Andaman Club Ranong border....recent convert

[4evermaat]

I recently did a border run in Ranong.  But instead of going to the Saphan Pla Pier, I was upgraded to the Grand Andaman Pier in Pak Nam Ranong.   I did not know what i was missing.  From Chumphon it is a little more convenient to get to.  On Hwy 4 south, you get off on the recently built overpass ramp onto Hwy 4010 and go about 8KM following the signs to Grand Andaman Pier.    

 

Immigration seems to be housed into the reception area, which is air conditioned.  You stamp out of immigration and tell the service desk that you want to go to Andaman Hotel for a few hours.   It is 950 baht for western foreigners, but you pay at the Burmese side.   You only hand them your passport and they give you the immigration boarding pass receipt and 2 copies of your passport.  The waiting area had a nice couch and a rest room if needed.  You don't pay anything extra or need USD, just the 950 baht covers the round trip; very professional.

 

 

A shuttle golf cart-like car takes you to the other end of the pier, unless you prefer to walk.  There seems to be a schedule, which is approximately every 40-60 minutes the boat leaves.  It will either be a larger air conditioned boat which fits like 70-80 people, or a smaller open air speedboat that fits 20-25 or so.   15-20 minutes ride to the Andaman Resort island.  

 

 

You walk from the pier to the Myanmar immigration desk, and they collect your passport and mark a number on your immigration pass, which you keep until you leave.  You then pay the entry fee and a shuttle van will take you up the hill to the Andaman Hotel.   Well laid out and they seem to have ample support staff either working on the grounds or walking around.

 

 

From the main entrance, make a left to enter the 'game room'.  The main 'game room' downstairs had mostly electronic slot machines.  The 'cash' action is upstairs, but you would need to walk to the back In the casino upstairs (go to the back of the game room), there is supposed to be a free lunch/dinner buffet that starts at 11:00.  The main tables had baccarat, Dragon and Tiger (Squeeze), a 3rd type of Baccarat, and 3 card poker.  They also had an actual roulette table, but it was inactive.  Instead they have the electronic roulette tables downstairs.  No blackjack tables .  I would say that only about 5% of the tables were in play, but each table seemed to have a crowd around them.

 

There are atm machines on the Thai side (Bangkok Bank and Krung Thai bank), but not at the resort.  While on the island, there didn't seem to be any ATM machines.  But at the casino cashier there were instructions for 4 separate banks taped to the window.  I'm guessing you can make a cash deposit or internet banking transfer into those accounts and then cash out, but I didn't get the full details.  Remember, no cameras are allowed in the gaming area.

 

If I remember correctly, the gift shop is downstairs on the left, just before you enter the main game area (or right if coming out of game area); they had loads of cigarettes cookies, chocolates, and a few handbags duty free.  

 

So you reverse you way back out and go back to the Thai side in the same style.  I even saw an elderly person being shuttled on a wheelchair.  Immigration was as fast on departure as it was entering.   Back on the Thai side, fast processing.  And the Laos nationals in my group were not called in the back room for anything extra....the whole experience was very pleasant.  While the border run tour from Chumphon to Saphan Pla Ranong is 1100 baht (650 if you already have crispy new $10 USD), I think the extra 300 baht is worth it.  And if you want to do it yourself, I definitely recommend the Andaman Pier.  Especially for those who have had some prior negative experiences with immigration, I think this border run will be a breath of fresh air.  

 

The tour from Chumphon is only Tuesdays and Thursdays (but takes you directly to the Andaman pier and back to Chumphon).  If you want to do it yourself, you take the minivan 3 shops down from Farang Bar to Ranong Bus Station for appx 150 baht one way.  Unless you can negotiate something with the driver, you will have to take it to the Ranong Bus Station.  I am not sure if there is a song theaw that goes to the Ranong Port / Andaman Club; I thought I saw a red one.  Otherwise, you need to take a taxi...i hear they are creative with the pricing.  It's only 11 km....shouldn't be more than 100 baht....but I've heard 200-300 one way.  Maybe you can see if others are going and split it.  Some of the guesthouses may offer a free ride to/fro if you stay at their guesthouse.  Since most of the widening of HWY 4 is complete, doing a drive might not be so bad, even on a scooter. 

Edited October 25, 2016 by 4evermaat
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[Jonathan Fairfield]

Useful info, thanks for sharing

[baansgr]

Previously, if you stayed one night they would refund 250 Baht so reducing the cost to 700 which is no more expensive than a normal crossing with $US20. The hotel laid on a fantastic buffet breakfast with the most wonderful streaky bacon. I recollect per double room inclusive was 1,200 Baht. Always used this for a border run when was on visas.

[Deli]

It's the place to go. No hassle with long tail drivers, dry also when raining and smooth.

Never went anywhere else.

 

 

[captnhoy]

Than you for a very thorough report - I'm going to bookmark it just in case I manage a multi-entry for next year as I'm fed up with the "retirement/permission to stay" routine.

[4evermaat]

4 hours ago, Deli said:

It's the place to go. No hassle with long tail drivers, dry also when raining and smooth.

Never went anywhere else.

 

 

 

I always said to myself 'maybe one day I'll try the Andaman tour', but never did.  Especially when they reduced the number of weekly tours after the visa exempt crackdown 2 years ago.  I spoke to a couple of long term expats who have confirmed Andaman is the preferred Ranong border whenever possible.  I think the extra 300 baht was well worth it.  It was like when I first visited Patong....I thought to myself "how the heck did I not know a place like this existed?"

 

I also think for Thai nationals, they only need their ID card.  And it is much cheaper.  200 baht or something like that.  Someone else can confirm.

 

4 hours ago, baansgr said:

Previously, if you stayed one night they would refund 250 Baht so reducing the cost to 700 which is no more expensive than a normal crossing with $US20. The hotel laid on a fantastic buffet breakfast with the most wonderful streaky bacon. I recollect per double room inclusive was 1,200 Baht. Always used this for a border run when was on visas.

 

How long ago was that?  I thought the cheapest room was 2000-3000 baht.  Did you pay directly at Andaman hotel  front desk, or use an agent.   But yes, I guess the ultimate goal is to get you into the game room, gift shop, and/or stay at the hotel to extract more from your wallet.  A lot of wealthy thais seem to find there way to the baccarat tables.

 

3 hours ago, captnhoy said:

Than you for a very thorough report - I'm going to bookmark it just in case I manage a multi-entry for next year as I'm fed up with the "retirement/permission to stay" routine.

 

Chumphon immigration has gone through some changes recently with the new boss.  Previously retirement extensions were done in 10-20 minutes for the normal fee.  Now you must wait until the previous extension expires + 30 day review period.  But somehow for an additional 3k baht, your application can be rushed through.   But I understand other categories are affected also (employment, marriage, etc).   Those of you from Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai, etc this might be old news....but Chumphon was a safe haven from all than nonsense.  At least until about 2-3 months ago.   So it has rubbed a few people here the wrong way.

 

It's not the end of the world, but it was more than just paying the extra fee.  It was nice to see an operation where immigration was involved and it was quite smooth and painless.  

 

BTW, from Grand Andaman island, on the pier there was a separate section for boats to go to Kaw Thaung (where the regular run from Saphan Pla goes).  I do not know how long this takes, how often they run, if this was extra cost, or if you could have gone there anyway, return to the island and then go back to the Andaman Pier on Thai side.

[FeroX]

My friend has literally just done a border run at the andaman club pier only for the 2nd time on a non-o based on marriage and they weren't going to let him leave . They told him he should get a extension. Some tea money changed their minds. I've never heard of this at this pier and I've been going there for over 3 year's.

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[Evilbaz]

20 hours ago, 4evermaat said:

 

I always said to myself 'maybe one day I'll try the Andaman tour', but never did.  Especially when they reduced the number of weekly tours after the visa exempt crackdown 2 years ago.  I spoke to a couple of long term expats who have confirmed Andaman is the preferred Ranong border whenever possible.  I think the extra 300 baht was well worth it.  It was like when I first visited Patong....I thought to myself "how the heck did I not know a place like this existed?"

 

I also think for Thai nationals, they only need their ID card.  And it is much cheaper.  200 baht or something like that.  Someone else can confirm.

 

 

How long ago was that?  I thought the cheapest room was 2000-3000 baht.  Did you pay directly at Andaman hotel  front desk, or use an agent.   But yes, I guess the ultimate goal is to get you into the game room, gift shop, and/or stay at the hotel to extract more from your wallet.  A lot of wealthy thais seem to find there way to the baccarat tables.

 

 

Chumphon immigration has gone through some changes recently with the new boss.  Previously retirement extensions were done in 10-20 minutes for the normal fee.  Now you must wait until the previous extension expires + 30 day review period.  But somehow for an additional 3k baht, your application can be rushed through.   But I understand other categories are affected also (employment, marriage, etc).   Those of you from Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai, etc this might be old news....but Chumphon was a safe haven from all than nonsense.  At least until about 2-3 months ago.   So it has rubbed a few people here the wrong way.

 

It's not the end of the world, but it was more than just paying the extra fee.  It was nice to see an operation where immigration was involved and it was quite smooth and painless.  

 

BTW, from Grand Andaman island, on the pier there was a separate section for boats to go to Kaw Thaung (where the regular run from Saphan Pla goes).  I do not know how long this takes, how often they run, if this was extra cost, or if you could have gone there anyway, return to the island and then go back to the Andaman Pier on Thai side.

 

I've done that run from the Casino pier to Kaw Thaung.

They don't dock - just unload their workers onto a moored boat and they then have to scramble up to the pier - it's not the "official" landing point.

Then back to Thai Immi at the Andaman pier.

[ThaiWai]

On 10/27/2016 at 10:07 AM, FeroX said:

My friend has literally just done a border run at the andaman club pier only for the 2nd time on a non-o based on marriage and they weren't going to let him leave . They told him he should get a extension. Some tea money changed their minds. I've never heard of this at this pier and I've been going there for over 3 year's.

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I have heard crazy crap before and don't doubt you but that does not add up.  Must be more to the story.  I am planning to go with a Non-O also and this is discouraging news.

[FeroX]

I've been since that and so has my friend who originally had to pay some tea money and nothing happened. Go figure

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