Ban Pakard border run minibus from Chanthaburi

[edwardandtubs]

I want to do a border run from Chanthaburi and I hear that there's a minibus that goes from opposite the River Guest House to the border and back again for 150 baht. Does anyone have any information about this, like what the timetable is? I've read a couple of travel blogs but none from people doing a border run and none mention the timetable. Also is it really 150 baht return? That seems a bit too good to be true. I know a lot of people use their own car or even rent one but that's not an option for me.

 

What are the Cambodian immigration officials like there? I read a report from someone who was charged $35 for the visa and then told he couldn't come back the same day unless he paid another 300 baht. Also, am I likely to have any problems on the Thai side because I've been in Thailand for a few years, mostly on a non-B but recently on two tourist visas? Before the non-B I accumulated a few tourist visas and visa exempt stamps in my previous passport.

 

Would Koh Kong be less hassle?

Edited March 22, 2017 by edwardandtubs

[BritTim]

There are both songtaews and minibuses that go from Chanthaburi to Ban Pakard. I have taken both They are reasonably frequent. As I recall, they run until about 5:00 pm. The songtaews leave from the bus station. The minibuses have their own departure point a short motorcycle trip away. I cannot remember the price, but it is not a long trip, and 150 baht return sounds possible.

 

The Cambodian side was OK, the Thai side very friendly. When I went, I was able to get the visa for the official price of US$30. I did not need to pay for same day return. I always suggest, when Cambodian immigration ask, that I expect to stay a night or two. If they do ask for a present to allow same day return, recognize that Cambodian immigration law does require an overnight stay when entering by land unless you have a multiple entry business visa. Maybe, negotiate on the price in a friendly way, and pay it

[edwardandtubs]

Thanks for that very helpful information. The minibuses probably sell cheap return tickets to cater for Thai gamblers spending a few hours in the casino. I might even catch a late songthaew to the border and spend the night on the Cambodian side as I see on google maps that there are a couple of guesthouses just a short walk from there.

[Finlaco]

Its 150 each way and it departs from a market located behind Robinson (coming from River side, walk through Robinson, exiting at the rear, walk through the carpark and on your right, roughly 100m is a 7/11.  Pass the 7/11 (so you are turning right) and 80m there is a bridge which you cross and the market is on your left.

[Enoon]

1 hour ago, edwardandtubs said:

Thanks for that very helpful information. The minibuses probably sell cheap return tickets to cater for Thai gamblers spending a few hours in the casino. I might even catch a late songthaew to the border and spend the night on the Cambodian side as I see on google maps that there are a couple of guesthouses just a short walk from there.

 

When you get to the border you will find a few border-run groups accompanied by visa agents.

 

One of the agents will offer to include you with their group if you approach them. You stay Thaiside while the courier does the paperwork and takes the groups passports, and yours, across the border and sorts it all. 

 

They will be on the lookout and probably approach you anyway.

 

About 1200baht all in as I recall, no need to stay or pay the 300baht sameday in/out.

 

But it might be enjoyable to visit the local shops in Phsa Prum.

 

So enjoyable that "You'll never leave!".

 

 

Edited March 22, 2017 by Enoon

[edwardandtubs]

3 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

When you get to the border you will find a few border-run groups accompanied by visa agents.

 

One of the agents will offer to include you with their group if you approach them. You stay Thaiside while the courier does the paperwork and takes the groups passports, and yours, across the border and sorts it all. 

 

They will be on the lookout and probably approach you anyway.

 

About 1200baht all in as I recall, no need to stay or pay the 300baht sameday in/out.

 

But it might be enjoyable to visit the local shops in Phsa Prum.

 

So enjoyable that "You'll never leave!".

 

 

 

Those border run groups set off at 5 AM so they should have gone by the time I get there, but good to know there's that option.

 

The local shops are for local people, there's nothing for you here! It might be interesting to look around and spend the night in a guest house though.

Edited March 22, 2017 by edwardandtubs

[JackThompson]

A few months back: 

When I arrived In the afternoon, I could find no options from the bus station direct to the border.  When asking the taxi-trucks, the only option was direct with them, or a mini-bus to Ban Laem (leaving from behind Robinsons).  For Ban Packard, I was told I needed to wait until the following morning.  It is, of course, possible that I was directed based on the connections of those I spoke with.  I did not try going to the Riverside Hotel and inquiring in that area.

[BsBs]

20 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

When you get to the border you will find a few border-run groups accompanied by visa agents.

 

One of the agents will offer to include you with their group if you approach them. You stay Thaiside while the courier does the paperwork and takes the groups passports, and yours, across the border and sorts it all. 

 

They will be on the lookout and probably approach you anyway.

 

About 1200baht all in as I recall, no need to stay or pay the 300baht sameday in/out.

 

But it might be enjoyable to visit the local shops in Phsa Prum.

 

So enjoyable that "You'll never leave!".

 

 

 

 

local shops in Phsa Prum ?

 

There is absolutely nothing there.

 

 

[edwardandtubs]

On 22/03/2017 at 3:08 PM, Enoon said:

 

When you get to the border you will find a few border-run groups accompanied by visa agents.

 

One of the agents will offer to include you with their group if you approach them. You stay Thaiside while the courier does the paperwork and takes the groups passports, and yours, across the border and sorts it all. 

 

They will be on the lookout and probably approach you anyway.

 

About 1200baht all in as I recall, no need to stay or pay the 300baht sameday in/out.

 

But it might be enjoyable to visit the local shops in Phsa Prum.

 

So enjoyable that "You'll never leave!".

 

 

 

I think that 1200 baht must be from before the price of a Cambodian visa increased from $20 to $30. Nowadays I hear those agents are charging 1500 baht and if you don't pay it you'll be expected to pay $35 for the visa and 300 baht to come back so it would work out the same anyway, unless the Cambodian immigration officials kindly agree not to charge you the extra.

[edwardandtubs]

I did the Pakkard border run so can give others a bit of a guide. The options to get there from Chanthaburi are minibus or songthaew. The easiest thing to do is to get yourself to the RIver Guesthouse as they have two minibuses there at 10 and 12 for 180 baht. I was too late so headed for Robinsons. The advice to go there is useless as there are no public songthaews, only private ones asking for 800 baht (lowered to 600). Wondering around some more and asking the locals, there's a minibus company that goes to Ban Laem. So I asked a moto guy to take me to a songthaew that goes to Pakkard (nobody says the 'Ban' part) and he agreed to do it for 20 baht. The first place he took me to didn't have any so he took me to another place and they did. I gave him 40 baht and he gave me 10 change. I could have saved myself a lot of walking around by accepting the 50 baht offer of a taxi (mini songthaew) driver at the bus station to take me to a songthaew that goes to Prakkard. Anyway, I waited about 30 minutes for the songthaew to leave. The cost is 100 baht, which is also what the locals pay. I was the only passenger left by the time we reached the border and the guy drove away as soon as I got out so it's very unlikely you'll be able to get one back to Chanthaburi.

 

On the Cambodian side I was asked for 1500 baht for the visa but paid in dollars. I gave him $30 but he very obviously wasn't going to accept that so after a couple of minutes of discussion I handed over the $35. The Cambodian side isn't as dead as it's made out to be. There are a casinos, hotels, restaurants, barbecue vendors and a couple of small 200-300 baht guesthouses within the first few hundred metres. I got a 100 baht moto to Pailin. The driver was a complete imbecile, who spent the first few minutes taking off his helmet and trying to fit it somewhere between his legs, and the rest of the journey using his mobile phone. I'd asked him to take me to Ruby Guesthouse but he took me to the town's tourist attraction, which is a temple on a hill. When I repeated that to him he clearly didn't understand any English or know where any of the hotels in Pailin are. Eventually, after driving around, we got there. 

 

The temple on the hill is quite pleasant with nice views but everything else about Pailin is rubbish. The local food vendors double the price of their low quality offerings. A couple of the moto guys didn't understand my requests to go to Thailand or Prum but the third guy got it. He was an older guy and better driver who asked for $3 but I gave him the rest of my riel as a tip, probably about a dollar. I think the standard price is 10,000 riel which is slightly less than $3.

 

I stamped out of Cambodia without paying a fee but I noticed a Thai woman handing over 100 baht. That's probably the standard price for the Thai gamblers leaving on the same day they arrive but don't know if a non-Thai would get that. Maybe if you just pass it to them with your passport as if you know exactly what you're doing they would accept it, but I suspect they would be looking for the 300 baht reported by others. No issues on the Thai side, not asked to show money or anything.

 

The minibuses back to Chanthaburi wait in the back of the car park. There was a 200 baht 'VIP' one but if you walk further to the back of the car park there are 150 baht ones. They leave at the same time. There's a noticeboard showing the times as 1430, 1630, 1800, and 0130. I was kindly dropped off at the bus station.

 

Edited March 30, 2017 by edwardandtubs

[Finlaco]

The cost is 100 baht, which is also what the locals pay. I was the only passenger left by the time we reached the border and the guy drove away as soon as I got out so it's very unlikely you'll be able to get one back to Chanthaburi.

 

Are you sure you were dropped at the boarder?  usually the songthaew stops at a market about 5km from the boarder and then one needs to take a motorbike taxi 50baht.

 

Per my posting above, the minivan departs from Robinson'ish -  It departs from a market located behind Robinson (coming from River side, walk through Robinson, exiting at the rear, walk through the carpark and on your right, roughly 100m is a 7/11.  Pass the 7/11 (so you are turning right) and 80m there is a bridge which you cross and the market is on your left.

 

The visa costs $30 and you need to know how to play the game with a nice patient, I'm in no hurry smile.  No thanks, I don't want a business visa etc...

[edwardandtubs]

2 minutes ago, Finlaco said:

 

 

Are you sure you were dropped at the boarder?  usually the songthaew stops at a market about 5km from the boarder and then one needs to take a motorbike taxi 50baht.

 

 

Are you sure you're not getting confused between Pakkard and Ban Laem? I'm sure I was dropped at the border and didn't pass any market on the way.

[steve187]

just before you get to the border at ban pakard there is a small market on the left, but the mini buses with the casino players on, go to the big car park on the right immediately next to the border, if you the walk towards the car wash, there is a small path that goes straight to the immigration temporary buildings.once stamped out of Thailand there is a desk that will do everything while you sit and wait 1,700 baht.

[edwardandtubs]

3 minutes ago, steve187 said:

just before you get to the border at ban pakard there is a small market on the left, but the mini buses with the casino players on, go to the big car park on the right immediately next to the border, if you the walk towards the car wash, there is a small path that goes straight to the immigration temporary buildings.once stamped out of Thailand there is a desk that will do everything while you sit and wait 1,700 baht.

 

Or instead of waiting for them to do it you can just do it yourself for 1500 baht ($35 for the visa and 300 baht for the same day return). It's just as quick.

[steve187]

3 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

Or instead of waiting for them to do it you can just do it yourself for 1500 baht ($35 for the visa and 300 baht for the same day return). It's just as quick.

not just as quick. you have to walk and wait, they do it almost straightaway, while waiting there is a coffee shop. You can also cycle to the border to save 300 baht, horses for courses

Edited March 30, 2017 by steve187

[edwardandtubs]

Just now, steve187 said:

not just as quick. you have to walk and wait, they do it almost straightaway, while waiting there is a coffee shop. You can also cycle to the border to save 300 baht, horses for courses

Well, the person who takes your passport also has to walk and there was no queue when I was there so no waiting. Personally, I'd rather do it myself than sit on my arse waiting.

[edwardandtubs]

36 minutes ago, Finlaco said:

 

The visa costs $30 and you need to know how to play the game with a nice patient, I'm in no hurry smile.  No thanks, I don't want a business visa etc...

How long does the stand-off usually last? I politely explained I was going on holiday to Cambodia so should pay the $30 tourist visa fee but he equally politely explained that it didn't matter where I was going, the fee was $35.

[Finlaco]

Are you sure you're not getting confused between Pakkard and Ban Laem? I'm sure I was dropped at the border and didn't pass any market on the way.

 

I have been Ban Pakkard 7 times  (4 times to exit Thailand (by minivan 150) and 3 returning from holidaying in Cambodia (motor bike 50 and songthaew 80 to 100)) - There is a market 5km from the last turn off - You wouldn't have exactly passed it, as its located about 100 m from the turn off before the boarder 

 

You did well if the songthaew went all the way to the boarder

 

How long does the stand-off usually last? I politely explained I was going on holiday to Cambodia so should pay the $30 tourist visa fee but he equally politely explained that it didn't matter where I was going, the fee was $35.

 

On my own I never had a problem but last Nov i was with my brother and the delay (i wouldn't call it a stand off) was 30 minutes.  Border issues are very specific to a time and its similar to a posting about an individual having continuous issues with taxis in Bangkok - it depends on how u dress, act, behave (too polite, too impolite) etc...  It also depends on how kind and generous the previous farang have been.  Tuk Tuk in Phuket didnt get to a 200 baht flag rate for 'no reason'

[bangkokairportlink]

Hello, do you know any hotel near the border on Cambodian side ? Thanks.

 

 

[Goldbear]

Hi, I wanted to report that I just did this. I went to the River Guest House and got the noon minibus to the border (200 baht, one way; there is also one at 10am). It dropped us off in front of the Thai border checkpoint. 

 

I quickly checked out of Thailand. I was then aporoached by a woman and was offered the visa service for the Cambodian side. I had never done that and would not have done it had I not read in this thread that it was pretty easy. I said okay and for 1700 baht they dealt with it all and it was fast. 15 minutes. I waited at a table between the border checkpoints.

 

After getting my passport back I walked around the corner to the Thai entry window and checked back into Thailand. (The officer gave me a month instead of a year entry (I have an O-A visa) which I quickly pointed out. He fixed it. He was pleasant about it.)

 

So now I'm sitting here waiting to get the van to go back to chanthaburi. 

 

Thanks to the previous posters of this info for making my visa run easy. 

[Finlaco]

 I said okay and for 1700 baht they dealt with it all and it was fast

 

Because of guys like you, the last 3 times that I have passed through this border, I've had increasing hassles getting a USD$30 visa (฿960).  Please try to do as little damage as you can whilst travelling through S.E.A

[steve187]

8 hours ago, Finlaco said:

 I said okay and for 1700 baht they dealt with it all and it was fast

 

Because of guys like you, the last 3 times that I have passed through this border, I've had increasing hassles getting a USD$30 visa (฿960).  Please try to do as little damage as you can whilst travelling through S.E.A

get an e-visa and use that, see how quick they let you in, then report back, people do what they want, you want it cheap, others want it easy, you make your own choice.

[steven100]

5 minutes ago, steve187 said:

get an e-visa and use that, see how quick they let you in, then report back, people do what they want, you want it cheap, others want it easy, you make your own choice.

correct ....    cheap charlies will suffer where as if you pay a bit more it can be a hassle free experience that one can actually enjoy. 

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, steve187 said:

get an e-visa and use that, see how quick they let you in, then report back, people do what they want, you want it cheap, others want it easy, you make your own choice.

That would not be accepted at Ban Pakard. 

Only Poi Pet and the Koh Kong crossings accept them. See: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/information/port_entry/3

[gk10002000]

On 3/22/2017 at 2:10 AM, BritTim said:

There are both songtaews and minibuses that go from Chanthaburi to Ban Pakard. I have taken both They are reasonably frequent. As I recall, they run until about 5:00 pm. The songtaews leave from the bus station. The minibuses have their own departure point a short motorcycle trip away. I cannot remember the price, but it is not a long trip, and 150 baht return sounds possible.

 

The Cambodian side was OK, the Thai side very friendly. When I went, I was able to get the visa for the official price of US$30. I did not need to pay for same day return. I always suggest, when Cambodian immigration ask, that I expect to stay a night or two. If they do ask for a present to allow same day return, recognize that Cambodian immigration law does require an overnight stay when entering by land unless you have a multiple entry business visa. Maybe, negotiate on the price in a friendly way, and pay it

Really, Cambodia written law requires an overnight stay?  I find that hard to believe given the number of daily visa runs that are made not to mention other simple one day trippers.  So every body that does an organized in and out visa run ( I have done a few) is technically in the wrong?

[my friend I]

3 hours ago, steve187 said:

get an e-visa and use that, see how quick they let you in, then report back, people do what they want, you want it cheap, others want it easy, you make your own choice.

You cannot use an e-visa at this border. People cannot do what they want. Don't post about something if you have no knowledge about it.

[my friend I]

httwww.evisa.gov.khps:///information/port_entry/3

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, gk10002000 said:

Really, Cambodia written law requires an overnight stay? 

Yes it is one of the requirements to get a visa on arrival at land border crossings. 

If I recall correctly the only airport where it is waived is Phnom Penh

[steve187]

27 minutes ago, my friend I said:

You cannot use an e-visa at this border. People cannot do what they want. Don't post about something if you have no knowledge about it.

did i say you could, i was referring to Cambodia crossings as a whole, are you the thread police

[khwaibah]

Just did a 90 day border hop yesterday at Chong Sa Ngom International Crossing and yes that is what Thailand and Cambodia calls it. After getting rip-off by scammers at Chong Chom for 1800 baht it was time for a change, BTW 300 of that was for what the scammers charged for a U-Turn. 

At Chong Sa Ngom I was only charged 1200 baht and no cost for the return total time in Cambodia was about 20 minutes. Thai Immigratio and the Cambodian Immigration were very polite, professional and NO scam money was ever asked. There are no posting of any such called law at either of these two border crossing and I have never seen anywhere a statement as such.