Kanchanaburi border scam or English guy trying to help?

[crazy88]

Had some friends in town for christmas and the husband needed to do a border run and was going to go to Ranong so I suggested they come with me to Kanchanaburi for a couple of days and do a run from there as I was going anyway. I drove them to the border this morning. Lovely scenery and about a 35 minute gentle drive. On arrival the Thai girls got a paper using ID cards rather than passport for 30 Bt each and permission to take the car through the checkpoint for 100 Bt. This required a driving licence which was Thai so I do not know about international. Also the car paperwork. As I had nothing to do I just sat and people watched with a cold drink. An English man was approaching Farangs in the queue advising them that when they had been stamped they needed to speak to a guy who was sitting on the other side as they could not go by themselves and it would cost 900 bt each which I knew was rubbish as other friends do it and drive through for 100 bt for the car ticket, not per person. Now they and a few others were a bit unsure so they asked an immigration officer who said they could use one of the taxis waiting. When they explained they had a car and the paper you get from the booth on the right as you approach he said fine, you have paper and off they went taking some others with them that they had met in the queue. They were back in 20 minutes, paid the normal 10 dollars for a Farang and 50bt for the Thai girls. During the time they were gone the English guy was making himself busy wandering back and forth through the checkpoint which I found strange. When my Thai partner came back, having failed to get me any Myanmar beer from the duty free BTW, she told me that the Belgian lady they took with them had been asked direct for the 900 Bt by the English guy

Draw your own conclusions.

Crazy 88

[usual suspect]

Intresting reading..I myself took my pick up to that border crossing earlier this year..no Farang asking for 900B, & no mention of taking my own vehicle up to the actual border crossing.
I was however asked to wait next to the immigration post till a mini-bus took us up the rough/bumpy track to what was almost a quarry..upon where he stopped,the co-driver asked us for our 900B & passports..we (3 of us) waited in the minibus..10mins later the Thai man was back & we returned to the Thai Imm.post where I was stamped back in.
Now I had read previously on here about the 900B 'fee' & was willing to pay this as the alternative for me was a 6hr drive to Ranong & pay 875B to use the Andaman club route.
(As with the Andaman club..no $10 was asked for.)
I am due to go up there to Phu Nam Rong again in early Feb for my 90day Non 0 stamp..so any reports or feedback on here is always welcome..

[cozza]

Crazy,

Slightly off topic but do you know if that border crossing at Kanchanaburi is open to Non O visas?

[crazy88]

Sounds like the guy was just trying to give advice based on his experience then. No Idea on the non O but there were married people there and people clearly over 50. The place seemed pretty organised and efficient with many officers around. Judging by US post yes they do but I cannot say for sure. The 900 Bt obviously includes the 10 dollars as my friend paid 10 dollars in Thai Bt driving over instead of taking the taxi. My other friend took a taxi from Kan town for 1900 Bt all in a couple of months back on a retirement.

Hope this helps

Crazy 88

[usual suspect]

Cozza..Due to talk earlier this year about cases where some folk had to obtain a Myanmar visa from BKK BEFORE being allowed to do a 'visa run' here...I myself would like conformation that Non 0's can still be processed here as I did in May...??

[cozza]

Thanks guys!

[buksida]

Was up there a few months ago and met a Farang (dont think he was English) hanging around the border 'advising' people when they arrived. No money was mentioned or taken (we didnt cross) he just seemed to be there to help out. No idea how he gets around the 'working' issue.

[usual suspect]

As a bit of a follow-on to Buksi's post..the guy that 'lingers' around the Phu Nam Rong Immigration post..IS working with the immigration there.
He has the green-coloured coffee shop there, a Dutch national, & is indeed there to give helpful advice, & generally help out with any problems any folk may have.
There is a 'chubby' Thai man that mooches around there also..he does not wear a uniform, but is there as a 'helper'.
And now for my 'tip of the day' from our friendly Dutchman...
...ALWAYS try to arrive AFTER lunchtime..say 12.30 at the earliest, & try avoid Sunday mornings, so avoid morning arrivals..THAT'S when the border is busy with migrants going each way..
....

(ps..the fee is now 910B there.)
(pps..seen as I've not whinged or ranted here I'm off to find another thread.. )