I'm a British resident currently in the middle of my Divemaster qualification on Koh Tao.

I first entered the country through a Cambodia-Thailand land border, and have since done a visa run to Burma (land border also). The last month has flown by and I need to do a visa run as my current one lasts 'until 7th June'.

I have spoken to a couple of travel agencies on the island and heard two stories. The first said I could no longer do the Burma visa run, which is my cheapest option (I'm on a very tight budget), and must go to Penang or Laos (double the price).

The other travel agency, who I've used before, said doing a land visa run to Burma would be no problem, but I'd only get 15 days. He said that last time and I got 30.

Do any of you guys know any current info about the Burma visa run?

1) Is it still possible for me?
2) Will I still be eligible for 30 days?
3) Is it worth me taking all my belongings with me in case I get stranded in Burma and unable to enter Thailand any time soon?

If you have any information please help me out, as I need to get my qualification passed!

Thanks

You will still get 30 days.

I understand they are being picky at the Ranong crossing.

I suggest you make a trip to the Malaysian border to do the border crossing.

You would not have to go to Penang unless you want to get a tourist visa.

this sounds like you have a tourist visa or want one where as you need to get an Ed visa you can not learn or work on a tourist visa that's is what it is for tourist,. not finishing your dive course.

this sounds like you have a tourist visa or want one where as you need to get an Ed visa you can not learn or work on a tourist visa that's is what it is for tourist,. not finishing your dive course.

You can attend any school on a tourist visa. There is no requirement to have an ED visa to attend a school.

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You will still get 30 days.

I understand they are being picky at the Ranong crossing.

I suggest you make a trip to the Malaysian border to do the border crossing.

You would not have to go to Penang unless you want to get a tourist visa.

What is it they are being picky about? I will enquire about the Malaysia option.

this sounds like you have a tourist visa or want one where as you need to get an Ed visa you can not learn or work on a tourist visa that's is what it is for tourist,. not finishing your dive course.

Yeah I'm on a tourist visa, both my entries were on tourist visas. I didn't realise diving certification would be classified under education. How do I go about getting an education visa? Can I get one from the Burma border or must I go to an embassy or consulate?

Are you coming off a 90 day tourist visa

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Do you still have a valid tourist visa that would give you a 60 day entry.

How many 30 day visa exempt entries do you have now. That is what Ranong is being picky about.

You will not get a ED visa unless the school is registered with the Ministry of Education. You have to go to Penang to get it.

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Are you coming off a 90 day tourist visa


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

No, both my entries have been 30 day visa exempt entries. I've just looked at my passport and the visa class is WW30.

Do you still have a valid tourist visa that would give you a 60 day entry.

How many 30 day visa exempt entries do you have now. That is what Ranong is being picky about.

You will not get a ED visa unless the school is registered with the Ministry of Education. You have to go to Penang to get it.

I have had two 30 day visa exempt entries, I'm currently near the end of my second. The first entry from Cambodia by land, the second entry was a visa run to Ranong.

I very much doubt my dive school is registered with the Ministry of Education.

Edited June 5, 201412 yr by dvdcssm

You probably could get another 30 day entry in Ranong since you have only gotten one there.

this sounds like you have a tourist visa or want one where as you need to get an Ed visa you can not learn or work on a tourist visa that's is what it is for tourist,. not finishing your dive course.

You can attend any school on a tourist visa. There is no requirement to have an ED visa to attend a school.

what you state is correct Attend a school, not be taught, if you want to be taught /instructed it means you are doing an Internmenship which comes under ED visa please check

this sounds like you have a tourist visa or want one where as you need to get an Ed visa you can not learn or work on a tourist visa that's is what it is for tourist,. not finishing your dive course.

You can attend any school on a tourist visa. There is no requirement to have an ED visa to attend a school.

what you state is correct Attend a school, not be taught, if you want to be taught /instructed it means you are doing an Internmenship which comes under ED visa please check

Attending classes and an internship are not the same thing. An internship is working at a company and getting on the job training.

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You probably could get another 30 day entry in Ranong since you have only gotten one there.

What is the limit? Is it based on how many visa exempt entries you have in total or how many you have at a particular border? The whole process confuses me.

this sounds like you have a tourist visa or want one where as you need to get an Ed visa you can not learn or work on a tourist visa that's is what it is for tourist,. not finishing your dive course.

You can attend any school on a tourist visa. There is no requirement to have an ED visa to attend a school.

what you state is correct Attend a school, not be taught, if you want to be taught /instructed it means you are doing an Internmenship which comes under ED visa please check

I'm not too concerned about the type of visa I can get, just that I can get into the country for another month. As far as I'm aware, nobody gets bothered for education visas on the island.

It appears to be total at one crossing. But they do look at your history. Yours is not all that bad compared to others.

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It appears to be total at one crossing. But they do look at your history. Yours is not all that bad compared to others.

I think I'm going to give it a go. I'll enquire about the prices of other places tomorrow.

Just for the record, what exactly does one do if they find themselves at the Burma port being refused entry back into Thailand?

When you depart Thailand immigration will check to see if you will be able to get another entry. If not they will not let you leave the country.

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When you depart Thailand immigration will check to see if you will be able to get another entry. If not they will not let you leave the country.

Awesome. Thanks for your help!