I think I need a border run?

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NOKYAI
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I think I need a border run?

Post by NOKYAI »

Unfortunately I miscalculated my visa/ flight dates. I had a 60 day tourist visa and now have a 30 day extension, but I’m about 3 days short.
In the olden days I would have taken a trip to Ranong, soaked in the hot spas and popped over to Burma on a long tailed boat. I would have stocked up on cheap gin and wandered back, taking a few days.

Is this still the best option?

I have done Cambodia, but the airports put me off a bit.

Any other options?
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by hhinner »

This used to be the case and probably still is if you don't need more than another 7 days. When your 30 day extension is just about to finish go to immigration and apply for another one. It will be refused but you will get 7 days to leave the country. 1900 baht.
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by NOKYAI »

I know I can pay a fine at the airport, but didn’t fancy a ‘ black mark ‘ in my passport as soon will be applying for retirement visas etc
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by buksida »

Went to the Andaman Club with a pal last month.

Spoke to immigration and they said 'more clampdowns, no visa runs'. They also mentioned a new requirement to show 20k in cash. This was specifically for those without visas that had the 30 day stamp. Since your visa and the extension is about to expire I presume this would apply to you as you would be returning without a visa so I would not guarantee anything from the Ranong route.

Getting another 90 days on a valid non-o multi entry visa was no problem.

You may get 7 days from HH immigration, try calling them or pop into the Bluport branch which, from all accounts, is very accommodating.
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by NOKYAI »

ubonjoe
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Posted January 29, 2017
The change last month was that only 2 visa exempt entries are allowed at a land border crossing per calendar and everybody gets a 30 day entry.
You can do a crossing at Ranong for a new visa exempt entry it you want to.
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by buksida »

Go for it then - why ask?

Only reporting what they told me.
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by NOKYAI »

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Posted February 8, 2017 (edited)
visa run in February 2017
Hi everyone, our experience from the visa run - it was very uncomplicated - the link I posted at opening the thread describes how to make it. We took a red truck (songthaew) from Ranong Market to Saphan Pla (this is the pier of Ranong) - 15thb each person. Some days before we changed Thai Baht into two 10 USD bills in a bank on the way - much better currency conversion rates.
We told the red truck driver that we're going to Myanmar and he stopped in front of the right pier and indicated us. Out of the truck a young guy came and asked us if we want to make a visa run and said he'll charge 250 thb for it - we agreed and he escorted us to all stations we needed to make the visa run: Photocopies of the passports - if you need money exchange - departure stamp in Thailand - arrival stamp in Myanmar - arrival in Thailand once again - the whole story took 2 hours and was uncomplicated. Highly recommend. It is true that you can only make 2 visa runs per calender year since 12/2016.
You don't need a Myanmar Visa to do the visa run!
Question by the way: I could see the Market in Kawthoung from the place I stamped my passport in Myanmar and could have entered the country easily without a official visa because they don't check it passing the barriers.... I don't have much experience with visas, but what happens if you enter Myanmar without a visa?
Edited February 8, 2017 by donCamillo
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by NOKYAI »

Ok those were lifted from another site, but it seems the Ranong run to Burma, not the Anderman Club is still possible
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by NOKYAI »

I asked then did some digging around. I posted it because someone might be in the same boat as me!
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buksida
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by buksida »

Those posts were from this time in 2017 - things change very quickly and very often with visas in this country so they're not really relevant anymore.
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by HHTel »

Those posts are lifted from ThaiVisa (Shh you'll wake up the mods) and members there are not as reliable as members here. I'd take everything read there with a pinch of salt.
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by Takiap »

Nokyai, the posts which you copied and pasted are almost a year old so I would not rely on them.


What I can say with certainty though, is that it is still possible to do a border run via the border crossing at Kanchanaburi (spelling?). I know this for a fact because a Danish friend of mine went yesterday. Left here early morning and back late afternoon. He went with a private taxi from our local Mom and Pop shop for a cost of 2,800. Another mate of mine will be doing the same run in about 3 weeks using the same driver as well.


Like you, I used to quite enjoy my Ranong runs when I still had to do the 90 day run. I too would hop in a longtail boat; get stamped in Burma, stock up with cigs and a bottle of rot gut, and then sit down somewhere for a few beers while people watching. Most times I would also buy 20 or 30 samosas which if I remember correctly, only cost about 3 baht each.


Buksida, the 20k rule has essentially been in place for as long as I can remember. In fact, I think it was originally 40k, and 20k for people from any African country.

As with many rules, this one was never really enforced, but about 3 years ago when I applied in Panang for a 1 Year Multi O based on marriage, I got pull at immigration on the Thai side when returning, and a VERY arrogant and obnoxious immigration officer demanded that I show him 20k in cash or else he would send me back to Malaysia. At this time, they were only singling out people with passports from African countries.
No matter how much I tried to reason with him, he was was having none of it. Thankfully, a lady immigration officer came to my rescue and asked if I have any money in my bank account, and an ATM card. I said yes, and she told me to walk about 500 meters down the road to an ATM and bring back a slip. So there I was, walking freely into Thailand with my bag and my passport without being stamped in. Found the ATM, got a receipt, and walked back to immigration. This time I avoided the crocodile and went straight to the nice officer lady who promptly stamped me in.


:cheers: :cheers:
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by Pagey »

Takiap wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2018 9:21 am


What I can say with certainty though, is that it is still possible to do a border run via the border crossing at Kanchanaburi (spelling?). I know this for a fact because a Danish friend of mine went yesterday. Left here early morning and back late afternoon. He went with a private taxi from our local Mom and Pop shop for a cost of 2,800. Another mate of mine will be doing the same run in about 3 weeks using the same driver as well.



:cheers: :cheers:
That looks a good deal as someone is advertising Kan border runs on HHfb and they charge 2,500 and you use the standard minivan from Soi 51 and they meet you at the van stop and return by minivan so an extra 300 Baht for a private car is good value. :cheers:
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by moater »

Silly to do a border run for 3 measly days. Just pay 1500 at the airport for the 3 days fine, or 1900 at immigration for an extra week. They're both cheaper than a border run and have no consequences.
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Re: I think I need a border run?

Post by NOKYAI »

Takieb, would you mind asking your friend if he would like some company and to share costs?
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