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Why are DTV border bounces more expensive than normal visa runs in Thailand?
DTV visavisa runsborder bouncesimmigration feesvisa regulations Thailandcost of visa runsPattayaCambodia border
May 1, 2025
a year ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERBorder Bounce for DTV from Pattaya - why are van companies charging more for DTV border bounces to Cambodia than normal visa runs? The van company in Soi 6 at Queen Victoria Inn charges 3,900 baht for a normal visa run but if you've got a DTV it's 5,700 baht because the border officials require more money because you get 180 days with a DTV. Anyone else experiencing the same when doing DTV bordet bounces?
TLDR : Answer Summary
This discussion highlights the discrepancy in pricing between normal visa runs and border bounces for holders of the DTV visa in Thailand. Many users express frustration over the higher charges by van companies, citing that it is a tactic to exploit those who are less informed. The conversation touches on the underlying reasons for these costs, including potential corruption among border officials and the perceived necessity of using these services rather than handling border crossings independently. Participants share their own experiences, with some advocating for DIY approaches and others cautioning against the risks associated with vehicle transport companies.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
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Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Bob **********
You asked and answered it I believe immagration officers aren’t keen on the DTV or the exempt stamp
David ************
Just do it yourself. The feed off the people who fontbfo research
Brendan *********
It’s a scam. Just do it yourself
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brendan ********
1k car to BKK and 1k car back and flights probably a minimum of 3.5k. Already 5.5k plus food at the airports. Time taken, probably 16 hours minimum. Van is similar price and back in Pattaya withing 9 hours of leaving.Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Andrew ********
Why are you paying for a boarder run when you can just come and go as you please as many times you want ...... I'm curious
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew *******
1k car to BKK and 1k car back and flights probably a minimum of 3.5k. Already 5.5k plus food at the airports. Time taken, probably 16 hours minimum. Van is similar price and back in Pattaya withing 9 hours of leaving.Greg ********
@Andrew *******
With this you are payjng for the van to the border and back plus the guarantee of smooth exit and re-entry same day.Andrew ********
@Greg *******
my point is with a DTV you don't need that assurance you already have assured entry at any port you enter. The boarder runs are people using visa exempt status to keep coming back in
AllSabai ******
@Andrew *******
small correction You don't have any kind of assured entry as you said.
Having DTV doesn't mean that you are above the last opinion about you by the IO ar any port as you said.
Extra documents can be asked
Extra questions can be asked
And yes or no can be said.
Anonymous ******************
@Andrew *******
I agree. Can even just fly in and out on same day. Cost would probably be less and a lot safer to too. Being cramped up in those minivans all day isn’t exactly safe or comfortable..Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 364 1k car to BKK and 1k car back and flights probably a minimum of 3.5k. Already 5.5k plus food at the airports. Time taken, probably 16 hours minimum. Van is similar price and back in Pattaya withing 9 hours of leaving.
Laurence *******
Anonymous participant let me know after the second time you’re on a bus to Poipet and it catches fire mid journey.
Let me know if you still like border bouncing to save a few pennies then!!
Let me know if you still like border bouncing to save a few pennies then!!
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Laurence ******
I'm not going to Poipet and I'm not taking a bus. Where in my post did it say anything like that? 🤔🤔 No van companies go to Poipet as everyone knows you avoid that border like a plague.Laurence *******
Anonymous participant the point is these border run vans and buses are dangerous, catch on fire, and/or are driven by maniacal yaba smoking drivers.
Fly in and out like most normal visa holders, penny pinching will end badly.
Poipet is a fine border if you know what you’re doing, I often drove out there from BKK when I was doing monthly visa runs (yes I was penny pinching and nearly died several times over).
Fly in and out like most normal visa holders, penny pinching will end badly.
Poipet is a fine border if you know what you’re doing, I often drove out there from BKK when I was doing monthly visa runs (yes I was penny pinching and nearly died several times over).
Reply to
Laurence *******
Reply
Rob ******
is flying out & back in same day ok ?
Ash **********
@Rob *****
yes, but why not spend a day or two wherever you went?Rob ******
@Ash *********
financial efficiencyAsh **********
@Rob *****
Up to you.Rob ******
@Ash *********
of courseReply to
Rob ******
Reply
James ********
@Rob *****
yes...Reply to
James ********
Reply
Dany ********
to milk the maximum amount of
money off stupid people 🤣🤣 5700 baht… for that price you can probably border run twice. just book a flight…
money off stupid people 🤣🤣 5700 baht… for that price you can probably border run twice. just book a flight…
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dany *******
How? Please show me your calculations. 1k car to BKK and 1k car back and flights probably a minimum of 3.5k. Already 5.5k plus food at the airports. Time taken, probably 16 hours minimum. Van is similar price and back in Pattaya withing 9 hours of leaving.Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Craig **********
Queen Vic charge way too much. Proper scam
Anonymous ******************
It's almost like immigration is a business (especially at the border) and the reduced revenue from 'visa run services' has to be made back somehow. More news at 7 PM.
Anonymous ******************
Because they will have the added hassle of TDAC.
Steve *******
Anonymous participant 796 the TDAC is something you can do on your phone in 35 seconds.
Reply to
Steve *******
Reply
Wayne *********
Cheaper to fly if you book earlier enough
Sujy *********
What many are not understanding from OP post is that many got their DTV with agents. Therefore not everyone on DTV have the $ to show at border if needed, nor proof that their Muay Thai class is for another 6 months. So using an agent by-pass any requirement that they may ask at the border. The border run company will only allow you in if they discussed with border officials already and said that you are good to go.
Anonymous ******************
Sounds like abuse of power and corruption! Better don't use such services. You may get in trouble one day.
Steve *******
@Sujy ********
there have been no reports of DTV visa holders being asked to show proof of finances or activities.Sujy *********
@Steve ******
When they extend after 6 months, yes. And at BKK airport many are getting questioned, especially if their DTV come from Vietnam, since agents have contact there.Steve *******
@Sujy ********
you don't extend at the airport. Entry stamps have nothing to do with an extension in country.The questioning has mostly been "what is your visa for? Muay thai? Okay." *Stamp*
Sujy *********
@Steve ******
Nobody said that airport provided extension. Extension can be at the 6 months mark at immigration office, but many will get denied if no proof of funds or no clear plan for the next 6 months. As for coming in, again, not true at all. Officers knlw that certain consulate work with agents, therefore can quiz people coming from Vietnam especially.Steve *******
@Sujy ********
yes, but there have been no reports of these quizzes you're talking about.Either show proof if it and I'll agree with you, or stop spreading fear.
Sujy *********
@Steve ******
You can check previous post via keyword search.Steve *******
@Sujy ********
I did. And there are no reports in this group.Reply to
Steve *******
Reply
Rich ****
Fly to KL or HCMC and take a holiday
Steve *******
That's just BS. You don't need an agent to help you get back in when you have a legit DTV.
Just get any sort of transport to the border and do it yourself. Don't support these scammy agents
Or even better, use your visa expiry dates as an opportunity to travel and visit the neighboring countries and make it a weekend trip every 6 months.
Just get any sort of transport to the border and do it yourself. Don't support these scammy agents
Or even better, use your visa expiry dates as an opportunity to travel and visit the neighboring countries and make it a weekend trip every 6 months.
AllSabai ******
You already answered yourself by yourself in the post...
If you don't like
Then go by air and back by air
And don't complain
If you don't like
Then go by air and back by air
And don't complain
Wesley ********
Because people will pay because they don’t know any better?
Kool *******
It's mostly to take advantage of those not smart enough to do it themselves, at half the cost. There is no requirement to stay out of the country like most want for a visa exempt entry return. With the DTV you can cross any border, or fly anywhere, and immediately return, with the only wait being how long the queue is. Most use the border bounce vans so they can continue doing visa exempt entries, and not get rejected doing it themselves. You don't have that problem, for five years.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
How is it half the cost? Please show me. 1k car to BKK and 1k car back and flights probably a minimum of 3.5k. Already 5.5k plus food at the airports. Time taken, probably 16 hours minimum. Van is similar price and back in Pattaya withing 9 hours of leaving.Anonymous ******************
@Kool ******
how smart do you really have to be to know that you can book a return flight to a neighboring country? All information is available online..Kool *******
Anonymous participant 364 my point exactly
Reply to
Kool *******
Reply
Kris **********
Why are you telling everyone in Thailand you are doing a DTV run? Just go, stay for a weekend at some cheap hotel and come back. They over charging you because you're broadcasting it.
Greg ********
They probably have to pay more at the border. When the Visa Exempt went from 30 to 60 days the border "Fee" went from 2500 to 3500
Anonymous ******************
A complete ripoff!
For the same price you can buy a return flight to a neighboring country, + price of hotel for couple nights.
For the same price you can buy a return flight to a neighboring country, + price of hotel for couple nights.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 364 How? Please show me the prices. 1k car to BKK and 1k car back and flights probably a minimum of 3.5k. Already 5.5k plus food at the airports. Time taken, probably 16 hours minimum. Van is similar price and back in Pattaya withing 9 hours of leaving.
Excelle********
Anonymous participant you keep repeating yourself
What answer you want?
You can’t afford
What answer you want?
You can’t afford
*********
every 6 months? You knew when you applied you had to border bounce. You are complaining about 1800 baht. Is that going to break the bank?Reply to
Excelle********
Reply
Expat **********
Anonymous participant 364 so do that instead then. 🤷♂️
Anonymous ******************
@Expat *********
exactly my point..Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
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