Ranong Visa Run for Tourist Visa Holder 2017

[donCamillo]

Hi everybody, in December 2016 some things changed with the regulations about VISA runs in Thailand. The Thai immigration office itself writes that visa runs are not possible any more. We were planning to do the Ranong Visa Run following the explanations of this community member in 2013 Visa Run Ranong. We are in Hua Hin at the moment heading in direction south towards Malaysia. Does anybody know if this is possible? If not... do you have any advices?

We could go to the immigration Office and pay the 1900 Baht but we would prefer the visa run as we are passing by in the correct time anyhow... Nationality Germany, February 2017.

Thx and Regards

[ubonjoe]

The change last month was that only 2 visa exempt entries are allowed at a land border crossing per calendar and everybody gets a 30 day entry.

You can do a crossing at Ranong for a new visa exempt entry it you want to.

[4evermaat]

Out/In border run possible as packaged tour from Fame or Farang Bar in Chumphon, each within walking distance from Chumphon Train Station.  Either 1100 or 1400 baht per person, depending on whether you go to Saphan Pla or Andaman Club (nicer option).  

 

You can DIY if you want to do more sightseeing, but at Saphan Pla, you will have to negotiate the boat both ways and have crispy USD $10 (new looking; no creases, marks, or tears).  Andaman club is 950 baht, all inclusive.  Also for DIY, minibus only takes you to Ranong Bus station.  You still have to either take a songthaew, or negotiate a motorbike taxi/tuk-tuk, to take you to either pier.

 

Or depending on fast you need to get to Malaysia, you can head right for Padang Besar, Malaysia via train without the need to do the run;  2nd class sleeper (air conditioned).

Edited January 29, 2017 by 4evermaat

[donCamillo]

Thanks for the advices, we will make the visa run via Saphan Pla in this case! If I get to know anything new I'll post it here. Bye for the moment

[B1ade]

13 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The change last month was that only 2 visa exempt entries are allowed at a land border crossing per calendar and everybody gets a 30 day entry.

You can do a crossing at Ranong for a new visa exempt entry it you want to.

Do you know if anyone has tried this this month? I used to use the andaman club at ranong for tourist visas (2+ years ago). I have an ED visa expiring on 3rd Feb which I have been on for 1 year and need to get a visa exempt while I am sorting paperwork for a non-O next month due to me becoming a father here (not born yet, he is late! hence the need for a visa exempt as ive run out of time). I was going to fly out and in same day, but if ranong is an option I can drive.

[Jeddah Jo]

Do you know if anyone has tried this this month? I used to use the andaman club at ranong for tourist visas (2+ years ago). I have an ED visa expiring on 3rd Feb which I have been on for 1 year and need to get a visa exempt while I am sorting paperwork for a non-O next month due to me becoming a father here (not born yet, he is late! hence the need for a visa exempt as ive run out of time). I was going to fly out and in same day, but if ranong is an option I can drive.

Went there about a week ago. They let me do it after hassling me a bit. I don't know how to put it politely but they are somewhat a law unto themselves down there. You can read into that what you wish...

[4evermaat]

Went there about a week ago. They let me do it after hassling me a bit. I don't know how to put it politely but they are somewhat a law unto themselves down there. You can read into that what you wish...

Can you give us a bit more please? Did you have a ME visa or were you doing visa exempt? If so, how many VEs did you attempt?

I knew someone whose extension needed to be cancelled as he quit his job. He was able to do an out/in at andaman after a little explanation. Then he decided to do VE a second time and they gave him a hard time initially, thinking he was working illegally or should have gone to Laos

At least the ATMs are on the thai side [emoji32]

But at least 1 VE should be ok.

[2peteok]

I heard there is now an office with a very helpful lady for visa extensions etc in Chumpon right at the bus depot?  anyone with  info on that for a 30 days tourist extension?  

[Jeddah Jo]

Can you give us a bit more please? Did you have a ME visa or were you doing visa exempt? If so, how many VEs did you attempt?
I knew someone whose extension needed to be cancelled as he quit his job. He was able to do an out/in at andaman after a little explanation. Then he decided to do VE a second time and they gave him a hard time initially, thinking he was working illegally or should have gone to Laos
At least the ATMs are on the thai side [emoji32]
But at least 1 VE should be ok.

Was my first visa exempt entry in 20 odd years. Just turned 50 and driving up to Bangkok from Phuket to convert to non-O. Possible some kind of gratuity will make things go more smoothly there.

[4evermaat]

^^ you are also allowed to swim in pool and eat in the buffet after 11:00... The free buffet is in the upstairs casino; but the entrance is inside the main game room in the back.... Take the stairs there and go through the metal detectors to the main cash games.

Indeed it is one of the most pleasant border runs.

When you do the run as a group, if the minibus is running late, they might not have enough time.

[2peteok]

Thank you all for excellent answers and info!! cheers.

[donCamillo]

visa run in February 2017

Hi everyone, our experience from the visa run - it was very uncomplicated - the link I posted at opening the thread describes how to make it. We took a red truck (songthaew) from Ranong Market to Saphan Pla (this is the pier of Ranong) - 15thb each person. Some days before we changed Thai Baht into two 10 USD bills in a bank on the way - much better currency conversion rates.

We told the red truck driver that we're going to Myanmar and he stopped in front of the right pier and indicated us. Out of the truck a young guy came and asked us if we want to make a visa run and said he'll charge 250 thb for it - we agreed and he escorted us to all stations we needed to make the visa run: Photocopies of the passports - if you need money exchange - departure stamp in Thailand - arrival stamp in Myanmar - arrival in Thailand once again - the whole story took 2 hours and was uncomplicated. Highly recommend. It is true that you can only make 2 visa runs per calender year since 12/2016.

You don't need a Myanmar Visa to do the visa run!

Question by the way: I could see the Market in Kawthoung from the place I stamped my passport in Myanmar and could have entered the country easily without a official visa because they don't check it passing the barriers.... I don't have much experience with visas, but what happens if you enter Myanmar without a visa?

Edited February 8, 2017 by donCamillo

[4evermaat]

40 minutes ago, donCamillo said:

visa run in February 2017

Hi everyone, our experience from the visa run - it was very uncomplicated - the link I posted at opening the thread describes how to make it. We took a red truck (songthaew) from Ranong Market to Saphan Pla (this is the pier of Ranong) - 15thb each person. Some days before we changed Thai Baht into two 10 USD bills in a bank on the way - much better currency conversion rates.

.....

To clarify, did you already have the $10 USD bill before you did the border run that day?  If you risk changing it the same day, sometimes the bank might not have it available.  So it was smart to do it ahead of time.

But yes, bank exchange rate is much better than the private hustlers near the border.  But they are better than the Myanmar immigration, which would have charged 500 baht.

 

How far is the Ranong Market from the Ranong Bus Station?

 

40 minutes ago, donCamillo said:

....

We told the red truck driver that we're going to Myanmar and he stopped in front of the right pier and indicated us. Out of the truck a young guy came and asked us if we want to make a visa run and said he'll charge 250 thb for it - we agreed and he escorted us to all stations we needed to make the visa run: Photocopies of the passports - if you need money exchange - departure stamp in Thailand - arrival stamp in Myanmar - arrival in Thailand once again - the whole story took 2 hours and was uncomplicated. Highly recommend. It is true that you can only make 2 visa runs per calender year since 12/2016.

You don't need a Myanmar Visa to do the visa run!....

Was that 250 baht per person?  That included the round trip to myanmar and back to thailand?   Good deal.

 

BTW, that $10 USD bill was in fact for the Myanmar visa :)

 

Also, the 2 land border Visa Exempt entry limit only apply to people that would not have any Thai visa upon entry (usually a multiple entry Thai visa for borders like Saphan Pla that are primarily used as Out-In borders).  Malaysian nationals are exempt, as are people with multiple entry visas.

 

40 minutes ago, donCamillo said:

.....

Question by the way: I could see the Market in Kawthoung from the place I stamped my passport in Myanmar and could have entered the country easily without a official visa because they don't check it passing the barriers.... I don't have much experience with visas, but what happens if you enter Myanmar without a visa?

BTW, that $10 USD bill was in fact for the Myanmar visa :)  But thankfully they have enough sense to not take up a full page.

 

Why didn't you go look around?  Usually immigration ask you if you are leaving that day.  It is possible to stay up to 10 or 14 days.  But for most Western tourists, they are leaving the same day on an Out-In so they just stamp you in and back out at the same time.  

 

They used to tell people to look around also; if you never been there it is worth it to browse the market.   No hassles whatsoever as long as you leave by the date on your passport.

 

Also a good idea to tell the person who gave you a boat ride how long you intend to stay in Kawthaung.

 

----

glad everything worked out for you.

Edited February 8, 2017 by 4evermaat

[thecolonel]

So to be clear and summarise......... i go to Ranong, with my passport, and my taxi driver should be able to find the Andaman Club Ferry as its close to public ferry jetty(?).I stamp out of thailand and take the Andaman Ferry which runs hourly(ish) i guess, and  i pay 950 bht all inclusive (no other fees needed ?)for which they will return me to the start point(at regular hourly ish intervals) and take care of all the visa paperwork at the hotel? i get back to thailand and assume i have to show my new 30 days somewhere and then im free to make my back to Hua Hin? is that a correct summary of what i need to know or have with me? thanks

[4evermaat]

Andaman club is a different port than the Saphan Pla port.  They are about 15 minutes from each other give-take.  Andaman is on google maps, so no excuse for them not to find it.  

 

This report is good summary:

 

 

But basically, allow about 2-3 hours.  Thai Cell phone works on the island and even on the boat in most cases, so you could call the taxi when you are heading to the other side.

 

No other fare is needed beyond the 950 baht (assuming you have a ME visa), or you are using one of the land border VE crossings (you are allowed 2 per year maximum).   The Thai side takes care of all of the paperwork you need, then you stamp out of immigration, then when you get to the other side you hand in your passport to Myanmar immigration; collect a ticket.  Pay, then get shuttled up to resort.

 

You could turn right back around after you pay and collect your passport....but I recommend at least getting the free buffet; you already paid for it.

 

thai nationals only pay 100 baht :) ID card only is needed.

[thecolonel]

So in deciding to choose which ferry... What does the Andaman 950bht include apart from the return ferry ride and the free buffet lunch? Does it include the 10 dollar Myanmar immigration fee thus avoiding the need for "crisp clean 10 dollar bill"? Anything else?

I'm trying to ascertain if you took your own long tail whether you would(should) be back quicker than the Andaman experience??



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[Evilbaz]

You seem to be worried about the taxi cost for waiting time.

Where are you coming from?

Why not hire the taxi for the day?

[thecolonel]

Coming from Hua Hin, have taxi for day not worried re waiting time cost, just wanted to advise him of approx times plus would like to know myself. What would be really handy is to know the Andaman club ferry times but I can't see them on the hotel website or the net apart from an article by Samui times in 2014. If anyone has more updated schedule I'd be keen to see it thanks all

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[4evermaat]

On 2/9/2017 at 7:37 PM, thecolonel said:

So in deciding to choose which ferry... What does the Andaman 950bht include apart from the return ferry ride and the free buffet lunch? Does it include the 10 dollar Myanmar immigration fee thus avoiding the need for "crisp clean 10 dollar bill"? Anything else?

I'm trying to ascertain if you took your own long tail whether you would(should) be back quicker than the Andaman experience??



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19 hours ago, oby said:

the 950 baht includes everything ferry, copy papers, immigration fees

 

 .  Nothing extra is needed to cross over and come back.  Everything is initially handled at the Thai side in an air conditioned office.  They golf cart you to the pier, although you could also walk.  Myanmar side you walk to the immigration desk.  You pay the 950 baht at the Myanmar Andaman side, the final step before being shuttled up the hill to the resort [optionally, at no additional cost].

 

12 hours ago, thecolonel said:

Coming from Hua Hin, have taxi for day not worried re waiting time cost, just wanted to advise him of approx times plus would like to know myself. What would be really handy is to know the Andaman club ferry times but I can't see them on the hotel website or the net apart from an article by Samui times in 2014. If anyone has more updated schedule I'd be keen to see it thanks all

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speedboats run roughly every 40 minutes.   You could cross over and after checking in with Myanmar immigration on Andaman and paying the 950, then turn right back around and catch the next boat back.  It would likely be faster and more comfortable than longtail from Saphan Pla.

 

Don't overthink it; I would allow 2-3 hours starting from when you arrive at Andaman parking.  Andaman was designed mainly to cater to wealthier Thais that like to gamble; very efficient from my experience.

Edited February 11, 2017 by 4evermaat

[thecolonel]

Went yesterday and was as described by many posters thanks.

2 points

1. The 950 bht does NOT include lunch at the at the Grand Andaman Hotel (previously known as the Andaman Club) I tried to tell the hotel that the Internet is full of people who had gone and had inclusive lunch and 5 hotel employees looked at me like an alien from the planet Zog! They couldn't even tell me when this had stopped! So I wasted 40 minutes as I should have just gone straight back across the channel as the only reason I went up to the hotel was for the free tucker!

2. I messed up re my dates... Schoolboy error!

So I had permission to stay Thai until 17 Feb, I assumed if I went Ranong on 14th they would give me 30 days FROM the 18th.... WRONG! I now guess that how it works with extensions(only) but not NEW entries as effectively my original visa had expired and I was making a new fresh entry. So people in my position need to be aware of that and be careful to time their Ranong run accordingly (thats assuming my take on this is now correct?) hopefully in my case on this particular trip it won't cause me a big issue but it needs knowing!

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[ubonjoe]

13 minutes ago, thecolonel said:

So I had permission to stay Thai until 17 Feb, I assumed if I went Ranong on 14th they would give me 30 days FROM the 18th.... WRONG! I now guess that how it works with extensions(only) but not NEW entries as effectively my original visa had expired and I was making a new fresh entry. So people in my position need to be aware of that and be careful to time their Ranong run accordingly (thats assuming my take on this is now correct?) hopefully in my case on this particular trip it won't cause me a big issue but it needs knowing!

As soon as you leave the country your previous entry no longer exists. Which means you are acquiring a new entry when you re-enter the country. That is why you have to get a re-entry permit if you want to keep your current entry valid when you return.

Only extensions of stay start at the end of your current permit to stay.

[B1ade]

On 2/10/2017 at 7:27 PM, thecolonel said:

Coming from Hua Hin, have taxi for day not worried re waiting time cost, just wanted to advise him of approx times plus would like to know myself. What would be really handy is to know the Andaman club ferry times but I can't see them on the hotel website or the net apart from an article by Samui times in 2014. If anyone has more updated schedule I'd be keen to see it thanks all

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I went 2 weeks ago, the times on the board at the entrance were every hour, there and back, on the hour. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 1pm, 2, 3 etc. all day. There used to be a break for lunch but not anymore. Out and in were both on the hour. I got the 11am boat there and 12pm boat back - it was not ferries this time, smaller white boats with roof, very fast, max 10 minutes to get across.

 

That info is not available anywhere online, I tried to find it too.

Edited February 15, 2017 by B1ade

[4evermaat]

12 hours ago, thecolonel said:

........

1. The 950 bht does NOT include lunch at the at the Grand Andaman Hotel (previously known as the Andaman Club) I tried to tell the hotel that the Internet is full of people who had gone and had inclusive lunch and 5 hotel employees looked at me like an alien from the planet Zog! They couldn't even tell me when this had stopped! So I wasted 40 minutes as I should have just gone straight back across the channel as the only reason I went up to the hotel was for the free tucker!

.........

 

Did you go into the main casino room where the cash games are played?  I tried to clarify this in a previous post.

 

The buffet and bar is at the cash games room s right after the metal detector, but before the cashier and tables area; buffet starts at 11:00.   To get there, you must go into the main game room (I think after front desk counter, turn left).  Go towards the very back of this game room and then you will see a stairs with a sign 'for foreigners only'  Go up the stairs (2nd floor) and then through the metal detector; then you are in.   There is only 1 entry in/out.  You have to actively seek out the cash room, they don't seem to advertise it and there is no signage .

 

Don't feel bad.  1) I wouldn't have known to look for it if the Thai side staff didn't mention the free food.  2) Even my friend who I reminded twice didn't really bother to look hard enough.  They ended up eating at one of the restaurants there and said it was good food though.

 

On the flip side though, I find that interesting how much effort people go though to do Andaman club border run and don't take a few minutes to tour the resort.  You paid for it already, so you might as well.   If you went to Saphan Pla, you're lucky if the Departure/Arrival line has 0 people, especially if a visa run group just arrived.  Plus the longtail ride both ways.

 

You can bring swim trunks and go in the swimming pool also, so I'm told.  And there is a gift shop (near the main game room on ground floor); lots of cookies, chocolates, and cigarettes. 

[thecolonel]

Uh no I didn't go into that games room because as I was walking around the hotel lobby asking the staff where do I go, when I went there and flashed my ticket(950 bht) they sent me back to reception, who then should have sent me back to games room but were pretty clueless in truth! So yes, well spotted, that's where I went wrong, despite me walking round insisting "where do I get my free lunch?" not one of 6 or 7 people could answer a simple question, Nb including the Hotel's own guest relations manager(HOW can she not know this, considering how important that whole visa thing is to their hotel?!) Again needs knowing, and I know for next time. Thanks for clarifying for the readers of this.

One other point I'd make is that when I took the shuttle bus up to hotel there was no information given at all by anyone, or any signage, as to when the bus would return, which is daft as that's the number 1 thing you need/want to know. The driver should shout out "Bus come back 2pm" when he drops you at hotel reception but again I had to drag that out of them! My bus went up at 1.30 ish and came back for us about 2.10pm.

Grand Andaman could do better IMHO

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[thecolonel]

Maybe you have a point but I can assure everyone that having a ticket was not the issue. They simply had never heard of lunch being included. My only explanation is that there were sandwiches and coffee in the casino room but they couldn't even tell me that!

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[shunshay]

Is it possible to do this visa run from Hua Hin and come back on the same day ?

[thecolonel]

Yes I left hua Hin city at 0730 and was in a bar on bintabaht at 2050hrs! The journey back was 1 hour slower due road works

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[shunshay]

4 hours ago, thecolonel said:

Yes I left hua Hin city at 0730 and was in a bar on bintabaht at 2050hrs! The journey back was 1 hour slower due road works

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Thank you ! Is it still possible to get 30 days there if you are already on 30 days (no visa) ?  

[ubonjoe]

42 minutes ago, shunshay said:

Thank you ! Is it still possible to get 30 days there if you are already on 30 days (no visa) ?  

Yes it is possible to get another 30 day visa exempt entry. But you can only do 2 of them this year at a land border crossing.

Have you extended your first entry for 30 days yet at an immigration office?

[shunshay]

11 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Yes it is possible to get another 30 day visa exempt entry. But you can only do 2 of them this year at a land border crossing.

Have you extended your first entry for 30 days yet at an immigration office?

Yes I did. 

 

Usually I go to Penang to do my visa,  I take the train from Hua Hin but this time they are fully book for at least 2 weeks ...