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Is it necessary to stay overnight in Cambodia when doing a border bounce from Thailand?
Visa ExemptionsBorder BouncingThailand ImmigrationCambodia Border PolicyThai Visa RulesTravel Tips for ExpatsExpat Life in Thailand
Dec 10, 2024
a year ago
Alice *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi all ๐
I'm sorry for the redundance of this question but I can't find any clear answers on my researches... I'm here on a 60 days exemption visa (fr), already did the extension of 30 extra days and now planning on doing an exit/re-entry of the country in order to get another 60days exemption of visa. I'll take the train from Bangkok to Poipet on my own. (No agencies)
Is there any clear law about the obligation or not to stay one night in Cambodia before going back to BKK ? Does it depend on the border you choose ?
Thank you very much in advance for your help๐
I'm sorry for the redundance of this question but I can't find any clear answers on my researches... I'm here on a 60 days exemption visa (fr), already did the extension of 30 extra days and now planning on doing an exit/re-entry of the country in order to get another 60days exemption of visa. I'll take the train from Bangkok to Poipet on my own. (No agencies)
Is there any clear law about the obligation or not to stay one night in Cambodia before going back to BKK ? Does it depend on the border you choose ?
Thank you very much in advance for your help๐
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking clarification on whether an overnight stay in Cambodia is mandatory when exiting Thailand and then re-entering to renew their 60-day visa exemption. Responses indicate that there is no requirement for an overnight stay at most borders for a border bounce; however, certain borders may have different rules. There are warnings against using the Poipet border due to high denial rates, with recommendations for alternative crossings and advice on using agencies for safer travel.
Pelle Erikssonโ
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Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.โ
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I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
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Graham ******
It's an online application. First you register on the UK government website then submit the documents again online via VFS Global. Start the process to see exactly what is needed and note carefully every requirement to ensure that your uploads address every requirement (and include references in your application). It's doable.
Alice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
are you talking about e-visa?Graham ******
@Alice ******
No, online application then attend for biometrics and leave passport to have the visa (hopefully) addedReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Michael ******
I did the poipet border crossing as my first ever border bounce. The train was about 5 hours, then walk about an hour. Stayed for 2 weeks in Cambodia and still had issues coming back across that crossing. They let me through but i havent used it since. To better understand, it is not thai immigration that is the issue it it Cambodian immagratiom agents that deny you. Also if you are going alone as a female I would not reccomend this trip. Everywhere in Thailand is fine but you dont want to be alone stuck without a plan in poipet.
Bart **************
@Michael *****
maybe you misunderstood. Leaving Cambodia there is nothing Cambodian immigrations could possibly harass you with. If you had problems, it should have been with Thai immigrations.Michael ******
@Bart *************
definitely didnt misunderstand. Thanks though.Reply to
Michael ******
Reply
Alice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *****
I forgot to ask : what was the reason they gave you issues to come back to Thailand ? Was it just because you weren't on an organized tour with an agency?Michael ******
@Alice ******
well at the time the visa free entry was only 30 days and then you got a 30-day extension. So the agent saw that I had done the extension while I was in Thailand and told me I already did an extension he didn't want to let me back through into Thailand. My brother was with me who had done the same thing but had no problem. Luckily the other agents talked my agent out of being a huge inconvenience ๐Reply to
Michael ******
Reply
Alice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *****
thanks for your answer and explanations on wich side you encountered difficulties. It is also kind to notify the risk as a female alone in Cambodia. Fortunately I have the chance to be accompanied by my protective husband in this trip ๐ฅฐ After some reflexions, we were thinking about doing the e-visa online for Cambodia (avoiding this part of the process and scams for the entry) and then take an hotel in Poipet, going to the casino, get our chances on a roulette maybe ๐คjust to have proof that we went there in a touristy-gambling purpose. And hopefully we will be cleared to come back the next day.
Reply to
Alice *******
Reply
Dave **********
So is it safe to say if Iโm in Bangkok on a 60 day Visa exempt and during that time I fly from DMK to siam reap ๏ฟผ to visit Angkor wat and returned to Thailand through DMK. There will be no issues and a renewed 60?๏ฟผ and then also taking a trip to Hanoi and returning all within the original 60 ??๏ฟผ
Ant ***********
Thai Visa
Hua Hin to Myanmar & back same day
4500 Baht
Incl lunch etc
Hua Hin to Myanmar & back same day
4500 Baht
Incl lunch etc
Warren ******
Just stay on a retirement visa ..
David **********
@Warren *****
how hard is a retirement visa to getReply to
David **********
Reply
Steve *******
No obligation to stay overnight for a border bounce to Cambodia. Use Chong Chom or Chong Sangam, both user friendly crossings
Alice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve ******
ok thanks I'll look on theses crossings โบ๏ธReply to
Alice *******
Reply
Bart **************
Not required, only some borders in Laos require it.
Alice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bart *************
thanks ๐Did you did it? Or know people doing it on their own this way recently?
Bart **************
@Alice ******
not recently. But if you had only one entry before you should (normally) be okay.Reply to
Bart **************
Reply
Michael ********
I live permanently in Thailand now, but only a few years ago pre covid I flew Air Asia from Hua Hin direct to KL and returned back the same day on the same plane, no problems, but the flight has never been available since Covid.
Alice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
ok, thanks, I read that it was easier by plane. But I can't for this time I want to travel cheapReply to
Alice *******
Reply
Richard ********
Fly to KL few days or to Ranong
Alice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Richard *******
unfortunately I can't leave BKK too long because I have a cat at home who will wait for me ๐คReply to
Alice *******
Reply
Brandon ************
You've decided on the absolute worst plan possible. Poipet is known as the worst land border in Thailand. You're almost guaranteed to receive a "denied entry" stamp in your passport if you try your plan. That border loves denying entry to people trying to do border bounces. It's such a bad border that border bounce agencies won't even use it.
If you want to do a stress free border bounce then contact an agency that offers that service. They'll guarantee you get out and back in, and they won't use the Poipet border.
If you want to try to do it on your own, choose a different border. But be prepared if you're denied entry trying to get back into Thailand. Your only option if that happens if traveling to Phnom Penh and trying to fly back, but the airports are generally more strict than the land borders.
If you want to do a stress free border bounce then contact an agency that offers that service. They'll guarantee you get out and back in, and they won't use the Poipet border.
If you want to try to do it on your own, choose a different border. But be prepared if you're denied entry trying to get back into Thailand. Your only option if that happens if traveling to Phnom Penh and trying to fly back, but the airports are generally more strict than the land borders.
Stephen *******
@Brandon ***********
your information might be duff buddy.Brandon ************
@Stephen ******
tell that to all the people that are denied entry at that border and post about it on Facebook looking for help when it's already too late.Stephen *******
@Brandon ***********
I'm not bothering to argue with you.Reply to
Stephen *******
Reply
Alice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
yes I know that it's not the best confortable way to do it and I'm aware of the bad reputation of Poipet border. Prepared for difficulties but not scared though โบ๏ธ My thinking was that the worst that could happen was to book a last minute hotel in Poipet and come back the next day so I think for me it's worth the try. My aim is actually to use the cheap way wich is the train. Maybe you can advice some other train routes from Bangkok ?
Thanks for your answer
Brandon ************
@Alice ******
if they give you a denied entry stamp, there is no coming back the next day. Your only option at that point is to go to Phnom Penh and fly back into Thailand.Alice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
ok I understand. Thank you very much for your time. I'll do antoher way then, cause it too risky ๐Reply to
Alice *******
Reply
Michael **********
@Brandon ***********
What is the appx fee of an agency?Brandon ************
@Michael *********
not sure. Probably around 3500-4000Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Baz *********
@Brandon ***********
Your information is not correct..Visa run agencies are using that border as I know 2 people who did a visa run today and all went well.
And it's not their first time to that border either
Alice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Baz ********
yes all the videos I saw on YouTube were with agencies using Poipet border. Glad it went well for your friends ๐ค
Nongnuch ********
@Alice ******
Don't try this alone. Definitely NOT in Aranyapathet/Poipet. With an agency, yes. Costs between 3500 and 4000 Baht. Cambodia visa fee included, water and one meal. Doing it alone and the border officials will give you a "denied entry" stamp because you are not willing to pay for their scam. Then it is a journey to Sieam Reap to fly back to ThailandAlice *******
ORIGINAL POSTERReply to
Alice *******
Reply
Gian *******
@Baz ********
can you send me the name of the agency please? All the agencies I've asked don't go Poipet, and actually I live near Poipet so if I could get the agency name or contact, that would be great ๐ thank youReply to
Gian *******
Reply
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