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Is the border crossing at Ranong open for a border bounce near Hua Hin, and what is the status of Kanchanaburi?

Border BounceRanong Border CrossingKanchanaburi BorderVisa RegulationsCOVID-19 Travel Requirements
Apr 22, 2023
2 years ago
Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I need to do a border bounce this week. I live in Hua Hin so somewhere close ish would be preferable. I heard the crossing at Ranong down by Phuket is open. And rumor oh the one in Khanchanaburi, sorry for probably wrong spelling, will open after song khran. Anyone can confirm?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The Ranong border crossing is confirmed to be open for border bounces, while the status of the Kanchanaburi crossing remains uncertain, with suggestions it might open after Songkran. Travelers are advised to carry proof of COVID vaccinations and may require a small fee for processing.
Paul *******
Haven't heard anything about Kanchanaburi reopening but if it is, very unlikely you'd be allowed to travel beyond the border town and chances are they would only allow you to stamp in/out.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
I know a lot more than you do. It's virtually certain that only a border bounce will be permitted once this border reopens. It's too dangerous to go further and the Burmese government won't allow it.
2 years ago
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Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
 you think you know everything ! that's why you start your sentences saying " haven't heard anything," , or " if it is " ,or "it's virtually certain " .. you sound like the NOBEL price ,in rocket science for " I don't know , but if I knew , I would know what any informed person would know "

so of course I am absolutely aware that you know soooooo

muuuuuuuuuch mooooooore . than I do.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
You're the most arrogant poster on here. Go back to your ignorance living in some backward Akha village. It's not just me that knows more than you do, most other forum members do.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
2 years ago
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Giorgio ******
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Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
 meanng you don't know
2 years ago
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Giorgio ******
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Stuart *********
You’ll need proof of covid jabs or take a test. A crisp US$10 note and I believe 200 baht “tip”. Not been since they re opened but I hear it’s much the same.

The Andaman Club route is seemingly open again too. I don’t know specifics of that as never done it.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Nathan ********
I see. Would be good to know. Did you see any evidence of foreign nationals going there with suitcases or bags suggesting they would spend the night?
2 years ago
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Nathan *********
@Paul ******
 no I was the only foreigner the day I went.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Nathan ********
That wouldn't surprise me given that official sources haven't even mentioned the border having reopened and if they're only allowing border bounces there will be even less interest as tourist won't be allowed to go. Even if tourists are allowed to visit the islands of Southern Myanmar now the political situation will deter most, especially westerners.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
With my education visa it requires I leave and come back.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Cris *****
 ok a number of visa types do.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Stuart ********
Is it possible to enter and spend some time in Kawthoung these days? Or is it stamp in/out only like at Mae Sot-Myawaddy?
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Maxim ***********
@Stuart ********
 No proof of covid jab needed for Savannakhet or Vientiane border run, right?
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
Only Myanmar
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Nathan *********
@Stuart ********
 I just did this.

It cost me 1900 baht on the Thai side plus $10 plus 200 baht tip
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Nathan ********
Could you have spent some time in Kawthoung? Like are they allowing foreigners to spend the night there?
2 years ago
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Nathan *********
@Paul ******
 mate I’m not sure. I was just there to get my stamp and get out of there
2 years ago
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Nathan *********
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nathan ********
 I just need a new 30 day exempt. I’m doing my visa back in hua hin
2 years ago
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Nathan *********
@Cris *****
 yeah no need to leave Thailand for that. Should be all good.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Nathan ********
 He will if he’s already done an extension and needs more time to process the visa application
2 years ago
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Nathan *********
@Stuart ********
 yeah ok. I’ve never done one only 90 day multi entry always.
2 years ago
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Nathan *********
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Stuart *********
@Nathan ********
 what was the 1900 baht for?
2 years ago
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Nathan *********
@Stuart ********
 for the visa I believe. I have a non o visa and that’s what they charged me and that’s with my Thai wife being there with me.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Nathan ********
 Sorry really don’t understand. In Ranong (boat terminal immigration point) they don’t issue visas they just stamp you in and out.

Ranong Town immigration may be a different thing. But we’re talking about doing a border bounce to either activate a new 90 days on a multiple entry O or another 30 day exempt entry.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 I will be driving my truck down then. Is it a park at the border walk across walk back kind of thing?
2 years ago
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Phil ******
@Cris *****
 just as cheap to fly to Singapore and back and leave your truck in Phuket
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Phil *****
No, it's probably cheaper to do the 600km round trip by car than fly to Singapore. It's also a great opportunity to do a bit of sightseeing, stopping off in Khao Lak for a swim along the way and if it's permitted, spending time in Kawthoung and/or the Grand Andaman island.
2 years ago
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Phil ******
@Paul ******
 jeez dunno with fees for visa stamp, 20us and 200 baht trip PLUS car wear and tear and gas I think it's the same
2 years ago
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Paul *******
There used to be a Phuket-Kawthoung flight but I guess that hasn't returned yet
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Phil *****
Car wear and tear is not really even something you can calculate, it's a mere 600km trip. Fuel is probably like 1500 Baht and if we're talking just a border bounce it's an easy day trip. The arrival pass should be US$10 or at least that's what it was last time. Then of course the cost of the boat plus parking but overall well below 3000 Baht.

If you fly Singapore Airlines from Phuket to Singapore return, it will be a lot more than that, probably 7000 and realistically, no one is doing a single day return by air.

Also, Singapore is expensive. Even if you stay one night you'll be spending 7000 Baht a night on a hotel room, unless you don't mind staying in a dump, which will still cost a whopping 2500-3000 Baht. Food is now more expensive than Australia.

So I think the Kawthoung trip from Phuket by car will surely be way cheaper. Even flying a low cost carrier will cost you more just for the flight.
2 years ago
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Phil ******
@Paul ******
 car w&t can be calculated as 30baht/kms at 1200km round trip.....

Aussies don't need to pay for any visa

Fly cheap either kl or singapore from. 3k baht
2 years ago
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Phil ******
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Cris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok that doesn’t sound to bad.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Cris *****
 no. It’s a park near a boat terminal, organise a long tail and take a boat ride for 40 minutes to Myanmar. Stamp in and out and have a chance to buy duty free. Then 40 min back again.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Stuart *********
Ranong is open. Don’t know about the other.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Stuart ********
At the Burmese borders there's a dual system. Visa or border pass, which allows you only limited travel from the border. I understand visas are not yet recognized for entry and exit at land borders in the post Covid period, mainly due to political reasons.

At Mae Sai, you can cross over and spend up to 2 weeks in Tachilek and/or Kengtung, but you have to apply for the on arrival border pass, not use a visa. Before Covid you had a choice and if you had a visa you could also continue your journey to other parts of Myanmar by flying from Tachilek or Kengtung to the interior and leaving the country at any international border.

My hunch is if Kawthoung does allow overnight stays like in the past, it's probably on a border pass only, with restrictions on how far you can go out of town (which is not very far). In any case, you're coming for the islands and there are several that can be visited using a border pass.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Stuart ********
OK. Thanks for letting me know anyway. Would be good if someone that's been there or simply knows the rules could give us a heads up. If I do go to Kawthoung, it won't be for a border bounce, but I want to actually spend some time touring the area.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Paul ******
 pre covid possible if you had the visa. Assume the same now but really don’t know.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Paul *******
Stuart CummingOpen just for border bounces or can you spend the night in Kawthoung or one of the nearby islands? This border reopened for Thais back in November but when I enquired back in December whether 3rd country foreign nationals would be allowed to catch a boat to Bruer or Nyaung Oo Phee Island near Kawthoung, I was told these trips were currently available only for Thai nationals. Perhaps this has since changed? Do you know?
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
@Paul ******
 Sorry I don’t know that one
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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