Buriram Expats

Buriram Province - General Category => Isaan Thai Visa => Topic started by: Mutt Daeng on September 11, 2019, 09:20:42 PM

Title: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on September 11, 2019, 09:20:42 PM
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
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on September 11, 2019, 09:37:38 PM
I forgot to mention that I have a re-entry permit to preserve my current permission to stay date.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Gerry on September 12, 2019, 12:16:39 AM
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.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on September 12, 2019, 06:48:58 AM
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.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Smithy on September 12, 2019, 08:31:06 AM
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 .
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on September 12, 2019, 08:36:38 AM
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.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on September 12, 2019, 09:33:08 AM
@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?
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Smithy on September 12, 2019, 11:13:22 AM
@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.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: iammike on September 12, 2019, 11:14:48 AM
Post removed. Smithy has posted a more comprehensive one.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on September 12, 2019, 12:08:11 PM
@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.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: iammike on September 12, 2019, 12:23:21 PM
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 ;)
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: iammike on September 12, 2019, 02:35:46 PM
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.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on September 12, 2019, 03:34:33 PM
Great Thanks @iammike very useful.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on September 12, 2019, 05:12:12 PM
Is there a car park at the border? Or is it best to park at Chong Chom market and get a m/c taxi?
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: gotlost on September 12, 2019, 06:17:24 PM
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.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on September 12, 2019, 06:32:27 PM
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.
Thanks @gotlost. I think I've got everything covered now.
Thanks to everyone else who contributed.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on September 15, 2019, 07:10:11 PM
Mission Accomplished @ Chong Chom today.
Just filed new TM30 report via Section38 android app.
Thanks to all who took the time to provide invaluable info, which aided my successful mission.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: iammike on September 16, 2019, 04:26:59 PM
Good for you !!

Couple of questions please.

- How long did the whole process at the border take ?
- How much was it (Cambodia Visa and the charge for not staying there) ?
- Other comments ?

Thx
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on September 17, 2019, 08:15:34 AM
Good for you !!

Couple of questions please.

- How long did the whole process at the border take ?
- How much was it (Cambodia Visa and the charge for not staying there) ?
- Other comments ?

Thx
Total time was about 45 minutes, but that includes about 20-30 minutes spent exiting Thailand. There were 3 or 4 people before me. Then there appeared to be some discrepancy (not sure what) with my passport and the IO wanted to see my old passport. I didn't have it but had a scanned copy on my phone which I showed the IO and then all was OK. I was fingerprinted 4 times - leaving Thailand, entering Cambodia, leaving Cambodia and re-entering Thailand. The Cambodian visa was 1500 baht and the "service fee" to do a u-turn was 300 baht.
Pretty painless really.
The roadworks between Kap Choeng & Chong Chom were a bit of a PITA.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: dutchdog3000 on November 17, 2019, 07:27:20 AM
@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.
Hi Smithy, just a couple of questions I read on TVisa that someone went to Choam Sa Ngam  and noted that they did not ask for any same day fee like Chong Chom and that the Cambodian immigration accepted US$ i.e me being a Kiwi would be $30 the poster was there in Feb and Apr 2019. Do you or any member have any further info on this. Ive been going via Chong Chom over 5 years now and if Choam Sa Ngam accepts US$ its a nice saving and somewhere different to go to.
Just a note to others the parking 500m before the immigration at Chong Chom is a 50b fee.
cheers
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: gotlost on November 17, 2019, 12:16:09 PM
@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.
Hi Smithy, just a couple of questions I read on TVisa that someone went to Choam Sa Ngam  and noted that they did not ask for any same day fee like Chong Chom and that the Cambodian immigration accepted US$ i.e me being a Kiwi would be $30 the poster was there in Feb and Apr 2019. Do you or any member have any further info on this. Ive been going via Chong Chom over 5 years now and if Choam Sa Ngam accepts US$ its a nice saving and somewhere different to go to.
Just a note to others the parking 500m before the immigration at Chong Chom is a 50b fee.
cheers

It has been over a year but my last two visits to CSN they were also busting your chops for a 300 baht return.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: dutchdog3000 on November 18, 2019, 05:50:32 AM
Thanks Mate, BTW did u use US$ or Thai baht cheers
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: gotlost on November 18, 2019, 06:43:37 AM
Thanks Mate, BTW did u use US$ or Thai baht cheers

Baht always.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Smithy on November 19, 2019, 07:32:53 PM
Hi Smithy, just a couple of questions I read on TVisa that someone went to Choam Sa Ngam  and noted that they did not ask for any same day fee like Chong Chom and that the Cambodian immigration accepted US$ i.e me being a Kiwi would be $30 the poster was there in Feb and Apr 2019. Do you or any member have any further info on this. Ive been going via Chong Chom over 5 years now and if Choam Sa Ngam accepts US$ its a nice saving and somewhere different to go to.
Just a note to others the parking 500m before the immigration at Chong Chom is a 50b fee.
cheers

Went about a month ago and the fee's were as I have stated before
Quote
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 )

As I've posted somewhere before the Thai immigraion still wanted to know the in's and out's of the cat's a' hole and why I didn't use Chong Chom.
Again I just said it was up to me what crossing I used and stated I used Choam Sa Ngam as it was cheaper than Chong Chom .
The Thai IO then try to say that Thailand was better as they didn't charge like Cambodia  biggrin1
I said they charged about the same as I had to paid 5000B for my Thai multi 'O' Visa where as Cambodian Immigration charged 1200B a time + 200 B = 5600 for 4 crossings  .I then said " If you add the cost of going all the way to Savannakhet to obtain the Thai visa then Cambodia is much Cheaper " . He scratched his head and handed back my passport !!  blink1

Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on January 12, 2020, 08:49:16 AM
Just a quick update. Following my border bounce in October using my new passport, I can now use the 90 day online reporting system once more. I have just successfully submitted my first online report (using Edge browser via the website) and it was approved immediately. It appears that the online system now approves the report without any interaction required from an immigration officer. Printed off the receipt / next reporting date to put in my passport. I attempted to use the ImmeService android app but it kept crashing as I was entering info.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Smithy on January 14, 2020, 07:25:25 AM
The TM30 report via Section38 android app has stopped working for me but the PC version ( https://extranet.immigration.go.th/fn24online/ ) is working OK. The only small problem I had was entering the 'Entry Point' as its all in Thai and my wife couldn't see Choam Sa Ngamon on there anyway.
The Cambodian Immigration at Choam Sa Ngam are now charging 300B to come back the same day ( like Chong Chom ) but I say " I pay 200B before ' and they say OK. So its still 400B cheaper at Choam Sa Ngam ( as the Visa is 1200B and not 1500B like at Chong Chom )  than Chong Chom for the border bounce
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on January 14, 2020, 07:52:23 AM
@Smithy: Is this not it?
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on January 14, 2020, 07:58:44 AM
@Smithy: sorry just realised you were talking about the website not the app.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Mutt Daeng on January 14, 2020, 08:15:25 AM
Google Translate says that this is Chong Sa Ngum.
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Smithy on January 14, 2020, 08:50:17 PM
I was using the browser internet explorer before,just open the site in google and used their page translator .There is 17 pages to chose from and found it in the end. Obviously google is better at reading Thai than my wife  smilenod

No 76 on my version of the the site ;)

 
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: Smithy on January 14, 2020, 08:54:42 PM
The funny thing is they say Choam Sa Ngum is in Sisaket on the site but in fact it is in Surin ;)
Title: Re: Chong Chom border Bounce
Post by: gotlost on January 15, 2020, 06:28:44 AM
The funny thing is they say Choam Sa Ngum is in Sisaket on the site but in fact it is in Surin ;)

+1 :biggrin: