Time Of Departure For Visa Runs?

[chingching]

Anyone know if one of these companies leave Pattaya at 9, 10, 11 am ? instead of 6 or 7 am? Thx/

[Kerryd]

Anyone know if one of these companies leave Pattaya at 9, 10, 11 am ? instead of 6 or 7 am? Thx/

Not that I'm aware of. Most leave around the same time so as to get back mid-afternoon(ish). Leaving (Pattaya) at 9/10/11 am would see them returning around 5-8 pm.

If you want a later departure time, I would suggest a private outing. For example, on my next run, I have arranged for my landlady's daughter to take me to the border (and back). I can leave at a later time, have a leisurely trip, stop and see any sights of interests on the way, and the money I would have paid the visa-run company stays within "the family".

I'll pay for the gas and visa fees of course, and pay Bo a good fee. Might end up costing almost as much as going with a company, but with a better schedule.

Which reminds me, less than a week to go, better confirm the details before she decides to head up country again

[Thaiquila]

Anyone know if one of these companies leave Pattaya at 9, 10, 11 am ? instead of 6 or 7 am? Thx/

None that I am aware of, but one has to wonder WHY doesn't some company offer a later start as an option? Is there a big problem with a later return? Are the borders too crowded at later times?

I agree that 6 or 7 is way too early to get out of bed in Pattaya!

[Kerryd]

Anyone know if one of these companies leave Pattaya at 9, 10, 11 am ? instead of 6 or 7 am? Thx/

None that I am aware of, but one has to wonder WHY doesn't some company offer a later start as an option? Is there a big problem with a later return? Are the borders too crowded at later times?

I agree that 6 or 7 is way too early to get out of bed in Pattaya!

In another thread, a member mentioned going to the border on his own. He arrived in the afternoon and there were very few people, making the whole process a breeze.

I think they go in the mornings for a couple of reasons. One is it would generally be a little cooler. Another reason would possibly be that most people don't want to get back that late in the afternoon (especially the ppl from Bkk who face a longer trip). Later departures would also face heavier traffic on the return trip.

As it is now, you lose a good hunk of the day doing your run. If it left later, you'd miss the whole day and part of the evening. It's one day every month (or 3 months). I've seen some guys show up pretty much straight from the bars onto the bus, then snooze most of the trip away.

[thaiflyer1]

Strangely enough i saw one advertised yesterday.

Go down Soi Diana turn right into Soi Bourkhao office is 10 meters on the right, it has a sign in the window saying "Departures 10am return 6pm".

Dont know the name of the office, i was on the bike and it just caught my eye when i was going past.

[chingching]

Anyone know if one of these companies leave Pattaya at 9, 10, 11 am ? instead of 6 or 7 am? Thx/

None that I am aware of, but one has to wonder WHY doesn't some company offer a later start as an option? Is there a big problem with a later return? Are the borders too crowded at later times?

I agree that 6 or 7 is way too early to get out of bed in Pattaya!

In another thread, a member mentioned going to the border on his own. He arrived in the afternoon and there were very few people, making the whole process a breeze.

I think they go in the mornings for a couple of reasons. One is it would generally be a little cooler. Another reason would possibly be that most people don't want to get back that late in the afternoon (especially the ppl from Bkk who face a longer trip). Later departures would also face heavier traffic on the return trip.

As it is now, you lose a good hunk of the day doing your run. If it left later, you'd miss the whole day and part of the evening. It's one day every month (or 3 months). I've seen some guys show up pretty much straight from the bars onto the bus, then snooze most of the trip away.

I don't think you lose more of the day, just a different part of the day, and in return you gain a different part. If I "lose" 3-6 pm, when I am just looking for an air conditioned place to sit, seems like I can sit in the air-conditionded visa van just as well