90 days border hop

[thesnails911]

Hello everybody,

Am on non immigrant O visa (multiple)

Any recent reports (2016) about doing the border hop, getting the next 90 days?

Any recent adventures to poipet by train, or bus? Is there any "vip" bus available?

Thanks for all replies!

Chokdee

[johnatong]

If you have a valid visa all that is required is that you cross the border, enter another country and return.

This can be achieved either by land or air.

If you want further detail about travel arrangements it might be an idea to say where you are ..........................

[thesnails911]

Thanks johnatong!

Yes please: Location Muang Thong Thani!

[johnatong]

Thanks johnatong!

Yes please: Location Muang Thong Thani!

Try contacting these people.

http://www.thaivisaservice.com/

[KhunBENQ]

A same day return flight to Kuala Lumpur from Don Mueang ("around the corner from you") can be done for less than 3000 Baht with AirAsia.

So much less hassle and sweating than minibus, Poi Pet etc.

No visa (fee) for Malaysia (for most nationals).

Just saying.

Edited April 5, 2016 by KhunBENQ

[BritTim]

I also think a return flight to Kuala Lumphur is easier. Because no visa is needed for Malaysia, the airfare is your total cost.

The train to Aranyapratet, while extremely cheap, is slow, hot and dusty. If you really want to do a land border run, best IMHO is

• Casino bus to the border at Poi Pet for 200 baht. I am not sure where the best place is for you to get a casino bus, or the time it leaves from that area. I live elsewhere in Bangkok and would take the frequent (between about 4:30 am and 10:00 am) casino buses from Central Bang Na.
• Pay $30 for a visa on arrival in the official visa office on the Cambodia side. Make sure you have a photo and US dollars to get that price. Many prefer to pay scammers, or pay whatever the official office initially asks for (basically what they think you might be stupid enough to pay).
• Optionally, if asked, pay a "turnaround fee", "health certificate fee" or whatever the Cambodia immigration official might dream up (typically 100 baht, but could be more if you look stupid enough).
• Casino bus back (another 200 baht).

Under ideal circumstances, this is only about 1,500 baht total. However, if you are inexperienced or insecure I expect it would cost you more.

Seriously, book flights in advance and avoid the discomfort and hassle of going overland.

[Jackie66]

I just did a "border hop" yesterday on the Aranyapratet/Poipet border. I have a multi entry non o visa based on marriage.

I had the option to fly out and back, do a land border hop or extend for 60 days.

Late at night decided for Poipet. Thought a night drive might actually be enjoyable and it was.

I was looking for the border opening times online and found different reports from 6-8am but I was there at 6am and it was already open.

There was short line at Thai departure (10 min total) then walked over to get the Cambodian visa and I was the first one there so got my Visa in 5 min or less. Paid 1200THB.

Then walked over to the Poipet Arrival, filled in the card and had 4 people ahead of me in line. Another 5 min. Immigration officer asked me where I was going I said right back and he offered to stamp me right back so I don't have to walk to departures but declined.

After this walked out and had to go around some construction site to get to the Departures and there had to wait another 10-15 min and then again the same way back and you exit at the same place you entered just on the other side of the road.

Then walked back to the Thai side and of course there was a long line as always. This was always the longest wait in the 4-5 times I did this last 4 years. So after about 45min or so it was my turn. Immigration officer looked at my passport for 2-3 min, didn't ask any questions and stamped me in and I got another 90 days.

Back at the parking and in the car by 8am. So just under 2 hours for everything and I was back in my place in Bkk at 11:30am.

There was no traffic at all on the way there since it was the middle of the night. On the way back light traffic until Bkk where according to GPS i lost about 20 min in traffic.

Overall not a bad experience and mostly because i went alone and didn't have to wait another 2 hours in car for wife to do her shopping at the border market

If anyone cares total cost was about 2000THB. 1200 for the Cambodian visa and less then 1000 for the petrol.

Much cheaper than flying out as i usually fly business class and about same as extending for 60 days at Bkk immigration but got extra 30 days.

Edited April 8, 2016 by Jackie66

[Stacey360]

I have a multiple non-b
Done a border hop at pedang besa last saturday.
No troubles, no questions just handed my work permit and passport it was done.

Worst part was the queues into Thailand.

I find that it is best to avoid any border with a reputation, Sadou for example is closer and easier to get to but I avoid it at all costs - extra hour drive longer queues etc. If possible I would just fly into Malaysia free entry stamp much easier immigration points.

Edited April 8, 2016 by Stacey360

[thesnails911]

Hi,

Thanks to everone for your detailed reports of your own adventure in and out of thailand;)

I finally decided not to go to Poipet, instead I bought the ticket to KL. cost me 4,200 bath (booking 2 days in advance) if you'd book 1week in advance prices get around 2,500 bath. (BUT not during the Holiday Songkran)

get on the plane at 8:30 (Don Muaeng)

arrive in KL at 10:30 (11:30 KL-TIME)

get the stamps in and out

eat

5:30pm boarding time

arrival Don Muaeng 6:00pm (BKK-Time)

get the stamp (no question asked)

get another 90 days.

KL - very comfortable option.

[KhunBENQ]

Good to read.

I actually forgot/overlooked the time difference of 1h