Kanchanaburi border (Phu Nam Ron) for visa runs

Visa questions, companies, work permits, employment, insurance, banking and finance, and legal issues.
Post Reply
moater
Specialist
Specialist
Posts: 161
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 4:20 am

Re: Kanchanaburi border (Phu Nam Ron) for visa runs

Post by moater »

In case anyone in need searches and stumbles across my unique problem (dual citizenship, trying to switch passports at a land border), it's impossible.

I tried in Ranong. The Myanmar "officers" looked for the Thai departure stamp and when they failed to find one in the passport I presented to them, I had to explain my situation. They refused to do the switch, no matter what I tried (and I tried...). I know the Thai side looks for the Myanmar stamps, so I was forced to stay on my current passport and got 15 days, extendable by another 30 days at HH immigration.

After the 45 days, I had to fly out and in to do the switch and activate my visa, which worked with no issues as always.

Btw, at Ranong I noticed a bunch of Russians who stood in line were led into the office, then exited and wandered off. Looked like the officers told them they wouldn't be allowed to exit in order to do the run. So there might be a cap now on the number of consecutive land-border runs (maybe only at Ranong?), or it might be a Russian thing. Anyone know more?
Gregjam
Ace
Ace
Posts: 1037
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:11 pm
Location: Hua Hin

O visa and may need a few additional days

Post by Gregjam »

I did the visa run to Phu Nam Ron today and all went well. Used the one that is run from the shop at the front of Condochain. Would recommend this to anyone needing to do this, obviously more expensive than doing it yourself but as much as I like driving this was so much easier.
GroveHillWanderer
Guru
Guru
Posts: 803
Joined: Tue May 24, 2016 10:48 am
Location: Nong Kae

Re: Kanchanaburi border (Phu Nam Ron) for visa runs

Post by GroveHillWanderer »

Mrock wrote:Did a border run yesterday.
Everything went smooth and easy.
Drove there myself from Hua Hin. 2hours 50 minutes. 245km drive.

Border was busy at 9am had 50 people lined up to leave Thailand. This que was 10 minutes and I was out of Thailand.
Paid the 910baht for the van ride full of people to Burma.
I have a METV that they stamped and gave me 90 more days. 60+30 days.
1 hour 20 minute was the total time at the Border.

Been here several times and it is easy everytime I go.

Ed
If you don't mind my asking, which route did you take? Google Maps gives me a route turning left onto route 3291 at Ratchaburi and then on a succession of other smallish roads - 3087, 3357, 3209 etc. Other people have suggested it might be better to go through Kanchanaburi as it would keep you on bigger and better roads. Which way did you go and/or would you recommend?
Gregjam
Ace
Ace
Posts: 1037
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:11 pm
Location: Hua Hin

Re: Kanchanaburi border (Phu Nam Ron) for visa runs

Post by Gregjam »

We took the back roads route you describe but in honesty if you are not familiar with the road and baulk at hairy overtakes it would probably be as quick to go to Kanchanaburi on the major roads and then head down to Ban Phu Nam Ron.
Mrock
Member
Member
Posts: 86
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:19 am
Location: Black Mountain and Canada

Re: Kanchanaburi border (Phu Nam Ron) for visa runs

Post by Mrock »

I take the same way everytime. The google map way.
The first time I went I dropped a pin and saved the border to my contacts.
Like you said, google maps turns many times and uses many roads. Thats just the way it goes.
Nothing to worry about when driving. It is actually a nice drive through the countryside.
if you go to Kanchanaburi I believe it makes the trip longer.
Ed
GroveHillWanderer
Guru
Guru
Posts: 803
Joined: Tue May 24, 2016 10:48 am
Location: Nong Kae

Re: Kanchanaburi border (Phu Nam Ron) for visa runs

Post by GroveHillWanderer »

Just an update in case anyone's interested. I did a "border run" to Ban Phu Nam Ron a couple of weeks ago and got an extra year on my O-A multi-entry visa. It took us around 4 hours to drive from just south of Hua Hin to (we took the "scenic" route via Suan Pheung - including having a leisurely lunch at a place called "The Resort") and about half an hour to do the crossing into Burma and back. We arrived at the border around 2 pm and it was pretty much deserted (not another farang in sight, just a few Thais and Burmese). It cost me 920 Baht, so slightly more than Mrock although I was the only passenger on the mini-bus that took me across the border and back.
nellyp
Member
Member
Posts: 94
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 6:55 pm

Re: Kanchanaburi border (Phu Nam Ron) for visa runs

Post by nellyp »

Is there any way you could give me a bit more info about this/ I am coming down to Hua Hin in 2 weeks time and want to do a border crossing from there. I have a multi non-o and want to do a 90 day border run. When you say it takes 4 hours is that just there, and would it be another 4 hours back? Sorry, but I really do not know the area. I take it that you have to hire the van and the agent at the Thai border. Does the 920 include the cost of the visa?

Any info would be great as I haveno idea what to do yet. i am info gathering
thaicookingchef
Rookie
Rookie
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu May 01, 2014 3:27 pm

Re: Kanchanaburi border (Phu Nam Ron) for visa runs

Post by thaicookingchef »

Hello,

Do you know a nice hotel or guesthouse near the border ?

Thank you.
Takiap
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 3550
Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:55 pm
Location: Bo Fai

Re: Kanchanaburi border (Phu Nam Ron) for visa runs

Post by Takiap »

Hi Guys

Does anyone know if this border crossing is open on weekends and bank holidays?

A mate of mine is planning to do a visa run tomorrow, but he is quite happy to spend the Monday night in a hotel up there and do the run on Tuesday if need be. Just be good to know in advance if the border will be open tomorrow due to it being a bank holiday?


:cheers:
Don't try to impress me with your manner of dress cos a monkey himself is a monkey no less - cold fact
Post Reply