Private Visa Runs.

[BangkokSpoon]

Looking to do a visa run from Samui this week - sometime between 2nd July and the 5th - anyone else going?

[eliasz]

Hello! I want join to somebody for borderrun on 6-13 october by car. I don't have a car but we can rent)

[eliasz]

We have car on 6-7 october)

[RJDuncan]

Hi Everyone

I need to do a Visa-Run from Koh Samui between 15th - 21st October. Is there anyone else going or planning on going during this time, if so please contact me.

Kind Regards

Rich

[michemiche]

Hi Everyone

I need to do a Visa-Run from Koh Samui between 15th - 21st October. Is there anyone else going or planning on going during this time, if so please contact me.

Kind Regards

Rich

If u dont find anyone, u can do like i have do last week.

Just change the koh pha ngan thing to koh samui, and u have it...

Just book a ticket with lompraya, for 800 baths to Hat Yai.

Leave koh pha ngan at 7am, arrive at 3 pm.

Arrive Hat yai ( bus station) go to desk 26, buy a ticket for the border (57 baths), take the first minibus, after 1 hour arrive the Sadao-border, check-out thailand, take mototaxi to malay border (100 baths for turn around), check-in thailand, go down the street, and in front 7/11 (150 meters) book ticket to hat yai, take the first one, arrive 1 hour later at Hat Yai bus station.

Spend the night quietly in hat yai (Thung Sao Mansion is just at 10 mn by walk from the station, and about 500 baths/night).

Come back next morning, minibus leave Hat yai at 8 am and arrive Donsak-pier at 12h30(490 baths), then take ferry at 1pm (220 baths) arrive at 3h30 pm really kool...........

No stress, not so much expensive and really different, with only thai people.

No need to wait at the border because people have overstay or more.

It have cost me in all : 1724 baths + one night i a nice Mansion just beside the bus station 500 baths.....

And really its a much better experience than to make it in "group".

[RJDuncan]

Hi Michemiche

Thanks for your reply, I will definitely keep it as an option. But in an ideal world I would like to get it done in one day, perhaps on my next VR.

I can do a VR for 1900thb from a tour agency (I think the one in Tesco Lotus mall may be even cheaper) and all within a day.

I would prefer to get a taxi with a few others or even rent a car. I'll wait and see what happens.

All best.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Rooo]

jack244

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Posted Yesterday, 22:35

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Hi all,

Just done a visa run to Myanmar from Samui. This is the story....

Agencies, travel agents etc in Samui wanted anything from 850thb to 1250thb per person, to get to Ranong one way.

In Ranong, many places were offering to shuttle you to do the visa run, costs from 250thb to 800thb. Not necessary, think ahead and DIY.

We went and took a gamble, paying as we went. My aim was to provide an update and see something of Thailand and Myanmar, GF had a few days off work too. I think it’s also fun to beat the rip offs, I have learnt, if they say it’s 1000thb, it really is 2/3 of the price.

Extra special weekend, so we took a hotel, The B Ranong for two nights, trendy but shit service. Restaurants outside were great, the Jammy Bar food being superb. Options exist in Ranong to find rooms from 150thb upwards, search the net or walk in, too many to choose from in Ranong, some almost located at Saphan Pier, very handy.

I took along the GF, and made a trip of it for the weekend. I feel that you cannot do it in one day from Samui, possible, with good luck and no hiccups, so two days needed in reality.

1. Ferry Nathon to Donsak (Seatran). Cost 150thb for boat and an additional 100thb for bus Donsak to Surat Thani Bus Terminal number 2. Ticket was bought at Samui Nathon ferry terminal. (NOTE - It is possible to take a boat from Samui direct to Surat Thani (the pier in Surat centre), reducing the need to take a bus Donsak to Surat Thani. You will pay lots more for it too, 500thb plus)

2. In Surat Thani, the bus drops you at the Terminal 2, also a market, takes about 1 hour. Options for move to Ranong, one, take a big bus (180thb one way each) takes approx 4 1/2 hours. Two run each Day, 08:30am and 14:30pm. Option 2, walk to the mini-bus street, directions from anyone in the bus station, about 100m from the bus station, and haggle for a mini-bus, cost were 350thb, each. Locals paid 220thb. See my fight report.... We took the mini-bus (3 1/2 hours and bare knuckle) to Ranong, drop off at Ranong Bus Station. The mini-bus is overcrowded, loaded up with packages and very uncomfortable. The mini-bus stopped for 10 mins half way along the route at a petrol station, with a 7/11 and soup kitchen. There were many shops offering a mini-bus to Ranong, all in all, they all work for each other, filling up each others mini-buses and spare seats.

3. In Ranong, we took a songthaew to my hotel, 20thb for 3km.

4. In Ranong, the next morning, we took a songthaew to Saphan Jetty (30thb took 15mins from our hotel in central Ranong), where you will find a combined arrival and departure immigration control point at the pier, and if like me your taking the GF, the local Thai Immigration Office for Thais, separate to the combined imm office I needed. (Note: At the pier, there are many touts, offering a range of services, if you need help with forms, etc they stepped in. I saw many tourists gaining help, I didn’t feel pressured, many Thai police manning the place, checking passports etc)

5. Imm opens 8.00am, for locals 8:30 am, close 6:00pm. I was stamped out, and after GF was sorted, we haggled a long tail, 300thb for both of us, with a one hour shopping stay in Victoria Point also called Kawthaung (Myanmar). (Note: GF had to pay 30thb and make papers to leave Thailand and enter Myanmar, using her ID Card only, all done at the pier. If she had used her passport, it would have been 500thb and lots more paperwork).

6. We left the pier in a long tail, made the journey across the water to Victoria Point (30 mins), stopping at various customs, immigration points etc. The crew took our passports a few times and did all the necessary legwork at each stop. We paid an extra 20thb each at one Thai point...reason, ‘It’s the weekend’. (Note: If it was raining, or blowing a gale, this crossing would of been horrendous, tip is to take waterproof top and umbrella. The boat had 6 people onboard, I felt fairly safe and the lad driving was friendly and helpful. Life Jacket helped me too! Options to take a big covered AC boat, not as frequent and also option was to go to the Anderman Club.

7. Arrived at Victoria Point, bustling place, market, boats galore and many eyes watching your every move. Boat driver, escorted us to Myanmar Immigration, very easy, no forms, just a crisp, new $10 note for me to pay (not GF) took my picture, asked if I was staying or leaving the same day. We got stamped in and left the office. Took 10 mins. My entry stamp gave me 12 days.

8. We then went and looked at the port, market and shopped for some bits. I picked up 200 Benson & Hedges, for 450thb, they were pukka too. Market and shop prices way below Samui, and in fact in Ranong, we got many bargains too, again much cheaper than Samui. Perfume copies galore, one shop wanted 1800thb for a copy D&G ladies one…lol

9. Returned to Thailand after an hour, reverse of the outward journey, using the same long tail, which waited for us. On arrival at Saphan Pier, I went to the same Imm office, separate widow for arrivals, completed arrival slip and activated my last 60 days visa, fairly easy and no queue’s. GF papers were taken on the water and never returned after the Thai’s final checkpoint. On arrival no questions or checks on her, simply get off the boat, have a nice day.

10. Total time in crossing the water etc, was 2 hours 45 mins, included above and taking in one hours shopping.

11. Had a wonderful day in Ranong, then the next morning, after leg over and toast, we returned to Ranong Bus Station, got a big bus, for 180thb each, to Surat Thani. In Surat we were dropped at the Seatran Office, where you can catch a bus and ferry combination to Samui, one leave almost every hour through the daylight, until 6pm. Cost was 250thb each.

12. Arrived back in Samui, made a PG Tips and reflected upon this journey. We did it cheaper than the quotes and had some flexibility and fun along the way.

Would have been easier to do the bounce to Malaysia, cheaper too, but we made a weekend of it.

I will attempt to upload some maps and schedules tomorrow.

If this help anyone, that’s great.

Cost's

Samui to Surat - 250thb

Surat to Ranong - 350thb (Cheaper if not ripped off, normally 220thb, Big bus 180thb)

Ranong Song's Average 30thb per trip

Boat Crossing - 300thb for two people return

Visa $10 - Me only

Ranong to Surat Big Bus 180thb

Surat to Samui - 250thb

Going solo, no GF and no hotel, this would of cost approx 1800thb incl visa.

It was fun.....

[eliasz]

Hello! All my fellow travellers canceled trip, so I go by bus to Malaysia at 12 from Samui. If someone wants to join - you are welcome. Cost is 1100 baht

Cheap borderrun:

samui - had yai - 500 baht. departure at 6.30, in had yai around 2-3 pm

had yai - padang besar - 50 baht (takes 1 hour)

padang besar - had yai - 50 baht (takes 1,5 hour). usually arrives 5.30-6.00 pm

had yai - samui - 500 baht. departure at 9.30. Arrives to donsak at 4 am and wait untill 5 am for ferry to samui

[Rooo]

Eggmeng )

Advanced Member

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77 posts

Posted 11 minutes ago

I'm driving from Samui to Ranong to stamp out next week. One day up and the next day back. I have a comfortable Toyota Hilux and can take up to 3 people who are willing to share expenses. You'll also benefit from my knowledge of the area, as I lived in Ranong for 2 years and know the scenic route and the good places to stay, eat, and bathe in the hot springs.

Send me a PM with your phone number if interested.

[steelerian]

Eggmeng )

Advanced Member

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77 posts

Posted 11 minutes ago

I'm driving from Samui to Ranong to stamp out next week. One day up and the next day back. I have a comfortable Toyota Hilux and can take up to 3 people who are willing to share expenses. You'll also benefit from my knowledge of the area, as I lived in Ranong for 2 years and know the scenic route and the good places to stay, eat, and bathe in the hot springs.

Send me a PM with your phone number if interested.

I need to go next week, but have already booked with Easy Way now. Posting only a few days before is a bit late notice for most people. Shame, as I would have loved to have done it your way instead of being crammed in a mini van all day.

[Belamar]

I want to make a visa run from Samui to Burma by myself. So I have to go Surat first, then to Ranong and then cross the edge to get to Burma. I've already done this last year, but at that time I was going from Bangkok.

So there is no direct bus to Ranong, isn't there? Well, I asked how much is a bus to Surat thani, it turned out to be 550 baht. It's probably 150 baht for a ferry, but why are 400 baht for Don Saak - Surat thani? It seems to be a rip off because the way Don Saak - Surat thani takes only 1 hour. Maybe I confused something?

And also, as far as I know there are 2 places in Ranong from where I can make a visa run, I've been in one of them (when I was going from Bangkok) but I don't even know what it's called.

I also didn't find enough decent information about this route for visa run.

What's your advice? Any information will be appreciated.

Edited December 3, 2013 by Belamar

[NHJ]

use a visa company and save yourself some troubles.

[Maramook]

Troubles? What the <deleted>** does that mean?

[CaptainS]

Just show up at Seatran ferry in Nathon, you can buy a combined ferry and bus ticket to Suratthani there, I think I paid 280 baht earlier this year.

[smokie36]

There are three bus stations in Surat. Expect to pay 50B - 100B more when buying a ticket from a travel agent. Pay the local price if possible and buy the ticket on the bus or mini bus.

Talaat Kaset 1:
This is the bus station for local travel around Surat Thani province. It is located across the street from Talaat Kaset 2.
Take the local orange bus (marked train station in English) to the new bus station and the train station (12 THB).

Talaat Kaset 2:
This is the bus station and mini bus station for longer trips. It is located across the street from Talaat Kaset 1. Sample fares include:

Surat Thani to Krabi:
AC bus (3 hr): 140 THB - leaves hourly from 06:00 until 17:00
Mini bus (2.5 hr): 150 THB - leaves hourly from 08:00 until 16:00

Surat Thani to Phuket:
AC bus (6 hr): 120 THB - 06:00, 08:00, 09:00, 11:00, 12:00, 15:00
Mini bus(4 hr): 180 THB - leaves hourly from 08:00 until 18:00

Surat Thani to Hat Yai:
AC bus (6+ hr): 200 THB - 06:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 17:00
Mini bus: (4 hr): 150 THB - leaves hourly from 06:30 until 17:30

New Station:
Located en route to the train station, this is the place to catch an air-con bus to Bangkok. Take the local bus from Talaat Kaset 1 to the train station and tell the driver to stop at the new bus station.

Surat Thani to Bangkok: (11-14 hr)
VIP 24 seats: 640 THB - all day and overnight
A/C 38 seats: 488 THB - all day and overnight

http://www.travelfish.org/transport/thailand/southern_thailand/surat_thani/surat_thani/all

Just to note....there is no info on the Ranong bus but I have done this a couple of times by minivan....its a journey of about 5 hrs or so but that was some years past....good luck on your travels!

Edit: Forgot to add link.

Edited December 3, 2013 by smokie36

[Rooo]

Detailed step by step instructions & costs HERE.

[smokie36]

Detailed step by step instructions & costs HERE.

Yep that's a great post.

[samuijimmy]

There are three bus stations in Surat. Expect to pay 50B - 100B more when buying a ticket from a travel agent. Pay the local price if possible and buy the ticket on the bus or mini bus.

Talaat Kaset 1:

This is the bus station for local travel around Surat Thani province. It is located across the street from Talaat Kaset 2.

Take the local orange bus (marked train station in English) to the new bus station and the train station (12 THB).

Talaat Kaset 2:

This is the bus station and mini bus station for longer trips. It is located across the street from Talaat Kaset 1. Sample fares include:

Surat Thani to Krabi:

AC bus (3 hr): 140 THB - leaves hourly from 06:00 until 17:00

Mini bus (2.5 hr): 150 THB - leaves hourly from 08:00 until 16:00

Surat Thani to Phuket:

AC bus (6 hr): 120 THB - 06:00, 08:00, 09:00, 11:00, 12:00, 15:00

Mini bus(4 hr): 180 THB - leaves hourly from 08:00 until 18:00

Surat Thani to Hat Yai:

AC bus (6+ hr): 200 THB - 06:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 17:00

Mini bus: (4 hr): 150 THB - leaves hourly from 06:30 until 17:30

New Station:

Located en route to the train station, this is the place to catch an air-con bus to Bangkok. Take the local bus from Talaat Kaset 1 to the train station and tell the driver to stop at the new bus station.

Surat Thani to Bangkok: (11-14 hr)

VIP 24 seats: 640 THB - all day and overnight

A/C 38 seats: 488 THB - all day and overnight

http://www.travelfish.org/transport/thailand/southern_thailand/surat_thani/surat_thani/all

Just to note....there is no info on the Ranong bus but I have done this a couple of times by minivan....its a journey of about 5 hrs or so but that was some years past....good luck on your travels!

Edit: Forgot to add link.

^ That Travelfish information looks very out dated... it does not seem to have a date mark, so it's hard to say .... Travel times look way off too ... double what they actually are in a few cases ...

It mentions a pier at Khanom, that has not been around for many years as far as I know.... I remember someone mentioning that back in 2005 or 2006....that there was a pier there... no have...! although I stand to be corrected ... but has anyone ever seen a boat going there?.... If there was it would cut several K's off the trip south!....

I subscribe to the Travelfish blogs, often a lot of incorrect information about Samui, and KP ... I don't think the woman who writes the Samui information actually leaves her house very often...or she must get a "free meal" to promote some very obscure place, few have heard about!!! ..

Best to have the directions one wants, written in Thai as to what you are trying to do and where you want to go... Often someone will direct you to an "agent" which may not necessarily be the right company you want! ..... so it is not always easy!

Edited December 4, 2013 by samuijimmy

[Rooo]

I already gave the correct link Jimmy.

HERE.

[samuijimmy]

I already gave the correct link Jimmy.

HERE.

yes that is for Ranong info .... my point was more the info given on the copied info from Travelfish Blog .... that is not good or outdated info ... IMHO

Just trying to say!

[Belamar]

Just show up at Seatran ferry in Nathon, you can buy a combined ferry and bus ticket to Suratthani there, I think I paid 280 baht earlier this year.

I did that: I went to a bus station there in Nathon and they said it was 550 baht.

[PoorSucker]

Just show up at Seatran ferry in Nathon, you can buy a combined ferry and bus ticket to Suratthani there, I think I paid 280 baht earlier this year.

I did that: I went to a bus station there in Nathon and they said it was 550 baht.

Yes, go direct to the ferry.

[samuijimmy]

Just show up at Seatran ferry in Nathon, you can buy a combined ferry and bus ticket to Suratthani there, I think I paid 280 baht earlier this year.

I did that: I went to a bus station there in Nathon and they said it was 550 baht.

Yes, go direct to the ferry.

Yes!!! Then ask for a ticket to where you need to go, at the ferry terminal....(not bus station on Samui, side)

... CaptainS figure looks correct!

It can all be very confusing...even I still get caught sometimes ...

Raja ferry and Seatran are car / truck ferries (take longer) Songterm and Lomprayah are faster... but passenger prices are about the same.... there are buses etc at the other side...

When booking through an agent in say Maenam or Chawang, very often the price includes pick up service... to get you to Nathon!

---------------

Just for information the Lomprayah Ferry to/ from Chumpon,(BKK) KT and KP is still not landing or leaving from Maenam terminal, while seas are rough along the north coast of Samui ... it's going to Nathon ... If pickup service has been arranged it's not a problem as they will take you to where the boat is...

I suppose we are getting a little off original topic here!

[CaptainS]

Just show up at Seatran ferry in Nathon, you can buy a combined ferry and bus ticket to Suratthani there, I think I paid 280 baht earlier this year.

I did that: I went to a bus station there in Nathon and they said it was 550 baht.

Yes, go direct to the ferry.

Their ticket booth is at the beginning of the pier. No need to book in advance, just show up and buy.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Rooo
quote

[alosito]

Why do commercial border runs take you to Malaysia and not to Ranong if Ranong is closer?

[PoorSucker]

Why do commercial border runs take you to Malaysia and not to Ranong if Ranong is closer?

Better roads to Malaysia and most get visa free entrance to Malaysia.

[codestu]

hi everyone iam doing my visa run on the 18th feb as iam hiring a car for 1 day to go border town sadao (malaysia border) leaving lamai tesco 3.30pm heading for 5pm raja ferry arrive sadao approx 11pm we will do visa run that time as border closed midnight or you can do visa next morning very early 7.30 - 8.00, iam leaving sadao 9am to head back to samui 2-3pm ferry back to lamai tesco arriving approx 4pm.

hiring new honda civic and will take total 4 people max

we staying over in sadao your choice of hotel is not including in price

package car,ferry, and gas 1000 baht person excluding hotel

no smoking in car

will stop at service station every 1.5 - 2 hrs for 10 min break smoking toilet 7eleven etc

no pisshead please

please dont talk too much to me while iam driving

about me iam male 40 year from manchester england

[Gulfsailor]

I thought the idea of doing a self drive visa run is to not be in a death trap minivan flying over the roads.

But according to above schedule from Donsak to Sadao is planned to be driven in around 4 hours. That is really pushing it. If you intend to drive that fast, you might as well do it in one day there and back.

Just my opinion.

[codestu]

hi everyone iam doing my visa run on the 18th feb as iam hiring a car for 1 day to go border town sadao (malaysia border) leaving lamai tesco 3.30pm heading for 5pm raja ferry arrive sadao approx 11pm we will do visa run that time as border closed midnight or you can do visa next morning very early 7.30 - 8.00, iam leaving sadao 9am to head back to samui 2-3pm ferry back to lamai tesco arriving approx 4pm.

hiring new honda civic and will take total 4 people max

we staying over in sadao your choice of hotel is not including in price

package car,ferry, and gas 1000 baht person excluding hotel

no smoking in car

will stop at service station every 1.5 - 2 hrs for 10 min break smoking toilet 7eleven etc

no pisshead please

please dont talk too much to me while iam driving

about me iam male 40 year from manchester england

three seat available make your booking now on 0905570113

[suryamuni]

Warning to all car rental companies in Samui !

According to most of the car hire rental terms & conditions in Samui, it is not allowed to use the car on the mainland, the hirer must use the vehicle within Samui Island only. ( especially for long distance visa runs ). Car rental companies should check the mileage counter by return or install a

GPS tracking system in your cars.