First 90 day visa run coming up and I've read from other posts that the quickest way is Ranong.
However, I was thinking about combining the visa run with a bit of travel and fancied a trip to Langkawi in Malaysia, taking the train to Hat Yai and onto Satun then the ferry from Satun to Langkawi. As this is the first visa run I wondered if anyone else has done this route? What I really want to know is where and at what point do you get your exit and entry stamps for Thailand/Malaysia, i.e. exit stamp before get on ferry at Satun and entry stamp when get off at Langkawi? Does that make sense?! Long way to go and need to be a successful run!
Must admit that I havn't done the run myself, but I hear that the entry/exit stamps are obtained as you say. Satun-Langkawi is a recognised border crossing.
I'm not sure if the train goes to Satun. The overnight one from HH continues on to either Sungai Kolok or Butterworth. There might be a local service to Satun, otherwise you'll need to get a bus or shared minibus.
As a side note, I bumped into a Malaysian chap with his Chinese g/f (she had a Chinese passport) on my last run to Penang. They'd been on Langkawi, crossed into Thailand at Satun and traveled to Hat Yai. At the Pedang Besar border, the Chinese girl got a really hard time from Thai Imm. They were saying that she had to exit Thailand at her same point of entry. They paid 500 Baht and were allowed through, but there was another holdup on the Malaysian side and the minibus eventually went off without them. Maybe they had to go back to Satun? All very strange and it could have just been because she had a Chinese passport (the Thai chap said there were specific papers that had to be signed off).
So, if you go on to Penang as well, it might be worth checking that you can re-enter Thailand wherever you want. I doubt it'll affect you, but you never know.
PS, I assume you're on a multi-entry Non O visa so are just exiting to get another 90 days. If you're going to Langkawi to get another Visa, you'll be disappointed. They only cater for locals. Penang's the place to go for a visa.
Thanks Lomuamart.
Yeah, I'm on the multiple type O and going for my next 90 day days. The plan is to go by train to Hat Yai (I believe there's no direct train to Sutan) then bus/mini bus to Sutan and spend a night or two there, before heading to Langkawi. Will check out the situation with re-entry just incase we decide to travel on - thanks for the tip.
Out of interest you said Penang's the place to go for a visa, you know if its possible to get a new non imm, multiple type O visa? I thought only possible to do back home? For me, when the time comes, means a trip back to the UK....perish the thought!
Would need to know a few more details before I could really advise on the situation in Penang. I was down there a little over three months ago and only got a single entry Non O. When I picked my passport up from the agents, there were 3/4 other westerners there and they'd all been turned down for the multi-entry as well. All had the single. The agent said that others had been successful a couple of days previous. That could have just been "agent speak" though.
Basically, I'm afraid that you've got next to no chance of getting a multi-entry or even single entry Non O unless you're married to a Thai or are over 50 and can convince them that you're checking out Thailand for retirement purposes.
Singapore were issuing multis as long as you had proof of over 400k Baht in any bank account, anywhere, but latest reports are that they're tightening up now.
Basically, all the neighbouring Embassies and consulates are pushing people to get annual extensions within Thailand, but you've got to qualify for that - over 50 or married to a Thai or working - and there are financial requirements to satisfy as well.
If you don't fit into their round holes, going home will probably be your only way to get a multi or single entry non O.
Tourist visas are still relatively easy to get. User friendly missions change all the time, so it's best to check back closer to the time for advice.
Long way to go and need to be a successful run!