Take a songteow (local share pick-up taxi style transport) on a standard route to the "Port" known as "SaapanPlaa" which translates as "fish-bridge" and is located at the river mouth where the fishing boats and long-tails depart for their various destinations. This can be a very busy place but since the fishing in Burma has been restricted (stopped!) the activity is much reduced. Just before the entrance to that area, and opposite Thai Farmers Bank you will notice an english sign for the Department of Immigration. Stop here (most drivers will expect you to stop here anyway), paying 7 Baht for the ride. Office hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm. Present your passport at the office in the second building (well back from the road), for an exit stamp. You will automatically be given the papers to be completed for re-entry, but nothing needs to be completed now. Then walk or get a motorbike taxi (20Baht) the short distance (1-200metres) further to the actual port area. This is where you have a choice. You can accompany one of the many touts leading you to a private long-tail boat taxi. Depending upon the number in your party and your negotiating skill this can be a good option. If you are only requiring a visa stamp and not a tour, you can negotiate a return journey on one of these for anything from 150Baht to 400 Baht. Make sure there is no misunderstanding as to whether the quoted rate is per person, per boat ride and one way or return, remembering that these boatmen are from Burma and totally dependant upon these fares to cover their costs and make a small income.

The other option here is to continue on another 200m from where the bulk of the touts are to the Port entrance. Walk behind the service station on your right to where the smaller public taxi boats are waiting for customers. Many boatmen here are also touting for your fare. The standard fare currently is 50 Baht per person to Victoria Point via the Burmese Immigration Post. If you wait until a boat already has 3 or more passengers, you may be able to negotiate a reduced price, as they will leave with this many if there is no sign of additional fares arriving. Don't get on the open boat before it is ready to leave as it is hot waiting in the sun.

It is a 30-45 minute trip across the estuarine river mouth, passing a scenic coastline and several small islands before you reach the small concrete hut on stilts in the water on the Burmese side. This is the Burmese Immigration office. You must disembark here, climbing the concrete steps and indicate whether you wish to stay in Victoria Point or return the same day to Ranong. This will determine the type of visa stamp issued. If returning you get a day entry stamp for a fee of US $5 per person (must be clean crisp notes. Currently Thai Baht is not accepted and no change is available for larger denomination notes.). A receipt is given to be shown later to the on-shore Immigration officials! Your boatman will wait for you while you receive the entry stamp only. With this you can stay overnight in Victoria Point if you wish, and we were advised by the officials that 3 day stays are possible but not beyond that without a visa from the Embassy in Bangkok. Foreigners are officially only allowed to stay at designated hotels, but unoffically this rule may not always be applied.

Victoria Point is quite a bustling place, with significant effort made to encourage tourists to buy local bargain priced and overpriced imported goods. Thai Baht are accepted in most places. Beyond this facade you can find evidence of a relatively impoverished population with few amenities but very warm hearts. They will welcome you hesitantly but with warm dignity.

After a short or long wander exploring Victoria Point, you will need to locate the new Dept of Immigration office on the pier near your boat landing point. The officials will check your entry stamp and receipt before giving you the necessary exit stamp. Although the rule may be flexible, the new ruling stipulates that an exit stamp is given only after you have been in Victoria Point for one hour! With your exit stamp duly obtained you can similarly locate either a "private" taxi boat or a public boat for your return to Ranong. The negotiation may be a little tougher here, especially later in the day, as this is their home port so the boatmen need to be assured of sufficient benefit to make the return trip worthwhile. You will need to stop at the Immigration Post in the water on your way out to check that everything is in order before you continue back to Ranong.

Once back in Ranong, return to the Immigration Office, armed with your Burmese stamps in your passport. If you don't already have another longer term visa to cover you (ie non-immigrant visa), a standard 30 day tourist visa will be issued. If you have a longer term visa with renewal required, the length of permitted stay should be the same as your previous entry permit, but check this carefully.

Return to the Ranong Market by any songteow passing the office (7 Baht) or a motorbike taxi for 20 Baht. From there the No.11 or No. 2 will take you on to Tanatwan Palace, the best place to stay in Ranong.

Allow for 2.5-3 hours for a "quick" return trip, more if there is longer waiting periods, or you spend time at the markets etc in Victoria Point. During the monsoon season (July to October) it is very likely to rain in the mid afternoon so early morning crossings are recommended. Take an umbrella at any rate as it also serves to keep the sun off.
 

OR.. Just Cruise Through the Process with Andaman Club
 

The alternative is to go to the Andaman Club Pier (well out of town, so you may be asked to pay 25 Baht for a songteow to take you the extra 500m or so to the Pier, otherwise it is 10 Baht to the Andaman Club turnoff. Watch for the green songteow to Ban Samlan!). Comfortable enclosed cruise boats with plushly upholstered seats travel rapidly each hour from the Pier to the Andaman Club casino on an island resort just inside the Burmese border. The Andaman Club have their own Immigration official procedures. The cruise usually allows for a 3-day package holiday stay. This may be the reason why the Club demands you have 5 days validity remaining on your existing Thai visa. If you have less than this you will have to pay an additional renewal charge of 600 Baht. To obtain your papers for the cruise at the main office, you must hand over your passport or personally complete the required forms. The cost of the journey to the Casino (500 Baht return to be paid upon your arrival at the island) includes a return boat ticket and the cost of the Burmese entry and exit visas, so no US dollar notes are required. Your passport is returned to you along with a veritable stack of official papers and the boat ticket, which is required for entry onto the ferry.

The comfortable and scenic journey takes around 15 minutes. Watch for the large fish greeting you upon arrival at the island pier!! You hand in your passport at Immigration upon arrival then pay 500Baht to the Club staff before you are bussed uphill to the casino and treated like royalty for the day. Quality food is available at inexpensive prices (all transactions in Thai Baht), and the views are priceless! Before you return collect your passport at the small centrally located Lobby desk by the stairs. Check that the Myanmar Entry and Exit visas are duly stamped. Then catch a bus to retrace your route back. Upon your arrival back at the Club Pier in Ranong don't forget to return to the Thai Immigration Desk to obtain your new Thai visa stamp in the usual way.

Songteows to Ranong are not available from the Andaman Club after about 4.45-5.00pm. If you walk the 1-1.5kms back to the Ban Samlan Road or on to the Pak Nam Road, songteows may be available a little later but not after 6.00pm. Hitchhiking is possible but not common in this area.

 Don't forget to take your swimming gear etc, as there is a beautiful swimming pool with a view and a health club including gymnasium, aerobics and sauna if you wish to make use of them. The view from the restaurants and lounges are stunning. There is also a Duty Free shop with the occasional bottle of cheaper grog and European chocolates, while of course there is the Casino!!! You can always lighten your pocket a little by getting rid of a few 10Baht coins in the slot machines and electronic gaming boards!!!! All purchases are made in Thai Baht.