What are the best options and costs for visa runs from Pattaya and Koh Chang on a METV?

Sep 4, 2018
6 years ago
J *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi again. On a METV, looking for suggestions on visa runs. Ideally from Pattaya and/or from Koh Chang. Iโ€™ll need to do more than one as visa is valid for 6 months.

1) Are the visa runs doable in a single day?

2) What are the costs (on average) of visa runs from Pattaya and Koh Chang?

3) Where and/or how do I book them, so I can have proof of onward travel upon re-entering. First re-entry will most likely be via Singapore into Phuket by air.

Thanks for any and all suggestions, information and prior experience.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post seeks advice on visa runs from Pattaya and Koh Chang while on a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) valid for 6 months. It asks if the runs can be done in a single day, the average costs, and how to book them for proof of onward travel, mentioning a likely re-entry through Singapore via Phuket. The comments highlight suggested border crossings, flight options, and experiences regarding visa extensions and requirements for proof of funds.
Ron *******
@Tod ********
is right. I'm just looking. Not sure why, perhaps for low season but they have cut a lot of flights out of the schedule.
Ron *******
They are still cheap enough though if you pick your days but you'll have to stay the night.
Tod *********
I know I remember looking a while back and they ran that flight a LOT more frequently
Adrien ******
If you are going from Koh Chang you can go to Ban Laem Thai/Cambodian Border Crossing. Its not far from Koh Chang and is the nearest Border Crossing from there.
Adrien ******
@Jamie *******
Thank God you didn't say 100% lol. Sorry. But it's Ban Laem / Daung Cambodia and it's under 2 hours including Ferry from Koh Chang. Its not used a great deal But there is a great place to buy cheap alcohol there and a Casino.
Jamie ********
I'm 99% certain that the closest boarder to Koh Chang is Hat Lek. It's about a 6 hour round trip. There are mini-bus companies that go daily for 900baht (including ferry).
Ron *******
Why mess around with road trips especially from Pattaya? Cheap flights and less than 2 hours to KL from U-Tapao is the way to do it.
Ron *******
In the mean time, there new route, Phuket to KL is everyday and cheap.
Glen *********
Tod Daniels when I search today for this month, still as low as 1,200. Using the App shows cheaper flights ๐Ÿ™‚

And if Iโ€™m travelling out I usually know 2-3 months ahead of time...so much cheaper when they have deals going ๐Ÿ™‚
Ron *******
@Tod ********
i can see what Air Asia have done. They have chopped the KL schedule, which because KL is a transit hub for there other routes, it's effecting those too. They have increased the Chinese destination schedules with those Aircraft. The Domestic Ubon route has now been discontinued completely. The Phuket route in the meantime, can be had for less than 500 baht, even in December and January. Apart from the Chinese, traffic must be way down for them.
Tod *********
@Glen ********
I meant 1500 baht

You ain't flying that cheap this or next month
Glen *********
Tod Daniels not sure where you get 15,000 Baht flights from???

I can fly most days from UTP to KUL for as low as 1,000 Baht
Ron *******
If you install the Airasia app on you phone, you can plan ahead with dates and prices etc.
Tod *********
That bounce can ONLY be done on Air Asia on Monday because that's the only day that the time points work out but at more than 1500baht per flight I'd say it's sure not a cheap border bounce.
J *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Iโ€™ll look into it Ron. Thank you.
Tod *********
@J ******
, just so you know, you can get almost 9 months of stay out of that 6 month METV if you time your border bounces right.

Make sure you do one last border-bounce just prior to the "enter before" date on the visa itself, that will give you one final 60 day stamp and then you can extend that for 30 days at the immigration office for 1900baht
J *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok thank you. You guys are awesome.
Tod *********
You shouldn't be required to show proof of funds, proof of a hotel booking or proof of onward travel entering on an METV.

Although with that being said, IF you border bounce at the southern land borders some of them are indeed asking for proof of 20K baht (or the equivalent) in cash.

I'll leave it to you to find a visa run company that will lug you to the border and back from the locations you mentioned. I'd say google is your friend (y)
J *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod. I appreciate the rapid reply.
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