Border Run Alternatives

[llhm2711]

Hi

Does anybody know what dates that phnom penh thai consulate will be open between dec 26 and jan 2?

Also if i used an agent in Phnom penh to apply a single entry tourist visa , will I need an onward flight ticket out of thailand?

[aoneseller]

Just would like to ask your opinion. I made a border run to poipet yesterday by myself driving. When I arrived at the border I used agent service. They took care of everything, I didn't have to deal with any Cambodian official. It took 40 minutes to get done. It costed 1500 baht (Cambodian visa) + 800 baht (same day return) and 37 liter of diesel. If there is anybody who done similar stuff by immigration and how much money and time costed? Or used evisa (I saw on the website is 37 USD).

[ubonjoe]

Hi

Does anybody know what dates that phnom penh thai consulate will be open between dec 26 and jan 2?

Also if i used an agent in Phnom penh to apply a single entry tourist visa , will I need an onward flight ticket out of thailand?

They certainly will be closed on the 31st and the 1st of January and then reopen on the 4th for Thai holidays. No Cambodia holidays during that period according to this site: http://www.acledabank.com.kh/kh/eng/md_publicholiday_2015

[JackThompson]

Just would like to ask your opinion. I made a border run to poipet yesterday by myself driving. When I arrived at the border I used agent service. They took care of everything, I didn't have to deal with any Cambodian official. It took 40 minutes to get done. It costed 1500 baht (Cambodian visa) + 800 baht (same day return) and 37 liter of diesel. If there is anybody who done similar stuff by immigration and how much money and time costed? Or used evisa (I saw on the website is 37 USD).

Cambodian Tourist Visa - if applied for in person: 1080 Baht (US $30 * 36 Baht/dollar) + 100 'fee' (at Poipet) = ~1180 Baht. Granted, you need to pay in dollars, not Baht, to get that rate. The 'fee' can be in Baht, and some report refusing to pay it and getting their visa. I have had luck buying dollars at the banks on the Thai side of the border before crossing.

I am not sure what you paid the 800 Baht for. The only other expense I pay is for a moto for the ride through the casino zone to the actual 'border check-point' - that should be 50 baht each way, max.

Yes, you could get an eVisa first, which would save time at the border and passport-page space. Someone here reported the cost runs about $10 extra, inclusive of the fees they add.

[WildTime]

I'm sorry to ask before doing more research myself but I've been procrastinating and now I'm running out of time. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

I need to leave on 26th and come back on 27th or later to activate second entry TR visa. Going from Bangkok and back.

I would prefer to go by train to any land crossing and stay one night in a hotel. Second preference would be to go by bus. What would be my best options for this?

I'm also considering whether to fly to Vietnam and back (no visa needed). I'd prefer not to fly though unless the alternative is two 12 hour bus trips.

Like I said, I should do my own damn research but I've messed it up and here I am. Thanks for your time.

[elviajero]

I'm sorry to ask before doing more research myself but I've been procrastinating and now I'm running out of time. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

I need to leave on 26th and come back on 27th or later to activate second entry TR visa. Going from Bangkok and back.

I would prefer to go by train to any land crossing and stay one night in a hotel. Second preference would be to go by bus. What would be my best options for this?

I'm also considering whether to fly to Vietnam and back (no visa needed). I'd prefer not to fly though unless the alternative is two 12 hour bus trips.

Like I said, I should do my own damn research but I've messed it up and here I am. Thanks for your time.

• You can get a train to Nong Khai. You'll need to book soon if you want a bed on the night train.
• Cant help with buses but there are services to all the major border towns. Long trip by bus.
• You could book with a visa run company who will organise everything for you and take you to the border and back the same day by mini van.

[WildTime]

I'm sorry to ask before doing more research myself but I've been procrastinating and now I'm running out of time. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

I need to leave on 26th and come back on 27th or later to activate second entry TR visa. Going from Bangkok and back.

I would prefer to go by train to any land crossing and stay one night in a hotel. Second preference would be to go by bus. What would be my best options for this?

I'm also considering whether to fly to Vietnam and back (no visa needed). I'd prefer not to fly though unless the alternative is two 12 hour bus trips.

Like I said, I should do my own damn research but I've messed it up and here I am. Thanks for your time.

• You can get a train to Nong Khai. You'll need to book soon if you want a bed on the night train.
• Cant help with buses but there are services to all the major border towns. Long trip by bus.
• You could book with a visa run company who will organise everything for you and take you to the border and back the same day by mini van.

Thank you very much.

After considering the options I decided to book the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, it was only 4000 baht both ways. I would have preferred to go to Aranyaprathet by train but since that crossing seems to be problematic I think this was the best option for me. Laos is just so far away and not necessary since I don't need to apply for a new visa. Also I'm a little bit excited about getting to see Vietnam, should be fun.

[Greasewheel]

Sorry for not looking through this thread but my connection is too slow to sift through. Quick question. I need to activate the second entry of my double entry tourist visa. Can I still do the over and back in Mae Sot? Thanks

[ubonjoe]

Sorry for not looking through this thread but my connection is too slow to sift through. Quick question. I need to activate the second entry of my double entry tourist visa. Can I still do the over and back in Mae Sot? Thanks

Yes you can.

[Greasewheel]

Thanks UJ

[Linden]

Can anobody answwer a question

Hat Lek border attempting to take my car into Cambodia & I know depending on the mood of the border . it may be possible although not 100% legal I could face tea money on route...

If its a failure has anybody seen a car park inside no mans land where I can leave my car & travel to PP. Poipet has casino and paid car parks I have used in the past when needed, are there similar at Hat Lek. Or even the other southern border crossing Phsar Prum.

[Usi]

I need to activate 2nd leg of my double entry. Is that still possible in poipet ?

Im driving myself from Jomtien, so from what i can see, that should be the most easy option.

Thanks in advance

[ubonjoe]

I need to activate 2nd leg of my double entry. Is that still possible in poipet ?

Im driving myself from Jomtien, so from what i can see, that should be the most easy option.

Thanks in advance

Yes you can do it at Poi Pet.

The Ban Pakard and Ban Laem crossings are closer to Pattaya and are less busy than Poi Pet.

[Usi]

I need to activate 2nd leg of my double entry. Is that still possible in poipet ?

Im driving myself from Jomtien, so from what i can see, that should be the most easy option.

Thanks in advance

Yes you can do it at Poi Pet.

The Ban Pakard and Ban Laem crossings are closer to Pattaya and are less busy than Poi Pet.

Thank you Ubonjoe, i will try the Ban Laem crossing

[WarProfiteer]

Question... does anyone happen to know how many is "too many" 30 day entry stamps?

I am thinking of flying in and out (stay overnight) to KL in the coming days. I have 7 different 30 day stamps that are mostly flight arrivals (1 from land) and one 60 day tourist visa in my current passport. I generally work in the middle east, but due to the higher income I also take long periods of time off and just relax here in SE Asia.

Alternative plan is to hit PNH, where I have been several times. I have had 3 prior tourist visas from there in an old passport that was washed and hence, replaced with the newest one. I like PNH and when you use the visa services there, little or no questions are ever asked. No forms, no waiting in line, just "come back in 3 days".

So are the odds good that I'll be ok just doing an in-&-out to KL or should I play it safe and just do the actual tourist visa in Phnom Penh?

[ubonjoe]

Question... does anyone happen to know how many is "too many" 30 day entry stamps?

I am thinking of flying in and out (stay overnight) to KL in the coming days. I have 7 different 30 day stamps that are mostly flight arrivals (1 from land) and one 60 day tourist visa in my current passport. I generally work in the middle east, but due to the higher income I also take long periods of time off and just relax here in SE Asia.

Alternative plan is to hit PNH, where I have been several times. I have had 3 prior tourist visas from there in an old passport that was washed and hence, replaced with the newest one. I like PNH and when you use the visa services there, little or no questions are ever asked. No forms, no waiting in line, just "come back in 3 days".

So are the odds good that I'll be ok just doing an in-&-out to KL or should I play it safe and just do the actual tourist visa in Phnom Penh?

You could get a 30 day extension of your visa exempt entry if you have not done one already.

There is no written limit on visa exempt entries but the immigration officer gets an a alert at 6 entries. He should then check your history of entries and may refer you to another officer for questioning.

You should have no problem doing a out and back in entry. Staying over night does look better.

[rub]

Hi,

I'm currently based in Krabi and on a Non-Immigrant O visa based on marriage (multi entry). I need to do a border run by the 8th. Is the best option to go to Had Yai and then Pedang Besar?

Also has anyone done this in one day on public transport, or is it better to take a couple of days?

Thanks in advance.

[jjholliday]

Hi gang,

I have conflicting reports from expats here in Chiang Mai about new rules. I am a G7 Canadian. I entered Thailand via flight from Saigon with a 2 month single entry visa I purchased in Saigon. I extended it for a further 30 days. I have to leave by Feb 02. I want to head down to the Islands and cross over to Malaysia for a bit and then come back to Thailand to finish up my dental work. Can I do this? Will I get a 30 day stamp on arrival at the land border with Malaysia on re entry? Can I extend this for another 30 days after my 30 days is up?

I have no other Thai stamps, visas or extensions in my passport.

Cheers for any answers.

Edited January 6, 2016 by jjholliday

[ubonjoe]

Hi gang,

I have conflicting reports from expats here in Chiang Mai about new rules. I am a G7 Canadian. I entered Thailand via flight from Saigon with a 2 month single entry visa I purchased in Saigon. I extended it for a further 30 days. I have to leave by Feb 02. I want to head down to the Islands and cross over to Malaysia for a bit and then come back to Thailand to finish up my dental work. Can I do this? Will I get a 30 day stamp on arrival at the land border with Malaysia on re entry? Can I extend this for another 30 days after my 30 days is up?

I have no other Thai stamps, visas or extensions in my passport.

Cheers for any answers.

You would get a 30 day visa exempt entry that can be extended for 30 days at an immigration office.

[thai tiger]

hi,

I am staying in phuket and was considering doing a minibus border run but i am going off that idea,i have a double entry tourist visa from the uk and i do not need to extend now for the extra 30 days,(1900 bht at patong).All i need is 60 days so can i just fly in an out of singapore without staying the night ?? can get a return flight with tiger air for 4000 bht,which seems reasonable to me.

If this is possible any recommendations for things to do at airport to kill the time,its roughly a five hour turnaround.

thanks in advance

or has anyone heard of getting an extention at phuket town immigration ? can extend to feb 14th at patong then need to go by march 11th

[sunnyjim5]

hi,

I am staying in phuket and was considering doing a minibus border run but i am going off that idea,i have a double entry tourist visa from the uk and i do not need to extend now for the extra 30 days,(1900 bht at patong).All i need is 60 days so can i just fly in an out of singapore without staying the night ?? can get a return flight with tiger air for 4000 bht,which seems reasonable to me.

If this is possible any recommendations for things to do at airport to kill the time,its roughly a five hour turnaround.

thanks in advance

or has anyone heard of getting an extention at Phuket town immigration ? can extend to feb 14th at Patong then need to go by march 11th

You can get a 30 day extension either at the immigration office, Phuket Town or Patong.

You can fly out and return if you wish and receive another 60 days if your visa is valid. No need to stay overnight.

[BinoMan]

Thanks to all here for their graciousness!

Been googling for the Viantiene to Nongkhai(rail) to Khon Kaen bus to rail route. All the information seems to be the reverse trip. We are traveling from Vientiane to Khon Kaen, any ideas about schedule and prices? I know that Nongkhai is about 20km from VT and the shuttles are in sync with departures for Bangkok, but no information about morning departures. If prefer rail to Khon Kaen than a 5 hour bus ride and other hassles with the bus at the border. But I don't want to get to Khon Kaen late either. Would prefer to arrive early in the afternoon, bring lunch with me on the train.

I'm guessing the visa on arrival on the Thailand side is also the same as if we were to take the bus, correct?

Thanks for everyone's help in advance!

[ubonjoe]

Thanks to all here for their graciousness!

Been googling for the Viantiene to Nongkhai(rail) to Khon Kaen bus to rail route. All the information seems to be the reverse trip. We are traveling from Vientiane to Khon Kaen, any ideas about schedule and prices? I know that Nongkhai is about 20km from VT and the shuttles are in sync with departures for Bangkok, but no information about morning departures. If prefer rail to Khon Kaen than a 5 hour bus ride and other hassles with the bus at the border. But I don't want to get to Khon Kaen late either. Would prefer to arrive early in the afternoon, bring lunch with me on the train.

I'm guessing the visa on arrival on the Thailand side is also the same as if we were to take the bus, correct?

Thanks for everyone's help in advance!

From: http://www.railway.co.th/checktime/checktime.asp?lenguage=Eng

Fare appears to be 35 baht. for train 418 and for 76 it is 185 or 290 baht.

[marquis22]

Hi Udonjoe

Could you please clarify my situation

I obtained a 2 x 2 months visa on 22.10.15

I entered Thailand on 28.11.15 I live in Lampang

I fly back to Australia 14.02.16

My first 2 months end about 26.01.16

The enter by date on my visa is 21.04.16

Is that enter date just for the first entry to Thailand or also the date I must enter for the second x 2 months?

I want to return to Thailand end of May 2016

Can I get a 30 day extension on my first visa at Changmai Immigration to stay till 14.2.16 and use the second entry at end of May

or do I have to invoke my second visa at Mae Sai?

[ubonjoe]

Hi Udonjoe

Could you please clarify my situation

I obtained a 2 x 2 months visa on 22.10.15

I entered Thailand on 28.11.15 I live in Lampang

I fly back to Australia 14.02.16

My first 2 months end about 26.01.16

The enter by date on my visa is 21.04.16

Is that enter date just for the first entry to Thailand or also the date I must enter for the second x 2 months?

I want to return to Thailand end of May 2016

Can I get a 30 day extension on my first visa at Changmai Immigration to stay till 14.2.16 and use the second entry at end of May

or do I have to invoke my second visa at Mae Sai?

You must use the 2nd on or before the enter before date. That is the date the visa expires.

You could use the 2nd entry before leaving for your trip and get a re-entry permit for the 60 day entry but it appears the 60 days would be almost over before you return.

You might want to look into get getting the new multiple entry tourist visa while in Australia. It allows unlimited 60 day entries for 6 months and can give almost 9 months of total stay by doing entry just before the visa expires.

[steve187]

all entries have to be made before 21.04.16.

you can get a 30 day extension at any local immigration office

You wasted a month by getting the visa too early. you will need to get a new visa either single entry (setv) or the new multi entry (metv), double entries are no longer issued.

get the new visa as close to date of travel as you can

[kurtgruen]

I've got a Type O, 1 year multiple entry visa, which I normally renew in Mayamar, every 90 days. Is the Maesai border open for visa stamps these days? I heard then closed it?

[ubonjoe]

I've got a Type O, 1 year multiple entry visa, which I normally renew in Mayamar, every 90 days. Is the Maesai border open for visa stamps these days? I heard then closed it?

No problem at Mae Sai to do a crossing if you have a valid visa for re-entry.

[kurtgruen]

I've got a Type O, 1 year multiple entry visa, which I normally renew in Mayamar, every 90 days. Is the Maesai border open for visa stamps these days? I heard then closed it?

No problem at Mae Sai to do a crossing if you have a valid visa for re-entry.

Great, thank you

[marquis22]

all entries have to be made before 21.04.16.

you can get a 30 day extension at any local immigration office

You wasted a month by getting the visa too early. you will need to get a new visa either single entry (setv) or the new multi entry (metv), double entries are no longer issued.

get the new visa as close to date of travel as you can

Thanks Steve and Ubon Yes I had to postpone orginal plane flight a few days after getting visa, wasted a month.

I do not know the new visa conditions yet but will go see Melbourne Consulate in May.

I will now go to Mae Sai next week and use up my second visa as the return date is out of the limits that you mentioned.