Deserted Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Greetings all. I have to, for the first time in a few years, go to Aranya Prathet this weekend. Some questions. The last two times I did it was a bus from Mho Chit which took almost 6 hours and the train which got delayed and took about 7 hours. Some questions: 1) Are there minivans running from Victory Monument still? I thought not but last night a friend assures me there are. If so where do they go from exactly. 2) The last time I went over the border it was quick quite easy. Any changes there? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Bet you get more response in the Thai visas forum. Many people with own experience. Moved. Leaving link in the Travel forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven100 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 (edited) You can still go by bus from Mo Chit or Train from Makkassan or Hualamphong Edited May 21, 2017 by steven100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Get Real Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Like depends on what visa you have. As you probably are well aware of, the rules and regulations have changed alot the last years, so regarding an answer the information you give is too incomplete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 6 minutes ago, Get Real said: Like depends on what visa you have. As you probably are well aware of, the rules and regulations have changed alot the last years, so regarding an answer the information you give is too incomplete. It would indeed be useful to know what "it" is. Aranya Prathet is a bad choice for certain border/visa runs. There were changes. I am just not aware of the details. Wait for the visa gurus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 You can get a bus from Ekamai (Eastern bus station) to Aranyaprathet. I think that is where vans would be going from now since they stopped them at the Victory Monument. Have you considered doing a organized run with a company. There is one that goes to Ban Laem for 2400 baht that includes the visa to Cambodia and other service charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deserted Posted May 21, 2017 Author Share Posted May 21, 2017 6 hours ago, ubonjoe said: You can get a bus from Ekamai (Eastern bus station) to Aranyaprathet. I think that is where vans would be going from now since they stopped them at the Victory Monument. Have you considered doing a organized run with a company. There is one that goes to Ban Laem for 2400 baht that includes the visa to Cambodia and other service charges. I haven't tbh. I haven't done this 30 day thing in a few years, do I need to show proof of anything? 2400 seems a bit steep. The visa last time was about $30 which is under a thousand. Are companies that offer such services really worth it. I just want to reduce the amount of time taken really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deserted Posted May 21, 2017 Author Share Posted May 21, 2017 6 hours ago, KhunBENQ said: It would indeed be useful to know what "it" is. Aranya Prathet is a bad choice for certain border/visa runs. There were changes. I am just not aware of the details. Wait for the visa gurus. Thanks for this. Its been a few years, I have no idea of which is best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deserted Posted May 21, 2017 Author Share Posted May 21, 2017 7 hours ago, steven100 said: You can still go by bus from Mo Chit or Train from Makkassan or Hualamphong Yes but they both took a long time last time I used them, so I am looking for better options. All help gratefully received Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 If you are going all the way to the border, the best option is a casino bus. These leave from various locations in Bangkok, mostly early to mid morning. I have tended to take them from Central Bangna where some originate and others, originating elsewhere, will stop to pick up passengers if they are not full. Other than that, the minibuses are dangerous, but also quite fast. You can get them from Victory Monument or near the Bangna intersection. A few buses also go from Ekamai bus station (or Suvarnabhumi airport transportation center if you prefer) but they are infrequent and you should check the times if you want to use them. They are faster than the buses out of Morchit, but not as fast as the casino buses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deserted Posted May 21, 2017 Author Share Posted May 21, 2017 Casino bus. Please explain. Do I need to go to the casino? Do I need a return ticket? How are they priced? ty for your help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 1 hour ago, Deserted said: Casino bus. Please explain. Do I need to go to the casino? Do I need a return ticket? How are they priced? ty for your help You can pay for the casino bus when you board. The fare is 200 baht single, or 300 baht return. However, buying a return is rarely convenient unless you intend making a day of it (as the casino visitors do). Different companies run the casino buses, and you must return on the same one if you buy a return ticket, typically about 6 hours after arrival. There is no requirement to visit any casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 12 hours ago, Deserted said: I haven't tbh. I haven't done this 30 day thing in a few years, do I need to show proof of anything? 2400 seems a bit steep. The visa last time was about $30 which is under a thousand. Are companies that offer such services really worth it. I just want to reduce the amount of time taken really. You will need nothing more that your passport to get the 30 day visa exempt entry. Unless buy the dollars before going to the border it will cost you about 1200 or more doing it yourself. I would guess it would take at least 1500 baht for everything at the crossing which makes the cost of transport about 900 baht. Using a company will reduce the time spent doing the crossing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wump Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Using a company is the smartest thing to do. Not worth all the hassle doing it yourself. Even if you have the $30, you'll still be expected to leave a donation for not paying in Thai Baht and don't forget about the 300 Baht exit fee if leaving on the same day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbine1125 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 There is a bus which goes.from swampy airport to the border.market which is next to the checkpoint. 250 baht VIP. It leaves from the transportation centre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallangpakwan Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Just a little "semi-related" info for those who might be interested. Yesterday,Sunday, I drove to Pong Nam Rong and for the first time (previously I have walked to the Cambers side myself)- gave my PP to the group of red-shirted guys just through Thai Immi and waited. For Baht1700 they had me with visa within 15 minutes, the guy told me there was a delay because the Cambers Immi guys were eating lunch. All up I was out of Thailand and back in again with 60 days, all within 30 minutes; some of those minutes chatting with Thai Immi ladies who want to marry me. Was once again surprised to have them ask what was an METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa); I'm asked every time even at Swampy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfharrison Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 If you want to do the border run in a minivan it is better to go to Ekkamai there are 3 or 4 desks all running minivans to Aran. i haven;t been over the border for long time myself so i cant help you there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackThompson Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 (edited) 19 hours ago, Deserted said: I haven't done this 30 day thing in a few years, do I need to show proof of anything? By "30 day thing" - do you mean getting a Visa Exempt Entry upon your return to Thailand? Be aware that the Poipet/Aranya border is the Least Friendly Place to do an out/back - even on a Non-O Multi. You may be told you must "go to the airport" and cannot do it any other way. This is not true - you can use either the Ban Laem or Ban Packard crossings (both stamped "Pong Nam Rong" as both are under that jurisdiction) without any problem at all. Bottom line - avoid the Poipet/Aranya crossing if at all possible - it is NOT friendly, like it was a couple years ago. 22 hours ago, ubonjoe said: they stopped them (vans) at the Victory Monument. Thanks for this info UJ - I always used that as a backup option for transport - good to know it is no longer the place to go. OP - to get to Ban Laem or Ban Packard, you would start with a bus to Chanthaburi. From there, there are mini-buses to the border which operate from near the Tesco. To get to those, you will need to get a taxi from the bus-station. Others have reported options direct from the bus station to the border, but I did not find these when I was there -other than a private taxi at high cost, which was the only option the taxis suggested - but I already knew about the Tesco, at which point they "remembered" where I could get a mini-van near there. Edited May 22, 2017 by JackThompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deserted Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share Posted May 22, 2017 I mean the 30 day tourist visa. My O visa is about to expire so for the first time in 3 years I go on to the tourist 30-day visa. I know there have been many changes but I lost track of it a bit. I actually had no difficulty going to Aranya last time except the bus took so long. But its the only place I have ever been to do the border hop thing. This thread has put me off going there a bit. I once traveled by Trat to Cambodia via Had Lek but that seems so far away. If there is an alternative about the same distance as Aranya, I would like to know, I really would. It seems like the business of a border hop is not so easy now. With the 30 day tourist visa, do I have to show proof of funds, flights and things? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 3 hours ago, Deserted said: I mean the 30 day tourist visa. My O visa is about to expire so for the first time in 3 years I go on to the tourist 30-day visa. I know there have been many changes but I lost track of it a bit. I actually had no difficulty going to Aranya last time except the bus took so long. But its the only place I have ever been to do the border hop thing. This thread has put me off going there a bit. I once traveled by Trat to Cambodia via Had Lek but that seems so far away. If there is an alternative about the same distance as Aranya, I would like to know, I really would. It seems like the business of a border hop is not so easy now. With the 30 day tourist visa, do I have to show proof of funds, flights and things? First, it is better to be aware of the correct term for a "visa exempt entry" (the ability to get a 30-day tourist entry without a visa). This will make it easier to find and understand other threads on the subject. Although the border at Aranyaprathet/Poi Pet is one of the least friendly, with the limit of two visa exempt entries via land borders per year, I think you would be OK. There are a number of alternatives to the Aran border run, but they are not especially convenient using public transport. The best from Bangkok might be Phu Nam Ron into Myanmar. They have sometimes allowed visa exempt entries, but Myanmar border crossings are notorious for changes without notice. At last report, I believe a visa exempt entry there was not possible. (Perhaps, someone will correct me on this.) Other possible options are Ban Laem and Ban Pakard to Cambodia. To use either of these, you take a bus from Ekkamai to Chanthaburi and then onward local transport from there. If you are still able to book a little in advance, do not dismiss the idea of an out/in by air to somewhere like Kuala Lumpur. Traveling without luggage, this is a reasonably painless alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deserted Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 That's pretty much what I thought. I remember the last time was quick over the border but one official was rude indeed. That's just pot luck though. As long as I don't get turned away, that's the main thing. I have no 30-day tourist visas for a few years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackThompson Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 4 hours ago, Deserted said: That's pretty much what I thought. I remember the last time was quick over the border but one official was rude indeed. That's just pot luck though. As long as I don't get turned away, that's the main thing. I have no 30-day tourist visas for a few years now. There is no such thing as a 30-day tourist visa. I'm not just being pedantic - there is a very significant difference in how you are treated coming into the country with a Tourist Visa issued by a Thai-Consulate abroad (from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), versus asking Immigration at a checkpoint for a free "30-day Visa Exempt Entry," at their discretion. That said, if you have not been in the country for extended periods recently, and don't have many visa-exempt entries recently, you should have no problem obtaining another visa-exempt entry. You can get 2 of these total per calendar-year at land-borders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bkung Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 Don't take buses very long hours, go baiyoke hotel in partunam look for d&d hotel take Mini Van you will be there for 3-4 hours very comfortable seating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deserted Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 6 hours ago, JackThompson said: There is no such thing as a 30-day tourist visa. I'm not just being pedantic - there is a very significant difference in how you are treated coming into the country with a Tourist Visa issued by a Thai-Consulate abroad (from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), versus asking Immigration at a checkpoint for a free "30-day Visa Exempt Entry," at their discretion. That said, if you have not been in the country for extended periods recently, and don't have many visa-exempt entries recently, you should have no problem obtaining another visa-exempt entry. You can get 2 of these total per calendar-year at land-borders. So the visa-exempt entry is 30 days? I have been here more on than off but with an O visa. It's mostly proof of onwardstravel and other documents that are my concern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackThompson Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 4 hours ago, Deserted said: So the visa-exempt entry is 30 days? I have been here more on than off but with an O visa. It's mostly proof of onwardstravel and other documents that are my concern Proof of onward travel can be asked for with a Visa Exempt, as well as showing 10K Baht in cash or travelers checks. You would likely not be asked to show either at Ban Laem or Ban Packard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deserted Posted May 24, 2017 Author Share Posted May 24, 2017 This is rather concerning. Could someone confirm if I am likely to be asked to show any documents as proof. I have spent one year on an O visa. It expired in March and I got a 90 day extension just before that happened. There are no tourist visas this year, only one in Jan last year. If I go to Aranya will I be asked to show proof on onwards travel and funds. I was going to go Saturday as I must look after my child Sunday. If I am not given a visa this will make matters very complicated indeed.I just want the 30 day exemption thing which I got in Jan lat year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 19 minutes ago, Deserted said: Could someone confirm if I am likely to be asked to show any documents as proof. I don't recall any recent reports of them being asked for. Since the 2 visa exempt entry per calendar year at land border crossings rule went into effect they have eased up on giving people problems when doing one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deserted Posted May 25, 2017 Author Share Posted May 25, 2017 2 hours ago, ubonjoe said: I don't recall any recent reports of them being asked for. Since the 2 visa exempt entry per calendar year at land border crossings rule went into effect they have eased up on giving people problems when doing one. That's much appreciated. It seems like you answer every question I have. So to sum up. It may be a bit busy and the staff may be a bit rude but that aside given I have an O visa just expired and no visa exemption things at all this year, I will not be asked to show evidence of a flight or funding. I will lose pay and probably my job if I get this wrong, so I just want to be sure. There's quite a lot riding on it, hence the double and triple checking. I do have a child and it in the system on my O visa. I normally say I am here to look after my child, which is the truth, and that's never been a problem. So perhaps a bit busy, perhaps annoying staff speaking to me but that's as bad as its going to get given my situation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 2 minutes ago, Deserted said: So perhaps a bit busy, perhaps annoying staff speaking to me but that's as bad as its going to get given my situation? Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deserted Posted May 25, 2017 Author Share Posted May 25, 2017 Thanks, some conflicting accounts on the net and things change so fast in this country you can never be quite so sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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