Visa Run (To Andaman Club, Ranong) Company Recommendation

[Idler]

Hi Phuket TV

I am looking for a good visa run company on Phuket to go to Ranong Andaman Club. Usually drive myself up there but unable to this time and I haven't used a company for years. Any recommends?

Also interested in any companies to avoid (if TV rules allow). Particularly ones whose drivers drive like maniacs.

Many thanks

I

[lavender19]

Eve Travel Rawai beach next to 7-11 are OK

[Shot]

Eve Travel Rawai beach next to 7-11 are OK

+1 on Eve

0815352637

The will pick you up almost anywhere.

After the series of van and bus crashes, I'm not a fan of this type of travel. However, I have used Eve several times and never had a problem. They take care of everything. You can sit back and relax.

[walker600]

Eve Travel Rawai beach next to 7-11 are OK

+1 on Eve

0815352637

The will pick you up almost anywhere.

After the series of van and bus crashes, I'm not a fan of this type of travel. However, I have used Eve several times and never had a problem. They take care of everything. You can sit back and relax.

+1 used them several times, no drama's

[seaeagle]

Just been up today, and used a 'visa run company' for the first time.

Went with TVR, and it was excellent. Timings were as per the script, and couldn't have been better. Like others, I was a bit concerned about the guy behind the wheel of a minibus. Needn't have worried at all - young guy, very smartly presented, and, at times, I was actually thinking he could drive a little faster!

Eve has a decent reputation, but I did ask them first about my trip. Have to say that I thought their attitude was a little dismissive and arrogant, and I'm delighted I rang TVR instead.

[4evermaat]

Just been up today, and used a 'visa run company' for the first time.

Went with TVR, and it was excellent. Timings were as per the script, and couldn't have been better. Like others, I was a bit concerned about the guy behind the wheel of a minibus. Needn't have worried at all - young guy, very smartly presented, and, at times, I was actually thinking he could drive a little faster!

Eve has a decent reputation, but I did ask them first about my trip. Have to say that I thought their attitude was a little dismissive and arrogant, and I'm delighted I rang TVR instead.

tvr?

"2nd best time to plant a tree is today." Sent from TV android app.

[stevenl]

Just been up today, and used a 'visa run company' for the first time.

Went with TVR, and it was excellent. Timings were as per the script, and couldn't have been better. Like others, I was a bit concerned about the guy behind the wheel of a minibus. Needn't have worried at all - young guy, very smartly presented, and, at times, I was actually thinking he could drive a little faster!

Eve has a decent reputation, but I did ask them first about my trip. Have to say that I thought their attitude was a little dismissive and arrogant, and I'm delighted I rang TVR instead.

tvr?

"2nd best time to plant a tree is today." Sent from TV android app.

Google is your friend, stands for 'Thai Visa Run'.

[JulesMad]

Last Tuesday I did my first border run from Phuket to Ranong. I used <removed>, and was NOT happy at all!!! They promised a VIP mini-van with 9 luxury seats, but it was a normal 14 seat van, completely full. They did NOT comply to their schedule, lots of confusion with driver and company. Breakfast and lunch was nothing special, just the usual road stops. According to schedule we would be back at 1730, but it was 2030.... I understand Thailand very well, but 3 hours difference is just too much... On the way back, driver went way too fast and took too many risks, 3 near misses. As usual (in Thailand), they do not realize they are responsible for 14 lives!!!

No experience with other companies yet, but I will never use KBV again....

Prices: start from 1500 THB for the simplest trip to 1900 THB (go to casino). Of course this is Phuket, and prices are twice what they are in 'normal' Thailand. From Krabi to Satun (border run) is 800 THB and Phuket to Ranong is 1500 THB. Distance (and time) about the same, but double price, but half quality.

Edited November 14, 2012 by LivinginKata
company name removed - name & shame not allowed

[Pakaty]

Just been up today, and used a 'visa run company' for the first time.

Went with TVR, and it was excellent. Timings were as per the script, and couldn't have been better. Like others, I was a bit concerned about the guy behind the wheel of a minibus. Needn't have worried at all - young guy, very smartly presented, and, at times, I was actually thinking he could drive a little faster!

Eve has a decent reputation, but I did ask them first about my trip. Have to say that I thought their attitude was a little dismissive and arrogant, and I'm delighted I rang TVR instead.

I'm glad your trip went well but it seems TVR does have a bit of history. These links refer to the same accident that occured in Aug. 2012. Maybe they learned something and are now providing the best and safest service on the island.

http://www.thephuket...smash-32587.php

http://www.thaivisa....visa-run-smash/

http://www.thaivisa....rash-9-injured/

[DaveHKT]

Book well in advance and fly to KL. Plus it's less stressful than having to sit in a bus with a maniac driver.

[Shot]

Getting a flight to KL is the way to go. However, if you do find yourself in need of a visa run via van, I have never had a problem with EVE.

A few tips for those who find themselves going the van route. PLEASE eat light the night before, and not too many beers. If you need to eat before the van picks you up, PLEASE eat light, maybe some toast and orange juice. Nothing worse than being seated between two extra large persons who have just rolled up from a night of stuffing themselves with weiner schnitzel, bratwurst with horseradish, sauerkraut and beer.

[The Pundit]

'Also interested in any companies to avoid'

That would be anyone driving a minibus then!

I went to the Andaman Club once for a visa run,I rented a Toyota Fortuner from Phuket Airport as most rental companies in Phuket don't allow you to leave the island.

It was a national company that are very green apparently.They cloned my Mastercard and relieved me of 1,500 Singapore dollars from my Standard Chartered account in Singapore about a month after the rental.One withdrawal from Phuket Airport and three more from Gimha airport,Korea,a place that I've never visited!

Anyway,on the way back from Ranong,just outside of Phang Nga there was a big queue of traffic where there'd been an accident.A pick up carrying its load of anchovies,which were scattered everywhere and a visa run minibus on its wheels but looked like it had slid down the road on its side at some point.

There was even blood trails still from the broken windows down the side of the van.I looked it up on here and sure enough four people had died in that accident and as usual,the driver had done a runner and left his passengers to die on the road,total scumbag!

I think there was a Turkish couple and a Ukrainian couple lost their lives on that day but it could have been me,I will NEVER get into one of those visa run minibuses ever again!

[jdean]

I have promised myself to never ever get in a Minivan again! How about regular buses from the new bus station to Ranong and back? Do they have a convenient schedule? I do not mind over nighting in Ranong, actually prefer that to back and forth all in one day.

[The Pundit]

I have promised myself to never ever get in a Minivan again! How about regular buses from the new bus station to Ranong and back? Do they have a convenient schedule? I do not mind over nighting in Ranong, actually prefer that to back and forth all in one day.

I'm sure there's a local bus heading for Ranong at least daily,from the bus station in Patong as this is how I was going to go there had I not rented a car.I thought Ranong was a great place,sleepy little Thai town not overrun by tourists.

I stayed in the Tinidee Hotel which was 4 star for the price of 2-3 star in Phuket,fantastic place,booked through Agoda.I'd definitely go back there again,although I have to say the Andaman Club was a rather strange experience.

The setting of the place and view from the room's balconies was simply breathtaking though.

[The Pundit]

Getting a flight to KL is the way to go. However, if you do find yourself in need of a visa run via van, I have never had a problem with EVE.

A few tips for those who find themselves going the van route. PLEASE eat light the night before, and not too many beers. If you need to eat before the van picks you up, PLEASE eat light, maybe some toast and orange juice. Nothing worse than being seated between two extra large persons who have just rolled up from a night of stuffing themselves with weiner schnitzel, bratwurst with horseradish, sauerkraut and beer.

Maybe it's the only way to go if you like landing at the worst dump of an airport ever seen,Air Asia's very own and like paying 8-9 GBP or 15 USD for a pint of beer in KL city centre!

Don't think I'll be hurrying back there anytime soon,maybe the islands like Langkawi and Penang are better but I somehow doubt it!

Edited November 19, 2012 by The Pundit

[Shot]

Getting a flight to KL is the way to go. However, if you do find yourself in need of a visa run via van, I have never had a problem with EVE.

A few tips for those who find themselves going the van route. PLEASE eat light the night before, and not too many beers. If you need to eat before the van picks you up, PLEASE eat light, maybe some toast and orange juice. Nothing worse than being seated between two extra large persons who have just rolled up from a night of stuffing themselves with weiner schnitzel, bratwurst with horseradish, sauerkraut and beer.

Maybe it's the only way to go if you like landing at the worst dump of an airport ever seen,Air Asia's very own and like paying 8-9 GBP or 15 USD for a pint of beer in KL city centre!

Don't think I'll be hurrying back there anytime soon,maybe the islands like Langkawi and Penang are better but I somehow doubt it!

I wouldn’t know about the price of beer. Never saw anything but the inside of the airport, and I was only there for 2 hours. Yes the airport is dated, but hardly worth mentioning if you do regular visa runs.