Phuket - Visa run Patong to Ranong/Burma

birdwing · #1 28-01-2007, 13:11

Anyone got any recommendations for a visa run operator from Patong to Ranong/Burma? Going 20th or 21st Feb.

Was going to use the Yorkshire Inn but they say they've stopped it. I've used Pen Visa run a few times but they were a nightmare last time.

Is the big bus still going? Is it reliable?

Crustasian · #2 28-01-2007, 23:07

Chinese New Year is on 18th Feb.

Advise book early and check that the company you are going with are back at work then.

Simbo · #3 29-01-2007, 01:27

There's a link somewhere about Eve tours- they about the best service at the moment

ATMwalking · #4 29-01-2007, 03:04

Nightmare. You said it. IMO, they all suck. Never again.

If it is your first time...ok it is an experience. I would suggest avoiding it if you can and taking a cheap quick flight to KL or Sing. You can go to Sing and back in the same day.

Another option is to rent a car and go the casino route. There is a private immigration booth and the boat ride is more pleasant and quicker. Takes your round trip down to closer to 8 hours. Bonus: No crazy smelly guy beside you jabbering on for 12 hours.

faultytowers · #5 29-01-2007, 03:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simbo

There's a link somewhere about Eve tours- they about the best service at the moment

Here is their web-site.

Express Visa Extension - Passport Visa Extension Service Phuket Thailand

ToTheBeach · #6 29-01-2007, 13:32

Agree with ATM, rent a car and go on your own. Easy and actually a nice drive.

birdwing · #7 29-01-2007, 13:49

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Eve leave from Esso garage opposite Lotus, same as F1 visa run do. Wanted a pickup in Patong really if possible.

I'll check out the car rental option.

LivinLOS · #8 29-01-2007, 14:23

Even more fun is rent a sportbike and see if you can beat your previous time

!!

Not the most sensible or risk free but the most fun..

ATMwalking · #9 29-01-2007, 14:32

Scary good idea. Here its a great place for "and see if you survive" activities.

If you are into self-abuse, a friend of mine did the trip on a Honda Wave.

LivinLOS · #10 29-01-2007, 14:35

I had a mate who rode to Chiang Mai on a honda wave !!!

My record on a bike was 6:50 mins door to door.. Approx 3h in each direction in the saddle.. I only had shorts also !!

LivinLOS · #11 29-01-2007, 14:36

I once did Penang got a tourist visa and back home on a bike in about 41 - 42 hours.. If I had known I could process in one day and left to ride through the night on the outbound as well as return I reckon you could get that down to 26 - 28 hours.

midnightsun1 · #12 29-01-2007, 15:32

Later this month I will be in BKK for a few days. On my return I was thinking of taking a bus BKK to Ranong. Anyone know where the bus station is located in Ranong in relation to Thai immigration?

Where do you catch the boat to the casino? Does this mean you use a different immigration office in Ranong if going to the casino?

ATMwalking · #13 29-01-2007, 16:05

Saw this for you:
http://www.phuket-info.com/casino.htm

Yep, different Thai and Burmese immigration. When you take the boat over, you can stamp in and out of Burma then get right back on the boat to thailand.

ATMwalking · #14 29-01-2007, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

I once did Penang got a tourist visa and back home on a bike in about 41 - 42 hours.. If I had known I could process in one day and left to ride through the night on the outbound as well as return I reckon you could get that down to 26 - 28 hours.

yep, your nuts! must have been fun.

Simbo · #15 29-01-2007, 22:28

Eva will pick up in patong- one guy did it the other week.

LivinLOS · #16 30-01-2007, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATMwalking

yep, your nuts! must have been fun.

I kinda enjoy doing long road trips.. Once drove from New Orleans to San Diego without sleep on a van that only did 60mph..

DREW · #17 01-02-2007, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATMwalking

Nightmare. You said it. IMO, they all suck. Never again.

If it is your first time...ok it is an experience. I would suggest avoiding it if you can and taking a cheap quick flight to KL or Sing. You can go to Sing and back in the same day.
.

I would agree with this.

I once did that route with a crazy driver in a mini van, with six of us in the back, and he insisted on driving at 120 khm around blind bends in the pouring rain with zero visibility and every time I would shout at him to slow down; he would just touch the Buddha Amulate hanging from the rear view mirror and drive even faster- oh how we all laughed.

When we got to the Casino I decdied to get blind drunk just so I would be able to sleep through the Mad Drivers antics on the way home.

Flying to Singapore and returning the same day is the best and safest way to do it, and you can even have a look around whist you are there, or just stay in the airport and watch a movie in the cinema, or check in to the health club and sit by the swimming pool on the roof and get some sun and have a beer.

Regards

Drew

piston · #18 01-02-2007, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATMwalking

Nightmare. You said it. IMO, they all suck. Never again.

If it is your first time...ok it is an experience. I would suggest avoiding it if you can and taking a cheap quick flight to KL or Sing. You can go to Sing and back in the same day.

Another option is to rent a car and go the casino route. There is a private immigration booth and the boat ride is more pleasant and quicker. Takes your round trip down to closer to 8 hours. Bonus: No crazy smelly guy beside you jabbering on for 12 hours.

If time sufficient board a star cruiser at Phuket Seaport ( not outside patong beach, to much hazzle )....either disembark in Malaysia or Singapore...visit the
Thai embassy get youself a 3 month visa if plan to hang around in the kingdom for a while...or return with the ship..or fly the safe Silk Air..all that
visa runs to burma...unsafe from time to time..

midnightsun1 · #19 15-02-2007, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATMwalking

Saw this for you:
http://www.phuket-info.com/casino.htm

Yep, different Thai and Burmese immigration. When you take the boat over, you can stamp in and out of Burma then get right back on the boat to thailand.

thanks ATM... I did see it and thought maybe someone else had an update. it was written in 2003

senor123 · #20 15-02-2007, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

I had a mate who rode to Chiang Mai on a honda wave !!!

My record on a bike was 6:50 mins door to door.. Approx 3h in each direction in the saddle.. I only had shorts also !!

Hi Lil,
I'll remember that next time when I put on my helmet, body-armoured cruiser jacket, kevlar lined jeans and boots.
How the f*ck have you managed to live so long?
Steve

birdwing · #21 15-02-2007, 18:47

Going with Eve on 21st. They're picking me up at Kasikorn Bank in Patong. I'll report back how it goes.

LivinLOS · #22 15-02-2007, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by senor123

Hi Lil,
I'll remember that next time when I put on my helmet, body-armoured cruiser jacket, kevlar lined jeans and boots.
How the f*ck have you managed to live so long?
Steve

Good hospitals !!

Broken :: Left arm 4 imes.. right arm twice.. Right leg twice (first 3 pins.. next 9 operations over 2 years).. fingers, knuckles, feet, toes.. Left leg is fine tho !!!

marc26 · #23 15-02-2007, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Good hospitals !!

Broken :: Left arm 4 imes.. right arm twice.. Right leg twice (first 3 pins.. next 9 operations over 2 years).. fingers, knuckles, feet, toes.. Left leg is fine tho !!!

well, if you were more developed and stopped draggin your knuckles while you walked, that would solve the knuckles issue!!!!