Re-entry at Ban Laem border crossing

Posted by Party Pete on September 16th, 2011 filed in travel tip

People staying in Pattaya on multiple entry tourist or non-immigrant visas have a number of options when it comes to exiting and re-entering Thailand to activate the second and subsequent parts of them. The Thai-Cambodian border crossing at Ban Laem offers the most convenient location for Pattaya visitors.

Ban Laem is in Chantaburi Province and is around four hours drive from Pattaya. Bri & Joy, Key Visa, and Five Star are among the companies that operate trips to the crossing. Prices vary with the amount of seats on the companies’ minibuses and what is included in the package, but should be between 1,800 and 2,800 Baht.

Visa-runners leave early in the morning and companies such as the Sportsman Pub based Five Star throw in a full breakfast with the deal. The buses typically make one stop on the way to Ban Laem and arrival time is timed to coincide with lunch. Most operators include the price of lunch at the casino in the Cambodian town of Daun Lem. The trips normally allow visa-runners one hour in Daun Lem, enough time to have a quick flutter or visit the duty-free shop, before going back to Pattaya.

People renewing their visas with one of the service companies only need their passports, TM6 departure forms and one small photograph with them. Ban Laem is also an easy choice for those without visas as crossing into Cambodia gives an extra 15-day stay in Thailand.