Which City To Fly To For Visa ?

[Sammy80]

Hello again,

Here on my 30 day visa exempt stamp, and I will need to fly out of Bangkok to somewhere to apply for a 60 day visa, and return.

I don't want to do an overland bus run, and I'm not interested in sightseeing etc wherever I go.

My main priority is the smoothest option for flying in, concentrating on the visa application, then flying back to Bangkok a.s.a.p.

So I would appreciate any advice for this, such as which city has it's airport closest to the Thai embassy, no visa required for the country, most helpful staff, accomodation basically on the embassy doorstep !!.

Out of the various obvious options, Penang and KL seem at first glance decent, but has anyone good or bad experience/advice to offer on any of the nearby counries to chose from.

I would like to fly in on a Wednesday or Thursday and fly out very early Saturday morning with visa in hand!

Thanks!

[orchis]

do a forum search or look in pinned information. hint : there s a related topic hovering under yours.

[David006]

..don't know about Northern etc Thai options ( or on what basis your visa criteria ) but KL is professional and straightforward..good/cheap train/bus connections to embassy from downtown or KL Low Cost Carrier airport.

Good hotel downtown is Mountbatten (really nice updated)....near everything ...China town, Macd.Seven and street food..nice people..about 1200 baht per night ..air, tv .continental breakfast included, restaurant/bar etc ...google it!!...(..downside noise from El ' train but not an issue really if you keep double glaze windows shut)

good luck..

Taxi to embassy from dwtwn is/should be 15 MRG don't pay more!! Train terminal is 10 min walk from embassy think about 5 ringet to downtown.

LCCT to downtown is 8RG by bus I think.can also get train...bit more if I remember on return trip..

Remember if your flying Air Asia you come into LCCT NOT International!!

[Sammy80]

Thanks to both for advice, will indeed google that hotel.

Should I just arrive before 12pm with photos, passport and fill in form provided? it's my first time as you may have guessed.

Only been a member on here for a couple of hours, so just finding my way around how to look at pinned info etc.

[David006]

Thanks to both for advice, will indeed google that hotel.

Should I just arrive before 12pm with photos, passport and fill in form provided? it's my first time as you may have guessed.

Only been a member on here for a couple of hours, so just finding my way around how to look at pinned info etc.

Embassy opens 9:30 am.take your paperwork and Malaysian funds blah blah fill in form etc ..(is it a marriage visa or??) come back next day to collect after 2pm ..check not weekend or Muslim holiday!!!

[lopburi3]

Actually local or Thai holiday as most Consulates observe both.

[Sammy80]

[Remember if your flying Air Asia you come into LCCT NOT International!! ]

Is that better or worse? closer or farther ?? I was planning on Air Asia but would change if not so good!

[David006]

[Remember if your flying Air Asia you come into LCCT NOT International!! ]

Is that better or worse? closer or farther ?? I was planning on Air Asia but would change if not so good!

negligible..get a tourist map at arrivals shows all including train line routes etc..maybe intl a teenie bit further..just did not want you to get off the train at intl and find you gotta get a cab over to LCCT.on the way home.

I will try to dig up my map and scan and post when I sober up ....frick it IS hot today....

[David006]

[Remember if your flying Air Asia you come into LCCT NOT International!! ]

Is that better or worse? closer or farther ?? I was planning on Air Asia but would change if not so good!

negligible..get a tourist map at arrivals shows all including train line routes etc..maybe intl a teenie bit further..just did not want you to get off the train at intl and find you gotta get a cab over to LCCT.on the way home.

I will try to dig up my map and scan and post when I sober up ....frick it IS hot today....

okay just lifted up to closet top .....one wet, sweet smelling and slick misses ex shower....to get these from rollaboard so hope your grateful.!!!!..she is now back in shower washing out gecko <deleted> and mud wasp nest material from hair......inventing new Tinglish epithets for some unknown expat no doubt....lol

The scans ain't great ( they zoom ok) but match 'em to the map you get at airport info centre and all will be clear..heeeerruum...

[kurtmartens]

Fly Laos Airline to Savaan, Laos. Thai Consulate there is very helpful and Laos can be cheap depending on tastes...and im my opinion better than KL for a holiday.

[Sammy80]

Just logged on again,

Thanks David 006, I am very grateful!! superhman effort !

And to everyone else for the sound advice.

[buddy]

Fly Laos Airline to Savaan, Laos. Thai Consulate there is very helpful and Laos can be cheap depending on tastes...and im my opinion better than KL for a holiday.

Any recommendations for hotel stay, restaurants etc in Savaanakhet?

[LuckyLew]

Another very easy option is to

Fly to Udon Thani

40 minute van to Laos border

Enter Laos at Vientien

You can leave on a Monday morning flight

and be back in Bangkok at 9pm Tuesday

[bangkokburning]

I don't want to do an overland bus run, and I'm not interested in sightseeing etc wherever I go.

Welcome to Asia, enjoy the culture. You will fit in great with Thai expat culture. Now - where can I get the best burger?

Back to Pattaya I suppose.

Penang providing your passport won't get kicked back. Best by train - to Butterworth if you have never done the runner before. Get the ferry across, check in at one of a number of cheapie hotels (B225), out to embassy on bus #104 I think it is, walk back. Repeat next day in afternoon for pickup. Return next day. Airport can be just as easy, careful not to book a flight into the night or the taxi will be costly.

Savanakhet - especially by plane, pretty poor choice imo. The city is small enough and the location should be easy to find but the logistics of doing it by plane (and expense) strike me as why. Its just a bus ride to the border from BKK.

Vientiane - especially via UTH will be complicated for him (sounds like a baby traveler). This runner - the distance from the border is a plus, the logistics can be daunting for the noob. I would at least take the train that more can actually put you ON the border OR...at least very close.

KUL - requires a trip off the grid so to speak, this may also prove complicated. Maybe a poor choice for a first visa run. Maybe not. Certainly coming from LCCT into city, finding a GH, getting out to the Embassy...

Phnom Penh - may be alternative, but you will need your ducks in a row

[bangkokburning]

Lucky Lew - you make it sound so easy :-)

[Sammy80]

Well, just ended up booking a same day-round trip to KL, in and out, to get 30 days, as I realised that with a possible 7 or 15 day extension, that will cover it.

Also, as bangkokburning informed me that I was basically a slovenly farang, (and wind-up merchant), I thought I'd better not be away from Pattaya's McDonalds and Kentucky fried too long, and if it was 3 DAYS, well, I'd no doubt be suffering withdrawl symptoms.

All the tips are very helpful & not wasted, as I will certainly put them to good use soon enough ! Thanks

[kurtmartens]

Fly Laos Airline to Savaan, Laos. Thai Consulate there is very helpful and Laos can be cheap depending on tastes...and im my opinion better than KL for a holiday.

Any recommendations for hotel stay, restaurants etc in Savaanakhet?

I've only stayed at the Savaan Vegas Hotel & Casino. Am guessing there are other less expensive choices, but the hotel rooms are clean and the casino isn't bad - which is why we go there now. You could stay at a $5 a night place, but why....

[LuckyLew]

Lucky Lew - you make it sound so easy :-)

It is easy

I have done it before for a TV

Thought this was a great little two day trip

The mekong river front is great for BBQ ribs and chicken

Vientien is a nice quiet change of pace from Bkk

[ExpatOilWorker]

What about Brunei?

The Thai embassy staff is very friendly and even reply enquires by e-mail.

[Mario2008]

Not seen any reports about Brunei. Reports are always welcome.