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  1. #1
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    Question Weekend run this July suggestions ?

    OK, I'm going to be in Thailand for about 2 months, this coming July-August. Because I'll be busy working Monday to Fridays, I won't have time to sit around government offices and file for visa extensions.

    So talking with my missus, we decided that we'll make a weekend out of a visa run in late July. I'm just trying to decide where to. I'm thinking we could go to Penang or Langkawi (if direct flight) on a Friday night and stay until Sunday afternoon and then go back to Bangkok. Or perhaps just go to KL, maybe enjoy Genting Highlands.

    My wife suggested Laos, although not sure what to do there. I've also thought about Cambodia, go see Angkor Wat. If it was closer, I'd love to try and take her to Japan and Tokyo Disneyland. I s'pose we could try for Hong Kong.

    I'm open to suggestions. Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
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    aging one's Avatar
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    If you have a multiple entry visa, seems like a good idea. Find a good ticket and get out and go.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one View Post
    If you have a multiple entry visa, seems like a good idea. Find a good ticket and get out and go.
    No, I get the standard 30 day stamp like all US tourists get. Once the house is finished, I'm going to look into getting a better visa deal.

    Checking Air Asia website, it seems places like Hong Kong are out of the question, as I can't fly until early Friday evening. Looks like KL may be the final choice.

    But I'm still open to suggestions !!

  4. #4
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    Go to Thai Embassy in your Country and get a 3-month visa...much cheaper than flying away.....

    Penang was always a nice place to go...last time I went to Langkawi (mid-90's) it was the duty-free island to attract people with many hotels and investent put in...but I was never keen on it after that happened...

    Sing' is great if you can afford it....

    Is Burma an option yet? Mandalay must be worth a visit....

  5. #5
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    Check air asia on a Friday for their Fabulous Friday fares. Sometimes there are great deals to be had.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by stevefarang
    I'd love to try and take her to Japan and Tokyo Disneyland
    Japan is great, but going to Tokyo Disneyland in July/August will be the most crowded, brutally hot day you have ever spent in your life.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    Go to Thai Embassy in your Country and get a 3-month visa...much cheaper than flying away.....

    Penang was always a nice place to go...last time I went to Langkawi (mid-90's) it was the duty-free island to attract people with many hotels and investent put in...but I was never keen on it after that happened...

    Sing' is great if you can afford it....

    Is Burma an option yet? Mandalay must be worth a visit....
    I would consider the 3-month visa except that I'm coming to BKK to get the missus later this month. We then jet off to the "lovely, sunny" city of Doha, Qatar, where we'll spend most of June. Then we come back to BKK.
    So I'd be concerned that Thai Immigration would apply the 3 month visa to just my first trip and not the July-August timeframe (which is what I want). I don't assume Thai Immigration as being smart or helpful.

    I didn't mention SIN because we were there, for a few weeks, a couple of years ago. And I'm anticipating some more work there.

    Japan was wishful thinking (too far for a weekend), but yeah it would be miserably hot and humid that time of the year.

    If we take Air Asia to KL, how do we get from the LCCT to the high speed train that goes into KL ? Is there a free shuttle bus service ?

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    KL is ok, there is definitely a bunch of things to do on a weekend if you have never been there. Batu Cave, Bird Park, KL Tower, Petronas Towers, etc. I think there is a shuttle from LCCT to KLIA (and to the train at KL central). A taxi is about RM90-100 from the airport to the city (RM1 ~ 10 Baht or RM3~1USD). Once in the city the taxi's can be an issue...if you are at a hotel make sure they call one for you from the street instead of the ones out front of the hotel. Big difficulty in getting them to use the meters (and wanting big money to take you to the tourist sites). I've always had my own car there so not a real issue for me.

    Penang is OK...I went there once and stayed in Georgetown. Some cultural things to see - not a whole lot. Batu Ferengi is more for the beaches...but never been there. Never been to Langkawi, but heard alot of nice things (again, mostly for the beaches).

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat terry57's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by stevefarang View Post

    If we take Air Asia to KL, how do we get from the LCCT to the high speed train that goes into KL ? Is there a free shuttle bus service ?
    From LCCT there are numerous buses leaving every 15 minutes for the city central train station. Take a taxi from there to your hotel.

    Costs 9 ringit on the bus, just walk outside the terminal keep to the left walkway and walk to the Buses. Takes 1 hour into town.

    Langkawi is great for the first timer. hire a motor and cruise the Island.

    Good food and cheap drinks Duty free status.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat terry57's Avatar
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    Don't fuk around with the Train as you must get back to the Main airport to catch it.

    Just pay your 9 ringit and go direct on the bus. Piss easy quick and safe unlike Thailand where you risk your life.

    KL is well organized and very tourist friendly. Enjoy.

  11. #11
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    KL is very boring,
    suggest Penang, Phnom Penh, Siem Rep ( for Angkor Wat) or Vientiane if ur flying, all are good places to be for a few days an just walking around not spending big money
    HK if ur going to do some shopping

  12. #12
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    Thai immigration did not take my 60 day tourist visa when I entered, I used 30 day on entry. Then I flew to KL and used 60 day tourist visa when I returned to Thailand. I was advised they would use my tourist visa on first entry, but did not have a problem asking for the 30 day entry.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by FailSafe View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by stevefarang
    I'd love to try and take her to Japan and Tokyo Disneyland
    Japan is great, but going to Tokyo Disneyland in July/August will be the most crowded, brutally hot day you have ever spent in your life.
    When I was still doing Visa runs, I tried doing it in Japan since I was there anyway and person I got at the Thai Embassy in Tokyo was a drunk with power monkey ass who claimed that embassy only issued visas to Japanese citizens and would not do it. Much like everything else, there is no uniformity among Thai embassies, so don't be surprised if your request is arbitrarily denied.

  14. #14
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    Hanoi is nice.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    For a couple, Langkawi is nice for a lazy beach break, wasn't much to do last time I was there. Very relaxing place though.

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat terry57's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Phuketrichard View Post

    KL is very boring

    Plenty to do if one has some get up and go in him.

  17. #17
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    Take a train up to Nong Khai (Overnight). From there its a two minute ride to the border. Cross over to Laos and then take a 45 minute ride into the capital Vientienne.

    Fly back for a change of scenery.

  18. #18
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    ^ or fly direct to Luang Prabang from Bangkok (Bangkok Airways, about 12,000 baht return if me memory serves me well, which it rarely does). Right, now I've put down the trump card, thread closed...

  19. #19
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    Thanks all for the useful suggestions. The wife has also suggested Laos. I'll look into the flight schedule/pricing. And see what hotels are available.

    I've been to KL 4-5 times before, so I have some idea of what's there. I took the missus there, for a quick layover on our way to Perth a few years ago. SO far, KL is the best option as it has the early evening flight on Friday that I need.

    Angkor Wat is also a possibility, just not sure the best/easiest/convenient way to get there.

    I thought about Hanoi, but I believe that I need a visa to enter Vietnam and I won't have time to deal with VN embassy in BKK as I will be working Mon - Fri.

    Langkawi is tempting, but I can't find an early evening flight on Friday, yet.

    Again thanks very much !!
    Last edited by stevefarang; 10-05-2012 at 12:00 AM.

  20. #20
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    Bangkok air flys Bangkok- Siem Rep.
    up; 18:45 friday eve
    back sunday at 15:25, 18:50 or 20:30

    Otherwise its bus

    Vietnam u can apply for a visa online and pay for it. than when u get there they will let ya in

  21. #21
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    Siem reap for ankor (a doing stuff break)
    Luang Prabang for a kick back and relax
    Singapore for shopping/eating

  22. #22
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    Flights to Colombo are cheap with AirAsia.

  23. #23
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    ^ actually a friend was telling me that flights to Nepal were very cheap; if that's the case it could be a really nice break; I've never been and think I'll look into it (was invited by a Nepalese lady, maybe I'll send her an email...).

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Phuketrichard View Post
    Bangkok air flys Bangkok- Siem Rep.
    up; 18:45 friday eve
    back sunday at 15:25, 18:50 or 20:30

    Otherwise its bus

    Vietnam u can apply for a visa online and pay for it. than when u get there they will let ya in
    Or you can catch a train from Bangkok to the Cambodian border (then take the bus to Siem Reap). The train journey is pretty mellow and the scenery is good (it's a day ride and costs about 150bt per person. One poit about this trip, is that there is now a new road from the Thai/Cambodian border to Siem Reap. The journey is now much quicker and much smoother.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    ^ actually a friend was telling me that flights to Nepal were very cheap; if that's the case it could be a really nice break; I've never been and think I'll look into it (was invited by a Nepalese lady, maybe I'll send her an email...).
    Nepal, now there's a place I highly recommend visiting. I always thought flights to there from here were very expensive. Well worth keeping on the trip list.

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