Chong Chom border Bounce

[Mutt Daeng]

Before I got a new passport in 2016, I was able to use online 90 day reporting successfully 7 times. As I haven't been out of the Kingdom and re-entered with my new passport, I am unable to use the online 90 day reporting. I was thinking of doing a quick out/in at Chong Chom to re-enable online 90 day reporting as I understand that it's "one of the more friendly crossings".
I am currently on a 1 year permission to stay based on retirement. What is the current situation? Can I exit Thailand, get a Cambodian VoA, enter Cambodia, then turn round, exit Cambodia & re-enter Thailand?
Any pitfalls I should be aware of?
Do I just need my passport + photo(s) + completed app form?
Thanks in advance

[Mutt Daeng]

I forgot to mention that I have a re-entry permit to preserve my current permission to stay date.

[Gerry]

From what I have been told by immigration, you don't need to leave. Simply go and do a 90 day report in person. That should enable  you to the report online.

[Mutt Daeng]

From what I have been told by immigration, you don't need to leave. Simply go and do a 90 day report in person. That should enable  you to the report online.

I've been doing reports in person since I got my new passport in Oct 2016.
I get a message from the app saying my arrival data cannot be found. See attached screenshot from the app.
This is why I need to exit/re-enter the Kingdom as there is no record of my passport in the arrival database.

[Smithy]

From what I have been told by immigration, you don't need to leave. Simply go and do a 90 day report in person. That should enable  you to the report online.

I've been doing reports in person since I got my new passport in Oct 2016.
I get a message from the app saying my arrival data cannot be found. See attached screenshot from the app.
This is why I need to exit/re-enter the Kingdom as there is no record of my passport in the arrival database.

I thnk Gerry is right,if you tell the IO you want to report online but no arrival date comes up because of your new passport then they may be able to add you to the system somehow .
If they tell you,  you need to do a border crossing you will need photos, and fill in a Visa form on the Cambodian side .This will cost you 1500 baht and 300 baht because you are coming straight back and not staying in Cambodia for a night . You will also need to do a TM30 report again as you have left the Country .
I would try the local IO route first .

[Mutt Daeng]

From what I have been told by immigration, you don't need to leave. Simply go and do a 90 day report in person. That should enable  you to the report online.

I've been doing reports in person since I got my new passport in Oct 2016.
I get a message from the app saying my arrival data cannot be found. See attached screenshot from the app.
This is why I need to exit/re-enter the Kingdom as there is no record of my passport in the arrival database.

I thnk Gerry is right,if you tell the IO you want to report online but no arrival date comes up because of your new passport then they may be able to add you to the sysyem somehow .
If they tell you,  you need to do a border crossing you will need photos, and fill in a Visa form on the Cambodian side .This will cost you 1500 baht and 300 baht because you are coming straight back and not syaying in Cambodia for a night . You will also need to do a TM30 report again as you have left the Country .
I would try the local IO route first .

Thanks for the info Smithy.
I've already tried to explain the situation to an officer @ Buriram but had no success. AFAIK there is no way they can add you to the arrivals database, which I believe is what the online reporting system uses. This has been discussed to death on Thaivisa.

[Mutt Daeng]

@Smithy, Do you get the Cambodian visa form at Immigration Arrivals in Cambodia, or is it a different office?
I don't suppose you have a copy which you could scan and post?

[Smithy]

@Smithy, Do you get the Cambodian visa form at Immigration Arrivals in Cambodia, or is it a different office?
I don't suppose you have a copy which you could scan and post?

After you go through Thai Immigration head to the right and go to the first window ( says Visa )
Hand them your passport and they will check it and then give you a forum to fill in.
Once filled in hand it back and give them 1500 B. and they will stick the Visa in your passport. ( normally 2 or 3 pages into your passport than it should be put )
The go to the next window ( arrivals ) and fill in an arrival and departure card .hand it back and they will ask if you are staying in Cambodia or going straight back to Thailand . You tell them "I'm going straight back " and they will ask for 300B baht . You can if you wish stand there and argue the toss with them for 20 minutes but you will still have to pay .Then they will take your finger prints .
You then go over to the other side of the road to the 'Departures ' and get signed out ,having your finger prints taken again .
Then just go back to the Thai Immigration and come back into Thailand 

BTW..I haven't been to the Chong Chom Border crossing for about a year .At the Choam Sa Ngam it's 400B cheaper , 1200B for the Visa and only 200B to come straight back and you dont have to fill in a Visa forum anymore, just the arrives/departure card and they do the rest . ( the visa office is behind the Arrivals Office but is sign posted )  Maybe they now do this at Chong Chom but either ways its nearly the same process.

[iammike]

Post removed. Smithy has posted a more comprehensive one.

[Mutt Daeng]

@Smithy, Do you get the Cambodian visa form at Immigration Arrivals in Cambodia, or is it a different office?
I don't suppose you have a copy which you could scan and post?

After you go through Thai Immigration head to the right and go to the first window ( says Visa )
Hand them your passport and they will check it and then give you a forum to fill in.
Once filled in hand it back and give them 1500 B. and they will stick the Visa in your passport. ( normally 2 or 3 pages into your passport than it should be put )
The go to the next window ( arrivals ) and fill in an arrival and departure card .hand it back and they will ask if you are staying in Cambodia or going straight back to Thailand . You tell them "I'm going straight back " and they will ask for 300B baht . You can if you wish stand there and argue the toss with them for 20 minutes but you will still have to pay .Then they will take your finger prints .
You then go over to the other side of the road to the 'Departures ' and get signed out ,having your finger prints taken again .
Then just go back to the Thai Immigration and come back into Thailand 

BTW..I haven't been to the Chong Chom Border crossing for about a year .At the Choam Sa Ngam it's 400B cheaper , 1200B for the Visa and only 200B to come straight back and you dont have to fill in a Visa forum anymore, just the arrives/departure card and they do the rest . ( the visa office is behind the Arrivals Office but is sign posted )  Maybe they now do this at Chong Chom but either ways its nearly the same process.

Once again, thanks for the info @Smithy. I have looked at Chong Chom crossing using google maps and there is a photo showing the Visa window in the Arrivals building on the Cambodia side. Looks a piece of cake.

[iammike]

It's indeed a piece of cake, the last time I did it I was back in the car around 40 mins after I left, with the longest delay was the wait for the Cambodian Visa.

Also please don't forget a passport photo for the Cambodian Visa, you have to pay extra if you don't have one

[iammike]

Made this, hope it helps

Ps: Please note, this was the situation when I last went there, maybe GL (or another member) could comment if it is still correct.

[Mutt Daeng]

Great Thanks @iammike very useful.

[Mutt Daeng]

Is there a car park at the border? Or is it best to park at Chong Chom market and get a m/c taxi?

[gotlost]

Is there a car park at the border? Or is it best to park at Chong Chom market and get a m/c taxi?

There is a car park about 500 meters before the crossing on your left you can park there and walk or grab a mc taxi. There is also a military car park on your right just before the crossing, if your just doing a u-turn this is one to use.