaburi, and then take Thanon 317 and ask for directions to the border at Ban Laem/Prum at the 711. It's the right-hand turn at the only set of lights at the top of the mountain.

Around 20km from there you'll find the right hand turn to Cambodia, and there are a few checkpoints along the way and plenty of people who can show you that last turnoff to the border, but there's a large golden statue of HM the King at the turnoff, so you can't miss it.

I have a photo but haven't gotten around to finding it yet. I'll give you the link to the turnoff after you've hired a motorbike for a few days.

[thaiphoon]

Here are details of companies providing border run services from Bkk to Cambodia that regularly crop up in the forum. The fee is around 2,000 baht and includes visa for Cambodia. The agent will take care of the paperwork/immigration/visa procedures for you. Shop around ...

Jack Golf 02 251 1950, 089 811 0900

http://www.jackgolf.com/en/visa_run/

Visa Run 02 713 2498, 089 024 5255

http://www.thaivisarun.com/

Sawasdee (Claudio) 081-8154803

http://thaivisaservice.com/

[PoorSucker]

From Bangkok. hire a motorbike for two days and go to Chanthaburi, and then take Thanon 317 and ask for directions to the border at Ban Laem/Prum at the 711. It's the right-hand turn at the only set of lights at the top of the mountain.

Around 20km from there you'll find the right hand turn to Cambodia, and there are a few checkpoints along the way and plenty of people who can show you that last turnoff to the border, but there's a large golden statue of HM the King at the turnoff, so you can't miss it.

I have a photo but haven't gotten around to finding it yet. I'll give you the link to the turnoff after you've hired a motorbike for a few days.

Not everyone can ride a bike.

[johndpoole]

From Bangkok. hire a motorbike for two days and go to Chanthaburi, and then take Thanon 317 and ask for directions to the border at Ban Laem/Prum at the 711. It's the right-hand turn at the only set of lights at the top of the mountain.

Around 20km from there you'll find the right hand turn to Cambodia, and there are a few checkpoints along the way and plenty of people who can show you that last turnoff to the border, but there's a large golden statue of HM the King at the turnoff, so you can't miss it.

I have a photo but haven't gotten around to finding it yet. I'll give you the link to the turnoff after you've hired a motorbike for a few days.

Not everyone can ride a bike.

I can ride a motorcycle but don't have a Thai DL and since bikes are not allowed on the Tollway, I am not sure what advantage this would be especially when I am told (but not confirmed) there are A/C buses to Cambodia for 300 baht.

But please fill me in on anything I may be missing.

[johndpoole]

Here are details of companies providing border run services from Bkk to Cambodia that regularly crop up in the forum. The fee is around 2,000 baht and includes visa for Cambodia. The agent will take care of the paperwork/immigration/visa procedures for you. Shop around ...

Jack Golf 02 251 1950, 089 811 0900

http://www.jackgolf.com/en/visa_run/

Visa Run 02 713 2498, 089 024 5255

http://www.thaivisarun.com/

Sawasdee (Claudio) 081-8154803

http://thaivisaservice.com/

Any clue what the cambodia visa runs and is this just an entry visa you obtain on arrival?

Do you know if I can basically just cross the border (minus the visa fee) and come right back in with a new 15 day non exempt.

I have a trusted guy who charges 4100 for the visa run to Laos which includes everything minus the tourist visa charge which he told me is back in effect during March only. But as I said, he is down this week ... anybody you know who does this similar run or if any of the above do it to Cambodia? Tourist Visa that is. Bottom line is I am just looking to buy a couple months here while I get another longer term visa worked out. I would even be willing to fly out of the country and right back in to get another 30-days if there is a cheap way to do that ... oh yea, I am looking for an economical way to buy this time.

I truly appreciate your guys input!

[thaiphoon]

You will need a visa to enter Cambodia, which can be obtained on arrival. Would not suggest you use the Aranyaprathet/Poipet border yourself unless you have done before, because you will get a lot of hassle from people selling you services. Once you are stamped into Cambodia you can turn round, be stamped out and then be stamped back into Thailand with 15 day ‘visa exempt’ entry. All the names I gave you do the border run to Cambodia (but not necessarily every day) and provide services to obtain tourist visa. Check their websites for more information. I saw VisaRun advertising the Vientiane consulate tourist visa run today at THB 4,900 (plus Thai visa fee).

[Bkung]

Your guys please don't pay for extortion price even we farang money are better in exchange rates but it's still our hard own money that we bring over here . Try to get something worth it from your wallet.

1) Take a taxi go to Lumpini park near Silom you will ask taxi driver to stop opp of HSBC bank BAngkok

reach there before 6 a.m everyday and plenty of buses waiting. You must be there not after 9 a.m

as there will leaved Bangkok to Poipet for three and a half hour with nice coffee served.

2) Ask for bargain price for tourist not more then 300 THB per person and some company did give return ticket

and some not for return ticket you will pay not more then 200 THB for tourist. I did visa run with some

company before but I find out it far too expensive with 2,000 THB excluding visa fees in Cambodia and this

is chaepest and easiest way to drive motobike when you will get road block from the police and army near

those border check far to risky your live and get jail for not having licence over here.

3) Do your own filling form on health HINI in Cambodia side NEVER USE TOUT SERVICE IN CAMBODIA where

some people try to friendly to you asking visa extention as they will charge you extortion prices and if

you not paying you will end up trouble. When you crossback to Thailand border you will see Karikorn bank on your left side then turn right walk straight to the parking lot where so many buses over there check the price nad hop in one of those and please ask for the price first as should not more then 200 THB back to Bangkok.

[ignis]

No idea your nationality but you will need a visa into Cambodia [states 30US$] have read on here people paying 1,500 baht for this.

If your English then you do not need a Visa to Malaysia or Singapore, and for around 4,000 baht you can fly in and out same day for a 30 day stamp, or stay over and get a 90 Visa at the Thai Consulate or Embassy.

Also fly 2,360baht to Hat Yai, get the bus to boarder and back also all in the day. On the web bus to boarder is 100 baht, or 40baht non air bus and takes 1 hr. but of course that option is only for 15days

[lazygourmet]

If you want to do it by yourself, catch a VIP night bus (South Terminal buses station) to Ranong (leaving 9pm, cost THB500)

On arrival contact Khun Pon, he will organize the visa run for you (THB800 including pick up, Myanmar visa & return boat trip)

Enjoy your mini-cruise

Spend a relaxing afternoon at the hot springs

And catch the same VIP bus back to Bangkok in the evening (7/8 hours journey)

P.S.: as I have just noticed that you are currently in Bangkok, visa run companies might be your best bet if you are in a rush.

[Finlaco]

Hi

u didn't mention where ur currently residing but I'm assuming BKK. Also I'm not sure if u want to turn it into a mini holiday and relax, but my humble suggestion is to take a 10pm bus from morchit to MaeSod (฿520 VIP32) arriving 6 am. Take a ฿10 songthaew to the Thai Burma boarder and pay USD$10 to enter Burma.

[Finlaco]

Ranong. If u can speak Thai lite, it's easy to do the visa run yourself and perhaps quicker. I've seen the visa run boats docking with 60+ farang swamping the little visa hut on the Burmese side and like wise on the Thai side, resulting in a 40 min wait each time. Songthaew to the pier ฿10 and the boat is ฿50 each way. Last time I did this run was 15 months ago, but the prices have held firm for 5 years at least. So ฿120 v ฿800 and no massive waiting.

[lazygourmet]

Ranong. If u can speak Thai lite, it's easy to do the visa run yourself and perhaps quicker. I've seen the visa run boats docking with 60+ farang swamping the little visa hut on the Burmese side and like wise on the Thai side, resulting in a 40 min wait each time. Songthaew to the pier ฿10 and the boat is ฿50 each way. Last time I did this run was 15 months ago, but the prices have held firm for 5 years at least. So ฿120 v ฿800 and no massive waiting.

Agreed... but don't forget your $10 bill, otherwise that will cost THB500 for the Burma entry.

[johndpoole]

WOW! I almost feel more confused, lol.

By they way, you guys guessed right. I am US and in BKK.

Thanks a bunch everyone!! I need to read through all this again and figure out best solution.

[GungaDin]

I can certainly recommend Jack Golf, I've been using them for nearly 10 years to Poipet.

[SeanMoran]

WOW! I almost feel more confused, lol.

By they way, you guys guessed right. I am US and in BKK.

Thanks a bunch everyone!! I need to read through all this again and figure out best solution.

Not a lot of guesswork. It's listed in your details in the left margin. I'd say go with GungaDin's advice if you can.

[johndpoole]

Here are details of companies providing border run services from Bkk to Cambodia that regularly crop up in the forum. The fee is around 2,000 baht and includes visa for Cambodia. The agent will take care of the paperwork/immigration/visa procedures for you. Shop around ...

Jack Golf 02 251 1950, 089 811 0900

http://www.jackgolf.com/en/visa_run/

Visa Run 02 713 2498, 089 024 5255

http://www.thaivisarun.com/

Sawasdee (Claudio) 081-8154803

http://thaivisaservice.com/

THANKS!

I ended up checking these guys out and I didn't even realize Claudio is the guy I was intending to do a visa run to Lao with but he said he wasn't going this Sunday night (Lao holiday monday) or Wednesday (potential problems coming back w/red shirt rallies). So, I called and it turned out he is doing his run tonight and I booked myself. He was suggested by a friend. Total cost is 4100 bhat and includes hotel, food and all handling all paperwork. However, this month they don't have the free Tourist Visa thing going and I'll have to pay another 1000. My understanding the visa is good for 60-days and then can be extended another 30 at the local immigration in BKK.

[thaiphoon]

You should be able to obtain double entry tourist visa at Vientiane, which would give nearly 6 months stay with extensions and a border run in the middle, if you need more time (fee 2,000 baht). Single entry tourist visa (fee 1,000 baht) will indeed give you 60 days permission to stay on entry which can then be extended at Thai immigration for a further 30 days.

[GungaDin]

What vehicle does "Sawasdee" use to get to Laos?

[johndpoole]

What vehicle does "Sawasdee" use to get to Laos?

Vans. They seem pretty new. I think he has about 5. Nice reclining seats, TV .... I think they sit about 10. They look like the vans they use for the private schools around BKK.

Ended up doing the run for 4100 bhat plus 2000 for a double entry visa. They handled everything. Included hotel, 2 breakfasts, a dinner and a lunch. The said the trip takes 9-hours but I could swear it was about 7.5 to 8 hours including a couple stops. You do have to wait around at the border, then take a bus to the Laos side of the border and then get in different vans to go to the embassy and then finally to the hotel where we arrived about 10:30 AM. The people going up were all very good people so the waiting around at the embassy and border crossings were no big deal and as I said, they take care of everything. I never once spoke to any official or stood in any line.

[johndpoole]

What vehicle does "Sawasdee" use to get to Laos?

Vans. They seem pretty new. I think he has about 5. Nice reclining seats, TV .... I think they sit about 10. They look like the vans they use for the private schools around BKK.

Ended up doing the run for 4100 bhat plus 2000 for a double entry visa. They handled everything. Included hotel, 2 breakfasts, a dinner and a lunch. The said the trip takes 9-hours but I could swear it was about 7.5 to 8 hours including a couple stops. You do have to wait around at the border, then take a bus to the Laos side of the border and then get in different vans to go to the embassy and then finally to the hotel where we arrived about 10:30 AM. The people going up were all very good people so the waiting around at the embassy and border crossings were no big deal and as I said, they take care of everything. I never once spoke to any official or stood in any line.

PS. next month the tourist visa's go back to being free. And my GF ended up going with me for 2000 baht and that covered everything for her too but obviously we shared the hotel room.

[GungaDin]

JDP,

Thanks for the update.