Dusk 'til Teatime
From Pattaya to the Cambodian border and back, by mid-afternoon. Those who've spent any extended period of time in Thailand for whatever reason (greater than a few months) will be familiar with the rules. Whether it's for official purposes, getting work or retirement visas, or just extending a tourist visa - Exiting and re-entering the Kingdom can be necessary. Others thinking of coming and staying longer than just a few months might also find this Gonzo guide to Thai Border Runs helpful.
Whoever you are, enjoy.
Taking the VIP on-a-shoestring route
Doing things right by the authorities without having the inclination to take a vacation other places or flying someplace else, there is an economic fix. A day-trip to Cambodia-Thai border markets is just a phone-call away, with people to take care of you both sides of the friendship bridge, soon you are being herded through the sheep fencing, getting some selfies, and viola stamped through unhindered back in Thailand with a fresh visa (whichever type you're applying).
One reliable lawyer and immigration agent, a lady who's taken care of all my immigration and also business needs sine 2017, I just keep in contact with in-between and she will send me reminders when I have to appear for such things, pay fines, taxes, get letters, etc etc. The price is always fair, and the service always smooths the path.
There's no photos for the earliest part of the day, I had to catch the minibus at 5am, getting up at 4am, quickly shower and grab a yogurt, spoon, and couple of bananas I'd readied the night before, got in my car to drive over 30km to the pickup point. I made it there at 4:59am, for the 5:00am departure. Delayed 2 mins, as I put the car behind my aforementioned agents office. I then promptly fell asleep on the bus pretty much all the way until the border - early, by 10am or so.
Here's what we saw the rest of the time - from the border and on the way back, a really cool highway rest service station.
Pretty much after waking up at the border, here I am just having cleared out of Thailand, stood in no-mans-land. If I try to run over that bridge now, I'd probably be stopped by people with machine guns, or shot. Who knows. I noticed immigration and army guards just out of sight and in shadows. It's the Thai-Cambodian border. There are eyes everywhere, even when to most all appears so laid back on the whole.
It's a LEMON MINIBUS
One of the most quirky and odd sites of the day, was this lemon-yellow minibus absolutely packed to the gills - and I mean PACKED - with ... limes. It was more than full, note the rigging out the which is welded to the chassis out back, so it can hold even more. Absolutely bonkers and whether they weigh more than the usual capacity of 12 or so people? Surely they must be over recommended capacity, but maybe they also beefed up the suspension!
The freshest smelling minibus in the world.
Lemons. Limes. Clementines. Not sure, one of them. Citrus. it's a lot of citrus, on a citrussy bus (but it's not a Citroën)
We're then herded across, there is a fast flowing river below.
I couldn't help having some strange fantasies about how much of a RAMBO it would take to sneak into this water, using some breathing apparatus stay submerged until into that thick jungle there, and pop out a few km away into more Cambodian jungle. But then I thought, you'd have to really really be running from something worse than jail or death ...
Rambo VII fantasies over, new visa in hand, we have 20 mins or so waiting for everyone to clear at the border market. Here you can buy all kinds of Cambodian products, at Cambodian prices - I had this ice cold beer for 20baht. (and made sure to take a pee before getting on the bus).
A nice drop at 50% of the usual price in Thailand for an award-winning small can.
Being the petrolhead we are ... it's an E12 BMW 5-Series, the very first of that designation. Similar to my previous post on the e21, its period larger brother and also a rare sight. Those euro bumpers are very nice. Looks to have many original parts, expect probably it's Toyota running gear underneath.
A surprising little blend of original, and not so original little details going on here! It's on Thai plates, looks to be in full daily use. This model was built from 1972-1981. It's likely somewhere in the latter half of that time period. It's one of my favorite all time car designs - as subtle a one it is. Driven a few an owned one - NewtonClassics is looking out for another to restore over the coming years. (It might take that long to find a suitable one we can buy!).
Looks like it would be a great candidate for a resto-mod and full running-gear swap for a later BMW engine and manual gearbox.
School Bus Service Station
Little did I know that the early 5-Series wasn't to be my only petrolheaded treat for the day. On the way back we stopped at this very cool highway rest services!
Restaurant at the services held a lot of cool antique gas pumps, all displayed beautifully.
"Before"
Inside of a school bus awaiting to be put to a new life ... 2 more are already knocking out 'street food' at this service station as you can see below.
"After"
The old American style schoolbus makes for a very eye-catching food outlet.
More Schoolbus
Note there are few dotted about ... next also some more classic cars parked up undercover.
You are seriously unlikely to encounter 2 of the 'original old school' minis at once, unless in a collection or at a show.
The restaurant is fully themed in automobilia both foreign and Thai. Location on Google MapsIt is off the main Sukhumvit road in Rayong province.
More of the Service Station
Two Minis. One with a Rover badge, an earlier model, the red one being a re-badged branded 'Mini' which means it is from the time BMW took over - the last of it's kind before the 'New Mini' came to take the world by storm.
A Nissan Figuro. Very quirky retro style car from 1991. 20,000 were produced, and being so unique they are a nice addition to any collection.
Yes, even at the service station ... Cannabis is everywhere in Thailand since new legislation and decriminalization happened back in July.
A vintage truck bus of some description, again utilizing a lot of wood in the construction of the upper coachwork.
Zero mod cons.
Around the rest area, more food vendors and nice weather-proofing.
This is what most buses used to look like in Thailand. Perhaps a few still do in more rural provinces. Lots of wood carpentry to create the al-fresco seating arrangements.
Collection of vintage gas pumps from eras gone by.
Thanks for reading, and hope you liked these images from Thailand (and just beyond, Cambodia through a crack in the wall). See you next time for more adventures!