Chong Chom / O'Smach Border crossing.

[nelson bunker]

Hello TV readers.

I did search the forum about getting a new thai visa at Chong Chom border but had trouble finding "fresh info"...

My tourist thai visa expires tomorrow, i am planning to drive to Chong Chom to do an out and in again and hopefully get a 30 days thai visa.

I have been in TH for 4 months, got 30 days at Suvarnabhumi then went to Sawanaket and got 60 days, then bought a 1900THB 30 days extension in Kap Choen. This extension expires tomorrow.

How much should i pay for the Cambodian visa? Ihave read 1100THB and 1500THB...

Is it cheaper to pay with USD?

Can i re-enter immediately like i used to do a few years ago?

Should i put a 100THB Banknote in my passport when exiting Cambodia like i was advised before?

Will i be given a 30 days Thai visa?

I come from a G7 country.

Many Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

You will not get a visa at any crossing. It will be a 30 day visa exempt entry.

You can cross then turnaround and come right back.

You could try using $30 to pay for the visa. I think in baht it is 1200 at some crossing but it seems to vary. You will also be charged 300 baht for not staying overnight.

I don't know about putting 100 baht in your passport.

[nelson bunker]

Hello ubonjoe. Thank you for the reply and the precision on the 30 days visa exempt entry.

Has anybody done this crossing recently and knows the exact price of the Cambodian visa?

[apetley]

I paid 1100 bht for the Cambo visa. Across the road where the passport was stamped they asked for 300bht. I said 'last time it was only 100bht' and smiled and handed him a 100bht note which he accepted.

[nelson bunker]

Thank you apetley. Very good information.

[dutchdog3000]

I paid 1100 bht for the Cambo visa. Across the road where the passport was stamped they asked for 300bht. I said 'last time it was only 100bht' and smiled and handed him a 100bht note which he accepted.

just came back from chong chom Friday 10th june 2016, 1500baht visa and 300baht return same day fee, I questioned both and they said no pay no visa. this is my 4 time at said border and I also talked to a couple of farangs who just went thru, same fees.... they even told me that they do not take US$ but I did not believe this until I try for myself in 3 months time.

[nelson bunker]

Thank you for your feedback.

I was reading on this forum that the Thai authorities are making it harder on people like me not having a proper visa and doing visa runs to get a new exemption...

 

Has anyone been to Chong chom recently?

Are we still getting 30 days exemption?

 

I am a 43 years old Frenchman.

[Jip99]

A cynic might say that you are abusing the system.

 

You expect to live in Thailand for at least 5 months on the back of one tourist visa ?

 

 

[JackThompson]

15 minutes ago, nelson bunker said:

Thank you for your feedback.

I was reading on this forum that the Thai authorities are making it harder on people like me not having a proper visa and doing visa runs to get a new exemption...

 

Has anyone been to Chong chom recently?

Are we still getting 30 days exemption?

 

I am a 43 years old Frenchman.

 

How you are treated on attempting a Visa Exempt depends on how many visa-exempts you have, and how long you have been staying in Thailand mostly continuously.  If attempting to stay here most of the time, I would suggest not attempting to use Visa Exempts.

 

If you can make the run to Phnom Penh, you can get a 60-day Tourist Visa there, extend it for 30 more days, and repeat this twice more.  Then 3 to 5 in Laos (more if you split between Savanakhet and Vientiane), then possibly 2 to 3 in Penang (mixed reports on their attitude if you have been in Thailand long-term - you might want to start there).  There are also options for at least one or more each from HCMC, Hong Kong, and Myanmar - though we have less info on their cooperativeness for longer-term Thai visitors and repeat business using the same passport.

[nelson bunker]

Thank you Jack for the precious info...

I have been coming to TH every European winter for the past 5 years, usually staying around 4 to 5 months.

Always on the 30 days exemption from Suwandapum then Savanakhet for 60 days then Kap Choen for extension then Chong chom...

This time i arrived in BKK from Paris in August and my 30 days exemption dies the 27th of September.

 

The thing is that with the girlfriend we are expecting a baby for the first of October and i don't want to drive all the way to Savanakhet. I thought it would be easier to do the Cambo run first...

This is why i was seeking new info about Chong chom...

 

No back to back visas on the passport.

 

 

 

 

 

[ubonjoe]

11 hours ago, nelson bunker said:

Thank you Jack for the precious info...

I have been coming to TH every European winter for the past 5 years, usually staying around 4 to 5 months.

Always on the 30 days exemption from Suwandapum then Savanakhet for 60 days then Kap Choen for extension then Chong chom...

This time i arrived in BKK from Paris in August and my 30 days exemption dies the 27th of September.

 

The thing is that with the girlfriend we are expecting a baby for the first of October and i don't want to drive all the way to Savanakhet. I thought it would be easier to do the Cambo run first...

This is why i was seeking new info about Chong chom...

 

No back to back visas on the passport.

No need to do a border hop for a new entry. You can apply for a 30 day extension of your visa exempt entry at immigration for a fee of 1900 baht.

Then with your history of entries you should not have a problem to do a border hop for a new 30 day visa exempt entry.

[nelson bunker]

Thanks a lot Joe. That is clearly the simplest option.

I wasn't aware i could extend the Suwandapum 30 days exemption.

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, nelson bunker said:

I wasn't aware i could extend the Suwandapum 30 days exemption.

That is been allowed since the new police order went into effect in August of 2014.

[Jip99]

17 hours ago, nelson bunker said:

Thank you Jack for the precious info...

I have been coming to TH every European winter for the past 5 years, usually staying around 4 to 5 months.

Always on the 30 days exemption from Suwandapum then Savanakhet for 60 days then Kap Choen for extension then Chong chom...

This time i arrived in BKK from Paris in August and my 30 days exemption dies the 27th of September.

 

The thing is that with the girlfriend we are expecting a baby for the first of October and i don't want to drive all the way to Savanakhet. I thought it would be easier to do the Cambo run first...

This is why i was seeking new info about Chong chom...

 

No back to back visas on the passport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My apologies Nelson, I hadn't realised that you obtained a 60 day TV from Savanakhet.

 

 

Wouldn't it just be easier to get married (particularly in view of the impending birth) and then get a marriage extension here (or a 12m Non-Imm 'O' from Savanakhet).

[nelson bunker]

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies.

 

A quick feedback :

 

Went to Kap Choen, filled forms, gave a passport sized picture, paid 1900 THB and got my 30 days exemption from Sawanapum extended to another 30 days...