Border Run Alternatives

[ubonjoe]

With the problems at the southern Thai/Cambodia and the Kanchanaburi crossing I have the following suggestions. Their is also the fly out and back option to nearby countries.
Border crossings that are still open.

Mai Sot to Myanmar is open for those with valid visa. They do not allow out/in visa exempt entries. Bus from Bangkok or by air is possible.

All the southern border crossings to Malaysia. I suggest not trying the Sadao crossing. Pedang Besar is much better.
By bus, train or air to Hat Yai is an option to get there.

Lower northeast crossing to Cambodia.. Choeng Chom in Surin province. Chong Sa Ngam in Sisaket. This map shows the location of the crossings to Cambodia https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=12.36849%2C104.361086&spn=2.58554%2C3.621642&hl=en&msa=0&source=embed&ie=UTF8&mid=zzYcs0PT4--s.kRc-RY3_vayk Getting to these crossings may be more difficult than others. I will leave it others for suggestions on how to get there.

All Thai Lao crossings. Map and visa on arrival info can be found here. http://www.laos-guide-999.com/Laos-border.html

Info on a few of them.

Nong Khai to Vientiane. Bus and train to Nong Kai. By air to Udon Thani and then a van to the bridge.

Chong Mek crossing in Ubon Rachaithani Provence Bus, train . or air to Ubon and then a van from main bus station to Chong Mek. Van takes about 2 hours to get to Chong Mek and cost about 80 baht.

Mukdahan to Savannakhet. Bus or fly/ride by air via Nakhon Phnom. Lots of post about Savannakhet visa runs on the forum.

Nakhon Pahnom to Thakhaek Laos. Bus or by Air to Nakon Phanom.and then a taxi or tuk tuk to the bridge.

For the other crossing to Laos I will leave to others for suggestions.

Mae Sai to Myanmar. Not the easiest to get to and it is unpredictable a to what they will allow. With a visa normally no problem but visa exempt varies day by day according to several reports.

Please restrict your comments, suggestions and questions to doing border runs and flying out an back. All other off topic posts will be removed without notice.

[khwaibah]

I just got off the phone with KCI and was told no problem at the Choeng Chom border crossing. Private cars and bikes are crossing along with commercial vehicles. Only passport holders are allowed , no id cards. You can call Kap Choeng Immigration at 044559127

[khwaibah]

Just been confirmed once more O-Multy and private auto crossing over into Cambodia from Thailand at Chong Chom..NO PROBLEM.

[SantiSuk]

I posted in another thread that flights to Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchatani from Bangkok Don Meuang are particularly cheap at the moment:

Extract follows

"Thai Lion Air are newly arrived on the routes from Don Meuang to Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchatani and have 5 (UdonT) and 4 (UbonR) flights each way per day. The prices are crazy low as an opening promotion. Next week you could fly all-in return for about 1,250 baht to UdonT and 1,050 baht to UbonR. Potentially even less if you can take an early morning flight

Check out the schedule and prices here: https://search.lionairthai.com/en. There are no hidden prices for baggage or seats (you get 15kg free) but remember to uncheck the insurance box unless you want to pay 100+ baht for flight insurance. My price indicators above exclude insurance and exclude specific seat reservation (who needs a pre-selected seat for a 1 hour flight). There is no payment fee for direct debit bank payments and I think no fee for other methods including payment at 711s etc*."

Website is easy to use and the flights are fine, but not much leg room (same as Air Asia's 8.5 inches form seat squab front to the flight magazine in front of you) and seat backs, being a little higher than Nok's and AA's, make them a little more cramped feeling. It's only 1 hour though!

*Edit: another poster in that thread informs that there is actually a 100baht payment fee if you pay at 711.

Edited September 18, 2015 by SantiSuk

[Waldkater41]

I've talked with Thaivisaservice before.

If you need to activate a second visa you can go to Laos, stay 1 day and come back.

alternative you fly to Malaysia and come back with next flight, no waiting.

So I booked a flight.....

[ubonjoe]

I just moved a off post about OA visa entries to a more appropriate topic. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/855905-non-immigrant-oa-confused-about-dates-and-extention/

[ubonjoe]

I've talked with Thaivisaservice before.

If you need to activate a second visa you can go to Laos, stay 1 day and come back.

alternative you fly to Malaysia and come back with next flight, no waiting.

So I booked a flight.....

Not sure that you have to stay overnight at the Lao crossings. I have seen no reports of anybody having a problem if they have a valid visa.

I know that is being suggested for Laotians wanting to get a new visa exempt entry,

[ubonjoe]

A off topic post has been removed. This topic is not to discuss the closings. That can be done here No more Out/In stamps on Thai-Cambo border - for anyone

[khwaibah]

Just had a verified report for Chong Sa Ngom border crossing, SiSaket, All is normal.

[richard_smith237]

Many years ago I did a BKK-SIN-BKK visa run by Air.

A Thai Airways promo cost about THB 4500 - it was a fairly quick option that saw me returning on the same plane as my outbound flight.

The whole trip took approx 7 hrs, the time for the turn around in Singapore was sufficient given the efficiency of operations at Singapore Airport.

[stevenl]

Ranong is open to both out/in and entry activation.

[mikecat]

Thanks Ubonjoe, your a godsend. I have been trying to find out if Maisot is open as I am going tomorrow.

[Kyri]

What is the quickest option from Hua Hin?

[ubonjoe]

What is the quickest option from Hua Hin?

No where is going to to be close by.

Mae Sot is the closest I think. After that perhaps Rangoon.

The quickest would be to arrange a flight form Bangkok to one of places mentioned in the topic.

There is also the train sooth to Hat Yai..and then Pedang Baser.

[Jessi]

Can you fly to Mae sai? Is there a airport there?

[khwaibah]

Can you fly to Mae sai? Is there a airport there?

No. Closes airport is Chiang Rai. then a taxi 62km to the crossing. AA and NokAir.

[darrendsd]

What is the quickest option from Hua Hin?

No where is going to to be close by.

Mae Sot is the closest I think. After that perhaps Rangoon.

The quickest would be to arrange a flight form Bangkok to one of places mentioned in the topic.

There is also the train sooth to Hat Yai..and then Pedang Baser.

Ranong is a option from HH, approx 4.5 hours by car,

I spoke with Ranong Immi this morning, it is ok to activate the 2nd part of a Double Entry TV there, you must show 20,000 Baht and a onward ticket out of Thailand

Iam planning to go there on 30th September if things do not change, see my post in the HH Forum about this

Edited September 18, 2015 by darrendsd

[thomasrussell]

Can you fly to Mae sai? Is there a airport there?

No. Closes airport is Chiang Rai. then a taxi 62km to the crossing. AA and NokAir.

Regular bus services from Chiang Rai central bus station to Mae Sai about 47 THB ?. Then song thao to border from Mae Sai bus station 30 THB

[Briggsy]

For Pattaya residents, there is a direct bus from Pattaya to Mae Sot.

[Kyri]

I have a non o marraige this will be my first 90 day so if i go to Ranong do i have to stay over or just get stamped and how do they compare to Kanchanaburi for the payment

[ubonjoe]

I have a non o marraige this will be my first 90 day so if i go to Ranong do i have to stay over or just get stamped and how do they compare to Kanchanaburi for the payment

I missed that you were married to a Thai before.

You could get a 60 day extension at immigration to visit your wife. She would have to go with you when you apply. You will need marriage certificate and copies of your wife's ID card and house book.

If your permit to stay is ending over the weekend you would not be charged an overstay if you get the extension on Monday.

[Kyri]

No i just got my multiple entry non o marraige 3 months ago so i need to do my first 90 day stamp. I got my visa in Savannakhet.

[elviajero]

No i just got my multiple entry non o marraige 3 months ago so i need to do my first 90 day stamp. I got my visa in Savannakhet.

If you want to delay a border run you can do as ubonjoe suggests and go to immigration and get a 60 day extension of stay. If you use this extension option you only need to do border runs every 5 months.

[Kyri]

I dont know if i understand you correctly does that mean i do a extension of stay for 60 days then do a border after 90 and repeat ťhus everytime

[paz]

I dont know if i understand you correctly does that mean i do a extension of stay for 60 days then do a border after 90 and repeat ťhus everytime

You can do that only if you have a Thai family member. You would apply for 60 days extension within the last 30 days of your initial 90 days allowed stay. Not vice-versa.

Edited September 18, 2015 by paz

[oncearugge]

I dont know if i understand you correctly does that mean i do a extension of stay for 60 days then do a border after 90 and repeat ťhus everytime

You can do that only if you have a Thai family member. You would apply for 60 days extension within the last 30 days of your initial 90 days allowed stay. Not vice-versa.

Seems you missed the bit about him being married. A 60 day extension can be applied for toward the end of every 90 day stay........

[elviajero]

I dont know if i understand you correctly does that mean i do a extension of stay for 60 days then do a border after 90 and repeat ťhus everytime

Every time you enter with your Non 'O' you get a stay of 90 days. Because you are married you can extend that 90 day stay by 60 days.

Towards the end of your 90 days you can apply for the 60 day extension. You can apply anytime within the last 30 days of the 90 days, and the extension will start at the end of the 90 days regardless of how early you apply. With some planning of dates and use of extensions you can make a multi non 'O' last a few months longer and possibly do less border runs.

[RubbaJohnny]

Can you fly to Mae sai? Is there a airport there?

Chiang Rai aka Ma Fa Luang Int Airport is only an hour south of frontier.

Coach from C Rai only a few $$s i think 80-90 bahts hourly from town centre old station next night market or new out of town bus sta.

Wangcome Hotle run a minivan C Rai town to airport around 100 -120 last time i went

http://www.wangcome.com/

Lion Air ,Asia, Nok from Don Muang or Thai from Swampy fares 500-3500 most days Lion or Nok cheapest flight under 2 hrs ,

Please Note very few taxis at Airport none most days can order or likely cheaper faster easier rent a car .

iIget mine from autoeurope.ie for hallf local rate same cars eg 550-600 per day 4 door saloons 1k plus 4x4

You can of course get a $20 'sleeper" all the way from Mor Chit leave you c 2km s of the Immi rive frontier loads of tuktuks .Can turn around in 20 mins if arrive early open 0630 thai time last visit,)600 Myanmar time lack of runners mean farang lane no queue.Myanamr ask 'shopping" mean just turn around not go Kwnetung etc, they now just stamp one small chop

many nice dis fom 500 with air sat in c rai e.g sdiamond park,jamsom,orchid all near jrt yod strip and cafes night marrket

wangcome is ok for 1500-2k

Edited September 18, 2015 by RubbaJohnny

[hgma]

I've talked with Thaivisaservice before.

If you need to activate a second visa you can go to Laos, stay 1 day and come back.

alternative you fly to Malaysia and come back with next flight, no waiting.

So I booked a flight.....

Not sure that you have to stay overnight at the Lao crossings. I have seen no reports of anybody having a problem if they have a valid visa.

I know that is being suggested for Laotians wanting to get a new visa exempt entry,

Clearly The Thai policy is to focus on Lao entry runners with back 2 back 3o day entries. My Lao mother in Law, is an exception, not a regular crosser and got a month entry into Thailand without any problem. 18-09-2015 @ 11.30 Am Vientiane - NongKhai crossing.

[Kyri]

I just want to thank you guys very much for the info.