Fastest, Cheapest, Safest VISA Runs..

[alvish]

Since it seems to be a hot topic after watching poor Filurinas journal being ruined with VISA run advice i thought I'd ask the ppl. What is the best way to do a VISA run Duang Border, Poipet are suggestions what about other borders. Any stories of VISA runs are very welcome.

[alvish]

Not as hot as I thought I take it, looks like im stuck with Poipet

[beamer]

Return flights to Singapore or Malaysia are so cheap now that you can do those for about the same price as some of the the regular visa-run bus companies to Cambodia ~THB 2000 (and that's including the THB 500 airport tax.) Although I have never done it myself I would have thought it should be possible to come back on the same plane you arrived on. That being the case, if you took the 07:05 from Bangkok you could then be back in Bangkok by 12:15 the same day.

Another interesting point is that two of my friends did a Singapore trip last month to apply for a tourist visa. When they went back to pick up their passports the next day from the Thai embassy they found they had been given a 90 day visa. This seems unusual to me (unless somethng has changed recently) as I thought the norm used to be a 60 day visa with the "possibility" of a one month extension after that assming you went back to the immigration office in Bangkok and paid some extra money.

You may also want to check out this site

http://www.thaivisa.com/

Hope that helps

[alvish]

Paul >> You almost make the Poipet journey sound fun, it was a bit of adventure the 1st time for me but after doin it for months I hate the place so need an alternative. How come Laos was so bad?

Is Cambodia the only border that you need to pay a fee, I was planning on a flight to KL Malaysia maybe, will it cost to get a VISA aswell as flights and airport taxes. This would seem a good alternative to the bus journeys, and would get to see other countries.

[Loknar]

This all started when Flurina talked about her visa run to Cambodia.

Democracy monument 5h45 - arrive at 10h00

fare is 100 baht when you dont go to the casino.

we dont know if its everyday, or where she got the info, but it works.

She waited in line for very long at the border.. is it because she went on a weekend? I guessed so. How much is the border fee?

Actually, by principle you could go in Campoochea, saying you only say 1 day,, and then do a uTurn and stamp your passport at the Thailand border (free - 30 days). So how does it work then? I know at the airport you pay the airport tax but it is basically working like that.. stamp and go.. no need to bribe anybody.

so please, details

[Sunee]

My thai friend told me about this when I talked to her about the problems I've heard when many ppl got to run visa at the border.

She said there are many travel agencies in BKK that available to bring about your visa run and cost only 500 - 1,000 baht and you don't need to travel any more that save both money and time plus energy... cool eh?

She did for her boss and her customers many times before.

[alvish]

Everytime i've done the Poipet run I've been charged different ammounts, 4 months in a row I did this and each time it was different. Normally it was around 1400 - 1500 (if you don't bring a passport photo it is extra 100) I never understood why the photo is needed if you can just pay to not give 1. Another thing that you should not pay for is a 20 baht fee for some medical slip, but it is best to just pay it and get back to Thailand. If u have a guy helping u out it will be another 100 (being generous) which can be worth it if its your 1st time. 60 baht tuktuk each way and 180 return on bus, 2000 should be enough. Only holidays will have the border full of people otherwise theres not many at all.

Don't buy the cheap cigarettes at the border they are fake...

When going to Malaysia I know its around 2000 baht for flights with airasia incl. airport taxes but is this all you will need to pay. Do you not get the same trouble as in Cambodia having to pay for VISA stamps and photos etc. are there any hidden costs this way?

[Loknar]

I dont get it.

How do they get away with this?

30-less days visa to cambodia = free

30-less days tourist visa to thailand = free

visa fees back to thailand from cambodia = ~1500 baht

so what am I missing here? I can get an extension (max 90 days) for 1800 baht or take the air for cheaper. Is the malaysian border more friendly?

[alvish]

Never sure the exact ammount i pay but I know i get ripped off somewhere. I always have to pay 300 baht for the stamps then the guy gets on his motorbike and dissapears with my passport for 5 mins. 100 for the photo and i think normally 1000 baht for the VISA i'm not sure at all what i'm paying for.

The worst 1 i paid 1400 and that was the exact ammount I was guaranteed then the money went through a few guys and came back with 500 out of the 2000. I said to the guy (about the missing 100 baht) who had been talkin to me before and he was no longer able to understand me or talk English. Was blatant theft right in front of my nose. Some times it was cheaper and easier I'm just happy to get back to Thailand most the time.

I think if you stay in Cambodia for a day or 2 you do not have to pay the fees when returning to Thailand.

[Loknar]

Well.. this is a blast. You guys are getting ripped off and asking for more. I might pay a little more for a plane ticket and some fun in KL, but I am NOT giving my money to these bastards.

[beej]

Get an air asia flight to penang in malaysia, go see uncle jim in JIMS PLACE, Chulia street, he will sort you with a 9 month tourist visa!! Its cheap and a good little holiday!

Or Blow me and I'll get you a work permit!

[alvish]

How does he get a 9 month VISA I heard u can get fake VISA stamps at KSR etc. but not sure how these work.

I know my gf's ex bf used to get fake stamps and when he went to the airport to go back home he had to pay over 30,000 baht. Still don't know why she was so mad when I was rolling on the ground laughing about it..

Think the flights to Singapore are even cheaper.

I think i'll be doing a quick tour of Malaysia, Singapore and Tioman Island on my VISA run, i'll make the most of it.

[beej]

The 9 monther is a triple entry touris visa, for 3 months a time, well 2 + 1 extended, the easiest place to get it is with uncle jim in penang!

[alvish]

Think i'll take a call in at uncle Jims, won't need him this time i only need a 1 month extension but i'm sure i'll need a longer 1 in the future..