My Visa Run Samui to Club Andaman (Ranong)

[oldsailor35]

I was unable to get any info on the Ranong visa run as most seem to prefer Sadao. However i recommend Ranong.

Apart from the first leg from Surat to the turnoff which was quite rough in places, the whole trip was quite relaxing with excellent roads beautiful scenery and very little traffic.

Route followed the highway north (41) to Laung Suan then turn left on to Hwy 4006. It is well signposted about 1 hour north of Surat. The 4006 is a beautiful drive through hill country, very green and lush and not much traffic with a good surface. When 4006 meets Hwy 4 from Phuket, again well surfaced and little traffic, its about 15 mins to Ranong.

Two immigration points at Ranong.

1) The Immigration pier where the long tail boats leave from. (Used by the Myanmars)

2) Club Andaman Pier on the other side of town, i think easier to find.

Club Andaman is very casual with an air con cruiser, not up to the standard of Lompraya, but comfortable, takes about 15 mins e/w.

The longtail pier is a compete contrast, boats everywhere, touts trying to get you to trip with them, everybody shouting and charging around, quite a madhouse.

Advantages-Disavantages.

Cost wise not much difference. Cub Andaman cost Bht 950 return, but sitting in comfort out of the weather.About 15 mins each way. (I took the last boat for immigration stamp of the day plus immediate return which is 4pm) If one goes earlier , can miss a couple of boats and use the hotel which has got Duty free shopping . They have a special for over nighter's in the 5 star hotel Bht 2600 with Dinner and Breakfast. They have a Casino as well.

Compared with this the Longtail is a little primitive. Sitting in the open, to all weather, about 1 hr each way. It was quite choppy so people were coming in quite wet.

Cost Bht500 return but also one has to have a NEW $US 10 note which equals about Bht 825.40 a saving of Bht 124.50.

Incidentally i made inquiries at both regarding the Visa on entry for Tourists and both said no problems, but i think the money situation remains i.e. Bht 10,000. if they bother, there was no mention of it so i did not ask, but it is up there on a big board describing different visas.

For the return journey i took a different route, running south on HWY 4 towards Phuket until i reached the 415 around Phangnga, turning left into the Khao Sok National park, another beautiful and well maintained road although quite hilly and beautifully green. Being alone i detoured into the park and had an overnight stop at the Ratchaprapha Dam, plenty of accommodation, mine cost Bht600 for modern a/c bungalow, another well worthy visit.

Incidentally the run from the new Central Plaza Surat Thani to Club Andaman pier took me just over 3 hours.

My round journey was 983 Klm, but i did do some touring in Khao Sok.

Hope this helps someone. It could have been quicker if needed, but i am sure more pleasurable than a 'flyer' to Sadao.

OS.

[oldsailor35]

Forgot to say. I stayed overnight in Ranong nice clean comfortable resort. Bht 500 a/c bungalow. Have details if anyone needs them.

[ALFREDO]

Maybe stay in a Hotel which offers the Ranong HOT SPRINGS water on their premises, even in the bathtub as far as I remember.

http://www.tinideehotels.com/ranong/

Or visit the public HOT SPRING facilities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranong_Province

Hot Springs and Raksawarin Public Park (บ่อน้ำร้อนและสวนสาธารณะรักษะวาริน) The hot springs have been a popular tourist spot ever since King Rama V visited Ranong in 1890. There are three natural spring pools. The temperature of the water in the pools remains constant at about 65 °C.

But you not have to bath in such hot water, that would cook you instead!

Edited May 22, 2014 by ALFREDO

[islandguy]

Were there signs In Ranong directing you to the the Club Andaman? When I drove there it was not at all easy to find the first time. Otherwise, my experiences a few years ago agree with everything you have said, glad you enjoyed a some great touring.

[ALFREDO]

Were there signs In Ranong directing you to the the Club Andaman? When I drove there it was not at all easy to find the first time. Otherwise, my experiences a few years ago agree with everything you have said, glad you enjoyed a some great touring.

Was myself not there since 2 or 3 years, do not know today, but, best to take a moto bike taxi and advise him, to guide you to the ANDAMAN Pier.

http://www.andamanclub.com/aboutus.html

Edited May 23, 2014 by ALFREDO

[oldsailor35]

Were there signs In Ranong directing you to the the Club Andaman? When I drove there it was not at all easy to find the first time. Otherwise, my experiences a few years ago agree with everything you have said, glad you enjoyed a some great touring.

No new signs which could make it a little difficult. My resort "Dahla" was right in town centre and all i had to do was drive out, turn left and go straight for about 5 klm where i saw a turn left sign to Club Andaman, not really difficult.

I suppose you can say that when i turned left off the main Hwy into town, it was a straight drive for about 5.5 klm.

Thanks.

[MantisMan]

How did you get to the border? I didn't see in your post.

Did you take a scooter?

[oldsailor35]

How did you get to the border? I didn't see in your post.

Did you take a scooter?

No ! i have a Toyota Vios, just going in for its 40,000 klm service. However Samuijimmy did the trip to Ranong on his scooter.

[breezer]

I wonders if you can help me I'm on a 30 day visa I've done a 7 day extension to finish my home I'm having built but I'm needing another 7 days max I have a flight booked the 31st can you still do a border crossing ??

Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see!!

[samuijimmy]

I wonders if you can help me I'm on a 30 day visa I've done a 7 day extension to finish my home I'm having built but I'm needing another 7 days max I have a flight booked the 31st can you still do a border crossing ??

Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see!!

Well I think you have a choice.... either do the Visa run, where ever you choose, or pay up 500 baht a day fine when you leave the country... (I don't think you can get a second 7 days at Nathon Immigration office)

Also I don't believe it affects coming back to Thailand... which you obviously will if you are building a home...

Cheaper to pay the fine... (perhaps others can confirm that) ....

[breezer]

Yeah I've considered that but it's a offence apparently too overstay although not as serious but is it something they can refuse entry for at a later date that's my concern

Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see!!

[Tropicalevo]

Yeah I've considered that but it's a offence apparently too overstay although not as serious but is it something they can refuse entry for at a later date that's my concern

Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see!!

As I understand the 'overstay' situation - purely from observation and reading -

If you go to immigration at the point of leaving, early on your day of departure, and say something like 'awfully sorry old chap but I think I forgot my date of leaving! I think that I am an overstay. How much would you like please?' You will be given a slap on the wrist, pay a fine and you will probably be allowed back. (OK - do not use those exact words, but hopefully you get my drift.)

On the other hand - if the immigration people catch you before you hand yourself in - you will be arrested, jailed and deported. You may or may not be allowed back.

These comments are not based on a law degree or any personal experience. Purely what friends/fellow expats have said and from what I have read.

However, if you do a 'border bounce' and you have not done any others back to back - you should be OK.

It seems that the rule is 'Come into the Kingdom 3 or 4 times a year on a 30 day visa - no problem. Come into the Kingdom on 3 x 30 day visas back to back - problem.

The bit that I do not get is why don't people get a better visa in their point of origin?

When I was building my houses - I managed to get a 1 year business visa 4 years in a row. Yes - I had to leave every 90 days - but crikey, that was the hardest bit?

Also getting a 'more than 30 days' tourist visa is not that difficult (unless they have changed the rules lately).

[breezer]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.. I can't get the 90 day visa as I work in the uk offshore they have been flying me back and forward and I am paid door too door and I don't have any time in the uk when I arrive so I fly in check up progress and fly out again. Otherwise I'd do that because this is getting beyond the joke now.

Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see!!

[ALFREDO]

I wonders if you can help me I'm on a 30 day visa I've done a 7 day extension to finish my home I'm having built but I'm needing another 7 days max I have a flight booked the 31st can you still do a border crossing ??

Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see!!

I made many short time overstays in the last 17 years, as I was never controlled before I reached a border,

no problem and nobody at Thai Immigration made a problem of it.

So, keep a low profile and its only a week, you can risk that.

Or, you not write where you are staying, near Ranong I presume, Koh Samui?

So a trip to Ranong and on to Myanmar, Andaman Casino Hotel

or if you find a cheap flight solution,

GO OUT of TH and COME BACK same day, possible from Phuket and Bangkok, (Air Asia,Tiger Air, JetAir, KL and SIN)

but I think not from Koh Samui for a good price.

[Rooo]

There is a visa section to ask about visa extensions. Please do not hijack this thread.

[oldsailor35]

Last year a friend needed one week extra so he went to Naton Imm and paid for it. I think it cost him Bht 2000.

I inquired at both Ranong immigration offices and they said 30 day tourist visa on entry, no problem.

Edited May 26, 2014 by oldsailor35