Hey,

I am in the centre of Bangkok and need to do a border run. What is the closest border and what time does it open/close?

I plan to go on wednesday with my own car and leave bangkok around lunch time.

Any advice?

Edited August 8, 201114 yr by Thailand4life

Hey you meqm leaving the car at the border then?The closest border, to my knowledge, is AranyapathetDrive carefully as you might be checked on numerous times on the way

Closest is Aranyapathet. About 3.5 hours. Decent drive - straight roads once you get to Sa Kaew (although be careful about idiots overtaking on the other side of the road). I have been many many times. Despite what the post says above, you are unlikely to be stopped. I have been going for four/five years and been stopped only once - and then immediately flagged to continue. The police are not interested in farangs - they seem to be looking for bigger fish to fry. All the best and drive carefully.

I read a lot about people taking motos from Arun to the border. What if you are taking your own car? Is it possible to park right up near the border?

You can park right next to the border. 20 second walk. I usually go through the border and get the visa stamp while wifey goes shopping in the market where you park your car. I'm back within 25 minutes and she still hasn't finished buying rubbish. Ooo, the bags are cheap, she says. So she buys three and never uses 'em!!! Lol!! Thai women!!!

There are always checkpoints on the roads leading to the border, in our year in Sa Kaeo did lots of driving and was regularly stopped, and as jonnog said, waved on.

Never been fined or asked to make a donation.

My partner came back yesterday from SK to Chanthaburi - four checkpoints stops on the way and a little irritated that at one she had to produce her ID card.

I've only made one border crossing there, the touts are a bloody nuisance running about with their 'official immigration' nametags.

Just keep walking.

And those bloody markets - many a trip there.

The same shops a hundred times over - jeans, shoes, handbags . . .