You can keep your virtuous signalling. You don't have to pretend with us. We don't care why you want to move here, or your thoughts about the sex trade. But you'll regret that when your commuting to the next city 3 times a week "for physio"

@Vincent **********

ok that's good to hear. but a Tricity ? Jeez what engine size and top speed is ? How long did that take from Donsak ? And did you cross the border WITH your bike ?

@Todd ********

also Samui Visa run and HD Visa, offices down on the main road, turn left out of maenam soi 1, but you'll need phone numbers I guess ... And Easyway, directly opposite soi 1.

@Vincent **********

yes, agent gets you a seat in the van. Most Pha ngan/Samui agents can help. Tell them you want border bounce to Wang Prachan, and that it's your 3rd or 4th bounce, and can you get pre-screened and given the 'ok'. They'll need to send a copy of your passport. But book early as they do get booked up. But you can ask to ride your bike, even if they have a seat available. I have on one occasion gone on my bike and followed the van (and on two other occasions I did not need any assistance at the borders). It's not a bad drive if your confident, or crazy. Obviously the vans go at 100mph, literally, but if you got the location/satnav all sorted, you can get ahead in the early hours when the roads are empty. The last 1-2 hours are through a national park and that's a glorious drive/ride. What bike do you have ? I've driven to Wang Prachan, Pedang Besar, and Ranong, (all about 5 hours each way from Donsak), on my Xmax, 300cc, and it's fine (fine as in, I nearly died on a few occasions, not my fault, but at 140-160kmh, it's hard to point fingers, and that's part of the buzz of riding across Thailand, it's not for pussies) I wouldn't recommend any smaller engine size. And get new tires and brakes for the trip. Any problems, you can drop me a message on here - I might actually be THE world authority of obtaining slightly shady Visa's and driving a motorbike to a border like a maniac on the day of visa expiry. If you could see my visa history 😱

Wang Prachan is 'friendly' but I'd advise going through an agent, getting pre-screened and travelling with them. The drivers literally walk you through immigration, out and back in, anyone with any problems gets looked after. I've even seen one of the drivers go into the immigration office, clip the ear of the I/O who is drawing attention to something, and the driver reminds them of what's happening, ie, 'you're meant to look the other way' and hurrying the IO's along. Last time I was there, there were 8-10 minibuses full, from various agents around the country. If just 500 baht a head goes to the immigration coffers, that's 50,000 a day at least. 350,000 baht a week. 1.4million a month. Divide that by the number of senior staff and middle management, you can understand how these things come about.

@Todd ********

as it will be a whole days travel from anywhere in Thailand, to Wang Prachan, to possibly get knocked back. I have completed 4 land entries in 2023, I think a few days overstay on each occasion, and 12 days on one occasion due to a misplaced passport, although I'm pre-screened through a trusted agent. On my last trip, I've ended up in the immigration back office, with the one male and one female I/O's and the supervisor, them sharing Thai snacks with me, a little small talk and then talking openly about myself, my situation (I've applied for Elite visa, but a 2-3 month back log). Before I left, I asked if it were possible to carry on taking this route, ie 5 and 6 Entries plus 30 day extensions in a calendar year, and beyond, they all looked at each other and agreed yes. But this is a very very unique situation but goes to show there is flexibility in the discretion of the IO's about the 2 land entries.

@Paul ****

. You can enter by land on visa exempt twice in a calendar year. You can enter by air unrestricted on visa excempt.

@Paul ****

I believe some visa applications can be affected by leaving/returning. Your agent should know. How did you end up applying through this agent ? So not the same agent as your friends ? How did they apply ? So nobody actually has a visa yet, or doing any voluntary work ? Sound normal to you ?

@Paul ****

Don't be naive, that means absolutely nothing. Let me guess, your friends used the same visa agency ?. Have your friends gained other visas since holding the volunteer visa ? Which organisation are you volunteering for ? Where is the paperwork from them with their info, and your info ? What is the cost of the visa ? No Visa application takes 5 months. End of. Just be wary.

You've been in this group three years and you haven't read about volunteer visas ? As others say, avoid, end of. Unless you are genuinely volunteering, which is a fixed agreement with the hosting/benefitting organization, who should be assisting with the visa.. It's not a generic 'turn up in Thailand and volunteer how, where and when you like'. How come you are dealing with an agent ? Either way, don't leave your passport, or pay any significant sums in advance.