Visa Run

[2long]

I haven't needed to do a visa run for 11 years, but will have to in a couple of weeks. I have heard all sorts of stories (good and bad), about border areas and the quality of services.

I just want to get a 15 day stamp with the least fuss as possible, but don't want to spend more than I have to.

What's teh deal, guys?

[ignis]

Cheapest is DIY...

Something like this:

From Bangkok to Mae Sot's bus terminal (tel. 05556-3435), a VIP bus 36 seat big tour bus, runs four times daily, from 9:30pm to 10:40pm (8 hrs.; 610B/US$17/£9.40). First-class buses leave three times daily from 9am to 10:20pm (8 hrs.; 394B/US$11/£6.05).

Good thing about going to this Boarder is the little stamps in/out so 2 Thai stamps + 2 Myanmar takes up 1/2 a page in your Passport. + cost 10$ or 500 baht to cross into Myanmar. or go the other way to Ranong VIP 36 seat big bus leaves BKK 2x day... but you then have to pay for the boat across to Myanmar. I like to stay in Ranong for 2 nights

Otherwise plenty of Mini Buses to Cambodia, takes about 4 hr each way and around 2,000 baht includes the full page Cambodia Visa, myself have only use 1 Company www.thaivisaservice.com a few times and always has been good

Or again DIY with the Casino bus + pay for the Cambodia Visa, No idea about times but understand cost about 300 baht return on the Bus.

[edwinchester]

Mae Sot border crossing has been closed for nearly a year now.

[ignis]

Mae Sot border crossing has been closed for nearly a year now.

Thanks, was planing my next Boarder run there in 78 days time, as had never been, looks like Ranong again then.

[jazzbo]

Factoring in the 'least stressful' I would suggest the NokAir flight from Don Muang to Udon Thani at about 1400 Baht each way then commandeer a ride to the bridge at Nong Khai cross the bridge to PDR Lao and get your 15 days on return to LOS then have your ride waiting for you back to Udon Thani airport and a flight back to DM all in the same day.... also suggest getting a Laos visa in BKK before arriving at the bridge.

[2long]

Jack Golf any good?

[melvinmelvin]

Re visa run to Cambodia or Laos;

No need for getting a visa to Cambodia or Laos.

You can just exit LoS and then enter the queue for entering LoS again,

you don't have to actually enter Cambodia or Laos.

Has worked fine for me several times.

[Mario2008]

Re visa run to Cambodia or Laos;

No need for getting a visa to Cambodia or Laos.

You can just exit LoS and then enter the queue for entering LoS again,

you don't have to actually enter Cambodia or Laos.

Has worked fine for me several times.

You were lucky. If they spot it, they will send you back to get n exit stamp from the other country.

[dananderson]

Nice catch Mario. It's bad information like this that adds little to the lawfull and rational discourse here that has made this site a valuable and credible source of legitimate information on this very subject.:jap:

[lazygourmet]

Jack Golf any good?

I never had anything to complain about their service... except the fact that I have to wake up at 3.00am to catch their 5.00am departure.

[melvinmelvin]

Nice catch Mario. It's bad information like this that adds little to the lawfull and rational discourse here that has made this site a valuable and credible source of legitimate information on this very subject.:jap:

Bad information?

The information is quite accurate, I've done this quite a few times,

also with brand new passports so that the lack of exit stamps from Laos and/or Cambodia is quite obvious.

Can you reference any legal stipulation that makes it crystal clear that what I do is not kosher?

[LuckyLew]

www.thaivisaservice.com

Leaves BKK - Onnut at 8am

Gets back to Bkk around 5pm

Used their service a few time

Recommended

[lopburi3]

Bad information?

It is not only required you can be arrested and deported for illegal entry if you arrive without being stamped out from foreign country (and this was published on home page of Arayanpathet Immigration web site for all to read for years) (web site in down now). What sometimes happened is person with overstay was not allowed to enter Cambodia and had to return. This resulted in detention, being sent to Bangkok for deportation for illegal entry (they did not make you live your life in limbo). Normally all border crossings carefully check for exit stamp and will tell you to obtain before allowing entry.

[dananderson]

Thanx Lopburi. I would add if you want to save space on your passport pages b4 going to Cambodia, get an e-visa. Only $5 more. Actually less as you save the 100b or more that you will get gigged on land entry. That has been discussed here many times btw

[melvinmelvin]

Bad information?

It is not only required you can be arrested and deported for illegal entry if you arrive without being stamped out from foreign country (and this was published on home page of Arayanpathet Immigration web site for all to read for years) (web site in down now). What sometimes happened is person with overstay was not allowed to enter Cambodia and had to return. This resulted in detention, being sent to Bangkok for deportation for illegal entry (they did not make you live your life in limbo). Normally all border crossings carefully check for exit stamp and will tell you to obtain before allowing entry.

Funny you should mention Aranyaprathet. That is one of the border crossings where this happens quite a lot.

People exit LoS, spend the evening/night in the casinos (without entering Cambodia) and then enter LoS again.

Also, at the Aranyaprathet immigration a senior Thai immigration officer (fetched from the offices behind the desks) adviced me to do what I do,

this took place last year. (She didn't flinch an eye when I offered that I've been practicing that for quite some time.)

The officer insisted that there was no need for me to obtain a visa for Cambodia. She even gave me the entry form to fill in before I nipped across

the open area to join the LoS entry queue.

I think I will look into this in more detail next month.

I am not convinced by the example you offer, the logic does not appear sound to me.

[justaphase]

My friend got busted leaving here and not entering Cambodia. They made him sit down and write a letter of apology to 'the country'.

Thai people can enter without visa for 3 days i think.

[dananderson]

imho The best deal I have seen for going to Poipet(from Pattaya) is the VIP casino bus for 100b round trip/return. Includes free coffee, rolls and free lunch at the casino in Poipet that sponsers the bus. I believe it leaves at 7am and picks up pax at Big-C. It fills up quickly and reservations are suggested. Anyone with more information, or has used this method, please post here..

[mrjohnno]

Re visa run to Cambodia or Laos;

No need for getting a visa to Cambodia or Laos.

You can just exit LoS and then enter the queue for entering LoS again,

you don't have to actually enter Cambodia or Laos.

Has worked fine for me several times.

You were lucky. If they spot it, they will send you back to get n exit stamp from the other country.

I think you are spot on Mario. I use the Malaysia crossing near Satan '?' and there are a couple of guys who stand around and will tell you that they have to enter and exit Malaysia if they see people trying to enter Thailand straight after exit. Sure it's a long trip but it's only 1900 Baht including lunch and water but there is no cost for a Mayalsian Visa. I also keep a spare form for both countries which I fill in at home before I leave. The Malaysian side is a real pain because you have to queue to get the form, fill it in and then have to queue at the same window to hand it in.