Easy and Cheap trip to Cheang Wattana by train for Visa Extension

[somethingnice]

I just want to share this tip for a easy and fast trip to Cheang Wattana.

 

I did the trip by MRT-Train- Motor Bike/Taxi

 

11:15 - Arrived at Bang Sue MRT station - 30 Baht (for MRT)

11:20 - Took the train from Bang Sue Junction to Lak si train station - 2 baht
11:40 - Arrived at Lak Si train station Took Motor Bike to Cheang Wattana: 65 Baht

11:57 - Pick number for extension of my 30 days visa exempt stamp (i printed and prepared all the documents from home: Copy of passport, departure card and visa stamp)
11:59 - My turn (4 in que before me, but they didnt show up, when their number was called).

             They finish my extension in 1 minute and give me back my passport before going to lunch break.

             No questions asked - and friendly staff (fresh passport - with only 2x 30 days visa exempt)

12:05 - Took Taxi back to Lak Si train station (65 baht) - Next train was 13:20 - but I had a Pepsi from the little store, and enjoy to watch the rain, and fresh wind, while waiting for the train :-)

13:33 - Took the train from Lak Si train station to Bang Sue Junction (12 minutes delayed) - 2 baht

13:48 - Arrive at Bang Sue Junction, where i took the MRT back home - 30 Baht

14:05 - Back home :-)

 

If i did go maybe 1 hour earlier, so i could catch earlier train back - it would have saved me 1 hour, but i don't mind :-)

 

Quite comfortable ride, if you are not busy. For me i always hate the long taxi ride in rush our - this was for me much more comfortable, and cheap: 194 for transportation + 1900 baht for the extension.

 

[buick]

i read one person reporting that they took a bus from laksi to CW (after taking the train).  and i think they said there was also a free tuk tuk of some sort that takes you from the main street back to the entrance for the immigration office.  that could reduce the transport costs even further.

 

the best part is the quick turnaround.  you barely made it before the lunch break and still got the actual extension stamp before the lunch break.  usually it takes 10 or 15 minutes to get that stamp.  that is great timing. 

 

i always take the MRT/BTS to chatuchak/mochit and then taxi to/from CW.  it is about 130thb each way for the taxi.  last time i was there, my taxi on the way back went right by the bang sue MRT so i just got out there. but it was quite a walk from the entrance to the where the MRT train is.  it wasn't the physical part of the walk, just the time.  i think if i stayed in the taxi to chatuchak, i would have been on the train sooner and home quicker.

[steven100]

cheap charlies or what .....    $6  .....    OMG  what are you doing in thailand ....  maybe consider Ethiopia .....

[Xobtsiwt]

Ignoring Golden Pants above for a minute, there are several ways to get to and from CW Immigration cheaply, particularly if you have time to spare. BTS to MoChit, a Pak Kred van from there to the entrance of CW Soi 7 for 25B, then the free shuttle bus to Building B of the Government complex is among the cheapest ways. 

Going back into the centre, there is a BMTA A/C bus that goes from the side entrance of Building B to Victory Monument, via a circuitous freeway route. The schedule is infrequent, so a better choice might be a 20B motorcycle back to the main road, cross over the footbridge, walk to the small sala and wait for a Jatujak van - but note, signs on the van are in Thai only so you will either have to be able to read Thai or able to flag a van down and ask. 

[jayceenik]

2 hours ago, Xobtsiwt said:

Ignoring Golden Pants above for a minute, there are several ways to get to and from CW Immigration cheaply, particularly if you have time to spare. BTS to MoChit, a Pak Kred van from there to the entrance of CW Soi 7 for 25B, then the free shuttle bus to Building B of the Government complex is among the cheapest ways. 

 

Yes. It can be done easy but you have to be at where the vans collect the PAX for CW on a certain early time.

If you cannot read Thai just ask around if there are people going to CW.

This said I've done this as described above by chance only once and I prefer taxis.

 

[timendres]

8 hours ago, steven100 said:

cheap charlies or what .....    $6  .....    OMG  what are you doing in thailand ....  maybe consider Ethiopia .....

Some people simply enjoy the challenge of saving money, and dislike wasting money.

My friend, who is worth $80 MILLION USD often does strange things to save even $1.

It is no different than an interesting iPhone game for him. He clearly doesn't need to think about $1.

 

Furthermore, it sounded like the OP enjoyed a commute that was refreshingly different than sitting in the back of a taxi in rush hour traffic. His willingness to use mass transit removed one car from traffic, benefiting us all.

[somethingnice]

1 hour ago, timendres said:

Some people simply enjoy the challenge of saving money, and dislike wasting money.

My friend, who is worth $80 MILLION USD often does strange things to save even $1.

It is no different than an interesting iPhone game for him. He clearly doesn't need to think about $1.

 

Furthermore, it sounded like the OP enjoyed a commute that was refreshingly different than sitting in the back of a taxi in rush hour traffic. His willingness to use mass transit removed one car from traffic, benefiting us all.

Yeah - I would say, I did it as much for just to trying a new way of getting there. And enjoyed it :-)

 

And now I have tried to take the Thai trains - not a bad experience at all!

 

Those money i saved, I can spend for a cold beer on friday :-)

 

I'm planning to take the train to Cambodja (Aranyapathet) in some months. It should only be 40 baht for the whole way and takes arround 5 hours. 

[buick]

the train is a great way to avoid traffic.  and good idea to keep it in mind.  i've been there a couple times where my return trip got a little worrisome.  not long after CW opened, i found that taxis were not real easy to get in the mid afternoon.  i waited 30 minutes for one once and 15 or so another time.   i try to go earlier now and i've never waited at all.  if i had to, i could have walked to the train station (i thought i might have to call someone to come and get me !!).  another time, i was leaving around noon and the whole area was complete gridlock.  it took me 45 minutes just to get out of the govt complex.  and more than an hour more before i was at BTS/MRT.  that was a tough day.  if i see that gridlock again, i'm headed to laksi train station on moto or on foot.

Edited March 30, 2017 by buick

[somethingnice]

Yeah! I once spend 2½ hour in the taxi back form Cheang Wattana to Sukumvit at arround 4pm. The train feels less hassle free for me.

[BritTim]

34 minutes ago, somethingnice said:

I'm planning to take the train to Cambodja (Aranyapathet) in some months. It should only be 40 baht for the whole way and takes arround 5 hours. 

I like using the trains in Thailand in general, but the Aran train is one to be avoided. Yes, it only costs 48 baht (plus about 10 baht for a songtaew from Aran station to the border. However, it is a hot dusty trip. The casino buses at 200 baht each way are much faster and more comfortable.

As a general rule, Thai trains are good for short trips, or when there in second class aircon. The third class only trains cannot be recommended for long journeys.

[berybert]

I took the train back from CW a few years ago after walking from the immigration office. I do enjoy a nice walk, of course its hot and the fumes aint always great, but no different to walking along Sukhumvit.

Yo have to laugh at people calling Cheap Charlie.