Visa (border) run to Cambodia from Khon Kaen

[vadimbz]

Hi everyone

My country has 30 days visa free with Thailand, and by the end of this week I must get a stamp. The problem is that my passport expires in less than 6 months, which means that I can't take Lao/Vietiane route (so I've been told). However I can go through Cambodia (so I've been told). My question is kind of obvious: Where is the nearest checkpoint [to Khon Kaen], and what is the optimal route? Any advice would be appreciated. For obvious reasons I don't want to go through Bangkok.

Kob khun kub, sawatdee kub.

[khwaibah]

Cambodia requires a passport validity of more than 6 months balance at time of entry. Time for a new pass port.

[vadimbz]

Cambodia requires a passport validity of more than 6 months balance at time of entry. Time for a new pass port.

Not entirely true. Quote from the provider I used while staying in Bangkok:

Requirement: Passport, 2 ID-photo 3x4cm, validity 4 month (less than 3month add THB500.-, less than 1month add THB2,000.-) and 1 blank page marked “VISA” for Cambodian Visa!

[terak]

Doesn't every country need 6 months remaining on passport ??

[khwaibah]

Cambodia is known for the back door buy off.

Edited January 22, 2014 by khwaibah

[vadimbz]

Cambodia is known for the back door by off.

Any backdoors in Laos?

[khwaibah]

Cambodia is known for the back door by off.

Any backdoors in Laos?

You also need 6 months to re enter Thailand. New passport.

[vadimbz]

You also need 6 months to re enter Thailand. New passport.

Nope. It should be valid for the duration of trip (info from Thai embassy in my country).

[khwaibah]

You also need 6 months to re enter Thailand. New passport.

Nope. It should be valid for the duration of trip (info from Thai embassy in my country).

You are not dealing with a Thai Embassy.Your dealing with Thai Immigration at a border crossing. 2 different things.

[ubonjoe]

Every country in ASEAN requires 6 months passport validity with the exception of Thailand for those from some countries.

The nearest place that some people can enter without 6 months passport validity is Hong Kong.

[Jip99]

Cambodia is known for the back door buy off.

Not at all like Thailand then ?

[Jip99]

You also need 6 months to re enter Thailand. New passport.

Nope. It should be valid for the duration of trip (info from Thai embassy in my country).

Now you are grasping at straws.

Not saying you are British but I doubt that the GOV.UK website is wrong:-

Entry requirements Passport Validity

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Thailand. Entry to Thailand is normally refused if you have a passport which is damaged or has pages missing.

[khwaibah]

Cambodia is known for the back door buy off.

Not at all like Thailand then ?

Worse in some ways.

[vadimbz]

No, I am not Brititsh. And I know for a fact that I can enter LoS with less than 6-month validity (I have done it twice already). My question was about itinerary. Lack of positive replies probably means that I'll have to go through Bangkok...

Edited January 23, 2014 by vadimbz

[KhunBENQ]

About the passport validity.

http://bestbangkokvisarun.com/15-day-stamp-visa-runs-to-poipet-cambodia/

This visa run service says:

Conditions:

Your passport must have 60 days validity remaining and no less than two empty pages. (The Cambodian visa sticker takes one full page, and another page is needed for 4 total stamps.) You will also need to bring with you 1 passport-size photo.

They seem to be quite up-to-date. Were probably the first announcing the change of rules for the land entry (back to 30 days for seven nationalities).

[KhunBENQ]

No, I am not Brititsh. And I know for a fact that I can enter LoS with less than 6-month validity (I have done it twice already). My question was about itinerary. Lack of positive replies probably means that I'll have to go through Bangkok...

Just had a look at the map: from Khon Kaen to the Cambodian border.

Kap Choeng / Chong Chom

seems to be the place to go from Khon Kaen.

Maybe an expert can confirm that this border is open for border runs.

Route:

http://goo.gl/maps/1QJua

Posts in this forum from 2012 say its open.

Edited January 23, 2014 by KhunBENQ

[khwaibah]

No, I am not Brititsh. And I know for a fact that I can enter LoS with less than 6-month validity (I have done it twice already). My question was about itinerary. Lack of positive replies probably means that I'll have to go through Bangkok...

Just had a look at the map: from Khon Kaen to the Cambodian border.

Kap Choeng / Chong Chom

seems to be the place to go from Khon Kaen.

Maybe an expert can confirm that this border is open for border runs.

Route:

http://goo.gl/maps/1QJua

Posts in this forum from 2012 say its open.

KK to Chong Chom Boarder Crossing 326 km

KK to Aranyprathet/Poipet 386 km

Chong Chom Border Crossing is a full service crossing. Hours are: open 6 AM close at 10 PM

Chong Chom is 70 km soth of Surin on highway 214.

Edited January 23, 2014 by khwaibah

[vadimbz]

Thanks, Chong Chom looks like the way to go. Trying to find a local "facilitator" now, chances are that I'll need a backdoor buy off you mentioned.

[ubonjoe]

Good luck entering Cambodia with less than six month passport validity. The official requirements are 6 months.

You can check this webpage for e-visas that states 6 months which is equal to other official info I have found. http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/

[vadimbz]

I am now expecting a reply from Buriram Expats (re Chong Chom), and validity. If they say "no", then hello Suthep city.

Edited January 23, 2014 by vadimbz

[duanebigsby]

OP. Everyone here is telling you that you need six months validity.

Why not renew the passport?

If you are right, you get away with something. If everyone on TV is right you can't get into any ASEAN countries, nor back into Thailand.

That seems like trouble.

[phuketrichard]

Cambodia MIGHT let you in, but are u sure Thailand will let you back? i have always been led to believe u require 6 months left to enter Thailand.

Osmach ( Kep choeng) is a very easy laid back border, used it many times. an than ur 2 hours to Siem Rep

If it were me , i'd a new passport in Bangkok as the most it would take is say 1 month ( us ones take about 10 days)

but as u stated ur visa is running out next week

not a very smart move on your part.

[khwaibah]

I am now expecting a reply from Buriram Expats (re Chong Chom), and validity. If they say "no", then hello Suthep city.

You will be an over-stayer by the time you get an answer.

[vadimbz]

Cambodia MIGHT let you in, but are u sure Thailand will let you back? i have always been led to believe u require 6 months left to enter Thailand.

Osmach ( Kep choeng) is a very easy laid back border, used it many times. an than ur 2 hours to Siem Rep

If it were me , i'd a new passport in Bangkok as the most it would take is say 1 month ( us ones take about 10 days)

but as u stated ur visa is running out next week

not a very smart move on your part.

For me new it will take 3 months, and consulate will detain my current passport in process (yes,my country is a kafkian nightmare). Besides, it's about visa-free stamp, not visa. In short: I feel lucky.

[DGIE]

No, I am not Brititsh. And I know for a fact that I can enter LoS with less than 6-month validity (I have done it twice already). My question was about itinerary. Lack of positive replies probably means that I'll have to go through Bangkok...

Still lack of positive replies?

So come to Bangkok and have a visit to Suthep.

[vadimbz]

I shall pass him everyone's warmest regards

[phuketrichard]

Cambodia MIGHT let you in, but are u sure Thailand will let you back? i have always been led to believe u require 6 months left to enter Thailand.

Osmach ( Kep choeng) is a very easy laid back border, used it many times. an than ur 2 hours to Siem Rep

If it were me , i'd a new passport in Bangkok as the most it would take is say 1 month ( us ones take about 10 days)

but as u stated ur visa is running out next week

not a very smart move on your part.

For me new it will take 3 months, and consulate will detain my current passport in process (yes,my country is a kafkian nightmare). Besides, it's about visa-free stamp, not visa. In short: I feel lucky.

and why is it u feel lucky??

visa free stamp, visa makes makes no dif, ur passport needs be valid 6 months

Ur going to need luck

[ubonjoe]

For those from most countries that are on the list for visa exempt entries to Thailand a passport only has to be valid for the length of stay.

Enter the required info here and you will see the requirements for entry to Thailand, Cambodia or any other country you choose. http://www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/

[khwaibah]

For those from most countries that are on the list for visa exempt entries to Thailand a passport only has to be valid for the length of stay.

Enter the required info here and you will see the requirements for entry to Thailand, Cambodia or any other country you choose. http://www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/

Taken from http://www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/

Cambodia: Passport required.

- Passports and/or passport replacing documents must be valid

for at least 6 months from date of arrival

Thailand:

Passports or passport replaceing document s valid for the period of intended stay.

[sammycic]

While we are on the subject, is it possible to safely leave your car on the thai side of the chong sa ngam border crossing for a few days.