Ranong Visa Run

[Nicca]

What's the deal with visaruns to Ranong? Is that only for ppl who wants to extend their visa with just 30 days?

As I understand u cross the border from Ranong to Myanmar, and then what? In what town do u go in Myanmar. Isn't there an embassy or consulate there? I'm asking all these questions cause I want a new touristvisa, and not just 30 days extra.

[jdinasia]

Ranong is just a border crossing.

[visarunner]

for Tourist Visa or any other Visa you need to visit a Consulate or Embassy .

At any bordercrossing they can issue you only 30days stamp or activate your valid re-entry Permit/Visa.

Good luck.

[baboon]

The town you visit in Myanmar is called Kaw Thaung. [Kaw Tang I think it is pronounced, although Thais call it Kaw song for some reason.]

There is no Embassy or Consulate there, so upon returning to Ranong you will only recieve a 30 day stamp.

[H2oDunc]

What's the deal with visaruns to Ranong? Is that only for ppl who wants to extend their visa with just 30 days?

As I understand u cross the border from Ranong to Myanmar, and then what? In what town do u go in Myanmar. Isn't there an embassy or consulate there? I'm asking all these questions cause I want a new touristvisa, and not just 30 days extra.

Nicca, You go to Ranong immigration where they stamp you out of Thailand. You then go to the dock, just along the road from immigration and either join a long tail boat going across to Myanmar or hire the whole boat your self. Cost to join boat around 50 baht, cost for whole boat 200 upwards, just haggle. When you get to the other side you need to give them $5, It has to be a fairly new one if it isnt they wont take it. When you get to Myanmar you get a stamp for 2 days but you can only stay in town and believe me there isnt a grat deal to see or do. depending on the boat skipper you can grab a beer and some duty free's As you step off the boat you are accosted by young burmese who follow you about will get you what you want and expect a few baht for doing so. When you do the run often you get to know the guys. I used to get off turn left and walk a little way till you came to a bar. I would sit there having a few beers while my little friend ran around getting what I wanted. Whisky was 40baht gin 30 baht 200 cigs 80 baht 4 viagra 120 baht etc etc. you then get back on longtail back to immigration where you are stamped back into Thailand with another 30 days. ranong itself is quite nice with some ood restraunts so I always used to stay the night. Hope that answered your questions, Anything else just PM me. Cheers Dunc

[johnnymoretti]

I have posted a blog entry on my other site to give people a step-by-step description of what to expect when taking the visa run to Ranong. I've done it 5 times already (I live in Khao Lak, Phang Nga) and it has become more of a habit for me than an adventure. But it is a lovely trip and a beautiful country, despite the filth and poverty.

You can read my blog entry with photos at //link to outside site removed per forum rules//

[jdinasia]

Per the OP .... Nicca needs to go somewhere else for more than a 30 day stamp

[johnnymoretti]

Per the OP .... Nicca needs to go somewhere else for more than a 30 day stamp

True, but the OP was very vague. It mentioned that they wanted a tourist visa. And not just a 30 days extra. Yes, they do need to find a Thai consul outside of Thailand. In this case, Ranong or that border crossing office in Victoria Point is not the place to go.

I'm not aware of the closest point. It depends on where they are. Perhaps even flying to Kuala Lumpur and go to the Thai consul (embassy). They should always go to the Thai Embassy website to get the most accurate information and not rely on forum posts, anyway.

[lopburi3]

The normal Consulate to use would be Penang and I believe most information posted here would be more current than any Embassy web page.

[johnnymoretti]

Though I agree that most of the information here is most current, I think it would be wise for anyone to confirm the information with a Thai consulate (embassy) as much of the information originates at the embassy anyway. Unless people are making things up, they must get their information from an embassy. I retract my statement that going to a website is vital and would like to further add that a phone call or personal visit to an embassy is vital. I respect all those that post information, but let's face it, they are not always in agreement, so its imperative that one discuss issues of this much importance with an embassy staff member that is keen to the latest information.

Personally, I would not take the advice here as my sole vehicle of information. It could be costly (in travel and time) if I took this advice without cross-checking it with the consul.

But, hey, that's my opinion. Everyone else must decide for themselves.

John.

[jdinasia]

John ...

Again, What you are told by an embassy will often NOT be as accurate as what you get online here. I e-mailed the consulate (Thai) where I moved from and they in fact confirmed the date they would be issuing 3 year multi non-immB visas. Needless to say theystill have not issued the first one 2 years later!

[johnnymoretti]

I really don't want to argue, but it seems that you think that the forum is the know-all about consul issues. Again, as I said, you have to make decisions for yourself. And your first mistake was emailing the consul and not making either a personal visit or phone contact. In my last statement, I retracted that it would be good to use the website, which is what you seemed to have done via the internet.

And I'd like to pose the question: where, then, do the people here get their information they share? Do they pull it out of thin air, or do they get it from a consul somewhere.

Perhaps it would be better to post which Thai consul worldwide provides the most accurate information. It has to be coming from somewhere. And don't tell me it simply from experience, because even the eventual right answers come from the embassy, not from someone happening to get the right info because they found the right person to deliver it. Even they, the staff, have to get the info from their big black book of visa requirements.

[lopburi3]

The general visa requirements are listed on the MFA website for all to read. But the Consulate (Consulates issue visas - not Embassies) adopts these requirement to there conditions using the "additional requirements" clause. Thus the most accurate information is from those currently using specific Consulates (no other can speak for another) or directly from the Consulate involved. The fact is most Consulates do not have much time for correspondence and the information, even in a phone call, can often be different that what is required when you arrive. Reading this or another forum will not insure you know it all but will give you a heads up on what may be asked for out of the norm. If the rules were set in stone we would not have any reason to post here. And I for one would not mind that at all.

[Mark Wolfe]

Johnnymoretti wrote:

You can read my blog entry with photos at //link to outside site removed per forum rules//

10) Please do not post links to pages that contain objectionable material. This includes, warez, cracks, file sharing, pornography, pyramid schemes, referral ID's, ebay listings and requesting donations.

I was interested in reading your account of your visa runs to Ranong, but unfortunately, you must have porno or some sort of pyramid scheme on your Web site. Maybe you should cover your crack and try reposting the link.

Thanks,

Mark

[jdinasia]

Johnny .... there's a reason that threads like Penang Visa run stay open or are restarted REGULARLY! Things change all the time! Members of TV take the time to post about their RECENT experiences.

note --- an e-mail is direct correspondance/communication with someone. Not at all like looking at a webpage! <unless you count the fact that you used a computer--which used a phoneline probably-->

[geoffphuket]

The general visa requirements are listed on the MFA website for all to read. But the Consulate (Consulates issue visas - not Embassies) adopts these requirement to there conditions using the "additional requirements" clause. Thus the most accurate information is from those currently using specific Consulates (no other can speak for another) or directly from the Consulate involved. The fact is most Consulates do not have much time for correspondence and the information, even in a phone call, can often be different that what is required when you arrive. Reading this or another forum will not insure you know it all but will give you a heads up on what may be asked for out of the norm. If the rules were set in stone we would not have any reason to post here. And I for one would not mind that at all.

This couldn't be more correct.

Phoning a consulate is fine, but unlikely to be of any real help. Advice from people with recent experience is far better.

[Maestro]

...a step-by-step description of what to expect when taking the visa run to Ranong. I've done it 5 times already

Mr. Johnny Moretti, owner of Geckos Sports Bar & Grill in Khao Lak, Phang Nga, Thailand, 09-9900216, are you posting here primarily to advertise your business?

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Maestro

[johnnymoretti]

Johnnymoretti wrote:

You can read my blog entry with photos at //link to outside site removed per forum rules//

10) Please do not post links to pages that contain objectionable material. This includes, warez, cracks, file sharing, pornography, pyramid schemes, referral ID's, ebay listings and requesting donations.

I was interested in reading your account of your visa runs to Ranong, but unfortunately, you must have porno or some sort of pyramid scheme on your Web site. Maybe you should cover your crack and try reposting the link.

Thanks,

Mark

Dear Mark,

I'm sorry to hear that you felt that I "must have porno or some sort of pyramid scheme on [my] website" when my travel blog is from a reputable and large travelblog website. I don't appreciate that you made such an assumption that I would have such items on my website. In fact, it's not "MY" website, but a large reputable blog site. Are you trying to character assasinate me? Or perhaps you just misquoted yourself.

I have been in Thailand for only about 20 months mostly doing tsunami relief, but felt I needed to open a business if I intended to stay long term so that I may continue to fund my projects here. I wish I could post my own ORG here, but then I would be accused of trying to get donations. I wouldn't mind that though.

I find this website here to be most informative and I get most of my information about Thailand here. I love this forum and use it regularly, though I rarely post messages. I hope the information I read here is as accurate as possible, but I'm also the type of nut that will research things until I'm satisfied that I have all the info I can muster, then make a rational and reasonable decision on the validity of what I have aquired.

Thanks to all that put so much effort into this forum.

[Maestro]

Phoning a consulate is fine, but unlikely to be of any real help. Advice from people with recent experience is far better.

You said it, Geoff.

Complications, confusion and misunderstandings can arise only when somebody (not you, Geoff) is giving a poster who asks where to get a tourist visa information about how to do a visa run to Ranong, where in fact no tourist visa – nor any kind of visa – is obtainable.

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Maestro

[sabaijai]

The town you visit in Myanmar is called Kaw Thaung. [Kaw Tang I think it is pronounced, although Thais call it Kaw song for some reason.]

There is no Embassy or Consulate there, so upon returning to Ranong you will only recieve a 30 day stamp.

The Burmese spell it 'Kawthoung' in Roman letters, and it's pronounce Kaw (rhymes with jaw or raw) Thong (similar to the English 'thong', yes not a /t/ but a /th/ sound, as in the English 'the').

The Thais call it Ko Song or kaw sawng if you will, meaning '2nd island', not sure why except that it makes it intelligible in Thai.

[Maestro]

The Burmese spell it 'Kawthoung' in Roman letters

And, to bring it back on topic, there is still no Thai embassy or consulate there, Nicca.

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Maestro

[johnnymoretti]

....I'm asking all these questions cause I want a new touristvisa, and not just 30 days extra.

Okay, Maestro....are you happy with beating me up?? Geez.

The original poster mentioned the above quote. Correct me if I'm wrong, Maestro (you seem to be king here), isn't a tourist visa exactly just that: a 30 day entry visa?

I never mentioned there was a consul or embassy there. Just helping out with my PERSONAL EXPERIENCE of going to Ranong five times to renew my visa. (I now have a non-Imm B ) Only trying to help. But I feel I'm being punished.

And, no, I'm not trying to promote my business. I'm proud of it though. Are you a business owner I may be in competition with and this is why you are mildly hostile?

Come on over sometime and I'll buy you a beer.

[lopburi3]

No. A 30 day visa free entry is not a visa. A visa is issued by a Royal Thai Consulate. A tourist visa to Thailand would provide you a 60 day entry stay that can be extended another 30 days.

[Maestro]

Correct me if I'm wrong, Maestro (you seem to be king here), isn't a tourist visa exactly just that: a 30 day entry visa?

...and, proud Johnny Moretti, because you like to have everything official here is the link to the official description of the Tourist Visa. Happy now?

Of course, one shouldn’t believe everything one reads on the Internet. Better make an appointment to see His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs personally.

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Maestro

[johnnymoretti]

Correct me if I'm wrong, Maestro (you seem to be king here), isn't a tourist visa exactly just that: a 30 day entry visa?

...and, proud Johnny Moretti, because you like to have everything official here is the link to the official description of the Tourist Visa. Happy now?

Of course, one shouldn’t believe everything one reads on the Internet. Better make an appointment to see His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs personally.

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Maestro

Wow! What a great idea!! I'll make that appointment today. Do you think I should bring a nice bottle of chianti? Maybe I'll even wear my nice yellow shirt. Yeah...that's what I'll do. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Maestro]

Thanks for the suggestion!

You’re welcome!

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Maestro