Price was 1900 all last year, use that price as a guide. There's a tiny office in the far corner of the 7-11 forecourt 'local boat charters', can assist.

@Rob ******

sounds like every immigration office countrywide. But yes, they will recommend you use local agents, and if they do so, and you ignore them, you'll understand the meaning of 'at the sole discretion of the immigration officer serving you' more than most. I wouldn't call it a scam any more than immigration as a whole. You can chose to agree to it, if you pay you get the service, no problem.

@Gregor *********

the very small immigration office, 2 front desk officers and occasional supervisor in back office, they like you to use the local businesses when visiting, to help the local economy and such. Being such a small office, they really can control the in's and out's, so they might recommend you engage one of the local agents to grease the wheels. Since that border point is not currently used by regional agents sending minibus loads, they don't get much tea money, so they do what they can to get by. With the exception of fingerprint readers, that 'port' has not progressed, nor had a lick of paint or even a jetwash in 24 years, since I first visited. And your 'fee' ensures that the immigration offices both sides stays open until you return. They are also relaxed and even forgiving about the annual limit of 2x land entries, but best to point this out to your agent first. And the price includes 'private boat transfer' but they'll always get someone else on your boat, but immediate departure, immediate service at Myanmar Immigration, and immediate departure back. Although I paid 1900 on 5-6 occasions last year, the last time it was more, but I was late, and expiry was that day. Money well spent.

@Terary *********

that is true, but not a long term solution beyond 1yr.

@Kieron ******

so on the beach road, when the police first found the phone in your possession, they asked for 20,000 Baht, and you refused ? Did you try to politely barter ? Offer 5000, 8000, 10k, and so on ? What numbers did you call on the phone ? Did you mention somewhere here you had 100k baht on you also ? In cash ? Why so much cash ? Did the police find that too. Do you feel the phones owner, the lady was in on it ? How did you disrespect the police, as you said ? Sounds like a cheap sting, and when you've refused the bung whilst holding 100k baht in your hand, they've got shirty. Could have even been a genuine lost phone, and the sight of the 100k made them seize the opportunity. Why you not pay the 20k ? That was your mistake right there, especially with 100k in the hand, and 200k in the bank.

@Sean ****

was this chap convicted of a crime though. Many spend time behind bars here, and no case is taken before a court. Which sounds the case here also. In which case he was a month or two overstay, payed 20k fine and deported. Blacklist you'll get an A4 sheet given with the details, printed, with just a few spaces for them to enter your name, passport number, total days overstay, duration of ban, and date/signatures, even in thai language its quite obvious the contents. I think aussie lad might have slipped the net here. Apply for a visa firstly, that's a clue, but not a guaranteed answer. Do we know that thai embassy's recieve the blacklist even ? You'd be surprised....

@Kieron ******

it's all just character building anyway. But use it positively.

That's what they tell the riff-raff to put them off applying. Makes it seem more high end, exclusive. You'd probably get rejected Brandon.

@Bradley *********

interesting to know. I gone for Elite now, as I had nearly 5 years of the worst immigration record, basically overstay on nearly every visa, just due to carelessness and stupidity and bad planning. Oh, and a 1 year ban after the only serious overstay, just after covid. But I'd bought a house here, had a girlfriend, 3 cats and a dog, and was terrified of being turned away the next visa run. But i still like to know my options, then and now. So about £600-800 return flights back to UK ? 5000 for the visa ? London consulate ? Then a few nights in a neighbouring country then short haul flight into soft airport or land entry. So maybe £1000 per visa all in ?

@Dan ******

ah OK. I understand completely. And living on Samui myself for 5 years now. You are back here now? I can plug you into a friendly language school here, who can facilitate visa runs/bounces too. Worked for me for 2 years, inc overstays, multiple land entries and all sorts, when everyone else said "no, cannot". But nearly 5 years in total, I had to get Elite to carry on. They processed that for me too. I'd bought a house here and didn't want to get locked out.