UK visitor needs to do a visa run

[robcar]

My UK friend needs to do a visa run on Jan 3rd 2017 from Hua Hin to somewhere to get another 60 days. He would appreciate some suggestions as to how this can be achieved at a reasonable cost and what needs to be done re travel to the suggested border.

He has been to the little Travel Agent shop beneath Condochain but they weren't very helpful.

Kind Regards

[buksida]

Phu Nam Ron is the nearest border to Hua Hin: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=25940

[robcar]

Just read all of the above mentioned link, unfortunately nothing in there that can help with organised travelling arrangements. Called at the agents below Condochain yesterday, the lady in there only suggested that my friend fly out to somewhere, go to an embassy and then return.

He is open to any useful suggestions that must include some kind of transport as he is currently a pedestrian.

[Big Boy]

I noticed the place opposite the railway station seems to be active this morning. Must be worth a try.

[nil]

If he needs a new single entry Visa the cheapest way would be to get the overnight Yellow bus from Hua Hin to Mukdahan. Catch the local bus over the border to Savannakhet and apply for the visa at the embassy. Needs an overnight stay as you collect it the next day.

[robcar]

Thanks BB. I'll check it out with him in the morning.

Thanks nil.I'll suggest it to him tomorrow probably after the railway station.

[robcar]

@ BB. Went to the shop opposite the station this morning, they were not quite ready for customers yet. My friend has an appointment tomorrow morning. I will report the outcome. Thanks again

[moater]

You really don't need a "shop" to do this. It's very straightforward.

Your friend is from the UK, so crossing a land border and turning around will give him 30 days (most other nationalities get 15) without a visa. Those 30 are extendable by another 30 at HH immigration for 1900thb.

The easiest land border is at kanchanaburi, but they don't let visaless people out. I think your best choice is ranong. Rent a car and drive there or take a bus/van. Get to sapan pla, stamp out, get on a longtail boat to Myanmar (50thb each way), get your stamp there (crisp US$10), longtail back, stamp in and make your way back to HH.

Doable in one tiring day (~5 hours drive + ~2 hours visa business + ~5 hours drive back = ~12 hours) but you may want to stay and see the area around ranong.

Another way is flying out to Phnom Penh or Kuala Lumpur from DMK and immediately flying back. Again, 30 days will be granted on landing without a visa, extendable by another 30. Also doable in one day (just as tiring and more expensive) (~4 hours to DMK + ~1 hour wait + ~1 hour flight + ~1 hour wait + ~1 hour flight back + ~4 hours to HH = ~12 hours).

I've done both and I prefer ranong, as there are less points of possible failure (flight delays, immigration overload, etc.).

[robcar]

10am appointment for this morning was not honoured by the shop. I know they display Mon/Fri but it was the shop who made the arrangement for 10am this morning. Now going to check it out on Monday.

@moater. Thanks for your input, everything noted and digested.

My friend is ideally looking to obtain a single entry 60 day visa which can be extended by a further 30 days as he has a return air ticket to UK valid for March 2017. It's looking like a Ranong trip at present.

[hhinner]

Monday, tomorrow, is a public holiday. But the shop might open.

[nil]

He won't get a 60 day visa from Ranong as there is no Embassy for Consulate there. It would only be a 30 day visa exempt which can be extended for another 30 days. If he wants a 60+30 days he will need a single entry tourist visa from an Embassy/consulate. Popular options are Penang in Malaysia or Savannakhet or Vientiane in Laos.

[robcar]

Thanks hhinner, will give monday a miss and go Tuesday instead.

Thanks again nil for your input. He is now thinking about a trip to Vientiane if the trip to the shop turns out to be unfavourable.

[robcar]

@nil or anyone that may know............. Where does the Yellow bus to Mukdahan depart from and is there a specific time or times that it leaves.
Any idea what the fare may be?

[Big Boy]

The bus station is next door to Venezia. I've dropped relatives there for departures at 5pm - time might have changed now.

[lomuamart]

I've come in to this thread a bit late, but to the OP.
Does your friend need another tourist visa or do they have a multiple entry tourist visa and hence just need to exit and re-enter Thailand to activate another 60 days?
If the latter, there's no need for there to be a Thai embassy or consulate nearby and the possibilities of crossing the border are increased.