Visa Run

[shaney24]

I'm looking to book my mum onto a one-day visa run, with COMFORT being the main priority. Any suggestions or experiences welcome!

[Rooo]

Rent a car & drive her yourself. Make a short break out of it.

[Boater]

Rent a car & drive her yourself. Make a short break out of it.

or if price isnt really an object, how about a flight to malaysia and spend 1 night there?

[Tropicalevo]

I think that these suggestions are because the day trip visa run is never particlarly comfortable. Private mini bus with time pressures, fast driving, and passengers who sometimes create problems (overstay etc).

Fine if you are young or a seasoned traveller. but not so fine for the not so young who like a bit of comfort.

Herbert used to do a VIP mini bus. Bigger seats and less of them, but it is still an 'up at the crack of dawn and drive afap' type of trip.

The two suggestions above are more comfortable for sure.

[itishothere]

The two suggestions above are more comfortable for sure.

Agreed.

There is no such thing as a perfect visa run from Samui.

You either go in the back of a minivan at a speed approaching MACH 1, and have a long day.

Or drive yourself, but you cover the same distance, so to increase the comfort factor you probably need to include an overnight stop. Had Yai isn't a bad place to do that.

Or you up the expense budget and go with FireFly to Subang in KL. But because of the schedules, you have no choice but to stay the night.

[NHJ]

if interested two of my friends are going in two days to malaysia with their car, let me know by PM if your mother is interested, i'll give you the phone number.

[Rooo]

Off topic post removed.

[southbot]

If it is only a go-away-come-back visa run, I reckon the suggestion to hire a car is the way to go.

Do the Ranong run, really nice easy drive over the mountains from Surat.

Ranong is a great place I think, take you mum to the hot spas there, they are excellent.

You can get a very comfy ferry over to a Casino on the Myanmar side, all paperwork is taken care of for you, only have to stay an hour if you wish, or do an overnight at the Casino hotel and back next day.

I hear if you buy 20,000 Baht of gambling chips you get a free room, food and drinks, even if you do not use the chips at all and get full money back next day. Or go blow it on tables and pokies and stuff.

But for your mum, for sure, the flight to Malaysia if it is to get a new visa, or drive to Ranong if it is just border running.

Good luck either way mate.

[samuijimmy]

If it is only a go-away-come-back visa run, I reckon the suggestion to hire a car is the way to go.

Do the Ranong run, really nice easy drive over the mountains from Surat.

Ranong is a great place I think, take you mum to the hot spas there, they are excellent.

You can get a very comfy ferry over to a Casino on the Myanmar side, all paperwork is taken care of for you, only have to stay an hour if you wish, or do an overnight at the Casino hotel and back next day.

I hear if you buy 20,000 Baht of gambling chips you get a free room, food and drinks, even if you do not use the chips at all and get full money back next day. Or go blow it on tables and pokies and stuff.

But for your mum, for sure, the flight to Malaysia if it is to get a new visa, or drive to Ranong if it is just border running.

Good luck either way mate.

Co-insidance here...

Just had a friend coming in January who mentioned these Hot Springs and wanted to know whether worth going too visit ... I had never heard of them... I have heard it's a nice drive to Ranong from here, but not done it myself yet....

But can one take a rented car from here off the island...? I know you cannot take a rented motorbike off... and I am pretty certain no buses direct to Ranong from here... any one know how to get there, by bus ? .... via Phuket or???

I'd agree with other posters avoid the mini bus ride... never understand why people do that... even going to Malaysia border crossing is easy to Had Yai on VIP or public bus, then the short mini bus ride to the border and back to Had Yai... relax and take some time... Although do understand a few people doing that are working...

[Tropicalevo]

If it is only a go-away-come-back visa run, I reckon the suggestion to hire a car is the way to go.

Do the Ranong run, really nice easy drive over the mountains from Surat.

Ranong is a great place I think, take you mum to the hot spas there, they are excellent.

You can get a very comfy ferry over to a Casino on the Myanmar side, all paperwork is taken care of for you, only have to stay an hour if you wish, or do an overnight at the Casino hotel and back next day.

I hear if you buy 20,000 Baht of gambling chips you get a free room, food and drinks, even if you do not use the chips at all and get full money back next day. Or go blow it on tables and pokies and stuff.

But for your mum, for sure, the flight to Malaysia if it is to get a new visa, or drive to Ranong if it is just border running.

Good luck either way mate.

Co-insidance here...

Just had a friend coming in January who mentioned these Hot Springs and wanted to know whether worth going too visit ... I had never heard of them... I have heard it's a nice drive to Ranong from here, but not done it myself yet....

But can one take a rented car from here off the island...? I know you cannot take a rented motorbike off... and I am pretty certain no buses direct to Ranong from here... any one know how to get there, by bus ? .... via Phuket or???

I'd agree with other posters avoid the mini bus ride... never understand why people do that... even going to Malaysia border crossing is easy to Had Yai on VIP or public bus, then the short mini bus ride to the border and back to Had Yai... relax and take some time... Although do understand a few people doing that are working...

I deal regularly with a couple of rental companies and at one of them does allow his cars to go to the mainland. He has full insurance on the cars and so it is not a problem. Just have to tell him first. The second guy does NOT allow his cars off the island. Two have been stolen (by Thai customers).

Edited December 20, 2011 by Tropicalevo

[robsamui]

A "one day visa run"?

Do you mean a border crossing for a 30-day stamp? Or do you mean a trip for obtain a new visa?

If it's only a question of a stamp "in comfort" then fly from Samui to anywhere else and come back again the next day.

Or is cost also a consideration?

I have the feeling that you have not taken the trouble to explain exactly what you're after. In which case you're gonna get lots of different advice.

R

[starcandle]

There is an english guy just started to do a private luxury Visa run service.

He picks you up midday ish (usually in a fortuner) takes it nice and easy to Hat yai, stops there the night,

and sets off back to Samui midmorning the following day,

I think he's charging 2,000 baht.

PM me for his phone number if it's any use to you.

[samuijimmy]

There is an english guy just started to do a private luxury Visa run service.

He picks you up midday ish (usually in a fortuner) takes it nice and easy to Hat yai, stops there the night,

and sets off back to Samui midmorning the following day,

I think he's charging 2,000 baht.

PM me for his phone number if it's any use to you.

Wow, if it's that cheap that would be a deal! ..... include hotel & food too?

[starcandle]

There is an english guy just started to do a private luxury Visa run service.

He picks you up midday ish (usually in a fortuner) takes it nice and easy to Hat yai, stops there the night,

and sets off back to Samui midmorning the following day,

I think he's charging 2,000 baht.

PM me for his phone number if it's any use to you.

Wow, if it's that cheap that would be a deal! ..... include hotel & food too?

Ok I have just spoken to him on the phone to ask the details.

He go's when he has 4 passangers, hit's the ferry in Samui for 10am, go's to the border, gets stamp, then on to Hat Yai for the night, returns the next day,

price is 2,000 baht plus 500 baht for the hotel (says very nice Hotel), never mentioned food but I would imagine that you get Breakfast from Hotel.

Also says he has 2 people booked for 7th Jan.

hope this helps.

[shaney24]

Thanks for the info Starcandle - I've sent you a PM

[steelerian]

Also have a friend who does the same for 2500, assuming 4 passengers. Willing to go whenever. PM me for details.

[ParadiseLost]

The Ranong casino is called The Andaman Club and I would highly recommend staying at least one night. There is a great golf course for any interested and it is definitely the most comfortable option available. Hotel rooms are 90's elegant I felt (not a bad thing at all) bathrooms are really nice. The swimming pool looks really inviting too. If I remember correctly I paid for my room (1,300 baht) and then blew the 20'000 on blackjack...

Off topic; for gamblers out there Phnom Penh casino is a great place to play Texas Hold 'em, staff are pleasant (and mostly gorgeous) and a few tables were going with $200 or $500 buy-ins every night/day I was there (3). If you play you get free drinks and dinner (great buffet).

No more visa runs for me, come March I move to Cambodia, missus with or not

[ParadiseLost]

If you want a terrible visa run (comfort wise), I just returned from Phnom Penh:

Journey out KS road to PP via Poipet, minivan to local border then crappy old bus onwards using the terrible (flood damaged) Battambang road. 1,100 baht.

Return journey, much better bus on Cam side, minivan to BK. Better journey over shitty road again. - $20

It was 50% more expensive to pay for the same trip in Thailand, at one of the smallest little booths (outside the temple opp service station). Ticket in Cam was from a motorcycle shop. (Price varies little and you can just go to the bus station yourself in town anyway. Very convenient.)

Thailand must wake up; I have not heard one good thing on my trip from fellow travellers; everything is about gouging and treatment from supposed tour operators; stories of how people are cheated, lied to and swindled - it is fast becoming the norm here (if it wasn't always).

Edited December 23, 2011 by ParadiseLost

[steelerian]

If anyone wants to do a visa run this weekend, my friend mentioned above is heading down on Saturday (7th).

- 8am leaving from Chaweng

- 9am boat from Nathon to Donsak

- drive down to Sadao border in Toyota Fortuner

- Saturday night stay over in Hat Yai for 1 night

- drive back Sunday

- back in Samui around 6pm Sunday

Cost = 2500 Baht, including car, ferry, gasoline, and hotel.

Spaces for 2 people.

Please PM me ASAP if you are interested.

[steelerian]

still space for 1 more on the visa run tomorrow..............PM me

[sergeisokolov]

Need a border run this week, before/on Jan 14, 2012.

We're two, located a bit to the South from Lamai.

Would prefer the safer run with a one night stay at Hat Yai or Ranong.

StarCandle, I PM'ed you.

Steelerian, any plans for this week?

[steelerian]

Need a border run this week, before/on Jan 14, 2012.

We're two, located a bit to the South from Lamai.

Would prefer the safer run with a one night stay at Hat Yai or Ranong.

StarCandle, I PM'ed you.

Steelerian, any plans for this week?

Need a border run this week, before/on Jan 14, 2012.

We're two, located a bit to the South from Lamai.

Would prefer the safer run with a one night stay at Hat Yai or Ranong.

StarCandle, I PM'ed you.

Steelerian, any plans for this week?

Hi, no plans for this week at the moment, sorry, but I will PM you if this changes.

Ian

[starcandle]

Need a border run this week, before/on Jan 14, 2012.

We're two, located a bit to the South from Lamai.

Would prefer the safer run with a one night stay at Hat Yai or Ranong.

StarCandle, I PM'ed you.

Steelerian, any plans for this week?

The person that both I and Steelerian refer to, is one and the same.

I have replied to your PM.

[Rise]

Had a nice and relaxing trip on saturday. A lot better than going on the terrible bus that I have done before. Faster, much more comfortable and also cheaper as I usually need a couple of days in Had yai to wind down.

[shaney24]

My mum also went on this visa run and had a great time. Car very comfortable, hotel great, good company too! Would much rather travel like this than rush down on the mini bus. She was also able to take a break whenever!!! Would highly recommend it and superb value for money.

[steelerian]

Happy that you both found it enjoyable.

I'll post here again next time there is a trip being organised. Shouldn't be too long.

[Rooo]

Please let me know next time. Meanwhile I might just start a PINNED thread for members to advise each other Re private runs. Does that suit?

[steelerian]

Please let me know next time. Meanwhile I might just start a PINNED thread for members to advise each other Re private runs. Does that suit?

I think that would be useful Rooo.

[Rooo]

New pinned topic. If anyone has a new suggestion for topic description please let me know.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/525706-private-visa-runs/

[BigC]

rent the whole mini bus to yourself. buy all the tickets out on the bus. then bring some dvd's iand crew down business class.

probably cheaper than flying bandit airways