Visa Run In A Large Bus

[kudroz]

I need to do a Visa Run tomorow - and I'd prefer doing it in a large bus that has a toilet, etc. Can anybody recommend one to me? The only one I find are all mini-buses ...

[Kerryd]

I need to do a Visa Run tomorow - and I'd prefer doing it in a large bus that has a toilet, etc. Can anybody recommend one to me? The only one I find are all mini-buses ...

Leaving it a little late aren't you ? Especially if you want something special.

I'm assuming you are in Pattaya now ?

I used a mini-van on my last 5 trips. They all make pit-stops half-way between Pattaya and the border (about 1 1/2 hours after leaving Pattaya and again on the return trip). I usually book my trips 5-6 days in advance.

The only big buses I've noticed all seem to be from "Jack's Golf" in Bangkok.

I'd check with some of the little travel agency shops near you. I believe some of them arrange "group" visa runs that may use big buses.

Remember the overstay is now 500 baht per day. I wouldn't wait too long.

[kudroz]

I need to do a Visa Run tomorow - and I'd prefer doing it in a large bus that has a toilet, etc. Can anybody recommend one to me? The only one I find are all mini-buses ...

Leaving it a little late aren't you ? Especially if you want something special.

I'm assuming you are in Pattaya now ?

I used a mini-van on my last 5 trips. They all make pit-stops half-way between Pattaya and the border (about 1 1/2 hours after leaving Pattaya and again on the return trip). I usually book my trips 5-6 days in advance.

The only big buses I've noticed all seem to be from "Jack's Golf" in Bangkok.

I'd check with some of the little travel agency shops near you. I believe some of them arrange "group" visa runs that may use big buses.

Remember the overstay is now 500 baht per day. I wouldn't wait too long.

Yeah that's waht I found too... Seems like only Jack's Golf in Bangkok has this big coach buses. Oh well, today I decided to give it a go and drive my car to the Cambodian Border in Bang Laem. Took 7 hours total and I was back in Pattaya. Wasn't hard at all - I was just worried to do it on my own for my first Visa Run, but it turned out to be ok

[visarunner]

If you are from Pattaya , Bri&Enjoy use a VIP Double Bus since beginning of the month , not sure if they use the coach everyday , but the one I saw yesterday looked brandnew.

I think Sea-Land also use a coach once or twice weekly.

Ask around.

BTW : from BKK , Jack's has two buses go every day and Fineday one Bus.

All come at the same time , hence a Mini Van with 9 people going at a different time might be a good idea .

Edited April 14, 2006 by visarunner

[Kerryd]

Oh well, today I decided to give it a go and drive my car to the Cambodian Border in Bang Laem. Took 7 hours total and I was back in Pattaya. Wasn't hard at all - I was just worried to do it on my own for my first Visa Run, but it turned out to be ok

Good on you ! Saved yourself quite a bit of money too I imagine !

I'm planning on having a Thai friend drive me to Ban Laem next month (I don't think I want to make the trip myself on my little 200cc moto ).

How easy was the paperwork on the Cambodian side ?

I thought about it before, but I too was a little worried when I saw the paperwork that the visa run company was filling out.

[visarunner]

Yesterday I saw a brandnew VIP Doubledecker bus from Pattaya , Bri&Enjoy.

In fact the paperwork is easy , you will need to fill a new TM6 form(arrival/departure card).

Visa application for Cambodia and the Arrival/Departure card of Cambodia.

All in all takes 10 min max.

The reason the VisaRuin companies exist is that fact that they act like a airline and provide the transportation service .

If you go on yr own you pay a lot of gas. BKK-Ban Laem is at least 600km, Pattaya should be 100km shorter.

The Cambo Visa will cost you 1000-1100.- THB.

[kudroz]

How easy was the paperwork on the Cambodian side ?

I thought about it before, but I too was a little worried when I saw the paperwork that the visa run company was filling out.

Actually it was pretty easy.

1.) Get stamped out of Thailand (takes 1 min)

2.) Walked thru the border (1 min walk)

3.) Get a Visa on Arrival for 1,000 THB (forms are in cambodian and english, takes 2 mins to fill)

4.) Walk to the other counter where you check IN/OUT of Cambodia

5.) Get stamped in and out of Cambodia for 100 THB (2 mins)

6.) Walk thru the border again (1 min walk)

7.) Get your 30 days entry stamp in Thailand (forms are in thai and english, takes 2 mins to fill)

Takes 10 mins or so and you're done. When I was there, there was no waiting whatsoever, everyone was so friendly and helped me out because it was my first time. Everyone smiling and being super friendly on both Thai and Cambodian side.

To get there is so easy too, let me know if you want more details.

[Kerryd]

1.) Get stamped out of Thailand (takes 1 min)

2.) Walked thru the border (1 min walk)

3.) Get a Visa on Arrival for 1,000 THB (forms are in cambodian and english, takes 2 mins to fill)

4.) Walk to the other counter where you check IN/OUT of Cambodia

5.) Get stamped in and out of Cambodia for 100 THB (2 mins)

6.) Walk thru the border again (1 min walk)

7.) Get your 30 days entry stamp in Thailand (forms are in thai and english, takes 2 mins to fill)

To get there is so easy too, let me know if you want more details.

Certainly quicker than most of the trips I've gone on (the fastest trip was my 2nd one. From the time we arrived at the border until I was ready to go took 35 minutes).

What time did you arrive at the border ?

With the company I've been using, we usually arrive just after 10 am. Unfortunately, it seems that every other visa-run company shows up around the same time as well (then there are those d@mn double decker buses with 50+ people in each, clogging the whole system up )

I've got the route figured out (been taking notes during the last 5 trips, just in case)

I think I will be going on the 6th or 7th of May (Saturday or Sunday). Hope to stop off on the way back and see some sights (depending on the weather).

[kudroz]

What time did you arrive at the border ?

I was there around 4PM I think. The only thing not good about it is you have a lot of traffic on your way back to Pattaya around that time - but I'd rather deal with some road traffic than with wait time at the border.

[Kerryd]

What time did you arrive at the border ?

I was there around 4PM I think. The only thing not good about it is you have a lot of traffic on your way back to Pattaya around that time - but I'd rather deal with some road traffic than with wait time at the border.

That probably explains the quick turnaround. Most of the visa-run groups try to be back home around 2-3 pm.

I was thinking of leaving Pattaya around 06:00 (an hour before most of the other groups leave), but may have trouble convincing the others to leave that early (It appears I now am going to have 3 more of "the clan" coming along for the ride)

Maybe depart at 09:00 and get there a little after noon ? Should miss most of the other runners by then I hope.

[stumonster]

kerry

1 k baht for visa (need photo) , at the visa issuing desk in cambodia

then you progress to arrivals and have 100baht ready to pass over when the uniformed boy raises one finger at you - walk across the road and give your passport to departures . stamp and away.

you might have the uniformed boys stop you between getting the visa and making it to arrivals , their scam is to sting you for 2-3 hundred baht to fill out the arrival/departure forms while they try and sweat you. just tell them you want to visit the casino? so tell them you will sort your self and you know what to do.

can also grab a duty free bottle at casino? shop on the way back if you want.

they also used to sting you for 20 baht for a yellow paper saying you were bird flu free , so maybe have 20 baht handy also , though you can bluff that by saying you no have the change for them.

arrival and departure cards are available at the entrances to both sides - take your own pen

[Kerryd]

kerry

1 k baht for visa (need photo) , at the visa issuing desk in cambodia

then you progress to arrivals and have 100baht ready to pass over when the uniformed boy raises one finger at you - walk across the road and give your passport to departures . stamp and away.

you might have the uniformed boys stop you between getting the visa and making it to arrivals , their scam is to sting you for 2-3 hundred baht to fill out the arrival/departure forms while they try and sweat you. just tell them you want to visit the casino? so tell them you will sort your self and you know what to do.

can also grab a duty free bottle at casino? shop on the way back if you want.

they also used to sting you for 20 baht for a yellow paper saying you were bird flu free , so maybe have 20 baht handy also , though you can bluff that by saying you no have the change for them.

arrival and departure cards are available at the entrances to both sides - take your own pen

Which crossing are you using ?

At Ban Laem, the (Cambodian) visa desk is a little wooden shack. Next to it is the Arrival/Departure/Customs office. I watched the guides as they hand the passports in to the visa counter, then collect the processed ones and take them in to the Arrival/Departure office, then hand them back to the runners after they are stamped.

Never seen anyone getting hit up for extra cash for forms or bird flu papers.

I was actually discussing this with another runner on my last trip. We watch all the passports going in and out, yet never saw any cash changing hands.

Do they have a system where they keep track of the numbers and pay up at the end of the day or something ?

That is one of the reasons I liked using the visa-run companies. They take care of all the little details, they know the people at the border, they know who to pay and not to pay, ect.

[stumonster]

kerry

these have been my experiences at the arran / poi pet crossing , but I presume they would be similar at all crossings . When with the group the tour guides will have taken care of all the niggly scams that you might be confronted with and they probably pay in bulk to a more senior person than is sitting at the counters.

[Kerryd]

kerry

these have been my experiences at the arran / poi pet crossing , but I presume they would be similar at all crossings .

Ahhh, Poi Pet. Haven't heard too many good things about that crossing. In fact, I heard that the reason many groups are using Ban Laem now, is because things were getting really bad at Poi Pet.

Thai Immigration officers giving runners a hard time (especially the 30 day runners), scammers, too many beggars harassing people and so on.

Quite the business though, when you think about it. The company I was going with has at least 12 runners a day (18 on some days).

At 2,400 baht each, that's 28,800 baht/day (for 12 people). Subtract 12,000 baht for visas at the border, 600 baht for wages (2 drivers and a guide), fuel, vehicle costs, the "free breakfast" and lunch (total maybe 19,000 total, depending on the amount and cost of fuel ?).

That leaves almost 10,000 baht per day in profit ! Even if 80% of their take went to expenses, that's still almost 5,000 baht/day clear (150,000+ per month).

Not bad for a tiny affair (I've seen a max of 5 people working for this company, including 3 drivers). I guess that's one reason why there are so many of these companies starting up.

[Kerryd]

kerry

these have been my experiences at the arran / poi pet crossing , but I presume they would be similar at all crossings . When with the group the tour guides will have taken care of all the niggly scams that you might be confronted with and they probably pay in bulk to a more senior person than is sitting at the counters.

Just did the Ban Laem run today, on my own (well, had some of the "clan" from my building along for the ride, but the visa stuff was up to me).

We left at 08:00 (on time, surprise surprise !). One pit-stop enroute and one small (10 minute) "detour" and we arrived in Ban Laem around 11:45ish.

A quick glance at the immigration booth showed NO people lined up, either way. I told Bo )the driver) to park the car "leo leo" so I could zip over there before a horde showed up.

Less than 2 minutes to get stamped out of Thailand and it was the short walk into Cambodia.

Went to the Visa booth and was escorted into the air-conditioned interior, where I was handed the very easy to fill-out form. 1,000 baht (and maybe 3 minutes) later I walked the 30 feet to the immigration office (air-conditioned of course). Had to wait about 3 minutes before the officer could look at my paperwork. He filled out 2 small cards and had me sign them, stamped my passport and asked for 100 baht (for the stamps he said). Didn't feel like a rip-off, as there were obviously more senior personnel sitting all around.

Back into Thailand, had to wait for one person ahead of me in line and bang ! A new 30 day stamp and I was finished. Total time from arrival was about 15 minutes. Quite a bit cheaper than using a visa company, with the added bonus of being able to stop off enroute to do some sight-seeing/shopping, and door-to-door service.

I think 5 Star Visa has just lost a customer (I won't really miss their complimentary breakfast/packaged lunch that much)

[hopeless]

Im comming for 2 months soon, I think I might actually visit 'Cambosha' for a week.

Ive heard good reports about it

By the way, soi boukow between Bri enjoy 1 and Bri enjoy 2 Ive seen an ad 'Visa run large bus bhat 1800' that was about 2 months ago.

Edited May 6, 2006 by hopeless

[kudroz]

kerry

these have been my experiences at the arran / poi pet crossing , but I presume they would be similar at all crossings . When with the group the tour guides will have taken care of all the niggly scams that you might be confronted with and they probably pay in bulk to a more senior person than is sitting at the counters.

Just did the Ban Laem run today, on my own (well, had some of the "clan" from my building along for the ride, but the visa stuff was up to me).

We left at 08:00 (on time, surprise surprise !). One pit-stop enroute and one small (10 minute) "detour" and we arrived in Ban Laem around 11:45ish.

A quick glance at the immigration booth showed NO people lined up, either way. I told Bo )the driver) to park the car "leo leo" so I could zip over there before a horde showed up.

Less than 2 minutes to get stamped out of Thailand and it was the short walk into Cambodia.

Went to the Visa booth and was escorted into the air-conditioned interior, where I was handed the very easy to fill-out form. 1,000 baht (and maybe 3 minutes) later I walked the 30 feet to the immigration office (air-conditioned of course). Had to wait about 3 minutes before the officer could look at my paperwork. He filled out 2 small cards and had me sign them, stamped my passport and asked for 100 baht (for the stamps he said). Didn't feel like a rip-off, as there were obviously more senior personnel sitting all around.

Back into Thailand, had to wait for one person ahead of me in line and bang ! A new 30 day stamp and I was finished. Total time from arrival was about 15 minutes. Quite a bit cheaper than using a visa company, with the added bonus of being able to stop off enroute to do some sight-seeing/shopping, and door-to-door service.

I think 5 Star Visa has just lost a customer (I won't really miss their complimentary breakfast/packaged lunch that much)

Very good! I'm returning to Ban Laem myself in 3-4 days. Glad to know things went well - looks like this visa run is quick and smooth.

[Kerryd]

Very good! I'm returning to Ban Laem myself in 3-4 days. Glad to know things went well - looks like this visa run is quick and smooth.

Especially if you arrive around noon. When I got there (just before noon) the last double-decker from Jack's was just loading up to leave. As I mentioned, the whole process took me about 15 minutes, but I was in the car park for another 30 minutes waiting for the rest of the "clan" to come back from the market. Hardly a soul passing through immigration in all that time, much better than when you arrive between 10-11:30.

hopeless: I've only seen Bri Enjoy Apartments use mini-vans for the border runs. It's possible that they may use a double-decker tour bus on occasion, without the "Bri Enjoy Apartments" markings that they have on the mini-vans. They may also team-up with another group and share a bus.

The problem I have with those busses is arriving with 40+ other people at the same time, and having to wait, and wait, and wait for the rest of the riff-raff to do their business. Your always going to find "problem-children" in those groups (people on overstay, paperwork not filled out, ID-10-T's that get their "out" stamp and get back on the bus (without going into Cambodia and returning), ect).

I hate standing in line for anything. My patience wears thin real quick when I see a bunch of Wan Kerrs holding things up for stupid reasons.

But hey ! Live and learn ! I did the trip 5 times using mini-vans before venturing there on my own (as far as the visas/paperwork was concerned). If I had a car, I'd do the whole thing myself (trying to get there and back on my little 200cc moto might be a challenge )