What is the situation at the Thai - Cambodia at Aranyaphet - Poipet crossing these days?

[daiwill60]

I have to do an urgent border crossing in order to obtain a tourist visa to then transfer it to a non imm B visa in the future.

What is the current situation with land crossing tourist visas at Aranyaphet - Poipet? is it just a 15 day tourist visa that is available there to come back into Thailand?

What are the cost involved in making this crossing/ re entry?

Can that tourist visa then be transferred into a Non imm B at Chanwattana, rather than going out of country , which is what I am being told by my local immigration office in Rayong .

In a bit of a mess now due to incompetence and a lack of communication by some grumpy arsed official at Jomtien immigration, and thus finding myself having to leave the country sharpish, which was exactly what I had been trying to avoid and could have been done had this <deleted> been a bit more communicative .

[ubonjoe]

You will get a visa exempt entry at a border crossing not a tourist visa. You will only get a 15 day entry unless you are from a G7 country that would allow a 30 day entry.

From the the Pattaya/Rayong area the Ban Laem crossing is the nearest one.

The visa for Cambodia costs $30 which should be the only cost. There are no costs for entry to Thailand.

It is possible to do a conversion to a 90 day non immigrant visa entry at Bangkok immigration. It will take 2 trips to get it done and the requirements are higher than than that needed to get an extension of stay based upon working. You would need at least 15 days remaining on your entry to apply.

If you only get a 15 day entry you can extend it for 30 days at an immigration office ( same for a 30 day entry).

[daiwill60]

You will get a visa exempt entry at a border crossing not a tourist visa. You will only get a 15 day entry unless you are from a G7 country that would allow a 30 day entry.

From the the Pattaya/Rayong area the Ban Laem crossing is the nearest one.

The visa for Cambodia costs $30 which should be the only cost. There are no costs for entry to Thailand.

It is possible to do a conversion to a 90 day non immigrant visa entry at Bangkok immigration. It will take 2 trips to get it done and the requirements are higher than than that needed to get an extension of stay based upon working. You would need at least 15 days remaining on your entry to apply.

If you only get a 15 day entry you can extend it for 30 days at an immigration office ( same for a 30 day entry).

It will be the Non Imm B that I will apply for when I get back from Cambodia.

Been speaking with a friend who is currently working in Foreign affairs dept at Chaengwattana teaching English there who has asked the question of staff there.

I can come back with 30 day entry permit ( G7 country Passport Holder , UK ) and as long as my employer has all paperwork in order to apply for a non B , within 15 days of arrival back here from Cambodia, the immigration in chaengwattana will give me a non imm B there.

My employer has also called Chaengwattana to confirm this too.

Not too sure if they will apply immediately for the Extn visa based on work, rather than a non B? I was always under the impression that a non B had to be gained first, before the "extension of stay visa based on working" could be gained, but by the time of application within 15 days of return with entry permit, I will already have a work permit in hand, as we had already started this process before today's / yesterday's balls up at Jomtien was realised, which ended up with me having a 7 day notice to leave Thailand put in my passport. Rather than them trying to listen to what we were trying to do, and giving totally unfriendly unhelpful advice, they told my Thai friend that I needed a 7 day permit, so off we went to the desk to do this, only to find out when I went to Rayong Immi today, that..... 1, we could have gone there to cancel and they knew what we were doing and why,..... and 2 there was absolutely no need to cancel visa in Jomtien , only my work permit at Chonburi, which was info nobody had informed me of.

I must have missed the Ban Laem turning for the border previously and ended up at Aranyaphet / Poipet previously. So thanks for that info , should be ok this time , I have SatNav now

Edited February 12, 2015 by daiwill60

[daiwill60]

What is the service like at Ban Laem? Is the Cambodian immigration border point within walking distance of the Thai crossing point , as it is at Poipet?

[ubonjoe]

It is the same as Poipet but much less busy. It also has been reported that Thai immigration is friendlier their than at Poipet.

[daiwill60]

I presume both controls are within walking distance of each other then Joe? Thanks for the info by the way.

[ubonjoe]

Yes it is within walking distance.

[prakhonchai nick]

Sure the official visa price is $30, but most borders demand minimum $35, and some refuse dollars requiring 1500baht

[Briggsy]

If you go to Ban Phak Kat in Jantaburi's Pong Nam Ron district, there is a Cambo agency immediately after departing Thailand in no-man's land. They do everything for you in 10 minutes for $30. You would be wise to pay in dollars or if you pay in baht it is 1200 Baht so pay in dollars. No mucking about or being messed around by Cambo immigration officials for more money whilst they make you wait 3 hours.

[paz]

If you go to Ban Phak Kat in Jantaburi's Pong Nam Ron district, there is a Cambo agency immediately after departing Thailand in no-man's land. They do everything for you in 10 minutes for $30. You would be wise to pay in dollars or if you pay in baht it is 1200 Baht so pay in dollars. No mucking about or being messed around by Cambo immigration officials for more money whilst they make you wait 3 hours.

Please tell us why an agent would do everything for $30 when the visa alone cost $30 ?

[ubonjoe]

If you go to Ban Phak Kat in Jantaburi's Pong Nam Ron district, there is a Cambo agency immediately after departing Thailand in no-man's land. They do everything for you in 10 minutes for $30. You would be wise to pay in dollars or if you pay in baht it is 1200 Baht so pay in dollars. No mucking about or being messed around by Cambo immigration officials for more money whilst they make you wait 3 hours.

I think you mean which is close to Ban Laem.

Ban Pakard, Chantaburi (Thailand) / Phsar Prom Pailin, Painlin City (Cambodia)[/size]

As shown on this map::https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=12.36849,104.361086&source=embed&ie=UTF8&msa=0&spn=2.58554,3.621642&hl=en&mid=zzYcs0PT4--s.kRc-RY3_vayk

[Briggsy]

If you go to Ban Phak Kat in Jantaburi's Pong Nam Ron district, there is a Cambo agency immediately after departing Thailand in no-man's land. They do everything for you in 10 minutes for $30. You would be wise to pay in dollars or if you pay in baht it is 1200 Baht so pay in dollars. No mucking about or being messed around by Cambo immigration officials for more money whilst they make you wait 3 hours.

Please tell us why an agent would do everything for $30 when the visa alone cost $30 ?

Yeah, the official price has gone up $10 so add an extra $10 to that making $40. The principle remains do it yourself there and there's a high likelihood you'll be mucked around by the Cambodian immigration for things like a turnaround fee. Just trying to help here.

[Sandman77]

In Aranyaphet years ago , I exit earlier with a normal tourist visa after around 40 days 20 days was left then the immigration hold me back need more then one hour to count the days left in a calander all other tour members with visa on arrival has wait long time

I prefer the osmach boarder

This boarder you want go is overcrowded long waiting time immigration close over lunch time one hour when you go back you have to wait in the line

Tuck tuck driver going with you in the hotel reception and want handle out the price for you with the room owner in one world forget the Aranyaphet boarder I will never cross again there!

[Briggsy]

I agree with Sandman. The Aranyaprathet crossing is stressful, doable but stressful. If possible go to Ban Laem or Ban Phak Kat instead.

[paz]

Another possibility is to get a Cambodia e-visa for $37, cross where it is allowed, no haggling and save one passport page.

[changsinghleo]

This should be simple, but I'd like answers before embarking on a possibly complicated venture. I'm hoping to take my (beloved) bicycle from Ch. Mai by train to Kabin Buri which is the nearest one can get to Aranyaprathet before they discontinue the baggage car enroute to Aranyaprathet. No problem, only about 60 k.m. further to Poipet. Anyone know what one entails in proceeding through immigration onward into Cambodia as far as visa, etc.? Can I bring my bike into Cambodia and tour the country and later return with it back into Thailand without having to go through hoops of any sort? Yes, I am familiar with the touts one encounters at the border but I don't want to put my bicycle in their hands. No offense to anyone, but I'm just careful in such matters. Entering Cambodia I believe as a tourist I get 30 day visa? Returning to Thailand as I'm American, 30 days? I will mount my own horn on bicycle to compete with the Cambodian drivers! My bike is not licensed, will it be a problem? Thanks for your input.

[paz]

This should be simple, but I'd like answers before embarking on a possibly complicated venture. I'm hoping to take my (beloved) bicycle from Ch. Mai by train to Kabin Buri which is the nearest one can get to Aranyaprathet before they discontinue the baggage car enroute to Aranyaprathet. No problem, only about 60 k.m. further to Poipet. Anyone know what one entails in proceeding through immigration onward into Cambodia as far as visa, etc.? Can I bring my bike into Cambodia and tour the country and later return with it back into Thailand without having to go through hoops of any sort? Yes, I am familiar with the touts one encounters at the border but I don't want to put my bicycle in their hands. No offense to anyone, but I'm just careful in such matters. Entering Cambodia I believe as a tourist I get 30 day visa? Returning to Thailand as I'm American, 30 days? I will mount my own horn on bicycle to compete with the Cambodian drivers! My bike is not licensed, will it be a problem? Thanks for your input.

You can carry your bicycle wherever you want in the world, without formalities. Since it is not a motor vehicle it doesn't require any permit, license, insurance or registration.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

The Cambodian visa is 35 now and business 40. Be prepared to answer questions and show 20,000 baht to re-enter. It is stressful when you hear foreigners being cursed at send told to go to Vietnam because not permitted entry.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

Use to be that foreigners entered on the ground floor immigration with thais but thais complained that they should have preference. Don't want to be late for the returning casino buses. Everything about the poipet crossing is inconvenient nor easy for foreigners. Immigration rather do easy stamping in and out for the thais going to and from the casinos.

[phuketrichard]

Another possibility is to get a Cambodia e-visa for $37, cross where it is allowed, no haggling and save one passport page.

Cambodian E visa ( tourist only ) is $40 online

$ credit card fee + the $37 charge

Note it is NOT valid at all land crossings.

The Cambodian visa is 35 now and business 40

wrong

$30 and $35

[Too]

Hello!

You would need at least 15 days remaining on your entry to apply.

I was going to apply for a Non-B visa in Bangkok last month, only to find that I'd need at least 20 days

left in my visa-exempt stamp, so I had to go all the way up to Vientiane to apply for it.

We have one foreign teacher at school, who first went to Poipet, returned to Thailand with another

15 day visa-exempt stamp and went straight to Bangkok where he converted it into a Non-B visa

about a half year ago. He was able to do this with only 14 days left in his stamp then.

You should update and double-check it because nothing will stay the same, as you know.

Good luck.

[ubonjoe]

Hello!

You would need at least 15 days remaining on your entry to apply.

I was going to apply for a Non-B visa in Bangkok last month, only to find that I'd need at least 20 days

left in my visa-exempt stamp, so I had to go all the way up to Vientiane to apply for it.

We have one foreign teacher at school, who first went to Poipet, returned to Thailand with another

15 day visa-exempt stamp and went straight to Bangkok where he converted it into a Non-B visa

about a half year ago. He was able to do this with only 14 days left in his stamp then.

You should update and double-check it because nothing will stay the same, as you know.

Good luck.

All recent reports and the rules state 15 days. Perhaps there were other reasons for them telling you 20 days.

Normally if a person does not have have enough time left on their exempt entry they are told to apply for a 30 day extension. Some have gotten the extension and then were able to apply for the non immigrant visa within minutes of getting it.

[IMA_FARANG]

What is the service like at Ban Laem? Is the Cambodian immigration border point within walking distance of the Thai crossing point , as it is at Poipet?

------------------

Im Ban Laem there is a wooden bridge.

One end is in Thailand, the other side is in Cambodia.

You exit from Thailand, getting stamped out of the country.

You cross the bridge and you are in Cambodia, then you turn around and cross the bridge again to re-enter Thailand.

Get your re-entry stamp and you are back in Thailand.

It's that easy.

[Too]

You would need at least 15 days remaining on your entry to apply.

I was going to apply for a Non-B visa in Bangkok last month, only to find that I'd need at least 20 days

left in my visa-exempt stamp, so I had to go all the way up to Vientiane to apply for it.

We have one foreign teacher at school, who first went to Poipet, returned to Thailand with another

15 day visa-exempt stamp and went straight to Bangkok where he converted it into a Non-B visa

about a half year ago. He was able to do this with only 14 days left in his stamp then.

You should update and double-check it because nothing will stay the same, as you know.

Good luck.

All recent reports and the rules state 15 days. Perhaps there were other reasons for them telling you 20 days.

Normally if a person does not have have enough time left on their exempt entry they are told to apply for a 30 day extension. Some have gotten the extension and then were able to apply for the non immigrant visa within minutes of getting it.

Hello Joe!

I first went to the local office of MoE to grab some more documents on my way to Bangkok

to try to convert my visa-exempt stamp into a Non-B visa. I then asked the officers how many

days I would need left in my stamp before I was allowed to do it in Bangkok and one of them

made a phone call (I don't know who she called) and answered me I'd need at least 20 days

left in my stamp. This is what happened to me then.

[daiwill60]

::I was allowed to do it in Bangkok and one of them

made a phone call (I don't know who she called) and answered me I'd need at least 20 days

left in my stamp. This is what happened to me then..

I was told by Thai immigration both locally and in Chaengwattana, that you have to have minimum of 15 days left on a 30 day entry permit to change to Non Imm B.

My adventure at Ban Phak Kat today.

Arrived got hounded by the passport touts as soon as I arrived . Ignored their offers of doing it all for me at 1500THB, in the knowledge that I could probably do this cheaper myself.

They kept telling me the Cambo Gov't had increased the entry fee to 1200 THB , ah ok still will be cheaper to do alone I thought.

Got stamped out of Thailand and arrived at the Cambo border control, who charged me 1200THB to enter.

Ok I thought fair enough, then went to leave and pick up my passport, to be told that I had to pay 300 THB to leave, as I was not staying overnight and was leaving same day, to which I indignantly replied no country charges people to leave a country and that I had not paid this before , a long time ago admittedly, at which point my passport was kept behind the desk making it obvious that if I wanted it back I would have to pay or stay until the next day, which I had no intention of doing as I had to get back.

So all in all I saved nothing money wise, but it is obvious that false fees of 300 and 200 THB are being applied to you if you are on your own by the Cambodian Border personnel , or if you use a passport tout they are making the 300 THB and possibly the 200THB visa entry extra fee, as I saw none of them paying when they were putting through multiple passports from the Thai side at the Cambo border windows.

Obviously if they were paying these fees they would be offering the service for free, and that is highly unlikely isn't it ????

The only thing I would have saved on, by using the PP touts was about 10 - 15 minutes probably, and the knowledge that my passport was safer in my hands than theirs, but then again it did not feel like that when border control withdrew it until I paid 300 THB .

Edited February 15, 2015 by daiwill60

[daiwill60]

mmmm Apparently I cannot edited my own post on my own OP topic . So, here goes again.

Here is a link to the Cambo tourist website , which is dated everyday so I presume the info on it is also up to date , and it states the cost of a visa into Cambo is $30 , there is also no mention of departure fees either.

So , go to Cambo borders if you like , in the knowledge now that this is likely to happen to you and many others.

http://www.tourismcambodia.com/faqs/#how much shall

[Briggsy]

Thank you for taking the time to post your report.

It echoes precisely what I wrote in post 9 and a subsequent post.

Had you taken dollars, you could have saved yourself a small amount over paying in Baht.

Thanks again for the report.