Visa Run to Myanmar. From Phuket via Khao Lak to Ranong. And back.

Depending on your visa, travelers in Thailand has to leave the country between every 14 to 90 days. They call it a “visa run”, as it is truly just running out of the country, to then return and obtain a new visa.

It is a big business. Every day, dozens of vans, each filled with 10-12 passengers, cruise from Phuket along up to Ranong on the Burmese border – and all of them hurry back in the late afternoon. The price varies, some providers charge THB 1.500 for this, other just THB 1.200. The service remains the same: Up to Ranong, cross the border by boat, 10 minutes in Myanmar, back to Ranong, new visa stamp, lunch, and back to Khao Lak or Phuket. You can organize it with basically everyone in Khao Lak or Phuket; just make sure to insist on paying THB 1.200 from the beginning.

We agreed I’ll be at the new Tesco Lotus in Chalong at 5:30am. I hurried to make in on time, just to experience once again: It is never worth hurrying in Thailand. I got picked up around 6:10am.

As usually, nobody spoke in the van. 11 of us were visa running to Ranong today, 7 nationalities, ages ranging from 20-65. Everyone does it. Not a big deal.

Two stops along the way, for toilets and snacks. Other than that: Listen to music, relax, sleep, play smartphone games, read a book, enjoy the scenery – especially north of Phuket the landscape is beautiful.

Visa run drivers are madmen. The get paid per run, not per hour, so they of course hurry to get you there and back as quickly as possible. Tailgating, risky overtaking maneuvers and even the defiance of red traffic lights are normal behavior here. Close your eyes. Relax. Listen to music.

Choose your seat wisely: In the back, you will feel every single hump. But you don’t disturb anyone when reclining your seat. The choice is yours. Take a jacket. And socks. The air-con is icy.

Once you’ll reach Ranong, your driver will point you in the right direction to line up. Have your departure card filled in and at hand. In case you overstayed, be prepared to pay THB 500 per day. Many people do it. Not a big deal either. (You'll be brought to the little room behind the glass window. It's like 3x7m. 5 persons are present: Two official guys, one lady stamping passports, and two ladies preparing food, managing the YouTube playlist, regulating the aircon... it's well worth the THB 500.)

After handing in your departure card, a boat takes you to Myanmar. It’s like two kilometers, but it takes like 30 minutes. Relax. Enjoy the scenery.

Reach Myanmar. Get your stamp. Buy alcohol and cigarettes, if you like. Back on the boat. Back to Thailand. Back in line. Have your arrival card filled in and at hand. Next stamp. Bamm. Formalities finished.

Then the enjoyable part. Have lunch with the group. Make friends, if you haven’t done so yet. Return to the South.

As I was heading to the gulf of Thailand the next day, I got dropped off at Takua Pa. Absolutely underestimated beauty of the west! (Read more on Takua Pa here.)

Arrival in Takua Pa ca. 5:30pm. Time for a beer.

Amazing sunset at Takua Pa. Did anyone ever tell you this place even existed?