Answereda year ago
Have visa run agencies in Thailand stopped border runs for DTV holders?
A few visa run agencies have stopped border runs (even for dtv holders) from koh phangan koh samui and koh tao. Anyone else experience anything similar?
Answer summary
Several visa run agencies operating from Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao have ceased their services, particularly for DTV visa holders, with reports of immigration issues at borders. Many travelers have been turned away, prompting discussions about alternative methods such as flying to nearby countries instead. The situation is evolving, with authorities expected to clarify regulations by the end of November.
46 repliesnewest first
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Amornrat **********
Currently all land border have been advised not to stamp passports out-in. Theoretically e-visa holders should be exempted. Situation should be clarified by end of November.
Marco ***********
Isn’t it more convenient to just take flight from Samui to Malaysia/ Singapore and fly back 1-2 days later?
Anonymous ******************
@Marco **********
many people get rejected if they fly or cross border themselves. people who value their time want certainty and they will pay for it. thailand knows that
Anonymous ******************
Yesterday morning all people on a visa run from Koh Tao to the Ranong border were turned away by the immigration officers in Ranong. They wouldn’t let anyone cross the border. Back they went to Koh Tao, the visa run agency refunded part of what they had paid.
Mika ********
Anonymous participant 642 wait the thai immigration officers wouldnt let them leave? so presumably some of those people are now overstaying if they didnt give themselves a few days wiggle room?
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 642 Wow!
Greg ********
Is it not just lack of demand now the Visa Exempt border runners cannot do it? Is it worth putting on the runs now?
Julien ******
@Greg *******
my god just go on holiday a couple days by yourself and come back It s not rocket science
Greg ********
@Julien *****
Sorry - do not comprehend. 🙂
Anonymous ******************
A friend of mine went today but in Phuket.
Amornrat **********
Anonymous participant 122 to which border? Ranong did not accept any out-in since 2days. And Laos side as well.
Paul *******
@Amornrat *********
Ranong has long been an issue...they have no concept of someone crossing over for a few days and then back again.Anonymous ******************
@Amornrat *********
Malaysia
Anonymous ******************
Good to see system abusers are having problems
Todd *********
Anonymous participant 940 there is a system. You either use it or you don't. There is no way to 'abuse' it. It's how the thai government designed it
Anonymous ******************
@Todd ********
yes! and always will be. rest is theaterTodd *********
Anonymous participant 227 exactly. The endless ranting about system ‘abusers’ is hilarious
David *******
Sounds like the crackdown is having the desired effect
Daniel ***********
7000+ bhat yet you can fly return to singapore from samui for 9000
Paul *******
@Daniel **********
Don't forget the cost of lodging in Singapore, which is very high...also, most of the time, you're paying 10,000 Baht plus for a round-trip flight from anywhere in Thailand to Singapore.Anonymous ******************
@Daniel **********
7000 bhatt where? sounds like it includes border fee for safe entryGreg ********
Anonymous participant 227 It's a flight to Singapore from Samui. Always been expensive route.
Reed **********
@Daniel **********
keep that one a secret lolAnonymous ******************
@Daniel **********
visa run is guaranteed entry. flying in yourself without fast track is not. you need to add fast track cost to your flight or you're still taking a gambleGreg ********
@Daniel **********
If it is only 8k for a visa run to Singapore on a flight from Samui DTV holders should jump at this option from the Gulf IslandDaniel ***********
@Greg *******
times changeGreg ********
@Daniel **********
Still cheaper than I thought as I am sure 400 SGD (10k THB) was always mentioned on that route and that was over 10 years ago. Most went to Phuket or Bangkok as it was cheaper.Daniel ***********
@Greg *******
the run used to be 4000 but since rule change its almost doubled, hence the balance of economies of scale - time vs moneyFlying return to KL from Krabi cheapest option by far
Greg ********
@Daniel **********
Not much then. I just remember my boss in Singapore complaining about flight prices one weekend when he took his family for a long weekend. He reckoned he could have gone to Japan cheaper for a holiday.Daniel ***********
@Greg *******
not really lad there is only £40 difference between paying for a visa run vs flying from samui
Lisa ***************
haven't heard anyone be refused for DTV yet from Samui but that is for people without a history of border bouncing - not sure if they are refusing those with long history of border bounce and sudden change to DTV.
Anonymous ******************
If you’re on dtv. Just do the trip yourself. Stay 1 or two nights somewhere fun. And come back with no issues.
Paul *******
Anonymous participant 102 Agreed. Even better, if you have your own car, cross the border (no questions asked then, because you have a car) and come back through a different border. Don't spend the full or near full 180 day entitlement (doing so once or on occasion is OK) but it's better if you're coming and going at least once every 90 days.
Again, this is just general advice; in theory, 1-2 night stays outside of Thailand between DTV stays in Thailand should be fine, even if you do spend the full 180 days here.
Again, this is just general advice; in theory, 1-2 night stays outside of Thailand between DTV stays in Thailand should be fine, even if you do spend the full 180 days here.
Greg ********
Are there any easy routes from the Gulf Islands?
Anonymous ******************
Plenty. Depends where you are. Hat yai to Penang on a bus is 550thb.
Flights from Surat to Bangkok are normally around 1000thb and onwards from there i just took a return to Vietnam for 4000thb.
Theres trains that go to southern boarders from Surat and chumphon alike.
Plenty of buses leaving both cities also.
Avoid Samui airport. Too expensive.
Flights from Surat to Bangkok are normally around 1000thb and onwards from there i just took a return to Vietnam for 4000thb.
Theres trains that go to southern boarders from Surat and chumphon alike.
Plenty of buses leaving both cities also.
Avoid Samui airport. Too expensive.
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 102 I have done 2 border runs. One from Pattaya to get VE to move from O to B. One from Bangkok to get VE to move from B to O - Never ever again I hope.
Anonymous ******************
Those day trips are horrendous in the back of the vans and a hell of a long way.
Tao and Phangan have night boats. (Not sure about Samui)
Night boat to Surat. First flight 08:30. Bangkok before 10:00. It’s soooo easy.
Tao and Phangan have night boats. (Not sure about Samui)
Night boat to Surat. First flight 08:30. Bangkok before 10:00. It’s soooo easy.
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 102 Still a bit of a hike for Islanders though. Not the day trip they are used to.
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