No More In/Out Same Day at Hat Lek? (THAI RE-ENTRY / ARRIVAL DENIED) January 2020

[craigOB]

I did a border bounce at Hat Lek / Koh Kong last November 2019 with no problem (across to Cambodia and back in 30 minutes, 300 baht 'fee' paid). However, reading reports today on Thai Visa Advice group in Facebook of folks being turned away upon re-entry on the THAI ARRIVAL SIDE after already paying the usual 300 baht/stamping out of Cambodia ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/1395920320731833/permalink/2622470434743476/ ) and had to be stamped back into Cambodia (another visa for free, though 300 baht 'fee' not refunded), got a hotel for the night, and successfully re-entered Thailand next day. Unfortunately Admins of the group are strict thread-enders and no more news so to speak. Would have liked to hear any more reports from anyone else if they have experienced the same, please let us know here. I need to go 8 January and already paid and got my Cambodian e-Visa.

[Wongkitlo]

Why don't you just spend some time in Koh Kong? Are quite a few Western businesses, nice bread, cheap red light area. Is an interesting small town. I go there often for visa and stay as going in and straight out seems like you are working the system. The 300 baht goes to the Cambodians not the Thais. 

[thecyclist]

22 hours ago, Wongkitlo said:

Why don't you just spend some time in Koh Kong? Are quite a few Western businesses, nice bread, cheap red light area. Is an interesting small town. I go there often for visa and stay as going in and straight out seems like you are working the system. The 300 baht goes to the Cambodians not the Thais. 

The 'cheap red light are' in Koh Kong has reopened??? Ages ago the authorities closed down most of what was then known as the chicken farm a few kilometers outside of town. What was left after the Crackdown wasn't worth visiting. Has there been a resurgence after years of quiescence? 

[tom in bangkok]

22 hours ago, Wongkitlo said:

Why don't you just spend some time in Koh Kong? Are quite a few Western businesses, nice bread, cheap red light area.

Any recommendations for bakeries?

[Sheryl]

They have been enforcing this at Poipet for some time not so not surprised it has migrated

 

There, they enforce it even for people on long stay visas/re entry permits so nto just a "border run" hoop. 

 

I have a mini-crisis going on with my Cambodian staff and adopted family -- a 9 year old is going to miss a week or more of school because it is not possible for another relative to take her across the border (where her uncle awaits with car) and return to Thailand in one day. Cambodian national, 2 year LA visa and RE permit, so no new permission of stay involved. Still can't do it.

 

His home is right on the border, 2 hours from my house,  but he can never just go across for any reason and come back, always has to stay at least one night. Go figure.

[brianthainess]

On 1/3/2020 at 6:05 PM, craigOB said:

I need to go 8 January and already paid and got my Cambodian e-Visa.

With this news in mind, i would simply go and ask at the ENTRY side of Thai immigration before leaving to give peace of mind, and any hassles you may have. I did this one time when immigration told me i would get one more year on the visa i had at the time if i did a boarder run, coz i just couldn't believe it but i checked before leaving and they told me yes. ????

[Dexxter]

I have started going by air to Phnom Penh for a few days holiday instead of the minivan hell runs to the border and back. Much more relaxing and fun. Obviously a bit more expensive but I enjoy a mini holiday for my money. I much prefer a 1 hour Emirates flight to a 6 hour minivan ride, especially on crazy dangerous Thailand roads.

[craigOB]

22 hours ago, Dexxter said:

I have started going by air to Phnom Penh for a few days holiday instead of the minivan hell runs to the border and back. Much more relaxing and fun. Obviously a bit more expensive but I enjoy a mini holiday for my money. I much prefer a 1 hour Emirates flight to a 6 hour minivan ride, especially on crazy dangerous Thailand roads.

I can understand that. However, in n' outs by air are far too risky for those of us with excessive stamps.

[lazygourmet]

I did not bounce border last time (two months ago) when I passed through Hat Lek ; but I remember the immigration officer checking date of arrival in Cambodia before stamping me out.

As that was ten days out of Thailand I was more than okay for another exempt stamp.

[Jimmy B]

Is this all borders? I will do a 90 day in out (non imm o marriage) at mae sot (Myanmar). Normally 500 baby but no questions asked straight back. Pain if have to stay in Myanmar 1 night.

[Caldera]

5 hours ago, Jimmy B said:

Is this all borders? I will do a 90 day in out (non imm o marriage) at mae sot (Myanmar). Normally 500 baby but no questions asked straight back. Pain if have to stay in Myanmar 1 night.

I've seen no such reports yet from any Myanmar (and Laos) border crossings.

[rech]

hello, any more reports ? updates ? do they still refuse to let people come back the same day ? thank you for your confirmation.

[Matzzon]

On 1/3/2020 at 12:05 PM, craigOB said:

got a hotel for the night, and successfully re-entered Thailand next day

So, no problem then. You did like every other normal person would do. You took it easy and stayed a night before re-entering. looks much better and not so much that you can´t afford you visa trips and have to run back to safety as quick as possible.

[Denim]

On 1/8/2020 at 1:29 AM, Jimmy B said:

Is this all borders? I will do a 90 day in out (non imm o marriage) at mae sot (Myanmar). Normally 500 baby but no questions asked straight back. Pain if have to stay in Myanmar 1 night.

 

Mae Sot is not as quiet as it used to be. My last two bounces there have taken a bit longer due to the huge numbers of Chinese now crossing over into Burma there.

Apparently , Burma has leased a large tract of land there to the Chinese and a micro city has sprung up with casinos and hotels etc to cater to these people.

So now there are longer queues at both immigration points and the immigration officers are a bit stressed.

On both occasions , when I walked over the bridge there was a huge melee of about 40 Chinese trying to get into the small room to apply for a Burmese visa. To avoid being held up for an hour or more I went to the front of the queue and had to collar an IO to explain I only 

wanted an in out stamp not a visa.

Eventually, the coin dropped and the necessary stamps were given.

They are so stressed out there now  that they assume everyone wants the same thing.....a visa. Be a bit forceful or face being mucked around.

[Wongkitlo]

On 1/4/2020 at 6:57 PM, thecyclist said:

The 'cheap red light are' in Koh Kong has reopened??? Ages ago the authorities closed down most of what was then known as the chicken farm a few kilometers outside of town. What was left after the Crackdown wasn't worth visiting. Has there been a resurgence after years of quiescence? 

Sorry just saw your reply. A bit lost on TV since they closed the mobile app. Chicken Farm still there but now built up around it. In town first on right after roundabout going away from the market. Petrol station on corner.