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Is Padang Besar a good option for a quick visa run from Hat Yai?

visa run Padang Besar Hat Yai Thailand immigration visa extension border crossing visa exempt overstay fine

Mar 4, 2018

7 years ago

Karen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Is Padang Besar a good place for a quick visa run from Hat Yai? (I'm on visa exempt and I need a few more days)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

This discussion provides various experiences regarding making a visa run to Padang Besar from Hat Yai. Many users found Padang Besar to be a convenient option for a quick border crossing, noting the ease of entry and exit with minimal queuing. However, some shared less favorable experiences, particularly regarding crowded conditions at the land border. Additional comments highlight the importance of carrying proof of onward travel and sufficient cash for entry, as well as the possibility of extending a visa exempt entry at an immigration office for a fee.

Karen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you all for your comments :) I'm just coming back from Padang Besar. It was an easy in and out. I was the only foreigner so the custom officer took her time with me. I needed to show her proof of onwards travel but she didn't ask to see if I had the cash. Good luck! :)

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Aslam ******

At Sadao I showed him USD he told me...show Thai Baht only...

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Aslam ******

Only... harassment... the key is to remain calm as they will find ways to wind you up

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Aslam ******

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Paul *********

Padang Basar is in my experience easy and fast. Stamp out of Thailand jump on one of the many motorbike taxis and they take you over go through the car line at the Malaysian side so no queuing and same on way out. 50 baht well spent.

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Paul *********

Easily done in a day from Hat Yai.

I’ve done it from Samui to Padang Basar and back in a day.

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Karen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. I'm in Thailand now. Not far from Hat yai

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Paul *********

yes but where are you starting from?

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Karen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

You did this in one day?

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Karen *********

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Francesco ******

In my experience it was the worst visa run I did.last December, got it by train, getting in was OK, but the land border to get back in Thailand was incredibly crowded, smashed in room for more than an hour with no ac and no fan. It was the land border you cross by foot or vehicle, I suppose the one you do by train my be better..(I didn't want to wait until my next train.. Terrible idea..) But I suppose if you are already in hat yai, being so close to you, is still your better and cheapest option.

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Ivan ************

The train border is easy in the Malaysia-Thailand direction as well, you just get off the train and the passengers shuffle through the station (Malaysian and Thai immigration are in the same room, in Malaysia) where they stamp you all out and in, very quick and no questions.

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Ivan ************

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Tod *********

The southern land borders are notorious for asking for proof of funds when entering the country on a border bounce. Even though the real rule is 10K baht be prepared to show 20K baht (or the equivalent in foreign currency) in cash if you're bouncing at a land border in the south.

Did you already extend your 30 day visa exempt entry by 30 days at the immigration office?

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Tod *********

@Karen ********

, face it you're not the first foreigner to overstay in thailand :/ Go to the immigration office, pay your overstay fine of 1500baht (which you will have to pay anyway) then apply for the 30 day extension for 1900baht. They will date the extension from the expiration date of your original stamp (so you'll lose the days you overstayed off the extension).

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Karen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks! My fee for overstaying three Days will be 1500 so I suppose there's no point in doing that?

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Steve *******

@Karen ********

. The price is 1900bt

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Karen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you. I didn't know I can extend my visa exempt:) Do you know the price for it?

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Karen *********

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