Answered4 years ago
What is the best way to handle a border run from Bangkok to Cambodia or Vietnam?
Anyone has experience with border run from Bangkok? My exit visa expires later this week and I'm thinking about getting a bus ticket to Cambodia. If anyone knows a reputable border run service, please let me know!
Answer summary
The post discusses experiences and advice regarding border runs from Bangkok as the user's exit visa is expiring. Various commenters provide insights on the definition of an exit visa, alternatives to using agents for border runs, and their recommendations for services, including flying to Vietnam as a time-efficient option. The user ultimately decides to book a flight from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City and shares positive feedback about their smooth immigration experience upon returning. The interactions highlight the importance of clarity in terms when seeking immigration advice.
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Lê **********
OPUpdate: I flew from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh city at at 2pm on Wednesday, and fly back from Ho Chi Minh city to Bangkok at 6pm same day. The immigration process was smooth, no questions asked at Vietnam immigration and Thai officer only asked when I was going to Phuket. Thank you all so much for your support and help. Immigration can be a headache and I would've had a very hard time navagating this without you all.
Nick ****************
There used to be a van device from Tesco on Sukumvit 42 every morning at about 5:30. Not sure if it’s still running. I think about 3000 including fee.
Terary **********
12go.asia used to have a bus from Khao San road to PP. If you want to do it yourself. I find the bus more comfortable than the van.
Lê **********
OPThank you all so much for the advice! So last night, I weighed all the options and with my online work schedule and deadlines, I I decided to do a border run by airline, which seems to be the least time and energy consuming. Taking a flight from BKK to Saigon tomorrow afternoon and come right back on another flight. Hopefully this will go smoothly, and thanks to everyone here, I have prepared the 3 proofs and thai pass.
Carsten ************
@Lê *********
better avoid DMK Airport for your return. IOs there are fierce.Lê **********
OP@Carsten ***********
thank you for the advice. thank God I'm doing BKK, hope they will be easier. Although it is quite obvious I'm doing a border run, flying out of the country in 2 hours and come right back, it is not against the rule, let's hope they see it that way.Maxim ***********
@Lê *********
BKK airport is the same, going through this airport trying to get out and back in the same day can be difficult. You said "border run" earlier, so I gave you an answer which doesn't apply here since you are not doing a border run. Please, next time, provide accurate information because it can gets very confusing while trying to help. A border run usually refer to getting out of the country by land, just to do a U-Turn and coming back into Thailand immediately (generally 30min-1h later), depending on how long the process is on the other side.Maxim ***********
@Lê *********
Flying out and coming back is not a border run. A border run is going out by land and coming back 30 min later after getting into Cambodia and coming back.
Wilhelmina ********
You got all your needed info already. Good luck and please don't forget to update when you get through, a form of appreciation to those who advised you pretty well here. And, did I see any thanks to them? These things are what I often see lacking. Again, good luck!
Lê **********
OPVeep Lefeh are you talking specifically about me? I asked for advice with immigration in Chiang Mai a month ago, and I commented a thank you note with update at the time. On a general note, I agree everyone here is so helpful and supportive, and the least we can do is a thank you.
Maxim ***********
She probably meant visa exempt (Vietnam). You do not need to pay expensive price for border run with agent service. Just do a normal border run. Are you vaccinated?
Maxim ***********
You get a bus to the border, not to Siem Reap. Just look at YT video about border run, you don't seem to have done any research. You get out of Thailand and come back in immediately after entering Cambodia.
Lê **********
OP@Maxim **********
yeah I'm vaccinated. So I just get a bus to Siem Reap and it's quite straight forward? I've never done a border run beforeBrandon ************
What is an exit visa?
Maarten ****
@Brandon ***********
exit visa was a visa issue to people who lose their passport during their holiday and when you got a replacement passport or an emergency passport then you will need a "exit visa" to let you leave as immigration dont have your new passport number in their system...
Jonas *************
Coming back immediately after a "7 days extention" doesn't look good.
Keep in mind that is easier to refuse at the border than if you fly in and have ticket out, and have money, hotel etc....
Keep in mind that is easier to refuse at the border than if you fly in and have ticket out, and have money, hotel etc....
Stuart *********
@Jonas ************
Looking “good” could be an issue for most border entries, but for a citizen of Vietnam, having the 3 proofs, it would be unusual to be denied. Immigration know that Vietnam is a special case where their citizens can get a 30 day visa exemption, but can’t get a 30 day extension off of that.Lê **********
OPSorry if this is a silly question, but what is the 3 proofs? Does it include a passport, thai pass and insurance?
Brandon ************
@Lê *********
the reason you should have these is that it's the easy reasons for immigration to refuse you entry. If you have them all, it's difficult for them to refuse so generally they'll let you in even if they don't want toStuart *********
@Lê *********
No it’s proof of funds - 20,000 baht cash or equivalent in a major currency. Cash only. Bank statements or a credit card or phone app won’t suffice. Then accommodation booked for at least the first few days.
And then a ticket out of Thailand within the 30 days. Can be air or bus, but if the latter has to be an international ticket out. A ticket to a border town where you could walk across the border doesn’t cut it.
Lê **********
OPI mean an extension for 7 days to leave Thailand
Brandon ************
@Lê *********
ah okay, using the term exit visa does make sense in that case. @Stuart ********
I know nothing about land crossing. Would it make sense to have three 3 proofs for a land crossing if you're basically being kicked out on an application denied sticker, or do land borders not check for those things?Stuart *********
@Brandon ***********
Land borders check those things. The cash on entry probably more so than at an airport. The fact they got a extension denial “7 days to leave” stamp probably won’t have any impact on re entering as long as they have the 3 proofs and a viable reason to re enter.Stuart *********
@Brandon ***********
Hazard a guess they meant “existing” visa.Activity
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