Border Run Alternatives

[lovesthespicy]

On 2/11/2019 at 9:42 AM, BritTim said:

You might get the warning stamp along with a visa from Vientiane. Savannakhet has historically been pretty safe, but there have been a few worrying posts in recent months that suggest it might not be quite as safe as before. You could consider Yangon, where getting the visa is usually no problem. If you wanted to reenter Thailand by land, the way this is done from Yangon is by taking an overnight bus to the border at Myawaddy/Maesot. You can fly from Maesot airport (close to the border) to Bangkok. The required visa for Myanmar can be applied for online as long as you are flying into Yangon airport.

 

 Thanks and one more question for you BritTim or anyone in the know.

 

Is  Chiang Mai airport considered "safe". I could buy a ticket from Vietnam to there and spend the night and fly back to BKK if thats the case. Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

19 minutes ago, lovesthespicy said:

Is  Chiang Mai airport considered "safe". I could buy a ticket from Vietnam to there and spend the night and fly back to BKK if thats the case.

No reports of problems there.

[lovesthespicy]

On 2/16/2019 at 10:00 AM, ubonjoe said:

No reports of problems there.

Thanks Joe. That sounds like a safe way to go without the land borders. 

[mcsiva8]

Anybody heard about having to make an appointment to get a visa from Vientiane online?
Started for feb1 2019.
Found an article on YouTube.

Thanks Joe. That sounds like a safe way to go without the land borders. 

Sent from my SM-G965F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[ubonjoe]

2 hours ago, mcsiva8 said:

Anybody heard about having to make an appointment to get a visa from Vientiane online?
Started for feb1 2019.

There was a long topic about it. You have to make an appointment now.

This is where you register and make the appointment. https://thaivisavientiane.com/#

Edit: I removed you other two posts since they were not needed.

[pantsonfire]

Hi

 

Iam currently on a SETV (British Passport Holder) and already used re-entry and 30 day extension. Prior to that i had 6 VE for 10-20 days last year.  I am going to Saigon at the end of my expiry date of my SETV for 3 days and plan to apply for another SETV at saigon.  I am bit concerned flying back to BKK and not being allowed in.  I will bring with me my hotel accomodation and 20k baht in cash and a cheap outbound ticket to someehere in asia as iam not aware when i will go back to London yet, however, which is the most ideal?

 

1.  Nervous nail biting return into BKK

2. Go to Chiang mai from Saigon and take a later flight from Chiang Mai to  BKK.

 

 

Edited February 22, 2019 by pantsonfire

[BritTim]

34 minutes ago, pantsonfire said:

Hi

 

Iam currently on a SETV (British Passport Holder) and already used re-entry and 30 day extension. Prior to that i had 6 VE for 10-20 days last year.  I am going to Saigon at the end of my expiry date of my SETV for 3 days and plan to apply for another SETV at saigon.  I am bit concerned flying back to BKK and not being allowed in.  I will bring with me my hotel accomodation and 20k baht in cash and a cheap outbound ticket to someehere in asia as iam not aware when i will go back to London yet, however, which is the most ideal?

 

1.  Nervous nail biting return into BKK

2. Go to Chiang mai from Saigon and take a later flight from Chiang Mai to  BKK.

Based on your history of tourist entries to date, I think you can safely enter with a visa in Bangkok. If you decide to stay much longer in Thailand, you would be wise for later visa applications to arrange them in a way that facilitates land entry into Thailand.

[sonodaumi]

So... can Chinese apply for a visa at a consulate in another country?

I am a Chinese student study in Thailand. I entered Thailand by travel sign three months ago and is about to expire. My school cannot be changed into a student visa in time. 

What should I do？Do I had to back China？

 

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, sonodaumi said:

So... can Chinese apply for a visa at a consulate in another country?

I am a Chinese student study in Thailand. I entered Thailand by travel sign three months ago and is about to expire. My school cannot be changed into a student visa in time. 

What should I do？Do I had to back China？

China is on the list of countries that can only apply for visas in their home country. 

See this list from the KL embassy website.

 http://www.thaiembassy.org/kualalumpur/contents/images/text_editor/files/listed country 2018_2.pdf  You should note that at the bottom of the page it states you can apply there but it takes 4 weeks to get the visa.

[delgarcon]

A few years back I did a border run to Malaysia via Chumphon, which was all handled by friends who came with me. I now have to do it again and I'm not sure of what to do when I arrive in Chumphon. Any help would be appreciated

[ubonjoe]

22 minutes ago, delgarcon said:

A few years back I did a border run to Malaysia via Chumphon, which was all handled by friends who came with me. I now have to do it again and I'm not sure of what to do when I arrive in Chumphon. Any help would be appreciated

Not sure where you did your border crossing since Chumphon is not on the Malaysia border.

From Chumphon the nearest border is Myanmar. You can do the crossing to Myanmar at Ranong.

[delgarcon]

I'm having a bad day Joe, I meant Myanmar via Ranong, sorry. How do I get there from Chumphon?

Edited March 2, 2019 by delgarcon

[ubonjoe]

38 minutes ago, delgarcon said:

How do I get there from Chumphon?

I found a topic for Chumphon on the Southern Thailand forum.

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/509800-maats-guide-to-living-near-chumphon-town/

If mentions Fame Tours for the border run to Ranong. http://www.chumphon-kohtao.com/visarun-bigboat

I am sure though you could do yourself by van or bus from Chumphon city or wherever you are at there.

[delgarcon]

Thanks Joe.

 

[Paduppa]

On 2/22/2019 at 3:39 PM, pantsonfire said:

Hi

 

Iam currently on a SETV (British Passport Holder) and already used re-entry and 30 day extension. Prior to that i had 6 VE for 10-20 days last year.  I am going to Saigon at the end of my expiry date of my SETV for 3 days and plan to apply for another SETV at saigon.  I am bit concerned flying back to BKK and not being allowed in.  I will bring with me my hotel accomodation and 20k baht in cash and a cheap outbound ticket to someehere in asia as iam not aware when i will go back to London yet, however, which is the most ideal?

 

1.  Nervous nail biting return into BKK

2. Go to Chiang mai from Saigon and take a later flight from Chiang Mai to  BKK.

 

 

 

On 2/22/2019 at 4:16 PM, BritTim said:

Based on your history of tourist entries to date, I think you can safely enter with a visa in Bangkok. If you decide to stay much longer in Thailand, you would be wise for later visa applications to arrange them in a way that facilitates land entry into Thailand.

If I may piggyback on this, I think I'm in a somewhat similar case: US pp, 6 VE since 2016, 3 TV old pp, 3 TV in current.

 

I'm considering a SETV at Yangon and taking a bus to enter land border to avoid the risks of entering via air. However, if air seems doable, I would prefer to go to Vietnam. What do you think about the prospects of flying into Bangkok or CM compared to the presumably safer Myawaddy/Maesot crossing?
 

[BritTim]

6 hours ago, Paduppa said:

 

If I may piggyback on this, I think I'm in a somewhat similar case: US pp, 6 VE since 2016, 3 TV old pp, 3 TV in current.

 

I'm considering a SETV at Yangon and taking a bus to enter land border to avoid the risks of entering via air. However, if air seems doable, I would prefer to go to Vietnam. What do you think about the prospects of flying into Bangkok or CM compared to the presumably safer Myawaddy/Maesot crossing?

With your history, I think there would be a risk (probably small) entering by air with a tourist visa in Bangkok. In your position, I would choose the slightly greater hassle of using Yangon, returning by overnight bus to Myawaddy, and entering at Maesot. If your eventual destination is Bangkok, Maesot airport is near the border, and has frequent flights to Bangkok.

[delgarcon]

Hi, it's me again. I intend to take the Lomprayah to Chumphon tomorrow and stay the night in Ranong and do the crossing to Myanmar on Thursday morning. I've read that when you get your passport stamped on arrival you can get the exit stamp at the same time and presumably turn around and get back on the boat to Rangong. Is that the case and if so where do I get my re-entry stamp? Excuse my ignorance but it's a long time since I did this trip and I don't want to get caught out. As I'm looking to get a 90 day extension on my multiple entry o visa, do I need any other docs apart from copies of my passport used pages and maybe a thai bank statement? Thanks

[oMega69]

What is the latest on Ban Laem Cambodia to Thai land boarder . . still a Yes/Yes . .

passport + photos + 20k THB . . . have a friend moving from KH to TH want to entry this boader. . no worries ?

[elviajero]

5 minutes ago, oMega69 said:

What is the latest on Ban Laem Cambodia to Thai land boarder . . still a Yes/Yes . .

passport + photos + 20k THB . . . have a friend moving from KH to TH want to entry this boader. . no worries ?

As long as they have a visa or qualify for visa exemption it’s “no worries“.

[Prissana Pescud]

5 minutes ago, oMega69 said:

What is the latest on Ban Laem Cambodia to Thai land boarder . . still a Yes/Yes . .

passport + photos + 20k THB . . . have a friend moving from KH to TH want to entry this boader. . no worries ?

Same post but I want to go from Thailand to Ban Laem. I am prepared to stay the night. Non O multi entry on marriage visa.

Cheers.

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, Prissana Pescud said:

Same post but I want to go from Thailand to Ban Laem. I am prepared to stay the night. Non O multi entry on marriage visa.

Cheers.

You can stay the night if you wish, but it is unnecessary as long as you are willing (if necessary, sometimes avoidable) to pay Cambodian immigration for the same day return.

[Prissana Pescud]

1 minute ago, BritTim said:

You can stay the night if you wish, but it is unnecessary as long as you are willing (if necessary, sometimes avoidable) to pay Cambodian immigration for the same day return.

Thank you. I was going to Pakse in Laos, but the thought of another 11 hours in the coach as opposed to 3 hours on a train won me over. Do I need a visa from Cambodia embassy in Bangkok or can you get one at the border, as you can in Laos? I did one run to Vientiane in January and it was easy, all that worry for nothing.

Thank you and cheers mate.

[BritTim]

4 hours ago, Prissana Pescud said:

Thank you. I was going to Pakse in Laos, but the thought of another 11 hours in the coach as opposed to 3 hours on a train won me over. Do I need a visa from Cambodia embassy in Bangkok or can you get one at the border, as you can in Laos? I did one run to Vientiane in January and it was easy, all that worry for nothing.

Thank you and cheers mate.

You get a visa on arrival at the border. Make sure you have clean US dollar bills to pay the $30 cost.  There is no reason to pay extra for the visa provided you have US currency plus a photo.

 

You do not reach Ban Laem by train. You can use a visa run company (minibus) or (cheaper) go by public transport. At the time I did it, I took a comfortable bus to Chanthaburi and a minibus from there to the border. According to some, there are direct minibuses from Pattaya.

 

By Cambodian law, you are supposed to stay the night in Cambodia when entering by land (exception being if you have a multiple entry business visa). The officials may want a special payment for a same day return. If you need to pay it, 200 baht should be sufficient. However, if they ask for 300 baht, it may just be easiest to pay up.

 

Obligatory warning: do not make the mistake of thinking Poipet/Aranyaprathet is an easier journey. That is the only land crossing from Thailand that should be avoided like the plague.

[Denim]

On 3/5/2019 at 11:36 PM, Prissana Pescud said:

Same post but I want to go from Thailand to Ban Laem. I am prepared to stay the night. Non O multi entry on marriage visa.

Cheers.

If you are going from Bangkok then another option is the Mae Sot crossing into Burma.

You can take a large coach direct from Bangkok ( approx 7 hours ) to Mae Sot. Overnight there ( big town on the border so plenty of hotels and malls ,) then next day after breakfast, cross into Burma, pay 500 baht for in out stamps then cross back into Thailand and get a coach back to Bangkok.

My favorite crossing as the whole thing only takes half an hour and no back handers expected.

[Scott3000]

On 3/5/2019 at 10:45 PM, BritTim said:

By Cambodian law, you are supposed to stay the night in Cambodia when entering by land (exception being if you have a multiple entry business visa).

Can you also get a Cambodian business visa at the border?

Edited March 7, 2019 by Scott3000

[BritTim]

13 minutes ago, Scott3000 said:

Can you also get a Cambodian business visa at the border?

You can only get a single entry business visa on arrival at the border. This does not (officially) allow a same day return.

[JackThompson]

36 minutes ago, Scott3000 said:

Can you also get a Cambodian business visa at the border?

Yes - VOA for $5 extra vs a TR-VOA.  The non-TRs were all be called "ordinary" at one point - not sure now - but are extendable in-country forever, unlike if you enter on a TR-VOA.  If planning to stay in Cambodia longer than 60-days, get the non-TR VOA and you are set.

[Prissana Pescud]

Thank you BritTim and Denim for your information and especially for replying. You give the Guru, ubonjoe a well earned break.

Just one more question if I may push your education.

PoiPet is close to where I live (Kabinburi).

Everyone says don't go near there for a visa run.

 I know that there are many casinos in Cambodia near the poipet border crossing and even Thais have told me it can be dangerous.

But any information as to why?

 

 

[BritTim]

8 minutes ago, Prissana Pescud said:

Thank you BritTim and Denim for your information and especially for replying. You give the Guru, ubonjoe a well earned break.

Just one more question if I may push your education.

PoiPet is close to where I live (Kabinburi).

Everyone says don't go near there for a visa run.

 I know that there are many casinos in Cambodia near the poipet border crossing and even Thais have told me it can be dangerous.

But any information as to why?

It is no longer particularly dangerous physically (assuming you are not trying to do business there).

 

Thai immigration when crossing from Poipet into Thailand frequently deny entry for reasons that would never be used anywhere else, and are certainly not according to the Immigration Act. Having denied entry, they will tell you to enter Thailand by air from Siem Reap (a terrible idea which you should ignore, going instead to a different land crossing, probably Ban Laem).

 

The reason for Thai immigration's actions at Poipet/Aran are, to some extent, open to speculation. I am nearly sure it is to set up an environment where they can operate an extortion racket. If you express sufficient distress at not being allowed to enter, you will be approached by someone on the Cambodian side of the border who will inform you that he can arrange legal entry for 20,000 baht. His claim is true, if you can call the paying of bribes "legal". Most of that money goes to Thai officials. The Thai side retains plausible deniability by keeping the number of people buying themselves in low, (but charging a lot per victim) and never being seen to take money directly from those arriving.

[Prissana Pescud]

9 minutes ago, BritTim said:

It is no longer particularly dangerous physically (assuming you are not trying to do business there).

 

Thai immigration when crossing from Poipet into Thailand frequently deny entry for reasons that would never be used anywhere else, and are certainly not according to the Immigration Act. Having denied entry, they will tell you to enter Thailand by air from Siem Reap (a terrible idea which you should ignore, going instead to a different land crossing, probably Ban Laem).

 

The reason for Thai immigration's actions at Poipet/Aran are, to some extent, open to speculation. I am nearly sure it is to set up an environment where they can operate an extortion racket. If you express sufficient distress at not being allowed to enter, you will be approached by someone on the Cambodian side of the border who will inform you that he can arrange legal entry for 20,000 baht. His claim is true, if you can call the paying of bribes "legal". Most of that money goes to Thai officials. The Thai side retains plausible deniability by keeping the number of people buying themselves in low, (but charging a lot per victim) and never being seen to take money directly from those arriving.

That resolves the issue for me. Thank you. It is Ban Laem for me. Cheers mate.