Name Of Border Crossing Near Surin

[Mister Fixit]

I expect to be in Surin about 9th/10th October (assuming SWMBO doesn't change her mind AGAIN!) and see on the map there's a border crossing into Cambodia south of Surin in the 214 road.

As I have to do a run on 13th anyway, I was thinking of renting a car in Surin and trying this crossing, but I don't know the name of it or anything about it. The map has no name of any village nearby.

Does anyone have any further information? I assume there's a border post there and I should be able to get a further 90 days on my non-imm B visa (which runs out on the 14th, hence the need to go on the 13th anyway)

It would save a horrible journey with JG or one of the other visa run people if I could use the opportunity of being so close to the border anyway ...

TIA

[lampard10]

I expect to be in Surin about 9th/10th October (assuming SWMBO doesn't change her mind AGAIN!) and see on the map there's a border crossing into Cambodia south of Surin in the 214 road.

As I have to do a run on 13th anyway, I was thinking of renting a car in Surin and trying this crossing, but I don't know the name of it or anything about it.  The map has no name of any village nearby.

Does anyone have any further information?  I assume there's a border post there and I should be able to get a further 90 days on my non-imm B visa (which runs out on the 14th, hence the need to go on the 13th anyway)

It would save a horrible journey with JG or one of the other visa run people if I could use the opportunity of being so close to the border anyway ...

TIA

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well, as I told you on the phone , the border crossing is Chong Chom/Osmach

70 km's from Surin

[thaiflyer1]

If Lampard can't help you , no one can .

[Mister Fixit]

I expect to be in Surin about 9th/10th October (assuming SWMBO doesn't change her mind AGAIN!) and see on the map there's a border crossing into Cambodia south of Surin in the 214 road.

As I have to do a run on 13th anyway, I was thinking of renting a car in Surin and trying this crossing, but I don't know the name of it or anything about it.  The map has no name of any village nearby.

Does anyone have any further information?  I assume there's a border post there and I should be able to get a further 90 days on my non-imm B visa (which runs out on the 14th, hence the need to go on the 13th anyway)

It would save a horrible journey with JG or one of the other visa run people if I could use the opportunity of being so close to the border anyway ...

TIA

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well, as I told you on the phone , the border crossing is Chong Chom/Osmach

70 km's from Surin

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, thanks. The words were unfamiliar and so I had forgotten and didn't want to call you again to confirm it. And also of course, I'd hoped some other people might have used and it and been able to pass on some tips.

Have you any more info on the place? I assume I can use it as any other border post and get a 90 day stamp on my non-imm B next week?

TIA

[lampard10]

I expect to be in Surin about 9th/10th October (assuming SWMBO doesn't change her mind AGAIN!) and see on the map there's a border crossing into Cambodia south of Surin in the 214 road.

As I have to do a run on 13th anyway, I was thinking of renting a car in Surin and trying this crossing, but I don't know the name of it or anything about it.  The map has no name of any village nearby.

Does anyone have any further information?  I assume there's a border post there and I should be able to get a further 90 days on my non-imm B visa (which runs out on the 14th, hence the need to go on the 13th anyway)

It would save a horrible journey with JG or one of the other visa run people if I could use the opportunity of being so close to the border anyway ...

TIA

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well, as I told you on the phone , the border crossing is Chong Chom/Osmach

70 km's from Surin

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, thanks. The words were unfamiliar and so I had forgotten and didn't want to call you again to confirm it. And also of course, I'd hoped some other people might have used and it and been able to pass on some tips.

Have you any more info on the place? I assume I can use it as any other border post and get a 90 day stamp on my non-imm B next week?

TIA

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just to recap what I have just mailed you. You do not have to leave the country to extend a year non-imm 'O' visa. The local immigration office at Kap Choeng, 20 km's inside the border and 50km's from Surin will handle it providing you have all the correct paperwork, letters from bank,residency proof,doctors cert etc,etc.

If you have a three month non-imm, then you will have to go outside to a thai consulate, the nearest to Surin at the mo is Savvannahket, across from Mukdahan.

[Mister Fixit]

well, as I told you on the phone , the border crossing is Chong Chom/Osmach

70 km's from Surin

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What's confusing is that I have THREE names for the place. Firstly, there's the one quoted above, Chong Chom (which I'd been told, as remarked, but forgotten).

Then my map of Thailand calls the nearest place Pak Charang and the Cambodian side Phumi Phaang.

But someone else told me the place was called Kap Choeng and you cross to Chong Jom in Cambodia. I suppose Jom and Chom are the same.

So you can see the degree of confusion there is!

It seems it's spreading ...

All I really need to know is whether I can turn up one day, shove my passprt with a few days of a non-imm visa B on it, and get a further 90 days. Or is it a little place without any border facilities?

[Mister Fixit]

Just to recap what I have just mailed you. You do not have to leave the country to extend a year non-imm 'O' visa. The local immigration office at Kap Choeng, 20 km's inside the border and 50km's from Surin will handle it providing you have all the correct paperwork, letters from bank,residency proof,doctors cert etc,etc.

If you have a three month non-imm, then you will have to go outside to a thai consulate, the nearest to Surin at the mo is Savvannahket, across from Mukdahan.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't have a non-imm O, I have a non-imm B. I was told that the day before the 1 year expiry date ends, I could just cross the border and get another 90 day stamp. Simple. I was going to go with Jacks Golf or another operator on the 13th October, the day before the visa expires, and just get another 90 days from Aranyapratet or wherever they go now

Now I hope to be in Surin area on 9th and 10th, I thought I could just do the same, but a few days earlier. I assume I can?

But you mention in your email that the post is 20k short of the border. How does that work? I don't need to go over into Cambodia?

[jayenram]

You have a non-imm B multi entry? The validity expires on 14th October 2005? Your 90 day stamp (which you now have) expires when?

The immigration office at Kab Cheong can be used for obtaining 1 year extensions (retirement/marriage) and extending tourist visas. If you require a 90 day stamp using your multi-entry then you will need to leave Thailand before the validity expires.

This cannot be done at Kab Cheong immigration office. You will need to cross the border at Chong Chom (as had been said, 20 km further south), obtain a Khmer 30 day visa (bht 1,200, I think), get stamped into Kampuchea and then stamped out again (they will try and charge you for this). Then you return into Thailand where there is no reason you shouldn't get a further 90 day stamp.

[Mister Fixit]

You have a non-imm B multi entry? The validity expires on 14th October 2005? Your 90 day stamp (which you now have) expires when?

The immigration office at Kab Cheong can be used for obtaining 1 year extensions (retirement/marriage) and extending tourist visas. If you require a 90 day stamp using your multi-entry then you will need to leave Thailand before the validity expires.

This cannot be done at Kab Cheong immigration office. You will need to cross the border at Chong Chom (as had been said, 20 km further south), obtain a Khmer 30 day visa (bht 1,200, I think), get stamped into Kampuchea and then stamped out again (they will try and charge you for this). Then you return into Thailand where there is no reason you shouldn't get a further 90 day stamp.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, thanks for getting the message! Perhaps I did not make it plain enough initially that I have a non imm visa 'B'. I think Lampard assumed I had an O visa like he has, which gave rise to some confusion about going either to Kap Cheong or Chong Chom or wherever.

Since then he has called me (for which many thanks) and I have clarified things. He said I can do what I say below -

I understand all about getting a further 90 days on my B visa just before it expires, (that's not a problem), but what I did not understand was just where the border crossing was near Surin, or what it was called (my map does not say) and what I could get when I got there!

The validity for my multi-entry non-imm visa B expires on 17th October. However, the last 90 day period expires on the 14th October. So, AIUI, I must leave the country by the 13th to get a further 90 day stamp.

Then, at the end of THAT 90 days, I shall have to get some other sort of visa. I know I cannot get another 12 month 'B' without going to the UK or elsewhere, because I gather no SE Asia country issues them, they only issue 3 month B visas. Having said that, someone has said a 12 month is vailable in Vientiane, but I don't think that is correct

As I said, I expect to be in the Surin area on 9th and 10th October, so I may as well go to Chong Chom and get my stamp out and back in then, and not bother waiting until the 13th, when it is my last possible day.

As far as I can see I need to get to the border at Chong Chom, leave Thailand, go into Cambodia, give them 1 grand and a piccy of me, get stamped in, then turn around, get stamped out, and then walk back into Thailand and hopefully get another 90 days.

Sorry for any confusion to anyone - I did not specifically SAY I had a B visa. I'll put my brain into gear next time I post.

[Seen all,learnt nothing]

Mister Fixit,

Crossing and re-entering at Chong Chom/O smach (pedantic point: not Osmach)

should be a breeze.

You may find a longish winding queue, mainly weekends, which will be Thais anxious to lose their money at the 2 casinos in no-mans land. Do not join this queue! Instead go to a small airconditioned office immediately facing you for use of the occasional traveller actually crossing the border.

My experience for what it's worth: when walking from this office to the Cambodian entry post you will almost certainly be joined by a friend. Smile and relax. He will invite you to his nearby village for rest and relaxation - don't bother. He is also in league with immigration and will INSIST there is a 300THB fee for entering and exiting Cambodia on the same day. You INSIST you know this not to be the case. Having crossed the road from the entry to exit posts (10 seconds walk) he will tell immmigration in english that you refuse to pay. SMILE and wait for your passport to be stamped. The immigration officer will not demand the money but will keep the passport on his desk and politely ask if you don't want to GIVE anything. My suggestion give him 100 to have a beer on you. Then return to LOS. DONT GIVE YOUR HELPER A SINGLE BAHT.

The whole process should be completed in 15mins.

A last thought. Hand over the 1000baht entry fee with your passport. I have read reports elsewhere (maybe in the Isaan Forum) that if you wait for them to ask they may try and up the fee.

[Diablo Bob]

Mister Fixit,

Crossing and re-entering at Chong Chom/O smach (pedantic point: not Osmach)

should be a breeze.

You may find a longish winding queue, mainly weekends, which will be Thais anxious to lose their money at the 2 casinos in no-mans land. Do not join this queue! Instead go to a small airconditioned office immediately facing you for use of the occasional traveller actually crossing the border.

My experience for what it's worth: when walking from this office to the Cambodian entry post you will almost certainly be joined by a friend. Smile and relax. He will invite you to his nearby village for rest and relaxation - don't bother. He is also in league with immigration and will INSIST there is a 300THB fee for entering and exiting Cambodia on the same day. You INSIST you know this not to be the case. Having crossed the road from the entry to exit posts  (10 seconds walk) he will tell immmigration in english that you refuse to pay. SMILE and wait for your passport to be stamped. The immigration officer will not demand the money but will keep the passport on his desk and politely ask if you don't want to GIVE anything. My suggestion give him 100 to have a beer on you. Then return to LOS. DONT GIVE YOUR HELPER A SINGLE BAHT.

The whole process should be completed in 15mins.

A last thought. Hand over the 1000baht entry fee with your passport. I have read reports elsewhere (maybe in the Isaan Forum) that if you wait for them to ask they may try and up the fee.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A few years ago, when I was living in Buriram, I used this crossing extensivly. On at least three of the occasions (8:00am) I went as described above and Thai Immigration stamped me out/in the country, the whole process at the border, less than 15 minutes. The asking price was the 300 baht surcharge described above. Didn't leave Thailand.

[Seen all,learnt nothing]

Having reread my post I need to emphasise it is Cambodian immigration who want a backhander.

The crossing became an official entry point to Thailand on 1 Sept 2002. Before that my Isaan friends advise me it was restricted to locals crossing with IDs only. So in fact the Cambodians could not have issued a visa. Hence, from what Diablo Bob says, came the opportunity for a little pocket money for Thai imm.

[fxm88]

I recently had the displeasure to go for a visa stamp at the border crossing near Surin. It's cheap and easy enough to get there on the bus from the Surin bus station in regular buses or air-con mini-buses, both are regularly scheduled. They take you right to the border. If you're not planning on staying the night in Cambodia don't forget to ask the driver what time the last bus goes back.

Thai immigrations is pleasant enough but I can't stand the crooks in Cambodian immigrations. It was pretty empty on the day I went, late in the afternoon. I had a chat with the guys that stamp the visa while waiting for the guy that issues the visa to come back from town. Now the official price of the visa is 20 USD, but I'd been here before and expected him to ask for 1000 baht (~25 USD) but when this guy arrives he quotes me a price of 1200 baht (~30 USD). When I got my passport back I asked him to fill in the "Fee" which he'd left blank. Well, he didn't like that very much but I was insistent. I have a few Cambodian visas in the my passport and some have it filled in and others don't -- the only place I haven't been ripped off is the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok.

I had intended to go to the market but after the hassle the went right back to Thailand I made sure to explain to my "helper" guy that the visa guy was keeping my "tip" for him -- what's the point of the helper if you get ripped off x2 anyways? Perhaps they settled up that evening?

On the Cambodian side there's the casinos, then a big market, and past that is the town. They'll check your visa if you're going into the town. The town isn't very nice: there's a guesthouse or 2 but they're really more like walled-in barns or stables; there are limited entertainment options but a motorcy tour through town is mildly interesting; I believe you can also find transport to Siam Reap.

If on your want back into Thailand you're really feeling guilty about the crowd of children who have no doubt gathered around you, consider buying them each a Yakult (5 or 6 baht for a little bottle) from the sellers who are sometimes there.

Funny story: I had intended to go to Aranya Prathet but 1) I didn't recognize the station 2) the elderly woman sitting next to me assured me that it was not this station but the next one 3) the conductor lady forgot about me too -- oh well, they've got some really good Phad Thai in Surin (at the night market cooked up by 2 or 3 ageing ladyboys and I highly recommend it).

Edited October 4, 2005 by fxm88