Making A Border/re-Entry Run To Aranyprathet/poipet

[eldragon]

Hello. I'm an American citizen. 36. I live in Bangkok. I'm currently on the first entry of a double entry tourist visa. I've already extended this entry by 30 days. I need to make a border/re-entry run to Aranyprathet/Poipet this week. And I need to do it in 1 day. To clarify, I don't need a new visa, I just need a new entry.

Is there any way to do the border run to Aranyprathet/Poipet on my own verus using a tour company? If so, how? I've done a little research. It sounds like there are buses from Ekami to Aranyprathet several times per day. I'm already aware I should not trust any of the tuk tuk or taxi drivers waiting in Aranyprathet... So, how do I get to Poipet from the Aranyprathet bus station??? Is there a songtaw? Or can I walk?

Also, how do I get back to Bangkok the same day? Are there buses returning to Bangkok on a regular basis?

I've already heard from many people "don't do it on your own; use the tour company!!!" But I heard the same thing when I went to Laos and had no trouble doing it on my own. So why the paranoia about Poipet? What can go wrong?

[Satcommlee]

I'd avoid Aranyapratet! It is a nightmare unless you arrive well before Public Transport and the Bangkok Vans, It is rated as one of the worst border crossings in Asia.

The queue's can be very bad, and a lot of hassle (corruption) the Cambodian side. Coming back form a holiday in Cambodia, my parents were left queuing 4 hours to get back into Thailand (Whilst all the tour companies were being VIP'd to the front)

It really ain't worth trying to do it yourself in my opinion, it's not exactly expensive to do it with tour company at a quiet and controlled crossing point like Pon Nam Ron.

[eldragon]

I'd avoid Aranyapratet! It is a nightmare unless you arrive well before Public Transport and the Bangkok Vans, It is rated as one of the worst border crossings in Asia.

The queue's can be very bad, and a lot of hassle (corruption) the Cambodian side. Coming back form a holiday in Cambodia, my parents were left queuing 4 hours to get back into Thailand (Whilst all the tour companies were being VIP'd to the front)

It really ain't worth trying to do it yourself in my opinion, it's not exactly expensive to do it with tour company at a quiet and controlled crossing point like Pon Nam Ron.

I see... So its the sheer number of people there that makes it a Hellish experience? I get it now. No one has been able to tell me exactly why it's so difficult.

Where is Pon Nam Ron? Can I get there and back in one day?

[Satcommlee]

Not on public transport, you should just pay for an organised visa run.

[lopburi3]

It is not just the number of people but also the scams involved on that border - much easier for first time traveler to use a visa trip service who take care of the procedures for you and normally not more expensive than doing it yourself (or even less so unless you are willing to argue with officials and wait them out).

[eldragon]

Ok. I did it. 100% solo. I had intended to use Jack's Golf, but they don't use the VIP bus anymore, and I cant ride in a minibusses (I found out later in the day Jack's Golf is not doing tours anymore; Buddy took over their location and abandoned the VIP bus). So, I caught a bus from Ekkami at 6:15. The bus arrived in Aranyaprathet around 11:30 and dropped me off at a market near the border. With a little help from the locals, I found my way to the border crossing, about a twenty minute walk through the market. Getting into Cambodia took about an hour. But getting back took almost 4 hours, just b/c of the sheer number of people coming back into TH. I guess Sunday is a bad day to go. A lot of Thais like to go to the casino on weekends... Caught a private bus back to BKK at around 18:00 and got dropped off near Lumpini Park around 22:00.

All in all, the trip cost me about 1300 THB. 200 - 220 x 2 for the bus, 800 for the Cambodian visa, and a little bit extra for water and snacks. Yeh, there's a lot of guys at the border offering to speed things up for 300 to 400 THB. Legit ones. But watching people that elected their services, it didn't seem like they were moved much faster. The girl at Buddy said she has a contact at the border who will take care of everything for 1300. If I have to do it again, that's probably what I'll do.

Thanks everyone for your advice. Safe travels.

[Satcommlee]

You probably don't want to hear this now, but you could have saved a little more money by having the correct money in US Dollars for the Visa (plus 100 baht tip they extort from you)

Glad it all went OK, but I would have paid anything not to have to wait in that 4 hour queue, but if you don't like mini-vans then you probably done the right thing.

[hullupullo]

...But getting back took almost 4 hours, just b/c of the sheer number of people coming back into TH...

How this is possible? Even in sunday?

Did this today and 30 min out Thailand and back. Visa to Cambodia $20+100b, got it in 2 minutes.

Only one thing what bothers me, took Air Aran bus from Morchit, 11:30 and it supposed to go to border market. They drove right in to Cambodia visa scam center. Big signs everywhere, "Visa Stamp, Cambodia Visa" So they are in this scam too. Not happy lurks when I told to 4 farangs (my countrymen) not to go they, but follow me.

[eldragon]

...But getting back took almost 4 hours, just b/c of the sheer number of people coming back into TH...

How this is possible? Even in sunday?

Did this today and 30 min out Thailand and back. Visa to Cambodia $20+100b, got it in 2 minutes.

Only one thing what bothers me, took Air Aran bus from Morchit, 11:30 and it supposed to go to border market. They drove right in to Cambodia visa scam center. Big signs everywhere, "Visa Stamp, Cambodia Visa" So they are in this scam too. Not happy lurks when I told to 4 farangs (my countrymen) not to go they, but follow me.

Creepy. Yeh someone probably paid off the bus driver. Nothings terribly regulated here.

As for Sunday, there might have been a problem w/ computers or something. It seemed like the line wasnt moving for over an hour. Once I got in the stamp room, things seemed like they were moving pretty fast. But there are probably a lot of VIP groups on Sunday. Figure loads of Thais go to the casino and vist Angkor Wat on weekends. Some Thais will travel 12 hours for a one day vacation, then turn around and go back another 12 hours.

[natalieee]

What has happened to Jack's Golf?

What other tours are recommended?

[visarunner]

What has happened to Jack's Golf?

What other tours are recommended?

not sure of happen to Jack, but a new company has taken his place and time spot.

Other reliable companies are thaivisarun, depart 4times a week from Ekamai at 9.30am, use big bus

and thaivisaservice, depart every day from On Nut at 6.45am, use VIP Mini Van.

[ChokDeeMak]

Ok, I plan on heading there to get in and out I got these instruction for welo TV member

Just wanted to inform the honorable TV community that construction work on the new Visa-On-Arrival office at the Poipet Border is finished and the counter service has already moved there. The famous blue sign stating the 20 USD for the Tourist Visa has been moved there as well

The building is located to the right of the Angkor-styled stone arc that spans the road (hard to miss). This is the same location where the old visa booth was located, just before construction work started a view months ago. The visa office had been temporarily moved to the small white building in the middle/left of the road. The 'health check' (leftover from the swine flu days, basically just filling out a form) is still located in this small white 'hut'. Touts and officers might try to lure you into the offices with tinted glass doors just next to it when you get out of the health check.

The new building is big enough and hard to miss. Check out the pics.

poipet3.jpg 503.66K 56 downloads

Here a quick guide how to cross the border and come back

follow the pedestrian walkway which is partly covered by a sun-roof to the Thai immigration building. Touts will approach you on the way there, ignore them. Don't follow them to any 'visa office' or 'agency' (unless you want to). There is a queuing point before you enter the building with 'lanes' for Thai and Foreigners - the inside is a rather big hall with a handful of counters for Thai citizens, Foreigners, Border Pass, and Group Tours.

Check your departure card for completeness and queue at one of the counters for 'Foreigners' until you get your exit stamp, then exit the building

walk 100 meters (still on the left road side), you will see a small white building straight ahead, and offices with tinted glass windows on the left. You can see the stone arc from there. Enter the white building and do the 'health check' (a simple form stating that you are not sick). Don't enter the offices to the left, touts or officers might want to persuade you to do the visa there.

after the health check exit the building and cross the street under the stone arc to the newly built Visa On Arrival office. The sign above the entrance says 'The Office of the International Border Checkpoint Poipet'.

Inside you find a counter, above which you will see a blue sign stating the 3 types of Visas and the prices (see pictures). Bring one photo and a pen, fill the smallish application form, takes 5-15 minutes, you'll have a 1-page sticker in your passport.

Official price is 20 USD, officers will charge 1000 THB (30 USD). Everything in between is up to negotiations. Your best bet is to bring 20 USD, then add 0-200 THB tea money.

keep walking for another 200m (along the right road side), passing the casino hotels, until you arrive at a small building/gateway, fill the arrival card, get your Cambodian entry stamp.

Welcome to Cambodia!

In front of you there will be a roundabout and touts will approach you to board the bus to the bus station or whatsoever. Say, no thank you, and just walk cross the street to the Cambodian Exit immigration counter where people will probably already line up.

get exit stamp at Cambodian immigration counter

walk 100m passing the Casino hotels until you reach the big stone arc, cross the street, keep walking until you come to the Thai immigration building, where you get your entry stamp

Welcome to Thailand

1. 
   

Is this pretty sound advice? the first time I went I got had and It was my first time in this kind of Craziness. Now it is a different story. Can anyone highlight the Procedures taking place in these statements above? Also, can I get a 30 day extension from these visa at Immigration???

Edited January 30, 2013 by lopburi3
Correct font/quote

[lopburi3]

You do not obtain Thai visas at the border if that is what you are asking - the visas mentioned are for Cambodia. You obtain a new entry for a visa you already have or a visa exempt entry of 15 days on return to Thailand for most people.

[ChokDeeMak]

You do not obtain Thai visas at the border if that is what you are asking - the visas mentioned are for Cambodia. You obtain a new entry for a visa you already have or a visa exempt entry of 15 days on return to Thailand for most people.

I am to stamp out of Thailand because my Month Extenstion is up on the 4th. I will be close to Aranyaprathet/Poipet because I am trying out this Summer camp and I will be told after my first two days if I am accepted and join (get a work visa) I just need a quick and simple 15 days here to keep myself legal. I do not want nor do I think I need to spend the load of money that is takes to go to Savannakhet, Laos. I am pretty sure I will be able to work at this camp I am just unsure about poipet and coming back in the same day. I keep hearing something about Evisas but I dont have a Credit card. I know about the BS visas because I already had that once. I just want to get in and get out. But with this visa exempt entry of 15 days there is nothing I can do at Immigration with it? Or do I have to border run again if I do not get my work visa fast enough???

Edited January 31, 2013 by Mario2008
font clour changed to black

[Mario2008]

Keeping legal means you do not work without a work permit, including during a probation period, on the right kind of visa.

For a teacher 15 days might be enough to convert etc, if you hurry. In most cases it is btter to obtain a non-B visa wih documents from the school.