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By Ianpassion - This picture was taken at Lao-Thai border, Nov. 19, 2012
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I was never worried about the visa when I was still in my country. But from the time I left the home, visa matters a lot.
Visa Run is used to describe when you go out of the country for visa extension or renewal. It is always a faith-testing moment every time I do this. What if denied? What will I do?
From the time I came to Thailand, the immigration gave me a free visa for 30 days. But before the 30 days was over I needed to extend it, so it was then that should do the visa run.
With no idea how to do this, my friend from Bangkok advised me to get a double-entry visa at the Thai Embassy in Laos. This type of visa permits me to stay in Thailand for 120 days.
But before the 60 days expired, I must do again a visa run at any borders of Thailand either in Laos, Burma, Cambodia or Malaysia.
Since I was in Bangkok then, Laos was the nearest. To be in Laos is an overnight trip by van. It was a long haul and very tiresome. We were squeezed like sardines inside a small van with more than 12 people.
When our van arrived at the Thai-Lao border, we were asked to get off. It was at 6 am. Someone said near to me, you have to prepare your passport and your departure card. Then show those to the Thai officer at the departure window.
Crossing a border first-timer like me was a bit confusing, I had no idea what exactly was the process. So, I decided to spy what others were doing, tailed the crowd, and asked questions.
Finally, I passed the Thai-Laos border. Actually, it was not complicated opposite to what I expected.
At the time I arrived in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, I could refresh myself from the very long journey.
However, I could not get my visa on that same day, our agent needs one more daytime to process.
So I had nothing to do on that same day. So I decided to look around, visited the route of Mekong River, the longest river in South East Asia.
I also ventured some historical places such as Wat Phu, Pha That Luang and Si Phan Don.
When our van arrived at the Thai-Lao border, we were asked to get off. It was at 6 am. Someone said near to me, you have to prepare your passport and your departure card. Then show those to the Thai officer at the departure window.
Crossing a border first-timer like me was a bit confusing, I had no idea what exactly was the process. So, I decided to spy what others were doing, tailed the crowd, and asked questions.
Finally, I passed the Thai-Laos border. Actually, it was not complicated opposite to what I expected.
At the time I arrived in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, I could refresh myself from the very long journey.
However, I could not get my visa on that same day, our agent needs one more daytime to process.
So I had nothing to do on that same day. So I decided to look around, visited the route of Mekong River, the longest river in South East Asia.
I also ventured some historical places such as Wat Phu, Pha That Luang and Si Phan Don.
Sorry, I had no pictures to show about my trip to Laos only the post I had above before leaving this country. At that time I only had the first version of android- cherry mobile from the Philippines.
On the following day, at around 9 am in the Thai embassy, my double entry visa was released.
Having a renewed visa was indeed a happy moment. On that same day, I returned to Bangkok in the same van and with the same passengers.
On the following day, at around 9 am in the Thai embassy, my double entry visa was released.
Having a renewed visa was indeed a happy moment. On that same day, I returned to Bangkok in the same van and with the same passengers.
The Visa I got from Lao allowed me to stay in Thailand for 120 days, but on the 60th day, I had to do a visa run again. I did not want to do it, but there is no option but I had.
Before the 60th day due, January 2014, I should exit at any Thai borders. I was already in Satun province, South of Thailand at the time. So the nearest border was Malaysia ( Wangprachan Border).
I left my house at 9 am and arrived there near 10 am. Upon arrival, I found that this border was worth relaxing. It is located on high elevated terrain and fenced with rainforest mountains. The breeze was fresh and cold. Refreshing.
Adding the Wangprachan border's life was the border bazaar, where merchants sold Thai and Malaysian products, food, and delicacies. It endowed excitement, especially for a first-timer.
Before the 60th day due, January 2014, I should exit at any Thai borders. I was already in Satun province, South of Thailand at the time. So the nearest border was Malaysia ( Wangprachan Border).
I left my house at 9 am and arrived there near 10 am. Upon arrival, I found that this border was worth relaxing. It is located on high elevated terrain and fenced with rainforest mountains. The breeze was fresh and cold. Refreshing.
Adding the Wangprachan border's life was the border bazaar, where merchants sold Thai and Malaysian products, food, and delicacies. It endowed excitement, especially for a first-timer.
With the help of my past experience at the Thai-Laos border, I already learned some tips on how to cross country borders. There was no more spying and tailing others.
I handed my passport to the immigration officer at the departure window. Then I walked around 50 meters down the road to the Malaysian border for my stamp entry and return.
After I had finished this process, I came back to the Thai border. I followed the people lining at the entry window. After I had filled all my information on an arrival card, I enclosed my passport and handed it over to the Thai immigration officer at the entrance window.
Finally, it was done. Welcome to Thailand again.
I handed my passport to the immigration officer at the departure window. Then I walked around 50 meters down the road to the Malaysian border for my stamp entry and return.
After I had finished this process, I came back to the Thai border. I followed the people lining at the entry window. After I had filled all my information on an arrival card, I enclosed my passport and handed it over to the Thai immigration officer at the entrance window.
Finally, it was done. Welcome to Thailand again.
On my way back home, a side trip at the famous National Park called “Thale Bhan” made my visa run unwinding. This park is 200 meters away from the border market.
Inside, there are a waterfall, hiking trails, a Thai restaurant, and guesthouses. The wooden pathway lifted from the lake waters took me around.
Underwaters filled with fishes, wild plants, and water lilies were awesome to just spend hours viewing them.
I praised the Father that everything went well with my visa extension. I needed to wait again for another 60 days to expire then do the visa run again.
For double entry visa holders, you are only allowed to stay in Thailand for 120 days, before it expires you need to apply for any types of visa depending on your status.
For double entry visa holders, you are only allowed to stay in Thailand for 120 days, before it expires you need to apply for any types of visa depending on your status.
Visa is always a great challenge for every foreign national planning to stay long in Thailand. Aside from that, it is laborious, it is as well costly.
I have learned to overcome all predicaments by completely relying upon the Father 's sustaining grace and power. I have learned to find good things from every circumstance.
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Malay-Thai Border |
