Where can i do single day border run?

[krizel]

Hi,

 

My O visa (volunteer) is expiring on the 7th. I still have commitments after the 7th so I decided to fly to apply for another O visa on the 12th instead. Having said that, I need a 15-day/30-day visa exempt entry back to Thailand, enough for me to validly stay here until the 12th. I'm planning to do it this weekend, on the 4th. 

 

I just want to cross the border and come back immediately. I'm based in Bangkok. 1) Is it possible to do it without agency to save me money 2) Which border's the nearest to Bangkok. 3) If agency is a must, any recommended agency?

[anon789561]

depends where you are I guess. if you're in bkk think the quickest is van from on nut to laem chabang. leaves 5am from the Tesco car park next to on nut bts. just turn up and see a load of filpinos and the odd westerner and wait there. back around 3.30 in afternoon. thinks its 2,300 baht or something all in including visa for camodia. google thai visa run. if it's on free entry stamp they only allow 2 in a year now apparently

[steve187]

Ban pakard aka pong nam ron = https://goo.gl/maps/pXB6gsF5Wnk

 

see  here - 

 

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, Happy enough said:

van from on nut to laem chabang

It is Ban Laem.

Laem Chabang is a the port near Pattaya.

[anon789561]

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

It is Ban Laem.

Laem Chabang is a the port near Pattaya.

that's the one. i'd advise anyone to make sure health insurance is up to date before getting in one of those vans. I've done it before and had an absolutely mental driver

[krizel]

@Happy enoughSo this is through an agency? Is it not possible do it on my own (since it'd be cheaper)? Just asking cos 2,300 THB is pretty steep.

[anon789561]

9 minutes ago, krizel said:

@Happy enoughSo this is through an agency? Is it not possible do it on my own (since it'd be cheaper)? Just asking cos 2,300 THB is pretty steep.

if you drive you could go yourself but as far as I know it's the cheapest and quickest as got mates that need to do it fairly regular. you could check local buses but this one is designed to get you there and back as quick as poss. bearing in mind it pays the bus and the Cambodian visa I think it's pretty reasonable. if you do use them and when you get there and don't want to sit in the back squashed up tell the driver the agent guy said you can sit in the front as you pay more for the visa than the Filipinos. works everytime

[krizel]

I called up Thai Visa Service, and the rude guy said that because I have non immigrant O visa, I have to pay the agency fee (1,150 because I am an ASEAN national) PLUS 1,500 bribe to the Cambodian guys (to cancel my O visa). Can anyone confirm this? In the end, I'd have to pay 2,650 just to do a border run?

 

Can anyone recommend what other options I have?

[Nong Khai Man]

Fly to Udon Thani, Then Bus to Nong Khai,Cross the friendship Bridge Pay 35 US$ For Laos Visa then just do a U-Turn back into Thailand !!! Easy  !!!

[BritTim]

Cheapest is to do it yourself, going to Aran/Poi Pet. On the Thai side, they are a real pain, but are likely to give you the visa exempt entry if it is your first this year.

 

Minimum cost as follows:

• Casino bus (return fare 300 baht) from various locations in Bangkok leaving early to mid morning. Note that this means waiting around for several hours before returning. You can buy two single fares on the casino bus for 200 baht each, allowing yourself more flexibility.. I have usually taken the casino bus from Central Bangna, as there are both buses originating there, and those from elsewhere stopping to pick up more passengers.
• Ensure you have US dollars and a visa photo, and buy a Cambodian visa at the official price of US$30. This requires careful technique. You must use the correct visa office, and smile apologetically when they ask for more money, saying quietly that you will only pay the official price. Do not show anger at the attempted overcharging! They will try a few times to make you pay, but just keep smiling and say you are paying the official price. If they ask where you are going (either at the visa office, or when stamping you into Cambodia,) do not tell them it is a border run. Say you are going to Battambang or something. The reason is that, officially, you are supposed to spend a night in Cambodia when entering by land, and they will want 200-300 baht to turn a blind eye to the requirement if they know your plans. They may ask for money when exiting, but just decline with a smile. They will probably assume you paid already.

The above is stressful at the border, but otherwise a good way to get it done.

[NOWHERE]

Sounds like the better option would be to have a few dollars in the bank.

[JackThompson]

4 hours ago, krizel said:

My O visa (volunteer) is expiring on the 7th. I still have commitments after the 7th so I decided to fly to apply for another O visa on the 12th instead. Having said that, I need a 15-day/30-day visa exempt entry back to Thailand, enough for me to validly stay here until the 12th. I'm planning to do it this weekend, on the 4th. 

If you only need another 5 days - you might choose to apply for an extension of stay at your local Immigration office, which will be denied, but will give you 7 additional days to leave the country.  Those are 1900 Baht.

[krizel]

2 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

If you only need another 5 days - you might choose to apply for an extension of stay at your local Immigration office, which will be denied, but will give you 7 additional days to leave the country.  Those are 1900 Baht.

Thanks for your suggestion @JackThompson. I'll do that instead. :D 

[8OA8]

Sounds like the better option would be to have a few dollars in the bank.

Unsure how that would in any way or form be the answer to his question.

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[8OA8]

If you only need another 5 days - you might choose to apply for an extension of stay at your local Immigration office, which will be denied, but will give you 7 additional days to leave the country.  Those are 1900 Baht.

Good suggestion, and one I hadn't realised was an option just a few few years ago. I went to Hong Kong airport, just to give me 2 additional days in Thailand.

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[BuckBee]

I can do poipet real cheap, 50Baht by train from bangkok. Main expense is cambo visa and maybe 300Bt extra for fast turn around if want it. Mini van or bus for return which about 250baht pending how you go and bargaining skills.

Poipet not very friendly at thai immigration and lot of touts cambo side .

2,300 all in if no hassle is not bad, draw back is they tend be very disorganised if new to route plus could be next van death statistic as awful drivers and van maintenance  .

Flying to Malaysia and back is another option on budget ticket plus no visa needed for many nationalities .

[bangkokairportlink]

Another easy border is the one near Kanchanaburi.

 

 

[BritTim]

35 minutes ago, bangkokairportlink said:

Another easy border is the one near Kanchanaburi.

True, but at last report they were not allowing border hops for a visa exempt entry there.

[IMA_FARANG]

I just returned today from a trip for 2 days to Kuala Lumpur .Malaysia.

When I entered at the airport in Bangkok I got a visa exempt 39 day stamp.

It is Ramadan in Malaysia now, Ramadan started 3 days ago.

The hotel  Ii stayed in was known as the One Enigma Hotel  and cost me 1083 Baht  for  a 2 night  stay in Malaysia which included a breakfast each day.(Muslim food).

No alcohol allowed of course

Good  internet connection.

You could do it cheaper for a one day stay and using Air Asia. but I flew Air Malaysia and it cost me about 10K Baht..

My reason for going there was to return with another 30 day visa exempt entry. (first one in 2017)

I am nowhere legally until 27 June.