Visa Run To Burma

[Lica1977]

Hi, this might be a stupid question but I've never done a visa run before... I am going to the Burma border, Ranong. And I wonder if I need any visa application for Burma, as I would need as a swedish citizen, if I intended to actually enter the country and travel around there? Guess not hu?

And from Ranong, is it far to the border or easy to get there? And how long time will the process take me when I am at the border? Going on a monday.

Thank you!

[noob7]

Ranong immigration is at the habour

You need to board a boat to get to Khau Kwang (Victoria Point).

Also you need 10 brand new US$. Don't get the wrong series

Actually, I did it a couple of times on my own, but that's a couple of years ago. The boat was 300, that time, longtail

These (rainy) days, and in case you aren't doing it with someone, who did this before, I would suggest a visa runner service.

It's really crowded, lots of 2 weeks/2weeks visa trips!

Don't know, where you are located, but shouldn't be a problem, to get a package deal.

Edited October 20, 2012 by noob7

[Lica1977]

Thank you, yeah I think I will get a package deal!

[aarn]

The easiest way is to do it through Fame GH (can google it), Chumphon. Book at least one day in advance. For 1100B, you get a crisp $US10, the 0530 minibus right to the port, facilitators to hasten the process, boat ride to Burma, put your foot in the door for 5 min, surrender your $10, then return: all done at breakneck speed, you are back at Fame GH before midday.

There is an afternoon service, costs 1300B, I think.

Unless you know your way around Ranong, can be very tricky. I understand that the afternoon run uses the 'Andaman Club', rather than the more direct morning route.

I am not an agent for Fame,but I did this trip last year - they were pleasant and efficient. The only extra I needed was a p'copy of main page of passport - others payed 20B to copy at the port. AA

[PattayaPhom]

Andaman Club is by far the best option. No queues, clean duty free shopping and time for a swim, sauna and gamble in the casino if you want. Cost is 850Baht inclusive, so considering its $10, plus 300 boat fare at the normal harbour is really good value.

[ignis]

Unless your very fit, use the Andaman Club..

last year I drove down there, 1st time and had no idea, Long Boat cost 450 baht return, next to Thai Immigration is an office that gives you the forms and 10$ for 500 baht, so is already 950 baht.......... The boat was fine, raining and at Victoria Point the long boat goes nose 1st into all the other boats, you then have to try to get over other wet and slippery boats and get onto the Jetty steps..

​as was 1st time had no idea where Burma immigration was, for 50 baht a man took me, is the other end of town, guess is where the big boat docks.. So total cost 1,000 baht, not being that fit and able bodied was the 1st and last time. using the long boats..

[oldsailor35]

My advice having done both. Use Club Andaman.

[simon43]

I don't do visa runs from Thailand to Myanmar any more, (I do them the other way round!).

But I would take the bus from near Phuket airport (my home) up to Ranong in the morning (180 baht), then 100 baht for a motorbike taxi to the immigration office, stamp out, take a longtail over to Victoria Point (200 baht return), then at Victoria Point the walk to the immigration office is about 100 metres, then come back and repeat the process and get a nice sleep on the bus journey home.

I would get a crisp $10 note (300 baht) from the money exchange at Phuket Airport.

Total cost was therefore 180x2 + 200 +100x2 + 300 = 1,060 baht.

I wasn't trying to save money, but it was a relaxing day out to Myanmar and the air-con bus between Ranong and Phuket was always driven at a careful speed...

[bangkokburning]

Get an overnight bus to Ranong. Arrive early morning and grab a moto to the pier/Immigration and get stamped out asap, get a share boat to Myanmar total cost for boat, not you - b300. Go over, hand your pp and us10, get stamped and return. Back to Immigration and get stamped in. You are done.

US MUST HAVE A CRISP NEW US10 NOTE

Visa services are for losers. Get to know the country you live in, have fun - that IS why you came here no?

Simon +4

Edited October 24, 2012 by bangkokburning

[oldsailor35]

I don't do visa runs from Thailand to Myanmar any more, (I do them the other way round!).

But I would take the bus from near Phuket airport (my home) up to Ranong in the morning (180 baht), then 100 baht for a motorbike taxi to the immigration office, stamp out, take a longtail over to Victoria Point (200 baht return), then at Victoria Point the walk to the immigration office is about 100 metres, then come back and repeat the process and get a nice sleep on the bus journey home.

I would get a crisp $10 note (300 baht) from the money exchange at Phuket Airport.

Total cost was therefore 180x2 + 200 +100x2 + 300 = 1,060 baht.

I wasn't trying to save money, but it was a relaxing day out to Myanmar and the air-con bus between Ranong and Phuket was always driven at a careful speed...

You forgot to mention the lengthy journey in an open longtail exposed to the hot sun or rain, and the struggle climbing across a multitude of other longtails to get to the one which you are using. The Club Andaman option is far more comfortable and works out slightly cheaper, with seating in a decent passenger boat with a roof over.